Dalmatian Coast & Beaches: Zadar, Split, Brac & Hvar

Today you explore ancient Zadar and enjoy your first proper beach time. In the morning, with your guide, you wander the marble streets of the old town, taking in the Roman forum, the lovely round Byzantine church of St Donatus, the cathedral and the lively squares, learning the long, layered history of this seafront city. You return to the waterfront to fully enjoy the magical sea organ, listening to the waves make music, and to see the Greeting to the Sun. In the afternoon you relax on one of Zadar's nearby beaches or pine-fringed coves, swimming in the clear, warm sea, or take an optional boat trip towards the Kornati islands. As the golden hour returns, you savour another glorious sunset by the sea. This evening, dine on fresh seafood in the old town. Rest well, for tomorrow you continue down the coast to vibrant Split.

Today you journey down the beautiful coast to Split, the vibrant heart of Dalmatia. You leave Zadar and follow the scenic Dalmatian coast southwards, the turquoise sea and islands on one side and the Dinaric mountains on the other, perhaps pausing at the historic town of Sibenik to see its magnificent stone cathedral, or at Trogir, a jewel-like walled town on its own islet. Arriving in Split in the afternoon, you settle into your hotel and take a first stroll along the palm-lined Riva waterfront promenade, buzzing with cafes and street life, and into the atmospheric lanes of Diocletian's Palace, the living Roman heart of the city. You might take a first swim at the nearby Bacvice beach or a pine-fringed cove on the Marjan peninsula. As the day ends, Split glows in the evening light. This evening, savour the buzz of the city and fresh seafood. Rest well in vibrant Split.

Today you enjoy the best of Split, blending Roman history with relaxed beach time. In the morning, with your guide, you explore Diocletian's Palace, the vast 1,700-year-old Roman seafront palace, now a living UNESCO maze of lanes, squares and cellars where cafes and homes hum among the ancient stone, standing in the colonnaded Peristyle courtyard and climbing the bell tower for sweeping views over the terracotta roofs and the sea. In the afternoon you relax on the coast, perhaps swimming at the lively Bacvice beach or, more peacefully, at the string of pretty pebble coves backed by pine woods on the Marjan peninsula, a green headland with lovely walking and views. As the day ends, you return along the Riva at golden hour. This evening, dine on fresh Adriatic seafood and local wine in an atmospheric konoba. Rest well, ready to sail to the island of Brac and its famous beach tomorrow.

Today you cross to the island of Brac to laze at one of the most famous beaches in Croatia. You take the short, scenic ferry ride across the sparkling channel to Brac, arriving at the pretty town of Bol, and settle into your island hotel. Then it is straight to the beach: Zlatni Rat, the 'Golden Horn', a dazzling tongue of fine white pebbles that curves out into the turquoise sea from the pine forests, its tip shifting shape with the wind, perhaps the most iconic beach in the Adriatic. You laze on its brilliant white shore, swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear water, and, if you wish, try windsurfing, kayaking or paddleboarding in the clear channel. Beach cafes are close by for a lazy lunch and ice cream. As the day ends, you stroll the pretty harbour of Bol as the light softens. This evening, dine on island seafood by the water. Rest well on Brac.

Today you journey to chic, lavender-scented Hvar, the most glamorous of the Dalmatian islands. After a final morning swim at the beautiful beach or a stroll in Bol, you take the boat across the sparkling channel to Hvar, arriving in its stylish little capital, a port of Venetian palaces gathered around one of the loveliest squares in Croatia, crowned by the marble cathedral of St Stephen and, above, a hilltop Spanish fortress. You settle into your hotel and explore the marble lanes and harbour, breathing in the island's scent of lavender and pine. As the golden hour arrives, you climb to the hilltop fortress for a sweeping view over the town rooftops and the scattered Pakleni islands, the sea turning gold. As the day ends, Hvar's cafes and konobas come alive. This evening, dine on Dalmatian seafood and crisp island wine in the stylish town. Rest well on lavender-scented Hvar, ready for an idyllic beach day tomorrow.

Today you enjoy a sublime beach day among the idyllic Pakleni islands, just off Hvar. You take a boat out across the turquoise sea to the Pakleni islands, a string of pine-clad islets ringed by some of the most beautiful coves in the Adriatic. You drop into secluded turquoise bays to swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear water, sunbathe on quiet pebble beaches, and go ashore for a relaxed lunch at a chic beach club or a hidden konoba by the sea, perhaps at the lovely coves of Palmizana or Jerolim, the water an impossible blue. Back on Hvar in the late afternoon, you might relax at your hotel or explore more of the stylish town, its boutiques and cafes. As the golden hour arrives, you find a spot to watch the sunset over the sea. This evening, enjoy a special seafront seafood dinner celebrating your coastal journey. Rest well on Hvar ahead of departure.

After a final leisurely morning on lavender-scented Hvar, perhaps a last swim in a turquoise cove or a coffee on the Venetian square, you take the catamaran to Split and are transferred to the airport for your onward departure (or fly from a nearby coastal airport). You leave having soaked up the sun-drenched beauty of the Dalmatian coast, the sea organ and sunsets of Zadar, the living Roman palace and city beaches of Split, the dazzling white spit of Zlatni Rat on Brac, and the idyllic turquoise coves of Hvar and the Pakleni islands, all blended with fresh seafood and crisp island wine by the water. The images stay vivid long after you land, the wave-made music of Zadar, the terracotta and turquoise of Split, the white spit curving into the blue, and the secluded Pakleni coves. The Dalmatian coast offers sun, sea, beauty and relaxation in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to this beautiful coastline of Croatia.