Croatia Driving Experience – Mercedes-Benz
Where great roads meet the Adriatic
About This Tour
From the elegance of Opatija to the old-world charm of Rovinj and the shores of Krk, this journey captures Croatia at its most alluring. Exceptional roads, classic Mercedes-Benz cars and the ever-present Adriatic make for five memorable days behind the wheel.
Arriving at Trieste Airport (TRS), we cross the border into Croatia and continue to Opatija, our home for the next four nights. After checking into the five-star Hotel Ambasador, we gather for the tour briefing and introduce you to the classic Mercedes-Benz cars that will accompany us throughout the journey. There is no need to wait until the following morning to get behind the wheel. Our first drive towards Labin provides the perfect opportunity to become acquainted with your classic and the roads of the Kvarner region. Back in Opatija, we meet for drinks at the hotel before the remainder of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.
After breakfast and our morning route briefing, we set off towards the southern tip of Istria. The drive takes us through the varied landscape of the peninsula to Pula, a city with more than two thousand years of history. A guided visit introduces us to its remarkable Roman heritage before there is time to explore independently and enjoy lunch at your leisure. In the afternoon, we return to our Mercedes-Benz classics for the drive across Istria to Opatija. The day concludes with dinner at Bevanda, beautifully positioned directly on the Adriatic.
Today we cross Istria to Rovinj, one of the loveliest towns on the Adriatic. On arrival, a guided walk leads through the narrow lanes and colourful houses of the historic centre towards the Church of St Euphemia, high above the picturesque harbour. Afterwards, there is plenty of time to enjoy Rovinj at your own pace – perhaps over lunch on a terrace or simply wandering along the waterfront – before we take the classics back to Opatija. The evening is yours to spend at leisure.
Our final major drive takes us across the Kvarner Bay to the island of Krk. Sea views accompany much of the journey before we reach the historic island capital, where there is time to explore, enjoy lunch and experience the relaxed atmosphere of the Croatian islands. In the afternoon, we drive back to Opatija. After some time at the hotel, a short transfer takes us to Villa Ariston for our farewell dinner – an elegant finale overlooking the Adriatic.
Enjoy a final leisurely morning in Opatija, with time for breakfast, a walk along the famous waterfront promenade or a last coffee overlooking the Kvarner Bay. Late morning, we leave the hotel together for our transfer to Trieste Airport (TRS), where our journey comes to an end.
Croatia
There is something wonderfully effortless about this corner of Croatia. The Adriatic is never far away, mountains rise almost directly from the coast and elegant seaside resorts sit within easy reach of ancient towns, tiny fishing harbours and a surprisingly rural hinterland.
Opatija makes a fitting base. Once the fashionable Adriatic retreat of the Austro-Hungarian elite, it retains much of its fin-de-siècle elegance: grand villas, handsome hotels, subtropical gardens and the celebrated Lungomare promenade running for miles along the water’s edge. Behind the town, the wooded slopes of the Učka mountains form a dramatic backdrop.
To the west lies Istria, a peninsula shaped by Roman, Venetian and Central European influences. Pula’s extraordinary Roman amphitheatre recalls an empire; Rovinj feels distinctly Venetian, its tightly packed houses rising above a harbour filled with fishing boats and cafés. Inland, the landscape changes again to olive groves, vineyards, forests and medieval hilltop villages.
Across the Kvarner Bay, islands scatter the horizon. Krk is one of the largest and most varied, with historic settlements, secluded bays and a landscape that shifts from green Mediterranean vegetation to wonderfully stark coastal scenery.
Food is part of the pleasure here. Along the coast, menus revolve around fish, langoustines and seafood straight from the Adriatic. Inland Istria is known for handmade pasta, prosciutto, game and truffles. Local olive oils rank amongst the finest in the Mediterranean, while Malvazija and Teran are the wines most closely associated with the peninsula.
And then there are the roads. Sweeping coastal stretches, twisting climbs and quiet country lanes make this a particularly rewarding place to drive. Add a classic Mercedes-Benz, the blue Adriatic below and somewhere wonderful waiting at the end of the road, and Croatia begins to make perfect sense.
Included
- Transfers from/to Trieste Airport (TRS)
- Nostalgic classic Mercedes-Benz cars for self-drive, including comprehensive insurance (€2,500 excess) and fuel
- 4 nights including breakfast at the five-star Hotel Ambasador
- 2 dinners
- Admissions and guided visits as outlined in the itinerary
- English-speaking tour director and support team
- Welcome gift
Not Included
- Meals unless expressly included
- Travel to and from Trieste
Our Guests Say It Best
Discover what our guests say about this tour. Real experiences from drivers and travelers who have explored Europe’s most beautiful roads with us.
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- Nostalgic Travel Catalog
