Dalmatian Coast
Emperor Diocletian retired to Split and built the best-preserved Roman palace in the world, surrounded by vineyards. This adventure follows the Adriatic coast from Split to Dubrovnik, exploring islands where Zinfandel's ancestor grows and wines that rival Italy's finest.
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Stops
- 1🗺️
Diocletian's Palace & Split Wine
Emperor Diocletian retired here in 305 AD and built the best-preserved Roman palace in the world. Wine bars in the basement cellars serve local Dalmatian wines in spaces where Roman amphorae once stood.
tour $$ - 2🍷
Split Wine Bars
The Riva promenade and palace alleys are lined with wine bars serving Croatian wines. From underground palace cellars to rooftop terraces, Split is a wine city with 1,700 years of drinking culture.
wine_bar $$ - 3🗺️
Salona Roman Capital
Salona was the capital of Roman Dalmatia and birthplace of Emperor Diocletian. The amphitheater, baths, and early Christian sites are sprawling and largely crowd-free. Bring wine and picnic in the ruins.
tour $ - 4🍷
Kaštela Wine Route
The coastal castles of Kaštela are home to Crljenak Kaštelanski — the genetic ancestor of Zinfandel and Primitivo. DNA proved this Croatian grape is the father of California's most popular red.
tasting $$ - 5⛰️
Hvar Island
The sunniest island in Croatia with 2,718 hours of sunshine per year. Roman Pharos colony. Lavender fields, fortress views, and wine from ancient terraces. Bogdanuša and Plavac Mali are the local specialties.
adventure $$$ - 6🗺️
Stari Grad Plain
UNESCO World Heritage agricultural landscape unchanged since Greek colonization in the 4th century BC. The stone-walled field system (chora) is the best-preserved example of ancient Greek land division in the Mediterranean.
tour $ - 7🍷
Pelješac Peninsula
Croatia's best red wine region. The steep south-facing slopes of Dingač and Postup produce powerful Plavac Mali that rivals Italy's best. This is Croatia's first protected wine appellation.
tasting $$$ - 8⛰️
Korčula Island
Claimed birthplace of Marco Polo, Korčula town is a miniature Dubrovnik without the crowds. The island produces excellent white wines — Pošip and the rare Grk (grown only in Lumbarda sand).
adventure $$ - 9🍷
Dubrovnik
The "Pearl of the Adriatic" isn't Roman, but makes a perfect Odyssey endpoint. The wine bars within the walls serve Croatian wines overlooking the Adriatic. Walk the walls at sunset, then descend to drink.
wine_bar $$$ - 10🍷
Konavle Valley
The valley behind Dubrovnik, still producing wine from ancient vines. Malvasija Dubrovačka is the local specialty. Traditional farmhouses offer tastings with local ham and cheese.
tasting $$