Walled cities the colour of honey, a Roman emperor's palace people still live in, and islands strewn across the clearest sea in Europe, the Dalmatian coast, Adriatic gold.
Into Dubrovnik, a perfect walled city of marble streets and terracotta roofs on the Adriatic. After the flight we keep it easy, a first plate of black risotto, a sunset from the city ramparts, an early night.
A walk the full circuit of the medieval walls at opening, before the heat and the crowds, the old town and the cloisters below; the cable car up Mount Srd for the view, a swim off the rocks at Buza. A Game of Thrones tour for the fans.
A boat out to the green Elaphiti islands or leafy Lokrum, swimming in coves with no road access, a long seafood lunch on an island quay. Oysters straight from the water at Ston, behind its great salt pan walls, on the way back.
North along the coast (a catamaran or a scenic drive) to Split, a city built inside the retirement palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian, 1,700 years old and still full of cafes, washing lines and life. The Riva waterfront, the bell tower, the cellars.
The UNESCO old town of Trogir on its little island, the Klis fortress guarding the pass above the city, and a konoba lunch in the stony hinterland, lamb and octopus slow cooked under a peka bell. The Dalmatia behind the beaches.
A ferry to Hvar, the sunniest island in Croatia, all lavender fields, Venetian stone and clear water. The hilltop Spanish fortress over the harbour, the marble main square, and a first cocktail in the chic old port as the yachts come in.
A boat through the Pakleni islands just offshore, a string of pine covered islets and hidden swimming coves, lunch anchored off a beach bar, the water in three shades of blue. The old island capital of Stari Grad and its ancient Greek field plain.
Inland to the island's lavender villages and small wineries, Plavac Mali reds grown on impossible slopes, a swim at a quiet cove, and a last long island dinner. The Adriatic doing its gold and rose routine as the sun goes down.
A last morning by the water before the ferry to Split and your flight. Croatia hands you Roman history, walled cities and island hopping in one warm, salty week, and a long list of islands still to come back for.
Three ways to do the same route: Comfort, Premium or Luxe. Breakfasts in. Mix tiers city by city if you like, it is your trip.
Priced to your dates, your hotel tier and how the two of you like to travel. Ask, the first answer usually lands within minutes.
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