Croatia & Italy's Coastal Treasures

Itinerary

1. Day 1 Arrival in Dubrovnik

   Dubrovnik offers an unusual blend of modern culture and ancient traditions. Marble-smooth polished limestone streets, a labyrinth of alleyways, and breathtaking architecture compose the unique atmosphere of the Old Town. You’ll experience a true variety of sightseeing, leisure, and outdoor adventures here. Dubrovnik’s most stunning feature is the 82-foot tall city wall which extends more than a mile. Game of Thrones fans will be in luck, as we offer a special tour to local set locations. King’s Landing never looked so good! There’s a rich selection of live performances for music lovers here, as concerts are performed daily, and in July and August the Dubrovnik Summer Festival of music, theatre and dance brings incredible performers from around the world. The nightlife is also exciting, with restaurants, cafes and bars that will keep you socializing until dawn. You’ll be staying in beautiful accommodation within short walking distance to all the major sites, so you’ll be able to sample a little of everything. But there are also several exciting day trips and cruises to enjoy. From kayaking through hidden coves to an authentic Croatian cooking class, vineyard tours, and trips as far afield as Montenegro, you’ll have more than enough to fill your itinerary.

   After your flight arrives in Dubrovnik, we will have someone meet you at the airport and bring you to your accommodation. Duration of the drive is about 30 minutes.

   

   Night and the City

   Discover the beauty of Dubrovnik while strolling down its cobbled streets and have a drink on the main street, where you can simply sit back and observe the world bustling around you. Head to the beloved local spot, Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant, and you'll instantly feel like you've entered a living piece of history. It is a must-visit spot for anyone wanting to soak up the city's authentic vibe. And then there's the secret garden M'arden – a hidden gem nestled within the ancient city walls. It's the kind of place that whispers tranquility, inviting you to escape the hustle and bustle. As the night falls, the garden transforms into a magical retreat, making it a perfect spot for those seeking a peaceful and enchanting experience. For a different perspective, venture to the famous Buza Bar. With a name translating to "Hole in the Wall," Buza is not just a great bar but a lovely location, offering breathtaking views of incredible scenery at sunset. These three places, each with its unique charm, capture the essence of Dubrovnik in ways that words can only begin to describe.

   Suggestion to explore on your own

2. Day 2 Your First Full Day in Dubrovnik

   

   Explore Dubrovnik's Center on Foot

   Today, you’ll be exploring the elegant main streets and picturesque paths of Dubrovnik with your own personal guide. This truly is one of the most beautiful medieval cities on the Adriatic, with superb locations such as the Franciscan Monastery, Onofrio’s Fountains, Sponza Palace, Orlando’s Column, the City Bell Tower, the Church of St. Blaise (the city’s patron saint), and Rector’s Palace, the seat of the Republic, and the Cathedral. This is the perfect orientational tour of the Old Town and will give you the best insight into the rich history of Dubrovnik. You’ll learn what there is to see and do in Dubrovnik and how to get around.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 1 hour and 30 minutes

   Included in your vacation package price

   

   Post-Tour Delights: City Walls, Cable Car, and Lokrum Island

   Keep the Dubrovnik magic alive after your tour by hopping on the cable car to Mount Srd'. Just head out of the city through the Buza Gate, and you'll find the cable car station. The views from up Mount Srd' are absolutely stunning. Once you're back down, wander over to the city walls for a unique peek into Dubrovnik's history and stunning architecture. Don't forget to climb Minceta Tower for a panoramic view that complements the beauty seen from the cable car. And if you're still craving different perspectives, why not hop on a boat from the Old Town harbor to Lokrum Island? It's just ten minutes away and is like a peaceful nature escape with peacocks, old monastery spots, and a gorgeous botanical garden surrounded by pine, cypress, and olive trees. A perfect way to wrap up your day in Dubrovnik!
   

   Suggestion to explore on your own

   Eat Like a Local

   As Paul Prudhomme said - "You don't need a silver fork to eat good food". This is especially clear in Dubrovnik, where you don't have to go to a fancy restaurant to have a great meal. You can also experience different kinds of local gastronomy while in Dubrovnik. We offer several tantalizing ways to eat like a local. For example, you can go for dinner in a local family's home, attend a cooking class at Zupa Dubrovacka with the Grbic Pajo family, or venture to the Konavle region and savor a cooking class with an authentic Mujo family. We are sure you will enjoy any of these enriching experiences.
   

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Small Group Cooking Class at Konavle Farmhouse with a Local Family

   A cooking class in Konavle, the rugged region between Dubrovnik and Montenegro, is a great experience for those who want to learn how to prepare traditional meals. Apart from Croatia’s hospitality and beautiful scenery, gastronomy is the one of the country's main draws. We encourage you to come and taste traditional Croatian dishes, after having fun learning to cook them!

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   Watch the video

   

   Private Organic Culinary Experience in the Countryside

   This culinary adventure starts with you being picked up from your accommodations and taken to a private house with gardens. You'll participate in a two-hour cooking session with a welcoming local family host there. First, you will help handpick fresh vegetables from the gardens and create a delicious appetizer with your own salad. Once that is complete, you will learn the secrets of the old-fashioned "under the bell" cooking method. You will experience the region's unique flavors, from food to drinks and alcoholic beverages, with your choice of lunch or dinner. When it's all over, you will be returned to your accommodations.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Croatian Peka Dining Group Experience

   Experience the warmth of a true local dining tradition in a brand-new setting! A beloved local family, once known for hosting intimate dinners in their home, has now opened a beautiful restaurant in the heart of the old town. With space for 40 guests, you can enjoy their famous homemade dishes - authentic Peka, fresh-baked bread, local wine, and homemade grappa while meeting new people in a charming hidden terrace. It’s the same heartfelt hospitality, now with more room to share unforgettable meals and stories!

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 2 hours 30 minutes

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

3. Day 3 Your Second Full Day in Dubrovnik

   The Best the Sea Can Offer

   Why not spend a day exploring some of Croatia's finer things, like wine, seafood, and boats? We have many sea-based tours that take in oysters, islands, or a sailing boat experience. Oyster fans should undoubtedly head for Peljesac, which is renowned for having the best oysters in Croatia. There, you'll find gorgeous scenery and blue water bays and taste excellent wine from Croatia’s most famous wine region. On our tour of the region, you will stop at two wineries for tastings and take a boat ride to an oyster and mussel farm, where you’ll have a light lunch of excellent, fresh shellfish. If you prefer exploring islands, one of our tours cruises around the Elaphite Islands on a private speedboat with a skipper at your disposal. Finally, our more serene adventure is a simple sailing tour, where you can smoothly sail along the coast while relaxing or actively participating and learning the basics of sailing, all while taking in the breathtaking views of the Adriatic.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Elaphiti Islands Full-Day Private Speedboat Tour

   Experience the amazing Elaphiti islands with a private motor boat and a skipper at your service. This private tour gives you a chance to enter and see some of the Elaphiti hidden caves, swim on sandy beaches and visit villages on the islands. This tour is the perfect getaway from the busy old city center and a great example of typical Dalmatian island culture. Discovering amazing spots for swimming, sightseeing, walking or just enjoying the sun on the boat or on the beach is what this tour is all about.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 8 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Peljesac Peninsula Private Gourmet Tour

   Begin your day with a pick-up in Dubrovnik and a scenic stop for photos before heading to Mali Ston Bay for fresh oysters and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine while learning about traditional oyster farming. Explore the historic town of Ston, enjoy wine tastings at two local wineries, and conclude with a visit to a family-run restaurant for a traditional seafood lunch (not included) with an optional swim before returning to Dubrovnik.

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 10 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Sailing Private Half-Day Tour

   How about discovering the stunning Elaphiti Islands on a private half-day sailing adventure? This tour takes you to the beautiful islands of Kolocep and Lopud, where you can explore secluded bays, relax on pristine beaches, and take a refreshing swim in crystal-clear waters. Our experienced skipper will offer recommendations based on your preferences, ensuring a personalized experience. Whether you want to soak up the sun, explore hidden coves, or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings, this sailing trip is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Adriatic!

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 4 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

4. Day 4 Traveling to Sorrento by Airplane & Private Transfer, via Naples / Day Stop in Naples / Arrival in Sorrento

   

   It's time to say dovidenja to Croatia and Dubrovnik. A short hop across the Adriatic on a direct flight will take you to Naples today. We'll arrange for a driver to pick you up in Dubrovnik and take you to the airport about half an hour from the old city. From there you'll have reserved seats and hold luggage on a low cost airline. The flight time is a mere hour and twenty minutes so you'll be on the ground and on your way to some primo pizza in no time at all.

   
   

   Please note that the flight included in your package is non-refundable. In case you would prefer more flexibility, we can check the flexible fares for you and let you know about the price difference. In addition, the price of the flights is subject to change until we receive your deposit.

   To call Naples rough around the edges would be quite the understatement. Yet amidst the chaos and beneath the grime is one of Italy's true gems. It's the third-largest city in the country, home to over three million people. An important port city for all the civilizations that have existed there, Naples is the original melting pot. Founded as Neapolis (literally "new city") by the Greeks in the 7th century B.C., Naples has many layers of history for you to discover.

   You're heading off around the Bay of Naples today, to Sorrento, on the western tip of the peninsula of the same name. We will arrange for a private driver to pick you up at the Naples airport. The journey time is around an hour. Along the way, for an extra fee, we can arrange for a stop in Pompeii, or our recommendation, the much less crowded yet at least as interesting Herculaneum, part of the same UNESCO listing as Pompeii. A visit to the rim of the crater of Vesuvius is another option en route.

   The genteel resort town of Sorrento on the southern end of the Bay of Naples is clearly designed for comfort. Complete with a solid portfolio of three to five star hotels, plenty of restaurants and gelaterias it's a typical slice of the Italian riviera. It makes for an easily accessible and affordable base for boat trips to Capri, a visit to Naples, Pompeii and Vesuvius or a jaunt to the other side of the Sorrentine peninsula to the Amalfi Coast. In Sorrento itself you'll enjoy all the advantages of a small town with a sizeable year-round population and a cosy Centro Storico packed with bars, antique shops, churches and grand old palazzos.

   Your driver will bring you straight to your accommodation in Sorrento.

5. Day 5 Your First Full Day in Sorrento

   

   Amalfi Coast Private Day Trip from Sorrento

   The Amalfi Coast boasts many picturesque marvels characterized by its breathtaking scenery. This eight-hour tour, guided by an English-speaking driver well-versed in the region's nuances, stands out as the optimal means to acquaint oneself with its splendor. Amalfi and its proximate counterpart, Positano, abound in captivating coastal architecture, their renowned harbors steeped in the historical legacy of once-thriving maritime republics. Furthermore, Amalfi garners recognition for its esteemed lemons, boasting the coveted IGP designation within Italy. Visitors are encouraged to seize the opportunity to savor locally crafted artisanal limoncello during their vacation in the region.

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 8 hours

   Included in your vacation package price

6. Day 6 Your Second Full Day in Sorrento

   Soak up the Capri Sun

   Several ferries go to and from the island of Capri every day, so a visit to this famous island can be an easy, self-guided day trip. Once you arrive there, you could take one of the typical convertible taxis or ride the funicular to visit the town of Capri for some shopping. The quieter town of Anacapri is more suitable if you're looking for a laid-back and authentic atmosphere. From both spots, you can admire the incredible views of the island of the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast, as well as take plenty of Instagram-worthy photos. Another popular option is to enjoy Capri by boat to see the most incredible sites, including the famous Blue Grotto.

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Capri & Anacapri Group Tour

   Don't miss the opportunity to explore the best of the beautiful island of Capri. Meet your guide and group in Marina Piccola in Sorrento and depart for a pleasant boat ride to Capri. During the crossing, the breathtaking sight of the Sorrento Coast will unfold before your eyes. When you land in Capri you'll hop aboard a minibus for a guided tour of the island. You'll stop at Anacapri to visit the Villa St. Michele, built by the Swedish doctor and writer Axel Munthe on the remains of Roman ruins. The area offers a wonderful view of the island from its beautiful shady garden. Next you'll go from Anacapri to Capri by private minibus. After lunch you can visit the Garden of Augustus, which has a wonderful view of the famous “Faraglioni.” The main square here, Piazza Umberto I, has a pretty white church and several open-air cafes where you can sit and watch the world drift by. You'll have plenty of free time for shopping in the elegant and exclusive island boutiques before heading back to your accommodation.
   

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 8 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

   

   Private Boat Day Trip to Capri from Sorrento

   Don't miss opportunity to embark on an eight-hour excursion from Sorrento to Capri. You'll see amazing coastlines and natural beauties and you'll also get plenty of time for swimming and snorkelling. Be sure to bring a bathing suit and don't forget your camera!

   • Activity Level : Moderate
   • Duration : 7 hours

   Suggested activities for an additional cost, depending on your choice

7. Day 7 Your Third Full Day in Sorrento

   

   Hike The Path of The Gods

   The Path of the Gods is one of Italy's most celebrated hiking trails, and its name is no exaggeration—the views are truly divine. As you navigate the contours of the Amalfi Coast, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking vistas of the sparkling sea and charming coastal villages. Since reaching the trailhead and returning to Sorrento can be challenging, we recommend a guided tour with private transfers for convenience. With this option, you'll enjoy seamless transportation and gain deeper insights into the trail and region from an expert guide.

   • Activity Level : Strenuous
   • Duration : 6 hours

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

   

   Cook Like a Local with a Sea View Group Cooking Class

   Your cooking class culinary journey starts with a scenic tour of the stunning Italian villa boasting panoramic views of the Bay of Naples. Explore the sun-kissed garden teeming with organic treasures—olive groves, lemon, and orange trees—that inspire the authentic dishes. Step into the kitchen where a beloved nonna, the heart, and soul of the villa, awaits to impart her time-honored culinary wisdom, including the art of crafting traditional limoncello from scratch. This cooking class is an unforgettable experience where every moment is infused with Italian passion and flavor!

   • Activity Level : Light
   • Duration : 3 hours 30 minutes

   Please ask your travel advisor for the cost to add this to your package

8. Day 8 Departure Day

   It's time to say a teary arrivederci to Sorrento. We will arrange for a driver to pick you up from your accommodation and take you to Naples airport for your departing flight.