Croatia
Luxury 16th Century Castle Island Escape
September 2026 (dates coming soon)
Five nights inside a beautifully restored 16th century castle on Å ipan, one of the Adriatic’s best kept secrets. This is Croatia the way most people never get to see it. Unhurried, unspoilt, and completely unforgettable.
We’ve worked with local experts to build eight days that take you deep into the best of the region without ever feeling rushed. Private boat days through the Elaphiti Islands, fresh oysters and Prosecco on the PeljeÅ¡ac coast, wine tastings in the Croatian countryside, a traditional cooking class, yoga by the sea and two nights on the mainland with time in Dubrovnik’s old town. Evenings back at the castle with a private chef, long dinners on the terrace and the kind of quiet that reminds you why you needed this.
We’ve taken care of every detail. All you need to do is book that flight, pack a bag and show up.
Trip Highlights
- Stay at a fully restored, 16th century castle
- Island hopping on the Adriatic
- Fresh Oysters & Mussels in Ston
- Croatian Cooking with Local Chef
- Wine tasting in the Croatian countryside
- Dubrovnik Old Town Gems
- Unforgettable Sunsets
- Private Pool Villa with en-suite rooms
- Wellness Activities
Dates:
September 2026
Trip Length:
7 nights / 8 days
Max Group Size:
14 + 2 Hosts
Accommodation:
Twin Share
Demographic:
Women (Ages 30+)
Itinerary
Below is a daily itinerary of the trip.
Use the “<” and “>” to scroll through each day.
Full itinerary, packing guides and local information will be sent to you upon booking.
If you have any questions, please feel free to WhatsApp us.
Day 1
Welcome to Dubrovnik
Welcome to the start of the most amazing 8 days exploring the pearl of the Adriatic.
A private transfer will meet you at Dubrovnik Airport (or your local accommodation if you’ve arrived early) and bring you straight to the villa, where the afternoon is entirely yours. Settle in, find your spot by the pool, and let the week ahead start to sink in.
As the sun drops over the horizon, we come together for the first time on the terrace for our official Soladea Welcome Dinner. Canapés, flowing drinks, live music and a private chef BBQ dinner under the Croatian sky. The perfect first evening – raise a glass to the adventure that’s just begun.
Meals Included: Canapés, Dinner (drinks included)
Activities:Â Airport Transfer, Welcome Dinner, Live Music
Day 2
Dubrovnik Old Town & Croatian Cooking Experience
We start the day with a slow breakfast at the villa, and slowly make our way into Dubrovnik Old Town.
Wander the marble streets, walk the City Walls, swim from the rocks, or find a quiet courtyard and sit with a coffee for as long as you like. No rush, no agenda.
Later, the group comes together for a traditional Croatian Cooking Class, at local chef Mikki’s home, where we will prepare and share a long Mediterranean dinner in a relaxed setting. Think local wine, a splash of rakia, and a lot of laughter around the table as we enjoy our dishes. This is guaranteed to be one of those evenings you’ll still be talking about months later (I know I was after the first time I did this).
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Dinner
Activities:Â Dubrovnik Old Town Free Time, Croatian Cooking Class
Day 3
Morning Yoga, Arrival to Å ipan & Island Exploration
The morning begins with yoga and breakfast before we leave Dubrovnik behind.
A private van and boat transfer takes the group across to Å ipan, a tiny, unhurried island where our next chapter begins.
We will arrive at our island home for the next five nights, a 16th century castle. Once you’re settled in, the afternoon is yours to explore by e-bike, either with a guided ride or entirely at your own pace through olive groves, coastal roads and stone villages that feel untouched by time.
The day ends with an olive oil tasting at a local olive farm, followed by a relaxed dinner by the sea.
Meals Included:Â Breakfast, Dinner
Activities: Yoga, Private Van & Boat Transfer to Å ipan, Guided E-Bike Tour / Free Exploration, Olive Oil Tasting, Island Dinner
Day 4
Elaphiti Islands Boat Day & Sunset Dinner on the Beach
Today is for the sea, and nothing else.
We head out from Å ipan on a private boat to spend the day exploring the Elaphiti Islands. Hidden bays, crystal-clear water, snorkelling, sunbathing and the kind of slow afternoon that feels like it lasts forever in the best possible way.
We arrive back in Å ipan in the late afternoon, and as the sun goes down, gather on the beach for pizza and prosecco by the water.
Meals:Â Breakfast, Dinner
Activities:Â Private Boat Island Hopping, Sunset Beach Dinner
Day 5
Pelješac Wine Region & Oyster Sunset Experience
Today we head to the PeljeÅ¡ac Peninsula, one of Croatia’s most celebrated wine regions.
We start with a guided tour of Ston before heading to two local wineries for tasting overlooking the Adriatic. We’ll enjoy lunch at a restaurant on the sea, and follow the coastline into the evening for what might just be the most memorable moment of the trip: Fresh oysters & mussels pulled straight from the ocean, shucked right in front of us, paired with prosecco and wine on our own floating pontoon as the sun goes down.Â
After dinner, we will head back to Å ipan by van and private boat.Â
Meals:Â Breakfast, Dinner
Activities: Guided Tour of Ston, Pelješac Wine Tasting (2 Wineries), Oyster Sunset Experience
Day 6
Slow Island Living & Traditional Peka Evening
This morning there are no plans. No schedule. Just our castle home and the island for you to enjoy.
Swim in quiet coves, paddleboard, kayak, walk the coastal paths, read by the sea or spend some time simply relaxing at the villa. Å ipan has a way of slowing everything right down, and today is about letting it.
As evening comes, we gather for a traditional Croatian peka dinner in a local setting. Slow-cooked for hours beneath the bell and shared with local wine and long-table conversation, it’s one of Dalmatia’s most loved traditions and exactly the right way to spend one of our last evenings on the island.
Meals:Â Breakfast, Dinner
Activities: Optional Island Activities, Traditional Peka Dinner Experience
Day 7
Full Wellness Reset
A day to properly rest.
We start with a grounding sound healing session overlooking the sea, followed by a luxury body scrub and aromatherapy experience. Optional massages are available throughout the afternoon, alongside time to swim, journal, sleep or simply be still.
In the evening, our private chef prepares a farewell dinner at the villa. Long table, good wine, and the kind of conversation that only happens on the last night of a trip like this.
Meals:Â Breakfast, Dinner
Activities: Sound Healing, Body Scrub & Aromatherapy Experience, Private Chef Farewell Dinner
Day 8
Final Morning Together
A slow final morning. Optional sunrise yoga by the sea, a last breakfast at the villa, and a little longer than necessary saying goodbye to a place that got under your skin (in the best way possible!).
The coffee, the view, the easy conversation with women who were strangers eight days ago and somehow don’t feel that way anymore. The boat back to Dubrovnik will come, and you’ll get on it, but not before you’ve stood there a moment longer than you planned.
You came for the sunshine and the sea. You leave with something quieter than that, harder to name but impossible to miss.
Eight days to connect, explore and unwind. By now, we think you’ve found your Soladea. We hope you’ll come back and find it again.
Meals:Â Breakfast
Activities: Private Boat Transfer to Dubrovnik, Airport Transfers
Your Accommodation











Our home for five nights on Å ipan is Villa Ghetaldi, a beautifully restored 16th century castle overlooking the bay. This is not your typical holiday rental. Grand stone walls, multiple terraces, two living areas and a swimming pool, all sitting a short walk from the village and the kind of views that make you put your phone down.
Every bedroom is en-suite with twin occupancy, so you have your own beautiful space to retreat to at the end of each day.
The terraces are where the magic happens. Long dinners, sundowners as the light fades over the bay, slow mornings with a coffee watching the water. There is also a small gym and wellness area for those who want it, and plenty of quiet corners inside to sink into between adventures.
Five hundred years of history and it still feels like somewhere you never want to leave. It is not just a place to sleep. It is a big part of the experience.
Trip Price
Double occupancy with private bathroom
7 beautifully decorated double bedrooms, each with 2 single beds and bathroom en-suite.
€4,390pp twin share basis
€5,500pp for single basis (max. 3 rooms)
Early Bird Offer: Book before 30th June 2026, and save €200
Important Trip Notes:
– A minimum of 10 participants are required for this tour to depart.
– If minimum numbers are not reached, we will discuss this with you at least 2 months prior to finalise how to proceed, i.e. re-quote with less participants or cancel the departure.
– Please do not book non-refundable flights until this has been confirmed.
– A €1,200 non-refundable deposit is to be paid upon booking in order to secure your place. If we cancel the departure, your deposit will be refunded.
– Final payment is due 30 days before the trip departs.
What's Included
Inclusions
- Return airport transfers on trip start/end dates
- Return transfer by boat to/from Å ipan island
- 2 nights' accommodation in Dubrovnik
- 5 nights' accommodation in Å ipan
- 7 x Continental breakfasts
- 7 x Dinners
- Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, juice, water
- Local cooking experience
- Wellness activities
- Ground transportation
- Entry fees / tickets to activities
- All listed activities
- Government taxes & surcharges
Exclusions
- Transportation to/from Dubrovnik
- Travel & Medical Insurance (Required)
- Tips for Drivers & Guides
- Additional snacks, meals, and beverages (unless specified)
- Souvenirs
- Optional excursions / activities
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What airport should I fly into?
Fly into Dubrovnik International Airport (DBV). From there, we will arrange private transfers to transport you to our accommodation for the trip.
When should I arrive?
TBC
What should I pack?
We will provide a full suggested packing list upon booking. However, as it will be summer in Croatia during your trip, we suggest light weight clothing, and something warm for the evenings in case it gets chilly. In addition, pack swimsuits should you wish to participate in swimming activities and sunscreen to protect you from the sun.
What is the weather like in Dubrovnik in September?
The average daily temperature in September ranges from 16-19°C (61℉ – 67℉), with the highest still a lovely 24°C (about 75°F), and the lowest temperature is only around 13°C (about 56°F). The average sea temperature in September is around 23°C (about 73°F), making it still ideal beach weather.
What are the new travel requirements for Europe?
From late 2026, all travelers from visa-exempt countries, including the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia, will need an ETIAS permit to visit most of Europe. Please keep an eye on these rules as the departure date draws closer, and feel free to email us with any enquiries.
What is the activity level of this trip?
We require that everyone traveling with us be able to comfortably walk for 3-5 miles per day, unassisted, and without difficulty can navigate stairs, uneven streets or paths, and occasional steep terrain. Most of our trips require this level of physical mobility and fitness, especially when visiting historic towns and landmarks where vehicle access is limited and walking often offers the best experience. In addition, most of our accommodation has only stair access to get to your room and other areas of the accommodation.
Should you have additional questions, or something is unclear, please feel free to email us directly at soladeacollective@gmail.com or chat to us on WhatsApp ♥︎Â
Apply to Book!
Thank you for your interest in a Soladea journey. Our curated trips are designed for women seeking connection, relaxation, and beautiful experiences. As our groups are intentionally small and thoughtfully curated, we engage in a brief, friendly conversation with each applicant. this ensures you have a clear understanding of the experience, and that the trip is the perfect fit for your aspirations. It’s a simple, five-minute chat, no checklist, no credentials, just an opportunity for us to answer your questions and for you to share a little about what you’re seeking. we look forward to connecting with you.