Private transfer to Dubrovnik
- 56 rooms and suites
- Two restaurants and rooftop bar
- Spa
- WiFi
Nestled among pine, orange, and lemon trees on the rocky cliffs overlooking the Adriatic, Lokrum Island, and the beautiful Old Town, lies Villa Dubrovnik: a chic, exclusive, and refined retreat. Though walkable, the Villa’s Venetian Vaporetto speedboat offers the most elegant way into town. The 56 rooms and suites are finished to a very high standard and are luxuriously refined in their decor, letting the views take precedence. Think crisp white linens, polished wood floors, and Bulgari toiletries in glass-walled bathrooms. Suites have the added luxury a Jacuzzi and vast terraces with views towards the Old Town. An indulgent breakfast is served below the pines on the Restaurant Pjerin’s terrace. In the evening, the menu switches to creative Mediterranean fare with the Al Fresco Bar Giardino serving light Mediterranean dishes. The rooftop Sky Bar Prosciutto & Wine Bar is another highlight, as is the spa. Tailored excursions and sightseeing tours can also be arranged.
- 91 rooms and suites
- Two restaurants and lounge bar
- Wellness centre and gym
- WiFi
Perched upon a cliff-top overlooking a secluded pebble beach, the Hotel Bellevue certainly lives up to its moniker. Set a little around the bay from Dubrovnik’s Old Town, a stay here combines the peace and privacy of a five-star resort with the convenience of the vibrant city centre which is within walking distance. The Bellevue’s 91 rooms and suites enjoy views across the blue waters of Miramare Bay and beyond, each decked out in a subtle nautical theme with elegant furnishings, stylish accessories, and state-of-the-art technology. Balconies have a clear glass balustrade accentuating the views and the modern bathrooms are tiled in light marble. During your stay you can look forward to relaxing on the beach, rejuvenating at the wellness centre – one of the finest in Dubrovnik, and enjoying fine Croatian wine at the Spice Lounge bar. Choose to dine on modern Mediterranean cuisine at Vapor or sample fresh seafood at Nevera’s sun-drenched terrace. The winding streets of the Old City are a short walk away and diving, yacht charters, and waters sports can all be arranged. For those looking to explore further afield, day trips to historic attractions such as Mostar, Orasa and Konavle, the vineyards of Peljesac, or even Montenegro are all a possibility.
- 158 rooms and suites
- Three restaurants and piano bar
- Wellness and spa centre
- Large indoor swimming pool
- Private beach area
- WiFi
Sitting on a stunning seafront with Dubrovnik’s Old Town just a 10-minute walk away, the iconic Excelsior has been setting the standard for luxury Adriatic hotels since 1913. Recently refurbished to an exceptional standard, the hotel sympathetically combines the original landmark building with clean modernity. The 158 rooms and suites are a welcoming blend of warm browns, fresh creams, and cool greys, featuring state-of-the-art technology and hand picked accessories. Most enjoy outstanding views of the Old Town, Dubrovnik’s famous fortresses, and the island of Lokrum. Amongst the tranquil gardens are three gourmet restaurants and an elegant piano bar (home to a rather impressive Wall of Fame), all offering panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and a private beach. The Excelsior also possesses one of the best wellness and spa centres in Dubrovnik. From history and heritage tours to sailing and island hopping, and from adventure Jeep safaris to countryside craft tours, you’ll be well placed to discover the best of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area with an extensive programme of excursions.
Glimmering on the Adriatic coast, enchanting Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most up-market destination. Lauded by George Bernard Shaw as “Paradise on Earth", the city delights with its Mediterranean-style culture and the marbled streets of its UNESCO World Heritage old town.
Meet your guide for a pleasant walk through Dubrovnik's Old Town. George Bernard Shaw was so enchanted by this beautiful city that he exclaimed "those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik", as well as famously describing it as "the pearl of the Adriatic". Dubrovnik's Old Town became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, and a magnificent curtain of walls surrounds marble streets and baroque buildings that exude a pearly light in the Adriatic sun. The main pedestrian thoroughfare, Placa, is a mélange of cafés and shops with outstanding monuments at either end. Churches, monasteries, and museums ornamented with finely carved stone recall an eventful history and a vibrant artistic tradition.
This morning, meet your guide and take a short walk to St. Jacob’s beach for a private sea kayaking adventure around the island of Lokrum. Discover unreachable caves and hidden beaches, paddling near impressive sea rocks. Experience cultural-historical sites from a wholly new perspective. Enjoy swimming and snorkelling in the crystal clear blue Adriatic Sea. You will also enjoy a short stop on the island of Lokrum, so you can take a walk through its beautiful botanical garden or relax in a bar on the island with a refreshment before we return to the mainland and your hotel.
Private transfer from Dubrovnik to Hvar Island via Drvenic
- Three rooms and four suites
- Terrace restaurant
Occupying a sympathetically restored 19th-century building, Apolon overlooks Stari Grad’s charming, boat-filled harbour, just a short distance up the bay from the main square. As the oldest town in all of Croatia and a former Greek colony, Stari Grad is still one of the most charming towns on the Croatian coast. Despite the pink neo-classical facade’s aristocratic vibe, Apolon remains unpretentious, offerring instead a delightfully laid back retreat in authentic historic surroundings. There are just three rooms and four suites, all with wooden floors, oriental rugs, and chintz bedcovers and curtains and most enjoy views through large windows across the bay. Bathrooms are spacious and feature free-standing bathtubs and under-floor heating. The terrace restaurant is popular with the passengers of passing yachts who often moor up their vessels on the quay out front. Food here is focussed on the use of local seasonal ingredients such as fresh Adriatic seafood, lamb, and organic garden produce, all accompanied by Dalmatian wines. Service is personalised and professional, with local staff on hand to arrange a number of tailored activities such wine tasting, cultural excursions, hiking, and boat trips.
Averaging a record number of sunshine hours a year, long and narrow Hvar is Croatia's sunniest island and one of Europe's most sunlit spots. Rivalling even France's famed Saint-Tropez in terms of glamour, it's become Croatia's most popular destination and attracts luxury yachts, sun-seeking adventurers, and visitors of all kinds.
Private transfer to Jelsa
Hydroplane from Jelsa to Split port
Meet your local guide for a private guided walking tour of Split. Originally the palatial walled summer residence of the Emperor Diocletian, Split became a city in itself after the Roman Capital of Dalmatia, Salona, was sacked in the 7th century. Fleeing refugees were given asylum inside the two-meter thick walls of the palace and over the next 1000 years, the “city” of Split gained a reputation as a safe haven. Because of this, the city never grew beyond the same walls that exist today. As a result, the remarkable ensemble of Roman, Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance, and other architectural remains are all still visible. Today there are more than 3,000 people still living inside these ancient walls.
We travel to the picturesque Skradin and the Krka Waterfalls National Park. On its green path, River Krka has seven falls, the last one being the amazing Skradinski buk. Thanks to the constant process of travertine building, the Krka River is a karst phenomenon, carving a spectacular canyon along its 70-kilometre journey from the foothills of the Dinara Mountains to the beautiful estuary under the walls of historic Sibenik. Walk the winding wooden paths through the main park area and visit the Ethno Museum and shops housed in the old mills at Skradinski buk.
Private transfer to your hotel in Zadar
- 28 rooms
- Restaurant
- Aperitif bar
- Wellness center
- WiFi
Aptly named, Hotel Bastion benefits from a very unique position: it occupies the remains of an old 13th century Venetian medieval fortress in Zadar’s historic centre. Each of the 28 luxury rooms features a display panel from which you can do everything from adjusting the room temperature to calling housekeeping and activating a “do not disturb” sign.? Relax at the Kristal aperitif bar and enjoy a cocktail, tea, or coffee, while you gather an appetite. Then make your way to the restaurant for a meal of finely-crafted Mediterranean and local dishes. You can choose to dine al fresco on the terrace if you’d like to catch some sun. You’ll find that you’re perfectly placed to explore Zadar’s fascinating Sea Organs and Sun Salutation installations as well as historic monuments and islands further afield.
- Ten rooms
- Restaurant
The Art Hotel Kalelarga is situated on and takes its name from the main and most famous street in Zadar, a road perhaps even older than the city itself, stretching from the People´s Square (Narodni Trg) to the famous Roman Forum. Ten thematically designed guest rooms are characterized by functionality, neutral colours, and fine materials. The continuation of a stone pavement into the interior creates a sense of expansion from the Kalelarga Street through the space of the building. The restaurant, Gourmet Kalelarga, offers a relaxing and enjoyable Dalmatian atmosphere. Here you can start your day with coffee and fresh pastries from its own bakery before enjoying fresh, seasonal dishes and selected wines in the afternoon and an evening spent relaxing with a glass of champagne.
Intriguingly unique, Zadar is a northern coastal hub with a very particular character. Although it's definitely less busy than the tourist centres further south, it is one of Croatia's larger metropoles and a living, vibrant city. You'll be greeted with a mix of ancient Roman relics, Hapsburg elegance, and clever, cutting edge art installations.
Today after breakfast, meet your guide for today's exciting hiking excursion. We join the hiking trail at the village of Ravni Golubi, from where it leads us through to the Vratolom ridge to the mouth of Krupa and into Zrmanja with wonderful views of the Krupa waterfalls under Babin Grad. The trail leads us further up the River Krupa before ascending just in front of the Kuda Bridge, bringing us to the edge of the canyon with a wonderful view over the Krupa canyon. Kuda Bridge is the only place where you can cross on the left side of Krupa. This old bridge is a historical monument woven from 13 arches that are masterfully formed from travertine. As part of the Kuda Bridge hiking tour, you will visit the Krupa monastery which is situated near the spring of the River Krupa and was built in 1317. We'll take a short break during the hike to enjoy a picnic lunch in the pleasant shade. We then return to Zadar in the afternoon to spend the evening at our leisure.
Hydroplane to Rab Island
Upon arrival in Rab, meet your guide and start your sea kayak adventure. The Island of Rab is the best sea kayaking destination in the North Adriatic. We leave by car for Lopar from where we travel on to Goli Otok by boat, and then to the Tetina Cove. At Tetina Cove, we launch our kayaks in to the sea and start rowing towards Vela Draga Cove, over the Šparožinje area and Cape Blažina to Galeb Islands and Mali Goli Island. This group of limestone islands are very white because of strong northern wind which blows at up to 250km/h and causes the salt to stick to them. We then continue rowing to Cape Tanki and two coves, Vela Senjska and Mala Senjska. We then have a chance to freshen up in the cool sea, paddle around the cove and move ahead towards Cape Makronj and its little beaches. From here we see Glavina, the highest peak of Goli Otok. By following the coast we will pass beneath high narrow cliffs and reach the Macanj rock where we stop for some diving. After enjoying this area we go forward to the Veli Brig rock and the lighthouse on Cape Sajalo. We then reach Melna Cove, half way to our destination, where we leave our kayaks to explore what is left of the notorious Rab prison which lay unmarked on maps and unknown to Amnesty International during its operation.
Hydroplane from Rab Island to Zadar
According to legend, the Plitvice lakes were created after a long drought when the "Black Queen" took pity on the people and animals that cried for water. Heavy rain began to fall and continued until they formed the lakes we see today. Plitvice National Park is Croatia’s natural masterpiece. Even for seasoned world travellers, the overpowering beauty and grandeur of Plitvice National Park is simply astounding. With waterfalls spilling over impossible hills, sixteen different lakes, and fascinating flora and fauna, Plitvice is the most visited place in Croatia. Since 1979, the park has been under the protection of UNESCO as a rare World Heritage Site.
Private transfer to Opatija
- Ten rooms
- Restaurant
Set at the water’s edge overlooking the Adriatic, the contemporary Bevanda is the first five-star hotel on this stretch of the Croatian coast. Designed by Croatian architects, the hotel reflects a forward thinking focus in a reinvigorated Opatija. Just ten elegantly furnished rooms rooms feature huge picture windows open towards large terraces with wonderful views of across to Opatija, Rijeka and the islands in the distance. A real highlight of Bevanda is its restaurant, one of the best in the area, using only fresh ingredients from the continent and the sea to modern adaptations of traditional Mediterranean recipes. Bevanda can also organise trips to Istria or the nearby islands with the hotel’s speed-boat, as well as tours inland and wellness experiences in Opatija.
Enjoy your time in the elegant sea side resort of Opatija, a favourite retreat of the Austro-Hungarian aristocracy in the late 19th century that is slowly returning to its former glory.
Today you will visit Krokar virgin forest, a UNESCO site that is just an hour from Ljubljana. On arrival, a guardian of the forest, known as a forester, will be there to welcome you and take you on a four-hour guided hike within the forest.
The Krokar forest, which covers 74.49 hectares, has a long history of science and research - genetic research from this area shows markers for beech forests in central Europe and as far away as Britain. There is no evidence of glaciation in this forest and no evidence of cutting or logging. The forest itself is typical old growth and is an important example of the montane association in the Illyric region.
Private transfer to your hotel in Ljubljana
- 24 rooms and two apartments
- Restaurant and lounge bar
- 24-hour Fitness centre
- WiFi
- Handy smartphone with free calls (for certain countries), a virtual guide and unlimited data
Situated in the centre of Ljubljana, Hotel Cubo is one of the city’s newest offerings. Stylish and modern, the boutique hotel offers just 26 rooms meaning you can be sure of exceptional care and attention during your stay. The bright and spacious rooms are luxuriously furnished and are equipped with a seating area, a work desk, flat-screen cable TVs, and an integranted Handy smartphone. Bathrooms are a special feature, with transparent walls to further enhance the feeling of space. Enjoy meals in the hotel’s fine restaurant which offers delicate international cuisine. Should you desire, breakfast can be taken in the privacy of your own room. Relax in the bar after dinner where you can enjoy a large selection of drinks.
Slovenia’s largest city and capital since independence 1991, Ljubljana is the country’s cultural, educational, economic and political hub. Emblematic for Slovenia as a whole, it is an extremely pretty and easily manageable place with many wonderful attractions either in the historic centre or within easy reach by road.
With no world famous attractions to tick off, Ljubljana is perfectly for semi aimless wanderings, soaking up the city’s rich history and vibrant cosmopolitan vibe. People watch with a glass of crisp local wines by the Ljubljana, duck into an offbeat gallery, see the opera or head to Metelkova City, a converted military barracks that has become the creative centre of Slovene counterculture. Above all, Ljubljana is a place to be explored.
Set amidst the snowcapped Julian Alps less than an hour from Ljubljana, the mirror emerald lake is small enough to walk around on foot. The beautiful Church of the Assumption, sitting on an islet, dates from 1698. According to local tradition, one who can ring the bell loudly enough will be granted a wish and a husband who can carry his new bride the 99 steps up from the dock into the church will be ensured a happy marriage. With the waters off limits of motorized craft, the island is reached on pletna boat - a huge gondola type vessel - or by rowboat.
Watching over the lake is the imperious Bled Castle. The oldest part of the medieval castle is the Romanesque tower while other buildings were constructed in the Renaissance style during the the 17th century. If you want to get a glimpse of Bled's history, culture and people, visit the castle's museum.
Bohinj is one of the most beautiful places in the heart of the Julian Alps and in Triglav National Park. Bohinj Lake has numerous inflows, the most important one is the Savica. Enjoy a walk around the lake's shores and a boat trip on its waters before taking a cable car to Vogel panoramic plateau. The upper Vogel cable car station, located at 1,535 meters (5,036 feet), greets visitors with spectacular panoramic views of Komna, the Triglav mountains and all the way to the Kamnik and Savinja Alps. Triglav (meaning three peaks) is the highest peak in Slovenia and is represented in the coat of arms of Slovenia.
Meet your local guide for private guided walking tour of Ljubljana city. Ljubljana is one of those central European cities that grabs you with the eternal charm of its classic architecture, beautiful bridges, friendly locals and great food and wine. The architecture of Ljubljana is strongly influenced by the former Austro-Hungarian Empire and its beauty is omnipresent. Some of the famous sights are the Magistrat (Town Hall), the Baroque town mansion, the 18th-century cathedral, the Shoemaker Bridge and the Jewish quarter.
Smartno is a picturesque walled village with five preserved towers, perched on a panoramic hill like an eagle's nest overlooking miles of vineyards that can be seen from every corner of Brda. The settlement that was probably built on Roman foundations used to be a fortification on the strategic Venetian-Austrian border. Today it is an architectural jewel, a cultural monument, unique as a whole and in numerous details. The village derives its name from the church of St. Martin, the largest church in Brda, with a bell tower which was once a fortification tower.
Enjoy a privately guided tour of the cellars beneath the Simčič household, a family owned winery in the small village of Vipolže. Run by father-son duo Edi and Aleks, this initially unassuming winery is heralded by many as the finest and most forward thinking in Slovenia with its selection of whites and reds grown on small vineyards around the country. Learning about their work which is reinvigorating wine growing traditions and grapes of pre-Socialist Republic Slovenia while pushing forward into more experimental areas, you'll taste a number of their vintages accompanied by local cheeses and olive oils.
Private transfer to Ljubljana airport