SAMPLE ITINERARY

The historic city of Split is now as sought after as Dubrovnik, with a vibrant old city with churches, squares, columns and spires in a variety of architectural styles. Surrounded by the original walls of the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, it is today a UNESCO listed site with a peristyle (central square) filled with cafes and bars. This Mediterranean city has a pedestrianised riva (seafront promenade) and the long Bacvice beach is part-sandy. Green Marjan Hill, covered in dense pine forest, overlooks the city. Split Summer Festival is held between mid-July and mid-August each year.

You can stay within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, in the modern city or in nearby Podstrana, which is 10 minutes away and has 9 kms of good pebble & rock beaches. Be sure to visit the nearby walled city of Trogir, also a UNESCO site, with Venetian palaces & a pedestrianised Old Town. The bustling port has great connections for day trips by ferry or catamaran to other parts of the Adriatic coast and the surrounding islands. The best beaches are on Ciovo Island, which is connected by a bridge & is an easy walk.

If you hire a car you will have the freedom to explore further afield. You could stay in pretty Kastela, a collection of seven small towns northwest of Split, each with a fortress that was important in defending the area from Ottoman attack. Omis is another option for a visit or an overnight stay. This authentic tree-lined Dalmatian town situated south-east of Split, has an open market and a long sand and shingle beach. Gorgeous Krka National Park is only one hour away, with around 17 blue waterfalls tumbling down over limestone sediment, resulting in many beautiful pools in semi-submerged forest. Don’t forget to take your bathing costume with you.

Then spoil yourself by ending your holiday relaxing on the Makarska Riviera, or on one of the stunning Dalmatian Islands of Brac, Hvar, Korcula or Vis.

The Makarska Riviera is one of the most beautiful coastal regions of Croatia, with fabulous white pebble beaches, pine trees right down to the shore and a backdrop of the dramatic Biokovo Mountains. It has traditional villages, old monuments, stone houses, churches with bell towers and lovely seafront promenades. Water sports are everywhere and day excursions are available to the islands of Brac, Hvar and Korcula. Baska Voda is still a fishing village at heart, with an excellent pebble beach. It connects with Brela, which is 3km south and slightly quieter. Makarska, set on a large bay bordered by two peninsulas, is the liveliest spot on this part of the coast with a French Riviera feel. It has a stylish town centre, large outdoor fresh food market, lovely seafront promenade and a coastal path around the peninsulas. There is a regular 50 minute ferry to the island of Brac. About an hour’s walk further south, Tucepi is a modern and stylish seafront resort with a long pine-fringed pebble beach and good selection of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops.

Brac is unspoiled with excellent beaches, vineyards as far as the eye can see and old criss-crossing shepherd trails perfect for walkers. Bol on the south coast has the famous pebble and shingle Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape) beach, beautiful pine woods and an excellent choice of water sports. It also has a lovely Old Town with hidden courtyards, squares, a church and museum. Supetar on the north coast is the largest town on the island with a pretty horseshoe-shaped waterfront, bars, restaurants, and pine-fringed beaches within a 10 minute stroll. Both Bol and Supetar have Summer Festivals that run from mid-June to mid-September. Quiet Postira is a sleepy fishing village slightly to the east of Supetar, with secluded coves and Lovrecina has a narrow rare sandy beach. A fast 25 minute passenger-only catamaran links Bol with neighbouring Hvar island.

Sophisticated yet laid back Hvar is where the jet-set holiday, especially in July and August, so avoid these months if you are not a party-goer. Hvar Town is a horseshoe-shaped old town located on the south-west coast, with exquisite pale honey coloured piazzas, promenades, squares, churches, monuments and Europe’s oldest continually operating public theatre (since 1612). You can walk up the zigzag path to the Citadel for great views and take a local taxi boat to Pakleni Otoci (Hell’s Island) for nice swimming. The Arsenal Museum is also worth a visit. A passenger-only catamaran service links Hvar Town with Korcula island and Split. The town of Stari Grad was founded by the ancient Greeks in 384 BC and has a more cultural feel. It has a lovely waterfront with a good choice of restaurants, bars and wine tasting cellars. Tvrdalj, a 16th century palace with a Renaissance garden and pool that was once the home of Petar Hektorovic, a famous Croatian aristocrat and writer, is the town’s most famous building. Nearby is wide Maslinica Bay, which has a part sandy beach. You can also visit the nearby UNESCO listed Stari Grad agricultural plains. A summer festival featuring food, wine and music is held here from late June until the end of August.

The small island of Vis is the oldest urban settlement in Croatia, and the furthest from Split, lying 35 miles offshore. It played an important strategic role in World War Two, and was the base for Tito’s Partisan movement against Germany. The old RAF runway is still visible,, although the airport building is now a bar. Vis Town is a beautiful natural harbour with old Renaissance palaces and fishermen’s houses, especially in the old town district of Kut. Vis only has a couple of hotels and lives from fishing and wine making. The sequel to the ‘Mamma Mia’ movie was filmed on this scenic island.

Said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, Korcula is one of the largest Croatian islands and combines well with a stay in either Split and/or the walled city of Dubrovnik. This island offers rolling countryside, farming terraces, olive groves, vineyards, deep valleys, pine forests and almost 200 small coves and pebble beaches. Korcula Town is enclosed by stone walls, with narrow streets radiating out from the central square and many restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. At sunset the town is the colour of pale honey. There is also a lovely marina and a Franciscan monastery. From here you can take day trips to Dubrovnik, Ston and its Great Walls, Mljet Island, Trsteno Arboretum and Orebic on the Peljesac peninsula, with its strong maritime heritage and wines, especially the full bodied Dingac. You can also take a water taxi to tiny Badija island.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. Split airport transfers & flights from London are included, with regional departures on request. Car hire can be arranged on request.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance and an appropriate driving licence, if you intend to hire a car. The AA and FCO should also be consulted.