My wife and I were part of a group of four couples who did a 12-day Croatian trip in late September extending into the first part of October - all organized and orchestrated by Four Seasons guide service.
There aren't enough superlatives to fully describe the quality of our custom-built experience. Our time was spent in both Split and Dubrovnik, a couple of days each book-ending a full week of island exploration and water fun around the Adriatic islands of Solta, Brac, Hvar, Vis and others.
Marko was our main guide - just a wonderful person; professional; friendly; enthusiastic; engaging; the whole package. We also had some time with the Four Seasons owner, Karolina (also Marko's mother), as well as with the large character of Igor.
The guides they found for our walking tours of both Split and Dubrovnik were many cuts above. Tourists come and go - but, clearly, the best guides value their relationship with Four Seasons. The food we ate (and wine we consumed) at countless distinctive restaurants (many in quiet bays where we anchored for the night; and where the restaurant was accessible only by dinghy) was unforgettable. The activities they arranged (with input and guidance from the leader of our group) were all close to perfect - from running a river outside of Split to bicycling on Vis to a couple of mid-day winery tours and tastings to much more. And they catamaran they secured (along with a superb skipper, Ivan) was just perfect and right-sized for our group. We had asked for a kayak and a couple of stand-up paddleboards so, of course, the boat was outfitted with them. It seemed that every need and every request, minor or more substantial, was taken care of with ease.
There are not enough good things to be said about Marko and the entire Four Seasons operation. Whether you're looking for a day-long tour or a 12-day expedition, you can't go wrong here. And if you want it to be a physically active experience, that is even more true.
Our thanks to everyone who made this possible.