Dubrovnik · 2 nights · 5–7 July
Hotel Sumratin
9.4 · Wonderful
In the Lapad neighbourhood, a short walk from a swimming bay and a 10-minute bus into the Old Town. Quiet, leafy, and much better value than staying inside the walls.
R5 745,70per person
A trip for 10 · 4–17 July 2027
Croatia,
Summer 2027
Twelve days down the Dalmatian coast (plus two travel days): two nights in Dubrovnik, seven on the island of Hvar, three in Split, and a deliberately long stop in Munich on the way home. This page is everything you need - where we go, what it costs you personally, and what to do about your visa.
- Nights away
- 12
- Cities
- 3 + Munich
- Cost per person
- R45 715,70
- Save per month
- R4 600
01
Flights
Two separate one-way tickets: Johannesburg into Dubrovnik on 4 July, and Split back to Johannesburg on 17 July. The outbound is the same for everyone. The return has two options below - one with the long Munich stop (the plan), one cheaper and shorter. Prices are per person, in rand, as quoted now.
Outbound · Sat 4 July
Johannesburg → Dubrovnik
21h 00m
R8 465
per person
Qatar Airways · QR1378
Economy · 8h 15m · overnight
20:55
Sun 4 Jul
JNB OR Tambo Intl
06:10
Mon 5 Jul
DOH Hamad Intl, Doha
Layover in Doha · 3h 15m
Qatar Airways · QR183
Economy · 5h 40m
09:25
Mon 5 Jul
DOH Hamad Intl, Doha
14:05
Mon 5 Jul
VIE Vienna Intl
Layover in Vienna · 2h 35m
Austrian Airlines · OS621
Economy · 1h 15m
16:40
Mon 5 Jul
VIE Vienna Intl
17:55
Mon 5 Jul
DBV Dubrovnik Airport
Return flight - pick one
Return · Sat 17 July
Split → Johannesburg
24h 50m
R13 960
per person
Croatia Airlines · OU4438
Economy · 1h 25m
08:10
Sat 17 Jul
SPU Split Airport
09:35
Sat 17 Jul
MUC Munich Airport
Layover in Munich · 7h 15m
Qatar Airways · QR58
Economy · 5h 35m
16:50
Sat 17 Jul
MUC Munich Airport
23:25
Sat 17 Jul
DOH Hamad Intl, Doha
Layover in Doha · 2h 05m
Qatar Airways · QR1363
Economy · 8h 30m
01:30
Sun 18 Jul
DOH Hamad Intl, Doha
09:00
Sun 18 Jul
JNB OR Tambo Intl
Total flights for this option: R22 425 per person (out R8 465 + return R13 960).
The Munich layover
The return flight has a 7-hour layover in Munich - that's on purpose. It's long enough to explore Munich itself, or just enjoy Munich Airport, which I've heard is a genuinely fun experience and one of the good airports.
Out and into Munich? The S-Bahn runs straight from the terminal - about 40 minutes to the city centre. Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel, the Viktualienmarkt food market, the Frauenkirche towers, the English Garden (one of the biggest city parks in the world, with river surfers on the Eisbach wave), and the pedestrian old-town shopping streets. Grab a last proper meal if we feel like it. This all works because Germany is in the same Schengen area as Croatia - just make sure your visa is multiple-entry and still valid on 17 July.
Or just stay in the airport. Munich is genuinely one of the best airports to be stuck in: a free Visitors Park with a runway viewing hill and a retired plane you can climb into, the MAC Forum's exhibitions, over 150 shops, free airport tours, and the world's only airport brewery with its own beer garden right in the middle of the terminal. Easy to spend the whole layover there without going through passport control.
I'm happy to make the bookings if it helps us land on the same flights - but if you find cheaper ones, that's totally fine too.
02
Where we're staying
All hotel prices below are per person, two people sharing a room. I've tried to pick places in great locations that are a bit nicer - some include breakfast. If anyone feels the price is too high, there are some more budget-friendly options we can switch to that will still offer a comfortable stay. They may not be beachfront, include breakfast, or offer all the same amenities, but they're great alternatives if you'd like to keep costs down. Just let me know what you prefer.
Hvar · 7 nights · 7–14 July
PLACES Hvar Hotel by Valamar
8.9 · Fabulous
The most expensive stay and the reason it's worth it: a pool set in pine forest, minutes from Hvar Town's harbour and beach clubs. This is the centrepiece of the trip.
R14 908,10per person
Split · 3 nights · 14–17 July
Old Town stay, Split
Walkable to everything
Inside or beside Diocletian's Palace so nobody needs a taxi. Close to the ferry port and 25 minutes from the airport for the early flight home.
R2 636,90per person
03
Day by day
Sat 4 July
Johannesburg
Wheels up
We fly out of OR Tambo in the evening.
Sun 5 July
Dubrovnik
Land in the Old Town
We arrive late afternoon at Dubrovnik Airport, transfer to Hotel Sumratin and do nothing ambitious. Dinner near the harbour, an early night, and let the jet lag pass.
Mon 6 July
Dubrovnik
City walls, cable car & Lokrum
Walk the full circuit of the medieval city walls in the morning while it's still cool (roughly 2 hours), then the cable car up Mount Srđ for the sunset view over the whole peninsula. If there's energy left, a quick ferry to Lokrum for a swim before dinner.
Tue 7 July
Dubrovnik → Hvar
Catamaran to Hvar
Morning catamaran up the coast to Hvar Town - about 4 hours with island stops, and genuinely one of the best boat rides you'll ever take. Check into PLACES Hvar by Valamar in the afternoon.
Wed 8 July
Hvar
Settle into island time
Pool, pine trees, and a wander up to the Spanish Fortress above the town for the view over the Pakleni Islands. Dinner in the old harbour.
Thu 9 July
Hvar
The big boat day
We hire a private boat with a skipper for the whole day and island-hop the Pakleni Islands - Palmižana, hidden coves, the Blue Cave if the sea is calm. Cooler box, music, and swimming stops. This is the day everyone will talk about afterwards.
Fri 10 July
Hvar
Lavender fields & Stari Grad
Inland by car or scooter through the lavender fields (July is peak season for it) to Stari Grad, the oldest town in Croatia. Lunch at a family konoba in the hills.
Sat 11 July
Hvar
Beach clubs & sunset
Hula Hula for sunset drinks, then dinner and whatever the night turns into. Hvar is the party island - pace yourself, we still have days left.
Sun 12 July
Hvar
Slow swim day
A proper rest day. Beach in the morning, long lunch, and an afternoon at the hotel pool. No schedule, no alarms.
Mon 13 July
Hvar
Free day / optional Montenegro-run memories
Last full day on the island. Pakleni coves by water taxi, a coastal hike, or just the harbour cafés. Pack tonight - we move to Split tomorrow.
Tue 14 July
Hvar → Split
Catamaran to the mainland
A short 1-hour crossing to Split. Check in inside the old town so everything is walkable from the door.
Wed 15 July
Split
Diocletian's Palace
A Roman emperor's palace that a whole city was built inside. Wander the cellars and Old Town in the morning, climb the bell tower, then the Riva promenade in the evening.
Thu 16 July
Split
Krka Waterfalls or Marjan Hill
Either a day trip to the Krka National Park waterfalls, or a gentler day walking Marjan Hill and swimming at Bačvice. Last night: a proper group dinner somewhere with a long table.
Fri 17 July
Split → Munich → Home
The long way home
Early flight out of Split, then our 7-hour layover in Munich (see below - this is on purpose), and home overnight. We land in Joburg and immediately start planning the next one.
04
The boat day
On Thursday 9 July we hire a boat with a skipper out of Hvar for the day and split the cost 10 ways. A skipper means someone else drives, knows the good coves, and takes us to the swimming spots the ferries don't reach. Budget around R2 200 each - final price depends on the boat we get, so I'll confirm nearer the time. Bring cash for lunch on an island.
05
Bars, beach clubs, wine & shopping
None of this is compulsory and none of it is booked - it's the list of places worth knowing about so nobody spends the holiday wondering what to do. Drinks and entries come out of your own spending money.
Dubrovnik - bars with a view
All of these are inside or right beside the Old Town walls, so it's a walk between them rather than a taxi.
Buža Bar
Through a hole in the city wall, Old Town
A drinks-only bar bolted onto the cliffs outside the walls. Cash, plastic cups, no fuss, and you can jump into the sea from the rocks below. Go for sunset and get there early for a seat.
Caffe Bar Casablanca
Old Town, near the Rector's Palace
Small, buzzy street-side bar for a cocktail before dinner. Good stop when the walls close and everyone spills into the alleys.
Cave Bar More
Lapad, a few minutes from our hotel
A cocktail bar built inside an actual limestone cave, with a glass floor over the rock and a beach right outside. Easily the most fun drink of the Dubrovnik leg and it's on our doorstep.
Banje Beach
Just east of the Old Town
Beach club with the postcard view back at the walls. Loungers by day, music and cocktails as it gets dark.
Hvar - beach clubs & the night
Hvar is the party island. Most beach clubs run a free or cheap water taxi from the Hvar Town harbour, so getting there is part of the day. Bring cash and book loungers on the busy days.
Carpe Diem Beach, Stipanska
Pakleni Islands, water taxi from Hvar harbour
The famous one. Pool, sea, DJs from the afternoon and a proper party into the night on club evenings. There's also the smaller Carpe Diem cocktail bar on the harbour front for a warm-up.
Hula Hula Hvar
10-minute walk from Hvar Town
Sunset drinks with the whole crowd singing along on the rocks. No reservations, just arrive around 6pm. Our Saturday sunset spot.
Palmižana / Palma
Pakleni Islands (Palmižana bay)
A calm bay of pine trees, boat moorings and long lunches, plus Palma beach club for swimming and drinks. This is one of our stops on the private boat day.
Gooshter Beach Club
Palmižana bay, Pakleni Islands
The polished one: white loungers, seafood, and a swim ladder straight into clear water. Good for a slower, more grown-up afternoon.
Mistral Beach Club
Palmižana bay, Pakleni Islands
Relaxed rocks-and-loungers spot with excellent grilled fish. Easy to combine with Gooshter and Palma in one boat day.
Kiva Bar & Pink Champagne
Hvar Town harbour side streets
Where the night ends. Kiva is a tiny loud bar on the harbour alley; Pink Champagne is the late club a few doors down. No planning needed, just follow the noise.
Wine & vineyards
Hvar and the hills behind Split are serious wine country - Plavac Mali reds and crisp Pošip whites. Tastings are cheap by South African standards and usually come with cheese, ham and bread.
Tomić Winery, Jelsa
Hvar, inland (30 min drive)
Tastings in a cellar modelled on a Roman wine hall. The classic Hvar vineyard visit - pair it with our lavender fields and Stari Grad day.
Zlatan Otok, Sveta Nedjelja
South coast of Hvar
Vineyards running straight down to the sea, plus a floating restaurant. Reachable by boat, so it can be a boat-day stop.
Konoba lunch in the hills
Stari Grad plain, Hvar
A family-run konoba doing lamb or fish under a peka lid with their own house wine. Slow, cheap and one of the best meals of the trip.
Optional: Pelješac or Konavle tasting
Day trip from Dubrovnik
If a few people want a wine day instead of a beach day at the start, the vineyards outside Dubrovnik are an easy half-day with a driver.
Shopping & markets
Croatia is good for small things: lavender, olive oil, sea salt, linen and truffle products. Markets are cash-friendly and open early - go before 10am while it's cool.
Gundulićeva Poljana market
Dubrovnik Old Town, every morning
Fruit, candied orange, lavender bags and local liqueurs under umbrellas in the square. Good for gifts on day one.
Stradun & Old Town shops
Dubrovnik
The main marble street: jewellery, leather, linen and a lot of souvenir shops. Prices drop sharply a street or two off the main drag.
Hvar Town harbour boutiques
Hvar
Small linen, swimwear and lavender shops along the harbour and back alleys. Hvar lavender oil is the island's signature buy.
Split Green Market (Pazar) & Fish Market
Beside Diocletian's Palace, Split
The biggest, cheapest market of the trip - produce, cheese, ham, olive oil and sea salt. The Fish Market (Peškarija) nearby is worth seeing even if you buy nothing.
Marmontova & Joker Centar
Split
Marmontova is the pedestrian high street for normal European brands; Joker is a proper mall 10 minutes away if anyone needs a real shop before flying home.
06
Videos to watch
Here are some videos on each place we'll be staying at - tap any of them to play it right here. They'll give you a feel for the Old Town, the islands and the beaches before we go.
Dubrovnik
A feel for the walled Old Town, the cliffside bars and the Adriatic views before we land.
Hvar
Hvar Town, the Pakleni Islands and the beach-club life we're heading straight into for seven nights.
Split
Diocletian's Palace, the Riva promenade and the old-town life of our last stop.
07
What it costs you
Every number here is per person, not for the group. It's based on option a - the munich layover and two people sharing a hotel room. These are the two big confirmed costs - flights and accommodation.
Book the flights and pay the accommodation deposits as soon as we can. These prices only go up the longer we wait - locking everything in early is what keeps the numbers on this page low.
| Item | Per person |
|---|---|
| Flights (return, 2 tickets)Option A - The Munich Layover | R22 425 |
| Hotel - Dubrovnik (2 nights)Hotel Sumratin, 2 sharing a room | R5 745,70 |
| Hotel - Hvar (7 nights)PLACES Hvar by Valamar, 2 sharing a room | R14 908,10 |
| Hotel - Split (3 nights)Old Town apartment/hotel, 2 sharing a room | R2 636,90 |
| Total per person | R45 715,70 |
08
What to save each month
Start September 2026 · 10 months to go
R4 600per person, per month
- Sep 2026R4 600
- Oct 2026R9 200
- Nov 2026R13 800
- Dec 2026R18 400
- Jan 2027R23 000
- Feb 2027R27 600
- Mar 2027R32 200
- Apr 2027R36 800
- May 2027R41 400
- Jun 2027R46 000
Running total saved by the end of each month.
Remember your spending budget. Everyone's spend will be unique to them, but don't forget to save for this too - food, drinks, ferries, Ubers, shopping, entries to beach clubs, paying for loungers and so on.
A rough guide to your daily spend
This is for 14 days including the two travel days. R900 to R1,800 per person per day is a standard mid-range trip. Luxury travel can easily exceed R4,200 per day. Here's what each tier looks like as a total and a monthly saving figure, on top of the flights and accommodation above. Bear in mind some days will cost less than this and others slightly more - it all averages out over the trip.
Budget
R900/ day
14 days: R12 600
Save: R1 300 / month
Self-cater a few breakfasts, casual lunches, local konoba dinners, street food, markets, a couple of beach clubs and smaller boat tours.
Mid-range
R1 800/ day
14 days: R25 200
Save: R2 550 / month
Hotel breakfasts, sit-down lunches, nice dinners most nights, regular beach clubs, drinks, a few trinkets, museum entries and boat tours.
Luxury
R4 200/ day
14 days: R58 800
Save: R5 900 / month
Beach club loungers every day, fine dining, wine tastings, boat extras, shopping with room to spare.
Totals are per person, on top of flights and accommodation. Save this separately alongside the monthly figure above.
Pay early, pay less
Flights get more expensive the closer we get. The sooner we all commit, the cheaper this whole page becomes.
Deposits first
Hotels usually want a deposit at booking and the balance closer to the date. I'll give everyone exact dates once we lock the bookings.
09
The visa - do not leave this late
South African passport holders require a Schengen visa to visit Croatia. Applications are processed through the VFS Global Croatia Visa Application Centre, and you can apply up to 6 months before we travel - so from January 2027. Get in early: appointment slots for European summer disappear fast.
Read the full visa guide →