Highlights
- See the sights of Split and Dubrovnik with a private guide
- Hop over to the tiny island city of Trogir to explore its palaces and forts
- Enjoy an exclusive Croatian wine tasting on the Pelješac peninsula
- Discover medieval history in the UNESCO-listed coastal town of Kotor
- Take a day trip inland to Montenegro's Mount Lovćen National Park
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Split (Croatia), Free Time | Split |
| Day 2 | Split Old Town & Diocletian's Palace Tour, Half-Day Tour of Trogir | Split |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Dubrovnik via Ston & Pelješac Peninsula Wine Tasting | Dubrovnik |
| Day 4 | Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour, Free Afternoon | Dubrovnik |
| Day 5 | Transfer to Kotor (Montenegro), Walking Tour of Kotor & Perast | Kotor |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Lovćen National Park & Cetinje | Kotor |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Podgorica, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Split (Croatia), Free Time
Welcome to Split, the second-largest city in Croatia and home to the dazzling Diocletian's Palace, a fourth-century haven for the Roman emperor Diocletian. A private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you 45 minutes to the ancient coastal city. Founded 1,700 years ago by the Roman emperor, his well-preserved palace has been transformed into the heart of this buzzing coastal city.
The rest of the day is yours to explore this relaxed coastal city. Tomorrow, you'll tour the Old Town with a local guide, so perhaps you could use your time to explore further. If you like walking, wander down the Riva and up to the local Marjan Park for beautiful vistas over Diocletian's Palace, the city of Split, and the Adriatic Sea. You'll also find a few historical sites in the park, plus quiet swimming coves and Split's most beautiful beaches, like Bačvice Beach.
Day 2: Split Old Town & Diocletian's Palace Tour, Half-Day Tour of Trogir
This morning, you'll explore Split's Old Town with a private guide. Over two hours, you'll tick off all the key sights, including the Cathedral of St. Dominus, the Piazza, and Peristyle Square. Admire the 3,500-year-old sphinxes that Diocletian brought back from Egypt, and hear about the city's fascinating history from your guide. If there's time following your tour, climb the Romanesque bell tower of the Cathedral of St. Dominus—considered the oldest Catholic cathedral still in use—for a stunning vista over the city and Adriatic.
This afternoon, you'll join a private half-day tour to nearby Trogir, an ancient city set on a tiny island that acts as a stepping stone between the mainland and the much larger Čiovo Island. Visit the Garagnin-Fanfogna Palace and the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, and admire Radovan's 13th-century Romanesque Portal and its bizarre creatures. Climb the ramparts of the 15th-century Kamerlengo Fortress for sweeping views over the island. You might even be serenaded by the local a cappella groups called klapa along the way. On the return journey, detour to the impressive medieval Klis Fortress, then enjoy a free evening back in Split.
Day 3: Transfer to Dubrovnik via Ston & Pelješac Peninsula Wine Tasting
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Leave Split behind this morning as you take a private transfer about two hours southeast to the Pelješac peninsula. Here, you'll stop in the medieval city of Ston to explore one of the longest defensive stone walls in Europe and discover the importance this area held in the 14th century. Take in beautiful views over Ston and its glittering saltpans—some of the oldest still active in the Mediterranean—from a parapet walkway on the 3,937-foot (1,200 m) wall.
The Pelješac peninsula is most famous for its oyster farms and vineyards, which produce robust red wines. After your rugged climb, reward yourself with a local winery visit. Amid the vine-clad slopes of Dingac, you'll enjoy views across the blue Adriatic to Mljet Island as you learn more about Croatian wines with an exclusive tasting. After, continue an hour to Dubrovnik and check into your hotel. This "Pearl of the Adriatic" is one of Europe's most ancient fortress cities, with a UNESCO-listed Old Town enclosed by robust city walls.
Day 4: Dubrovnik Old Town Walking Tour, Free Afternoon
Set out to explore your surroundings on a private guided walking tour of Dubrovnik. Entering the medieval Old Town through the 16th-century Pile Gate, you'll uncover centuries of the city's rich history as you listen to stories of local life and learn of the importance Dubrovnik once held in the era of the Republic. This 90-minute walk includes highlights such as Onofrio's Fountain, the 15th-century Rector's Palace, Luza Square, the Church of St. Blaise (St. Vlaho), and the café-lined streets of Brsalje Street.
The rest of the day is yours to explore Dubrovnik at your own pace. You could enjoy the afternoon sun on the nearby beaches, go kayaking around the city walls, or join a "Game of Thrones" tour to see some of the TV series' most dramatic filming locations. In the early evening, you might like to ride the cable car up to Srđ Mountain to take in the sunset and panoramic views over the city and Adriatic—you can even stay for dinner at the Panorama Restaurant. Alternatively, there's Buza Bar along the water's edge and outside the city walls—a great spot to enjoy a cocktail while taking in the sunset.
Day 5: Transfer to Kotor (Montenegro), Walking Tour of Kotor & Perast
Today, you'll check off another country on your travel bucket list when you cross the border to Montenegro. This tiny Balkan nation borders Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the south and is known for the beautiful beaches and medieval villages along its Adriatic coastline. A private driver will collect you for a transfer to Kotor, which includes a border crossing. Check into your hotel, then meet a local guide to explore the charming medieval coastal village.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is built on a sloping mountain and abounds with Venetian palaces and Romanesque churches. Among the highlights you'll see are the well-preserved Old Town and its city walls and the 12th-century Cathedral of Saint Tripun. Then, enjoy a scenic drive around the Bay of Kotor to the enchanting village of Perast, which feels like a little piece of Venice on the Adriatic. Learn about its history through local stories and legends, and don't miss taking a boat ride to Gospa od Skrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks), the only human-made island on the Adriatic.
Day 6: Day Trip to Lovćen National Park & Cetinje
Montenegro isn't a huge country, but there's more to explore than meets the eye. Today, you'll take a full-day trip into its hinterland, stopping first in Mount Lovćen National Park. Here, you'll take in incredible panoramic views over the countryside and visit the world's highest mausoleum. Located at the top of a mountain, the monumental Mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš is dedicated to the 19th-century prince-bishop of Montenegro; a poet and philosopher who's considered a bit of a local hero.
Continue your journey to Cetinje, a historic town where the Montenegro royals once lived and ruled over this small country. Rich in cultural heritage, Cetinje is set in a lush valley and boasts well-preserved examples of various architectural styles, including the Cetinje Monastery and the Presidential Palace. At the end of the day, your driver will take you back to Kotor, where you can savor the final Adriatic sunset of your trip.
Day 7: Transfer to Podgorica, Depart
After a quiet morning in Kotor, it's time to say your farewells as you join your driver for the 90-minute private transfer to Podgorica Airport to catch your departing flight. Safe travels!
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