Croatia Retreat: Lastovo Island

Welcome to Split, the largest city in Croatia’s famous Dalmatia region. If you have time to explore before meeting your group to board the ferry to Lastovo this afternoon, be sure to check out all that this city has to offer. Start with a walking tour of the Old Town of Split, where you’ll find a wealth of bars, restaurants and local shops lining the cobblestoned streets. Two of Split’s most famous attractions are Diocletian’s Palace, home of the 4th-century Roman emperor, and the Cathedral of Saint Domnius. Spend some time admiring these ancient sites and soaking up a little history. If you’ve worked up an appetite with all your sightseeing, the local seafood, pizza, pastries and wine are a food-lovers dream, so stop and enjoy a leisurely lunch before making your way to meet your group and board the ferry to depart for Lastovo. After a three-and-a-half-hour ferry ride, you’ll arrive and transfer to your accommodation in the local village of Zaklopatica. Get to know your group over an included dinner of local fare in the guesthouse`s restaurant, with spectacular views overlooking the bay.

Today you’ll rise with the sun, as you’re off on an authentic fishing experience with a local fisherman, his wife and crew. Once aboard the boat, you’ll have the opportunity to help them to bring in the days' catch – usually scorpion fish, mackerel, sardine and bream. But the best bit? You get to enjoy the spoils of your labour with a seafood lunch freshly prepared on board the ship and time to chat with the captain and his wife about life on the island. After lunch, you’ll return to Lastovo and have the rest of the day free to spend it as you see fit. This could range from a relaxing few hours unwinding on the beach or a stroll around the quiet stone waterfront and tiny port of this unique island lost in time.

This morning will be a little more relaxed than yesterday, with a few hours free for a sleep in, time to relax on the beach or to go for a walk around the island. This afternoon, you’ll drive to Lastovo Village where you’ll embark on an easy group bike ride into the centre of the island for between two and three hours. Enjoy the untouched, natural landscapes and wave to friendly locals as you pass them from the road. In the evening, you’ll visit a local winery in Lastovo Village where you’ll be treated to a tasting of their homegrown varietals before enjoying a light dinner, complete with local cheeses to accompany the wine.

Today will be a full day at sea, experiencing the beauty of the Adriatic, while visiting some of the smaller bays and islands around Lastovo. One of the most popular spots to stop for a swim is Salpun beach, one of the most beautiful areas in the archipelago. Here you can relax on the coast or go for a short stroll and admire views of the old lighthouse on the island. Throughout the day, you’ll stop for several swim breaks in the crystal waters and have plenty of time to relax and socialise on the deck – so be sure to pack a hat and plenty of sunscreen! Enjoy a barbecue lunch on board the boat, before lazing the rest of the afternoon away in paradise. In the evening, you’ll return to Zaklopatica village for dinner at one of the local restaurants

This morning you’ll transfer to Ubli town to board the ferry that will take you back to Split, where your Intrepid Retreats experience will come to an end. If you have extra time in Split, be sure to speak to your local host for advice about other attractions or day tours they might recommend.