Croatia: The Dalmatian Coast

DAY 1

You gather in the lobby of the meeting point hotel for a brief orientation followed by a visit of Trogir—a beautifully preserved walled town that boasts a profusion of Romanesque and Renaissance architectural styles along with a magnificent cathedral. Afterward, you transfer to Split for a delicious lunch that may include grilled vegetables, octopus salad, and black risotto. A guided walking tour of Split's UNESCO-preserved old town awaits. You are transported back to Roman times, strolling inside what used to be the retirement residence of the emperor Diocletian, past the Temple of Jupiter and into the mausoleum, now the town's cathedral. You then venture outside the city walls to Split’s vibrant market and bustling bayside promenade, The Riva.

Late afternoon you board a public ferry for an hour transfer to Brac, the third largest island of the archipelago, best known for its luminous white stone, from which both Diocletian’s palace and the White House in Washington, DC, were constructed. A short minibus transfer along the tranquil northern coast brings you to your hotel, a comfortable property with private beach overlooking the sleepy village of Postira. After getting settled, you gather for a welcome meeting and the first of many delicious dinners featuring the bounty of this distinctive coast.
Hotel Pastura, Brac

DAY 2

Today’s walk takes you along a pine-clad northern coastal path from Postira to the fishing village of Splitska. A steady ascent winds through olive groves and cultivated terraces culminating at the village of Skrip, the island’s first settlement. Founded by the Illyrians in 1000 BC, remains of the original wall can still be seen around the citadel. You stop for a brief visit of the tower and Roman mausoleum, today a museum dedicated to the history of the island, before indulging in a memorable lunch of pasticada, a traditional Dalmatian specialty of slowly braised beef served with homemade gnocchi.

You return to the hotel in the afternoon with time to relax or swim before reuniting for a meal of local specialties at a traditional family-run konoba (restaurant).
Hotel Pastura, Brac

DAY 3

After a breakfast of local figs, homemade bread, cheese, and prsut (Dalmatian smoked ham), you set out to explore some of the island’s finest attractions. After a thirty minute transfer by minibus, you reach the trailhead that leads to the 16th- century Pustinja Blaca, originally a hermitage founded in 1551 by Glagolitic priests during the Ottoman advance. A rocky dirt path descends gradually to the monastery, where we stop for a visit before continuing to a secluded cove. Here a short transfer by private boat brings you to the famous Zlatni Rat, or “Golden Cape” where there is time for a refreshing swim. Afterward you proceed to a former shepherd’s hamlet for a traditional peka lunch (meat and vegetable stew simmered slowly over hot coals under a dome-shaped lid).

The afternoon presents the option to continue on foot or by minibus to Vidova Gora, the highest point on the island for a panoramic view over the islands you will explore during the course of the journey.

Later today, you board a catamaran for a short transfer to the chic island of Hvar, famous for its lavender production. After checking in to your comfortable seaside hotel, the evening is yours to stroll the promenade and admire Hvar town’s main historical buildings, including the old theater—the first in Europe to be open to the public. For dinner you are free to choose from among the many restaurants and cafés, with recommendations from your guides and hotel staff.
Hotel Adriana, Hvar

DAY 4

Relax over a leisurely breakfast before departing for a short walk to Spanjol Fortress, or citadel, for a bird's-eye view over the picturesque harbor and the nearby Pakleni islets. A short minibus transfer takes you inland to the village of Velo Grablje and the trailhead. The rocky path winds past an abandoned village and small olive grove before reaching the peaceful cove of Milna, where you may opt for a swim in the turquoise sea. You enjoy lunch at a seaside café before returning to Hvar either on foot or by minibus. Some guests may wish to indulge in a spa treatment, or simply unwind at the hotel, while others may prefer to shop or explore prior to dinner at one our favorite family-run restaurants.
Hotel Adriana, Hvar

DAY 5

After a buffet breakfast of fresh fruits, cereal, pastries and eggs, you embark on a scenic island excursion. Today’s exploration takes you east along Hvar’s southern coast through wilderness of vineyards and lavender fields for which the island is famous. Your destination is the tiny coastal settlement of Sveta Nedjelja, situated below the islands’ highest peak, Sveti Nikola, which towers over the sea at 1800 feet. A cluster of stone houses comprise the original village, situated on a rocky outcropping below a cave with remains of an Augustinian monastery, founded in the 15th century and used until 1787.

The village and beach are separated by a winding path which runs through a small pine wood. Sveta Nedjelja is a famous center for the production of the best types of Hvar red wine (known as plavac), which you may have an opportunity to sample before transferring back to Hvar town and indulge in a gelato. Late afternoon is spent relaxing on a scenic catamaran transfer to Korcula Island, the sixth largest Adriatic island. There is time to refresh at your hotel, a seaside property and your base for the next two nights, before another memorable dinner.
Hotel Marko Polo, Korcula

DAY 6

After a copious buffet breakfast in the panoramic dining room, you set out to explore the wooded hills above Korcula, an island rich in vineyards, olive groves, and sprinkled with picturesque villages. Traditional culture has been preserved on this island, from religious festivals, to folk music and dance, to shipbuilding. A short transfer brings you to Zrnovo, where you explore the village and St. Martin’s Church before continuing along a wide rocky path dotted with cypress and aromatic Mediterranean maquis (low-lying vegetation). Emerging from the wooded trail, beautiful views of the Peljesac Peninsula lie just across the channel. The trail descends to a natural harbor, where a special seafood lunch awaits, followed by time for swimming or relaxation.

This afternoon presents the opportunity to visit a local vineyard, for a tasting of the famous Posip Cara (white wine) before a guided visit of the UNESCO-preserved old town of Korcula—often referred to as a miniature Dubrovnik for its beautiful medieval buildings and stonework. Dinner is at a restaurant in the heart of town where a typical feast awaits and features prawns, calamari, salad of sheep’s cheese and olives, all topped off by an apple strudel dessert. An after-dinner stroll along the narrow streets of Korcula town provides perfect closure to the day.
Hotel Marko Polo, Korcula

DAY 7

After breakfast you bid farewell to Korcula to walk the hills along the Peljesac Peninsula, home to some of the best beaches in Southern Dalmatia with wide, sandy coves bordered by groves of tamarisk and pine. After a short boat transfer to the tiny town of Viganj, you ascend a rocky trail for approximately 20 minutes. You are quickly graced with gorgeous views across the channel to Korcula before descending to Orebic, once an important maritime center and now home to a small maritime museum. You are free to pick up a light lunch at one of the local bakeries or pizzerias before transfering to Ston, whose former importance was linked to salt production. Today it is revered as a gastronomic capital, famous for its fresh seafood, and in particular, oysters, which you have an opportunity to taste. There may be time to walk the famous walls, the longest in 14th century Europe, before proceeding to a luxury hotel in magnificent Dubrovnik. A final celebration takes place at an excellent local restaurant where you toast your week’s adventures.
Grand Villa Argentina, Dubrovnik

DAY 8

Your tour concludes with a walking tour of "The Pearl on the Adriatic" as Lord Byron so famously described Dubrovnik. This much celebrated town, a World Heritage Site, is completely encircled by over a mile of beautifully preserved walls built between the 13th and 16th centuries. Historically, they provided protection against all intruders, from the Saracens to the Turks, coming by way of sea. You explore the town’s main works of art, learn about its history of proud and fierce economic and political independence from Venice, marvel at the loving way the town was restored after the shelling in 1991, and take pleasure in discovering its architectural details and narrow alleys. Late morning you say goodbye, continuing on your exploration of this enchanting coast or making connections to Dubrovnik Airport for your departure.