10-Day Croatia Vacation: Off the Beaten Path

Your unique Croatia tour will start with your arrival at the airport. Your private transfer will meet you at baggage claim and escort you to the beautiful town of Šibenik, home to the stunning Cathedral of St. James and spectacular St. Nicholas Fortress. The medieval glare of the old city will stem from the white stone buildings and serene blue sea. The remainder of the day will be at your leisure to settle into the comfortable charms of the city, from the stone labyrinth of the steep backstreets to the placid bay gleaming with the turquoise Adriatic.

Your Šibenik tour will start in the picturesque old town. The impressive cathedral of St. Jacob rises out of the historic town center with sophisticated architecture and harmonious design. Marble-paved plazas and cozy streets lined with stone houses share more than 900 years of Croatian history. At Krka National Park, you will find lush green foliage, tranquil lakes, and powerful waterfalls creating a serene atmosphere. Skradinski Buk consists of nearly 20 different waterfalls and is almost a half-mile long. In the small town of Skradin, you can sample creamy Skradinski risotto, traditionally made in a huge pot over an open fire.

Etnoland is one of the rare places in Dalmatia where you can experience the history of the coastline in a vivid and condensed way. Your local guide will provide fascinating insights as you learn about the lifestyle, houses, traditional crafts, food, and ecosystem. You will stop on the way to Trogir for a secret welcome ceremony to hear tales of Dalmatian ancestors and history before enjoying a mouthwatering feast with indigenous Dalmatian food and drinks. You can revel in local favorites, like a Dalmatian version of prosciutto and traditional red and white wines.

In the morning, you will have a guided tour of Trogir, a city often referred to as an open-air museum. Every step in the city is full of history, culture, and stunning architecture capturing the spirit of the Mediterranean and 2,300 years of history. The old core of Trogir is an island surrounded by city walls. Your knowledgeable local guide will take you through the city before continuing to Split to wander through Diocletian’s Palace. Built in Roman times, the castle is still a place where people enjoy a relaxing glass of wine along the narrow streets.

After a pleasant morning in Trogir, you will embark on a ferry catamaran bound for Korčula. The island is one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic Sea. The ambiance still bustles with wilderness untouched by globalization. Korčula will provide you with plenty of opportunities to enjoy captivating nature and the rich cultural heritage of local towns. You can wander along mesmerizing vineyards and olive groves connected to the tranquil villages. As you stroll around the landscape, you may find the island whisking you back into the slower pace of history.

Korčula town embodies the medieval walled architecture of Dalmatia and shares part of its history and architectural style with Dubrovnik. Marble streets, defensive walls, red-roofed stone houses, and fishbone streets are packed with heroic history that has inspired centuries of culture. The crystal clear sea and pleasant beaches surround the town. Your guided tour will reveal some of the most beautiful places and stories about the city walls and towers, picturesque streets, and the Museum of Marco Polo. In the early evening, you can relax with dinner in an authentic Korčula restaurant at a local farm.

Today you will reach Dubrovnik after embarking on a private boat cruising towards the main coastline. En route, you can witness one of the country’s most beautiful views at Mljet National Park. The remote getaway is reachable only by boat and features a monastery, lake, and trails winding through lush surrounds. Untouched nature creates an alluring mysticism as you find hints of olive groves and vineyards among the pristine forests. Your guide will introduce you to the serene surroundings captured in the salt lakes crowning the island before you continue to Dubrovnik.

After breakfast, you will have an immersive exploration of Dubrovnik’s imaginative legends inhabiting majestic architecture and the famous medieval walls on a walking tour with an expert guide. As you discover the cobbled lanes set beneath the red-tiled rooftops, you will connect to the famous main street, witness the historic Rector’s Palace, and stroll along the fantastical City Walls. The Renaissance designs will create a harmonious combination with the medieval drama as the city bursts with energy. The City Walls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and overlook the dazzling Adriatic Sea and distant islands reflecting their historic grandiosity.

The day is at your leisure to enjoy the beauty and charms around Dubrovnik after breakfast. The sensational seafront location reveals the indelible wonders of the Dalmatian coastline. For a unique perspective of the city, you could visit the rocky promontory hosting St. Lawrence Fortress or travel to the top of Srd Hill for a rich panorama of the surrounding land and sea. You could also visit Lokrum Island and explore Fort Royal Castle, where Napoleon stationed his troops to defend Dubrovnik across the water.

In the morning, you can once more enjoy how Dubrovnik fascinates visitors with its fairytale ambiance stemming from the breathtaking fortress, Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance churches, aristocratic palaces, and red-roofed townhouses. For centuries, Dubrovnik was a micro-republic that provided its independence by unprecedented diplomatic skills and riches earned in adventurous nautical trade. After breakfast, your private transfer will meet you in the hotel lobby and escort you away from the majestic city to reach the airport for your flight home, bringing an end to your tour of Croatia.