An exclusive Wine & Food journey with
Croatia's Dalmatian Coast
OCTOBER 3 - 10, 2023
12-28
Guests
8 / 7
Days / Nights
15
Meals
Journey to Croatia with Brooks Wine to experience the rich history, culinary delights, and dramatic scenery of the spectacular Dalmatian coast. Learn about the region’s ancient civilizations and turbulent modern history and connect with local winemakers, passionate chefs, and expert guides along the way. Discover and enjoy the highlights of this coastal region during this memorable adventure with friends.
Savor
a memorable and off the beaten path wine and culinary experience at the renowned Bibich Winery in the Skradin hills.
Explore
spectacular landscapes featuring steep slopeside vineyards extending to the sparkling waters of the Adriatic.
Learn
about Croatia’s long and colorful history dating back to early Illyrian tribes and encompassing the Greeks and the Romans.
Day 1
Arrive Dubrovnik
Land in Dubrovnik and meet your driver in the arrivals hall. A private transfer takes you along the coast to your seaside setting for the next three nights, overlooking Lapad beach. Check in to your hotel and get settled as you take in the fantastic views across the Adriatic Sea. This evening, meet your Travel Director for introductions and a wine-paired welcome dinner served in a local restaurant in the Old Town of Dubrovnik.
Day 2
Dubrovnik Old Town
Discover why Dubrovnik is aptly named “the pearl of the Adriatic” during a morning walking tour with an expert local guide. Explore the ancient walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and marvel at the Baroque buildings and marble streets that adorn the main pedertrain thoroughfare, the Placa. Learn about the city’s remarkable history and its importance in Croatian culture.
After the tour, enjoy a sumptuous lunch of Dalmatian cuisine and learn about Croatian-grown wines. The rest of the afternoon is open for you to explore at your leisure. Stroll about the medieval city, walk the walls that surround Old Town and offer panoramic views in every direction, or venture out with expert recommendations from your guide. Dinner is on your own this evening — reservations can be arranged for your convenience.
Day 3
Pelješac Peninsula
This morning, we meet our host for the day, a renowned local winemaker, and together, we'll head to the Pelješac Peninsula to visit some of Croatia’s most respected wine cellars. Our first stop is the Miloš winery for a taste of their famous Plavac Mali wine. Next, tour the Grgich winery situated within steep hills overlooking Trstenik harbor and learn about winemaker Miljenko Grgich and his successes in Napa Valley and Croatia. Our final stop is our host’s 500-year-old family cellar for a private wine tasting and traditional Croatian lunch sourced from the freshest local ingredients.
Back in Dubrovnik, the remainder of the day is open. Take the opportunity to relax by the pool or stroll along the pedestrian lanes near our hotel. We will check out in the morning and head to Split.
Day 4
Klis Fortress & Split
This morning, we'll make our way north along the coast to the city of Split. Along the way, we’ll stop and visit medieval Klis Fortress, built into the rocky ridge of a hillside village by an ancient Illyrian tribe. A local guide will lead us on a private tour of the stronghold sharing stories of its fascinating 2,000-year-long history. After, we'll sit down to a traditional lunch served in a nearby restaurant.
Once in Split, we’ll check into our hotel and have some time to settle in and unwind before meeting up for dinner in the Old Town.
Day 5
Diocletian’s Palace
After breakfast this morning, we'll experience the everyday energy of the city as we stroll down Split’s Riva promenade with a local guide to visit the bustling produce and fish markets. Our guide will introduce us to the rich history of Split, while a chef talks about local fishing customs and the importance of fish in the Mediterranean diet. We'll stop for a few tastes along the way before arriving at Pikulece restaurant in the heart of Diocletian’s Palace. Sip wine and enjoy a cooking demonstration while learning about techniques and local ingredients. After, sit down to lunch, followed by a stroll through the Old Town of Split, including Diocletian's Palace, one of the best-preserved Roman royal residences in the world. Built at the turn of the fourth century AD for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, the ancient palace contains a remarkable history and is still in use today with more than 3,000 people living within its walls. After the tour, the rest of the afternoon and evening is open to wander and explore on your own. Our Travel Director is happy to provide recommendations.
Day 6
Brač
Set sail this morning for a full day of touring the island of Brač. Here we’ll experience island life as it has been practiced for centuries, if not millennia. Croatians have long lived, farmed, and traveled between the many coastal islands. After a short ferry ride, our first stop will be the town of Bol to visit the first Dalmatian wine cooperative building where we'll taste exceptional local wines. Next, we'll continue to the charming town of Dračevica to visit the family-run Senjković winery and taste their high-quality wines. Learn about the wine’s unique flavors, as well as the challenges of growing grapes in this special place. For lunch, enjoy a traditional meal served in a local tavern followed by an afternoon ferry ride back to Split. Back at the hotel, the evening is open to relax and enjoy as you wish.
Day 7
Krka National Park
Enjoy a leisurely morning before heading out of the city to Croatia’s national treasure, Krka National Park, known for its cascading waterfalls and emerald pools. Stroll along the winding, wooden paths with your guide and absorb the surrounding natural beauty.
After leaving the park, we head to the small village of Plastovo for an unforgettable gourmet experience at Bibich Winery, which has a limited production of award-winning white and red wines as well as exceptional brandies. Winemaker, Alen Bibic, and his wife, Vesna, deliver a world-class tasting experience. For our festive farewell meal, we’ll enjoy a multi-course dinner prepared with seasonal ingredients and wine personally selected by Alen.
Day 8
Day 9
Spend the afternoon discovering two medieval hill towns of Istria. Explore the charming artists’ town of Grožnjan where leafy cobbled lanes are lined with art galleries and truffle and olive oil shops. Then head to picturesque Motovun— an ancient walled village dramatically situated high above the surrounding vineyards and known for its Venetian colonial architecture and sweeping views. The Motovun forest is where we’ll embark on a private truffle hunt with specially trained dogs. After, enjoy a delicious local dinner featuring this favorite ingredient before returning to the hotel.
Day 10
Accommodations
Hotel Kompas
Experience Dubrovnik’s exceptional Hotel Kompas. The hotel’s seafront location on Lapad Beach provides views of the Adriatic as well as the neighborhood’s tree-lined promenade. During your stay, enjoy the use of the hotel’s many amenities including an indoor and outdoor pool, a restaurant and bar, and spa and wellness facilities.
The hotel’s luxurious, minimalist-styled rooms feature a spacious modern balcony, premium toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, and 24-hour room service. Amenities provided in each room include air conditioning, flat-screen satellite TV, free WiFi, hairdryer, and minibar.
Heritage Hotel Santa Lucia
Located on a beautiful square in the heart of Split’s Old Town district, Heritage Hotel Santa Lucia occupies a restored historic building within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A short stroll takes you to the Riva, Split’s waterfront promenade, a popular gathering spot during both day and night with its many cafes, bars, and busy harbor. In addition to its excellent location, this boutique hotel offers a restaurant and bar, terrace, air conditioning, and free WIFI. Rooms have a minibar, tea/coffee maker, safe, hair dryer, bathrobe, and slippers.
San Canzian Hotel (Istrian Peninsula Extension)
Perched on a hillside in the hamlet of Mužolini Donji, a short drive from the hillside town of Buje, this bucolic property recreates the feeling and style of a typical Istrian village, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, gardens of edible herbs and plants, a views of the sea in the distance. The property features a bar and restaurant, outdoor pool, sauna, and complimentary WiFi and provides an ideal base for exploring the local gastronomy. Modern rooms offer elegant decor, air conditioning, minibar, coffee machine, safe, electric kettle, toiletries, bathrobe, slippers, and hairdryer.
The Fine Print
Questions? Get in touch.
Details
Dates
Flight Information
Activity Level
This trip has been designed to include daily exploratory walks that range from one to three hours. Each day, whether touring a city or winery, guests should be prepared to be on their feet for multiple continuous hours. Guests should feel comfortable strolling along cobbled surfaces, walking up and down stairs, and sauntering down uneven nature paths. Europe tends to have Old World infrastructure (narrow cobblestone streets, lack of elevators, etc.) which can leave some areas inaccessible — if you require any walking assistance, please inquire with our guest services team. Typically, our more invigorating walks are included as optional activities. Please contact us at guestservices@experi.com if you have questions.
Note: Group maximum is based on double occupancy. The itinerary is subject to change or substitution at any time. You can learn more at experi.com/agreement.
Included
- Seven nights accommodations, including all taxes and fees
- Meals as listed on the itinerary: 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 3 dinners, plus wine pairings with most major meals
- All private excursions described in the itinerary along with services of local speakers, guides, entrance fees, and transportation
- Gratuities for travel director, local guides, drivers, porters, and included meals
- Full guiding services of a dedicated Travel Director
- Private airport transfers with porterage on the first and last scheduled days of the program
Not Included
- Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses
- Air and land transportation to/from host cities
- All types of personal insurance
- Personal expenses
- Additional alcoholic beverages beyond what has been arranged by Experi to pair with the included major meals
Program Rates*
Classic: $6,195
Deluxe: Contact Us for Availability
Single Occupancy: $6,995
Extension Rates*
Classic: $2,995
Single Occupancy: $3,795
*Rates are per person, based on double occupancy in US Dollars.
Deposits
Travel Insurance
Travel Terms & Conditions
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