Explore the beauty of Southern Dalmatia on foot and by kayak with the added bonus of Montenegro!

Who doesn’t dream of spending a vacation on the coast? The problem is you often have to fight the throngs of other tourists who share your dream. We’ve found the perfect solution: the Dalmatian and Montenegro coasts! This is what a real vacation feels like—a Europe where few know to venture...for now. Brimming with beauty and steeped in history, this region is one of the great hidden gems of Europe. With easy-to-moderate hiking and sea kayaking, and two fun days of touring, there is plenty of activity to be had by all. Walk the captivating, cobblestoned streets of Dubrovnik. Kayak Montenegro’s Kotor Bay, and hike along the trails left by Napoleon’s armies. Visit ancient Orthodox monasteries, and see the old wall of Ston. Enjoy local flavors at Konoba, a rustic family-run restaurant, and taste the red wines of Plavac and Dingac with its artisan producers. Visit the medieval city of Korcula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Last but not least: hike the lovely island of Hvar and paddle the clear, sparkling Adriatic around the Pakleni islands without a care in the world. This is what a real vacation feels like. Let yourself be delighted by the Europe where few ever know to venture.

Activities

2 Days easy-moderate hiking on good trails and country roads; 3 Days easy-moderate sea kayaking (no prior experience required); 2 Days of easy touring, at times on cobblestone.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience this classic coastline tour of Southern Dalmatia, and traveling with MTS means the added bonus of a visit to Montenegro—one of the world’s newest countries!
• Stroll along the cobblestoned streets of Dubrovnik and soak in the beauty of the medieval city of Korcula—a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
• Traverse Croatia’s red wine country and the island of Hvar by foot, and paddle in the Adriatic throughout the Pakleni archipelago in a sea kayak
• Sample the local flavor with a traditional feast at a family-run restaurant, and taste the red wines of Plavac and Dingac with its artisan producers

Duration: 8 days Start Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia End Location: Split, Croatia

BRIEF Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrival in Dubrovnik, Croatia

  Plan to arrive in Dubrovnik. We’ll explore the fascinating city of Dubrovnik with its tiny cobble-stoned streets, squares, and antique shops. We’ll climb the city walls overlooking the city and experience the grandness of the former Dubrovnik Republic.

• Day 2 : Montenegro – Sea Kayaking at Kotor Bay

  Only half an hour away from Dubrovnik lies the gateway to the exotic Adriatic and the country of Montenegro. Today, we'll explore the majestic bay of Kotor by sea kayak, called “One of the ten most beautiful bays in the world.” Surrounded by high mountains, the bay has given shelter to the voyagers from all over the world for centuries. We’ll experience the bay first hand sea-kayaking and even visit a small Orthodox monastery on the island.
  
  In the afternoon, we’ll arrive to the town of Kotor, also known as ‘Little Dubrovnik.’ We’ll explore the small medieval alleys and take a short hike to the city wall standing some 600 feet above the sea. We'll conclude the day visiting the last Communist embassy of Yugoslavia.

• Day 3 : Kotor – Mount Lovcen – Cetinje - Kotor

  We’ll take the mountainous road to the coast which takes us to the village of Njegosi, situated at the foot of Mt. Lovcen. This village is the birthplace of Montenegro’s most famous poet and monarch, Njegos. We’ll visit his house and then we’ll explore the village’s main attraction: dry-cured ham and the local wine! We’ll continue hiking to the top of Mount Lovcen, offering us impressive views over Kotor bay and Montenegro’s coastline, once home to Ulcinj’s pirates.

  Farther down the road, we’ll reach the former royal capital of Cetinje, known for its superb museum collection. We’ll finish the day with a visit to the 17th century Ostrog Monastery, a major pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians in the Balkans. Set atop a craggy cliff overlooking the Bjelopavlici plain, it makes a dramatic presentation. Afterwards, we’ll return to Kotor.

• Day 4 : Kotor – Peljesac

  Today we’ll return to Croatia and move on towards southern Dalmatia. We’ll visit the Peljesac peninsula, which is often referred to as “the gardens of the Dubrovnik Republic.” It was protected by the longest European wall which is still beautifully preserved in the town of Ston. The Republic’s most famous red wine and precious salt comes from this region. It is in this part of Dalmatia where you can still have genuine contact with the locals.
  
  We’ll hike on Napoleon’s old trails, visit the wine cellar of the famous Dingac appellation and get the feel of Dalmatian history as it was before so many people moved to the seaside. At dusk we’ll end the day at the rustic ambiance of a local restaurant for a traditional Dalmatian feast. We’ll spend the night in a villa overlooking small islands and Korcula across the strait.

• Day 5 : Peljesac – Korcula Sea Kayaking – Peljesac

  Today we’ll continue on to the island of Korcula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a bustling, medieval Venetian town that once harbored famed explorer Marco Polo. We’ll sea-kayak along the archipelago along the southeast part of the island. The clear, turquoise waters of the Adriatic present some of the finest maritime experiences in the Mediterranean.
  
  In the afternoon we visit Korcula’s picturesque town center rich with artisans, markets, and galleries. Just before dark a short ferry ride will bring us back to the Peljesac peninsula.

• Day 6 : Peljesac – Hvar

  We’ll leave Peljesac behind and move on to the next island, sunny Hvar, one of the most beautiful islands in the world. We arrive on the island via its southern tip and hike off-the-beaten-path to visit hidden bays, and the charming village of St. Sunday. It is here that we’ll have a chance to visit a local, artisan wine producer to taste another of Croatia’s great red wines, Plavac.
  
  In the afternoon we’ll take a panoramic road leading us to the island’s main town, also named Hvar.

• Day 7 : Hvar Sea Kayaking

  The morning begins with a stroll among the lavender and olive stalls in the town's medieval district and climb up to the fortress overlooking the Adriatic. In front of us are the Pakleni islands (also called “the Devil's islands”) and far behind us is the island of Vis, which served as President Tito’s partisan hideout and as a shelter for injured American pilots during WWII. We’ll have a chance to soak in the pristine beauty of the Pakleni islands by kayak.

• Day 8 : Hvar – Split – Departure

  It’s time to say goodbye to Dalmatia, but not before taking in the lovely town of Split, rich with history from early Roman times to the late Venetian Republic.

• 

  Hotel Indijan

  Peljesac

  Hotel Indijan is situated on the beach in the center of Orebic in a peaceful area with a pine forest, featuring a restaurant with delicious food and local Dingac wine.

  Most of the rooms have balconies and there are enough parking spaces for all guests. You can sample the buffet breakfast and lunch and dinner is in the elegant Restaurant Korta.

  Hotel Indijan features a bar and a terrace, a spa, a sauna, steam bath and a swimming pool.

  Excursions to Korcula, Dubrovnik, or a photo safari on the river Neretva are offered at the hotel.  Mountaineers will enjoy climbing to the top of the Mount St.Ilija. You can also go biking and wind surfing.

• Hotel Vardar

  Kotor

  Situated among historic monuments on the Main Square of the UNESCO-protected historic quarter of Kotor, Hotel Vardar offers spacious and luxurious accommodations with free internet access, satellite TV and seating areas.

  Selected dishes accompanied by cocktails and other beverages are served on the terrace. Guests can start their day with a rich buffet breakfast.

  The state-of-the-art spa center includes a small gym area, a sauna and Turkish bath.

  Restaurant Galion is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, directly on the sea. Hotel guests benefit from a 10% discount at the restaurant. A fish menu accompanied by an extensive wine list is served. The view from the terrace above the old walls of the city and of the sea is breathtaking.

  
   

• Grand Villa Argentina

  Dubrovnik

  Experience breathtaking views of Dubrovnik and the sea from the Grand Villa Argentina, featuring its own beach and being only a 10 minute walk from the Old Town.

  Dive into the crystal-clear Adriatic sea or enjoy the outdoor swimming pool.

  The Grand Villa Argentina includes 5 buildings - 4 villas and the spa and health club, which is a perfect place to relax and re-energize. Use of the hot tub, the pool and the fitness room is free of charge.

  The rooms combine rich fabrics and stylish furniture with the surrounding greenery and a light marine breeze. Sea-view rooms also enjoy beautiful views of the Old Town walls, the gardens and the Island of Lokrum.

  Wireless internet is available in public areas free of charge.

  The Grand Villa Argentina's restaurants and bars offer a diverse gourmet selection to tempt your appetite. Restaurant Caravelle and Victoria have partial sea and Old Town views. Dining on the terrace, you will have one of the most amazing views of the city.

  Buffet breakfast is included in the room price.

• Hotel Dubrovnik Palace

  Dubrovnik

  In the Lapad Peninsula, this hotel offers a private beach and a scuba diving center. All rooms have a balcony and offer views of the Elaphite Islands.

  Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning and luxury toiletries are standard at the Dubrovnik Palace rooms. All have a flat-screen satellite TV and minibar.

  There are 5 different restaurants, including a beach restaurant. Drinks and light snacks are served at the pool bar.

  There is a local bus line to the Old Town every 30 minutes. The stop is across from the hotel and the ride takes about 20 minutes.

  Spa facilities include an indoor pool, hot tub and steam bath. There is also a fitness studio and a number of jogging paths can be found in the vicinity.

  A 24-hour room service is available at Hotel Dubrovnik Palace. Babysitting and daycare services are available upon request.

• Adriana Hvar Spa Hotel

  Hvar

  Located on Hvar’s marina, the Adriana offers a spa, a rooftop terrace with swimming pool and a sky bar with panoramic views of the cathedral, the Piazza and the bay.

  All rooms have queen-size beds, ergonomic mattresses and glass-boxed bathrooms. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen satellite TV and free Wi-Fi. Some rooms also include private grounds with a view of the sea, while others have a spacious balcony.

  Located just a 5-minute walk from the beach and the historic center of town, Adriana Hvar Spa is Croatia’s first and only member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World.

  Its luxurious Sensorí spa offers therapeutic, massage and beauty treatments, and a wide range of programs including yoga and nature excursions.

  There is a heated indoor pool and a seawater outdoor pool on the rooftop terrace, while the sky bar includes a multi-level terrace, a dance floor and a restaurant that serves Mediterranean specialties.

  Guests can also visit the trendy lobby bar, which has a small front terrace right on the harbor, and dine at the Val Marina restaurant, which serves local fish and seafood accompanied by fine national wines.

  There is a 24-hour front desk, concierge and room service, and all rooms and facilities have been adapted for guests with disabilities.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. Our trips feature gifted leaders for whom leading trips is a true vocation. Besides showing you wonders you’d never find on your own, they make sure everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch. They are knowledgeable about all aspects of your trip, and take great pleasure in sharing their insights with you. More than just guides, they positively elevate your experience by being teachers, companions, and the best of friends. You’ll be in good hands with them every step of the way.

• Luka Poznic

  Luka doesn't sit still for long. When he is not guiding our trips, he is exploring the outer reaches of Northern Africa, Burma, Tibet, Montenegro, Sahara, Thailand, Croatia, and Nepal; guiding, discovering new destinations or bargaining for a precious Iranian silk carpet. He takes very seriously his Arabic lessons, due to the mystical deserts of the Arabic world which have enchanted him. When he is in Slovenia, he is devoted to free-climbing, mountain-biking, photography and expert dining. In his years of traveling he has became very knowledgeable about fine wine. Luka is the right person to show you where the best Cabarnet Sauvignon in Slovenia can be found.

• Ursula Kordis

  Ursula has a degree in management and organization. She is an avid photographer and has traveled extensively between Asia and Latin America, and spent six months in Colombia working as a photo journalist. Ursula has been guiding since 2001 and is very knowledgeable about the Slovenian outdoors. She is fluent in English and Spanish, and in her free time enjoys cooking and dancing the Salsa.

• Roman Krizanic

  Roman is a graduate in Chinese studies. After finishing his degree he spent a year in China, wandered around Southeast Asia for the next five years, and now Roman is settled between his two homelands. In the beautiful countryside of Slovenia as an outdoor guide, and in Cambodia, where he is running a petit beach resort when temperatures in Europe drop to freezing. An adventurer at heart, Roman continues to discover hidden corners of Croatia and Slovenia, combining nature experiences with his passion for gourmet Slovenian cuisine. As a guide he is well known for his personal touch and good humor.

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