4 DAYS If you are an explorer by nature, and if you prefer your days to be well fulfilled, if you like small secluded places, and if on top of that you are a wine lover welcome to the Garden Under the Sun. Mainland and island, sea and river, alternate in the course of 4 carefully designed days comprising gastronomy, world heritage, and natural beauties of the Dalmatian coastline and islands, ranging from the antiquity of Split and Stari Grad (Pharos), through remote and deserted villages of the island of Hvar, to the modern-day renaissance of its wine culture and gastronomy. You will get to know the island where no one is ever in a hurry, local people who have learned to live in harmony with its rhythm and pulse, the island whose gastronomy clearly reflects the dawn of civilization from which the Mediterranean cuisine has sprung. This veteran with 150 years of experience in tourism is an ideal retreat during spring or autumn, when tourism and temperature are moderate. Welcome to the island of Hvar! THE ISLAND OF HVAR a garden under the sun BEST TIME TO TRAVEL: April, May, June, September, October, November NUMBER OF DAYS: 4 days / 3 nights PLACE OF DEPARTURE: Split / Optional: arrival at another airport TOUR PACE: from easy to medium MIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE: 2 persons MAX NUMBER OF PEOPLE: 16 people
ITINERARY DAY 1 Airport - Salona - town Split After your arrival we will depart for a magical landscape of the Tusculum garden in the ancient Salona where you will experience the traditional Dalmatian welcome and be informed about your destination and the program. Ancient Salona is an excellent introduction into the walk through the world heritage sites in the city of Split and its charmingly lively streets. There we will go wine-tasting and hear stories about the place of origin of the Zinfandel grape, whose original name is Crljenak Kaštelanski. After that you will have a free evening in the city, as well as organized transfer to your accommodation. DAY 2 Island Hvar - Stari Grad - island Palmižana Our morning will start with a 100-minute voyage to the island of Hvar, more precisely to the town of Stari Grad ( Old Town ), whose very name suggests that it is one of the oldest towns in the Mediterranean. The ancient division of the Stari Grad field into land-plots, the Renaissance summer residence, tasting the top quality wine as well as the one from a local winery, will serve as a wonderful introduction into our destination and help you experience it to the fullest. Lunch will be waiting at a farm within the hora (field), followed by accommodation in our apartments and free time. In the evening we will visit a nearby islet of Palmižana where we will be hosted by a family who has been cultivating exotic plants from all over the world for generations. This piece of heaven on Earth offers divine wining and dining, as well as unusual eye-catching artworks from the family gallery. It is a place one needs to visit at least once in one s life. After that we will return to the island of Hvar for the overnight stay.
DAY 3 Town Hvar - tour of the villages - Vrboska - Jelsa - Pitve Today, the entire island is ours! After breakfast we will go sightseeing in the town of Hvar, stroll among its Renaissance buildings, take a walk across the splendid town square and visit the first public theatre in Europe. We will also not fail to see the Hvar lace woven out of agave threads, which is listed among the UNESCO s protected values. Then we will head towards an artistic wine cellar near the town of Hvar, owned by one of the island s best winemakers. While we are there, a meal whose name resounds with the ancient Greek culture, the famous local gregada, will be prepared for us in a nearby small and half-deserted village. In the afternoon we will continue to explore the remote island towns and villages, meet the local people, taste the wines made by a boutique winemaker. The evening will be topped off with a feast in the picturesque village of Pitve in the heart of the island. Before going to sleep, we can pay a visit to the fortress overlooking the town of Hvar. DAY 4 Split - Žrnovnica - Airport The final day. The day to absorb the flavours and aromas of Dalmatia. Upon arrival to Split, we will go to a nearby river, to our friends family mill, where we will make bread under a baking lid. After a typical Dalmatian brunch (marenda), on our way to the airport we will stop for a guided olive oil tasting tour in our family olive oil factory. Only then you can say that you have truly seen Dalmatia.
INTERESTING FACTS STARI GRAD FIELD - UNESCO The division of the Stari Grad Field (hora) into land-plots is one of the master-pieces of Greek culture in the Mediterranean. Despite the turbulent historical events which took place over the course of the centuries, its basic structure outlined by the 2400 years old Greek land-plot system has remained virtually intact. AGAVE LACE FROM HVAR Written records from the antiquity speak of a Greek city on the Island of Vis from the middle of the 4th century BC, while Pseudo-Skimnos, a Greek writer from the 2nd century BC, says that Issa was a settlement of Siracusan Greeks from Sicily. Issa was an independent city-state in the period from the 4th century BC to the middle of the 1st century BC, when it came under the Roman rule. The Greek, and later Roman town of Issa, is located on the southern coastal slopes of the Gradina at the back of the Bay of Vis on the northern side of the island. The town s ruins, covering the area of about 10 hectares (25 acres), are surrounded with approximately 800 m long ramparts. BOGDANUŠA BOGDANUŠA is an indigenous white grape variety, growing predominantly on the island of Hvar. A legend has it that it was named Bogdanuša (which roughly translates to God s day ) because, due to its exceptional quality, it was consumed for religious holidays only. Its colour is golden-yellow, it is dry and has a flavour similar to sherry, with more than 13% of alcohol. It is characterized by a specific aroma and a pleasant liveliness. It is served at a temperature between 10 and 12 C, and it matches nicely with various appetizers, white meat specialties and high quality fish food. HAZEL DORMOUSE, HVAR-STYLE Hazel dormouse is a small mammal of the order of rodents. They resemble squirrels, but in terms of their constitution they are more similar to mice. Hazel dormouse meat is said to be a real delicacy, and therefore it is no wonder that the hazel dormouse hunting tradition is rather old, dating back to the Roman Empire period. The Romans used to roast the hazel dormouse in honey, after raising them in the so-called dolia bowls and feeding them with walnuts and chestnuts.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION The price shown is approximate and is based on 16 people with accommodation in double rooms 3 * hotel on on request bed and breakfast basis, and includes all of the above under Program includes. The Agency reserves the right to change prices depending on the specific query, and special needs or interests of clients. PROGRAM INCLUDES: Accommodation in an apartment/ B & B/ hotel on bed and breakfast basis (4 days / 3 nights) Airport transfers Ferry to and from the island Transportation on the island Private tour leader / Ventula Travel DMC guide throughout the stay A traditional Dalmatian welcome in Salona Split city tour with wine tasting Tour of the Old Town with wine tasting and a bite Lunch in agritourism Boat ride to Palmižana and dinner at the restaurant Tour of the town of Hvar with wine and food Lunch in the tavern Wine tastings Tour of the island Dinner in Pitve VAT TRIP TERMS & CONDITIONS The travel arrangement and full-day will be officially booked once we have received a 50% deposit payment. We accept bank transfer and credit card payment through our secure payment service for Visa, American Express, MasterCard, and Diners credit cards. The customer can cancel the travel arrangement and full-day or half-day tour at any moment; however, Ventula Travel DMC travel agency shall keep a certain portion of the paid amount which will depend on the cancellation period, and which is specified as follows: 30 or more days prior to departure 10 % of the price of a travel, and no less than 15,00 * 29 to 22 days prior to departure 30 % of the price of a travel 21 to 15 days prior to departure 40 % of the price of a travel 14 to 8 days prior to departure 80 % of the price of a travel 7 to 0 days prior to departure 100 % of the price of a travel after the departure or no-show 100 % of the price of a travel. * According to the selling exchange rates on the day of the payment PROGRAM DOES NOT INCLUDE: Additional health insurance and travel cancellation (recommended) Flight tickets Additional personal expenses of guests and what is not mentioned under program includes
Ventula Travel DMC Travel agency Ventula Travel d.o.o. Gradišćanskih Hrvata 14 HR - 21000 Split Croa a OIB: 35517220966 MB: 4496922 ID: HR-AB-21-060340772 Phone: +385 21 77 11 48 Fax: +385 21 77 11 48 GSM: +385 98 436 041 E-mail: info@ventula-travel.com Web page: www.ventula-travel.com www.croatian-travel.com Bank informa on: Privredna banka Zagreb d.d. Radnička cesta 50, 10000 Zagreb SWIFT: PBZGHR2X IBAN: HR79 2340 0091 1107 6996 0 MBS: 060340772, Commercial Court in Split Founding Capital: 20.000 HRK - paid in full Member of the Board: Robert Bralić