Pearls of the Adriatic: Dalmatian Treasures between Zadar and Split

Afternoon flight from London Gatwick to Split. Coach transfer to Zadar, the historical capital of Dalmatia. Arrival at your four-star hotel, built into the remnants of a 13th-century Venetian fortress, and some time to rest. In the late afternoon, introductory stroll around this elegant walled harbour, where Venetian fortifications sit atop earlier Roman ones. First of three nights in Zadar.

Spend the day exploring Zadar, once the largest fortified town in the Venetian Republic. See the ruins of the Roman forum, and inspect two exquisite museum collections, one of antique glassware, and one of gold and silver religious artefacts dating from the 8th to the 18th centuries. Visit some of the finest churches in Croatia, including the cavernous 9th-century rotunda of St Donatus, and the graceful late Romanesque St Anastasia.

Half-day excursion to Nin, once the seat of Croatian kings. An important source of salt in Roman times, Nin boasts an impressive museum of antiquities and two outstanding pre Romanesque churches, one of which, the Holy Cross, is considered the smallest cathedral in the world. After lunch, return to Zadar to see its exceptional archaeological museum and for some free time to explore independently.

By coach to Šibenik, first town founded by Croatian tribes, to see the imposing medieval fortress of St Michael, which offers glorious views over the bay, and the breathtaking early Renaissance cathedral of St James, the most beautiful building in Dalmatia. In the afternoon, continue to Trogir, a compact architectural jewel overlaid with stunning buildings from the Romanesque to the Baroque, including Dalmatia’s earliest Gothic cathedral. There will also be a visit to the Kairos museum in the Benedictine convent before continuing to Split, our base for the rest of the tour.

Morning excursion to the ruins of Salona, capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia. Public baths, a forum, and an amphitheatre, all well-preserved, attest to its prosperity. Nearby is the fortress of Klis, which was successively occupied or sieged by Romans, Avars, medieval Croats, Mongols, Templars, Ottomans and Venetians. Lunch at Etno village Stella Croatica with a visit to the Botanical Gardens and olive oil museum. After lunch, return to Split to visit the museum of Ivan Meštrović, the leading Croatian sculptor of the 20th century. A cycle of wood reliefs, some of Meštrović’s finest work, is displayed nearby in a 16th-century villa. Nearby is the gallery Kaštelet-Crikvine, a restored chapel that houses a set of wooden wall panels carved by Meštrović.

An early start for a full-day excursion by ferry to Hvar, Dalmatia’s loveliest island. Hvar Town, overlooked by a 16th-century Venetian fortress, features a slender, architecturally harmonious cathedral, and a tranquil Franciscan monastery, boasting works by Jacopo Palma il Giovane. After lunch, explore Hvar’s oldest settlement, Stari Grad, originally a Greek colony. The plain outside Stari Grad retains its ancient agricultural layout, parcelled out by dry stone walls. Inside, visit Tvrdalj, a striking and heavily fortified renaissance villa, and the Dominican monastery, which contains Tintoretto’s Lamentation of Christ. Ferry back to Split.

A walking tour of Diocletian’s Palace, out of which the city of Split emerged. Churches, shops, and private homes today occupy this vast and splendid 4th-century complex. Visit St Domnius, built by Diocletian to be his mausoleum, the baptistery, once the Temple of Jupiter, and the miniscule church of St Martin, originally a passageway for palace watchmen. See too the archaeological museum, where many of the most important finds from classical Dalmatia are preserved.

Coach to the fortified Franciscan monastery in Poljud, which contains a fine canvas by Lorenzo Lotto. Continue to Split airport for an early evening flight to London Gatwick.