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Arrival at Dubrovnik airport; private transfer directly to your hotel.
Balance of day to explore and enjoy your first Croatian dining experience.
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Discover three contrasting highlights of southern Croatia on a flexible holiday linking Dubrovnik, Hvar Island and either Split or Trogir. Travel by self-drive or with private transfers and ferries, enjoying historic towns, gentle coastal scenery and the option to add boat trips, sightseeing or outdoor activities. A varied and enjoyable introduction to Croatia at a comfortable pace.
Activity code: CR3C02
Duration: 8 Days
This popular three-centre holiday combines the highlights of southern Croatia in a way that feels varied yet easy to navigate. You can follow the itinerary with a hire car, or we can arrange comfortable private transfers alongside the relevant fast ferry catamarans. A wide range of optional excursions, boat trips, activities and local experiences can also be added in advance.
Your holiday begins in Dubrovnik, a city of remarkable architectural beauty. Its polished limestone streets, encircling stone walls and elegant squares make it one of the most atmospheric historic centres in Europe. You might stroll along the walls for sweeping sea views, take the cable car to Mount Srđ, or simply enjoy the cafés and shaded cloisters of the old town before beginning your journey north.
Leaving Dubrovnik, the coastal road offers fine views of the Adriatic before briefly crossing the narrow Bosnia & Herzegovina corridor. Soon after re-entering Croatia, you reach the small port of Drvenik and board the short ferry crossing to Hvar Island. The drive across Hvar’s central ridge is particularly pleasing, with wide horizons, stone terraces and glimpses of quiet villages en route to Hvar Town. Hvar combines gentle sophistication with natural beauty. We recommend the walk up to its hilltop fortress, exploring the quieter inland settlements, or taking a boat to the Pakleni Islands for swimming and coastal scenery. A longer excursion to the Blue Cave is also possible during suitable sea conditions.
A ferry then carries you from the port of Stari Grad to the mainland and Split, where you may stay either in the city or in nearby Trogir. Split is a lively blend of daily life and ancient heritage, its centre structured around the vast Roman palace built by Emperor Diocletian. Trogir, just across the bay, offers an alternative with its compact medieval streets and handsome stone buildings. Both locations work well, and the regular local ferry between them in the main season makes it easy to explore at your own pace. For something more active, rafting and multi-line zip-wiring can be arranged in the dramatic Cetina Valley near Omiš.
This flexible holiday can also be undertaken in the opposite direction, and if you prefer a different island experience, Brač or Korčula make excellent substitutes for Hvar — each with its own scenery, heritage and coastal charm.
Important Information
Flights available to book with us through a range of airlines, from various UK airports to Croatia. If we book your flights this means that your holiday will also be fully ATOL protected.
Prices shown are a guideline "from" (in UK Pounds) and are based on a travelling party of at least 2 adults. Single supplements may need to be applied to the twin/double price and discounts for children (under 12yrs) and/or a 3rd adult sharing a room are available upon request. Quoted prices for individual enquiries will depend upon your chosen accommodation, room availability and dates of travel. We always aim to match a high quality experience with exceptional value for money. Discounts will apply if there are 3 or more people in your travelling party as fixed costs such as transportation and guides will be shared equally between the group.
Based upon 2 persons travelling.
Itinerary
Arrival at Dubrovnik airport; private transfer directly to your hotel.
Balance of day to explore and enjoy your first Croatian dining experience.
Dubrovnik offers a perfect balance of history, coastal scenery, and relaxed seaside charm. Over the next three days, you can fully immerse yourself in the city’s rich heritage. Wander along the ancient city walls, admire the terracotta rooftops from the fortress, and explore the limestone-paved streets lined with cafes, boutiques, and baroque buildings. Optional excursions include a cable car ride for panoramic views of the Adriatic or a boat trip to the nearby Elaphiti Islands.
A short drive or boat trip will take you to Ston and the Pelješac Peninsula, where you can walk along the medieval walls and sample the renowned local oysters. Alternatives inclue a day trip to either the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro or Mostar in Bosnia & Herzegovina either on an organised excursion or by having your hire car a day early.
A private transfer from your hotel in Dubrovnik up the coast road which passes through Ston** and the "Bosnia Corridor" to Ploce and the short ferry crossing from nearby Drvenik to Sucuarj on Hvar Island. Once on Hvar there is a stunning drive along the spine of the island to the west coast and Hvar Town (total transfer duration approx. 4.5hrs).
** we can include a stop along the way to visit the incredible walls at Ston.
If doing this part of the holiday as a self-drive you have many options including the Arboretum at Trsteno, the impressive walls at Ston, (a place also famous for its oysters), the Peljesac Peninsula, Korcula island, even Mostar in nearby Bosnia, prior to the ferry crossing over to Hvar Island.
NB. the Bosnia Corridor is now by-passed by the impressive new Peljesac Bridge.
Hvar Town, a lively yet sophisticated harbour-side destination. Spend two nights here soaking up the Mediterranean ambience. We recommend a visit to the hilltop fortress overlooking the bay for sweeping views, wandering the Venetian-style streets, or taking a boat trip to the Pakleni Islands for secluded coves. Alternatively, excursions to the Blue & Green Caves can be arranged. Evenings offer the chance to dine in waterside restaurants, enjoying fresh seafood and local wines.
Transfer from Hvar Town to Split via direct catamaran from Hvar Town. If on self-drive version the car ferry is from the old port of Stari-Grad; the catamaran services are passenger only. You will probably go for a morning crossing to give you the afternoon and evening in Split (or Trogir). If you have a hire car then it also gives you the afternoon to visit nearby Roman Salona and the Kliss Fortress.
You may choose to stay in Split, with its bustling Riva promenade and the magnificent Diocletian’s Palace at its centre, or nearby Trogir, a charming medieval town connected by a short ferry ride. Two nights here allow you to explore the old city streets on foot, wander Roman and Venetian squares, or relax by the waterfront.
Add an extra night - lots of good reasons....
* for active options, take a day trip to the Cetina Valley near Omiš for rafting, hiking, or the multi-zip-wire adventure.
* Local wineries and small villages inland also offer opportunities for half-day excursions, allowing you to experience a quieter, rural side of Dalmatia.
* not too far away is the fabulous Krka National Park and the historic city of Sibenik.
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