Dubrovnik, Montenegro & the Dalmatian Coast – Extended Stay

Fly from the UK to Dubrovnik, meet your tour manager, then follow the scenic route north to your hotel in Drvenik, a coastal town on the shores of the Adriatic. Once there, get to know your surroundings and spend a first evening in Croatia, perhaps enjoying a nightcap under the stars. 

On today’s included tour, your first stop will be Croatia’s fascinating second city, Split. Here, the highlights include a fascinating old town and the ancient ruins of the palace of the Roman Emperor, Diocletian. You’ll then discover the walled island town of Trogir, one of the most enticing settlements on the whole Croatian coast. 

Cross to the island over a bridge and through the Land Gate, before taking in the town’s intriguing collection of palaces, ancient churches, and hidden courtyards. Here, you’ll find a town of contrasts with historic architecture seamlessly combined with restaurants, cafés, and a variety of shops. Be sure to visit the Cathedral of St Lawrence, a 12th-century building which has evolved across the centuries, and wander the narrow streets and seafront promenade. 

Today's tour takes you to the thunderous waterfalls, gorges and lakes of Krka National Park, which sits a short way upriver from the delightful harbour town of Skradin, with its stone-built houses and picturesque waterfront. Enjoy a short boat ride, stroll along wooden walkways through the verdant surrounding forest at your own pace, and soak up a series of truly spectacular vistas as you explore the park.

This morning you'll cross the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country shaped by centuries of Ottoman rule and a turbulent modern history that's still visible across its cities today. Arrive in Mostar, home to the iconic Stari Most, a stone bridge spanning the River Neretva. Originally built in 1566 under Suleiman the Magnificent, the bridge was destroyed during the Bosnian War in 1993 and rebuilt in the same style. Standing 24 metres above the water at its highest point, this arching bridge is a must-see for any visit to the region. 

You'll have some free time to explore Mostar's old town, where cobbled streets wind past minarets, bazaars, and Ottoman-era houses. Browse the coppersmiths' stalls along Kujundžiluk, the old bazaar street, for handcrafted souvenirs, or climb the minaret of the Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque for one of the best views over the bridge and the Neretva below. Stop for a traditional Bosnian coffee, served in a small copper pot called a džezva, or try ćevapi, a grilled meat speciality, at one of the cafés lining the riverbank.  

After the opportunity to explore this UNESCO-listed town, you’ll continue to your beautifully located second hotel, where dinner will be served. 

Today, you’ll get to know Dubrovnik, the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’.  

Join an expert local guide for a walking tour around the city’s medieval old town and its pedestrianised central street, Stradun. Running from the Pile Gate to busy Luža Square, this lively thoroughfare is overlooked by the carved stone façade of the impressive Sponza Palace and Baroque St Blaise’s Church. Other highlights will include the Franciscan Monastery and the Rector’s Palace, seat of the government in the former Dubrovnik Republic. 

The energetic can walk the entirety of the city walls, while others can take a seat in one of the city's many pavement cafés and relax before returning to the hotel.

The last included excursion takes you south into Montenegro, a country of striking contrasts, where Mediterranean beaches, deep pine forests, and preserved medieval settlements sit beneath a backdrop of high mountains criss-crossed by crystal-clear glacial streams. 

Your route leads to the spectacular Bay of Kotor, known by many as Europe's southernmost ‘fjord’, where you'll stop to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor. Wander its maze of stone streets and squares, and visit the Cathedral of St Tryphon, a 12th-century Romanesque building with a pair of distinctive Baroque bell towers, built to house the relics of the city's patron saint. 

Above the town, Kotor's fortifications climb more than 260 metres up the mountainside to the Castle of St John, largely built during centuries of Venetian rule and now offering some of the best views over the bay. 

Later, return to your hotel in time for dinner. 

Today will be yours to enjoy the Dalmatian Coast however you’d like to. If you’re keen to continue exploring, you can return to Dubrovnik or perhaps take to the blue waters of the Adriatic that lap the shore. Secluded rocky coves and several tiny beaches provide places for swimming, and there are also opportunities to try water sports in the shallows. 

This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with the rest of the group before they return to the UK.  

Today marks the beginning of your three-night extension, as your fellow travellers and tour manager head to the airport, and you can enjoy a relaxed start to the day with breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, you’ll be free to do as much or as little as you’d like. 

If you’d prefer to unwind, head down to the hotel’s spa area for a treatment or two (payable locally), and stroll along the pretty nearby beaches. If you’d prefer a more active day, there are plenty of enchanting riviera towns near Mlini, from Kupari to Plat, and you can reach them easily with a short bus ride. 

After breakfast, enjoy another day under your own steam to make the most of your time in Mlini.

Spend your final day in Croatia however you see fit. This is the perfect opportunity to tick any remaining experiences off your holiday wish-list, perhaps venturing out to nearby Cavtat for its Illyrian necropolis and beachfront restaurants. 

Once you’ve had your final hotel breakfast, check out and take a private taxi transfer to the airport for your return flight home.