Headwater: Delights of the Dalmatian Coast Walk

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrive in Dubrovnik

  We meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel (30 mins) in time for dinner in the old town. We spend three nights here.

• Day 2: Kolocep Island 8km/5mi/3.5hr

  Tiny Kolocep Island, networked by mule tracks and without cars, is just 30 mins from Dubrovnik by ferry, but it feels like another century. Walking past agaves and prickly pears we reach Gornje Celo harbour. Past painted fishing boats, then through pine forest to discover a ruined Napoleonic fort before descending to the island's southern tip to picnic by the lighthouse enjoying stunning views over Dubrovnik's Riviera. We return past houses bright with bougainvillaea and pomegranates to admire limestone cliffs buffeted by azure seas.

• Day 3: Jasenice and Velji Do 5km/3mi/2.5hr

  Into the hills to Jasenice (30 mins), where a cobbled path lined with rosemary winds across an open valley dotted with oak trees with Mt Snjeznica (1234m) to our right and Mt Straziste ahead. Then Dubrovnik's mountainous coastline frames the horizon as we descend through meadows bright with crocuses to Velji Do where we'll lunch on lamb and fish cooked in a traditional peka (charcoal oven). Free time this afternoon to visit Dubrovnik's medieval ramparts, Renaissance churches and Doges' Palace before our final dinner in Dubrovnik.

• Day 4: Makarska and Brac Island 6km/3.5mi/2.5hr

  Today we head to Brac Island via Ston (2hr - transfer included 10km along the Bosnian coastline) famous for its oysters. After exploring the towns mediaeval ramparts, a short coastal walk leads us to an oyster farm where we learn more about how the fish are prepared. Then to Makarska where we board the 30min ferry to Brac Island. After lunch in Supetar we follow a mule track climbing gently past olive groves and figs to Skrip, the oldest town on the island. We visit the Folk Museum (housed in a 17C tower built to fend off the Turks) arriving at our hotel in Bol in time for a swim in the sea before dinner.

• Day 5: Blaca Monastery 10km/7mi/5hr

  Visit Blaca Bay where we'll learn how the feisty monks once exported 70,000 litres of wine a year to Venice and had a Viennese piano hauled up here, before following a coastal path that winds through pine trees to turquoise blue coves where we'll stop for a picnic. Then a last swim on Bol's horseshoe sandy beach before dinner in the old town.

• Day 6: Bol to Trogir via Split

  It's a 1 hour drive to catch the ferry (30mins) to Split. Here we'll visit the Diocletian Palace, Romanesque cathedral and old city walls. After lunch we've built in free time in the old town before continuing to Trogir where you'll spend your last two nights.

• Day 7: Krka National Park 8km/5mi/3hr

  We drive to Krka National Park (1hr) a myriad of lakes and waterfalls. A stony path lined with aleppo pines gently descends to Lake Cikola, then a brief ascent rewards us with views over the park. By ferry to the Franciscan monastery on the island - the monks still live here today. After a lakeside picnic, we'll explore the tiers of ponds bright with yellow water lilies that shimmer below mighty Skradinski waterfall. Then along the river bank to pretty Skradin with its marina, returning to Trogir before our final dinner.

• Day 8:

  Return home.

* All prices shown are for low season, per person, twin share. Click here to see full Terms & Conditions.