Dalmatia & The Diamond of the Adriatic from Thessaloniki

We’ll enjoy a good breakfast at the hotel, and today is entirely dedicated to Dubrovnik because it’s truly worth it. We’ll start our tour of Dubrovnik, which has been called “the jewel of the Adriatic.” A visit to Dubrovnik’s Old Town—surrounded by 10th-century walls—is a must; there, we’ll walk through the locations where scenes from *Game of Thrones* were filmed. In the historic city center, we’ll visit the Franciscan Monastery, the Cathedral of the Rectors, the Old Port, and the Church of St. Blaise, the city’s patron saint—sights that offer a rare travel experience.

We’ll continue with a visit to the nearby islet of Lokrum, weather permitting. The city’s residents visit this “car-free island” because it offers a peaceful escape from the city. It features a beautiful setting with botanical gardens, exotic trees, flowers, rabbits, peacocks, and a medieval Benedictine monastery. If you’d like, you can take a dip in the island’s crystal-clear waters. On the way back, we’ll enjoy the magnificent view of the old city walls from the boat.

We also recommend taking the cable car to the top of Srdj, from where you can see the entire Old Town, the Adriatic Sea, and its islands. The view is breathtaking, and—if it’s not too windy—you’ll enjoy a nice cup of coffee with Dubrovnik at your feet. The ride is short, but well worth it. The vehicle moves extremely slowly and close to the ground, so even if you’re afraid of heights, you’ll most likely have no problem at all.

For lunch, we recommend a wonderful activity that requires no athletic ability—perfect for young people of all ages! On the mountain right next to the city, we’ll hop on mountain buggies to follow a route that, in addition to unique natural beauty and adrenaline-pumping moments, also offers us an incredible view of the city spread out at our feet. About halfway through the route, we’ll have the chance to stop at the spot where the attack on the city began during the brutal war of ’91, when Dubrovnik withstood months of a brutal siege. Our local guide, who lived through those events as a resident, recounts events we would find hard to believe if the bullet-riddled walls of the area did not bear witness to the horrors of war to this very day.

We’ll leave it at that for today, as it’s worth dedicating the entire day to getting to know the city better. Our guide will be there to provide you with all the necessary information so you can make the most of your time however you wish.

It’s wonderful to wake up in one of the most beautiful cities on the Greek mainland, near the sea and surrounded by stunning scenery. After breakfast, enjoy a stroll through Dubrovnik or join us on an optional excursion to the island of Korčula, an ancient Greek colony. After a fantastic drive along the lacy Dalmatian coastline, we arrive at the Peliasec Peninsula, known for the high-quality wines produced from the region’s vineyards, where we’ll stop at Ston, the Roman Stagnum, with walls that have been dubbed the “Great Wall of Croatia.”

We’ll then cross the 60-kilometer-long peninsula, a route offering breathtaking views at certain points, we’ll reach Orebic, where we’ll take our boat to Korčula, the island that claims to be Marco Polo’s birthplace. An island directly linked to Corfu, as the first colony established by Corfiot settlers, who called it Korkyra Melaina (Black Corfu), with its capital surrounded by 13th-century walls, castles, and towers left behind by the Venetians. We’ll visit the imposing Cathedral of St. Mark and the square of the same name, as well as the Marco Polo House Museum.

Free time to stroll through the island’s picturesque narrow streets, admire its magnificent architecture—which reflects the influences of the Romans, the Venetians, and the Genoese who vied for control of it, and to take a dip in the crystal-clear waters. An island surrounded by cliffs, beaches, forests, and oak groves, it is one of the jewels of the Dalmatian archipelago.

We return to Dubrovnik, where the city center and the Old Town offer a lively atmosphere. Enjoy a meal at a good restaurant or a coffee with an unobstructed view. It’s also a good idea to visit the wine festival or the aquarium located within the walls of the medieval St. John’s (St. Ivan) Castle.

Breakfast and departure for a day trip to two wonderful locations. Our first stop is medieval Mostar, which serves as a reminder of just how close the Ottoman Empire came to Central Europe. The city’s emblem is the largest arched bridge, built by order of Suleiman the Magnificent. A city bearing the stark scars of the war that ravaged this country at the end of the 20th century. Mostar, Bosnia, allows visitors to grasp the differences that divided these states when they were part of a unified Yugoslavia. Leaving behind the influences of the Franks and the Venetians, one encounters the traces of the Ottomans, which are so vividly evident in the city’s alleyways, its bazaars, its hammams, and its oriental scents. A distinct atmosphere, with East and West etched along the banks of the Neretva River.

We continue on to a unique natural landscape: the famous Kravice Waterfalls. The waters of the Trebižat River plunge from a height of 25 meters and flow into the lake. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations, especially during the summer months, with waters ideal for swimming and outdoor activities. Late in the afternoon, we return to our hotel.

Today is our last day, but since our flight is in the evening, we have plenty of time on our hands, which we’ll make the most of. So off we went to Montenegro! As we cross Europe’s southernmost fjord and take in the beauty with which nature has endowed this small country, we’ll admire Perast, a Byzantine heritage site bearing strong traces of the Middle Ages, along with the two small islands that surround it.

We continue on to the walled city of Kotor, a monument to natural beauty and culture, a very old, well-preserved city—protected by UNESCO—with strong Byzantine and Venetian influences. It is situated at the deepest point of one of the most beautiful bays along the Montenegrin coast, which some consider to be the largest, southernmost, and most beautiful fjord in the Adriatic. We’ll visit the 12th-century Roman Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, the Orthodox Church of Saint Luke, and the imposing Prince’s Palace.

Our final stop is in one of the oldest cities on the Adriatic (3,500 years old), the picturesque Budva, known for its magnificent coastline and cosmopolitan lifestyle, a city with strong Greek, Roman, and Venetian influences. We’ll tour medieval Budva, getting an up-close look at one of the Adriatic’s gems on the Dalmatian coast.

Now, the picture is complete. Now, the puzzle encompassing Croatia, Bosnia, and Montenegro has been put together. All these countries, which once formed—among other states—part of a single nation, have now each charted their own course.

Transfer to the airport for the return flight, having captured images and experiences from these places that are admired by thousands of visitors from all over the world.