Exclusive Croatia

Welcome to Zagreb and the first of many four-star hotels. You’ll have a chance to check in and relax whilst the rest of your group arrives, before heading out at around 5pm for your immersive history and food tour through the back streets of the town. One of the oldest cities in Central Europe, the architecture, cobbled streets and soaring church spires of Zagreb provide a visual feast, so the stories you’ll hear and delicacies you’ll try will only bring to life the charm of this place even more. On your culinary journey, you’ll stop at La Struk for a traditional Zagreb dish called Strukli, and finally at Bornstein for wine and cheese tasting. Just remember to leave enough room for your welcome dinner at the award-winning and atmospheric Didov San (meaning grandpa’s dream) where you’ll feast on authentic dishes in a timeless setting.

This morning you’ll be taken into Mrežnica, a world of emerald rivers, cascading waterfalls and secluded forests. Here, your thrilling kayaking adventure will take place. Kitted out and aboard your kayaks, you’ll spend hours paddling atop crystal clear waters and flying down waterfalls, whilst also having the chance to wild swim and leap from white cliffs into deep pools. Eventually, you’ll reach an area where a BBQ has been set up for your own private al fresco event. With locals cooking up a veritable feast using fresh local ingredients, spend some time as a group bonding and reflecting on the beauty you’ve already seen in just two days. 

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a region of forested beauty, famous for its shimmering lagoons and waterfalls. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a hugely popular spot (for good reason), but we’ll be getting you up at the crack of dawn so you get to enjoy the area alone (or as near to alone as possible). As the soft morning light begins to intensify and light up the colours of the lakes that are connected by 92 waterfalls, you’ll be taken on a private guided tour by foot and electric boat. Then it’ll be on to Split and the sparkling coast for a totally unique nighttime adventure. As the sun sets and the rest of the tourists head away from the water, you’ll be paddling out to sea on a paddleboard that’s adorned with underwater LED lights. A gentle, ethereally beautiful adventure, the stars will be slowly making their way out above you, whilst nocturnal marine life flits in and out of view beneath.

This is the kind of day most people dream of when they think of a summer in Croatia: a boat trip to stunning islands and crystalline lagoons – and you’ll get to do it all on your very own private speedboat. Snorkel above a sunken ship near Nečujam on the island of Šolta, explore the archipelago of the Krknjasi islands and swim in the famed Blue Lagoon. Feeling sunkissed and no doubt a little tired from all the swimming, your next spot will be the chic Schkoy Beach Club – where you’ll have time to live the Croatian beach club experience before heading for lunch at Labadusa restaurant. When you’re ready, you’ll return to Split for an evening to do as you please. Please note that the itinerary on this day could be changed depending on weather conditions.

Today you’ll be making your way from Split to Dubrovnik, but you’ll be stopping en route for what could be the most picturesque wine tour you’ll ever take. Blessed with craggy mountains, sweeping valleys and idyllic cerulean coves, the slender Pelješac Peninsula has an ideal climate for cultivating grapes. You’ll be cycling 15 kilometres from winery to winery, through the pretty region of Dingac, with incredible views out to sea and across the Adriatic islands. You’ll start at the smallest family winery, before moving to some of the bigger producers. One of the highlights will be a stop at the Grgić vineyard, founded by the famous Californian wine producer Miljenko Grgić, who was born here in Croatia. You’ll continue your journey to Dubrovnik and check-in at your hotel where you’ll be spending the next three nights.

A short hop from Dubrovnik, Mali Ston is one of the last untouched parts of Croatia’s coastline – and you’ll experience it in true Flash Pack style. First, you’ll meet a family of restaurateurs who will take you over to a sea platform to learn about (and taste) why Adriatic oysters are the most sought after in the world. You’ll then be transferred to the family’s private island, which they’ve granted us exclusive access to. The restaurant here isn’t open to the public, but it will be to you, and you’ll spend an afternoon alone in paradise, feasting on Dalmatian specialties, fresh seafood, beers and cocktails. Tonight, you’ll have time to explore iconic Dubrovnik, one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities. Get your bearings in the labyrinthine old town, kick back with an ožujsko, or head down to the harbour for a twilight stroll.

This morning you’ll be taken on a tour of Dubrovnik by a local who was born within the old city walls. You’ll see the old Franciscan monastery with its ancient pharmacy, the Dominican Monastery with its enviable collection of medieval paintings, and an endless array of beautiful red-roofed townhouses. At around 3pm, you’ll be picked up and taken 30 minutes into the countryside to meet a local family at their old stone house. They’ll be taking you on a culinary journey as you cook simple, fresh and authentic food with them. After your homemade welcome drink, you’ll go out into the lush garden to pick the required ingredients, and be led through an age-old Croatian recipe, finally getting to dine on the masterpiece you’ve no doubt created.  Local people, local customs and delicious food – what could be a better way to end your exclusive, immersive Croatian adventure?

It’s that time. Bid farewell to your new friends and make your way to the airport, happy in the knowledge you’ve seen a side to Croatia that few others have had the chance to see. A hard feat in today’s much-explored, much-photographed world.

Welcome to Zagreb and the first of many four-star hotels. You’ll have a chance to check in and relax whilst the rest of your group arrives, before heading out at around 5pm for your immersive history and food tour through the back streets of the town. One of the oldest cities in Central Europe, the architecture, cobbled streets and soaring church spires of Zagreb provide a visual feast, so the stories you’ll hear and delicacies you’ll try will only bring to life the charm of this place even more. On your culinary journey, you’ll stop at La Struk for a traditional Zagreb dish called strukli – just remember to leave enough room for your welcome dinner at the award-winning and atmospheric Didov San (meaning grandpa’s dream) where you’ll feast on authentic dishes in a timeless setting.

This morning you’ll be taken into Mrežnica, a world of emerald rivers, cascading waterfalls and secluded forests. Here, your thrilling kayaking adventure will take place. Kitted out and aboard your kayaks, you’ll spend hours paddling atop crystal clear waters and flying down waterfalls, whilst also having the chance to wild swim and leap from white cliffs into deep pools. Eventually, you’ll reach an area where a BBQ has been set up for your own private al fresco event. With locals cooking up a veritable feast using fresh local ingredients, spend some time as a group bonding and reflecting on the beauty you’ve already seen in just two days. 

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a region of forested beauty, famous for its shimmering lagoons and waterfalls. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a hugely popular spot (for good reason), but we’ll be getting you up at the crack of dawn so you get to enjoy the area alone (or as near to alone as possible). As the soft morning light begins to intensify and light up the colors of the lakes that are connected by 92 waterfalls, you’ll be taken on a private guided tour by foot and electric boat. Then it’ll be on to Split where you’ll have a free afternoon to chill by the pool, head to the sparkling coast, or explore as you please – if it’s the best views of the city you’re looking for, you might consider climbing the bell tower of St Domnius Cathedral.

This is the kind of day most people dream of when they think of a summer in Croatia: a boat trip to stunning islands and crystalline lagoons – and you’ll get to do it all on your very own private speedboat. Snorkel above a sunken ship near Nečujam on the island of Šolta, explore the archipelago of the Krknjasi islands and swim in the famed Blue Lagoon. Feeling sunkissed and no doubt a little tired from all the swimming, your next spot will be the chic Schkoy Beach Club – where you’ll have time to live the Croatian beach club experience before heading for lunch at Labadusa restaurant. When you’re ready, you’ll return to Split for an evening to do as you please. Please note that the itinerary on this day could be changed depending on weather conditions.

Today you’ll be making your way from Split to Dubrovnik, but you’ll be stopping en route for what could be the most picturesque wine tour you’ll ever take. Blessed with craggy mountains, sweeping valleys and idyllic cerulean coves, the slender Pelješac Peninsula has an ideal climate for cultivating grapes. You’ll be cycling 15 kilometres from winery to winery, through the pretty region of Dingac, with incredible views out to sea and across the Adriatic islands. You’ll start at the smallest family winery, before moving to some of the bigger producers. One of the highlights will be a stop at the Grgić vineyard, founded by the famous Californian wine producer Miljenko Grgić, who was born here in Croatia. You’ll continue your journey to Dubrovnik and check-in at your hotel, situated a little way from the centre for ultimate relaxation. Being the highest building in the area, the view here is pretty special – and you’ll have three nights to soak it all in.

This morning, you’ll be picked up and taken 50 minutes into the countryside to meet a local family at their old stone house. They’ll be taking you on a culinary journey as you cook simple, fresh and authentic food with them. After your homemade welcome drink, you’ll go out into the lush garden to pick the required ingredients, and be led through an age-old Croatian recipe, finally getting to dine on the masterpiece you’ve no doubt created for lunch. Tonight, you’ll have some free time in iconic Dubrovnik, one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities and UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Get your bearings in its labyrinthine-walled old town, kick back with an ožujsko, or head down to the harbor for a twilight stroll.

You’ll spend your last day in style as you hop aboard a speedboat for your transfer to the picturesque island of Sipan, just off the coast of Dubrovnik. Upon arrival, you won’t be on dry land for long – you’ll spend this morning sharing laughs with your group as you try to master the art of stand-up paddleboarding. You’ll paddleboard your way across the idyllic bay until you reach BOWA (Best of What’s Around) restaurant – a Robinson Crusoe-inspired getaway, right on the water’s edge, hugged by carob, fig and olive trees. Here, you’ll enjoy a leisurely lunch – think fresh fish, hand-picked vegetables and homegrown fruit, all washed down with a glass of Peljesac dingac wine. And if you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to the water, you’re welcome to enjoy a dip in the sea between courses – the perfect palate cleanser, we’d say.

It’s that time. Bid farewell to your new friends and make your way to the airport, happy in the knowledge you’ve seen a side to Croatia that few others have had the chance to see. A hard feat in today’s much-explored, much-photographed world.