Cruising the Dalmatian Coast: from Dubrovnik to Split is a spectacular tour, offering the same combination of experiences that has become the hallmark of Peter Sommer Travels’ gulet cruises in Croatia: a beautiful, traditional wooden gulet, fascinating archaeological and historical sites explored in the company of dedicated experts, a wonderful maritime landscape and – of course – delicious local food and wine.

Dalmatia, the southern part of Croatia’s Adriatic Coast, is a region of immense natural beauty and historical significance, an area where many fascinating strands in the story of human struggle and achievement are woven together into an extraordinary tapestry of culture. Even a casual glance at the map reveals much about this unusual place: while Croatia as a whole is set between the Mediterranean, the Balkans and Central Europe, Dalmatia itself is a country of mountains, sea and islands – important for ancient travellers and traders and perfect for a gulet cruise!

Over the centuries, many peoples have passed through Dalmatia, settled, competed, fought and interacted. From Dalmatian and Illyrian tribesmen via Greek colonists, Roman and Byzantine soldiers and emperors, to Croat warriors, Venetian traders, Ottoman and Italian fleets and French and Austro-Hungarian governors and engineers, they have left behind a unique cultural heritage, waiting to be explored and enjoyed.

It is almost impossible to describe the splendour of the miraculously well-preserved Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in Split, repurposed as a medieval city centre, or the grandeur of Dubrovnik, heart of the thriving Renaissance trading republic of Ragusa, with her broad streets, fine monuments and mighty walls. Both are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage and the tiny and intimate walled town of Korcula on the island of that name, a true Adriatic gem is on the tentative list for World Heritage status. Alongside these, there is much more to be discovered: the lofty slopes of Brac with grand views over the surrounding islands, the theatre-like harbour town of Hvar, its monuments and traditions revealed by a leisurely stroll through lanes and squares, the vineyards of remote Vis, first planted by ancient Greeks from Sicily, engulfed in the scent of wild herbs…

All of these joys await you, along with many opportunities to swim in azure waters, to relax on your elegant gulet, to sample the delicious Croatian cuisine – uniting all the cultural influences that have affected the region with the high-quality meats and fish it produces – and to try the islands’ fine wines. Cruising the Coast of Dalmatia is unforgettable, a holiday of great beauty and a voyage of discovery.

Day 1: Our gulet is in Zaton Bay about 45 minutes from Dubrovnik airport. Welcome drinks and dinner on board.
Day 2: In the morning we visit Dubrovnik, once better known as Ragusa, Venice’s chief rival in the Adriatic. We tour its remarkable walls, which protected the city from attack for many centuries, explore the grand streets and elaborate monuments of its historic centre and pay a visit to the superb maritime museum. In the afternoon, we set out for our first crossing, to a quiet cove off the island off Mljet.
Day 3: We continue to the verdant island of Korčula. After lunch, we explore the picturesque lanes and squares of Korčula Town and visit its beautiful cathedral, followed by the ecclesiastical museum, a veritable cabinet of curiosities, and the city museum with its archaeological exhibit.
Day 4: We make a long westward voyage to Vis, the most remote island on our itinerary. In the afternoon, we go ashore to explore the beautiful medieval harbour of Komiža, before a wine tasting at a unique and excellent local winery set in a World War Two bunker. We’ll then stroll around the charming town of Vis and enjoying a sumptuous dinner of local seafood at one of the best restaurants in the region.
Day 5: We cruise to the island of Hvar where we explore Hvar town, a labyrinth of stone houses set between slopes and sea, including the archaeological collections housed in the castle overlooking the port and in the seaside Franciscan monastery, which reveal the island’s past identity as the ancient Greek city of Pharos. Hvar is also famous for its agave lace, recognised by UNESCO as intangible World Heritage. Later, we cruise to the nearby Pakleni islets to spend the night in a quiet cove.
Day 6: We continue to the lovely port of Milna on the island of Brač. From here, we set out to the stonemasonry school of Pucišca, where the island’s ancient tradition of working and producing high-quality stonework continues to this day. Brač stone was used not only in the construction of the Palace of Diocletian but also in a number of other famous buildings like Berlin’s Reichstag. We then venture inland to the charming village of Škrip with its local archaeological museum. We enjoy a rustic lunch at a restored olive oil mill and then ascend the summit of Vidova Gora, the tallest Mountain in the Adriatic islands, to enjoy the splendid view over the Dalmatian coast.
Day 7: We head north to the harbour of Split, ancient Spalatum. The medieval heart of this lively city sits within the towering remains of the Palace of Diocletian, built for the Roman emperor’s retirement in AD 305 and the best-preserved structure of its kind. We explore its underground vaults, its walls and gates, the wonderful domed cathedral – originally built as Diocletian’s mausoleum – and the Temple of Jupiter. There is also time to take in the place’s unique atmosphere – and perhaps engage in a little shopping. In the late afternoon we cruise to a small island for a final swim before moving to our final mooring at Stobreč Bay. Farewell dinner on the gulet.
Day 8: Departure transfers to Split Airport approx. 30 minutes away.

I would like to book, what else do I need to know?

For information not covered below please refer to our FAQ’s or contact us directly on info@petersommer.com

Arrival Airport – Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)

Departure Airport – Split (SPU)

Arrival Location Zaton Bay (approx. 45 mins from airport)

Departure Location Stobreč Bay (approx. 30 minutes from airport)

Embarkation and departure is planned for approx.17:00. You are more than welcome to arrive earlier to drop off your bags, but please be aware that the crew will be busy cleaning and tidying making everything ready for your group so you will not be able to settle into your cabin.

If your travel plans or flights do not allow you to arrive before 17:00 we recommend arriving the day before the tour starts. This would also allow time to relax, recover from any jet lag and arrive at the boat on time for embarkation and departure.

If you arrive at the gulet after 17:00, we will do our best to enable you to join the tour at a later time and place.

Please Note: Departure time is subject to change depending on weather, harbour, or other conditions.

Disembarkation is around 09:00. We will arrange local transfers on the first and last day of the tour.

Booking Flights: If you are staying in or connecting via Zagreb then the easiest way to get to and from the gulet is to fly. The main domestic airline in Croatia, Croatia Airlines, has a wide selection of flights .

Please note: Flights are subject to change. Please contact the airline for exact details.

If you prefer to book with a travel agent, we are happy to recommend specialists in a number of countries around the world, please contact our office for more details.

Travel Insurance:We consider adequate travel insurance to be essential. You should ensure that you take out a suitable policy, to make sure that your trip is properly covered.

Visas: Citizens of the U.K., EU countries, the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not need visas to visit Croatia. Visitors can visit Croatia for up to 90 days in any 180 day period. For more details, please visit the website of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Custom tours or additional travel in Croatia: If you are planning to spend any additional time in Croatia before or after your gulet trip, we are happy to assist you either directly or via our trusted family-run partner agency in Croatia. In addition to our gulet trips, we also offer personalised tours and travel arrangements throughout Croatia. Whether you’re seeking a bespoke tour or simply need recommendations on things to see and do, we’re dedicated to making your Croatian experience unforgettable. Please contact us, we’ll be delighted to help.

Tour Includes:
Full board accommodation with water, tea and coffee and wine with dinner
Airport transfers on the first and last day of the tour
Travel by private minibus
Harbour fees and crew services
All entrance fees and tips on land
The services of your expert tour leader throughout the entire trip
WiFi (coverage permitting)

Not included:
Flights and airport taxes
Visas
Travel insurance
Gratuities on the gulet. It is customary to tip the crew at the end of a tour (we recommend a minimum of 30Euro per day per guest)
Tips for guides

Mislav Files

We are delighted to welcome Mislav Fileš as a full-time member of the PST Team. A good number of you will already know Mislav, because he has been leading tours for us for the last 5 years – with stellar feedback. Mislav will continue to guide for us in Croatia and Montenegro as well as doing many other new and exciting things for PST.

Mislav has directed and been involved in many archaeological projects over the years and is also a licensed ski instructor and an apprentice in alpine mountaineering. With his extensive knowledge and experience, positive can-do spirit, boundless energy and ever present smile, he makes for a wonderful travelling companion and great person to work with.

After graduating from high school, Mislav enrolled in the Department of Archaeology and continued his education through graduate levels to PhD studies, which he is currently attending at the University of Zagreb. He received Excellence Awards from the Faculty of Humanities and Social sciences for his accomplishments in both undergraduate and graduate studies, and was awarded a scholarship of excellence from the City of Zagreb for his undergraduate and postgraduate studies, and from the Department of Archaeology for his PhD studies.

Mislav has participated in numerous excavations in both Croatia and abroad (Israel and Austria) and, after graduating, started leading some of the excavations independently. While studying, Mislav became a licenced ski-instructor as well as an alpine mountaineer apprentice.

What previous guests have to say about Mislav:

"Being guided by Mislav with his upbeat personality, knowledge of local history and sites, and general enthusiasm throughout the trip was definitely a highlight. He worked well with local guides, to give us a comprehensive understanding of the location." Rebecca Dillon

"Mislav Files was an outstanding guide, knowledgeable, friendly, humble, enthusiastic and consistently professional. Notably, he did not look after us as a group, he looked after us as individuals." Helen Curran

"Mislav was the best tour guide I've ever had (and I've traveled quite a bit). I'd love to have him on all my tours. Full of zest and knowledge, fun and charming. Perfect English. His enthusiasm made all the trips fun, educational and informative. The trip was such a great learning experience, the most unique of any trip I've taken. I highly recommend!" Kathy Robbins

"Our superior guide, Mislav, added immensely to every place we visited. It was ‘great fun was had by all’! I would consider Mislav a Guide’s Guide… who is THE guide that all others look up to as the standard to strive to meet. Our guide, Mislav, aside from being the consummate knowledgeable ‘Guide Supreme’,was constantly focused on the comfort & inclusion of all of his ‘guests’." Ruthie and James Henderson

"The knowledge of our guide was topnotch. This is probably the best tour I have ever taken. Mislav gave it his all. Mislav, had a depth and breadth of knowledge that made our discussions exciting and engaging, his patience and expertise were remarkable." Karen Tarapata

View Mislav Files's Biography

Accreditations

Tour Operator of the Year 2015 Gold Award AITO logo Tour Operator of the Year 2017 Gold Award AITO logo Tour Operator of the Year 2018 Silver Award AITO logo Tour Operator of the Year 2019 Silver Award AITO logo Tour Operator of the year Gold Award 2022 AITO logo Tour Operator of the year Silver Award 2023 AITO logo British Travel Awards Best Travel Company for Arts and Culture Holidays Silver 2022 logo Member of ABTA the Association of British Travel Agents Member of ASTA The American Society of Travel Advisors Member of ABTOI the Association of British Travel Organisers to Italy

Rated as Excellent on Aito Reviews with over 500 reviews