Kayaking trip through Croatia’s Neretva Valley with lunch

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.

Dubrovnik catamaran cruise with swim stops

Just off the coast of Dubrovnik, the Elaphite Islands are an oasis of olive groves, pine-clad hills and sandy beaches. See these Instagrammable isles aboard a 3-hour catamaran cruise complete with all-inclusive drinks, snacks and swim stops. It's a top way to spend the day in Croatia. Jakov, one of our expert local guides, says, "they may only be a short hop from busy Dubrovnik, but these 13 islands are a world away. Only three are inhabited, and the total population is less than 1,000 people. They are as beautiful as they are peaceful."After pick-up at your hotel, we'll head for the port of Gruz and cast off on our island-hopping adventure. There are more than 1,000 islands in Croatia – but few are more alluring than the 13 Elaphite Islands. Rugged rocky shores are softened by the aromatic Mediterranean vegetation and dimpled with pretty inlets. We'll sail into a selection of the best bays as you indulge in free-flowing beer, wine and soft drinks from the bar. There'll be fresh fruit and snacks, too.Top up your tan on deck as we weave through the string of islands, and we'll drop anchor in coves that beckon you into the water for a cooling swim. Will you opt for a refreshing dip, or simply stay on board for a snooze in the sunshine? The choice is yours. After a few hours at sea, you'll be suitably relaxed as we bob back to port.

Dubrovnik Sunset Catamaran Cruise

The sight of Old Town Dubrovnik is stunning enough, but this catamaran cruise lets you experience it at golden hour, when the last sun rays light everything up. And there are a few added bonuses on board, including an open bar, music and nets for complete relaxation.

Best of the Elaphites Catamaran Cruise

Just offshore from the bustle and buzz of Dubrovnik lie the Elaphite islands, a tranquil contrast to the city. This idyllic sailing getaway takes you to discover two different Islands in the archipelago, Šipan and Lopud. Lucija, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘There are less than 1000 permanent inhabitants living in the Elaphite islands, giving you an idea of just how peaceful and rustic they are. Some of the islands are car-free, so you'll really feel you're in a different world if you arrive straight from busy Dubrovnik'As soon as you're settled on board, you'll set sail towards Šipan, the largest island in the archipelago. Steeped in history, it's dotted with numerous old churches and noblemen's villas. Enjoy free time to explore and swim with the island as your backdrop. If you are feeling energetic, take a hike up to the Holy Trinity church, sitting on a hilltop just behind the port. The trail weaves through classic Mediterranean vegetation en route to the top, from where the views are fabulous.Next, your captain will cruise towards Lopud to the south. It's much smaller and car-free, too, so you can expect complete serenity as you meander around on its footpaths. Lopud is known for its pretty beaches, making it a perfect place for a dip and a spot of sunbathing. The scenery unfurling as you weave through the islands on this cruise is all part of the appeal, as well as drinks on tap from the onboard bar.

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.

Full-day cruise to Cavtat & Lokrum Island

Cruise along the Croatian coast, taking in the views of the walled city of Dubrovnik along the way. On this customisable tour, you can check out Lokrum Island, where parts of Game of Thrones were filmed, or continue to Cavtat. Here, it'll feel like a step back in time as you stroll past the traditional restaurants, and if you want to see what a traditional Croatian house is like, you can see where the famous artist, Vlaho Bukovac, lived. Afterwards, you'll return to the meeting point, where you can go for a refreshing dip in the sea if you fancy it.

Romantic sunset cruise from Dubrovnik in Croatia

Does it get much more romantic than a cruise at sunset? This experience is designed to ensure you and your significant other feel the love as you sail along the waters around Dubrovnik's old town. You'll be picked up and dropped off at your hotel, and you'll be out on the water for around 90 minutes. A glass of champagne and snacks will be provided – we're talking cheese boards, prosciutto – which you can savour as you soak up the views of the old town caked in the deep orange of sunset.

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.

Dubrovnik Red History Museum Ticket Only

Curious about Croatia's communist-era? Visit Dubrovnik's Red History Museum and find out what life was like under Soviet rule. Discover Croatia's beginnings as a WWII puppet state, to its establishment as a fully sovereign nation following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of Yugoslavia. With faithfully recreated exhibitions and stories from those that were there, it's a fascinating peek into the past.