Compare Croatia Island Adventure by National Geographic Expeditions vs Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Coast by Exodus Travels
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
3.5 | Average
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 4,995 | $ 2,175 |
| Price Per Day | $ 624 | $ 272 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 6 Dinners |
All breakfasts and one picnic lunch are included. For breakfast, expect a continental-style buffet with cold meat, cheeses, bread, eggs, jams, and pastries, plus tea and coffee. The Dalmatian Coast is dotted with mussel farms and fishing boats, and the seafood along the coast and on the islands is amazing. You will also find grilled lamb, pizza, pasta and salads, and influences from central Europe, Italy, and the Balkans. |
| Description |
Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast enchants with rugged islands, hidden coves, and a rich maritime history dating back to the Venetian Empires. From the walled city of Dubrovnik, the “pearl of the Adriatic,” set out by kayak and paddle along secluded inlets laced with limestone cliffs, all framed by turquoise water. On shore, hike through pine forests, fields of wildflowers, and vineyards to visit medieval monasteries and sun-drenched villages. Further north, venture into the lush hills of the Pelješac Peninsula and soak up the lively seafaring tradition of Orebić. The nearby island of Korčula offers more kayaking exploration and a beautifully preserved medieval town. Throughout our island-hopping adventure, discover Croatia’s unique history and charm. |
With impressive architecture and some of the best scenery in Europe, the Dalmatian Coast is a destination to rival any of the big hitters. So spend a relaxed week taking in the best of this striking coastal region. We start by exploring the Unesco-listed cities of Split and nearby Trogir, before sampling island life on beautiful Korcula. We complete our trip with three nights in Dubrovnik, possibly the best preserved Renaissance town in the world, with a jumble of narrow streets and red-tiled roofs tucked tightly within the city walls.Discover Adriatic islands and the historic cities of Split, Trogir and Dubrovnik |
Day 1: Split, Croatia
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Le Méridien Lav
Arrive in the bustling port city of Split, Croatia. Check into our hotel and gather for a tour the Roman-era palace of Diocletian, built by the Roman Emperor in his hometown. In the medieval era, a village was built within the palace’s walls, forming the center of today’s Split. Enter this beguiling maze of marble streets, churches, and fortified walls.
Day 2: Split/Hvar
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Amfora Hvar Grand Beach
This morning, take a boat to the picturesque island of Hvar, with a landscape of lavender fields, vineyards, limestone cliffs, and emerald coves. Explore the rural interior, dotted with small medieval villages, and join a local artist on her rustic estate for lunch and an olive oil tasting. Then hike an old route across the island to the hamlet of Velo Grablje (once an important producer of rosemary and lavender oils) and through a small canyon to the deserted stone village of Malo Grablje. End at a white pebble beach for a refreshing dip in the Adriatic. (6 miles hiking, 3 hours)
Day 3: Hvar/Pakleni Islands
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Amfora Hvar Grand Beach
Today, kayak in the Pakleni Islands, pausing on a beach to enjoy a picnic lunch of market-fresh delicacies. In the afternoon, tour the charming town of Hvar, walking small cobbled alleys draped with bougainvillea and learning their rich history. The walk ends in a beautiful Hapsburg garden where our guide—a trained aromatherapist—talks about the town’s tradition of making aromatic oils. (5 miles kayaking, 4 hours)
Day 4: Brač
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Amfora Hvar Grand Beach
The largest of the central Dalmatian islands, Brač is famous for rugged natural beauty and for white limestone used for decorative stonework since Roman times. Our private boat drops anchor in the hidden bay of Blaca; hike up to the 450-year-old hermitage surrounded by pine trees, fragrant flowers, and the scents and sights of the sea. The hermitage once traded honey, wine, and olive oil with the Venetians and became known for its gastronomy. Have lunch under old oak trees in a perfectly preserved Dalmatian stone village high in the hills, feasting on local specialties cooked over an open fire. Continue to the top of Mount Vidova, the highest peak in the Dalmatian islands, and shuttle down to the town of Bol, where our boat awaits. (6 miles hiking, 3 hours)
Day 5: Hvar/Korčula
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Indijan
Cruise to the island of Korčula, passing by Hvar’s western shore of craggy cliffs and hidden coves. En route, enjoy lunch and a swim in the sapphire waters of the Adriatic. Arrive at Vela Luka on Korčula and hike to the home of a local producer of Korčula’s renowned Pošip white wine. End the day in the medieval city of Korčula Marco Polo’s hometown, then check into our boutique hotel just across the channel in Orebič, on the Pelješac Peninsula. (4 miles hiking, 2 hours)
Day 6: Pelješac Peninsula
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Indijan
Pelješac’s mixture of hilly slopes, warm Adriatic air, and sunny days is perfect for producing Croatia’s best red wine, Dingač, as well as plump oranges, pomegranates, and figs. Hike up to a 15th-century Franciscan monastery and church, and continue to a viewpoint for an extraordinary vista over Dalmatia’s islands. Follow the footpath past abandoned stone houses and ancient chapels, and descend to the coast for a swim in the sea. Try Dingač wines at a local wine cellar and visit one of the most authentic traditional konobe, or taverns, still found in Croatia to savor homemade salamis and bread and freshly caught fish. (4 miles hiking, 2–3 hours)
Day 7: Ston/Dubrovnik
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Dubrovnik Palace or Grand Villa Argentina
A scenic drive takes us to the town of Ston, with one of the longest defensive stone walls in Europe, built to protect salt ponds that brought wealth to the Dubrovnik republic. Ston is also known for its oysters, and we'll visit a local family of oyster farmers. As a grand finale, explore restored Dubrovnik, which became a major maritime power after breaking with the Venetian Republic in the 14th century. Its marble streets are lined with Baroque architecture from the 1600s and surrounded by medieval walls. You may wish to take an optional sunset kayaking tour before our farewell dinner. (4 miles hiking, 1–2 hours)
Day 8: Dubrovnik
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for flights home.
Day 1 Start Split Airport
The adventure starts our hotel in the Unesco-listed town of Trogir, a 10-minute drive from Split Airport. We’ll be staying in the atmospheric old walled part of town. Accommodation: Hotel Tragos (or similar)
Day 2 Explore Trogir; transfer to Split, free time in Split before a ferry ride to Korcula
We look around Trogir in the early morning before a short transfer to Split, another Unesco-listed city. There will be free time in the beautiful old centre before we catch a catamaran in the late afternoon to Korcula island (approximately 2hr to 2hr 30min). The medieval walled town here, reputedly the birthplace of Marco Polo, is often described as a mini-Dubrovnik. Like the larger city, it is a warren of small lanes and alleys: a great place to explore and a photographer's paradise. After, we take a short transfer to the village of Lumbarda, where our hotel is situated. Accommodation: Hotel Borik (or similar)
Day 3 Circular walk around Lumbarda village and wine tasting
It's time to stretch our legs and roam the surrounding area of Lumbarda. We walk through vineyards and olive groves and admire beautiful beaches, where we can stop for a drink or a quick swim. We also visit the renowned Grk winery to sample local wines. In the evening, we transfer to Korcula town for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Borik (or similar)
Day 4 Travel by boat to Mljet Island; walk to the peak of Montokuc for panoramic views
After breakfast, we transfer to Korcula in time for the catamaran to Mljet Island, whose national park status has ensured limited development. The island is a tranquil place to walk, cloaked in forest, and dotted with tiny hamlets. Our goal today is the peak of Montokuc (840ft/256m), which offers panoramic views of the beautiful Dalmatian Coast, and to enjoy a picnic lunch on the island, before returning to our Korcula hotel. The path on the way up to Montokuc is rocky, good walking shoes are required to walk this route. Those who do not wish to walk up Montokuc can take a flat circular walk around the lake, have a swim and enjoy a drink overlooking the water. If the catamaran cannot operate due to bad weather, there are alternative excursions, or we will stay on Korcula island and visit Vela Spilja, one of the most important prehistoric archaeological sites in Europe. Accommodation: Hotel Borik (or similar)
Day 5 Ferry to mainland; visit Ston en route to Dubrovnik
After breakfast, we transfer to the port and take a 15-minute ferry ride to the Peninsula Peljesac. Upon arrival, we drive along a scenic mountain road with views of the coast and vineyards. We stop at a farm and enjoy a local olive and produce tasting just next to the old town of Ston. In Ston, we recommend walking up the magnificent old walls that overlook the town – the view from the top is fantastic. The town is also a seafood hotspot, the mussels and oysters here are among the best in the country. After, we transfer about 37mi (60km) to Dubrovnik where we have the rest of the day to relax. In the evening, we can go into the old town for dinner and a wander. Accommodation: Hotel Splendid (or similar)
Day 6 Dubrovnik city tour
We enjoy a full day in the remarkable old city of Dubrovnik, which includes visits to the Rector's Palace and the Franciscan Monastery. Dubrovnik exudes old-world charm with a location right on the Adriatic, fine religious buildings surrounded by heavily fortified walls, and a jumble of red-tiled roofs. The cobblestone streets of the old town, or Stari Grad, feature fountains, churches, palaces and museums – all built from the same light-coloured stone. There are no motor vehicles in the city but the streets come alive at night as locals and visitors stroll along Stradun, the main street. Following the walking tour, you have time to walk along the city walls: this is optional and costs approximately €35 for entrance (or is included in the Dubrovnik Card). Accommodation: Hotel Splendid (or similar)
Day 7 Free day to relax in Dubrovnik, or take an optional trip to Lokrum and explore the surrounding area
We have a free day today. Relax in the many eateries or chill on the beach. Alternatively, enjoy an optional visit to Lokrum Island; a 20-minute boat ride will take you from the Old Town port to this beautiful green island, home to a botanic garden full of exotic plants. Bring your swimming costume and a good book – after your stroll, you will definitely want to enjoy a swim in the Adriatic. Accommodation: Hotel Splendid (or similar)
Day 8 End Dubrovnik
The trip ends in Dubrovnik after breakfast. If you’d like a little more time to explore this fascinating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
