Nature & wildlife trip

Exploring the hidden gems of Europe — Middle Dalmatia and Korčula Island

Spend one week exploring the ancient city of Split and its surroundings, canyoning through the pristine Cetina river and visiting the unique beaches & villages of Korčula Island. You will taste great local wine and olive oil and eat selected traditional local specialities.

Trip highlights

  • Exploring the ancient city of Split area and the island of Korčula with locals
  • Canyoning on Cetina River supervised by licensed guides
  • Guided excursion to Klis Fortress and Marjan Hill
  • Visit to Bire winery — guided tour of the wine cellar with wine tasting
  • Visit to Mljet National Park 

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Split is the largest city on the Croatian coast, but it has preserved the relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle. There are many sides to this region: a magnificent history and an abundance of landmarks, exquisite food and wine, the beauty of natural and cultural heritage and a pleasant climate year-around.

Not far from Split, the longest river in Dalmatia, the clear and tranquil Cetina, passes through its high canyon, offering magnificent scenery.

A nice boat ride from Split will take you to one of the greenest Croatian islands, Korčula.

This island is known for its quiet coves and small sandy or pebbly beaches, and a glorious old town. Spend your holiday on this island brimming with culture and breathtaking sights, hike to secluded beaches and green hills in the very heart of the Mediterranean. Unwind and allow yourself to be seduced by the island of the famous explorer Marco Polo.

Korčula Old Town is a medieval walled city, located at the tip of the Island, pointing deep into the Pelješac Channel. The architecture in the Old Town is mainly influenced by Venetian Renaissance.

There is a local legend that the famous discoverer Marco Polo was born in a stone walled house in Korčula Town. Despite its rather featureless interior, the house tower allows for a panoramic vista of Korčula, stretching from east to west. The house is under the protection of the Korčula Town Hall.

A trip to the beach is an essential part of any visit to Korčula. You can walk, bike or paddle in any direction and you’ll always find a nice beach – Korčula beaches are recognised as being some of the best in Croatia.

Unlike the rest of Dalmatia, known mostly for its red wines, the island of Korčula is renowned above all for the quality of its whites. There are native grapevine varieties like Pošip, Rukatac and Grk. The wines of Korčula are celebrated for their exquisite character, aromas and for their high alcohol content. They are distinguished for their exceptionally fine acidity — unusual among southern wines — which makes them such a pleasure to drink. If you are a wine aficionado, make sure to try the wines from Korčula and Pelješac region. One of them is Grk. Some think that it was brought to Korčula by the ancient Greeks around 500 BC, while others believe that it was named for the pleasant tart finish of the wine (grk is the Croatian word for Greek, but also for tart or bitter).

Before you arrive on Mljet island, make sure to read the legend of Odysseus who was allegedly shipwrecked here and remained "trapped" because of the nymph Calypso, who ruled the island. 

Day-by-day itinerary

DAY 1

Split and Klis Fortress

Upon arrival at Split Airport or Split Harbour, meet your driver who will take you to your hotel. After check-in and a brief rest, join your local guide at the reception for an exciting tour. Start with a half-hour drive to Klis Fortress, a historical site and "Game of Thrones" filming location for the city of Meereen. Learn about the fortress's rich history and capture stunning photos.

Next, head to Marjan Hill, a lush green park covered in Mediterranean pine forest, known as the 'lungs of the city.' Enjoy panoramic views of Split from various viewpoints. Afterward, return to the city center to explore Split’s top sights. Conclude your day with dinner at one of the charming local taverns.

Overnight in Split.

DAY 2

Amazing Cetina River Canyon

After breakfast, depart for a thrilling canyoning adventure. Your driver will take you to Zadvarje village, an hour from your hotel, where you’ll meet your expert guide. Equipped with the necessary gear and after a safety briefing, embark on an adventure that includes walking, swimming through rapids, and cliff-jumping in the crystal-clear waters of the Cetina River.

Supervised by licensed guides, this exciting activity requires only a swimsuit, dry clothes, and sports shoes (available for rent if needed). After the adventure, return to your hotel for a restful evening.

Overnight in Split.

DAY 3

From Split to Vela Luka

Enjoy breakfast and check out before transferring to Split Harbour for a fast ferry (catamaran) ride to the beautiful Korčula Island. After a scenic 3-hour journey, arrive in Vela Luka, where your host will welcome you and take you to a 4-star family-run hotel near the sea and beach.

Spend the afternoon relaxing and soaking up the sun. In the evening, savor Dalmatian and Mediterranean cuisine made from local ingredients at the hotel’s restaurant, paired with selected local wines.

Overnight in Vela Luka.

DAY 4

Exploring the Island — Wine Tasting, Korčula Old Town, and Nature

Start with breakfast on the hotel terrace overlooking the sea. Then, drive across the island to Korčula Town. Stop in Lumbarda to visit the Bire winery, where you'll taste local wines, including the famous Grk variety, and tour the wine cellar.

Continue to Korčula, a medieval walled city rich in history. Explore the town before heading back towards Vela Luka. Near the village of Smokvica, switch to Nordic walking, using provided sticks to hike through fields, olive groves, and vineyards, reminiscent of Tuscany. After an hour's hike, relax at a café in Prižba before your driver returns you to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Vela Luka.

DAY 5

Visiting Mljet National Park

After breakfast, travel to Korčula Town and take a ferry to Mljet, the Adriatic’s most wooded island. Upon arrival at Pomena Port, buy tickets and explore Mljet National Park, which features saltwater lakes and a Benedictine monastery on St. Mary Island.

Enjoy activities like swimming, kayaking, biking, or dining at the island’s restaurant. After exploring, return to Korčula where your driver will take you back to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight in Vela Luka.

DAY 6

Private Estate Visit — Olive Oil Tasting and Optional Quad Ride

Begin your day with breakfast and coffee on the terrace. Transfer to Tri Luke Bay for a visit to a private estate. Tour the olive groves, learn about olive oil production, and enjoy a tasting session of olive oil and wines.

Optional: Have lunch at the estate, featuring traditional fish or meat dishes. In the afternoon, choose between an exhilarating off-road quad ride to the Hum viewpoint or a peaceful walk along macadam paths. Relax on the estate's beautiful beach before returning to Vela Luka for dinner.

Overnight in Vela Luka.

DAY 7

Departure

After breakfast, check out and bid farewell to the enchanting island. Take the catamaran back to Split. Depending on your flight schedule, you will be transferred to the airport approximately 2.5 hours before departure. 

Ask about availability & get an offer

What happens when you request an offer?

1

We will double-check availability and make reservations for your rooms, restaurants, guides etc.

2

With reservations confirmed, we will prepare the best offer possible in regard to your arrival date & party size

3

You will get the offer via e-mail, along with the payment options. Feel free to request further customisations!

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