Half-day boat tour to the Elaphite Islands with Blue Cave visit

Half-day boat tour to the Elaphite Islands with Blue Cave visit

Cast off from Lapadskaa Obala for a half-day island escape around the Elaphite Islands. You'll be cruising on a leut, a traditional wooden fishing boat, with your captain, a true local who knows every hidden cove and secret spot in these waters like the back of his hand. He says “the Elaphite Islands are full of hidden treasures, and I know every nook and cranny.” As you glide over the Adriatic Sea, you can sit back with a glass of wine, a cold beer, or a soft drink, sailing towards your first stop – the bay of Kolocep. There's time to cool off with a dip in the sea before heading to Sunj Beach, famous for its soft golden sand and calm shallow waters – perfect for a bit of sunbathing, or another swim if you're feeling keen. Along the way, you'll uncover tucked-away coves and secret spots only locals know about. Your final stop is the Blue Cave, a natural wonder carved into the limestone cliffs of Kolcep Island. Formed over thousands of years by the crashing of the waves, the entrance is low and narrow. But, once you're inside, it opens up into a glowing chamber of blue light. Sunlight filters through an underwater opening, reflecting off the white seabed and bathing the cave in an otherworldly glow – a surreal swimming spot to round off the day.

Blue Cave by night

As you cruise around the wild green island of Kolocep in the Adriatic Sea, you'll catch a glimpse of traditional Croatian life, with its peaceful fishing villages, sprawling Mediterranean landscapes and mesmerising caves. You'll gather at the dock for a quick safety briefing before setting sail on an evening adventure that takes you to the island's famous caves that have been carefully carved by the sea over thousands of years. Local guide, Mia, says "I love asking guests which cave is their favourite because they're so different. The Green Caves feel rejuvenating and full of life, while the Blue Cave has a more mysterious feel."After a cruise across the calm waters of the Adriatic, you'll approach the lesser-known but utterly magical Three Green Caves, affectionately known as the ‘Three Sisters'. The captain will drop anchor, giving you around half an hour to swim around and explore. To see the emerald-green reflections that give them their name, head to the largest green cave. And, if you're feeling adventurous, swim through the narrow passage of the Canyon Cave to see the light and shadows dance on the cliff walls. Hop back onboard, where there's plenty of soft drinks, beer and wine, and head to the south of the island and the famous Blue Cave. Mia adds “in the evening light, the tunnels and caverns take on a whole new level of beauty.” You'll have time to take in the peaceful atmosphere and vivid blues for yourself as you moor up for around 30 minutes here. Then, it's back on the boat for a few drinks and some music as you return to the dock with a new appreciation for nature's masterpieces.

Konavle Valley Wine-tasting Tour with Scenic Train

Konavle valley's distinctive culture and cuisine are revealed in all their glory during this half-day tour. You'll sample locally grown wines at family-run vineyards, ride a train from village to village and tuck into some traditional food, all in the scenic surroundings of the Konavle valley. Antun, one of our local guides, says, ‘Dubrovačka Malvasija is the renowned grape variety unique to this region. Local winemakers managed to save the species, even though there were only three healthy vines remaining in the post-war period.'Located near the border with Montenegro, between mountains and the Adriatic Sea, the valley is a sun-drenched countryside escape from Dubrovnik. You'll arrive in the village of Zastolje to visit the historic Brajković winery, then it's all aboard to ride to Ljuta by train. Here, you'll see how the 500-year-old Đivanović water mill had dual purposes – since medieval times it was used to produce flour and process wool into fabric.After this visit, we'll continue to a different vineyard and wine cellar for more tasting. You'll sample some local culture when you try a typical ploughman's lunch, just as the farmers would eat during a hard day in the fields. The final stop is a third winery. Antun says, ‘You'll relish a cold glass of Konavle rosé alongside a slice of typical pandišpanj sponge cake at this vineyard. Pandišpanj is traditionally made for special occasions, like this tour, when we welcome our guests to our beautiful Konavle valley.'

Bay of Kotor Cruise with Our Lady of the Rocks

Montenegro's Bay of Kotor is the stuff of legends. Dramatic mountain scenery, shimmering blue waters and the walled town of Kotor make this fjord-like landscape a showstopper. You'll visit the famous Our Lady of the Rocks islet during a boat trip in the bay, before heading on to Kotor town. Ivana, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Affectionately known as Boka by locals, they're proud the bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its natural, cultural and historical importance. There's a strong artisan tradition in the area, and the towns are recognised for their fine architecture.'After a drive along the Dalmatian coast, you'll board your boat and set sail towards the narrow strait of Verige, where the whole bay opens up, and you'll see why the Bay of Kotor is Montenegro's most famous destination. After passing by Perast, Stoliv and Prčanj, the first stop is the fairytale islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, somewhere Ivana loves. ‘Of all museums in the region, the one on the islet is my favourite to guide,' she says. ‘The church is like an art gallery, and the museum contains gems such as the Jacinta Kunić embroidery.'Back on board, we'll tuck into a tasty lunch on board en route to Kotor town. Here, you'll have free time to explore this fortified medieval pearl packed with Venetian palaces. Visit the Cathedral of St Tryphon and its treasury, climb the city walls or browse the local market, where you can sample and buy local specialities such as smoked ham, sheep's cheese and brandy.

Kayaking trip through Croatia’s Neretva Valley with lunch

Sprawling across Bosnia and Herzegovina, before pouring into the Adriatic Sea from Croatia, the Neretva Delta makes for a peaceful place to pick up a paddle. On this kayaking trip, you'll spend the day navigating the maze of canals and lagoons that peel off from the Neretva River.Your guide will set a leisurely pace along the protected waterways, allowing you to fully embrace this quiet slice of Croatia's great outdoors, with stops for swimming, too. There's plenty of wildlife to look out for, with herons, kingfishers and eagles making the waterways their home and hunting ground. Plus, being in a kayak gives you a stealthy advantage over noisier boats for capturing the best photos of the local birdlife.It's not just what's above the water that's of interest, though. You'll paddle to Kuti Lake, where local legends suggest that the ancient city of Troy lies beneath– your guide will fill you in on the full story surrounding this mysterious myth. As lunchtime approaches, you'll hang up your paddles and head to Lopoc for a hearty Croatian meal. There are plenty of options on the menu and, depending on how adventurous you're feeling, you could even try local delicacies like frogs or eels.

Sunset Cruise to Dubrovnik with Free Time in the City

If you are looking for an unforgettable evening, why not board a traditional wooden boat and cruise to see Dubrovnik in the dusk? The cruise begins at 18:30, heading along the coast towards Dubrovnik City with its imposing ancient walls.As the sun sets, catch striking views of Dubrovnik's city fortifications illuminated against the night sky, creating a magical backdrop for your journey. Arriving at 20:00, you'll have free time to wander through the Old City's cobblestone streets, discover its rich history, and soak up the vibrant local culture.After exploring the timeless beauty of Dubrovnik, reboard the boat at 23:00 for a closer look at Kalamota Island from the boat. This tour offers the perfect mix of scenery and exploring, making it an ideal evening out in one of Croatia's most iconic destinations.

Panorama Tour of Dubrovnik with VR Experience

Exploring Dubrovnik just got more exciting with a virtual reality journey through time and space. Walking these age-old streets is like stepping into a time capsule. You can almost hear the echoes of centuries past and feel the history that still reverberates today. Add the virtual reality flyover experience and you'll see the city from a whole new angle.Start your visit at Pile Gate, the city's most important entry point, dating back to the 15th century. Originally, there was a wooden drawbridge which would have been lifted every evening to prevent unwelcome visitors accessing the walled city. Here, you'll begin a guided tour led by a local expert, weaving through the cobblestone streets of the old city, before taking some free time to explore at your own pace.The next stop takes you to VR Flyover Dubrovnik, where you'll experience the city from an entirely new perspective. The VR tour offers a view of Dubrovnik that allows you to understand it's history even better than before. It's a thrilling blend of past and present.

River Neretva Boat Tour with Lunch

The canals and lakes of the Neretva valley are the stars of this full day tour. You'll glide along the River Neretva on a trupica – a traditional Croatian riverboat – with the chance to spot wildlife as you drift towards Lake Kuti. Nika, one of our local guides, says, ‘Lake Kuti is a haven for wildlife – there are birds such the golden eagle, common buzzard and peregrine falcon as well as reptiles like the Balkan green lizard. It's a green oasis amid the region's karst landscapes.'Home to an array of diverse wildlife and flora, the River Neretva flows through just 20km of Croatia. But good things come in small numbers here, and as you cast off along the backwaters and canals of the river, you'll see exactly why. Onboard a typical wooden riverboat, you'll get up close with your natural surroundings, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. Keep a lookout for turtles, waterfowl and other birds that call the riverbank home, as well as many species of fish.And once you've built up an appetite, we'll dock at Neretva House tavern, which is accessible by boat only, for lunch. You'll be treated to a feast of traditional Dalmatian dishes, washed down with local wine and fresh water. Then, with a full belly, you'll set off for the return journey along the river. Once you're back on dry land, you'll round off the tour with a pit stop in a secret location – it's guaranteed to be a perfect photo opportunity.

The Best of Montenegro

A trip along ever-changing south Dalmatian coast from Dubrovnik takes you to the tiny country of Montenegro – a land of great natural beauty and immense cultural heritage. You'll explore Kotor, Perast and the island of Our Lady of the Rocks during this full day tour.

Game of Thrones King's Landing filming locations tour

Fans of Game of Thrones will delight in this filming locations tour to Fort Lovrijenac just on the outskirts of Dubrovnik's old town and Lokrum Island – or the Red Keep and Qarth. You'll get to re-live scenes from the epic series while seeing two historic sites.Your afternoon gets off to an exciting start with a walk up to Fort Lovrijenac, which also doubles up as the Red Keep in King's Landing – the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. It's perched high above the old town of Dubrovnik and affords you a great view of the Battle of Blackwater Bay, the House of the Undying Dungeon and, of course, the city below.Then, you'll hop aboard the boat from the old port to exotic Lokrum Island, where you'll learn all about its history and recent transformation into the magical town of Qarth. You'll walk over to the Benedictine monastery and arboretum. Just remember to take a bun or two for the resident peacocks.