Chef Richard Gruica and Captivating Croatia Tours cordially invite you to join us and our Chef-Host, the renowned Chef Marc Collins and escape with us to exotic Croatia for a week-long, food-centric vacation of a lifetime. Come, experience the ultimate culinary adventure which will take place from Saturday, August 21st to Saturday, August 28th, 2021. Get ready to explore one of the most beautiful places in the world, as we visit Dubrovnik and the areas surrounding Croatia’s most storied city, brimming with history and lore, while enjoying the very best food, drink, and sights alongside Chef Marc. Experience a luxury holiday unlike any other in the style you deserve. 

Welcome! Feel the warm Dalmatian breeze and sun on your face, let it refresh you. Once all our guests arrive (those arriving early will have the chance for a dip in the Adriatic Sea at our host hotel to unwind prior to the arrival of the rest of the guests), we will head out to wine country, a short but amazingly scenic drive along the coastal highway. We will be staying on the Peljesac Peninsula, one of Croatia’s most superlative spots for wine sipping and stunning scenery. Our hotel for the stay is the Aminess Grand Azur Hotel, which is a 4 Star property situated along the Adriatic sea in Orebic https://www.aminess.com/en/aminess-grand-azur-hotel. Along the way, we’ll stop at The Arboretum, the oldest one in Europe, for a brief tour of the scenery and to indulge in some light bites prepared by a food historian that specializes in keeping the old Dalmatian traditions and recipes alive, before heading to Peljesac (this will be the longest drive of the trip, about 90 minutes). After settling into our hotel, we will gather for a private wine tasting and homemade dinner with one of our favorite winemakers at a beautifully restored villa. 

Today, we will venture through the wine region of Dingač and hop on a couple of boats. The boats will take us out to experience the azure waters of the Adriatic. We will be joined by a local fisherman who doubles as a free-diver and spear-fisherman. After he demonstrates his craft, feel free to jump into the Adriatic with him, and cool yourself down. In addition to fishing, we’ll go hunting for delicious sea urchin and other edible Adriatic surprises. After some time exploring the coastline, we will go back to shore and take our spoils to a leafy hidden gem to grill off our catch. We will also receive a cooking lesson on stewed octopus and black risotto, two Dalmatian specialties, and then enjoy a relaxing meal under the trees while sipping on wines produced by the owner and his family. After the meal, we will return back to the hotel to take some free time and refresh before we head to the peninsula’s top winery for a sunset toast of bubbly. We will then take part in a tour of the winery. Today concludes with a degustation dinner at the winery’s gourmet restaurant, followed by a beautiful surprise. 

This time we will hop onto a car ferry as we head to the historic island of Korcula, the ancestral home of Marco Polo, and you thought he was Italian! Our adventure in Korcula begins with a guided tour of the city and its narrow streets, followed by lunch at the famed one Michelin starred Demitri Lesic, showcasing the fusion of the finest gastronomic products available in Croatia and the gourmet stylings of one of Croatia’s top chefs. We’ll also visit a residence that preserves ancient artisanal crafts and take part in an olive oil tasting, as well as trying their jams and preserves, all locally made. After, we will then visit one of the island’s most famed wineries for a tasting. Our visit to Korcula concludes with some free time for shopping and grabbing a bite on your own before heading back on the ferry back to the hotel. 

We begin the day with a visit to Mali Ston, a seaside village that is famed for its oysters and mussels. We will ride on a boat along the pristine waters, taking in the rustic villages and tall craggy mountains, where we will get a demo on oyster farming and production, a tradition that has been happening here since antiquity. The oysters here are so good, even ancient Roman emperors used to put in delivery orders! We will venture out to a private island for a seafood feast prepared by Chef Marc, Chef Richard, and our local hosts, with loads of free time to frolic in the sea or even a nap. The day is ours to enjoy on our private island. 

We will make a quick stop for coffee before we head to the nearby Ston Sea salt beds, the oldest still operational salt pools in the world. This area is also known for the Walls of Ston, said to be the longest in the world outside of China’s Great Wall. and come back to the hotel, where you can dream about what tomorrow has in store for you. We will be staying at the famed Hotel More, which is a boutique 5 Star property built on the seaside of Lapad Bay, just outside of the walled Old Town of Dubrovnik. http://www.hotel-more.hr/ The Hotel More is special in several ways, it has a Cave Bar that was voted one of the top 50 bars in the world and I happened to spend my summers just down the street at our family house and the area is very near and dear to me. We will gather for a drive to the Konavle Valley just south of Dubrovnik and experience the Balkan specialty of meats cooked under the Peka or dome. This is a mouth-watering meal that we will enjoy in a renovated stone homestead, that has views that will take your breath away. Those that wish, can join us in the cave bar after our return for a nightcap.

Today is all about Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, as our day starts with a walk along Dubrovnik’s famous walls, seen in shows like Game of Thrones.  This is the perfect photo opportunity., with some wonderful views. Afterward, you will get to experience another project of Chef Richard Gruica on his “Sights and Bites” food/history walking tour. You will be expertly guided through a tasting of the Old Town of Dubrovnik. Prepare to be seriously wowed by the city’s fairytale-like setting: its shiny white limestone streets, enchanting narrow alleyways, and imposing medieval walls feel otherworldly, where you will stop and eat, drink and explore some of the best places in Dubrovnik. Feel free to enjoy some free time after the tour to explore Dubrovnik further on your own and explore the city.

Today the first half of the day is more relaxed and carefree. We have arranged for you to either just relax at the hotel and explore the area on your own or to meet up with Alexandra, your host who will take you on a short boat trip to the island of Lokrum (also known as the Island of Kings) for a gourmet picnic lunch with a view of the ancient monastery built-in 1023. After lunch, take some free time to explore this leafy island, hiking or relaxing on the beach, or experiencing one of the special attractions on the island: the Mrtvo More (Dead Sea) where you can take a dip. Delight in the view of the famous peacocks walking freely all around this magical island. After getting back to the hotel, we will arrange for transportation to take you to the secret location to join us for the Gypsy Table and prepare for a late afternoon/evening of amazing food, drink, and ambiance with Chef Marc and Chef Richard and other Croatian chefs. 

Guests will gather for breakfast at their own leisure, before departing for the Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) via private transfer to the airport.