Adriatic Coast – Dubrovnik, Neum & Mostar

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Begin your adventure in the Adriatic with a flight to Dubrovnik, where you’ll meet your friendly tour manager. Make a short transfer to your hotel in Neum and enjoy an afternoon to settle into your hotel whether from its rooftop swimming pool or in the comfort of your own room. As the sun sets, visit the hotel’s restaurant for your three-course dinner in the evening.
• Day 2
  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting off to historic Mostar and the village of Blagaj.   Straddling the River Neretva, Mostar’s famous medieval bridges are the cultural centrepieces of this vibrant city. Make your way to Stari Most, the oldest and most culturally significant of the city’s bridges, and wander along the Neretva waterfront, which promises views of palm-studded banks and turquoise waters. After a morning’s sightseeing, you’ll be free to explore at your leisure. The Bazaar Kujundžiluk, Mostar’s old market and its assortment of stores and restaurants is worth a visit.    Next on your itinerary is Blagaj, sitting on the banks of the Buna River and the perfect example of authentic Balkan charm nestled amongst cliffside waterfalls. Here, you’ll visit the Blagaj Tekke, a Dervish monastery on the waterfront, which features a Sufi (a branch of Islam focused on spirituality and mysticism) mausoleum and a medieval Ottoman bath. Try a traditional Bosnian coffee or tea, as well as a local delicacy, rahat lokum, which is a variation on Turkish Delight.   You’ll return to the hotel this evening for dinner.
• Day 3
  This morning, following breakfast, you’ll be free to spend your time under your own steam. Alternatively, you’ll have the opportunity to experience Herzegovina’s striking natural beauty with an optional trip to Kravica Waterfall. Set amongst the imposing tufa (exposed limestone) landscapes, this national reserve offers breathtaking views and the perfect backdrop for a relaxed stroll this morning.   Afterwards, you’ll swap natural beauty for religious heritage with a tour of one of the most popular pilgrimage routes in the Adriatic, Medjugorje. Made famous for sightings of the Virgin Mary in the 1980s, which allegedly still occur to this day, Medjugorje is a region steeped in religious heritage and mysticism.   Delve into the history of Medjugorje alongside your tour manager before immersing yourself in the town’s Christian legend as you’ll have the chance to observe Apparition Hill, where the area’s original eight witnesses claim to have seen the Virgin Mary. You’ll also get to see the site, Plavi Kriz (translating to Blue Cross in English), which became a symbol of Christian defiance in the face of religious prohibition. Finally, visit the town’s famed sanctuary, a shrine visited by millions every year.   Having completed your escorted tour through Medjugorje, you’ll then stop at a neighbouring vineyard for a traditional ‘under the bell’ lunch, a Balkan cooking method similar to using a Dutch oven, as well as wine tasting with prosciutto and cheese.   Whichever way you choose to spend your day, reconvene at the hotel’s restaurant this evening for a three-course dinner. 
• Day 4
  Enjoy the day at your own pace or make the short journey into Croatia with an optional tour of Ston.   Arriving in Ston, a hub of culture, trade, and fishing throughout its history, you’ll be free to explore the town’s harbourfront and will have the chance to call in at one of its historic saltworks, which remains a huge industry across the peninsula to this day. While wandering through the city’s bustling wharfs, engage with Ston’s unique heritage alongside your tour manager with a guided tour of its best sights. From the town’s imposing city walls, Stonkske Zidine, which are playfully nicknamed the ‘European Great Walls of China’ by locals to its trio of landmark sister forts, Veliki Kastio, Podzvizd and Koruna, you’ll find plenty of intrigue in Ston. You’ll then be treated to a tasting of the region’s world-famous fresh oysters and mussels and, having whet your appetite, will be free to refuel with lunch at one of the local restaurants or market stalls.   This afternoon, join your tour manager for a journey along the peninsula’s coastline. With verdant island landscapes complimenting the Adriatic’s pristine white-sand beaches and coastal lagoons, the region is breath-taking. Rich with freshwater lagoons and an abundance of native game, the area has seen its ancient settlements evolve into a bustling coastal town. Having taken in the stunning coastal vistas of the peninsula, return westward to Neum for dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.  
• Day 5
  Prepare yourself for the day’s activities with breakfast before travelling south along the Adriatic coast to Dubrovnik, a city steeped in historical, cultural, and religious significance, with its UNESCO-listed medieval old town.   You’ll explore the region’s religious influences with a stop at the Cathedral of the Assumption, home to more than 180 important Christian relics, and the church of St. Blaise, which honours the city’s patron saint and historic protector. If you’re up for the challenge, a visit to the Minčeta Tower – one of four fortresses in Dubrovnik and the highest point along its city walls – offers unrivalled panoramic views of the wider landscape.   After lunch, you’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to spend at your own pace. Perhaps take to the city’s seafront or take to the mountains overlooking the city. You can even board one of Mount Srđ’s famous cable cars, which promise rewarding views of the Dalmatian coast.  Return to the hotel for dinner this evening.
• Day 6
  Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll have the chance to admire the Balkans’ natural beauty with an excursion to Vjetrenica, the most biodiverse cave system in the world. Home to magnificent limestone formations and a series of subterranean lakes, Vjentrica promises truly unique sights as you trace its winding paths deeper underground.   After returning to the surface, you’ll make the short journey east to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s southernmost city, Trebinje. Affectionately named the ‘city of sun and platan trees’, Trebinje is widely recognised as one of the most beautiful in the Balkans. With cobbled streets and traditional Bosnia and Herzegovinian architecture, you’ll find no shortage of picture-perfect views to enjoy. Be sure to visit the city’s Arslangic Bridge, an arched Ottoman landmark that crosses the Trebišnjica river, for scenic views of the area’s skyline. Also of note is Freedom Square, which celebrates the liberation of the Trebinje after the first world war and is the heart of the city’s bustling markets.  With the day drawing to a close, you’ll see the ancient city of Stolac, one of the oldest continually occupied settlements in the world and walk amidst the pristine medieval tombstones of the Radiljma necropolis.  Back at your hotel this evening, enjoy dinner in the company of your fellow guests.  
• Day 7
  You’ll have free reign to explore or relax as you please after breakfast. Whether you’re unwinding by the poolside atop the hotel’s roof, or meandering through Neum’s winding streets, be sure to make the most of your final day.  
• Day 8
  After breakfast, transfer to the airport to check in for your flight home.