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 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 day of exploring stunning islands and crystalline lagoons on your very own private speedboat. Seeking out the most idyllic spots for swimming and snorkelling, you’ll also stop off at a chic beach club – where you’ll have time to live the Croatian beach club experience – before heading to a tavern where you can buy a local lunch. Feeling sunkissed, 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 for picturesque cycling, a local lunch and wine along the way. Cycling to Trstenik, you’ll pass craggy mountains, sweeping valleys and idyllic cerulean coves, so there’ll be plenty of photo opportunities. At the end of your bike ride, you’ll be rewarded with lunch at a family-run restaurant before being transported to Ston. A stunning medieval town famed for its oysters, here you’ll get a chance to sightsee before heading to a local wine bar to taste the areas finest wines and (of course) some oysters. Afterwards, you’ll continue to your Dubrovnik 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 Lopud, 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 SUP your way along the shoreline to a beachfront restaurant for lunch – think fresh fish, hand-picked vegetables and homegrown fruit, all washed down with a glass of Pelješac dingac wine – before hiking to the other side of the island for some beach time. Back in Dubrovnik,  a three-course farewell dinner awaits. 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.