The Highlights of Croatia

Although Croatia's second largest city, Split is often viewed as a jumping off point for adventures to the islands beyond. The peninsula on which it rests might jut out invitingly into the Adriatic, but visit vibrant Split today and it won't take you long to realise that it's very much a destination in its own right.

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. After the tour your guide will escort you to the one of the best restaurants in Split, Paradigma restaurant, for three-course wine pairing lunch.

The pretty town of Trogir is connected to the mainland by a bridge and is filled with Greek, Roman and Venetian history. Visit the St. Lawrence cathedral, the Palace of Cipico, home to one of Trogir’s most prominent families, and the Tower of Kamerlengo which served as the Venetian governor’s palace. As you wander through its pretty street, you'll discover the masterpieces of local sculptors who participated in creating the magnificent visual history of this charming town.

Transfer to Trogir for your special cooking class at 13th century palace. Your host – Tatjana Ciciliani – is one the most amazing and creative chefs in the region.

Enjoy tasting local ingredients and Adriatic delicacies with a creative cooking class. Lunch with wine follows. The actual cooking class depends on both the inspiration of the chef and the season, for the freshness of ingredients - key to the Dalmatian menu - is dependent on seasonal availability. Choose from meat, fish or vegetarian options for the preparation of 2-3 dishes, as well as a demonstration of 1-2 others, which nicely forms a fulfilling and hearty lunch for all at the end of the class, all washed down with the finest family wine. Chef Tatjana will regale you with tales of the region over your delicious lunch.

No visit to Dalmatia would be complete without some quality time on the water, and what's a better way to do this than a private motor boat day trip to Dalmatia`s most beatiful islands - Hvar, Vis and Biševo.

Transfer to the harbour and board your private motor boat and cruise to Vis and Biševo Islands. These islands are famous for their inlets and beautiful caves, some of which the boat can enter, and their historic heritage dating back to ancient Greeks.

Your journey continues to Pakleni Archipelago and Hvar Island, with its storybook bay filled with gleaming yachts, sailing gullets and simple working skiffs, all crowned with a cliff top Venetian fortress surrounded by lush pines. You'll have some free time here for walk and some sightseeing before returning to Split in the late afternoon hours.

Board a private motor boat to take you on to Dubrovnik. Visit the beautiful island of Korcula en route and enjoy exploring the pretty old town.

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 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.

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.

The Elaphititi are a group of 13 islands, of which only three are inhabited. Forrested and hilly, these islands and their villages retain the relaxed pace of traditional Adriatic life. Mljet is one of Croatia’s prettiest islands, much of it covered by forest and the rest with vineyards and small villages. The northwestern half contains Mljet National Park, a outdoor lover’s dream with lush vegetation, pine forests and lakes.

Meet your guide for the day, a renowned Croatian winemaker for a day tour to Pelješac Peninsula. This is a superb opportunity to learn about the country and its traditions, especially the art of winemaking, from a true local. The tour is a trio of wine-tastings at Croatia's most respected wine cellars, visits to vineyards on the slopes of this magnificent peninsula and a delicious, traditional Dalmatian lunch at your host’s family winery.

Your first experience on Pelješac is the Grgich winery in Trstenik. Miljenko Grgich studied wine-making in Zagreb. After migrating to the US with only $20 in his pocket, he founded the famous Grgich Hills winery in Napa Valley, but not before he made a name for himself being part of the Chateau Montelena success story in the 70s. At the Grgich cellars, on top of hills overlooking the charming Trstenik harbor, you will taste their famous white Pošip and their red Plavac Mali Dinga?. Next, you'll visit the 500-year-old wine cellar of Bartulovi? family of your host Mario. By this time, it will feel like visiting a friend's house. Here you will enjoy a wine-tasting and a superb traditional Croatian lunch accompanied by their great wines.