Croatia Three Centre - Dubrovnik, Brac and Split

Day 1 - Day of arrival - Dubrovnik

The transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to the hotel will take approximately 50 minutes. More (pronounced “more-ay”, not “more” as in English) means ‘sea’ in Croatia and this 5-star hotel is right by the Adriatic in the Lapad Bay part of Dubrovnik. There are some spectacular views from many rooms, terraces, restaurants with glorious red sunsets across the reefs and lighthouse nearby. 

There is a boutique feel to the hotel and many of the staff have been there for years which may be one of the reasons for so many repeat guests. Some visitors even take two holidays here in different seasons, often early and late summer (May/June and late September/October. There is a light bistro menu as well as a wide choice of drinks and cocktails.  There is also a choice of restaurants and bars with stunning outside terrace areas and the most popular seems to be the unique Cave Bar complete with stalactites and stalagmites which was discovered quite by chance. Use your first day to explore the hotel, get a feel as to where you are, and have dinner at the hotel on your first night because the food is good and the ambience from the restaurants’ terraces out to the Adriatic sets the world to rights. 

Overnight at the Hotel More

Hotel More, Dubrovnik

Day 2 - Discover the walled city of Dubrovnik

If you want to get away from the bustle then why not have lunch at The Imperial Hotel which is a few minutes walk from the main Pile Gate of the old city. It’s an oasis of calm.  This will be an action packed day and a return to the More will be very welcome. Do visit the Cave Bar at the hotel and watch the world go by on the Lungomare seaside promenade which can be accessed directly from the bar.  But remember, always check if there are any concerts or other events in the evenings. 

It takes around 15 minutes by bus from near the hotel to Dubrovnik old town, by far the easiest and cheapest way of getting there. Make an early start because you will need the whole day to explore the old town, as there is much to see and experience.  Dubrovnik is the most famous walled city on the sea in Europe and, if you have the energy, then a walk on the giant walls 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. 

Overnight at the Hotel More

The famous walled city of Dubrovnik

Day 3 - Visit Lokrum Island

Otherwise, why not take the shuttle boat from the old city harbour to nearby Lokrum island (10 minutes away) and have a swim and a wander there. The Botanical Garden on Lokrum, planted in the 19 th century, is very pretty and there is an incline to reach it. Lokrum is home to the ruins of a Benedictine monastery (which also featured in Game of Thrones) and numerous wild rabbits and peacocks . Also, day trips by boat are also available to the Elafiti islands (Lopud, Kolocep and Sipan) or the Peljesac peninsula including Ston and the great walls there. 

If you did not cover the essentials on your second day , then you can, of course, return for a further look as you have two more days to explore in a more relaxed fashion . The cable car is really worth taking from the city to Mount Srdj. Enjoy the view, have a drink or a meal at the restaurant terrace or explore the Homeland War museum housed within the fortress which tells the sad story of the conflict in the region which ended almost 30 years ago. News reports by renowned broadcaster Paul Davies of ITN play on a continuous loop at the exhibition since he and his crew were the last international journalists to remain in Dubrovnik.

Overnight at the Hotel More

Lokrum Island

Day 4 - Cavtat

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. You could be in the south of France! 

Why not spend the day in Cavtat? Cavtat is the southernmost coastal resort in Croatia and south of Dubrovnik, either 25 minutes by bus or 40 minutes by the Adriana regular boat line from Dubrovnik. It's a great way and an easy day trip to visit Cavtat 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 at the Ploce Gate end of town. 

Overnight at the Hotel More

Cavtat

Day 5 - Island of Brac

The catamaran from the port of Gruz in Dubrovnik sails via the islands of Korcula and Hvar to Bol on Brac Island. 

The 4 star, 306 room, Hotel Elaphusa is not a typical Sunvil hotel choice and yet it is ideally located opposite the beach (50 metres) and a ten minute walk to the spectacular Zlatni Rat beach along the pedestrianised white stone promenade. All the rooms in this hotel were renovated in 2022. It has everything from an enormous Thalasso Wellness Spa to a bowling alley and three swimming pools. Bol seafront is 800 metres away in the opposite direction to Zlatni Rat Beach. There is also a small boat service from Zlatni Rat beach to the centre of Bol and a small “toy road train” runs from close to the hotel entrance to the centre of Bol (charge applies both).  After a fairly long transfer by sea and road, this is a perfect place to relax and evening strolls amid the scent of pine and cypress trees along the seafront to Bol. 

Overnight at the Hotel Elaphusa

Hotel Elaphusa, Bol, Brac

Day 6, 7 & 8 - Bol

Bol centre has a good selection of bars, restaurants and shops, including a good supermarket and an excellent fresh market, open from 06-11, supermarket and some lovely cafes located along the curved stone waterfront wall. Stina Winery is housed in a vast old stone cellar and offers wine tasting and sometimes pairing tastings.  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 rough 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.  You have three full days in Bol and apart from the suggested excursions, you will have plenty of time to relax in a hotel that has everything: an iconic beach to lounge on and a friendly seaside town where you can simply people watch from the many cafes and bars. 

Bol has a lovely sea front . A pedestrianised promenade made of the island’s white stone runs from the beginning of the Bol centre to the Zlatni Rat beach, through a beautiful pine forest. This walk takes around 20 minutes. There are smaller beaches and coves here together with some beach bistros and several places offering water sports including windsurfing and equipment hire.  From the centre of Bol, for those not wishing to walk to Zlatni Rat, there is a regular small boat service direct to the beach. In the other direction the boat runs to the beautiful Dominican Monastery and gardens, founded in 1475 and still working today. Walking from Bol centre takes around 12 minutes. There is also a little “toy train” which connects Bol centre and Zlatni Rat beach area which usually operates from June to late September. The train passes close to the entrance of the hotel. 

Overnight at the Hotel Elaphusa

Zlatni Rat beach, Bol

Day 9 - Split

The Jadrolinija line will take you from Bol directly to Split in one hour and ten minutes.

The Park is an iconic five star hotel located in a smart and leafy residential part of Split, just a few minutes walk from famous Bacvice beach and under 10 minutes to the pedestrianised Riva seafront promenade. Luxurious? Certainly. Attentive staff? No question. Glamorous? Absolutely and yet without any aura of stuffiness. This is an iconic hotel of which local Split people are justifiably proud. There’s also a feeling of a past jet-set area with décor that oozes style and stories. The Park is a perfect base. 

Overnight at the Hotel Park, Split

Hotel Park, Split

Day 10 - Explore the old town of Split

You will need the whole day to give justice to the old town. Restaurants and cafes abound in the many squares and you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to lunch. Stay on for the evening as the old town is magical then and Split has quite a diverse and vibrant restaurant scene. There’s often a musical performance of some kind taking place in Peristil (square) near the Roman columns.  This will be a tiring day so perhaps take a taxi back to the hotel in the evening. The cost will be around £5. 

You can walk to the old town and Diocletian’s Palace in about 20 minutes. The enormity of the palace structure will take your breath away and the old town is literally built into the exterior walls of the palace and is entwined within the structure. The Palace is one of the most imposing Roman structures in existence today and is truly an open air museum. Book a guided tour as this will be an unforgettable experience. Diocletian’s Palace and the historical complex of Split are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Overnight at the Hotel Park, Split

Split

Day 11 - Explore Trogir

It’s about a forty minute taxi drive from Split to Trogir, a fortified town and just 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. Parking in Trogir is difficult, so taking a taxi from Split is the perfect solution. The Old Town is accessed via a footbridge. Exploring Trogir is an interesting and stimulating experience and you will need the whole day (Restaurants abound for lunch) to make the most of your visit.

Overnight at the Hotel Park, Split

Trogir

Day 12 - Final day in Split

If you have not had your fill of exploring the old town, then a few more hours there plus dinner is time well spent. You will never visit anything quite like this anywhere in the world. 

Split is one of the few places in Croatia where there are a few sandy beaches. It’s a few minutes walk down to Bacvice Beach, very much the local beach. It’s sandy and cafes, restaurants and bars are all at hand. You will find groups of locals (of all ages) playing the city’s unique game of “Picigin” in the shallows - basically keeping a ball up in the air. The game is exhausting to play but very entertaining to watch and it is taken very seriously in Split. Locals play it all year round. 

Overnight at the Hotel Park, Split

Old town of Split

Day 13 - Day of departure

It is only a 35 minute taxi transfer to Split airport for your flight home. The airport is small yet very modern and has good shopping facilities.