Highlights of Croatia (2-weeks)
This two-week trip takes you along the best of Croatia’s sparkling coastline from Zadar to Dubrovnik far in the south. Along the way, you will take in the country’s most spectacular coastal scenery, enjoy plenty of adrenalin activities, soak up the history and have ample opportunity to swim in the extraordinarily clear and enticing waters of the Adriatic.
If you are travelling with younger children we can suggest alternative activities that will be more suitable.
Highlights
Enjoy gelato in Zadar
Kayaking the Zrmanja River
Speedboat tour to Kornati
White-water kayaking
Explore Korcula Island
Kakak and cycle to Sipan Island
Beautiful Dubrovnik and Split
15 days from £3,400 pp
Plus international flights starting at £200 direct.
A two-week itinerary for a family of four to Croatia will typically cost from £13,600 including accommodation, car hire and a wide range of activities. Upgrade to more luxurious accommodation and additional activities from £17,000 for a family of four.
Highlights of Croatia (2-weeks) day-to-day itinerary
Day 1, Zadar
Welcome to Croatia – Dobrodosli! Upon your arrival at Zadar (or Split) airport, you will collect your hire car and take the short drive to the accommodation of your choice. (If you prefer not to self-drive we can arrange transfers).
Welcome to Croatia – Dobrodosli! Upon your arrival at Zadar (or Split) airport, you will collect your hire car and take the short drive to the accommodation of your choice. (If you prefer not to self-drive we can arrange transfers).
This evening head to the coastal promenade where there is a ‘Sea Organ’, a collection of underwater pipes that play a haunting tune as the tide rises and pushes water into the pipes. This is a great place to watch the sunset and then enjoy dinner in one of the many excellent restaurants nearby.
Day 2, Zadar
You have a full day to explore the historic port city of Zadar. The Old City is wonderfully atmospheric; it is a former fortress of the Venetian Republic sitting proudly on a peninsula that juts into the Adriatic. The old quarter is completely pedestrianised and a wonderful mix of ancient marble streets, elaborate Italianate buildings and stunning sea views.
Day 3, Zrmanja River
Today is an exciting water-based day, with an excursion on the picturesque Zrmanja River. This is one of the most beautiful in Europe with perfectly clear, warm water, spectacular canyons and magnificent waterfalls. The first section involves paddling down some easy rapids with time to enjoy the lush scenery and abundant bird life. You will be able to stop at Krupa waterfall for a swim and a picnic lunch before starting the second section. The scenery continues to be gorgeous and there is on dramatic section where the river pours through a gap in the rocks and down into a pool below. More adventurous children will enjoy kayaking down this; others can choose to walk around!
Day 4, Kornati National Park
Just off the coast of Zadar, the turquoise waters of the Adriatic are dotted with a series of pristine islands that comprise the Kornati National Park. Some islands feature soaring cliffs that drop sharply into the water, others have gently shelving beaches. Although there are no longer any permanent settlements here, olive groves and fig and lemon orchards dot the islands and are tended by residents of nearby Murter Island.
You will spend the day exploring the islands by speed boat. Stop on secluded beaches to swim, cliff jump and snorkel and enjoy a simple lunch at a local taverna.
Day 5, Zadar – Split
Head south to Split. Perhaps break your journey with a visit to Sibenik, a lovely harbour town perched on a hillside on the edge of the Adriatic. The imposing cathedral and fortress dominate the town’s skyline and provide an impressive backdrop.
Split itself is the second-largest city in the country, and a beguiling mix of ancient and modern sandwiched between mountains and sea. The old town centres around the magnificent Diocletian’s Palace, built in 305 AD but the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Surrounding the palace is a lattice of narrow cobbled streets, peppered with attractive street-side cafes.
In the late afternoon perhaps walk up through the medieval part of the city to a look-out point from where there are commanding views over Split as the sun sets. There’s a great little cafe that we can recommend, which is a great place to sit down and soak up the view.
Read More Day 6, Split Another option is to take a full day trip on a yacht, sailing to one of the nearby off-shore islands and mooring up near a beach to swim, snorkel and enjoy a traditional Dalmatian lunch. Day 7, White-water rafting Amidst the rapids and obstacles, there are stretches of the river where it flows gently, forming tranquil green pools where you will be able to stop and swim. Day 8, Split – Korcula Day 9, Korcula Day 10, Korcula Alternatively we can arrange a kayaking excursion for you. Day 11, Korcula – Lopud Although Lopud is quite close to Dubrovnik and is the most popular of the Elaphati Islands, it remains relatively uncrowded. It has a bevy of great little restaurants and café bars for relaxing evening meals overlooking the harbour. Day 12, Lopud (Elaphiti Islands) Day 13, Dubrovnik day trip You have the day to explore the town, following the weaving pedestrianised streets past medieval buildings and walled fortifications with the shimmer of the Adriatic a constant backdrop. The city is undeniably busy in the summer months, but no less impressive for it. The secret is to explore slowly, following some of the backstreets and stopping frequently in a pavement café to watch the world go by and soak up the scene. The walk around the city walls is highly recommended. In the late afternoon, leave the crowds behind you and return to Lopud for the night. Day 14, Lopud (Elaphiti Islands) Day 15, Departure
A full day to explore Split. You can wander for hours through the picturesque streets of the city, stopping for a drink or a gelato along the way. In the afternoon perhaps hire bikes and cycle around the Marjan Peninsula, stopping along the way to swim.
A day of adrenalin today, as you take a white-water rafting excursion on the Cetina River. The rafting here is a mixture of Grade II and III rapids and is suitable for anyone aged 8+. You will be accompanied by a specialist rafting guide who will navigate the rapids with great skill but will also keep you entertained along the way.
After breakfast, take the car ferry to Korcula, the sixth-largest island in Croatia and one of the most beautiful. The hills here are covered with pine forest, vineyards and olive groves and the coastline is dotted with quiet coves and sandy beaches. It is quieter than its more well-known neighbours of Brac and Hvar, with a lovely feel that makes it perfect for families. The main town of Korčula is exquisite and known as ‘Little Dubrovnik’ because of its medieval squares and likeness to its famous namesake.
A free day to relax and enjoy the beach or head out and explore the island. Korčula town itself is gorgeous, as is Vela Luka on the west of the island. Here there is also an organic olive oil museum which is great fun to visit and receives rave reviews. Alternatively, spend the day on the beach at Lumbarda, drop into a vineyard for some wine tasting or hire bikes / kayaks to explore some of the quieter parts of the island.
Today head out on two wheels to explore Korcula on a guided bike ride, passing farms and villages as you go. You’ll drop into a fabulous family-run winery for some wine and food tasting, and you’ll have some time to relax on one of the picture-perfect beaches.
Return to the mainland by car ferry and travel south towards Dubrovnik. Drop off your car and then take a boat to the small island of Lopud, This is one of the Elaphiti Islands, where those-in-the-know come to escape Dubrovnik’s crowds and enjoy some R & R. The islands are densely forested and dotted with quiet villages that lead down to picturesque beaches. The water here, as along the whole Croatian coast, is crystal clear and a startlingly bright turquoise.
A free day to relax and enjoy the beach. Perhaps hike over the island to Sunj beach or walk up to the fortress, perched on the hill-top at the centre of the island.
Today take speed boat transfers to the mainland to visit Dubrovnik. This is known as the Pearl of the Adriatic and with good reason. It is impossibly, improbably pretty, surrounded by the azure waters of the Adriatic. These contrast strikingly with the terracotta roofs and imposing city walls.
An exciting day as you kayak across the channel to neighbouring Šipan island before donning masks and snorkels to swim underwater into a cave. This is illuminated by rays of sunlight that give off a surreal green glow. From here you swap kayak for mountain bike and cycle through ancient olive groves and vineyards, past stone villas and wild fig trees to a local taverna where you will enjoy lunch before kayaking back to Lopud.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Call us and we will be happy to provide you with a free-of-charge no obligation itinerary and quotation designed for you.
01728 752751
Croatia in pictures
Why choose us?
- Unparalleled family travel experience
- Specialist knowledge across five continents
- Hand-picked local partners
- Every holiday is tailor-made for you
- 100% financial protection
- 24hr emergency contact number
100% Financial
Protection
We are members of the Travel Trust Association, a trade association of Travel Agents, Tour Operators and Travel Organisers that operate trust accounts in order to provide financial protection for the consumer. Membership number Q0176.
