Croatia, Bosnia & Montenegro, Multi Region – Traditional Food & Wines of Dalmatia

Taste Your Way Through Central Dalmatia
Morning at leisure to enjoy Trogir, listen to traditional acapella singing (klapa music in Croatian) in the town square. Lunch in a rural agritourismo featuring cured meats (prosciutto, pancetta, salami), homemade herb schnapps, cherry liquor and specially prepared veal dish called ‘pod peka’. Tour and tasting at the Bibich winery located in the hills of Skradin, close to the port city of Šibenik and the lush Krka national park. The Bibich family was featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations Croatia episode and have been making award winning wines for many generations. Their wines feature the white Debit and red Zinfandel relatives Babic, Plavina and Lasin. All of these are typical of Central Dalmatian wines. We head back to Trogir for a light dinner.
Overnight Trogir, Croatia
Meals B,L,D

In the Footsteps of Romans, Greeks and Venetians
Visit to the port city of Split. In 297AD Roman Emperor Diocletian’s had his retirement palace built here and most of it still stands. A guided tour of the palace and of other sights in Split’s old town. From here it is a two hour ferry ride to Hvar Island, Croatia’s sun-drenched island with traces of Greek, Illyrian and Venetian cultures. It’s also home to great wines, olive oils and fields of lavender. Guests are welcomed by our hosts, the Cari family, with wine tasting and dinner in their cellar in the small town of Jelsa.
Overnight Hvar, Croatia
Meals B,L,D

Uncovering Hvar Traditions, Caric Wines & Local Olive Oils
A full day excursion with Ivana Caric to learn Hvar history, meet local winemakers, enjoy easy walks through vineyards and stone villages, discover hidden spots along the island’s interior, taste local olive oils. Caric Winery has vineyards in 3 different areas, each with own micro climate. They produce Plavac Ploski, Plavac Ploski Barrique and Jubo’v (reds) and the native white Bogdanjuša plus Posip, another white. Our day will include a visit at the UNESCO protected Stari Grad Plain (also known as Chora Pharou) where they’ve been growing grapes since the Greeks founded the island in 4th century BC. Both lunch and dinner will be a simple yet delicious affair with meals at local konobas (traditional Croatian restaurants) in Svirce and other small villages on the island.
Overnight Hvar, Croatia
Meals B,L,D

Soak in Hvar Town & Sail the Adriatic
Guided tour of Hvar Town. Soak in the town’s historic Venetian past, stroll by faded palaces and mansions while visiting Europe’s oldest functioning theatre, the lace making Benedictine monastery Hvar’s hilltop fortress. Sunset sailing from Hvar town to the Pakleni islands archipelago. We will spend our afternoon sailing around this labyrinth of small islands, stopping in bays perfect for swimming, and will also take a short break on Palmizana so you can have an opportunity to walk on one of the favourite islands of the Pakleni archipelago. Dinner back in Hvar town at one of the island’s finest konobas.
Overnight Hvar, Croatia
B,D

Explore Balkan Vineyards & Historic Mostar
Ferry back to Croatia’s mainland and journey into Bosnia’s southern region of Herzegovina. Visit and tasting at Brki winery in the wine growing town of Citluk. More than 2,000 years ago, Illyrians cultivated grapes and cereals in the inland mountain valleys but winemaking was on the decline until the Ottoman empire, which held these lands for nearly 500 years, power began to wane in the 19th century. Brki does amazing biodynamic wines that are available only at his winery. Lunch followed by a guided afternoon walking tour of Mostar, the city which used to be a major trading center of the Ottoman empire. The Iconic 400 year-old Turkish bridge was destroyed in the 90’s Balkan war but has been meticulously rebuilt with original stones and materials. The bustling Bazaar quarter has an oriental feel not found elsewhere in Europe. Relax with a strong Bosnian coffee, nosh on Turkish delight and enjoy dinner along the Neretva river.
Overnight Mostar, Bosnia
Meals B,L,D

Flavors of the Ottoman Past in Sarajevo
Full day trip to Sarajevo! Upon arrival, we’ll have a walking tour of Sarajevo, a unique mix of Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian influences. Our tour focuses mostly on the old Turkish quarter, known as the Bascarsija. Along the way we’ll stop for a quick lunch of the ubiquitous cevapcici, grilled Balkan sausages served with onions inside a pita bread. There’s a heavy oriental feel mixed with Austro-Hungarian buildings, a few scars left from the 90’s war, vibrant cafes, delicious sweet shops and very warm people who give the city an astonishing and unique vibe. It’s a great place to watch the local coppersmiths pound out traditional coffee sets. Dinner at the city’s oldest restaurant, situated in a traditional wooden house and featuring a heavenly sirnica (baked cheese pie in phyllo dough). Return to Mostar after dinner.
Overnight Mostar, Bosnia
Meals B,L,D

Milos Winery & Peljesac Peninsula
As we depart Bosnia, a short visit to the hill town of Pocitelj capped with a fortress overlooking the amazing landscape of this region. Head to the gorgeous Peljesac peninsula, where Plavac Mali is king, for a day of tastings. This peninsula stretches in the southeast – northwest direction. A short drive from the idyllic Adriatic oystering village of Mali Ston is home to the Milos winery where they’ve made wine for over 500 years. Nearby are their prized vineyards which stretch from Uvala Prapratno (Prapratno cove) overlooking the village of Ponikve. Nowhere in Europe is there such a concentration of coastal vineyards. This proximity to the sea lends the wines their distinctive note of Friškina. Early evening arrival into the walled city of Dubrovnik. Walk up the romantic baroque staircase (modeled on Rome’s Spanish Steps) to the town’s Jesuit monastery to enjoy dinner showcasing many local dishes and hard-to-find traditional recipes.
Overnight Dubrovnik, Croatia
Meals B,L,D

Welcome to the Pearl of the Adriatic!
After breakfast we’ll walk the nearly 80 foot high stone walls that cover the entire town and offer great views to the Adriatic. Then we’ll engage in a foodie walking tour of old down and visit 5 wonderful culinary gems, savor the best local food, learn about rich history in a fun way, and enhance your experience of Dubrovnik. The rest of this day is at your leisure to enjoy and discover Dubrovnik. The best views of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area are, without doubt, experienced from the top of the Srd Hill. Take the cable car up for great panoramic shots and an interesting history museum in the old Austrian fortress. Perhaps get away from the tourists and grab a local ferry to nearby Lokrum island for some relaxing walks amongst botanical gardens. Or just browse your way through every nook and cranny of the old town’s maze of cobblestone streets!
Overnight Dubrovnik, Croatia
Meals B,T/L,D

In the Realm of the Black Mountains
Cross over the border into the wild beauty of Montenegro. The country’s name translates to Black Mountains and that is quite evident. First stop is the town of Perast that sits on the Bay of Kotor and the surroundings could hardly be more stunning. Mountains practically rise up from the water and surround this picturesque spot. Boat ride out to Our Lady of the Rocks church, situated jewel-like islands in Kotor Bay. A private 3-course lunch of homemade food and a tour of a boutique winery featuring local Crmnica red wine awaits us at Skadar Lake, the largest lake in the Balkans. Late afternoon guided tour around the historic walled city of Kotor, including the Cathedral of St. Tryphon which has survived many of the region’s earthquakes. Optional walk up 1300 steps to the fortress overlooking the magnificent area. Farewell dinner in Kotor before driving back to Dubrovnik.
Overnight Dubrovnik, Croatia
Meals B,L,D

Departure
End of Tour — transfer to airport after breakfast.

OR extend your Dalmatian experience to explore more of Montenegro’s charms or perhaps visit to Croatia’s Plitvice national park, one of Europe’s most visited natural attractions. Just ask us!