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Croatia

Island Hopping in Magical Croatia

Program No. 22150RJ
The coast of Croatia is nearly 10% national park and boasts the most preserved fortification system in Europe. Come explore with the experts and during plenty of time on your own!
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Start
Small Group
Length
12 days
Rating (4.96)
Activity Level
Starts at
3,449
Flights start at
1,150
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
12 days
11 nights
What's Included
20 meals ( 9B, 5L, 6D )
3 expert-led lectures
11 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
1 performance
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Check-in available from 2:00 PM. This program is not suitable for participants using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or other mobility assistance devices.
Afternoon:
After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 6:00 p.m. in the hotel meeting room. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program is not suitable for participants using wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, or other mobility assistance devices.
Dinner:
At hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include walking up to 3 miles on uneven, cobblestone streets. There are long periods of standing, some stairs without railings. The drive from Trogir to Split is 30 minutes each way.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will begin our day with a lecture from a local expert about magical Croatia. We will then board our coach and transfer towards nearby Split, the largest city in Dalmatia and the second-largest in all of Croatia. Originally founded as a Greek colony called Aspalathos in the 2nd century BC, the city is famous as the location of Diocletian’s Palace – the palace and fortress of Roman Emperor Diocletian shortly after abdicating the throne at the turn of the 4th century AD. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, this palace is considered one of the most significant monuments of the Roman Era. It’s remain lie on what is considered the old town of Split, and after our visit, we will continue our exploration of the old town by visiting the Peristyle, the Cathedral, and some of the majestic statues of Ivan Mestrovic – the greatest Croatian sculptor of the 20th century. Later, enjoy some free time to explore Split on your own.
Lunch:
On your own. This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to explore local fare. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions.
Afternoon:
We will transfer by coach back to Trogir, where our Group Leader will give us a walking tour of the small town and its beautiful Venetian architecture. Spend some time exploring the town on your own, before making your way back to the hotel on foot.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include walking up to 2 miles on uneven, cobblestone streets. There are long periods of standing. The drive from Trogir to port in Split is 30 minutes long, participants must be able to get on/off ferries on their own. The ferry ride to Supetar is approximately 1 hour. Bus ride to Pucisca is 30 minutes, it is an additional 30 minutes to Bol. Note: Local factors including weather could affect the ferry schedule.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check-out of the hotel and transfer by coach to the port in Split, where we will board a ferry to the island of Brac. The island of Brac is famous for its radiant white stones, used to build the iconic Diocletian Palace of Split and according to some, were even used in the construction of the Parliament House of Vienna and the White House in Washington D.C. Upon arrival to the port of Supetar, we will drive via motorcoach to the nearby town of Pucisca, where will visit a local stonemason school and learn how the island’s beautiful, white stones are cut.
Lunch:
At a local village.
Afternoon:
We will transfer by bus to the city of Bol, where we will check-in to our new hotel. Take some time to settle into your rooms and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include walking up to 2 miles on uneven, cobblestone streets. There are long periods of standing, some stairs without railings. The drive from Bol to Skrip is approximately 40 minutes, it is another 20 minutes to Vidova Gora. To make it to the panoramic spot at Vidova Gora, participants need to walk 500 yards uphill on rough terrain without railings. Note: In the event of bad weather, we will not be able to drive up Vidova Gora.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our coach and ride to Skrip, the oldest settlement on the island of Brac, to learn about the island’s history. We will visit a local museum, where a collection of photographs, books and other archeological findings will give us insight into life on Brac in the past. Afterwards, we will ride to a family-owned olive oil farm, where we will enjoy a short history lesson alongside a tasting of local olive oil.
Lunch:
At a local, family-run, olive oil farm.
Afternoon:
Next, we will take scenic drive up towards Vidova Gora, the highest peak on all of the Adriatic islands (2,552 ft), to enjoy a spectacular view of the Adriatic Sea. Our Group Leader will provide running commentary during this field trip, and we will then return to the hotel via coach.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
This day includes an early morning start. Today’s activities include walking up to 3 miles on uneven, cobblestone streets. There are long periods of standing, some stairs with railings. The fast ferry ride from Bol to Hvar is approximately 1 hour. If winds are too strong, fast ferries do not run. In this case, the ride will take 2.5 hours. Porterage is not included on this ferry, participants must carry their own luggage onboard.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and take a bus ride to the port, where we will board a fast ferry to the island of Hvar. Following the decline of the Roman Empire, Hvar Town — a center of Adriatic civilization and trade for thousands of years — was besieged by pirates. Hvar’s people sought protection from the Venetians, resulting in a new era of prosperity that enriched its cultural heritage. Today, we will see ancient walls, Gothic palaces, and stone paved streets. Led by a local expert, we will walk to the Arsenal – described by the Venetians as “the most beautiful and the most useful building in the whole of Dalmatia” – that includes the first theater in the western world open to all classes (built in 1612). We’ll continue across the old town square, the largest in Dalmatia, to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, completed in the 18th Century on a 6th Century church site, followed by the Franciscan monastery. Upon arrival, we will set out on an expert-led walking field trip to see impressive stone carvings and old architecture of Hvar Town while learning about its time under Venetian rule.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We’ll have some time for independent exploration to see what interests each of us most in Hvar Town. Among the fascinating sites are Gothic palaces, the city wall, and the Arsenal building that housed the first public theater in Europe. We will rendezvous at an announced time and place, walk to our hotel and check in, then gather for a lecture by a local expert on Croatia’s maritime history.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include walking up to 3 miles on uneven, cobblestone streets. There are long periods of standing, some stairs without railings. The drive from Hvar Town to Stari Grad is approximately 30 minutes each way.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board our coach and take a scenic drive towards Stari Grad, one of the oldest towns in Europe. Originally called Faros, this town was first settled by travelers from the Greek island of Paros in 384 BC. It served as the military and administrative center of the island until the 13th century, when the Venetian Empire decided to move it towards Lesina (modern day Hvar Town). The old center was then renamed Cittavecchia, or “old town” in Italian, and then became known as Stari Grad, or “old town” in Croatian. Led by our Group Leader, we will enjoy a walking excursion of the old town, noting its iconic orange-tiled rooftops and narrow alleys.
Lunch:
At a local village.
Afternoon:
On our way back to Hvar Town, we will take a detour to visit another local village renown for the Renaissance and Baroque style of its stone buildings and churches. Walking along narrow stone streets, our Group Leader will teach us about the various influences that built this unique architecture. After our visit, we will make our way back to our hotel, where we will enjoy some free time to relax before dinner.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include walking up to 2 miles on uneven, cobblestone streets. There are long periods of standing, some stairs without railings. The fast ferry ride from Hvar to Korcula is approximately 1 hour. If winds are too strong, fast ferries do not run. In this case, the ride will take 3 hours.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will check-out of our hotel and walk to the port, where we will board a fast ferry to the island of Korcula. Once there, we will set out on a walking field trip in the Old Town. This historic site sits on a fortified point jutting out into the sea, and its stone buildings with red tile roofs create one of the most picturesque images along the Croatian coastline. Among the most significant sites we will visit are Saint Mark’s Cathedral and the Town Museum that showcases cultural and commercial milestones from prehistory to the present. The collections include traditional crafts such as masonry and shipbuilding, as well as household objects representing daily life.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will have some for independent exploration in the Old Town of Korcula. We will rendezvous at an announced time and place, walk to our hotel, and check in.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include walking up to 2 miles on uneven, cobblestone streets. There are long periods of standing. The small boat ride from Korcula to Peljesac is approximately 20 minutes. Bus drive from Peljesac to Ston is 1 hour, it is then another 1 hour to Dubrovnik.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
We will check-out of our hotel and transfer to the port, where we will board a small boat to Peljesac. We will then head via motorcoach to explore the famous Walls of Ston, which have protected the Peljesac Peninsula since the 15th century. When originally constructed, the Great Wall of Ston was 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) long and one of the longest defense walls in Europe – however, centuries of battles and several earthquakes has left only 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) standing. The walls were of great importance because they protected the city as well as the prosperous salt pans of Ston, which provided over a third of all income to the Dubrovnik Republic. As part of a walking excursion of the town, our group leader will teach us about the longstanding legacy of harvesting salt that exists in this region to this day. After, we will board our motorcoach for a short ride to nearby Mali Ston, or “little Ston”, known for its oyster production.
Lunch:
An oyster tasting in Mali Ston.
Afternoon:
Transfer via motorcoach to the city of Dubrovnik. Upon arrival we will check-in to our hotel and have some time to settle into our rooms and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include walking up to 3 miles on uneven, cobblestone streets. There are long periods of standing, some stairs without railings. Bus ride from hotel to Old Town is approximately 15 minutes, participants will be given instructions to make their own way back to the hotel via public bus after their independent exploration of town.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will begin our morning with a lecture by a local expert on a local topic. We will then take a public bus to the Old Town of Dubrovnik for a walking field trip. Surrounded by its famous city walls, Dubrovnik is a city where culture and history thrive harmoniously with modern life. Originally known as Ragusa, the city dates back to the 7th century when it was founded by refugees from Epidaurum (modern day Cavtat). During its long history, the town has been under the control or influence of multiple empires, and even ruled itself as a free state between the 14th and 19th centuries. The city has always been associated to prosperity and affluence due to its role in maritime trade, and is also considered a cradle of diplomacy and Croatian literature. During our field trip, we will visit sites such as the Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery, Onofrio Fountain and St. Blaise’s Church.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Dubrovnik.
Dinner:
Dinner in hotel restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Today’s activities include up to 1 hour of walking, including several periods of standing. The drive from Dubrovnik to Cavtat is approximately 40 minutes, it is then 15 minutes to Cilipi, and another 50 minutes back to Dubrovnik.
Breakfast:
In hotel dining room.
Morning:
Enjoy some free time this morning to sleep in, relax, or explore Dubrovnik on your own.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will embark the bus and head towards town of Cavtat, once known as Epidaurus, and the administrative center of Konavle. The town is situated in a beautiful bay. Those who are ready for a short climb will visit the cemetery of the town, home to the Mausoleum of the Racic family. The Mausoleum was designed by the best known Croatian sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic. In the late afternoon, we will visit Cilipi, a village famous for its folk traditions. We enjoy a visit to the garden of a local family who owns the restaurant where we will enjoy our farewell dinner.
Dinner:
At a local family restaurant, enjoy a Farewell Dinner.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Check-out until 12.00 PM.
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