Best 8-Day Tour of Croatia's Highlights

The splendor of Split emanates from the living history of the Diocletian’s Palace. The ancient design dates back nearly two millennia but captures the contemporary culture of Split with elegant boutique shops and active cafes that fill the air with the scent of strong coffee. Your flight will land at Split’s Resnik International Airport. Here, your private transfer will greet you once you pass through customs. After settling into the beauty of your luxury hotel at the heart of the city, the remainder of the day will be at your leisure to indulge in views of the dramatic coastal mountains and Adriatic Sea.

Your guide will meet you at the hotel to introduce you to Split and Trogir. When touring Split, you will find the aromas of the sea as it fades beneath the scent of morning pastries. Klis Fortress will loom more than 1,263 feet along limestone bluffs. In Trogir, the medieval walls on the small island accentuate the seaside promenade. Jovial bars and chic cafes lookout to the moored yachts while marbled streets create a labyrinth beneath antique street lights. A wine tasting will allow you to discover aromas, such as black currant, plum, and black pepper to the air.

This morning, you will catch an early catamaran bound for the island of Hvar. The breeze will carry the rejuvenating scent of the sea before your private transfer meets you at the port. The historic city of Hvar Town dates back to the Venetian rule of the 15th century and offers a spacious main plaza anchored by the opulent 16th-century cathedral. A fortress crowns the hilltop and overlooks the crystal-clear water and moored fishing boats. You can relax for the remainder of the day by walking the cobblestone lanes or basking in the sun that blankets Malo Zarace Beach.

The island of Hvar features ancient hamlets, lush vineyards, and fragrant lavender fields in addition to celebrated beaches and dramatic mountains. After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and lead you on an encompassing tour of the island’s forgotten histories. The scent of lavender will stem from the purple fields at Velo Grablje. In the town of Sveta Nedilja, you can wander above the vineyards along steep cliffs. The grapes absorb the unique flavors of the soil, resulting in the wines’ distinctive characteristics. The coastal view will entail cliffs, sparkling water, and the Hvar Island archipelago.

In the morning, your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby and escort you to a family-owned farm. You can explore the olive groves to sample and enjoy the scent of fresh herbs, such as sage and marjoram, that grow in the garden. When sampling the olive oils made on the property, you can taste spicy and bitter notes that connote the purity of the olive oil. During your cooking class, your personal chef will introduce you to the seasonal and fresh flavors of the island as you create black risotto with cuttlefish.

You will board a catamaran after breakfast and return to Split, where your private transfer will meet you. As you travel to Dubrovnik, you will first stop at an oyster farm in Hodilje owned by the same family for generations. Your guide will take you on the water to see how oysters grow. Back on land, you will sample oysters accompanied by local olive oil and traditional rakija liqueur. Upon arrival in Dubrovnik, you can enjoy the view over the orange-tiled rooftops and medieval walls from the vista at Mount Srd at 1,352 feet.

Your private tour of Dubrovnik will immerse you in the city’s preserved medieval walls and the views that spread across the clear water of the Adriatic Sea. The 15th-century Rector’s Palace will shine with a Gothic-Renaissance facade while the interior showcases local culture with restored rooms, coats of arms, and ancient coins. At the Cathedral of the Assumption, you will find foundations that date back to the 7th century with Baroque finishes that are captured in the violet marble of the St. John of Nepomuk altar. The treasury nearly drips with precious relics made between the 11th and 17th centuries.

In the morning, the aromas of fresh coffee and buttery pastries drift from the popular cafes and fade beneath the enticing scent of the sea. Locals venture out into the coffee shops to enjoy the views and gossip before work. Your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby and escort you to Dubrovnik’s Cilipi International Airport. You will have plenty of time to check-in for your flight and begin your journey home.