The Dalmatian islands have smitten Roman Emperors, Venetian traders, and since 2008, us! We visit tiny Šolta island, whose remote villages seem locked in time. Brač is the largest of the islands and has a rich history that goes back to Neolithic times. Condé Nast magazine voted Hvar island among the “Ten Most Beautiful Islands in the World”. Spend some time in its lovely main town which boasts beautiful Renaissance architecture, and then get out to explore its scenic interior. Our final island, far-flung Vis, has indeed been locked in time as it was off-limits to tourists until 1992. It features two of Dalmatia’s most quaint and historic seaside villages.

There is no better way to explore these beautiful islands than by private yacht and we have reserved our favorite Croatian gulet and crew. The gulet is a two-masted sailing ketch/motor yacht. It is broad-beamed for extra stability and deck space. The boat has 6 double cabins available for guests and all cabins have an en suite bathroom and screened-in stand-up shower. You can unpack for a week yet your floating hotel has a different view every day! Furthermore, you can opt in and out of our daily hikes. You can choose to stay on the yacht, have a swim, try sea kayaking, or just relax on deck while the others hike. All of the sea travel is done during the day, so nights are serene as we stay in sheltered bays or in small fishing ports (no seasickness!).

Arrive independently in Split. There are several flights a day from European hubs or ferries from Italy. Meet your guide(s) and the rest of your group at 11:00 am for a guided visit of historic Split, or meet us at 16:00 at our rendez-vous hotel shuttle to charming Trogir village to board the boat. Split’s historic center is unique as it was built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. Built in 295 AD as his retirement home (the only Emperor ever to retire!), it covers more than 3,000 square meters and was built with materials brought from Egypt and Greece. The palace included exquisite temples, vast reception chambers, and extensive private apartments within its huge walls. It now forms the nucleus of the modern city.  We board our yacht in Trogir, a UNESCO world heritage site thanks to its long history and Venetian architecture, and then cruise out into the sparkling Adriatic A 90-minute cruise takes us to the island of Šolta where we anchor in a bay, enjoy a swim, and then have dinner on board. Overnight Šolta.

We drop-off in Necujam bay then have a leisurely hike through olive groves and along ancient stone walls to Grohote for coffee break. We have a fascinating visit with the last commercial bee keeper on the island. Goran speaks excellent English and shares his knowledge and passion for the essential bee. “Give Bees a Chance!” Have lunch on board and a swim, then motor over to Pucišca on Brač island.  You have some free time to explore the back-streets of this beautiful and historic sea-port before heading to dinner in a local konoba (trattoria). Overnight in Pucišca (Brač Island).

This morning features a quick visit of the last stone stone-cutting school in Croatia where youths learn to become quarriers and sculptors. The local limestone has been quarried since Roman times and they say that even the White House contains stone quarried from here. A 1.5-hour hike brings you to Skrip village, where we have a brief visit of the surprisingly rich archaeological museum followed by an olive oil tasting inside a medieval castle. Cap it all off with lunch with a local family in their backyard garden. A van shuttle then takes us up to Vidova Gora for a spectacular view (it’s the highest point in the Adriatic!), and then a scenic hike down a wild ravine to the coast via the 16th century Blaca Monastery.  Enjoy a wonderful swim in lovely warm water before boarding the yacht and cruising to Hvar Island for dinner. Overnight Starigrad, Hvar Island.

We have an easy seaside hike this morning from Starigrad to Vrboska through the UNESCO World Heritage Starigrad plain, which has been cultivated since Greek times (the same stone walls have been delineating the fields for more than 2,000 years!). You will find a few surprise visits today, from the cultural to the culinary, which will whet your appetite for lunch back on the boat. A short cruise takes us to a secluded bay for an afternoon swim before dropping us off in Hvar town, which is one of the most beautiful in Croatia. We lead you up to the 16th century Venetian fort for wonderful views out over the terracotta rooftops of the city and out to sea. You'll have some free time to wander through the colorful streets and alleyways, peruse the boutiques, or sit and relax at a cafe with a drink. We have dinner in town. Overnight near Hvar town.

Start your day with a refreshing dip in the warm Adriatic before a short van transfer into the island’s interior. Pass fields of lavender and a surreal landscape of stone piles, walls, and abandoned terraces. A scenic two-hour hike from village to village terminates in a small bay where your boat awaits you. Have a swim and then lunch on board. An afternoon motor takes us over to the isolated island of Vis, where we tie up to the jetty at Vis town. An evening hike takes you through the village and out to a seaside promontory for sunset, then dinner in one of Croatia’s best restuarants. Overnight Vis.

Our hike takes us along the coast to a maze of abandoned bunkers and tunnels developed by General Tito during and after the Second World War. Vis island was a strategically important island at the time, being the only territory in Yugoslavia not occupied by Axis forces. After our “Guns of Navarone” experience, cruise to neighbouring Biševo island, which boasts its own “blue grotto.” Hike across the island to a gorgeous bay where we have a relaxing late lunch and swim. A short cruise then takes us back to Vis Island and an optional evening hike that offers beautiful views onto charming Komiža village, perhaps the most beloved villages in the whole island chain. Dinner and overnight in Komiža.

A morning cruise after breakfast brings us to Milna village on Brač, where we disembark for a hike up to a lonely chapel built high on the hill overlooking two beautiful fishing villages. Time for a last swim before continuing to Trogir, a gorgeous medieval port town which is also a World Heritage site. Final night dinner on board. Overnight Trogir.

The trip ends this morning after breakfast in Trogir, which is conveniently only a ten-minute taxi ride to the Split airport. You can check your bags and explore the streets of this lovely town before your flights or ferries home.

Please note: Some details of the itinerary may change according to the departure date of your tour. Whenever we run a tour we make new discoveries. Sometimes they are good discoveries, like a wonderful new trattoria, and sometimes they are bad, like a trail has been washed away. The result is that we sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding new wonderful elements to the tour or by removing something that does not work anymore. Rest assured, our goal is to always provide you with the best possible experience. We will advise you of any changes to the original itinerary prior to departure.  

While you are on the Dalmatian coast, don’t miss the UNESCO World Heritage city of Dubrovnik. It’s only a 4-hour (scenic!) bus ride along the coast from Split, so you could add it on either before or after your boat trip. You will be met by our friendly local guide who will make sure you get your bearings when you get in, then the following day she will give you a two-hour guided visit of the town, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Dubrovnik is encircled by more than a mile of huge stone walls originally built between the 13th and 16th centuries to protect the city from invaders coming from the sea. Stay another day or two to visit some of the outlying islands, like nearby Lokrum or the beautiful city of Korčula, birthplace of Marco Polo! Contact us for details. We can offer a fully-guided 2-3 day option or just provide you with information.

We will be hiking through cities, along farm properties, through woods, and over scrubby terrain. It is often rocky (hiking shoes are recommended) and there are some short climbs. We hike from 2–4 hours a day, with options to extend or shorten the hike. Of course, the boat allows us the option of really relaxing and watching the beautiful coastline unfold as you lie on deck with a good book. The choice is yours.