Begin your sojourn in one of the most historic cities along the Dalmatian Coast full of culture, gastronomy, and museums… Split. Always buzzing and exuberant, Split (Croatia’s second-largest city) has just the right balance of tradition and modernity – the perfect place to see Croatian life as it’s really lived. On a private walking tour of Split’s Old Town, you will explore Diocletian Palace, the remarkable living museum (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) that features an ensemble of Roman, Gothic, Renaissance architectural remains, and is home to more than 3,000 current residents.

Located in the heart of Split on the West Coast promenade, Hotel Ambasador is a luxurious 5-star hotel overlooking the Adriatic Sea, set to the backdrop of Marjan hill with the bustling Riva promenade nearby. Where modern sophistication meets Mediterranean simplicity, Hotel Ambasador awaits. Your first two nights in Croatia will be spent at this luxe establishment.

Brač is an island at the heart of an archipelago playground and is a true crossroads between traditional and contemporary Croatia. On a private tour, you will visit the top of Vidova Gora, the highest peak of all Adriatic islands for spectacular views of the surrounding bays. Explore Škrip Village to taste award-winning olive oils, enjoy local wine Plavac Mali, and dine on an exquisite lunch.

Your home base on Brač is the Hotel Lemongarden (Aurora Suite) where “Paradise is a lemon garden.” This quaint yet luxurious hotel showcases an island in the Mediterranean Sea, a fishing village, 150 lemon trees, three old manor houses, a private beach, and a pool in a blossoming garden. Enjoy this stay just steps from the beach and the port town of Sutivan.

Enroute from Brač you will stop in Trsteno, home to the oldest arboretum in the region. Enjoy a traditional Dalmatian meal in an ancestral villa, prepared by a renowned local cook.

Your trip culminates in the cradle of civilization… Dubrovnik. A sense of awe will descend when you see the beauty of Dubrovnik’s old town, with its ancient city walls, baroque buildings, and the shimmer of the Adriatic. It is here where start your introduction to Croatian culture and history. On a private city tour you will stroll through Dubrovnik’s Old Town, famed UNESCO World Heritage Site, to discover baroque palaces and the city’s vibrant café culture.

Spend your final two nights at the Hotel Excelsior, a boutique luxury hotel set in the city’s most prestigious quarter. The spectacular seaside setting overlooking both the Adriatic and the ancient Old Town, combined with flawless service and an illustrious history of royal and celebrity guests, mark the five-star Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik as an iconic landmark hotel.

All details have been meticulously planned by Travel Sommelier, including private airport transfers, private return motor launch transfers to and from Brač, two gourmet lunches, and more. Your ticket to experience Croatia in the Travel Sommelier style is on the other side of the upcoming bidding war. Get paddle happy!

This trip includes:

2 nights at Hotel Excelsior (Premium Sea View Room) with breakfast

2 nights at Hotel Lemongarden (Deluxe Sea View Room) with breakfast

2 nights at Hotel Ambasador (Villa Oak Deluxe Room with Sea view and balcony) with breakfast

Walking tour of Split’s Old Town

Full-day tour of Brač with olive oil tasting, wines, and gourmet lunch

Traditional Dalmatian lunch with renowned cook en route to Dubrovnik

Guided tour of Dubrovnik

All transfers

 
Please note:  The itinerary presented is a complete trip for two couples. A third couple may be added to this trip at the cost of one half of the closing bid price. You may customize your itinerary, upgrade your accommodations, or add additional days. Work with Travel Sommelier after the auction to book and/or alter your trip. Additional costs over what is listed above are the responsibility of the buyer(s). Please contact Travel Sommelier with potential travel dates to verify availability before booking flights.

Restrictions: This trip is valid for four persons in two rooms on a sharing basis. This trip may not be combined with any other trip from Nashville Wine Auction or otherwise. The trip must be taken prior to July 29, 2024. Additional services (travel extensions, transfers, and in-country touring unless noted) are to be booked through Travel Sommelier; international and domestic flights are not included; travel insurance is required but is not included. No blackout dates. This trip is not transferable. Trip restrictions apply, see Trip Guidelines in the Auction Rules and Reference section of the catalog.

Donated by Travel Sommelier, Darren & Caitlin Humphreys