Top Five Tours: Inland Dalmatia

Fancy seeing Dalmatia away from the coast?

Its officially spring, even though it seems nature still thinks its winter given the fact most of Croatia had snow last week but with it now ''officially'' being spring, we finally have more inbound flights and more and more tourists coming to Croatia from all over.

One of the favoirite destinations of them all is definitely Dalmatia, and TCN has already covered some of the exciting tours on offer in coastal Croatia. Here, we will cover some of the most interesting tours on offer in inland Dalmata – a part of Croatia that is still very much off the beaten path for most tourists.

Photo/Jeep Safari

One unique activity is definitely exploring inland Dalmatia on a photo or bike/jeep safari. On this tour, you can explore the nature of inland Dalmatia and try local food along the way. These tours are perfect for small private groups. Dalmatia Explorer is inland specialist based in Vrlika, but the tours can start anywhere in the Split area. On the Jeep Safari photo tour, you will get to take in some of inland Dalmatia's beautiful landscapes and learn about Croatian history as well as visit the old towns of Vrlika and Sinj. This tour includes all terrain 4x4 vehicles with a driver/guide, as well as traditional Dalmatian snacks along the way. This tour can be upgraded with a mountain bike experience - another perfect way to experience this entirely unique part of the country.

For more info about the tours on offer, click here.

Mountain bike inland Dalmatia

On this bike tour, you will take a route starting from Vrlika, and go all the way to Knin, and get to ride beneath the imposing Dinara mountains, you will also get to see the beautiful Cetina river and Krčić waterfalls. Some of the  other sights along the way include the church of Sv. Spas (Saint Saviour), the Glavaš river spring, and finally, the ninth century fortress in Knin. This tour combines amazing landscapes with historically important sights. The tour also includes a stop for lunch in a local restaurant before leaving to go back to Split or to your pick up location. On this tour, you will be provided with all of the necessary mountain bike equipment, as well as an experienced guide. You will have the full private tour experience but also need to be prepared to have a decent physical ability to enjoy it without issues.

For more information, click here.

Wine experiences in Imotski

While Croatian wine from islands like Hvar are finally getting the attention they truly deserve, wines from inland Dalmatia are still very much hidden from the spotlight. These wines are a bit different from the varieties you can find along the coast, but in order to have a true insight into the rich wine heritage of Dalmatia, an unmissable tour is the wine tasting tour in Imotski, an area famous for its Kujundžuša wine. While there are several agricultural estates doing a really good job in presenting their wines, a tour of the Jagul Wine Cellar is not to be passed up. This unique place is listed part of Croatia's cultural heritage. The tour starts from Split and takes you to Imotski where you will see the famous Red and Blue lakes, soon to be a UNESCO Geo Park, and visit the old Topana fortress, then, you will taste wine in the old cellar with three wine varieties, accompanied by traditional food.

For more info, click here.

Inland culinary tour

Another great thing about inland Dalmatia is definitely the food. Wherever you go, you will get to taste the local flavours and enjoy the warm hospitality of local people. Prsut (prosciutto) and cheese from local producers are a must try - this famous food duo is a staple at every Dalmatian feast and celebration of any type. Frogs and meat ''ispod peke'' (under the bell) are just a couple of must try foods on the list when it comes to inland Dalmatia's varied gastronomic offer.

A good way to get to know local cuisine is to take a culinary class where a local, inland family will teach you how to make Uštipci and veal and rooster peka. On this tour, you will get first hand experience on how to make a famous local dish. While you have a break from cooking, you can enjoy the nature of the agricultural estate and taste the local wine. The tour starts from Imotski but it’s possible to inquire about tour options from Split, too.

Do your own thing!

In order you explore inland Dalmatia on your own, the first (and most obvious) thing you should do is get there! The best option would be to rent a car and enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of the busy coast. The best route is first to visit Klis fortress, snap few photos of Split from a distance, and enjoy the historical and Game of Thrones vibe. After that, explore the Roman roads of Dugopolje, and visit the Tilurium Roman military camp in nearby Trilj.

A visit to the 600 year old Grab mills shouldn't be missed, and then carry on to Sinj, famous for its UNESCO protected Alka tournament and amazing Alka museum. Sinj is a great point to start learning about the extensive culture and heritage of this area. 

When it comes to things to do both in Trilj and Sinj, you can choose from plenty of activities ranging from cycling and kayaking on the beautiful Cetina river, to horseback riding, hiking and fishing. After that, you should definitely pay a visit to Imotski to see the lakes, visit Topana fortress and walk through the town centre.

Finally, taste local wines and have a traditional Dalmatian lunch in one of the local restaurants and estates like OPG Grabovac. All of the places have a range of cycling routes so this also adds to the plethora of ways to truly explore and get a feel for this stunning area.

For all the activities inland Dalmatia offers, check out the Total Inland website.

SOURCE (photos): Igor Nobilo, Sol Travel Croatia, AndAdventure, Dalmatia Explorer