Adriatic Excellence: Premier Croatia Tour

Split is a welcoming and gorgeous city rising out of the Dalmation Coast where the past and present seem to blend. The city has been inhabited continuously for millennia and remains uniquely atmospheric. Your private transfer will meet you at the airport upon your arrival and take you to your luxury hotel at the heart of the city. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to enjoy a panorama of the turquoise Adriatic. Enjoy the dramatic coastal mountains or the impressive ambiance of the open shops and outdoor restaurants that fill the air with fresh seafood. The evening is yours to settle in, and you will savor the change the scenery.

Split is a living monument with captivating Roman temples and elegant Christian churches. Your guide will meet you at the hotel after breakfast eager to take you through the city on a private tour. Away from the most famous monument of Diocletian’s Palace, you may find the Cathedral of St. Domnius, where the 7th-century foundations support the 196-foot tall bell tower. When you reach Trogir, you can enjoy the revitalized small island where Romanesque and Renaissance buildings tangle along the medieval streets inside the 15th-century walls. The 12th-century cathedral remains a staggering work of architecture with an intricate Romanesque door. After you tour, you might have a glass of wine on Peristil with the chance of live music filling the air.

After breakfast, your driver will take you out into Krka National Park to discover a portion of the water running from the Dinaric Range into the Adriatic. Take the time you would like to wander the grounds, and when you are ready, the driver will be ready to continue with your day. You may hear the thunderous crash of waterfalls sweeping down karsts and enjoy the panoramic views of yawning limestone gorges reaching more than 656 feet deep. You will continue to a famous winery in the village of Plastovo for a food and wine pairing, tasting of delicious wines complemented by seven course sampling. You may find aromas of black currant, plum, and black pepper as you sample a Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot blend that are of a high-quality label and some of the finest Croatian food and wines. Your driver will leave you at your next hotel in Split for an evening spent as you like.

When you are ready, you will board a fast-ferry catamaran bound for Hvar. The ride to Hvar is relaxing and scenic as you take in the turquoise waters and receding shoreline. Once you reach Hvar Town, you will find a collection of stylish yachts and famous beaches, subdued lounge chairs, and access to ancient hamlets wedged between craggy peaks. The day is at your leisure to enjoy Hvar, where you can bask in the soothing sea breeze or the scent of lavender fields stretching across the inland. You could just also relax in the comforts of your five-star hotel.

Your private guide will meet you at the hotel and lead you to Malo Grablje, an abandoned village that reflects life on the island dating back to the 16th century. The stone structures cling to the slopes and forest where grapevines once thrived. As you discover hidden sites and uncover Hvar’s forgotten history, you can indulge in the panoramic view of the island’s deepest bay and wander through Sveta Nedija village’s steep vines that produce high-quality.  Stop for lunch with your guide at a family run tavern for traditional food that goes back centuries. You may find the scent of lavender and rosemary in the air, and as your day continues, you can opt to stop at the beach to relax and swim before finding your way back to your beautiful hotel.

After breakfast, your private yacht will take you to the unique glow of the Blue Cave. The sea breeze will carry hints of salt before you witness the iridescent blue glow on the surface water. You will continue on your yacht to the island of Vis to reach Komiza, where the city promenade vies way to gravel beaches and a Fisherman’s Museum and the antique Venetian tower. You can relax before your adventure to the Green Cave, where the crystal-clear Adriatic beams a stunning green color created by the reflection of the sun against the algae covering the stone. Return to your hotel late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

After breakfast, you will travel from Hvar to Split via private catamaran to meet your driver to travel to Dubrovnik. On the way, you will stop to visit a family-owned oyster farm outside of Hodilje. Your guide will take you on a boat to view how the oysters and mussels are harvested in Malostonski Bay before you sail to a private island owned by the same family for generations. You will have a private tasting accompanied by the luscious texture of local olive oil, the crisp flavor of local wine, and the slightly flowery aroma of rakija. After enjoying your oysters, your driver will take you into the city for an afternoon at leisure to settle into your luxury hotel.

Dubrovnik is a pearl of a city with centuries of history found in the antique Old Town. Picturesque lanes, old streets, and narrow alleys add to the ambiance established by giant walls. After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel, ready to introduce you to the unique beauty of the city decorated with elegant palaces and dramatic fortifications. The Fountain of Onofrio once acted as the city’s sole water supply carrying fresh water from the Dubrovacka River as the striking St. Saviour Church rises above the plaza's edge with touches of Gothic and Renaissance aesthetic. Spend the afternoon as you like, with options including a cable car to Srd Hill for a fantastic sunset, or enjoy a leisurely afternoon at the beach.

Your guide will take you to Konavle in the morning to explore the rolling verdant hills that contrast the naked mountain stone. Vineyards and fruit trees lend a sweetness to the air as you witness the colorful folk costumes of Cilipi village. You can witness the mill and wool process to learn how the traditional region has produced flour and clothing for over a millennium. At Cavtat, you will find a city founded by Greeks and aromas of grilling seafood dressed in lemon. The cobbled lanes of Old Town lead to a gorgeous promenade and the charming harbor. After exploring, you can choose to enjoy dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants in the Old Town before settling in for the night.

In the morning, you can take your time enjoying the views of the Adriatic Sea from your luxury hotel or from the famous city walls. Before your private transfer meets you in the hotel lobby, you can bask in the beauty of the city at your leisure taking advantage of the tranquil azure waters at Banej Beach or the epic stories captured in the preserved defenses of the Fort of St. John. When you are ready, your private transfer will take you to the airport for your flight home.