Croatia Coastal Cruise Tour

TRAVEL
Return flights and transfers
Included travel insurance

ACCOMMODATION
7 Nights on board the ship reserved exclusively for guests
Waiter service
Porterage aboard ship

EXPERIENCES
Tour Manager
Visit Korcula – Marco Polo's birthplace
Enjoy views of the Makarska Riviera
Explore ancient Split
Visit Hvar – Croatia's sunniest island
Sail the lovely channel between Brac and Solta
Mljet island visit
Cruising close to the Elafiti Islands
Dubrovnik city tour

FOOD & DRINK
Welcome drink reception
Free bar open 11 hours a day
20 meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
Local wines, beers and soft drinks with lunch and dinner throughout the cruise

Fly to Split and continue to the port to embark your ship where you'll soon get to meet your travelling companions.

Enjoy dinner as the ship remains moored in Split overnight.

Meals Included: Dinner

Leave Split behind as you spend the morning cruising south, crossing the Hvar Channel and sailing through the narrow passage that separates the islands of Brac and Solta as you make your way to the island of Hvar.

Lavender, heather, ancient olive trees and pines characterise the flora and fauna and the coast is heavily indented with rocky coves. It also boasts 2,718 hours of sunshine each year, which makes it Croatia’s sunniest island! On arrival you’ll set off on a short guided walking tour where you will see, but not enter, the Benedictine Monastery, the cathedral and the oldest municipal theatre in Europe. Hvar also has a Franciscan monastery which was built in the 15th century as a retreat for sailors.

It's not included in the tour but you might like to take the approximately 15-minute walk along the seafront from the harbour to visit it independently. A small entrance fee is payable. A remarkable painting of the Last Supper, measuring around 24 feet by 6 feet, is the highlight of the collection here.

From Hvar you’ll continue cruising to the island of Korcula, where you will moor overnight.

Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

The main town of Korcula, which was first discovered by the Greeks, is also called Korcula.

This is reputedly one of the explorer Marco Polo’s birthplaces (the other being Venice) and his house can be viewed among the splendid Venetian architecture on an included guided tour. After spending the morning in Korcula you’ll embark your ship to enjoy a leisurely cruise to Sipan, a journey of approximately four hours and 30 minutes.

Your ship will moor in Sipan overnight.

Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

In the morning cruise from Sipan to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Dubrovnik, a journey of approximately two hours.

In Dubrovnik you will see impressive medieval walls that are six metres thick in parts. The city of Dubrovnik was badly damaged during the civil war of the 1990s, but has now been restored to its former glory. During your included guided walking tour of the city you'll be able to see Sponza Palace, constructed in 1522 and one of the few buildings to survive the 1667 earthquake that destroyed large parts of the city. The palace has had a variety of uses over the centuries but is now part of a permanent exhibition space called 'Memorial Room of the Dubrovnik Defenders', which remembers those who lost their lives during the civil war. Other sights revealed will be the cathedral, Rector's Palace and Onoforio’s Fountain, constructed in the 15th century.

Afterwards, you'll have free time to explore independently or to relax with a drink and watch the world go by. As the ship remains moored here overnight you might like to go ashore again this evening to discover Dubrovnik's nightlife too.

Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Your voyage continues as you cruise north along the stunning coast of the Dubrovnik Riviera to the island of Mljet which, legend has it, was a favoured holiday destination of the Greek hero Odysseus.

Much of the island is carpeted by forest and the rest is sprinkled with vineyards and small villages. The western part is a national park featuring Aleppo pine and holm oak. Within the park are two saltwater lakes, Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero.

Your ship will remain moored in Mljet overnight and there will be free time to explore at your leisure.

Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

This morning cruise past the Peljesac Peninsula, where the hilltops are clad with vineyards and fruit trees, as you journey to Makarska on the mainland.

Makarska’s old town is characterised by its narrow stone-paved streets, a main church square (with a flower and fruit market) and a Franciscan monastery that dates back to 1614. The basement of the monastery houses a Malacological museum that is believed to contain the largest collection of snails, seashells and mussels! Another of the main sights is the Parish Church of St Mark, which dates back to 1776. Most of the hotels in Makarska are situated just off the bay and have their own private beaches.

After free time to explore Makarska you’ll continue cruising to the island of Brac where your ship will moor in Pucisca, famed for its stone and masonry. There are numerous quarries located nearby and the stone has been used for centuries in the building of palaces and cathedrals across Dalmatia and overseas too. Your ship remains moored here overnight.

Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Leave the island of Brac behind this morning to continue your cruise to Split, Croatia’s second biggest city.

It boasts a charming old town that contains the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diocletian's Palace. An included walking tour of Split includes a visit to this vast Imperial Palace which owes its name to the Roman Emperor Diocletian who built it as his retirement home and spent his declining years here between the late third and early fourth centuries. During the Middle Ages a town was constructed within the palace, before expanding beyond it and along the west walls. Much of the old Roman structure still survives, including the Mausoleum of Diocletian (now the Cathedral of St Domnius), almost completely preserved in its original octagonal form encircled by 24 columns, and the peristyle – an open courtyard surrounded by graceful columns. Opposite it, on the eastern side lies the Porta Argentea (Silver Gate).

Please note that entrance to the palace cellars is not included. Another ancient site in Split is the Statue of Gregory of Nin (Grgur Ninski), a Croatian religious leader from the 10th century. Look out for the shiny big toe on the statue's left foot – rubbing it is said to bring good luck. After your tour of Split you’ll have free time to explore independently.

Your ship will moor overnight in Split.

Meals Included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Disembark after breakfast and travel to the airport for your flight to the UK.

Meals Included: Breakfast