Croatia Real Food Adventure

Zdravo! Welcome to Croatia. Your adventure begins in Split, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, followed by an optional dinner. If you arrive early, make sure you take the opportunity to explore this beautiful city on foot. Sitting on a peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic Sea, Split is a jewel on the Dalmatian coast. Why not take a stroll along the Riva Promenade – a waterfront walkway that stretches between Split Harbour and the Marjan Forest Park. Spend some time in the park and take the walk to the top of the hill for some of the best views along the coastline and across the city. Maybe wander the streets of the Old City and learn the history of the city that once was the residence of a Roman Emperor. For lunch, maybe grab some fresh octopus salad or find a serving of soparnik (a savoury pie with layers of silverbeet, garlic, parsley and olive oil).

Today, you’ll be hopping on a short ferry to take you to the Adriatic Island of Brac, just off the Split coast. Known for being the largest olive grove in Croatia (with over one million olive trees), this small island is home to a range of delicious regional dishes. Spend some time strolling the streets and beach of the coastal town of Bol, before making your way to the small town of Skrip. Visit the olive oil museum, where you’ll learn about this extraordinary crop and be treated to an olive-themed selection of tapenade, cheeses, onion marmalade, anchovies, cured meats, salad, bread and wine. ​ After lunch, enjoy a slice of hrapocusa – a layered cake of sponge and sticky sugared walnuts. This cake is so iconic to the island town of Dol that the Croatian Ministry of Culture has listed it as a protected item of intangible heritage. Sail back to Split for an evening at leisure. (B/L)

Wake up bright and early to explore Split’s Old City and the fish, fruit and vegetable markets. Wandering the historic city centre with your local leader, enjoy your last morning in this beautiful city before jumping on a ferry to the island of Korcula. Steeped in a long history of Greek, Slav and Roman settlers, Korcula’s Old Town is a tightly packed homage to the Renaissance architecture of Venice with plenty of narrow streets and squares for you to explore. What's more, the town boasts plenty of beaches to relax on if that's more your speed. Following an orientation walk with your leader, you might like to take a swim, walk around the bays and villages near Korcula town, pay a visit to the Marco Polo Tower, go shopping, or just soak up the ambience. Later, you’ll have the option to visit the tiny village of Pupnat in the interior of the island. Maybe have dinner in the village and enjoy a meal made entirely from local produce. (B)

The morning in Korcula is yours to enjoy. For a sweet start to the day, why not see if you can find some amareta (a local dessert with a crunchy outside and soft inside made of whipped egg whites, almonds and citrus zest) or some kalsuni (a crescent-shaped cookie made of buttery dough and traditionally filled with a nut-based stuffing). Relax into island life in the morning before heading to Zrnovo village for a hands-on cooking class in a local konoba – traditionally a tavern or wine cellar, konobas are now often popular restaurants where you can find the best of local Croatian cuisine. Today you’ll learn how to make zrnovo makaruni (a local hand-rolled pasta), before enjoying the fruits of your labour over lunch, paired with local wines. In the afternoon, return to Korcula town for some free time – beach, anyone? (L)

Leaving Korcula behind, you’ll travel to Peljesac, a peninsula off southern mainland Croatia. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to sample what is considered some of the country’s finest local wines. Vineyards are scattered all along the peninsula, with the fertile soil in the region making for ideal growing environments. Here, you can find a wide range of wine varieties to tingle your tastebuds. Continue to the southern town of Ston and indulge in an oyster tasting and seafood lunch. This region is known to have the best seafood in Croatia and produces some of the best oysters in the world, so get ready for something special. Leaving Ston full and satisfied, make your way to Dubrovnik – the country’s iconic walled city. You’ll have the evening to explore the city at your leisure (maybe see how many Game of Thrones filming locations you can find!), before having the option to catch up with your group for a farewell dinner. (L)

Today your adventure comes to an end. There's lots to see and do here in the wonderful city of Dubrovnik, so perhaps stay a few extra days. Check in with your leader for any hot tips to make the most of your extended stay. (B)