Croatia’s award-winning DMC and small ship cruise company, Katarina Line, announced that it is expanding its program of customizable land tours for 2018 as the North American group travel market heats up. Its fully customizable programs now include a wider range of tours catering to groups such as music aficionados, youth travel, food lovers, history buffs, soft adventure vacationers, as well as those seeking classic sightseeing tours. The new tours include more excursions into neighboring countries such as Slovenia, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Serbia, among others, and feature English speaking guides and private buses.
Katarina Line is also making it more convenient than ever for groups to combine their land tours with the company’s small ship cruises in the Mediterranean. A larger fleet for 2018 and guaranteed weekly departures ensure convenient and seamless transfers. Ranging from Deluxe Superior cruisers with a capacity of up to 38 passengers to intimate gulets that cater to as few as seven passengers, these ships can accommodate tours of all sizes.
“The North American travel market is one of the most diverse and most demanding in the world. Travelers expect the highest quality experiences and attention to details, but also great value for their money,” said Daniel Hauptfield, marketing director for Katarina Line. “With offices throughout Croatia and more than 25 years of experience, we know the most popular attractions and also the hidden gems. More importantly, we work with long-time, trusted partners to ensure all of our clients enjoy exceptional services.”
Food for Thought
Among Katarina Line’s diverse new programs for 2018 are festivals such as the 3-night “Prosciutto Fair” in Croatia. Scheduled for October 20 – 21, 2018, the fair draws upwards of 25,000 people each year to the town of Tinjan in Istria. It features more than 30 types of prosciutto from countries such as Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Spain, and, of course Croatia. In addition to participating in the festival, the guests enjoy a tasting of Istrian Grappa – homemade brandy – olive oil tasting, and sightseeing in Rovinj and Labin. Prices start at $186 for a 3-night, land-only package, based on double occupancy, and include breakfast daily and private coach and are valid for a minimum of 21 persons.
Another new program is the “Croatia Classic,” which starts at the Croatian capital of Zagreb, takes guests through the mountains of Gorski Kotar and Plitvice Lakes National Park, and to the coastal town of Zadar, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Itinerary highlights include tours of Zagreb and Zadar, a visit to Plitvice Lakes, rafting on the Zrmaja River, and a castle tour. Prices start at $322 per person, based on double occupancy, for a 3-night “Croatia Classic” and include English speaking guides, all entrance fees in itinerary, and a traditional lunch.
Katarina Line also offers fully customizable 5-night hiking tours of the Kvarner Bay that include the islands of Lošinj, Cres, and Susak, and which boasts more than 1,200 different plant species. Prices start at $371 per person, based on double occupancy, and include five dinners, guided hiking on four days, ferries to Brestova, Porozina or Valbiska/Merag, and a boat trip with lunch and wine to the car-free island of Susa. Group tours require a minimum of 25 people.
Katarina Line can also provide fully customizable tours to meet the needs of music groups such as school choirs and orchestras. A 5-night tour can include concerts at such venues as the terrace hotel Kvarner, Vela Placa beach in Krk, the summer stage in the main square of the historic old town of Poreč, and concerts in the main square of the small village of Motovun. All tours include a tour manager and English speaking guide, breakfast daily and some lunches and dinners, depending on pricing and requested services.
All prices are net, land-only and required a minimum number of guests. Katarina Line offers free quotes and does not charge handling fees. The company also pays generous commissions on all bookings.
“Whatever a travel agent or tour operator has in mind – whether they come to us with a concrete itinerary, a general idea, or a specific theme around which they would like us to build them a program, we can quickly accommodate them,” said Hauptfeld. “With more than 98% of our bookings coming from travel agents, we are very motivated to partner with them and we are ready to offer them great incentives.”
For more information visit www.katarina-line.com
