Suitcase Gals

Suitcase Gals

Croatia

Oct 10, 2022 to Oct 20, 2022

Croatia 2023

Beautiful Croatia is a must-see country. If your Mediterranean fantasies feature balmy days by sapphire waters in the shade of ancient walled towns, Croatia is the place to turn them into reality. Seeing Croatia for the first time is a life-changing experience. To visit time and again is to re-affirm life. Blessed with magnificent scenery and incredible history and enriched with folk traditions and delicious regional foods and wines, here is a region so divine that it has been named one of the best travel destinations in the world.

Mediterranean, European, and Balkan influences have formed an ancient and distinctive culture from its pastoral countryside to its shimmering coastlines. Powerful mountain ranges have carved legacies in their midst while fairy tale castles and walled seaside villages stand as a testimony to its tumultuous past. Once the site of one of the bloodiest crossroads between Europe and Asia, it gained international recognition and independence in 1992 and today is a gorgeous and peaceful land that beckons passionate travelers from all over the globe.

From its lush national parks teeming with flora and fauna and stunning waterfalls to its glistening chain of lavender and citrus-scented islands in the sun-drenched Adriatic Sea, this is truly one of the most beautiful spots on Earth. A journey to Croatia is a lovely and indelible memory that lives with you forever.

Don't just listen to what they say. Let's go explore and enjoy.

 
 
 
 

What's included in this trip:

  • Breakfast daily
  • All Private tours and English speaking guides 
  • 24 hour in location assistance 
  • Four nights in a 4* hotel in Split \ double room
  • Private walking tour of Old Town Split
  • Private full-day excursion from Split to Krka NP & Šibenik accompanied by an English-speaking guide in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle
  • Krka NP entrance tickets
  • Round-trip hydrofoil tickets for transfer from Split to Hvar
  • English-speaking guide for a private walking tour of Hvar town (entrance fees not included)
  • Hvar wine tasting tour – Included: pick up, guide/driver, car transfer, wine tasting.
  • Private transfer from Split to Dubrovnik with en route stops on Pelješac peninsula & Ston in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle (entrance to Ston Walls not included)
  • Oyster harvesting experience with the local oyster and mussel producer and a traditional Dalmatian light lunch
  • 4 nights in Hotel More 5* in Dubrovnik, 3 twin rooms, sea view, BB basis
  • Private round-trip transfer from the hotel to the Old Town Dubrovnik in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle
  • English-speaking guide for a private walking tour of Old Town Dubrovnik (entrance fees not included)
  • Private full-day excursion to Kotor (Included: English-speaking driver, pick-up, drop-off, transfers according to the itinerary, local guide in Kotor)
  • Private cooking class in Konavle Valley followed by a meal in a local rural estate (Cooking class includes transportation, welcome drink & snacks, all food & drink served during the class) with round trip transfers
  • Private transfer from Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik Airport in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle (2 separate transfers) 
 

What's not included:

  • Meal and drinks not mentioned 
  • Airfare
  • Travel Insurance 
  • Additional excursions not mentioned 
  • Personal expenses 
  • Tips and Porterage services 
 

Itinerary:

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 

DAY 1 

Welcome to Split!

Arrival in Split. Split is more than just a gateway to the islands. Discover the best things to do in Split, from lazing on Bačvice beach to sightseeing. There are plenty of things to do in Split now that – thankfully – its days as a departure point to the nearby islands are gone. Brimming with recently opened high-quality bistros, antiquities aplenty and the best bar scene on the Adriatic coast, Croatia’s main ferry port is also the country’s most promising all-round city-break destination.

In the year 305, the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruled the entire world at that time, decided to build his leisure time abode - in which he intended to spend the rest of his life - he had no doubt as to exactly where build to it. In the very heart of Dalmatia, in the bay of Aspalathos (Split), well protected from the sea by the islands of the Split archipelago, and defended on its landward side by high mountains, Diocletian created a special point on the map of the Adriatic: the future city of Split. Located in center of the country as the gateway city.

Unwind and relax and enjoy a Welcome Dinner in the evening. 

Overnight in Split.

Accommodations: 4 star standard double room

Double Room 

 

Thursday, Oct. 12, 2023

DAY 2

Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel

WALKING TOUR OF OLD TOWN SPLIT 

Meet your guide for an introduction to the heritage and history of charming Split during your private walking tour.

The second-largest city in Croatia, Split (Spalato in Italian) is a great place to see Dalmatian life as it’s lived. Always buzzing, this exuberant city has just the right balance of tradition and modernity. Step inside Diocletian’s Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments) and you’ll see dozens of bars, restaurants & shops thriving amid the atmospheric old walls where Split life has been going on for thousands of years.

Time at leisure to explore the city on your own, enjoy a drink or dinner in one of the many restaurants (on your own)

Service

English-speaking guide for a private walking tour of Old Town Split (entrance fees)

Accommodations: 4 star standard double room

Double Room

Dinner in Split with the group 

  

Friday, Oct. 13, 2023

DAY 3 

Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel

PRIVATE EXCURSION FROM SPLIT TO KRKA NP & SIBENIK  

Krka National Park is just over an hour's drive away from Split and is a nice place to visit in the morning before the crowds arrive. With seven waterfalls—the largest and most impressive being Skradinski Buk—Krka National Park is one of Croatia's top-rated parks home to a network of striking waterfalls. The Krka River, another highlight of the park, carves through the limestone and creates a spectacular canyon on its 44-mile journey (70 km) from the foothills of the Dinaric Alps to Šibenik.

Follow the winding wooden paths that traverse emerald pools and river islands to prime lookout spots in which to view the falls. Mother Nature saved the best for last with Skradinski Buk. Cascading 78 feet (24 m) down into an emerald lagoon wider than the falls are tall, you'll find restaurants, snack stands, and ice cream shops at the base of this picture-perfect locale to satisfy any food-related cravings.

After spending the morning in Krka, head to the coastal town of Šibenik for the afternoon and a guided tour accompanied by a local guide. A true Croatian town founded by the Croat king Petar Krešimir IV in the 11th century, Šibenik is home to impressive fortresses, music festivals, and medieval gardens. Start with a visit to the famous UNESCO-protected St. James' Cathedral, before selecting a restaurant for your late lunch or early dinner.

The final drive back to Split will follow for a time at leisure and overnight.

Dinner with the group 

Accommodations: 4 star standard double room

Double Room

 

Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023

DAY 4 

Enjoy Breakfast at the hotel

ROUND TRIP HYDROFOIL TRANSFER FROM SPLIT TO HVAR 
PRIVATE WALKING TOUR OF HVAR TOWN
HVAR WINE TASTING TOUR 

Walk from your hotel to Split Port where you’ll embark on the morning hydrofoil from Split to Hvar Island.

Upon arrival, your local guide will meet you at Hvar Port and join you for the private walking tour of Hvar town.

The sunniest, the biggest, the oldest. The three most common superlatives are used when describing the island and town of Hvar.

These are some of the highlights: Sv. Stephen’s square or Piazza, The Place where locals meet, living room of Hvar. The theatre in the Arsenal building, after being closed for renovation for over 20 years, this year finally opened its doors to visitors, audiences, and actors.

Elegant city Loggia and the old Palace hotel, once Austrian Empress Sissi’s spa hotel, renovated into its old glory as Palace Elisabeth heritage hotel, Hvar’s first 5-star hotel!

Old streets and Benedictine nunnery, where nuns keep the secret of their unique handicraft which is now a part of UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity – lacemaking of agave threads.

Renaissance nobility and poets like Hanibal Lucic and Petar Hektorovic left their marks not only in Croatian literature but also in the town’s architecture. Ivan Vucetic, Hvar-born father of dactyloscopy, and many more interesting facts.

Who would say that Hvar, the “party island” as many like to call it nowadays, has such a rich history?

Meet your guide and depart on a special wine-tasting tour of Hvar. Taste Croatia’s first and only wines that won the Paris World Wine Contest and the Decanter World Wine Awards in London! Our Taste of Hvar, the island of wine tour introduces you to two of Croatia’s most distinguished winemakers, including wine tastings.

The ancient Greeks and Romans were already growing grapes and producing wine on Hvar 300 years well before Christ was born. This gave them safety, food, and medicinal wealth. Vineyards are all over the island. Strong wind and sun are ideal conditions for producing the best quality wine. Plavac mali is the most indigenous grape in the Dalmatian region.

Our wine tasting begins with a drive to the other side of the island to the island’s most important wine region. Once you are picked up from Hvar, travel to Jelsa or Vrboska where you’ll visit one of the most famous Croatian winemakers.

Return to Hvar town, explore further on your own, enjoy an authentic, traditional meal or simply watch the people pass by.

Take the afternoon hydrofoil back to Split and return to your hotel. Time at leisure and overnight in Split.

Dinner with the group 

Overnight in Split

Accommodations: 4 star standard double room

Double Room

 

Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023

DAY 5 

Breakfast at the hotel

SPLIT - STON - DUBROVNIK 
PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM SPLIT TO DUBROVNIK WITH EN ROUTE STOPS ON PELJESAC PENINSULA & STON. 
OYSTER HARVESTING EXPERIENCE WITH LOCAL OYSTER AND MUSSEL PRODUCER AND A TRADITIONAL DALMATIAN LIGHT LUNCH

Meet your driver for a private transfer from Split to Dubrovnik via the Pelješac peninsula.

Your first stop is village Hodilje or Mali Ston where your local host will take you to an oyster harvesting experience. Enjoy the time spent with the local oyster and mussel producer and a traditional Dalmatian light lunch

Stop in Ston – a medieval city famous for its great city walls – second-largest preserved fortification system in the world, charming gothic center, and its salt pans – a major money generator in medieval times (salt was very dear and in demand in those days). Optional tour of the Walls on your own.

As the car heads further, you will have a great opportunity to enjoy the picturesque hillside of Dalmatia’s magical interior: a unique blend of high mountains and small patches of fertile fields. It is part of the country that looks as if it was stopped in time.

Final drive to Dubrovnik and check into your hotel. Time at leisure and overnight in Dubrovnik.

Dinner with the group 

Accommodations: 5 star standard double room

Sea View Room

  

Monday, Oct. 16, 2023

DAY 6 

Breakfast at the hotel

DUBROVNIK
PRIVATE ROUND TRIP FROM OLD TOWN DUBROVNIK WITH A WALKING TOUR OF OLD TOWN DUBROVNIK

Meet the local guide, discover Dubrovnik, and take in all the main sights.

Explore the architecture and history of this famous city accompanied by your experienced guide, the story of Dubrovnik's golden age will unfold before your eyes. The route takes you around the Old Town via Onofrio's Fountain and up Prijeko Street to the Old Port - the key to Dubrovnik's trading and maritime success.

Ships from Dubrovnik were renowned throughout the Mediterranean and galleons from the Republic could be found in navies across Europe and beyond. These ships were built and loaded in the legendary Arsenal, which is another stop on the tour. Once in the Old Port, your guide will relate the stories of the famous Quarantine and the nearby fortresses of St. Luke and St. John as well as legends about the Church of St Blaise, the Cathedral, the Rector's Palace, Sponza Palace, and Orlando's Column.

OPTIONAL, NOT INCLUDED: End your walk with a visit to the Dubrovnik City Walls - the city walls are considered to be one of the most grandiose fortification monuments in Europe. The first fortifications were built already in the 8th century, but the most intense construction took place from the mid-15th to the end of the 16th century. The huge earthquake in 1667 did not do much damage. The ramparts encompass the city in an irregularly shaped polygon, with Fort Minčeta at the highest northwestern landward corner of the city and with Fort St. Johns on the southeastern seaside. Strong forts, such as Fort Lawrence at Pile and Fort Revelin at Ploče, are also part of the defense system, even though they are separated from the ramparts.

The ramparts are 22 meters high in places, and from 4 to 6 m. thick on the landward side and from 1-1/2 to 3 m. thick on the seaside. In front of the main wall on the mainland, side is an outer wall with 10 semi-circular bastions, in front of which used to be a moat. The main wall has 14 quadrangular and 2 circular towers, 2 angular fortifications, and 4 bastions. There are three entrances to the city ramparts: on Stradun by the Pile gate, by Fort St. Johns, and by Fort St. Luke, Od Sv. Dominika street.

OPTIONAL, NOT INCLUDED: Take the Dubrovnik Cable Car and reach a unique viewpoint above the city or only one way (on your own). Glide through the air on a scenic adventure. The Cable Car ride offers breathtaking views of the Old Town of Dubrovnik, stunning coastal sights, and magnificent sunsets. Once you reach the top, take your time, relax, and enjoy the unique views of Dubrovnik and the Adriatic

Time at leisure and overnight in Dubrovnik.

Dinner with the group 

Accommodations: 5 star standard double room

Sea View Room

 

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023

DAY 7 

Breakfast at the hotel

DUBROVNIK – KOTOR – DUBROVNIK
PRIVATE FULL DAY EXCURSION TO KOTOR 

Meet with your driver and start the tour from Dubrovnik driving south alongside the Adriatic coast passing the cities of Cavtat and Konavle region and soon cross the border to Montenegro (do not forget your passports).

We are driving alongside the Kotor Bay (Europe’s most southern fiord) passing the cities Igalo, and Herceg Novi (two great Turkish, later Venetian fortresses with an optional stop in Perast for a visit on your own.

You'll finally reach the city of Kotor, nested at the very bottom of Kotor Bay surrounded by formidable verticals of neighboring mountains.

Upon arrival meet with your local guide for a private walking tour of Kotor (max 2 hours) 

Lunch Not Included

A walking tour will introduce this magnificent town’s past, before having free time to explore on your own.

We’ll conclude our trip to the exquisite country of Montenegro and head back to Croatia.

Return to your hotel, time at leisure, and an overnight in Dubrovnik

Time at leisure and an overnight in Dubrovnik

Dinner with the group 

Accommodations: 5 star standard double room

Sea View Room

 

Wednesday, Oct.18, 2023

DAY 8 

Breakfast at the hotel

DUBROVNIK
PRIVATE COOKING CLASS IN KONAVLE VALLEY FOLLOWED BY A MEAL IN A LOCAL RURAL ESTATE

Meet with your driver for a private half-day cooking class in the Konavle area with a traditional meal.

Learn how to prepare homemade food the same way our ancestors did centuries ago.

After meeting in Dubrovnik, we'll drive along the amazing coastline stopping at several panoramic points to take unique photos of Dubrovnik and its surroundings, with a visit to an old flour mill or an olive press instead.

Upon arrival at a typical rural villa, welcome drinks and snacks will be served. You may pick fresh vegetables for your cooking lesson straight from our garden! Depending on the season, you'll prepare meals like “sac” – lamb or veal cooked under the iron bell; “Zelena menestra” – green cabbage with dry meat; skewers on laurel sticks; smoked bacon and goat cheese...

Prepare your meal over the open fire, dig your fingers into the fresh dough, taste some olive oil, and blend it into the rural ambiance to get the true feeling of Dubrovnik countryside. This tour was created to present the local ambiance and authentic feeling of life in the village.

Return to your hotel, time at leisure, and an overnight in Dubrovnik

Dinner with the group 

DAY 9

Breakfast at the hotel

Free Day

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

 

DAY 10

Private transfer departure to the airport 

Safe travels home 

 

 

 
 

Cancellation policy:

Upon Booking: $950.00 Deposit and Travel Insurance non refundable 
TBD: 50 days prior to departure. 
49 days prior to departure: Cancellation on or after this date results in a cancellation fee of 100% of your Total Tour Cost.

Available Packages

Single Occupancy
Unavailable as of July 1, 2023

$5,800.00
Deposit: $950.00 per person

Unavailable

Double Occupancy
Unavailable as of July 1, 2023

$4,200.00
Deposit: $950.00 per person

Unavailable