Self-Launched Croatia Dalmatian Coast Adventure

Fly into Split Airport (SPU) and take the public bus (Line 37) to the city centre for around £3 — much cheaper than a private transfer. Check into your hostel or budget guesthouse in or near the Old Town. Spend the afternoon wandering the extraordinary Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Roman ruins spill into buzzing cafes and local life. In the evening, grab a traditional Dalmatian dinner of grilled fish and peka at a local konoba (tavern) — try Konoba Marjan or similar spots near the palace. This is your orientation day, so take it easy and plan your activities for the week.

🚌Public bus Line 37 from Split Airport to the Pile Gate / Old Town (~£3). Taxis also available (~£20-25).

🛏Hostel Emanuel Split, Split Backpackers, or a budget guesthouse in the Old Town (~£18-25/night)

• →Take public bus Line 37 from Split Airport to city centre (~£3)
• →Self-guided walk through Diocletian's Palace (free entry to outer areas, palace cellars ~£7 via GetYourGuide)
• →Explore the Vestibule, Peristyle, and Cathedral of Saint Domnius
• →Dinner at a local konoba — try grilled fish, black risotto, or lamb peka (~£12-16)

Take the morning Jadrolinija car ferry from Split to Supetar on Brač (roughly 1 hour, ~£5 each way — book at the harbour or online at jadrolinija.hr). From Supetar, take a local bus or taxi (~20 min, £5-8) to the hamlet of Gažul, the starting point of the hike up Vidova Gora. At 780m, it's the highest point on the Adriatic islands, and the panoramic views over Hvar, Korčula, and the Pelješac Peninsula are spectacular. The trail is approximately 7km and well-marked. After descending, visit the Museum of Olive Oil in Škrip (entry ~£5) for a tasting session. Return by bus/taxi to Supetar and take the evening ferry back to Split.

🚌Jadrolinija ferry Split–Supetar (jadrolinija.hr, ~£5 each way). Local bus from Supetar to trailhead (~£3) or shared taxi (~£8).

🛏Same as Day 1 — budget guesthouse or hostel in Split (~£18-25/night)

• →Jadrolinija ferry Split–Supetar (~£5 each way, book at jadrolinija.hr)
• →Local bus or taxi from Supetar to Gažul trailhead (~£5-8)
• →Self-guided hike to Vidova Gora summit (780m, ~7km, free)
• →Olive oil tasting at the Museum of Olive Oil in Škrip (~£5)
• →Return ferry to Split

Today you have two great options, just like the Exodus itinerary. Option 1 (recommended): Book a full-day Blue Cave and Hvar speedboat tour directly through GetYourGuide or Viator — these depart from Split harbour at around 7:30am and visit the Blue Cave on Biševo, Komiža on Vis, Stiniva Bay, the Blue Lagoon, Pakleni Islands, and Hvar town (~£45-60/person). Option 2: Rent an e-bike from a local shop in Split (£20-30/day) and cycle through Marjan Hill Park, the forested peninsula above the city, stopping for sea views and photo opportunities. Or simply enjoy a free day in Split — visit the palace cellars, swim at Bačvice Beach (free), or browse the local market.

🚌Speedboat tours depart from Split harbour (included in tour price). E-bike rental from central Split.

🛏Same as Day 1-2 — budget guesthouse or hostel in Split (~£18-25/night)

• →Option A: Full-day Blue Cave & Hvar speedboat tour (~£45-60, book via GetYourGuide)
• →Option B: E-bike rental and self-guided Marjan Hill Park ride (~£20-30)
• →Option C: Free day — Bačvice Beach (free), palace cellars (~£7), Split market

Take the morning Krilo or Jadrolinija catamaran from Split to Korčula town (roughly 3 hours, ~£15-18 — book in advance at krilo.hr or jadrolinija.hr). Korčula is a beautifully preserved medieval walled town said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. Check into your accommodation, then book a half-day sea kayaking tour departing from Korčula town — these are widely available and take you past pine-clad islets and limestone coves with stops for swimming (~£30-40, book via GetYourGuide or directly with local operators like Korčula Adventure). In the evening, stroll the old town's stone lanes and sample a glass of local Pošip white wine at a family-run konoba.

🚌Krilo or Jadrolinija catamaran from Split to Korčula (~£15-18, book in advance). Walking within Korčula town.

🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Korčula town — try Hostel Korčula or a local sobe (room rental) (~£20-28/night)

• →Morning catamaran Split–Korčula (~£15-18, book at krilo.hr or jadrolinija.hr)
• →Half-day sea kayaking tour around Korčula's coastline (~£30-40 via GetYourGuide)
• →Self-guided walk around Korčula Old Town (free)
• →Evening wine tasting — Pošip white wine at a local konoba (~£8-12)

Take the morning catamaran from Korčula to Mljet (approximately 45 minutes, ~£8-10 — check Jadrolinija schedules). On arrival, pay the Mljet National Park entry fee (~£15, covers park access and a boat to St Mary's Islet). Hire bikes at the park entrance (£8-12 for the day) and cycle the scenic 17km circular route around Veliko and Malo Jezero — two stunning saltwater lakes surrounded by pine forest. Take the short boat shuttle (included with park ticket) out to St Mary's Islet to visit the 12th-century Benedictine monastery. Return to Korčula by afternoon catamaran.

🚌Jadrolinija catamaran Korčula–Mljet (~£8-10 each way). Bikes hired on Mljet. Walking on St Mary's Islet.

🛏Same as Day 4 — budget guesthouse or hostel in Korčula (~£20-28/night)

• →Morning catamaran Korčula–Mljet (~£8-10, check jadrolinija.hr)
• →Mljet National Park entry (~£15, includes monastery boat)
• →Bike hire at park entrance (~£8-12/day)
• →Self-guided 17km cycle around Veliko and Malo Jezero lakes
• →Boat shuttle to St Mary's Islet and Benedictine monastery (included with park ticket)
• →Return catamaran to Korčula

Take the short ferry from Korčula to the Pelješac Peninsula (~£3-5, 20 minutes). From the ferry landing at Orebić, take a local bus or arrange a taxi to a winery in the Pelješac hills (~£8-12). The area is famous for Plavac Mali, a rich full-bodied red grape indigenous to Dalmatia — many wineries offer drop-in tastings or you can book ahead at producers like Miloš or Saints Hills (~£10-20 for a tasting). Afterwards, take a bus or shared transfer to Dubrovnik (approximately 1.5-2 hours, ~£8-12 via Flixbus or local bus from Ston). Check into your Dubrovnik accommodation, then explore the UNESCO Old Town — walk the Stradun, visit Rector's Palace, and soak up the atmosphere. The Dubrovnik City Walls are world-famous (entry ~£27) — visit late afternoon for golden-hour views.

🚌Ferry Korčula–Orebić (~£3-5). Local bus or taxi across Pelješac (~£8-12). Bus Ston–Dubrovnik (~£8, book at flixbus.com or local bus station).

🛏Budget hotel or hostel in Dubrovnik — try Hostel Angelina Old Town or a guesthouse in Lapad (~£25-35/night)

• →Short ferry Korčula–Orebić on Pelješac (~£3-5, jadrolinija.hr)
• →Wine tasting at a local Plavac Mali winery — try Miloš or Saints Hills (~£10-20)
• →Bus or shared taxi from Pelješac to Dubrovnik (~£8-12 via Ston bus connection)
• →Self-guided walk of Dubrovnik Old Town — Stradun, Rector's Palace (free to wander)
• →Optional: Dubrovnik City Walls entry (~£27, book at dubrovnik-walls.com)

Enjoy a final breakfast in Dubrovnik before heading home. If you have time before your flight, take the Dubrovnik cable car up to Mount Srđ for panoramic views over the old town and Adriatic (~£12 return) — it's one of the best vantage points in Croatia. Head to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) via local bus (Line 11 from Pile Gate, ~£3) or taxi (~£20-25). Consider extending your trip to Montenegro (Kotor is just 1.5-2 hours away by bus) or staying an extra night to explore more of the old city.

🚌Local bus Line 11 from Pile Gate to Dubrovnik Airport (~£3). Taxis available (~£20-25).

🛏None (departure day)

• →Final breakfast in Dubrovnik (~£6-10)
• →Optional: Dubrovnik cable car to Mount Srđ (~£12 return)
• →Local bus Line 11 to Dubrovnik Airport (~£3) or taxi (~£20-25)
• →Optional extension: Bus to Kotor, Montenegro (~£10, 1.5-2 hours)