Croatia in the Quiet Season

Exploring the Historic Towns and Coastlines of Croatia

More About This Journey

Blessed with one of the lovelier coastlines in The Mediterranean, Croatia is an ideal place to visit. Lining the country’s shore are islands and towns that have withstood the vicissitudes of time to the present day with one of the best-preserved collections of medieval towns in Europe. Visitors are struck by the beauty of the old towns and the monuments they house.

No wonder Croatia is now one of Europe’s primary holiday destinations, attracting huge crowds of tourists during the high travel season. But the small old historic towns were not built for today’s mass tourism. They become overwhelmed, making it impossible to have a meaningful visit. That is why we have scheduled our journey to Croatia in November, the “Quiet Season,” when the crowds of tourists are gone, the places return to the local communities, and travelers can savor the beauty of Croatia and experience its treasures leisurely and thoroughly. The temperature at the time of our journey is usually in the 60s, which is ideal for strolling the old streets and alleyways of the places we will explore.

Dubrovnik’s Franciscan Church and Monastery

Mali Ston

The colorful open-air market, Trogir

ITINERARY

Friday, November 7, 2025
DEPART THE USA
Depart the United States for Split, Croatia.

Saturday, November 8
SPLIT, Croatia
Arrive in Split and transfer to the Hotel Park (or similar). In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner. Built around a spacious bay and mountains, Split is one of the most vibrant cities in the Adriatic Sea. Said to derive its name from an ancient Greek settlement called Aspalathois, Split’s official history began with the construction of the palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian in AD 305. Medieval Split grew within the walled grounds of the enormous palace. Inhabited continuously since antiquity, Diocletian’s palace still plays a key role in the city’s life and urban development. (D)

Sunday, November 9
SPLIT & TROGIR
Visit Diocletian’s palace in the morning, including the Underground Halls, the elegant courtyards, the Peristyle with its arcades, the well-preserved Mausoleum of Diocletian which was converted to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius in 652, and the Temple of Jupiter which was later adapted as the cathedral Baptistery. Spend time at leisure to explore the fascinating old medieval town. Near the entrance to the palace there is a colorful open-air market you may also wish to visit. In the afternoon, drive to nearby Trogir, one of the most attractive and interesting old towns along Croatia’s coast. Built compactly on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge, Trogir is notable for its beautifully preserved medieval quarter, with its many Romanesque and Gothic buildings and historic sites, and its 12th-century Cathedral of St. Lawrence, considered to be one of the finest in Croatia. (B)

Monday, November 10
SPLIT/HVAR ISLAND/SPLIT
In the morning, sail to the lovely island of Hvar. Land at its delightful small main harbor town, also called Hvar, built at the foot of twin hills, and surrounded by walls. The town’s strong flavor of Venetian architecture reveals the times when the island was under the control of Venice. The town’s beautiful square is dominated by the 16th-century Cathedral of St. Stephen, and the old Venetian Arsenal, whose upper floor was adapted in 1612 to house the town’s Theater, one of the first in Europe. Explore the town, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, and return to Split in the afternoon. (B, L)

Tuesday, November 11
SPLIT/MALI STON/DUBROVNIK
In the morning, drive to Dubrovnik. Stop on the way at Mali Ston, an attractive old town enclosed within its fortifications. The town is famous for its oysters, which we will enjoy for lunch, along with other delicacies. After lunch, continue to Dubrovnik and check in at the Hotel Excelsior (or similar), conveniently located at the edge of the Old Town. Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Wednesday, November 12
DUBROVNIK
Situated on a small rocky peninsula at the foot of a mountain, Dubrovnik thrived from the 12th to the early 19th centuries as the independent republic of Ragusa. The wealth attained during this time from the maritime activities of its large fleet is evident in the exceptional beauty of the streets and buildings of its historic center, which is one of the most perfectly preserved medieval entities in Europe. Explore the historic center in the morning, seeing its architectural gems, including the Sponza Palace; the old custom house; the Rector’s Palace, dating from the 11th century; the church of the Franciscans, with its monastery and gardened cloisters; and the fountain of Onofrio, among others. Surrounding the old town are the medieval walls, which provide wonderful views of the town and its coastline. Spend the afternoon at leisure to enjoy this unique place on your own. (B)

Thursday, November 13
DUBROVNIK/TREBINJE, Bosnia Herzegovina/DUBROVNIK
Take a morning excursion to Trebinje, a town in Bosnia Herzegovina. Built along the banks of a river, Trebinje was built in the early 18th century, when at that time the Ottoman Empire ruled this area. The town retains intact its old fortifications and many buildings, with their characteristic architecture that combines Oriental and Mediterranean elements. Surviving is also the Arslanagić Bridge, a fine stone bridge. Explore the town, enjoy lunch, and then return to Dubrovnik for an afternoon at leisure. A farewell dinner will be served at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Friday, November 14
DUBROVNIK/USA
Transfer to the airport for the return flight home. (B)