Croatia is among countries that start with C listed on Countryaah.com. A total of 4.2 million people live in Croatia, around 90% of whom are Croatians, followed by Serbs and Bosnians. By far the largest city is the capital Zagreb with almost 800,000 residents.
Of the more than 1,200 Croatian islands, almost 900 are in Dalmatia, and only 47 are permanently inhabited. The largest Croatian coastal cities are Split and Rijeka, the best known is Dubrovnik: The UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts millions of visitors every year as the setting for the “Games of Thrones”.
- Day 1: Arrival in Split
- Day 2: Split (UNESCO) & Brac Island (Vidova Gora, 780 m)
- Day 3: Brac Island – Medieval Blace Monastery and south coast
- Day 4: The west and the old town of Hvar
- Day 5: Nicholas (626 m) & south coast of Hvar
- Day 6: Traditional life on Korcula – Marmont path
- Day 7: Boat trip to the Mljet National Park
- Day 8: Korcula – Dubrovnik
- Day 9: journey home
In the morning we strolled through the old town of Split, now we take the ferry across to the island of Brac. From the village of Podgazul we hike to Vidova Gora, at 780 meters the highest peak on the Adriatic islands. From here we enjoy the view of the many islands, islets, reefs and rocky cliffs of central Dalmatia. Then we go down to Bol, swim at the Golden Cape beach and walk along the small harbor.
On our easy hikes we pass lavender fields and wineries, visit the Blace Monastery, carved into the cliffs, and cool off in the water on the coast. We immerse ourselves in Napoleonic stories when we follow the Marmontweg, named after a general who tried to modernize the region during Napoleon’s brief reign. Again and again we end up in hidden villages like Malo Grablje.
On Korcula we relax in the shade of the Kocije Nature Park from the Dalmatian sun. Later we go to the Mljet National Park by catamaran. Today an idyllic green spot full of pines and pine forests, something dramatic has happened on this island: In ancient times a notorious pirate’s nest, it was raided again and again in the following centuries. Once by Emperor Augustus, later it became part of the Byzantine Empire, it came into the possession of the Benedictines and, again in a tough battle, the Republic of Ragusa. This part of the story is told by the small island of St. Mary, which seems to float in the middle of the largest saltwater lake.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st day:
Arrival to Split
Arrival in Split and transfer from the bus station or airport to Trogir. First dinner together in the old town.
Driving time: approx. 20 min.
Overnight stay in the hotel in Trogir
(- / – / A)
2nd day:
Split (UNESCO) & Brac Island (Vidova Gora, 780 m)
In the morning short transfer to Split. There we have time to explore the historic jewel of the eastern Adriatic coast with a local city guide – the UNESCO-protected old town. Long ago there was the palace of a Roman Emperor (Diocletian) and today it is a beautiful reminder of the ancient history of Croatia.
At 11: 00 we take the ferry to the island of Brac in Supetar. Our transfer bus is waiting there and takes us to the village of Podgazul, which is located on the central plateau of the island. Hike to Vidova Gora, which at 780 m is the highest peak on the Adriatic islands. On the way we have time for a picnic in a nice spot. At the summit we enjoy wonderful all-round views of the islands of Dalmatia. We hike down to Bol, swim at the Golden Horn and walk along the small port of Bol.
Driving time: approx. 1 1/2 hours.
Hike: approx. 5 hours (11 km, +300 m / -800 m)
Overnight in the Villa Daniela guest house on Brac
(B / L / D) L = picnic
3rd day:
Brac island – Blace medieval monastery and south coast
In the morning transfer to the central plateau of Brac. From there we start today’s varied hike down to the south coast. On the way we visit the Blace monastery, which is located in one of the quiet valleys and gorges of this area, carved into the limestone cliffs in the south of Brac. After visiting the monastery, we will hike to Blace Bay, where we will have a picnic and refresh ourselves in the sea. We continue along the coast until we come to Murvica (approx. 5 km from Bol). We finish today’s hike with a refreshing drink and will be brought back to Bol. Dinner in a local restaurant where we can enjoy Dalmatian cuisine.
Driving time: approx. 0.5 hours. Hike: approx. 6 hours (18 km, +500 m / -500 m)
Overnight in the Villa Daniela guest house on Brac
(B / L / D) L = picnic
4th day:
The west and the old town of Hvar
Morning transfer to Milna in the west of Brac. From there it goes by catamaran to the island of Hvar. Today’s hike goes from the village of Velo Grablje to the town of Hvar. On the way we pass Malo Grablje, a small and almost forgotten village in the middle of the hills in the west of Hvar. It seems like time has stopped there. The path leads us through Mediterranean vegetation directly to the sea. Along the coast on the way to Hvar we have the opportunity to take a refreshing swim in the sea. In the afternoon we explore the old town of Hvar where we will spend the night.
Hike: approx. 4-5 hours (10 km, +250 m / -300 m)
Overnight in Hotel Croatia on Hvar
(B / L / D) L = picnic
5th day:
St. Nicholas (626 m) & south coast of Hvar
In the morning the transfer bus takes us to the starting point of the hike to St. Nicholas (626 m), the highest peak on the island. We walk past lavender fields and wineries that are typical of this region. At the summit we are rewarded with a wonderful view of the Dalmatian islands. We continue walking on a panoramic path to the south coast of Hvar to the village of Sv. Nedjelja. We’ll have a picnic on the way at a nice spot. In the afternoon we have time for a stroll through the old town of Hvar. Then there is a short boat trip to Orebic on the Pjelesc peninsula. Dinner and overnight in Orebic.
Driving time: approx. 1 hour. Hike: approx. 4-5 hours (10 km, +600 m / -600 m)
Overnight in the Vrgorac guest house in Orebic on Peljesac
(B / L / D) L = picnic
6th day:
Traditional life on Korcula – Marmont way
In the morning it goes by boat to Pupnat. From there we start our hike through the fields and olive groves of rural Korcula. We follow the Marmontweg, named after a general who modernized Dalmatia during Napoleon’s brief reign over the region. Shortly before we arrive in Zrnovo, the most important village in the west of the island, we go through the small but beautiful nature park Kocije, in the shade of which we can relax for a short time from the Dalmatian sun.
After we have arrived in Korcula town, we have the afternoon at leisure. Dinner in the old town, where we experience the special evening ambience. Then it goes back to Orebic.
Driving time: approx. 1.5 hours.
Hike: approx. 4-5 hours (11 km, +200 m / -400 m)
Overnight in the Vrgorac guest house in Orebic on Peljesac
(B / L / D) M = picnic
7th day:
Boat trip to the Mljet National Park
Today we inquire about a new island again – Mljet. We take the catamaran to the national park there. There we explore the beautiful salt water lakes, pine forests and enjoy fine views from small elevations. Optionally, you can visit the small island of St. Mary and the Benedictine monastery. The island lies in the middle of the largest lake and appears to be floating in the water. In the afternoon we return to Orebic.
Driving time: approx. 1 hour. Hike: approx. 2-3 hours (10 km, +200 m / -200 m)
Overnight in the Vrgorac guest house in Orebic on Peljesac
(B / L / D) M = picnic
8th day:
Korcula – Dubrovnik
With the catamaran to Dubrovnik, arrival around 12: 00. Transfer to the old town. There we will have lunch in a local restaurant and then we will take a guided city tour of Dubrovnik, another UNESCO cultural heritage site on the Croatian south coast. The afternoon is free for a stroll through the city, a visit to the city wall or for a swim on one of the nearby beaches. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik.
Driving time: approx. 2 hours.
Overnight at the hotel in Dubrovnik
(B / L / D) – Lunch in a local restaurant
Day 9:
Home trip
After breakfast transfer to Trogir and / or to the airport in Dubrovnik
Transfer to Trogir: approx. 3.5 hours.
Transfer to the airport: approx. 0.5 hours
(B / – / -)
