Croatian Islands, Oysters and Wine

After touching down at Split International Airport, you’ll take private transfer to the Cornaro Hotel in the heart of the city just a few minutes’ walk from its most famous attraction, Diocletian’s Palace. After your long flight, take time to refresh and then stretch your legs with a walk along the seaside promenade with many enticing spots to relax with a glass of wine. There are more inside the palace, with its labyrinth of streets lined with magnificent centuries-old buildings that house restaurants, cafes, wine bars, galleries, and boutiques. Be sure to be along the waterfront just before dusk, the sunsets are glorious!

• Hotel Accommodation: Cornaro Hotel

Today you’ll get to know the 1,700-year-old palace more in-depth on a fascinating history and food focused tour led by a local gourmet guide. Start by visiting the Green Market which sits adjacent to the palace, learning all about the foods while enjoying samples. You’ll venture inside the palace walls, gazing up at the magnificent Romanesque-Gothic architecture before visiting a traditional konoba eatery to enjoy the local specialties such as handmade pasta and fresh seafood. Try traditional peasant pie, soparnik, in a small shop before your last stop, the city’s oldest pastry shop, enjoying delectable traditional pastries and creamy gelato.

• Hotel Accommodation: Cornaro Hotel
• Excursions Included: Guided walking gastro food tour of Split

From Split you’ll take private transfer to Sibenik where your catamaran awaits. Once everyone is onboard, you’ll sail toward Solta Island to enjoy a swim and relax on the soft sands in the tropical paradise known as the Blue Lagoon. Your ultimate destination this evening is Milna, a village with a decidedly Mediterranean feel with its small homes and buildings made from the island’s white limestone that’s also been used in some world-famous buildings, including the White House in Washington, D.C. You can stay on board and relax or hop off and watch the sunset from the veranda at the café near Marina Vlaška.

This morning you’ll continue sailing, stopping first at Zlatni Rat beach with its swirling, horn-like shape and dreamy clear blue waters. From there it’s on to Hvar, where a local guide will meet you in Stari Grad, the country’s oldest settlement. Get ready for an exciting day of wine tasting and discovering the delights of Hvar Town. Sample the highly desirable wines at a family-run winery in picturesque Jelsa, then take a walking tour through Hvar Town’s historic center which reveals sites like Europe’s oldest public theater, which opened in 1612. This evening enjoy an alfresco meal on the waterfront.

• Excursions Included: Wine tasting and walking tour on Hvar

You’ll be surrounded by beauty this morning as your catamaran makes its way around the Pakleni islands off Hvar’s southwest coast, heading towards Bisevo Island so you can take a boat tour at the famous Blue Cave. Upon entering you’ll see some of Mother Nature’s finest work with the interior illuminated in blue. You’ll spend the night on the vessel at Komiza on Vis Island, the furthest island from mainland Croatia. It’s known for its unspoiled nature with little tourism development thanks to being closed off to the public for many years while used as a strategic military base.

• Excursions Included: Entrance to the Blue Cave

Another favorite Dalmatian island is on the itinerary today. Korcula is a beautiful island with sandy beaches and calm turquoise waters, vineyards, and olive groves, but its highlight may be walled Korcula Town, that you’ll swear came straight from a fairytale with its gates, ramparts, and towers. You’ll meet a local guide, climbing the steps that lead inside to explore the narrow, cobbled streets of the town that’s said to be the birthplace of explorer Marco Polo, with his home now a museum. Look for the many Venetian influences like the lions of St. Mark atop the pilar at St. Mark Cathedral.

• Excursions Included: Guided walking tour of Korcula

Saying goodbye to Korcula, you’ll take private transfer to Dubrovnik, with a stop along the way in gorgeous Mali Ston Bay. Hop on a short boat to visit another scenic spot where you’ll sample its famous oysters straight from the sea. They say the reason these delicacies are so tasty is due to the high concentration of salt and minerals in the water. From here you’ll continue to medieval Dubrovnik, the so-called “Pearl of the Adriatic” to spend the final two nights of the trip. Check into your hotel and then enjoy dinner alfresco with a sea view

• Hotel Accommodation: Hotel More
• Excursions Included: Oyster tasting in Ston

Your last full day is an exciting one that begins with a private tour of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Discover the secrets behind the walls with an expert local guide starting at the main entrance, Pile Gate. You’ll learn historic anecdotes and fascinating facts about its history as you stroll through the atmospheric streets. Witness the fountain that’s carried drinking water into the city for almost six centuries, magnificent Rector’s Palace, one of the oldest still active pharmacies in Europe and more. This evening you’ll get to know some of the locals at a home-hosted dinner with wine guided by the family matriarch.

• Hotel Accommodation: Hotel More
• Excursions Included: Guided walking tour of Dubrovnik
• Meals Included: Dinner

After eight nights it’s time for your Croatian adventure to end – of course, if you’d like to spend more time in Dubrovnik, visit one of Croatia’s neighboring countries or travel elsewhere, that can be arranged by chatting with our travel experts. Otherwise, check out of your hotel and meet your private driver for transfer to Dubrovnik’s airport to catch your return flight home.