Dobrodošli u Hrvatsku! Welcome to Croatia! The UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Split is where our journey begins. And what a setting it makes... Stone towers with winding steps haunted by ghosts of the past. Cobbled alleyways that twist and turn until you stumble across squares vibrant with life. An ocean that shimmers under the glow of lamplights at night. We’ll meet before the sun sets and venture to a local restaurant for our first dinner as a group. What’s on the menu? A hearty array of salty, fresh and garlicky flavours.  

As the scents of sea salt and coffee blend together this morning, we’ll get ready for a day of history told through people, architecture and art. First, we’ll amble to the heart of Split where we’ll say bok! to our local guide who’ll navigate the maze-like city. They’ll take us into the white walls of Diocletian’s Palace where 1,700 years of ancient history hovers in the stone walls. Then, we’ll pass the Grgur Ninski Statue and one of the world’s oldest cathedrals, St Domnius – built in the early fourth century. 

Settled into our luxury minicoach for the first drive, our next stop delves deeper into one of Croatia’s smaller port towns: Trogir. Luckily, we’ll begin our time here with our local guide! They’ll lead us through the marble streets that shine with the ripple of sunlight, but our heads will be firmly tipped towards the skies as we take in the blend of stone, cream and white Romanesque buildings. Once we’ve found our bearings, we’ll have free time to explore further. Our recommendation? Let the waft of fresh shellfish, red wine, sizzling onions and almond cookies lead you to one of the cosy family-run restaurants tucked away in a secluded alley. 

Prepare to savour every moment today as we slow the pace with a leisurely stroll through Krka National Park. With our local guide, we’ll seek rippling, topaz waters and roaring, misted waterfalls. With every step along the twisting pathways, we’ll learn about the animal world that breathes within the park’s borders. 

Get your tastebuds ready! They’re sure to thank you with our next stop on this Adriatic adventure: a traditional local winery – and celebrated wine producer in the region. We’re sure to feel like a local as we gather with our small group in a stone building with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking deep green fields. Greeted with a smile by the owner, he’ll bring us inside the tasting room where we’ll sample a selection of wines, letting their sweet and distinctive flavours swirl across our tongues. What’s a wine tasting without a selection of local food? Prepared by the owner’s wife, the homemade tapas will complement each glass in a celebration of Croatian delights. Živjeli! (Cheers!) 

As the burnt orange roofs of Trogir fade beyond the horizon, another Adriatic island calls to us – its ancient voice drifting across the winding roads as we drive to meet it. Its name is Korčula, and some say it’s the birthplace of explorer Marco Polo. Follow in his footsteps to the Old Town where our expert Tour Leader will take us on a stroll through the medieval walled city, sharing stories about the ‘fishbone’ streets, designed by clever minds to shield the town from biting sea winds.  

Later, roll up your sleeves at a cooking class led by two sisters who’ll welcome us with a warmth that feels as though they’re some of our oldest friends. Enjoy a candied orange peel and sidle up to your workstation – we've got three courses to create from scratch! Using locally sourced ingredients, you could be preparing dishes such as pašticada (slow-cooked beef marinated in red wine and spices) or kupus na tabak (a mix of greens, boiled potatoes, olive oil and garlic). Food lovingly prepared, wine is served and we’ll tuck into our creations together. What a special moment to remember long after we’ve returned home!  

Gentle murmurs between locals as they pass coffee shops. Lapping waves crashing into the coastline. Stone palaces frozen in time. Today, Korčula is yours for the taking! Delve deeper into the slim streets of the Old Town, tracing blooms that sprawl across its walls with your fingertips. Follow your nose to the door of a family-run restaurant where you might find a buttery paprenjaci (walnut-based cookie) or garlicky pijana hobotnica (octopus in white wine). Or don your exploration hat and take a water taxi across the shimmering sea to the tiny island of Vrnik – filled with lush trees and a smattering of coastal buildings. 

If you’re after a bit of spontaneity on the day (who doesn’t indulge in a surprise, every now and then?!) your expert Tour Leader also has a trove of local spots up their sleeve. Pick their brains for an experience you’ll certainly remember. 

All aboard the ferry for the next leg of our Croatian adventure together! We’re setting sail for Pelješac Peninsula – a watercolour painting of steep hillsides, symmetrical grape vines and cloudless skies. This small piece of land overflows with winemaking history, dating back to Greek and Roman times. Just take a moment to grasp the countless beings who have lived and worked these Mediterranean vineyards for thousands of years. Today, you get to plant your feet where they once stood!  

Today’s main event? A wine tasting at a winery that mixes American influence, Croatian beauty and a love story between people and places. Our interactive tour will begin with a visit to the depths of the barrel basement where our host will share all phases of production. And then? It’s time to taste! We’ll sample premium wines, artistically paired with a variety of sweet and savoury tapas. Your favourite pairing may surprise you... 

Afterwards, wave doviđenja to Croatia as we cross into a new country (and language) and say dobar dan (good afternoon) to Montenegro. Weaving along coastal roads with direct views of glittering seas, we’ll arrive at Kotor in scenic style. A place untouched by time, you’ll be able to get better acquainted with the UNESCO-listed Old Town before we gather for dinner at our 18th-century hotel nestled in its ancient heart. 

Are you ready for a day of discovery? Go beyond what your eyes see and hear tales that whisper through the streets of Kotor during a walking tour. A local guide will help us uncover the secrets that lie within the cracks of stone walls, between neighbouring houses on tiny streets, and deep in the corners of squares filled with people from all walks of life. 

Next on our journey is another walled medieval city: Budva. Its tale spans 2,500 years and we’ll learn as many chapters as we can during our walking tour with a local guide. Compare Budva’s architecture to Kotor’s, seeking the tiny differences and similarities between these sister cities before we venture back to Kotor.  

The evening is yours. Climb the city walls for views of the bay – especially beautiful during sunset as the skies turn deep orange and dusty pink. Let your tastebuds take the lead with a leisurely dinner that seeps into dusk as wine and conversation flow freely. And if you’re a cat lover, there’s the Cats Museum – dedicated to the unofficial, deeply loved mascot of Kotor. 

Lather on an extra layer of sunscreen this morning! We’re taking to the water that glimmers and sparkles under the Mediterranean sun. Our destination? Our Lady of the Rocks. A small man-made island with a church as its beating heart, this piece of Montenegro might seem like a simple place to cast your eyes across on the surface. But, when you venture deeper, tales of miracles, pirates and shipwrecks surround its edges. Ask your local guide if they’ve heard of any – especially those about “the islands of dead captains”... 

Our next stop takes us back to Croatia. This time, Dubrovnik calls our name with its mighty roar. Tall city walls that stem from the crashing white horses of the sea. Fortified bridges and fortresses that would have deterred dragons in another life. A labyrinth of streets that trick you into getting lost – and stumbling across the best trinkets! You have free time to savour the Croatian breeze and local vitality for the remainder of the day. Which piece of Dubrovnik will you tuck away in your memory from your time here? 

As the morning sun gilds the city in gold, we’ll meet our local guide who’ll share the city’s memories from its 1,400 years of existence. Our stroll will take us past monumental buildings that blend into their surroundings – like the Franciscan Monastery, a Romanesque-Gothic place nestled between narrow streets where voices murmured their religious truth within its walls.  

Following our roam through the cobbled streets, it’s time to head into the skies! Capture the feeling of soaring across the city on a cable car ride up Mount Srđ. As the turquoise Adriatic Sea blends into the serene blue sky and the red tiles become dark orange squares, you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from this mesmerising view.  

Pluck a tissue and pass the pack along to your fellow travellers, it’s time for our farewell dinner. We’ve laughed together, drank together, shared our histories (and, if you have them, photos of the kids back home!) and created a journey that no other will experience. Let’s celebrate! Our location is a short drive away from the walls of Dubrovnik – on a family farm that infuses tradition, ancestry and hearty meals created from recipes written by candlelight centuries ago. Settled on a wooden bench in the stone farmhouse, we’ll eat, drink and chat deep into the night.  

It may be our final day, but it’s not quite time to say goodbye. Fill your cups with domaća kava (homemade coffee) before we set off towards Trsteno Arboretum. It’s no wonder this place served as the backdrop for King’s Landing Gardens in Game of Thrones; its floating lily pads, drooping trees and quiet corners are the perfect place to harbour secrets... Our Tour Leader will guide us through its sheltered pathways before we step onto the minicoach for our second to last drive.  

We’re swapping secrets for seafood at our next stop: a local oyster farm. We’ll be greeted by the owner whose infectious passion and charm will set the tone for our last activity as a group. A short boat ride across the oyster farm will take us to the floating bar where we’ll learn how the produce is picked and prepared for local dishes. Here, we’ll clink glasses of schnapps and wine, and taste the arancini and sugar-coated almonds offered – alongside freshly caught oysters, of course! Our journey wraps up with a leisurely lunch at the oyster farm’s restaurant. Which story from this Dalmatian adventure will you affectionately share with the group before we return to our last stop, Dubrovnik?