Croatia: Island-Hopping the Dalmatian Coast

Arrive at Dubrovnik's airport and travel to Hotel Lapad. The first day is dedicated to settling in at the hotel. In the evening, make your way to Dubrovnik's Old Town for a walk. Navigating the limestone-paved streets on foot provides an introduction to the city's baroque architecture. To conclude the evening, have dinner at a restaurant in the old town before returning to Hotel Lapad.

The morning is spent on the water, paddling a sea kayak along the base of the Old Town's formidable walls. The route leads to hidden coves and the secluded Betina Cave, with time set aside for swimming and snorkeling in the clear Adriatic before returning to shore for lunch.

Afterwards, a cable car ascends nearby Mount Srđ. From the summit, the view opens up across Dubrovnik's signature terracotta roofs and out to the Elaphiti Islands scattered on the horizon. The evening is free to explore the city's dining scene independently.

A free morning in Dubrovnik allows for a final exploration—perhaps a walk along the city walls for a classic perspective on the Old Town. In the early afternoon, the journey continues north up the Dalmatian coast via hydrofoil, a two-hour crossing to the island of Korčula, reputed birthplace of Marco Polo.

Upon arrival, a short orientation walk through the town's medieval grid leads to the hotel. After checking in, the day concludes with dinner, offering a first taste of the island's distinct culinary character.

Today offers a choice of two active explorations into Korčula's interior. One option is a guided bike ride through coastal villages and pine forests; the other is a hike that winds through the island's vineyards and olive groves. Both routes are designed to showcase the island's quiet, rural landscapes away from the port.

Either choice concludes with lunch and a tasting at a local winery, a chance to sample regional varietals like Grk or Pošip. The afternoon is left open for relaxing at a nearby beach or further exploring Korčula's Old Town at your own pace.

A final free morning on Korčula allows for one last swim or a coffee in the old town square. By midday, a high-speed catamaran makes the crossing to Hvar, an island known for its lavender fields and polished port town. The hotel for the next two nights is the Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort.

After settling in, a local guide leads a walking tour through Hvar Town. The route covers the main square, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Franciscan Monastery, culminating with a walk up to the Fortica Fortress for views over the harbour and the Pakleni Islands. Dinner is at the hotel.

The day is dedicated to exploring the Pakleni archipelago, a chain of small, pine-covered islands located just offshore from Hvar. A six-to-seven-hour journey across the clear Adriatic allows ample time for swimming in quiet coves and lagoons. The route continues to Palmižana, one of the larger islands in the group, where a short hike leads across the island to a secluded beach. After lunch at a beachside restaurant, return to Hvar in the late afternoon, leaving the evening entirely free. Overnight accommodations are at the Amfora Hvar Grand Beach Resort.

The journey returns to the mainland today with a hydrofoil crossing from Hvar to Split, Croatia's second-largest city. The core of the Old Town is Diocletian's Palace, a vast Roman complex whose ancient cellars and courtyards now house shops, bars, and residences. After exploring the palace and the Riva promenade, the route continues with a 27-kilometre drive west to Trogir. This smaller, equally well-preserved town is set on its own island, connected to the mainland by bridges. Hotel Trogir Palace is the accommodation tonight; spend time wandering the streets of this island town before dinner.

The drive inland to Krka National Park leads to a 4km loop of boardwalks and dirt paths. The trail follows the river through dense forest, culminating at the Skradinski Buk waterfall, a wide, terraced cascade where the sound of the water is a constant companion. From Krka, the route continues to the coastal city of Šibenik. Spend the afternoon walking through the historic city centre, focusing on the stone-carved architecture of the Cathedral of St. James. Return to Trogir in the late afternoon to check into Hotel Trogir Palace, before heading out for dinner in the evening.

The final morning in Trogir is for packing and a last Croatian coffee. The trip concludes after breakfast, with departures arranged from Split's nearby airport at any time.