Highlights of Croatia

Itinerary

Split – 2 nights
Hvar – 5 nights
Korcula – 5 nights
Dubrovnik – 2 nights

✈️ UK to Split (2 nights):  From the UK, you’ll arrive in Split, Croatia’s vibrant coastal city, where you’ll spend two enchanting nights exploring this beautiful historic city. At the heart of city lies the Diocletian’s Palace, an architectural masterpiece built by the Roman emperor Diocletian in the 4th century as his retirement residence. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the palace is extremely well-preserved, allowing you to immerse yourself in its ancient history.  The palace is not just a historical landmark; it is a living part of Split, with plenty of hustle and bustle, shops, and cafes where you can sit, relax, and watch the world go by. Stretching along the edge of the Palace lies the Riva Promenade: a palm-tree lined, lively waterfront with a mix of cafes, bars, restaurants offering stunning views of the Adriatic Sea and is a popular place for tourists and locals alike.   For the best view of the city and surrounding islands, head to the top of Marjan Hill – it’s worth the hike!

⛴️ Split to Hvar (5 nights):  After your two nights in Split, you’ll hop on a ferry to the glamourous island of Hvar, an island gem in the Adriatic Sea, that boasts some of the clearest turquoise-green waters you’ll ever come across. The island offers an intriguing juxtaposition of quiet cove beaches, unassuming fishing bays and lavender fields with a distinctly upscale, glamourous side, and in the summer, the harbour comes alive with visiting luxury yachts, parties and exclusive events.   The heart of Hvar is Hvar Town, located on the southwestern coast of the island where you’ll find narrow cobblestone streets, ancient buildings, and elegant squares.  The Town Square, also known as St. Stephen’s Square, is surrounded by historic landmarks, including the Cathedral of St. Stephen, a beautiful Renaissance cathedral with an impressive bell tower. A visit to Hvar wouldn’t be complete without exploring the surrounding islands. The Pakleni Islands, a small archipelago just off Hvar’s coast, offer a perfect opportunity for boating, swimming, snorkelling and exploring the hidden coves. The Blue Cave, located on the nearby island of Biševo, is a definite must-see and is known as one of Croatia’s most enchanting natural wonders with its mesmerising blue glow that creates a magical experience as the reflected light illuminates the entire cave with an ethereal turquoise hue.

⛴️ Hvar to Korcula (5 nights):  Your next stop is the island of Korcula, believed to be the birthplace of the legendary explorer Marco Polo. Here you’ll spend five nights on this relaxing island where you can soak up the sun in the hidden coves and sandy beaches with crystal-clear waters or try your hand at water sports such as snorkelling, diving or paddleboarding.  Korcula is renowned for its winemaking heritage, and you can take a wine tour to visit some of the island’s local wineries and taste local wines such as Pošip, Grk, and Plavac Mali, learning about the winemaking process and enjoying the scenic vineyard landscapes.  The historic Old Town is filled with cobbled streets, medieval streets, ancient churches, and charming squares with landmarks such as St Mark’ Cathedral, the Bishop’s Treasury and Marco Polo’s House where there is a small museum dedicated to the adventurer, showcasing his life, travels, and contributions to history.

⛴️ Korkula to Dubrovnik (2 nights):  Completing your Croatian adventure, you’ll take a ferry to your final destination, the breath-taking city of Dubrovnik, known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic.’ Here you’ll spend two nights with a chance to explore all the city has to offer, including walking the ancient city walls and admiring the panoramic views of the terracotta rooftops and the turquoise sea.  The Old Town has significant landmarks to explore including the Rector’s Palace, Sponza Palace, and the Dubrovnik Cathedral.  As the sun sets, make sure you take the cable car to Mount Srđ for and amazing view of the city and surrounding islands and sparkling sea.  If you have time, you could consider a visit to nearby Lokrum Island, a serene nature reserve with lush botanical gardens and hidden coves for swimming.

✈️ Dubrovnik to UK: You’ll be flown fly home to the UK, with great memories of an unforgettable Croatian island-hopping adventure filled with history, nature, and coastal charm.