The Dalmatian Coast

Highlights:

• Morning tour of Split
• UNESCO World Heritage Site Trogir
• Hvar Island
• Mostar
• Pearl of the Adriatic Dubrovnik
  

Day 1 - London/Split
On arrival into Split airport, your driver will meet you and drive you along the stunning coastline to your hotel the Radisson Blu. Enjoy dinner at leisure this evening.

Day 2 - Explore Split and Diocletian's Palace  
Enjoy a private half-day sightseeing tour of Split and the surrounding area by private vehicle with a qualified English-speaking guide. Your tour starts with a visit to the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian. The palace was first built in the 3rd century AD, and its outline still forms the heart of the old city today. Also see Peristil Square where Diocletian made his speeches, and the imperial mausoleum that has now been converted into a Catholic church. Outside the palace you will see many charming piazzas. At the end of your tour, you may visit Riva, a coastal walk with palm trees where you can relax in the sun and enjoy a beautiful view of the port and islands nearby. The afternoon is yours to relax.

Day 3 - Trogir & Salona
Your private guide and vehicle will be waiting to show you a special piece of Croatia, the town of Trogir. Trogir is set on a small island just off the mainland and is listed in UNESCO's list of World's Heritage Sites as the best preserved Romanesque-Gothic complex in the whole Central Europe. Trogir was first inhabited by Greeks from the nearby island of Vis and later developed by the Romans as 'Tragurium'. Attacked and destroyed by Saracens, the town was abandoned and later revived, seeing artistic growth under Hungarian kings and later under Venetian rule. Its rich heritage is still evident in its architecture today.

Continue onto ancient Roman Salona, the largest archeological site of Roman and Early Christian ruins in Croatia. You will also see the seven 'Kaštela'; these buildings were fortifications built for protection from Turkish attacks. Return to Split for lunch and afternoon at leisure.

Day 4 - Explore the glamorous island of Hvar
Travel with your driver by ferry to the island of Hvar. The island is fast becoming the most fashionable of Mediterranean resorts attracting the jet set with its upmarket bars, restaurants and pretty marina. On arrival in Hvar Town meet your local expert guide for a tour of the town, best known for its medieval buildings which are the legacy of Venetian rule. The town is the site of the oldest municipal theatre in Europe which opened in 1612. Perched high on a hill overlooking the town, the gleaming white limestone walls of the medieval Spanjol Fortress afford breathtaking views for those who climb to their summit. Outside of Hvar Town, the island is extraordinarily green and lush, filled with lavender, pines and aromatic Mediterranean flora.

During the summer Hvar is a must stop destination for the European glitterati onboard their motor yachts - spend time over a lazy lunch people watching, admiring the views over the glistening bay and yachts.

Day 5 - Glorious Mostar
This morning transfer by private vehicle into Bosnia & Herzegovina to Mostar. A picturesque town famed for its 'Stari Most' (old bridge) which spans the turquoise waters of the Neretva River which flows some 21 metres below. The single arch bridge was originally designed and completed in 1566 by Hajrudin, a student of the great Ottoman architect Sinan. The bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage site and as you cross the bridge from the west bank you will also be crossing the ancient point where East and West symbolically met.

After lunch at leisure, you will be taken for a sightseeing tour to include the Old Bazaar "Kujundziluk", named after the goldsmiths who crafted their wares on this street. Here you will find many artisans selling their traditionally hand crafted goods including beautiful carpets, paintings, copper and brassware and jewellery. Your guide will take you to visit the oldest mosque in Mostar, the Cejvan Cehaj Mosque which was built in 1552, and the Koski Mehmed pasa Mosque built in 1617 where it is possible to climb the spiral stairs of the minaret for a spectacular view of the town. Continue onto Dubrovnik for your final hotel stay at the Hotel Excelsior.

Day 6 - Dubrovnik-Cavtat-Dubrovnik
Start the day with a walking tour of the old city of Dubrovnik, proclaimed a city museum by UNESCO. The old city is surrounded by a mile of city walls, a masterpiece of medieval and renaissance architecture. Your walk will take you along the centuries-old main city promenade, known as Stradun; at one end of this street you will visit 14th century Franciscan Monastery whose cloister ranks among the most inspiring sites of the city. At the other end, see the church of St. Blaise, the Sponza Palace, and visit the Dominican Monastery and the Rector's Palace. After exploring Dubrovnik's historical heritage, your guide will take you to the oldest district of the city, Santa Maria. Here you will experience the real Dubrovnik; smell the aroma of the local cuisine coming from open windows and encounter children playing soccer on the distinctive stone pavements. You will also see the hidden quarter called Buza, frequented almost exclusively by the locals. Here the door of St. Stjepan (a little door in the wall) opens to reveal a view over white rocks and blue sea to Lokrum Island. On the way back to Stradun, visit Ulica od Puca, a street renowned for its traditional jewellery stores, an old barber shop and various small churches.

After lunch at leisure, drive to the picturesque town of Cavtat. Your guide will take you to visit the Račić Mausoleum, designed by the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović, and Bogisic's Collection. Outdoors, there is a four mile promenade and paths through fragrant pine forests only a few yards from the sea.

Day 7 - Depart Dubrovnik
You will be met by your private driver and transferred for your flight home.

Pricing
At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. As a guide, this 7 day suggested journey in Croatia will cost from £1,995 per person based on two adults sharing.