10 Days: Experience Dalmatian Coast And Islands From Split To Dubrovnik

Welcome to Croatia and Split.
Today is your arrival day and there is no fixed schedule as it depends on your arrival time.

You will be welcomed at the airport with your name on a sign by the local representative and transported to your accommodation for the first overnight.

Once again, welcome and we are looking forward to showing you beautiful Croatia!

Today you will explore the biggest town on the Dalmatian coast called Split.
Split is known for Diocletian’s palace, built as a retirement home for Roman emperor Diocletian at the turn of the fourth century AD as a haven. Although the palace has changed its appearance over the centuries, with its surroundings becoming a medieval city, it is still one of the best-preserved examples of antique palaces.

Some not-to-be-missed sites within the palace include the Peristil, Golden Gate, and St Gregory statue, and the cathedral and local promenade. Diocletian’s palace is built in the 4th century and since 1979 it is on a UNESCO heritage list as one of 12 UNESCO locations in Croatia.

The picturesque center is perfect for sightseeing and long walks among its numerous streets and historical monuments, beautiful architecture from Roman to modern times.

We suggest visiting the substructures of the palace since they are very well preserved and in original size as in Roman times. 

Today you will explore another beautiful highlight of Croatia, the National park Krka. Krka is the name of the 72.5 km long river and the river itself with 7 waterfalls for most of that length is a National park. After exploring the biggest waterfall, Skradinski Buk, you will drive to see another waterfall and area called Roški slap. Roški slap is a less busy area, and it offers an opportunity for nice walks or hikes in the area. For the end, we suggest visiting little Islet Visovac in the middle of the river with a still active Franciscan monastery on it. You probably will not see any monks but the local guide will take you on a 20 min tour of the island. Apart from the beautiful waterfalls, the Park is also well known for its multiple endemic species of birds, fish, and amphibians. Did you know: You can also visit, as part of the park, a place which used to host the oldest power plant( 1895) in Europe. People in the neighboring Šibenik area were the first ones in Europe with electricity.

Today you leave Split and explore the Dalmatian coast.  You will visit Hvar, one of the most popular Croatia islands.
More than on average 2700 sunny hours yearly makes this island a desirable place to be on and to enjoy all the beauties of the Mediterranean climate.

Island has a long history, and has been inhabited for thousand years, as there is a lot of material proof of the old settlements on the island. One of the most important ones is the Old fields in Stari Grad (Old town), being in untouched shape for about 2000 years. or to be more precise since 284 B.C. Today, fields in Starigrad are under UNESCO protection as one of 12 UNESCO locations in Croatia.

You will explore the Old town of Hvar, and suggest walking to the fortress above the town for the best scenic view of the whole town and the sea in front. The fortress, called Fortica(Španjola) is mentioned first in the 13th century, and it is part of the gratification system around Old town Hvar.

Swimming or wine tasting is always an option while on Hvar. Enjoy!

Today your schedule is flexible and you can choose what to do.

One of the most popular things to do is to visit VIS island as well as Biševo.

Vis is known as the possible first land in the Adriatic inhabited by Greeks.

Vis got its name from the Greek word ISSA, which was the same name as the home of Greek sailors. We recommend visiting Komiža, a unique fishing village on Vis island.

While on Vis we highly recommend doing a Jeep military tour of the island, which will give you a great overview of the island. Although the tour covers the whole island it is called a military tour as the island VIS was not traditionally a tourist destination like Hvar, but a military base, where the former Yugoslavian army built tunnels for boats all over the island.

You will also have a chance to explore neighboring islands such as Biševo and visit the famous Blue Cave.

You will get to Vis and Biševo islands with a private skipper and speed boat.

The cave entrance fee and Possible VIS tour are to be paid on the spot.

OPTION 2: You can spend an easy day on the beach, swim, and snorkel or you can be active.
Stroll the streets of Hvar, and have a slow coffee break as people in Croatia do. This means you sit and drink espresso for hours. Or just enjoy ice cream in the shade.

One of the options is to take a rental car or private driver to see the rest of Hvar, and places like Vrboska, Jelsa, and Starigrad and check small towns, and wineries around the island!

The third option is to do cycling on Hvar.

Today you will leave Hvar and continue exploring the Dalmatian coast. Your next destination is Korčula island and the town. The name of this Croatian island i derives from the Greek -Korkyra, which gives you an idea that this island was inhabited in B.C in Greek times.

Even before the Greeks were here there was life on the island as archeologists found proof of human presence older than 7000 years.

Korčula today is known for its beauty, hidden beaches, and authentic indigenous local white gapes and wines, Grk and Pošip.

The Old Town Korčula is one of the finest examples of Venetian architecture on the Dalmatian coast, and most likely the birthplace of Marko Polo since it is known that the Polo family originates from this place. Small as it is, Korčula town is easy for exploring on foot!

Today you will explore Pelješac, the second biggest Croatian peninsula and a synonym for red wines, or as the locals call it- black wine. Pelješac is situated in Dubrovnik county known for its natural beauty and for 2 brands, Ston and Dingač.

Ston is one of the very rare 100% planned and built Croatian cities on the Croatian coast, known for 

– the longest fortified system in Europe, Ston city walls,

-oldest active salt plant on the whole Mediterranean, still active and still producing salt as they did in the 14th century and for

-a long tradition of growing oysters and mussels.

Another thing that Pelješac is known for, is red wine. The whole peninsula is basically a wine region and Pelješac is home to the most famous red wine in Croatia, which got its name by the position where is grown – Dingač. This position of Dingač is unique for its steep slopes, up t 70 degrees, and since 1964 its protected by the Geneva Convention for its authenticity. Only the wine from these vineyards can be called Dingač and nowhere else in Croatia, or the World.

Your route will go through the peninsula and through one of the most scenic roads through the Dingač region along the way, you can stop at some of the most famous local wineries for wine tasting.

You would have a flexible schedule today, depending on your preferences.

Today in the morning you will explore Dubrovnik Archipelago and Elafiti islands.

Some of the most popular ones are Lopud and Koločep as this is the best 1-day boat trip in the area.  Small as they are, with no cars on the islands are the perfect crowd getaway. Both of these islands have only about 100+ people living on them. These islands are also rare places with real sandy beaches on the Dalmatian coast. Most of the coast is rocky and rugged, so places like this are highly appreciated in Croatia.

The Lopud island once functioned as the summer residence for Dubrovnik’s nobility, while also being an important agricultural spot, but nowadays tourism became the focal point of the local economy. There is only one village on Lopud with the same name. Lopud and Koločep boat trip The interesting fact is that the highest palm trees on the whole Mediterranean age grow on this little island.

Another island – Koločep, is the Southernmost inhabited island in Croatia. It is only 2.4 square miles big, with approximately 100 people living on it during the whole year. There are no cars on Koločep, or as the local people call it Kalamota, and it is great for walking/hiking on it. This jewel of green oases is only 20 minutes from Dubrovnik with a boat and once you walk on it seems like you are somewhere far away from the city crowd. Local secret: on this island, you will find a great little family-run restaurant that serves the best-grilled calamari you will find in Croatia! If you like scenic walks both of these two islands have a beautiful seaside path on the Southside of the islands.

Today, you will have options for swimming, snorkeling, easy walking, hiking, and cave visit, you name it. 

Dubrovnik- as titled – The Pearl of the Adriatic, UNESCO site with the biggest walls in Europe.

You will be introduced to a rich history of Dubrovnik on a guided tour if preferred, where you will be encouraged to ask any questions you might have about this fascinating place. You will walk the main street Stradun, see Onorfious fountain, Rectors palace, Old port, Orlando’s column, and more. We suggest walking the city walls, the second biggest in the world.

At places, the wall is approximately 75 ft high, which makes it a great sightseeing point to take photos of beautiful scenery. We also recommend visiting Mt SRĐ, where at the very top of the hill still proudly stands a fortress Imperial built at the beginning of the 19th century by Napoleon’s army. At the top of the hill, you will see Dubrovnik and the area as on your palm.

You can take the cable car to go to Srđ, hike up, take a taxi, or you will be taken there if part of your program! We are sure you would like to explore the city, so do not be afraid to get lost in many stone streets. The town is quite small and where ever you go you will end with the walls, or just go down and you will always end on the level of the main street. In the last couple of years, Dubrovnik gained some popularity by being Kings Landing in the series Game of Thrones, so you might recognize a few movie locations as you walk around. Dubrovnik is full of restaurants and there are lots of options to choose from for lunch or dinner.

If you would like to go for a swim, on both sides of the Old town there are pebble beaches! Enjoy!

Today is your departure day.

You will be transferred to the airport in accordance with your schedule!

Thank you very much for visiting Croatia, hope you had a nice time while exploring, and that you will go home with nice memories!

Those who are staying extra time in Croatia will be given instructions according to their schedule.

If someone would like to stay more in Dubrovnik on their own or extend their stay in Croatia, we will be happy to help or assist in any way.