Croatian Island Hopping Itinerary: Croatia’s Finest Locales

Korcula town and Peljeski Channel in Dalmatia region, Croatia

What to expect on this itinerary

When it comes to thinking about your ideal vacation and escaping your everyday with all of its stress and commotion, Croatia is among the best locales to alleviate your daily stress. There is no better escape than an island escape, and the geography of Croatia’s Islands is a world away from your everyday. The peaceful and removed mindset that is synonymous with the island mentality is an undeniable benefit to choosing this idyllic locale. When it comes to islands, Croatia boasts some of the most stunningly beautiful and magical scenery in the world, making it the perfect choice for your next luxurious getaway. This custom-crafted, 7-day adventure whisks you away from your everyday to sail, swim, sunbathe, explore idyllic towns and seaside villages, and to dine on the finest cuisine that this hidden gem of Europe has to offer.

Countries Visited

Croatia

Places Visited

Dubrovnik, Korcula Island, Mljet, Hvar, Vis, Lastovo

Suggested Duration

7 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Dubrovnik - Land in Dubrovnik, Tour Its Old City, and Island Hop to Lokrum Island

After you arrive in Dubrovnik, your private driver will be waiting to whisk you away to your luxurious accommodation. After having a bit of downtime to settle in, relax, and freshen up, you will be driven to the world-famous Old City, where you will embark on an enlightening tour of this impeccably preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.

As your knowledgeable guide regales you with fascinating facts and introduces you to the city’s iconic landmarks, you will marvel at the majesty of this completely walled relic. After your time in the Old City comes to an end, you will embark on a short sail to lovely Lokrum Island, where you will spend the remainder of the evening strolling its lovely surrounds and delighting in a delicious dessert and nightcap before sailing back to Dubrovnik and being delivered to your hotel.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Dinner
Day 2

Dubrovnik - Sail, Swim, and More as You Explore the Elaphiti Islands

Day 3

Korcula – Roam around Korcula Island and Enjoy a Private Wine Tasting

Day 4

Korcula - Witness the Majesty of Mother Nature on Mljet Island

Day 5

Korcula - Island Hop to Hvar and Its Sister Islands for a Full Day of Fun

Day 6

Korcula - Get Back to Nature on a Lastovo Island Excursion

Day 7

Dubrovnik – Return to Dubrovnik and Enjoy a Goodbye Brunch

Trip Highlights

  • Uncover the mysteries within Dubrovnik’s ancient walled Old City and island-hop to Lokrum island
  • Indulge a sun-dappled day of swimming in the pleasant waters of the Adriatic Sea and exploring the charming landscape of the Elaphiti Islands
  • Marvel at the magical glow of the famous Blue Cave Grotto with the opportunity to swim and snorkel in its waters
  • Reconnect with nature in the outdoor wonderland of Mljet Island with access to the renowned Mljet National Park
  • Escape to the haven of Hvar, tour its idyllic town, and enjoy a private wine tour that will introduce you to delicious, local vintages
  • Fall in love with the charming towns and blissful shores of Korcula Island and indulge in a private wine tasting
  • Explore the great outdoors on a trek around the lovely Lastovo Island

Detailed Description

Croatia is long-famed for the dazzling city of Dubrovnik, its impeccably preserved Old City, the metropolitan capital of Zagreb, but this enigmatic nation is far more diverse than most travelers realize. While the aforementioned destinations are lovely, this Eastern European gem also has a plethora of islands that are stunningly beautiful.

Imagine escaping your everyday and embarking on a week-long vacation that is filled with nothing but peaceful relaxation, limitless pampering, and natural wonders that only exotic islands can offer. That is exactly what this luxurious, 7-day adventure has in store for you.

Upon your arrival in Dubrovnik, your Croatian island excursion will officially begin, and after settling into your luxurious accommodation, you will waste no time in embarking on an in-depth tour of the Old City. Then, after exploring the impeccably preserved fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site, you will island-hop to Lokrum Island to enjoy an evening stroll that will be followed by a delicious dessert and nightcap. The Elaphiti Islands are on the agenda for your first full day in Croatia, and this is where you will be whisked away on a private tour of three thrilling locales on a state-of-the-art liner with your own private guide, captain, and cabin crew.

Day three will find you making your way to the magical island of Korcula, where you will spend a beautiful Croatian day amid sunshine, sparkling sandy beaches,  warm waters, and unmatched beauty. You will check-in to your new accommodation because this lovely enclave will act as the base for the remainder of your island escape. Following day three will be a magical day of experiencing the great outdoors in the pristine nature preserve of Mljet Island.

A whirlwind day of exploration awaits you on day five as you visit five amazing islands. Your full-day adventure includes a stop at Hvar and its charming Hvar town in addition to the world-famous Blue Cave Grotto and Green Cave. Perhaps, the most active excursion has been saved for your final full day in the islands because you will embark on a thrilling journey of discovery to the outdoor paradise of Lastovo Island, which is an idyllic haven that has recently been declared an official nature preserve.

After your wondrous week in Croatia’s islands, you will feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and absolutely reluctant to leave. Your departure on your last morning will at least be made more palatable with a delicious goodbye brunch that awaits you on your return sail to Dubrovnik. Afterward, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

Throughout your entire island escape, you will spend each night in luxurious accommodations, and all of your necessary transportation needs will have also been pre-arranged and private. Your Croatian adventure is extremely flexible and can be customized throughout your time in the Islands to accommodate your moods and desires. Thus, all that you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey.

Learn more about the Croatia travel agents that you could be working with, whom we have personally vetted to be one of the best in the industry.

Starting Price

$1,900 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 483 reviews

Croatia Group Tour Review: Catamaran Four Day Island Hopping Tour, Split, Brac Island, Swimming, Biking, Walking Old City Streets
Our trip to Croatia (two moms and 7 teens) did not disappoint.  Our travel specialist and her team were incredibly thoughtful with their suggestions, responsive to our interests and tastes, and most importantly available consistently before during and after our trip (I'm not sure when they slept).  We started our trip in Split with a welcome dinner at a restaurant serving tapas of locally made dishes.  It couldn't have been a better introduction.  We were seated in the kitchen and had the full attention of the chef and staff. It was a wonderful introduction to Dalmatian cuisine and we all loved trying the different dishes.  When we decided to change things around from our original itinerary on day 2, our travel specialist was open and helpful and we ended up having a great day on Brac island that required our specialist and her team to pull together a guide and water equipment at the last minute.  The highlight of the day was lunch at a secluded castle in a very tiny village with a view from the terrace that  was amazing.  Our guide, was accommodating and helpful.  Each day, we received emails and/or texts with updates on what the next day or two held for us.  We were given the names and contact numbers of drivers and guides which helped us to stay on schedule and limit travel hiccups.  None of our guides was late, surly, or anything less than knowledgeable, helpful, and polite.  After our time in Split we headed to a catamaran for a four day tour of 4 different islands.  Our travel specialist helped us to choose the islands, and make meal reservations ahead of time.  Our captain was not only skilled (he was on the national sailing team) but also just the right mix of personable, funny, and hands off when we wanted some down time.  He also used a drone to take shots of the boat and our families that were spectacular.  The chef and assistant was lovely, and prepared meals for us that were tasty, and perfectly timed.  She anticipated what we needed, before we did, and we very much enjoyed getting to know her. There are so many highlights from our island hopping but to name a few: renting electric bikes on the island of Mljet and taking a dip in the lake there; Jumping off the boat into the the greenest sea you can imagine; dining on Hvar and walking around the small streets and alleys.  Our trip ended in Dubrovnik.  We spent the day before our last on a kayak tour outside the city walls which was a great way to see the city and get wet on a hot day.  The guide was knowledgeable and ensured that our three hours had just the right balance of information, kayaking and swim time.  We ended the day with our another guide who took us through the streets of Dubrovnik, on the city walls and up the gondola for a great birds eye view of the city.  He was a wealth of information (his family has lived in Dubrovnik for hundreds of years) and was able to communicate what he knew in a way that our teens found both interesting, engaging and funny.  The country was gorgeous, the activities were great for our active crowd, and while traveling outside of your country can be stressful, this was among the most stress free trips I have ever taken, because when I had a question (e.g., what's the appropriate tip, the best beach), our specialist was always a text away with a great suggestion.  Thank you travel company! 

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Luxury Croatia Vacation Review: Split, Ston, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Korčula, Šibenik, Truffle Hunting, Oyster Farm Visit, Food Tour

Overall

We loved the Zicasso process - from the intake form, to the screening interview, to matching process with a local agent - we absolutely would leverage the same process for our future trips

Our travel agency (and in particular Ivana) were amazing - communicative - both ahead of the trip and during, made great recommendations based on our style, and advocated on our behalf in the few instances when things didn't go exactly according to plan

We loved the "private" nature of everything we did - our own drivers, our own tour guides, our own activities - certainly we paid for it, but if that's the kind of holiday you're looking for, our travel company certainly delivered

Pre-Trip / Itinerary Building

We were clear with our travel agency that for us, food > wine, so we had more activities geared that way (truffle hunt in Split, Oyster farm in Ston, Peka in Hvar, Food tour in old town Dubrovnik). But of course, given that it's Croatia, they recommended a couple of wine-centric activities - which were fantastic

We questioned whether it was worth it to have 4 stops in an 11-day itinerary - it seemed to us like a lot of packing/unpacking - but the team at our travel agency were especially insistent that we leave Korčula in the itinerary - and we're so glad we did

We went back and forth on a few of the activities and in particular, the "right" hotel in Dubrovnik. In the end, the itinerary was nearly perfect, and the Hotel in Dubrovnik was the right choice for us

Each time we adjusted the itinerary, we received an updated PDF file with the updated schedule, costs, etc. And perhaps my favorite communication - in the days before the trip, we received an email with three things: 1) a final pdf overview of the entire itinerary; 2) a one-page summary with dates/times for every activity and transfer; and 3) a separate, detailed pdf voucher for each activity/ticket/transfer across the whole trip

Final observations

Croatia is gorgeous. The best word I can use to describe it is "Dramatic". The people are incredibly friendly. And there are delicious things to eat and drink everywhere you go

It was *hot* - 95F/35C every day (from late June through early July. And we did *a lot* of walking. Just be prepared :)

There is *a lot* to do - between old cities with tons of history, beautiful beaches, restaurants, vineyards, farms, markets - we could easily go back to the same spots for another two weeks and have an entirely new experience

If you want to see Croatia in comfort, with no worries about logistics, and always feel well looked-after, I highly recommend this travel agency

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Croatia Luxury Vacation Review: Hvar, Dubrovnik, Speedboat Trip, Biking and Wine Tour, 1 Week
"Thank you to our Zicasso travel agent. We had a great time in Croatia. You did a very good job of organizing our trip."

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Luxury Croatia Review: Zadar Sea Organ, Swimming Beneath Waterfalls at Krka National Park, Villages, Sunsets & Winery
I worked with our travel planner at this tour company and he was extremely helpful and accommodating in putting together the perfect trip for my family and me. We had done some research first and had ideas of what we wanted and the planner had suggestions that complimented our thoughts.Everything was well planned and perfectly prepared. I knew quickly that we were well taken care of which was comforting as this was a big trip for us!!There were a few bumps throughout but they were minor and did not interrupt the flow of the vacation.Croatia is just a spectacular locale. The colors of the islands, the beauty of the people all surpassed our expectations. We started in Split then went to Hvar then on to Korcula and finally Dubrovnik. It's hard to decide which we like best (I think we all had different opinions). They were all stunning, each with their own individual charm!! We took many many pictures but I can't find one that REALLY does it justice. It's a you have to see it to believe it kind of place.The trip was a graduation present to my older son and it delivered in expectation.Thank you travel planner and Zicasso and this tour company!!! 

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Travel Review: Croatia Luxury Trip, Split, Hvar Island Tour, Walking Tour of Dubrovnik, Winery, Local Cuisine, History
My wife and I had an amazing 7 day trip of Croatia that was organized by the travel designer of this travel company.  We first visited Split and our hotel was right outside Diocletian's Palace and it was the perfect location.  The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful.  The designer organized a private tour of the Palace, Split, and Klis that was given by a great tour guide.  She also organized the best dinner and wine pairing I ever had at a winery in Plastovo!  Our next stop was the island of Hvar, which is beautiful.  The hotel was wonderful and the tour arranged was fabulous.  The designer also arranged a lunch at a small family olive grove and we met the owners and had an authentic Hvar lunch which was awesome.  Hvar doesn't typically open all businesses until May, so if you go off season, just know that many businesses will not be open yet.  However, the positive is that there were no crowds to fight.  Finally, we went to Dubrovnik where we stayed at a 5 star resort on the sea.  There were some last minute changes with the hotel, but the travel designer handled everything quickly and without worry.  She also arranged for Covid testing at the hotel for our return to the US, so we wouldn't have to find the local hospital.  Our private tour of Dubrovnik was great and walking through old town Dubrovnik was breath taking.  All of our transfers were handled flawlessly by the designer and our drivers were great and very knowledgeable about the country and history.  Kudos to our driver who took a quick detour to an oyster farm so my wife could get a dozen oysters right from the sea for lunch. Our trip was in late March, so if I were to do this again I would schedule for May or September where more shops are open, but I had to go at this time since I had other required business trips.  But I would definitely recommend this travel team for an amazing and stress free vacation.  They will help you from the time you book to the time you leave! 

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Travel Review: Luxury Croatia Vacation, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Kotar, Hvar, Montenegro, Trogir, Split, ...
The trip was good-a nice balance of seeing new places, exploring and relaxing. The only place I probably could have been fine without was Trogir- but I think Jay suggested that because of the location . It gave us access to a national park we wanted to see and the Split airport. Jay's recommendatins were pretty right on, the accomodations were great in Dubrovnik and Hvar and fine in Trogir. The people at the APT and hotels were lovely and accomodating. The local people that assisted were fine - not overly accomodating - in other words they didn't frequently check in on you - but certainly efficient and always available if you needed to contact them, All our needs were taken care of and it was a lot easier than making all the arrangements yourself which is what we usually do - and the cost was very reasonable from my perspective. Jay had us covered every step of the way .

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews