Discover the Dalmatian Coast with Boundless Journeys

The first day of our tour begins with a walk through the bustling city of Split, one of the Adriatic's most vibrant ports of call. Through the centuries, it has changed hands between Greeks and Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Austrians (among others), but perhaps the city's greatest claim to fame is its enormous, 3rd-century Palace of Diocletian. Created as the Roman emperor's retirement home, the structure is an important example of transitional style, comprising an imperial villa, Hellenistic town, and Roman camp.

Lunch today is an introduction to Mediterranean cuisine; with a wide variety of local cheeses, prosciutto, pogaca, local flatbread reminiscent of Focaccia, and a selection of extra virgin olive oil.

This afternoon, we board a ferry to the island of Hvar and enjoy a panoramic ride overlooking the blue Mediterranean. We end the day at our boutique hotel, offering panoramic views of the town and the marina. Our day concludes with a welcome dinner at a beautiful local restaurant.

Accommodations

Riva Marina
Hvar, Croatia

Hotel Riva Hvar is one of the finest boutique sea-side hotels on Adriatic coast. This recently renovated four-star hotel is situated in the center of UNESCO Hvar Old Town. With 50 elegant and tastefully designed rooms this boutique property pays respect to its original Mediterranean style villa architecture.

This morning, we take to the Adriatic for an optional sea kayaking excursion to the Pakleni Islands, an emerald archipelago just a short distance from the town of Hvar. Here, white-pebble beaches and secluded coves are dotted with Aleppo pines, once an important source of resin used for centuries as a protective coating for the islands' sea-faring galleys.

For those who prefer to explore inland, a hike will be offered from the hamlet of Velo Grablje to Malo Grablje, an abandoned stone village that preserves important examples of Croatian architecture dating from the 9th through the 12th centuries.

Later today, we return to Hvar for a stroll inside the city's 13th-century walls to its sprawling central square, Trg Svetog Stjepana. Here we enjoy a talk with the island's foremost aromatherapist.

As the day wanes, you may choose to visit many of the little artisan shops in town, or make the climb up to Fortress Španjol, a medieval citadel built to defend the city against the Turks. Here the views of Hvar's Old Town and sunset are unparalleled.

Accommodations

Riva Marina
Hvar, Croatia

Hotel Riva Hvar is one of the finest boutique sea-side hotels on Adriatic coast. This recently renovated four-star hotel is situated in the center of UNESCO Hvar Old Town. With 50 elegant and tastefully designed rooms this boutique property pays respect to its original Mediterranean style villa architecture.

Today we cruise to Brac island, the largest island in Central Dalmatia and third largest in the Adriatic. The picturesque island, dotted with old olive trees and vineyards, is best known for its white stone. Quarries on the island have been a source of white marble since the Roman times and have been used in the construction of Diocletian Palace in Split, and some also say, the White House.

Our private boat will take us to a secluded bay on the south side of Brac Island from where we begin our hike. We walk inland to the Blaca Monastery, an old hermitage of the priests of the Glagolitic Order, and one of the biggest highlights of the island. After a guided tour of this impressive structure in the middle of the forest, we drive to Gazul, an abandoned shepherd's village, where we can try a traditional dish called peka at our friend's tavern.

After lunch, we take in the best view of the Adriatic, since Brac holds the title of the highest peak of any island, followed by a wine tasting in the trendy town of Bol.

We return to the island of Hvar this evening for dinner on your own.

Accommodations

Riva Marina
Hvar, Croatia

Hotel Riva Hvar is one of the finest boutique sea-side hotels on Adriatic coast. This recently renovated four-star hotel is situated in the center of UNESCO Hvar Old Town. With 50 elegant and tastefully designed rooms this boutique property pays respect to its original Mediterranean style villa architecture.

We start our day with a 1-hour ferry ride to Vela Luka on Korcula Island, known for its pristine beaches, a high-quality white wine variety (locally known as Grk), and most extraordinary of all, as the birthplace of the famous explorer Marco Polo.

Once at Vela Luka, we hike up to Vela Spilja, a magical cave formation situated just above the town. We explore the cave's fascinating archeological sites, including traces of Neanderthal life which have been found here.
Our appetite for lunch will be satisfied at Konoba Mate in Pupnat, a small village at the center of the island. This rustic restaurant is the perfect location for us to enjoy some delicious local food.

We finish our day with a walking tour of the town, where we wander through Korcula's old city walls, streets, and buildings. We visit ancient sites such as the St. Mark's Cathedral and the Marco Polo Museum.

From Korcula, we ferry to Orebic, a charming resort town where we check in at the beach-front, Hotel Indijan.

Accommodations

Hotel Indijan
Orebic, Croatia

A contemporary feel pervades this well-designed hotel. Rooms are modern and well equipped, and some have balconies with views over the Adriatic to Korcula. The small circular heated pool has a retractable glass roof, so it’s usable all year round. Hotel Indijan also features a bar, an expanive terrace, a private beach just steps from your room, and a restaurant serving delicious food and local Dingac wine.

We start another adventure-filled day, with a hike on the Peljesac Peninsula. Under breathtaking views of Mt. Ilija and the archipelago, we pass by the Franciscan monastery and the votive Gothic-Renaissance church of Our Lady of the Angels in Orebic, two iconic landmarks of this region.

Next, we make our way to the picturesque town of Ston, where we enjoy a traditional Dalmatian lunch, perhaps savoring the taste of fresh oysters, before walking along the walls surrounding the town. These walls, considered to be some of the longest defensive walls in Europe, connect the towns of Ston and Mali Ston while providing stunning views of the surrounding area.

This afternoon, we embark on a scenic coastal drive to Tivat in Montenegro, with panoramic views of the beautiful coastline. As we near Tivat, we see the magnificent entrance to the Bay of Kotor, which has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique blend of both natural and cultural elements.

This evening is yours to explore one of the many fine restaurants in town. Your guide will be happy to make recommendations.

Accommodations

Regent Porto Montenegro
Tivat, Montenegro

Nestled on palm-fringed shores along the Adriatic coast, Regent Porto Montenegro is a luxury retreat, located in the heart of Porto Montenegro village in the town of Tivat. Designed to reflect the region’s centuries-old ties with Venice, it is elegant, aristocratic, and refined. Come here for open-air gourmet dining, an indulgent spa, outdoor pools, and impeccable service.

After a delicious breakfast, we gather in the lobby of our hotel in Tivat, ready to embark on an exciting tour around the bay of Kotor, revealing some of the most breathtaking scenery of the entire Western Balkans' coastline.

Our first stop is the old town of Kotor, where we explore the historic architecture, winding alleyways and charming squares that give the town its unique character. We learn about the rich history of the town, which has been shaped by centuries of influences from various cultures and religions. Our local guide tells us about the cultural and gastronomic elements, such as the famous smoked ham and delicious seafood dishes that the region is known for.

After exploring the old town, we make our way up along the walls above town. The views are breathtaking, with panoramic vistas over the bay and the surrounding mountains. As we hike along the steps and trails, we feel invigorated and inspired by the beauty that surrounds us.

Once back in town, we are greeted by our skipper Zdravko, who takes us on a private boat ride to the picturesque coastal town of Perast. We relax and enjoy the stunning views of the bay as we zip across the water, and Zdravko regales us with tales of local legends and historical events that have shaped the region. On the boat, we enjoy a delicious fish picnic prepared by our skilled chef, who uses local ingredients and traditional recipes to create a mouth-watering feast. We sip on local wines and beers, enjoying the delicious food and convivial atmosphere as we soak in the sun and the sea.

We disembark in Verige, where we say goodbye to Zdravko and the crew, and return to our hotel in Tivat for some down time before dinner. We end our day at dinner overlooking the Adriatic Sea, reflecting on the incredible experiences we've had exploring the hidden treasures of Kotor Bay.

Accommodations

Regent Porto Montenegro
Tivat, Montenegro

Nestled on palm-fringed shores along the Adriatic coast, Regent Porto Montenegro is a luxury retreat, located in the heart of Porto Montenegro village in the town of Tivat. Designed to reflect the region’s centuries-old ties with Venice, it is elegant, aristocratic, and refined. Come here for open-air gourmet dining, an indulgent spa, outdoor pools, and impeccable service.

Saying goodbye to Tivat and Montenegro, we start our day with a hike up Mt. Srd, which overlooks the beautiful city of Dubrovnik. Once we reach the summit, we take a moment to breathe in the fresh mountain air and take in the stunning panoramic views. As we descend the mountain, the view of the old city, with the Adriatic Sea as a backdrop, becomes more and more breathtaking. Once in Dubrovnik we check into our hotel for some downtime, to relax and prepare for the second half of the day.

Eager to explore this historical city and its ancient landmarks, we venture out for a city tour around Dubrovnik old town. The city's fascinating history comes alive as we walk through the ancient streets and observe the magnificent architecture and the ancient walls, which are even more stunning in person than in photographs.

As we walk, the aroma of fresh seafood and the sound of traditional music fill the air. We settle in at a famous local restaurant in the old city center to savor the local gastronomy and enjoy the lively atmosphere, for our farewell dinner. The ambiance is perfect for taking in the spirit of the city over a delicious Mediterranean meal, raising our glasses with our guides one last time to toast to our unforgettable journey through Croatia and Montenegro.

Accommodations

Hotel Imperial Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, Croatia

Set in a historic building dating back to 1897, Hilton Hotel Dubrovnik fuses period charm with modern styling. Set on the edge of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, with views of its iconic red roofs and the Adriatic Sea, discover the indoor pool, spa area, and terrace restaurant.

Depart at your leisure today, or you may continue to explore the charms of Dubrovnik on your own.