Itinerary

Day 1, 2 : Dubrovnik-. 

George Bernard Shaw called Dubrovnik “Paradise on Earth” and  the British poet Lord Byron named it the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”  Also known as the “Empress of Dalmatia,” Dubrovnik has long earned the admiration of nearly all that behold it. No autos are allowed inside the walls where polished stone streets, marble fountains, art galleries, museums and churches abound.  We gather in the old town for a city walk offered by an informative local guide.  We’ll learn more of the history and culture of this magnificent city and veritable open-air museum. Enjoy a gelato before climbing to the ancient city walls for an evening one mile loop along the walls. If you choose not to venture into Dubrovnik,  enjoy a quiet day on the beach by the hotel,  a coastal path walk along Lapad Bay, or ferry to the nearby nature preserve island or historic Cavtat. Optional kayak tour can be arranged in advance.    Guided city tour and breakfast included. Overnight Dubrovnik Area Hotel for two nights.

Day 3

On to the Islands! Depart the meeting hotel mid-day make our way along the coast by private transfer to Gradac where we meet our boat.  En-route we stop at the village of Ston  to view the amazing wall of almost six kilometers. Circling Ston, the walls climb up to the hilltop Pozvizd Fortress and follow the line of the isthmus to meet up with the walls of Mali Ston.   Afternoon we board our boat and sail towards Korčula. Depending on timing and weather we hope to make overnight in the small village of Loviste or town of Viganj on the Pelijesac peninsula, where we enjoy a Pivo (beer) and local culture at a cafe before our first meal on the yacht of  dinner. Overnight Pelijesac peninsula or nearby. B,S,D.

Day 4 - Korčula & Orebic

Possible morning swim in the deserted cove of Luka followed by cruise and then optional walk (~9km) on the Peljesac Peninsula between the old maritime center  of Orebic and the tiny town of Viganj.  Visiting the historic church of Karmen surrounded by ancient Cypress Trees.  We walk along the ridge to Franjevacki Samostan Monastery and the associated cemetery of the sea captains of Orebic .The walk offers excellent views across to the channel and Korčula our destination this evening. Overnight Korčula. B,L,D 

Day 5 : Korčula . 

Korčula is one of the most dramatic medieval walled towns of Europe.  The stone palaces and churches are a magnificent display of architectural style ranging from 14th to 16th century and house excellent collections of religious art. Korčula lays claim to being the birthplace of Marco Polo and in September there is a reenactment of the famous battle between Genoa and Venice where he was taken captive, thrown in prison in Genoa and thereby wrote his now-famous Travels.

Enjoy a swim before moving on to the island of Vis (based on sailing time). Tonight we may visit our guide Miso’s wine Konoba (small wine cellar) to tastes his famous wine. Dinner on the boat.  Overnight Vis or other. B,L,D.

Day 6 : Vis to Komiza

Early departure by foot for a fantastic walk on old Roman roads to the town of Komiza (~16 km). Our walk takes us past the famous vineyards of Vis and offers extraordinary vistas.  Those not walking sail to Komiza.

Visit the lovely town of Komiza before sailing 30 min to the blue grotto on the island Bisevo.  Tour the grotto by small boat during high season as snorkeling is not allowed. Overnight Vis/Komiza. B,L,D.

Day 7,8

  Hvar:  Hvar: Starigrad & Hvar Town. The ancients considered Hvar one of the “Isles of the Blessed”. Flower-filled gardens, palms, lemon and orange groves add a fragrance lovely enough to match the visual appeal of this sun-drenched island beauty.  Upon arrival, explore the quiet back streets of Renaissance architecture in this captivating town.  At the end of the main square is the 16th century cathedral with impressive Christian paintings of the Madonna.  Optional hike to the  16th Century Venetian Citadel for fabulous views over the town and sea.  The optional walk today is between the charming town  of Verboska (~12 km) exploring it’s  narrow streets, ancient  fortified church and houses situated at the head of narrow bays surrounded by lovely pine forests and along the local road surrounded by vineyards  to Sarigrad.  A shorter walk between Verboska and Jalsa~4 km along the coastal path is another option.  

Afternoon touring the lovely town, home of Petar Hektorovic, one of Croatia’s most loved poets.  We visit his 16th century home, uniquely built within a Turkish fort and so- called “Cyclopean walls” built of gigantic blocks of stone dating from the Illyrian Period. Overnight Starigrad.  Overnight in Starigrad, . B,L,D. 

Note extra night is added to the itinerary here in order to be be flexible based weather and walks.  This night may be on one of the smaller islands or one of the villages the group wants more time in.

Day 9

 Brac.   Blaca Monastery.  Our early breakfast sail to o Brac Island where the white limestone of the United States Whitehouse was quarried. The inlet of Blaca is where we begin the lovely hike to Blaca Hermitage.  This is a fair ascent of approximately 2 miles offering us beautiful views and a local tour of the Hermitage which was occupied until 1963.  Time for afternoon swim/Kayak before 2+ hour sail to Trobir.  Depending on our schedule we spend the night in the lovely small UNESCO village of Trogir.  B,L,D.

Day 10

Trogir - Depart from Boat in Trogir.  Visit market in morning then transfer to Split and check into hotel in Split   Time to tour historic center of Split. Overnight Split area hotel. B. (For those taking extension we move on towards Istria)

Day 11

Departure from Split airport (~30 min. from Split, 10 min from Torgir. Suggested extension to Istria.

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