14 Night Dalmatian Coast and Islands

Day 1 - Day of arrival - Cavtat

The transfer from Dubrovnik airport to the hotel will take approximately 10 minutes (5.7 km). Located at the beginning of the promenade in the old town of Cavtat, this is one of the prettiest spots on the Dubrovnik Riviera, lined with palm trees, café terraces and water taxis coming and going.

Cavtat is built around a U-shaped Bay, protected to each side by a wooded peninsula. The old town centres on a seafront promenade lined with bars, restaurants and small shops, not forgetting some majestic palm trees. Sailors love this spot and there are always some stylish yachts and motor craft moored here. Famous BBC television reporter Martin Bell, OBE has a soft spot for Cavtat and it was one of his favourite places for a few days off when reporting from the Balkan conflict almost 30 years ago. About Cavtat he said “there is more than a touch of Saint Tropez about it. Away from the bustle of Dubrovnik yet close enough to visit, Cavtat is utterly charming”. Just walk the waterfront on your first day, as Cavtat is quite magical, especially in the evening.

Overnight at Hotel Villa Pattiera

Hotel Villa Pattiera, Cavtat, Croatia

Day 2 - Discover Dubrovnik

At Cavtat you are away from the bustle of Dubrovnik but you cannot really visit this part of Croatia without spending a day in Dubrovnik which is easily accessible from Cavtat, either 25 minutes by bus or 40 minutes by Adriana regular boat line which is a great way to visit the city, passing by the bays of Mlini, Srebreno, Plat and the beautiful waterfront villas. The boat line arrives and departs from the centre of Dubrovnik at the old town harbour near the Ploce Gate end of town. Dubrovnik is the most famous walled city on the sea in Europe and, if you have the energy, then a walk on the giant ramparts that surround the old town is a must. From there you will have a panoramic view of the old city, the sea and the Napoleonic fortress on Mount Srdj behind the city. Be warned, that if you are travelling in the peak months of July and August, the old town will be crowded. We can arrange a guided tour or you can simply explore on your own. Don’t miss the Sponza and Rector’s palaces, Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, the old pharmacy, the Rupe Museum, one of the oldest synagogues in Europe and the Orthodox church. In recent years, Dubrovnik gained fame as the film set for Game of Thrones and Star Wars and there are special themed tours. As for lunch, there is a super little family run place in Dubrovnik old town where even locals go for lunch or dinner. It’s called ‘Kamenica” meaning oysters and is located in the open-air market near to the bottom of the Jesuit steps. A down-to-earth place loved for fresh oysters and simple seafood dishes. The platters of “girice” (small fried fish) and przene ligne (fried squids) are delicious and prices are very reasonable, This will be an action-packed day and a return to Cavtat and a relaxed evening at a waterfront cafe or restaurant will be very welcome!

Overnight at Hotel Villa Pattiera

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Day 3 - Charming Cavtat

Beaches in Cavtat are a mix of small pebble coves and stone decks located to the east of the town near the large hotels or at the northern end of the Riva near the church of Our Lady of the Snow. The sea water around Cavtat is especially crystal clear and this is a good area for snorkelling and diving due to the number of Roman amphorae on the seabed and portions of old wrecks. This is a day for relaxing and exploring the town.

Overnight at Hotel Villa Pattiera

Cavtat, Croatia

Day 4 - Korcula

From Cavtat you will be transferred by taxi to the port of Gruz in Dubrovnik and then on by catamaran (2 hours) to the island of Korcula and the family run Hotel Korsal close to the centre of Korcula town. It is literally a 10-minute walk to the historic piazza with churches and the town museum and indeed to Marko Polo’s house. Whether he was actually born on the island is a question in point but try and persuade the locals otherwise! Korcula Town is very special. Winding streets and narrow alleys, squares, cafes, restaurants on the Venetian walls and wonderful views. This is a place to relax and watch the world stroll by.

Overnight at Hotel Korsal

Hotel Korsal, Korcula, Croatia

Day 5 & 6 - Korcula and beyond

You cannot tire of Korcula Town. Despite the place being busy in July and August, there is still a gentle time-warp feel to it. May, June, September and early October are wonderful times to visit as the crowds are not there and the sea and air temperature are usually warm and inviting. However, why not take the water taxi service to nearby tiny islands including Badija with its Franciscan monastery and pretty beaches, perfect for a picnic, put together from the town’s fresh open market (daily from 0600-11). There is also a hop-on-hop off islands service with details available at the water taxi points. Korcula is famous for olive and wine production with white wines especially prominent. Two names to look out for are Posip and Grk and tours of the mainly family-owned wineries are possible. Make a point of looking out for performances of the Moreska Sword Dance. Performances are frequent and you would be unlucky not to have the dance performed on one of your days on the island. The dance involves a “fight” between Red and Black knights using swords. As with most cultural dance forms, the boys start learning at a young age (real swords are used and precision is key) and during their normal day they work as teachers, drivers, hairdressers and more. The two sides of battling dancers were originally Moors and Christians recalling the Spanish battles of the Reconquista in the Middle Ages. From May to October, it is performed weekly on one of the many outdoor arenas in Korcula Town and it really is not to be missed.

Overnight at Hotel Korsal

Korčula, Croatia

Day 7 - Brac

The catamaran will take you to the island of Brac and the fishing village of Supetar. The Hotel Villa Adriatica is A friendly, four star, adults-only property (over 16’s) owned and personally run by Dan Jelovic who goes out of his way to assist guests regarding local events and activities. The hotel is in a good location, around 12-minute walk from the centre of Supetar with a good choice of bars, restaurants and shops (regular ferry to Split, almost hourly in high season). It is a five-minute walk to a few bars and restaurants and the nearest pebble, sandy and paved stone beaches.

Overnight at Hotel Villa Adriatica

Hotel Villa Adriatica, Supetar, Brac, Croatia

Day 8 & 9 - Beautiful Brac

The two full days on Brac will enable you both to explore and relax. Officially, Supetar is the island’s “capital” which looks more like a large coastal fishing village with a pretty horseshoe-shaped waterfront. Behind it are many small squares and narrow streets. There’s an excellent choice of bars, restaurants, shops - including small supermarkets and bakeries - usually family-run. Barely ten minutes’ walk around the coast leads to several good pebble and stone beaches with pine trees fringing them. Also a few sandy beaches. Leading very slightly uphill away from the waterfront, there are residential areas, tennis courts, and larger supermarkets. From the waterfront, the city of Split is clearly visible. During your stay, the one excursion you should take is to the peak of Vidova Gora, at 780 metres the highest point on the Adriatic and with fabulous views to the islands of Hvar and Korcula and the Peljesac Peninsula. Also, the Blaca Hermitage, a monastery established in 1551 by two Glagolitic monks which worked until 1963. The journey there is part of the experience, either a roughish drive on a narrow road then a 2.5 kms walk down a steep path, or by boat from Bol on the south coast of the island to the bottom of the valley and a longer walk up. There is an organised excursion from most local travel agencies combining Vidova Gora and Blaca on the one trip.

Overnight at Hotel Villa Adriatica

Supetar, Brac, Croatia

Day 10 - Tucepi, Makarska Riviera

You have a half hour taxi transfer from Supetar to the fishing village of Sumartin on the east coast of Brac island, from where the ferry leaves for Makarska on the mainland (1 hour). From Makarska there is a short 10-minute (6 km) taxi transfer to the Villa Marija Hotel in Tucepi. This is a small, family run, four-star hotel with a long tradition in welcoming guests and many return each year. Until late 2021 a grandmother was still helping the chef in the kitchen and greeting guests at reception. The tradition continues with family members still working at the hotel. This part of the Dalmatian coast is known as the Makarska Riviera and is characterised by long pebble beaches backed by pine trees. Tucepi is a quieter spot than larger Makarska which is six kilometres away and reachable in around an hour’s walk along a coastal path. There’s a rather stylish seafront with a marina and a good choice of bars, restaurants and shops. Boat trips including the day-long fish picnic by boat can be booked from local agencies and booths on the seafront. If you feel like something special for your first night, then why not try the Jeny restaurant located in the old part of Tucepi and 250 metres above sea level (10 minutes by taxi). Owned and run by two brothers since 1986, this Michelin recommended restaurant offers modern Croatian cuisine using traditional ingredients.

Overnight at Hotel Villa Marija

Tucepi, Makarska Riviera, Croatia

Day 11 & 12 - Tucepi and beyond

You can relax for two days in Tucepi. It has a friendly seafront promenade, a long beach and very relaxed cafes and bars where one can simply sit and watch life go by. Or, you can have two action packed days. Take a taxi to Skywalk Biokovo which opened in 2020 at an elevation of 1228 metres and 17 kms north east of Tucepi. Not for the fainthearted or those nervous of heights. This is an observatory with an entire glass floor and fabulous views over Makarska, the sea to Italy and the abyss below. If you feel that you would want to explore a livelier place in the evenings, then go to nearby Makarska and walk the long promenade with wide pavements thronged with people. You will see posters along here offering excursions which offer fish picnics and boat trips which offer swimming stops.

Overnight at Hotel Villa Marija

Tucepi, Croatia

Day 13 - Split

The private taxi transfer from Tucepi to Split takes in the region of 1 hour and 15 minutes (90 km), depending on the traffic. The Cvita is located away from the centre of Split and in an area that locals call the “Beverly Hills of Split”, it is on the southern slopes of Marjan Hill surrounded by pine forest. While within easy reach of the centre by bus or taxi, the hotel is situated on a steep slope which may be worth considering if there are mobility challenges. Walking down to the Old Town will take 20 minutes and longer on the way up! We recommend taking a taxi (£5 approx ) or the local bus down to the old town. The old town at night is full of people, both residents and visitors. Lights illuminate the remains of what was once the Palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian and is now the old town as homes, shops, restaurants and bars are entwined/contained within the walls and buildings of what constituted the palace. Take your evening meals in one of the many squares and savour the atmosphere. The experience is extraordinary.

Overnight at Hotel Cvita

Hotel Cvita, Split, Croatia

Day 14 - Explore Split

Be prepared for a very full last day! Daytime in the old town is even more fascinating and it’s a marvel as to how all the buildings weave themselves into the labyrinth of the ruins of this enormous palace. This is one of the most imposing Roman structures in existence today, an open-air living museum. The centre of Split is a wonder. Endless squares and piazzas, narrow streets, tiny palaces squashed into ridiculously small places, churches, chapels, shops, banks, restaurants, bars, in style from Roman – Venetian – Austrian – French – Italian – Yugoslav. They were all here. Certainly, book a guided tour as this will be an unforgettable experience. But Split is not only about Diocletian’s Palace. The city authorities have spent serious money on renovating and improving the beautiful, wide “Riva” (seafront promenade) made of local white stone. The residents of Split have always enjoyed coffee there, watching the world pass by and the ferries and catamarans coming and going. Now, visitors are there too. It is a lovely wide promenade dotted with cafes and tall palm trees. Some superb restaurants have opened, there are some eclectic bars including a cocktail bar, miraculously housed in part of the old city walls. In December, there’s even a Christmas market with seasonal, traditional stalls along the Riva. If you fancy a swim, Split even has a sandy beach called Bacvice, a rarity in Croatia.

Overnight at Hotel Cvita

Split, Croatia

Day 15 - Day of departure

It will take about 40 minutes for the taxi to take you to Split Airport. The airport is small yet very modern and has good shopping facilities. However, if your flight is in the afternoon and you feel like visiting another jewel in Croatia’s crown, we can arrange for the taxi to take you to Trogir instead of the airport! Trogir is like a mini-Dubrovnik. Trogir old town is a UNESCO Heritage listed site and is known for its mix of Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque buildings and is set on a small island connected to the mainland and the island of Ciovo by bridges. A footbridge gives access to the old town. Keeping an eye on the clock you then simply take a taxi locally for the trip to the airport which is 6 km away (under 15 minutes)