Luxury Island Hopping in Croatia: Split, Brač, Hvar, Korčula & Dubrovnik - 10 Days

Highlights

• Sunbathe on the ever-shifting sands of Brac's Zlatni Rat Beach
• Cruise to hidden beaches and colorful caves with a private boat trip around Hvar
• Visit a family-run winery for a tasting of Korcula's local wines
• Swim, hike, or rent kayaks on a full-day excursion to Mljet National Park
• Watch the sunset from the ancient city walls of Dubrovnik

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Split, City Highlights Walking Tour

Dobro došli! Welcome to Croatia! Your flight lands in Split, the country's second-largest city and the largest in the region of Dalmatia. Split offers a wealth of history and culture, with charming cobblestone streets, Roman and Venetian architecture, and endless sea views. Meet your driver on arrival and head to your accommodation at the Cornaro Hotel, a 5-star stay just steps from some of Split's most popular sightseeing spots. Rooms here offer a timeless grandeur, with luxury furnishings and options for sea or city views, not to mention a fabulous rooftop pool and bar.

After check-in, explore the city with a private guide on a two-hour tour through the Old Town, where you'll see sites such as the Cathedral of St. Domnius, a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture built in the fourth century CE (be sure to climb the bell tower for amazing views). Visit Diocletian's Palace, one of the best-preserved Roman buildings in the world, take a stroll through its marble Peristyle Square, then finish with a hike up Marjan. Nicknamed the "lungs of the city," you'll find centuries-old churches, large pine trees, and incredible views from the summit of this forested hill. Relax at your hotel tonight, or take an evening stroll around town.

Day 2: Cruise to the Blue Lagoon & Šolta Island

Leave Split behind for the day with an excursion to the Blue Lagoon and the island of Šolta. After breakfast, grab your swimsuit and sunscreen, meet your guide, and head to the port to board your private boat for the 30-minute ride to the Blue Lagoon. Located between the islands of Drvenik Veli and Krknjaš Mali, this body of water, protected from the elements by the surrounding islands, offers calm, clear water, perfect for viewing the more than 7,000 animal and 6,000 plant species that inhabit the Adriatic Sea. 

You'll have time to swim and snorkel, then cruise to the island of Šolta, where you'll find fishing ports, olive groves, and lush vineyards. Visit the village of Maslinica and see its historic Martinis Marchi castle, then continue to Nečujam Bay. One of the coves here hides the ruins of an old shipwreck, which sits just 6 feet (2 m) below the surface and is a perfect spot for more snorkeling.

End your day with a stop at the small fishing village of Stomorska, located on Šolta's northeastern coast. Your captain will pull up to a local family restaurant with a terrace directly on the water, allowing you to hop right from the boat to your seaside table. Enjoy a delicious Dalmatian meal and relaxing views of sailing boats and kaići (small wooden fishing boats), before returning to Split.

Day 3: Scenic Ferry to Brač, Hike to the "Dragon's Cave"

This morning, head to the port and hop on the ferry to Brač, the largest island on the Adriatic Sea and home to the famed white pebble beach of Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape). Upon arrival, your private driver will take you to Hotel Lemongarden. This adults-only escape features a private beach, a large outdoor pool, and vibrantly decorated rooms with marble floors, custom-made furniture, and options for rooftop terraces with sea views.

Take some time to decompress at the hotel, then meet your private guide and drive to a nearby village, where you'll hike up to Zmajeva Spilja or "Dragon's Cave." Here, you'll find incredible Christian and Pagan reliefs carved into the cave walls, many dating back to the 15th century. Learn about the carvings' history and legends (including the dragon carved by a resident monk in the 1400s) and walk among the stalactites and stalagmites growing in the cave. Return to Brač in the afternoon, where you can continue exploring on your own or enjoy some beach time.

Day 4: Hike to Brač's Hidden Spots, Relax on Zlatni Rat Beach

After breakfast, depart with your private guide for a day trip to explore the nature and coastline of Brač. Start with a hike to the best-hidden spots on the island, trekking from Dol to the top of Vidova Gora mountain. With an elevation of 2,552 feet (777 m), this is the highest point of the Adriatic islands and one of the most scenic. On the 9-mile (16 km) trail, you'll walk past archaeological monuments, protected forest areas, and incredible viewpoints. At the top, see other islands in the distance, with the sea stretching far into the horizon, before hiking back down and enjoying a light lunch at a local estate.

Later today, it's all about sun and fun as you explore the famous Zlatni Rat, a beautiful stretch of pebbled beach that protrudes over 1,641 feet (500 m) into the Adriatic Sea in a "V" shape, surrounded by deep blue and turquoise waters. The shape of the beach changes with the wind and water currents, which also make it a popular destination for windsurfers. You can swim, snorkel, take in some sun, or stroll inland to find the ancient ruins of a Roman villa hidden in the trees. Tonight, enjoy your last evening on Brač with dinner at a local restaurant. 

Day 5: Scenic Ferry to Hvar, Traditional Peka Dinner Experience

Today, you'll catch a 50-minute ferry to the island of Hvar, known for its beautiful beaches, top-notch restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. If you're there between May and mid-June, when the lavender fields bloom, you'll notice a heady perfume permeating the entire island. On arrival, take a private transfer to your accommodation at Beach Bay Hvar, a lush, eco-friendly retreat with elegantly appointed rooms, endless sea views, and access to a range of amenities.

Spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel, or take advantage of its central location and embark on a self-guided tour around town. Stroll along the Hvar promenade, where you can shop and grab a bite to eat or sunbathe on the lovely pebbled beach next to the hotel. You can also visit St. Stephen's Square, where you'll see the historic Hvar Theatre and the Renaissance bell tower of St. Stephen's Cathedral.

Later this evening, experience Croatian cooking at its best with a traditional peka dinner at a local restaurant. This simple but flavorful dish is made from a mix of basic ingredients (potatoes, meat, and herbs) baked using a peka (an iron bell covered in hot embers). Paired with local island wines, it's the perfect way to experience authentic Croatian gastronomy.

Day 6: Cruise to the Caves & Beaches of Vis 

Today's full-day adventure takes you to the neighboring island of Vis and its otherworldly Blue and Green Caves. Depart Hvar by private boat with your guide in the morning and make your first stop at the Green Cave, so-named for a tiny hole in the ceiling carved out during one of Croatia's wars. Enter by boat (or swim or snorkel in) to see an emerald-green hue created by a small stream of light penetrating the cave through this hole.

Afterward, spend some time on one of Croatia's most beautiful beaches, Stiniva. Your captain will guide your boat through a narrow channel to find this hidden beach surrounded by rocky cliffs, keeping the pebbles in the shade all day. The only other way to reach the beach is by trekking down to the water following a steep goat path, making for an adventurous descent that takes you directly to the sea. Next, head to the Blue Cave, which visitors can only enter in the company of a guide.

Marvel at the shimmery blue hues of the cave's interior, illuminated by the sun slipping through cracks to create a silvery light. While originally only accessible via an underwater entrance, you'll pass through a human-made entrance, large enough for small boats but not so large as to affect the lighting inside. End the day with a stop at the Pakleni Islands and Palmižana Bay, where you'll have time for a late lunch and a stroll around town before heading back to Hvar. 

Day 7: Scenic Ferry to Korčula, Tour Korčula Town, Lumbarda Wine Tasting & Dinner

Your next destination is Korčula, a densely forested island approximately two hours from Hvar. After breakfast and hotel checkout, you'll make your way to the port and board the ferry. Arrive and meet your private driver, who will take you to Tara's Lodge, a luxury boutique hotel located just steps from the beach. You'll have the option to swim in the sea or relax by the beautiful pool, all while enjoying tastefully appointed rooms with sea or garden views, luxe linens, and walk-in showers. After some downtime to relax, head back out to explore Korčula Town on a privately guided walking tour.

The town is known for its rustic charm and rich history spanning centuries. Meet your guide and start at the Land Gate, a 14th-century arched gate near the 15th-century Revelin Tower. See the lion relief sculpture on the gate, a nod to the town's Venetian history, and climb to the terrace for panoramic views of the island. Continue to St. Mark's Cathedral and its Gothic-Renaissance architecture, and stop at the Bishop's Treasury to see its small but impressive art collection. End with a visit to the house thought to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, with the option to visit the attached museum.

This evening, experience an exclusive private wine tasting followed by dinner at a konoba (tavern). Meet your guide for a scenic drive along the coast, passing historic sites, vineyards, and quaint villages. Visit a family-run winery in Korčula's legendary wine-growing Lumbarda region and learn about grk, a local white grape variety that produces some of Croatia's best wines, and the red plavac mali, which acts as a pollinator for grk vines. Sample wines made from each alongside a traditionally prepared dinner before returning to your hotel in Korčula. 

Day 8: Day Trip to Mljet National Park

Today you'll set off on a day trip to Mljet National Park, a protected nature reserve that encompasses more than 13,000 acres (5,300 ha) of the nearby island of Mljet. Meet your private guide in the morning and board a speedboat or ferry to the island, where you'll spend the day exploring its unspoiled nature and taking advantage of the many outdoor activities on offer. Start with a hike along one of the park's many hiking trails, listening as your guide shares fascinating stories about the island's history, which dates back over 4,000 years.

Next, you'll visit an "island within an island" as you take a short boat ride to the 12th-century Benedictine monastery in the middle of Veliko Jezero—one of two saltwater lakes in the national park. Your afternoon is free to hike in the park, swim, rent kayaks, or have lunch at a nearby café in Pomona. You'll return to Korčula in the late afternoon, just in time for a stroll around town before resting up for tomorrow's adventures. 

Day 9: Scenic Ferry to Dubrovnik, Explore the Historic Old Town

Your penultimate day in Croatia takes you to Dubrovnik, one of Europe's most ancient fortress cities. After hotel checkout, take a private transfer to the ferry terminal for the two-hour crossing. Upon arrival, meet your driver and travel to your accommodation at the Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, an exclusive 5-star retreat carved into the cliffs above Miramare Bay. Enjoy incredible views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, rooms with a clean, contemporary style, and an on-site spa and restaurant. 

After check-in, discover more of the city's long and dramatic history with a privately guided walk through the Old Town, an ancient district of well-preserved buildings surrounded by massive stone walls. You'll stroll along Stradun, the main street that was once a canal, and see Onofrio's Fountain, built in the 1400s as part of the water system. Visit the quarantine buildings, where travelers stayed until cleared of potential illnesses, and end at the clock tower, a 100-foot (30 m) landmark dating back to the 15th century. Then, toast the final evening of your trip with drinks on the terrace at Buza Bar, a seaside café built right into the city walls. 

Day 10: Depart Dubrovnik 

Your Croatian adventures draw to a close today. When the time comes, you'll meet your private driver at your hotel for a 30-minute transfer to the airport, where you'll catch your departing flight. Safe travels! 

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