Discover the Dalmatian Coast: Hidden Coves, Palaces & Small Fishing Villages

Enjoy breakfast in the hotel’s sun-soaked courtyard this morning, as you fuel up for a day exploring magical Split. A timeless city built on a Roman dream, Split offers a maze of flowery alleyways, proud ramparts, arcaded squares and hidden cafe terraces. Today, you’ll be taken on a two-hour private walking tour of the Old Town. Led by a knowledgeable local guide, wander the shady streets of the Diocletian Palace and learn all about the city’s fascinating history. You’ll have worked up an appetite, so consult our Dossier for recommendations on where to stop for a bite to eat. For the rest of the day, we recommend marvelling at the sculptures of the Mestrovic Gallery and hiking up to Marjan Hill for panoramic views over the city and the sea. This evening, stroll the waterfront and soak up the lively atmosphere, before stopping for dinner and drinks al fresco.

After breakfast this morning, wave goodbye to Split and board a ferry to the island of Brac. This scenic boat ride will take around one hour and ten minutes, allowing you to take in the beauty of the Adriatic coast along the way. Upon arrival in Bol Harbour, hop in a private transfer to your elegant boutique hotel in the town of Bol, where you’ll spend the next three nights. Once settled into your room, enjoy scents of pine, rosemary and lavender as you head down to the beach, located just a short walk away. Keen to try some Croatian cuisine this evening? Consult our Dossier for the best tried-and-tested eateries in Bol.

You’ve got the next two days to discover the island of Brac. After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, it’s time to get exploring. Bol is famously home to the beautiful Zlatni Rat Beach, a golden, pebble-strewn stretch of sand shaped like an arrowhead piercing the turquoise blue Adriatic. Lounging away the hours on this beach is a must-do, along with visiting the nearby winery to sample some of Bol’s local wines. For a slice of history, don’t miss the Blaca Monastery, an exceptional site founded by Franciscan hermits in the 16th century. An important centre of Glagolitic culture (the Glagolitic alphabet was developed by Saints Cyril and Methodius for writing Old Slavic in the ninth century), the Monastery is home to numerous fascinating artefacts. Travel to medieval Skrip, located in the centre of this ancient isle, to see where the Romans mined limestone to build the Diocletian Palace and visit the intriguing Island of Brac Museum in the Radojkovic Citadel. There are numerous beautiful churches to explore on the island too, along with its fragrant forests and quaint white-stone villages. We recommend hiring bikes to discover scenic roads, secluded beaches and picturesque harbours on the island (Milna is a great example), while balmy evenings can be spent enjoying drinks overlooking the Adriatic.

Sadly, your time on the tranquil island of Bol comes to an end today. But don’t despair, as more beauty awaits in your next destination: Hvar. You’ll be catching a ferry to the island of Hvar, a trip lasting around an hour. Upon arrival at the port on Hvar Island, you’ll be privately transferred to your hotel for the next two nights, which is a short drive away. Your hotel is a traditional Dalmatian property, situated on a hillside overlooking the sea, surrounded by a park shaded by palm trees, lemon trees, cypresses and centuries-old pine trees. Located a stone’s throw away from Hvar’s theatre, square and harbour, you’re never far from the action. Stroll over to Mlini beach for a sunset drink overlooking the glittering water, before heading to the town’s main square to soak up the lively atmosphere. Drop into one of Hvar’s many bars to get a taster of the island’s infamous nightlife, before heading back to your hotel for the night.

This morning, rise and shine early to enjoy breakfast before you head off on a private guided kayak tour of the Pakleni Islands. The Pakleni Islands are an archipelago of small islands off Hvar’s coast, the most popular being Sveti Klement, Marinkovac and Jerolim. At Sveti Klement, you’ll see the village Palmizana, and the island’s beautiful beaches, pass the wildest and least crowded island, Marinkovac, and Jerolim, which was once inhabited by Franciscan monks for the production of salt. Gliding through the water by kayak is the best way to discover the islands’ wild coves, hidden bays and crystal-clear waters. Once back on land and refuelling with some Croatian cuisine, we recommend heading to Dubovica Beach, a calm, serene bay which is perfect for taking a dip. Wander the pretty streets of the old town, and even hop on a scooter ride to the lavender fields of the island’s interior. Raise a toast to island life on your final night, as you take one last evening stroll along the waterfront.

Today you’ll be taking to the water again as you hop on a catamaran bound for Dubrovnik. Departing from the port of Hvar, you’ll travel up the Adriatic coast and arrive in Dubrovnik after around a three-and-a-half hour journey. A private transfer will be waiting upon arrival, taking you to an intimate, historic hotel where you’ll be spending the next two nights. With elegantly furnished interiors and lush gardens overlooking the medieval city and the glittering sea, your luxurious accommodation is located just 50 metres from the Old Town. After settling in and freshening up, prepare to be enchanted by the ancient cobbled streets of the city, with its live bands and free opera recitals, as you eat and drink your way through the restaurants lining the harbour.

It’s the final day of your holiday today, so wake up early to make the most of it. Game of Thrones fans, don’t miss walking the one-and-a-quarter mile perimeter of the city walls, marvelling at the terracotta roofs and towers of Dubrovnik (or King’s Landing) below. Seeking more history? Head to the Rector’s Palace or Dominican Monastery to step back in time, before indulging in an ice cream or two as you stroll along the main pedestrian street, the Stradun. While you’d have to hop in a taxi to reach a sandy stretch of beach, there are some gorgeous swimming spots located on the edge of the walled city. Lounge on the rocks in between dips in the deep blue. Come evening, watch the sun setting over the Elaphiti Islands as you sip on a cold beer in a bar perched precariously on the rocks. Enjoy a final dinner in the historic centre before returning to your hotel.