Exclusive Croatia

Welcome to Zagreb and the first of many boutique hotels. You’ll have a chance to check in and relax whilst the rest of your group arrives, before heading out for an immersive history and food tour through the backstreets 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 kayaking adventure will take place. Kitted out and aboard your kayaks, you’ll spend hours paddling atop calm crystal-clear waters and riding over gentle waterfalls, whilst also having the chance to wild swim and or leap into deep pools. Eventually, you’ll reach an area where a BBQ has been set up for your own private alfresco 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 early 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 where you’ll have a free evening to chill by the pool, go out for dinner 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 Shkoy Beach Club – where you’ll have time to live the Croatian beach club experience before heading for a leisurely lunch at Labadusa tavern. When you’re ready, you’ll return to Split for an evening at leisure. 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.

This morning, you’ll be picked up and driven 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 harbour 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 Pelješac dingac wine. Sated and sunkissed, you’ll transfer back to Dubrovnik for a farewell dinner with your group. What 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.