Say 'dovidjenja,' or 'goodbye,' to Dubrovnik as the comfortable coach snakes its way down the southern Dalmatian coast with the priceless Adriatic views to your right, to the rustic Konavle Valley, about 20 miles (30 km) south of the city.
Located at the southernmost tip of Croatia, near the border of Montenegro, Konavle Valley is flanked by the Adriatic Sea and the foothills of Sniježnica Mountain. The valley boasts ample amounts of vineyards, as the climactic and geological conditions are ripe for winemaking.
Stop in the village of Brajkovici to visit a family-run wine cellar. Learn about grape cultivation in the area, as well as, about the age-old knowledge that local winemaking experts use to produce excellent vino.
Listen to your guide tell the history of the area, as you voyage from charming village to village, passing by olive orchards and citrus groves as your vehicle winds its way through the rural landscape.
Visit a few different wineries and meet the local winemakers, hearing about how the produce wine and learning about the chief characteristics of southern Dalmatian wine. Sample the best reds and whites on offer and don’t skip on the sweet dessert wines. At one vineyard, indulge in a typical ‘peasant’s lunch,’ that will be certain to soak up some of that wine in your stomach. Feast on eggs, cheese, bacon and bread and be sure to save some room for a slice of traditional cake served at the last stop.
Get back on the wine ‘train’ for the final stop: the coastal village of Ljuta, where you’ll stop by an ancient flour mill and watch a wool-making demonstration, performed by locals in historical garb.
After, hop back on the coach for the short ride back to Dubrovnik, returning to the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ in the early evening.
