Croatia's Dalmatian Highlights Tour: Split, Hvar & Dubrovnik - 7 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Split, Walking Food Tour

Welcome to Croatia! You've landed in Split, Croatia's second-largest city with a curious and unique 1,700-year history. On arrival, meet a private driver for your transfer to your hotel, set within the walls of the famed Diocletian's Palace. Split is a dynamic ancient coastal city founded by Roman Emperor Diocletian. Today, its UNESCO-protected Old Town includes several impressive sites, including Diocletian's Palace, one of the best-preserved Roman buildings in the world.

Settle in, refresh, and set out to wander Split's historic center before joining your private food tour—an excellent way to experience Split as you snack your way through the city's streets, sampling sweet and savory local delicacies. Along with a private guide, you'll taste Dalmatian prosciutto and cheese together with rakija, a typical fruit brandy of the region. Next, you'll stop to savor soparnik—a type of Swiss-chard-filled pie thought to be the prototype of the Italian pizza. Following the tour, you'll dine al fresco on an exclusive rooftop terrace above Diocletian's Palace.

Day 2: Day Trip to Krka National Park

Only a couple of hours away from Split, today you'll explore Krka National Park on a private tour. With seven waterfalls—the largest and most impressive being Skradinski Buk—Krka is one of Croatia's top-rated parks. The Krka River carves through the limestone and creates a spectacular canyon on its 44-mile journey (70 km) from the foothills of the Dinaric Alps to Šibenik. Accompanied by your guide, you'll follow the winding wooden paths that traverse emerald pools and river islands to prime lookout spots in which to view the falls.

For a special perspective, cruise out to Visovac, an island in the heart of the park upstream from Skradinski Buk. Here, you'll visit the 15th-century church and Franciscan monastery with a rich library of historic books and paintings. Admire Roški Slap, where you can take a short walk to a small set of rapids, said to resemble a pearl necklace from up above. Finally, carry on to Skradinski Buk—the last and most spectacular of the seven waterfalls—and watch it cascade 78 feet (24 m) down into an emerald lagoon wider than the falls are tall. After, you'll enjoy lunch in a hidden-away location before returning to Split.

Day 3: Catamaran to Hvar, Half-Day Island Tour

After breakfast, board a catamaran from Split to Hvar. A Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, Hvar draws visitors for its natural setting, mild climate, and its historic town of the same name. Highlights of Hvar Town include its 13th-century walls, the 16th-century Španjola Fortress, and the main square anchored by the Renaissance-era Cathedral of St. Stephen. Check into your hotel, drop your luggage, and meet a private guide for a half-day excursion to explore the undulating island terrain, with vineyard-covered hills, thick olive groves, and fragrant fields of rosemary and lavender.

Visit the abandoned 16th-century village of Malo Grablje and the slightly older Velo Grablje. Once home to a thriving lavender industry, Velo Grablje is slowly undergoing a revival. Stop for an authentic lunch at a family-run konoba (tavern) for a traditionally prepared meal cooked in a peka, a bell-shaped lid that's covered in coal. Next, visit a family-owned vineyard or two to taste wines endemic to the island paired with regional delicacies. Then, visit Vidikovac for views over the Stari Grad Plain. You'll meander through small villages in the inner part of the island, stopping at Stari Grad, Croatia's oldest town.

After the day's adventures, treat yourself to a drink in the town's ancient piazza that overlooks the Venetian loggia, seventh-century fortification walls, and the oldest municipal theater in Europe.

Day 5: Catamaran to Dubrovnik, Walking City Tour

In the morning, you'll embark on a catamaran to the far south of Croatia, where one of the most ancient fortress cities in Europe lies. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," Dubrovnik is a world-renowned city of exceptional charm. While there's evidence of settlements as far back as the Byzantine era, this area only came into its own in the 12th and 13th centuries when it was under the rule of the Venetians. Throughout the Middle Ages, it was a fortress port encircled by stone walls and filled with Baroque churches and Renaissance/Gothic palaces that still stand today.

After checking into your accommodation, set out to explore with a private guide. Enter the medieval Old Town to uncover centuries of history and listen to stories of local life and legends. Highlights include 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.

After touring the streets and alleys, you'll head for Lovrijenac Fortress, as well as the city's impressive defensive walls, the second-largest set of city walls in the world. At certain places, the wall rises 75 feet (23 m) high, offering excellent vantage points for photos of the coastline. For sunset, take the cable car up to Mount Srđ for panoramic views over the city and Adriatic before descending for dinner at one of Dubrovnik's great restaurants.

Day 6: Day Trip to Cavtat & Konavle Region Culinary Experience

After breakfast, you'll meet a local guide and venture to beautiful Cavtat, a medieval coastal town nestled in a postcard-perfect bay on the southernmost tip of Croatia. Founded in the seventh century, Cavtat was a haven for ancient Greek Epidaurum refugees after invaders sacked their colony. Today you can wander the small, quaint streets and stroll along the beautiful waterfront promenade that spans the peninsula. View the House of Vlaho Bukovac, a famous Croatian painter, then return to the car.

Next, your driver will take you through the beautiful Konavle countryside, a famous wine region that stretches from Cavtat to the southeasterly tip of Croatia at the Montenegrin border. Its small population lives in some 32 villages scattered across the fertile land. You'll visit a local family estate and participate in a cooking class, a hands-on way to discover regional gastronomy as well as Croatian culture and history. Explore the grounds by bike and pick fresh vegetables from the garden for your four-course dinner. When the meal is ready, you'll pair it with a sampling of homemade wines.

Day 7: Depart Dubrovnik

Depending on when you depart, you may have time to visit one of Dubrovnik's museums, like the Franciscan Monastery and Museum. This large complex houses many treasures, including the world's third-oldest pharmacy, dating from 1317. Alternatively, visit the Rector's Palace and Cultural Historical Museum to explore a well-preserved palace-turned-museum filled with details of life in the Republic of Ragusa during medieval times.

Then, when the time is right, a private driver will make the 45-minute transfer to the airport with enough time to check into your departing flight home or onward. This concludes your grand Croatian adventure. Safe travels!

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