Splendors of southern Croatia

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival at Split airport – overnight stay near the city of Split.

  

  Arrival flight at Split airport. Collection of the vehicle from the selected category for an 8-day rental. Drive to a village near the city of Split. Journey time: 20 min. Check-in at the SVETA-ANA-1 3* hotel. Accommodation in 1 Superior double room with balcony and sea view. Parking included. The SVETA-ANA-1 hotel is located in the bay of Kaštela, between Split and Trogir, directly on the seafront. This 3-star boutique hotel was once a typical palace of the region. It offers quality accommodation as well as an à la carte restaurant, specializing in modern interpretations of traditional local cuisine. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 2

  Split (UNESCO) - overnight stay near the city of Split

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Route to Split. Travel time: 20 min. Free exploration of Split. Split is an original monument in that it is alive. The original Roman palace was constantly transformed throughout history, each era leaving its mark to create this magma of architectural styles in constant turmoil. Today, it forms the center of the second largest city in Croatia and the country's second port. Its cathedral is the oldest in the world and a beautiful illustration of the spirit of Split, as it was the mausoleum of the greatest persecutor of Christians, Emperor Diocletian. The paradoxical state of preservation of Emperor Diocletian's palace earned it its UNESCO World Heritage status. You will discover an extraordinary monument! Return and overnight at the SVETA-ANA-1 hotel in a village near the city of Split. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 3

  The Krka River National Park and Šibenik (UNESCO) - overnight stay near the city of Split.

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Route to Skradin, one of the entrances to the Krka River National Park. Travel time: 1h00 Free exploration of the national park (entrance not included, to be paid on site). The Krka National Park encompasses the Krka River, linking continental and Mediterranean climates. Its course forms canyons cut by magnificent waterfalls. An ethnographic village located at Lozovac showcases ancient trades, such as water mills, forges, and looms. Easy paths allow you to stroll through a forest crossed by the waters. Program of the walk: Boarding in the village of Skradin on the park's boat to go up the Krka River. It is also possible to walk (1h00) to the Skradinski buk waterfall. Walk in the national park on paths passing at the foot of the waterfalls, the ethnographic village at Lozovac, and through the forest. Walking time: about 1h30 – easy level. From Lozovac, you can take the boat to go up the canyon and visit the islet of Visovac with its monastery and the Roški Slap falls. Return to Skradin… Route to Šibenik. Travel time: 20 min. Free exploration of Šibenik. Šibenik is a picturesque Dalmatian village founded by the Croats, unlike other Dalmatian towns of ancient origin. A royal city hosting many fortresses, it is famous for its Saint James Cathedral, an unparalleled architectural feat that has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. Šibenik is one of the few cities in Croatia with a beautiful beach close to the historic center. Return and overnight at the SVETA-ANA-1 hotel in a village near the city of Split. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 4

  Marco Polo's native island: Korčula - overnight stay near the town of Korčula.

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Scenic drive to Orebić, passing through the Dalmatian plateaus, the market gardens of the Neretva river delta, and the spectacular 2.5 km long bridge between the Pelješac peninsula and the mainland. Travel time: 2h00 Ferry transfer from Orebić to Dominče (Korčula). Ticket included. Travel time: 20 min. Drive to Korčula. Travel time: 10 min. Free exploration of Korčula. Korčula reflects the spirit of the Dalmatian islands, marked by the Venetian presence and the influences of the Republic of Dubrovnik. Its history is especially marked by the brotherhoods, which are still active today. An important seaport in the Middle Ages, it was the birthplace of the great merchant and traveler Marco Polo. The island is renowned for its olive oil and wines. Boat lines connect it to the islands of Mljet, Hvar, and the cities of Dubrovnik and Split. Its waters are exceptionally clear and are a paradise for swimming. Drive to a village near the town of Korčula. Travel time: 10 min. Check-in at the SVETA-ANA-2 3* guesthouse. Accommodation in 1 double room. Parking included. The family-run SVETA-ANA-2 guesthouse is located in a village near the town of Korčula, at a distance of 1.5 km from the historic center of Korčula. The village near the town of Korčula is located in the Školjka bay, known for its beautiful beach. A seaside promenade allows you to walk from the village to Korčula (30 min.), or there are private boat lines between the Školjka bay pontoon and the town of Korčula. The guesthouse also offers the possibility of taxi transfers of various sizes, offers traditional homemade cuisine, privileged contact with locals, and the possibility to relax in its large outdoor pool. Lunch and dinner at leisure.

• day 5

  Mljet Island National Park - overnight stay near the town of Korčula.

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Route to Korčula. Travel time: 10 min. You can walk to Korčula by taking the seaside promenade that goes from Dominče beach to Korčula. Walking time: 15-20 min. Transfer by scheduled motor catamaran from Korčula to Pomena (Mljet). Travel time: 30 min. Ticket included. Free discovery of the national park on the island of Mljet (entrance not included, to be paid on site). We recommend visiting the islet of Sainte-Marie with its ancient 11th-century monastery. Mljet is the island of the Odyssey where Ulysses is said to have stopped... in the arms of the nymph Calypso, for 7 beautiful years. Pine and oak forests cover its territory, a third of which is part of the national park. Its main uniqueness lies in its two lakes connected to each other and themselves connected to the sea by a narrow passage. On the largest of the lakes there is another island, so an island within the island! This unique configuration was created by the rise of the waters around 10,000 BC, creating exceptional flora and fauna. On the islet of Sainte-Marie there is an ancient Benedictine monastery dating from the Middle Ages, now housing a restaurant. This place is ideal for swimming, as the temperature of the lake water is higher than that of the sea. Its walks will quickly make you understand why Ulysses no longer wanted to leave. Transfer by scheduled motor catamaran from Pomena to Korčula. Ticket included. Return and overnight at the SVETA-ANA-2 guesthouse in a village near the town of Korčula. Lunch and dinner at your leisure.

• day 6

  The Pelješac peninsula, with wine and olive oil tasting, as well as the discovery of oyster and mussel farming with show cooking. Overnight stay near the city of Dubrovnik.

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Route to the pier for the ferry at Dominče. Duration of the trip: 5 min. Ferry transfer from Dominče to Orebić. Duration of the trip: 20 min. Ticket included. Scenic drive along the Pelješac peninsula to Ston Veliki. Pelješac is the longest peninsula in Croatia and a territory of wild beauty with its coves of crystal-clear waters. It is renowned for its wines, especially Dingač, produced in the Potomje vineyard, among the best red wines in the country. Drive to the village of Ponike. Duration of the trip: 45 min. Wine and olive oil tasting at a winemaking family. Welcome and a short presentation of viticulture on the Pelješac peninsula with a tasting of liqueurs, then white wine with an olive oil tasting. Next, tasting of 2 types of red wines from the indigenous Plavac Mali variety with cheese aged in olive oil. The family has lived exclusively from viticulture for generations. Their production is entirely organic, combining traditional methods and modern oenology to obtain wines of exceptional quality. Drive to Ston Veliki. Duration of the trip: 20 min. Free discovery of Ston Veliki. The village of Ston is located at the connection of the Pelješac peninsula with the mainland. It is known for mariculture, especially the farming of the Mediterranean oyster, a specialty not to be missed! It also hosts the salt pans of the former Republic of Dubrovnik, still in operation. However, its most remarkable monument is its walls, which are among the longest in Europe, a human feat! Drive to Zamaslina. Duration of the trip: 10 min. Excursion in the oyster and mussel fields with an operator and show cooking on board. You will board a small traditional Dalmatian wooden boat called a trabakula. You will first go to the mussel and oyster fields to discover the farming process in situ. You can swim in the farming fields with masks and snorkels provided. The operator will let you taste 6 oysters taken directly from the sea and will prepare mussels "buzara" style in front of you, that is, cooked with olive oil, garlic, and parsley. A glass of white wine from the famous Pelješac vineyards will accompany this typical dish. It is possible to swim near deserted islets in the clear water of the protected bay of Ston. The excursion lasts about 1h30. Drive to a village near the city of Dubrovnik. Duration of the trip: 1h00. Check-in at the SVETA-ANA-3 3* guesthouse. Accommodation in 1 double room. Parking included. The SVETA-ANA-3 guesthouse is a typical stone house. It has a small traditional restaurant. It is located at the edge of a beautiful park directly overlooking the sea and the beaches of the village near the city of Dubrovnik. This house is surrounded by a Mediterranean garden and is less than 2 minutes' walk from the sandy and pebble beaches as well as the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. This village near the city of Dubrovnik is among the most beautiful villages of the Dubrovnik Riviera with its lovely beaches and seaside promenade. The village has many restaurants. Dinner at leisure.

• day 7

  Dubrovnik (UNESCO) - overnight stay near the city of Dubrovnik.

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Route to Dubrovnik. Travel time: 20 min. You can also go directly to the old town of Dubrovnik by using the boat line that goes from Mlini to the old town. This way, you will avoid expensive parking, but above all, you will arrive at the Pearl of the Adriatic in the traditional way. Indeed, Dubrovnik was originally designed to be seen from the sea! The short cruise between the cliffs and the island of Lokrum lasts about 30 min. Free discovery of Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik was a Mediterranean city-state that managed to preserve its freedom and avoid conflicts thanks to skillful diplomacy. It abolished slavery as early as the 15th century, its hygiene measures helped avoid major epidemics, and its facades are all identical to prevent social unrest... So many surprising measures from this avant-garde system in history. The scale of its trade can be read in every stone of this city, which is among the best-preserved medieval cities in the world. "The Pearl of the Adriatic," listed by UNESCO, is the top tourist destination in Croatia and will surprise you with its exceptional beauty and culture, at the crossroads between Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Near East. We recommend visiting the Rector's Palace, the Franciscan Monastery for its old pharmacy, and the Dominican Monastery for its collection of typical Dubrovnik paintings, not to mention its impressive ramparts! From the old town of Dubrovnik, the following options are available: - swimming at Banja beach, located just on the eastern edge of the old town. It is the most famous beach in Dubrovnik, where many celebrities have swum, such as Jackie Kennedy, John Malkovich, Nick Nolte, Roger Moore, the Queen of England... - the cable car and Saint-Serge hill with Napoleon's Imperial Fort, which today houses a museum about the Yugoslav war of explosion. - take the boat line to visit the island of Lokrum, a small natural gem, known for its 11th-century Benedictine monastery. The crossing takes 15 minutes. Napoleon had a fortress built there, then the Habsburgs owned and developed it. The island of Lokrum also offers a rich botanical garden and is today a protected nature reserve, thus uninhabited, with lovely walks, a café, and a restaurant. It is a favorite swimming spot for the inhabitants of Dubrovnik. - sea kayaking tour along the ramparts. Return and overnight at the SVETA-ANA-3 guesthouse in a village near the city of Dubrovnik. Lunch and dinner on your own.

• day 8

  Departure from Dubrovnik Airport (Cavtat)

  

  Breakfast at the hotel. Route to Dubrovnik airport. Travel time: 20 min. Return of the vehicle. Departure flight. If your flight schedule allows, you can visit the village of Cavtat. Cavtat is one of the most beautiful villages on the Dubrovnik Riviera. It is for its unique natural position, protected by two capes jutting into the sea, that the Romans chose this enchanting place to found the colony "Epidaurus." When it was destroyed by the arrival of the Croats, the refugees went on to found Dubrovnik. Thus, the history of these two cities is closely linked. Today, Cavtat is a typical stone village with grand captains' houses, renowned for its restaurants, cafés, and its magnificent seaside promenade. It is home to a mausoleum created by the great Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović, a Franciscan monastery, and the birthplace of a great impressionist artist, Vlaho Bukovac. A little gem full of color where it is good to just enjoy life...