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Croatia Gay Tour - The Enchanting Beauty of Croatia

The Enchanting Beauty of Croatia
Gay Tour Along the Dalmatian Coast

Split, Trogir, Krka, Hvar, Ston, Dubrovnik, Kotor (Montenegro) and more!

8 Days From Split To Dubrovnik, Croatia

September 16 – 23, 2016

 

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Split, Croatia gay tourCroatia is generously endowed with natural and man-made wonders, a rich repository of culture, a complicated history, and people who are warm and welcoming. Croatia's charms include endless beaches and clear blue sea, a wealth of Roman ruins, medieval hilltop castles, and an impressive collection of natural sights.

Despite the turmoil of the 1990s that erupted with the breakdown of the former Yugoslavia, today's Balkan countries are on the rise, and that certainly includes Croatia as the European Union's newest member state as of 2013.

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Its Dalmatian Coast is spectacular, and this coast – the east side of the Adriatic Sea – is arguably prettier than the western coast (sorry, Italy). It is a sun-washed mosaic of red-tile roofs, bell towers, lush vegetation, and beautiful beaches. The region's history is rich with very visible Roman and Venetian influences plus a mild Mediterranean climate. With the mark of Greek, Roman, and Venetian cultures — and the Dinaric Alps and the Adriatic Sea as backdrops — this skinny strip of land squished between Bosnia-Herzegovina and the sea shows off one gorgeous place after another.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this itinerary include:
• Historical complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian
• Historic city of Trogir
• Old city of Dubrovnik
• Natural and culturo-historical region of Kotor in Montenegro

 

Croatia gay tour - Hvar

 

Diocletian's Palace, SplitDiocletian's Palace, completed in A.D. 305 in Split, isn't what is normally thought of as a palace. The Roman Emperor built his estate in such a grand manner that it was converted into a city after his death. Stroll down Split's Riva, the city's spiffy, busy promenade along the harbor, and you'll see sidewalk cafes and restaurant tables that are rarely empty. A nearby excursion takes us to Trogir, one of the most enchanting towns on the Adriatic. It's a postcard-perfect jewel in Croatia's crown, with its well-preserved decorative stonework and intact medieval character. The entire town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We witness the beauty of Krka National Park with its waterfalls, gorges, and traces of ancient settlements along the Krka River. The falls were formed by deposits of limestone sediment (travertine), and Skradinski Buk is considered one of the best falls in Europe as it extends about half a mile and tumbles 150 feet over 17 distinct travertine deposits.

Hvar, Croatia gay tourA ferry ride from Split takes us for the day to Hvar island — known for sun, glamour, and herbal fragrance, mainly lavender. Hvar town can certainly boast its share of celebrities, but many more visitors are just hip (or hip wannabe) tourists looking for a beautiful, sun-drenched, seaside place with good restaurants and nightlife. But there is some solid history here, too, and fine architecture with churches, a fortress, clock tower and monastery dating from the 15th to 19th centuries.

A stop between Split and Dubrovnik shows us the 3-mile, 14th-century defensive wall that stretches above the town of Ston from both sides and forms a horseshoe above it in the hills resembling (sort of) the Great Wall of China from a distance. Ston is well known for its oyster beds and its salt pans, and its restaurants serve fabulous versions of oysters and mussels fresh from Malostonski Bay — quite a pleasant place for a lunch stop.

Dubrovnik, Croatia gay tourThe UNESCO World Heritage city of Dubrovnik has been referred to as the "Pearl of the Adriatic, a "city of stone and light," and it is stunning. In the early 1990s shelling by Serbia wreaked havoc on the beautiful city, but now it has regained its composure and sparkles just as it did 500 years ago when it was a major sea power and endowed with Renaissance beauty. It's now bustling with an international crowd that comes for its historic churches and buildings; designer shops; restaurants; ancient art and modern galleries; sculpted fountains and bell towers; and most famous of all, its ancient city walls, of which you can walk the entirety.

Kotor, MontenegroDramatically beautiful Kotor (in the neighboring country of Montenegro) has a wonderful old town center with a labyrinth of marbled streets, pretty architecture, and defensive walls dating from the 9th to the 18th centuries rising steeply up the mountain behind it. Kotor makes for a pleasant day trip from Dubrovnik and also sits on one of Europe's largest fjords so it's just a striking setting overall.

 

Gay Croatia tour

 

The Enchanting Beauty of Croatia Gay Tour Itinerary

The following is our planned itinerary, which is being set out a year in advance. We reserve the right to modify some of the program details.

Day 1 - Friday, September 16, 2016
Arrive in Split, Croatia
Croatia gay tour - SplitAfter arriving into Split under your own travel arrangements you'll make your way to our centrally located, boutique hotel right in the heart of the city looking out over the harbor, where you can settle in for four nights. If you'd like a private airport transfer, we can set that up for you, or you can take a taxi. We'll come together early this evening for a welcome drink and trip orientation, which will be followed by our welcome dinner in Split.

Please Note: We can arrange an extra night for you at our group hotel in Split before our tour begins depending on your travel plans.

Meals: Welcome Drink, Welcome Dinner
Hotel: Luxe Hotel, Split, 4*

 

Day 2 - Saturday, September 17, 2016
Split / Trogir
Split, Croatia gay trip Diocletian's Palace, completed in A.D. 305, isn't what is normally thought of as a palace. The Roman Emperor built his estate in such a grand manner that it was converted into a city after his death. The city has been tinkered with so much in the last 1500 years that the original character has been erased. But what remains and what has been added is now Split's Old Town. In its day the palace included the emperor's apartments, several temples, and housing for soldiers and servants. The 10-acre enclave is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and approximately 2,000 people actually reside within it. We'll explore the Peristil, a town square that was once Diocletian's reception room where he greeted important visitors. It is perhaps the one spot where you can appreciate the scope of the palace and how it appeared in its prime. This is also where the city puts on its famous opera performances during its celebrated summer festival. Also on our route is the Cathedral of St. Domnius, which used to be Diocletian's mausoleum and now ironically houses bones of the Christian martyrs killed by the Emperor in an effort to destroy their religion. Our circuit within the palace will take us to the four coordinate gates: Silver on the east; Golden at the north; Iron on the west; and Bronze at the south, facing the harbor. Always interesting is a stroll down Split's Riva, the city's spiffy, busy promenade along the harbor -- ice cream cone optional. The sidewalk cafes and restaurant tables here are rarely empty.

Trogir, Croatia gay tripThis afternoon we'll make a side trip up the coast to Trogir, one of the most enchanting towns on the Adriatic. It's a postcard-perfect jewel in Croatia's crown, with its well-preserved decorative stonework and intact medieval character. Beautifully set within its medieval walls the islet on which it sits boasts a profuse collection of Romanesque and Renaissance architecture, and the triple-nave Cathedral of St. Lawrence is considered one of the finest architectural works in Croatia. The entire town, in fact, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We then return to Split where you have a free evening and no shortage of fine restaurants, bars and cafes to enjoy your free time.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Luxe Hotel, Split, 4*

 

Day 3 - Sunday, September 18, 2016
Krka National Park / Winery
Croatia gay tour - Krka National ParkToday we'll witness the beauty of Krka National Park with its waterfalls, gorges, and traces of ancient settlements along the Krka River. The falls were formed by deposits of limestone sediment (travertine), and Skradinski Buk is considered one of the best falls in Europe as it extends about half a mile and tumbles 150 feet over 17 distinct travertine deposits. We'll also make a stop at an island in Visovac Lake within the park and its 15th-century Franciscan monastery.

Afterwards, up in the hills above the falls, we enjoy a wonderful experience at one of the country's best vintners. Tastings of their wines are accompanied by a delicious gourmet meal while we learn about this winery's past and its recovery from the Balkan wars in the 90s.

After this delightful experience we make our way back down to Split where your evening is free to continue to sample the city's fine restaurants – if you think you can still eat!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with wine tasting
Hotel: Luxe Hotel, Split, 4*

 

Day 4 - Monday, September 19, 2016
Hvar Island
Croatia gay tour - HvarToday we'll board a ferry from Split and enjoy a nice ride among some of the islands on this stretch of the Dalmatian coast, such as Brac and Solta. Our destination is Hvar - known for sun, glamour, and herbal fragrance, mainly lavender. Hvar town can certainly boast its share of celebrities (it's a sort of St. Moritz – Hollywood – Milan - St. Tropez kind of place), but many more visitors are just hip (or hip wannabe) tourists looking for a beautiful, sun-drenched, seaside place with good restaurants and nightlife.

But there is some history here, too, and fine architecture: St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Venetian Loggia (16th century); the Venetian Clock Tower (19th century); a 15th-century Franciscan monastery with a lovely cloister; and a Venetian-era fortress above the town that affords a great view of the town and the harbor. We'll have a guided tour of Hvar town followed by yet another terrific lunch and then free time for you to stroll this pretty town and perhaps fulfill those shopping urges!

We return back to the mainland to enjoy our final evening in Split.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Luxe Hotel, Split, 4*

 

Day 5 - Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Southward to Ston / Dubrovnik
Croatia gay tour - StonThe next leg of our adventure begins as we head south to the town of Ston. The 3-mile, 14thcentury defensive wall that stretches above the town from both sides and forms a horseshoe above it in the hills resembles (sort of) the Great Wall of China from a distance. Ston is well known for its oyster beds and its salt pans, and its restaurants serve fabulous versions of oysters and mussels fresh from Malostonski Bay. But we have another special treat in store as we stop in at a winery where we can do more tastings and enjoy an excellent seafood-based lunch.

Afterwards we continue down the coast to Dubrovnik and settle in to our delightful hotel with gorgeous sea views for three nights.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch with wine tasting
Hotel: More Boutique Hotel, Dubrovnik, 5*

 

Day 6 - Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Dubrovnik
Croatia gay tour - DubrovnikThe UNESCO World Heritage city of Dubrovnik has been referred to as the "Pearl of the Adriatic, a "city of stone and light," and it is stunning. In the early 1990s shelling by Serbia wreaked havoc on the beautiful city, but now it has regained its composure and sparkles just as it did 500 years ago when it was a major sea power and endowed with Renaissance beauty. You can sometimes tell which terra-cotta roof tiles are new, as they are brighter than the older roof tops that escaped the mortars during the war with Serbia. It's now bustling with an international crowd that comes for its historic churches and buildings; designer shops; restaurants; ancient art and modern galleries; sculpted fountains and bell towers; and most famous of all, its ancient city walls.

One of the stunning sights of a visit to Dubrovnik are the 14th-century Old Town walls. Surrounding and protecting the Old Town the walls are arguably the best in the world – 80 feet high and 20 feet thick at points But we'll leave you to walk atop the walls later in the day if you wish; it's about 1Ό miles to go all the way around. Our visit of Dubrovnik includes the Cathedral (Church of the Assumption), which is the Baroque version of earlier structures that were here, going as far back as the 6th or 7th century Byzantine basilica, then replaced by an elaborate Romanesque church in the 12th century, which was destroyed in the 1667 earthquake. In the church's apse is a polyptych by Titian, "The Assumption of the Virgin."

Gay Dubrovnik TourOther Old Town highlights are the fountains of Italian engineer Onofrio della Cava and architect Pietro di Martino from the 1400s; the city's Western (Pile) and Eastern (Ploce) Gates; its raucous morning market; and the Franciscan monastery, which houses a small apothecary dating from the 14th century and claims to be the oldest working pharmacy in Europe. You may be interested in also seeing Europe's second-oldest Judaic house of worship.

Lunch will be in town, and then you're free to explore the city center on your own this afternoon. Walk some or all of the walls; indulge your shopping urges; sit in any number of cafes and do some people-watching; get lost in the back lanes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: More Boutique Hotel, Dubrovnik, 5*

 

Day 7 - Thursday, September 22, 2016
Kotor, Montenegro
Kotor, Montenegro gay tourMontenegro separated itself from Serbia in 2006 thereby becoming the last of the former Yugoslav republics to gain its independence. Because of its proximity to Dubrovnik we'll make a day trip down to Kotor. The city's imposing fortress and labyrinth of narrow streets in its old quarter are highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage site. The walled city was built by the Venetians and is surrounded by dramatic, overhanging limestone cliffs. Highlights include ancient fortifications, the Romanesque-era Cathedral of St Tryphon, and the town's imposing backdrop of bare rocky mountains. The town sits on the Bay of Kotor, southern Europe's only fjord. On our way to Kotor we'll make a stop in the Venetian town of Perast so that we can take a short boat ride out to the islet where the church of Our Lady of the Rocks is situated. It's built on the offshore site of the discovery of a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary by a local fisherman. The church has been a pilgrimage site and holy place for mariners for centuries.

Returning to Dubrovnik we'll have some free time before we meet for our farewell dinner and recount the many memorable sights in this program.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: More Boutique Hotel, Dubrovnik, 5*

 

Day 8 - Friday, September 23, 2016
Departure
After breakfast the transfer is on your own to the Dubrovnik airport to coordinate with your outbound flight. Taxis can be arranged by the hotel, or we can set up a private transfer for you if you'd like.

Or you may wish to extend your stay here. If you'd like a day or two of independent "chilling," our lovely seaside hotel is a great place to do it. Please let us know if you'd like us to arrange any post-tour hotel nights for you in Dubrovnik.

Meals: Breakfast

 

Gay tour to Dubrovnik, Croatia

 

Krka Waterfalls, Croatia Gay Tour

 

The Enchanting Beauty of Croatia
Gay Tour Highlights

• The stunning walled city of Dubrovnik — one of Europe's hottest destinations
Split's spectacular and unusual ancient core — a remnant of Ancient Rome
• Glitzy and gorgeous Hvar — an island destination that easily stands up to the likes of other rich playgrounds
• The beauty of Krka National Park with its series of waterfalls and pools and the 15th-century Franciscan monastery in Visovac Lake
• A visit to one of Croatia's best winemakers for tastings and a delicious meal
• Enchanting Trogir — a postcard-perfect coastal jewel in Croatia's crown
• A day trip into the neighboring country of Montenegro and the old quarter of Kotor with its imposing fortress and labyrinth streets
• Beautiful architecture from the Venetian Republic era
• Several UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• The convenience of just two hotel bases

 

Croatia Gay Tour - Trogir

 

Included:

• Accommodations for 7 nights in carefully selected high-end properties
- 4 nights at Luxe Hotel, Split;
- 3 nights at More Boutique Hotel, Dubrovnik
• Buffet breakfast each morning in the hotels
• Lunch every day (except the arrival and departure days)
• Welcome and farewell dinners
• Mineral water as well as limited wine or beer with group meals
• Welcome drink
• Entrance fees for all sights mentioned in the itinerary
• Croatian tour escort / tour guide accompanying the group throughout the trip
• Local tour guides' services in some locations (if not done by the tour escort)
Venture Out tour manager accompanying the group throughout the trip
• Ground transportation in a private comfortable bus
• Ferry to/from Hvar Island

 

Kotor, Montenegro Gay Tour

 

Not Included:

• Airfare
• Five dinners
• Extra beverages at group meals
• Gratuities for Croatian tour escort, driver, and restaurant staff
• Additional hotel nights pre- or post-tour that may be desired or required by flight schedules or other factors
• Airport transfers at the beginning and end of the tour (can be set up for you)
Travel Insurance
• Passports and other expenses of a personal nature such as minibar charges, room service, laundry, telephone calls, etc.

 

Split, Croatia gay tour

 

Accommodations

The following are the hotels that we plan to use for the tour at the time of publishing this itinerary. We reserve the right to make changes to the accommodations.

 

Luxe Hotel, Split

Luxe Hotel, SplitOur selected boutique property in Split is a 30-room contemporary design hotel fashioned out of a former factory. The plain faηade belies the chic style inside. It's a short walk to Split's car-free historic center, and the light and airy rooms are done up in vibrant colors. They come with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies and enjoy lovely views of terracotta tile rooftops, the port, sea, and islands beyond. Bathrooms are glass-walled (with a privacy curtain). Free wifi, robes, and slippers are nice touches. The staff are welcoming, attentive, and efficient; the buffet breakfast is generous and excellent; and there's even a wellness center in the basement with a dry sauna, whirlpool, and gym.

 

More Boutique Hotel, Dubrovnik

More Boutique Hotel, DubrovnikRising from a seaside walkway up a forested cliff, this elegant boutique hotel boasts one of the most spectacular, peaceful locations in Dubrovnik. With panoramic views from the rooms and an excellent restaurant, this is truly a perfect place to spend quality time with the Adriatic. Rooms are decorated in fresh, Marine-inspired blues and whites, with classy wood and marble furnishings. There are just 40 rooms here, and we've booked the ones with balconies looking out to sea. The cocktail bar extends right to the water's edge – a sweet spot to take in the sunset. Take a dip in the pool – or right into the sea from the private platform. Although it's a couple of miles from the old quarter of the city, we feel that the setting here – on the water, with fabulous views, surrounded by lush vegetation, and situated on a delightful walking path along the sea - is absolutely lovely and is a welcome break from the crowds in the city center.

 

Krka Waterfalls, Croatia gay tour

 

Arrival and Departure Logistics

At the time of publishing this program Split's airport is served by nonstop flights coming in from quite a large number of European cities. Some of the more major ones are Rome, Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, and London. But there are also flights from many other European airports as well.

The same is true for flights departing out of Dubrovnik at the end of the tour.

Taxis are readily available to get from and to these airports, but we can also set up a private transfer for you.

 

Croatia gay trip

 

Factors to Consider

The cities and towns that we visit have to be explored on foot. We cannot drive through them on our bus as the roads in the city centers are from medieval days. In general, adding it all up, you should be comfortable walking a total of about two miles each day (but not all at once) and standing while visiting many of the sights. Occasionally there are places to take a seat. Please check with us if you have any concerns in this area.

We have structured the days in this program in the most logically flowing way in order to keep driving times to a minimum. However, some days will see more driving than others. None of the driving is done at long, uninterrupted intervals. We stop throughout the day for our visits, thus breaking up the day's activities. Our transportation will be in a comfortable tour bus, and at no time will it feel like an endless road trip. Day 5, when we transfer from Split to Dubrovnik, will involve about 3 hours of road time but is broken up by our visit to Ston and lunch there. Day 7 – the side trip to Kotor, Montenegro – is about 2 hours each way.

Each day's activities are optional, of course, and you are free to stay back at the "home base" (Split or Dubrovnik).

 

Croatia, Dubrovnik gay tour

 

 

 

Croatia Traveller's Dalmatia: Split to Dubrovnik

 

 

 

Croatia Gay Travel Guide

 

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The Enchanting Beauty of Croatia Gay Tour Prices

Tour Date Description
Per person
$ (USD)
Availability

Tour Only, Per Person, Double Occupancy.

$ 4,195

Tour Only, Per Person, Single Occupancy
(If you are traveling alone and wish to share a room, we will match you with a roommate if one is available. Should there be no one to pair you with, the single supplement fee will apply.)

$ 5,090

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A small group surcharge of $200 per person will be added to a group size less than 14 travelers.

A small group surcharge of $400 per person will be added to a group size less than 12 travelers.

Payment card charges may apply.

 

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