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Peregrine Travel Centre

Balkan Odyssey (Princess Eleganza)

Balkan Odyssey (Princess Eleganza)

From GBP £3,495

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Description

Come with us to explore the beautiful Dalmatian Coast and its hundreds of islands aboard the charming Princess Eleganza. The region offers breathtaking natural beauty, an intense blue sea, amazingly picturesque islands, stunning architecture and an intriguing history, and even the most jaded of travellers cannot fail to be won over by its beauty. Added to this we have the benefit of three days before our cruise to explore Croatia’s lesser-visited neighbour Bosnia-Herzegovina, a fascinating country at the crossroads of east and west with a history forged over centuries. Often overshadowed by its tumultuous past, it has emerged from its recent civil war reincarnated and offers the visitor a wealth of historical and cultural treasures, highlights of which will be the cities of Sarajevo and Mostar.

With our vessel that accommodates just 36 guests, we are able to visit some marvellous places which do not cater for the big ships and each night we remain moored in the picturesque harbours affording the opportunity to take an after-dinner stroll and dine ashore on certain evenings. We will explore Medieval towns and cities, impressive monasteries and UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the unique old town of Dubrovnik and the marvellous town of Kotor. Whether it be the heady mix of Croatia’s islands and ports or the craggy beauty of Bosnia-Herzegovina with its mountains that sweep down to lakes covered in vegetation and wealth of historic buildings, this unique area has so much to offer the genuine traveller and our itinerary will be appreciated by those who enjoy an informal style of cruising and an eclectic mix of places.

Trip Name
Balkan Odyssey (Princess Eleganza)
Days
12
Overview
Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 40m Passenger Capacity: 36 Built/Refurbished: 2015 Built in 2015, this beautifully crafted vessel sails the Adriatic coast from Opatija to Kotor taking in the highlights of this stunning area. If you are looking for an escape from the formalities of the larger ships, then look no further than the Princess Eleganza. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, with the dress code reflecting this. With just 36 like-minded passengers, the mood is intimate, and what better way to enjoy the views of magnificent islands and cities, than sitting on the Sun Deck watching the world pass slowly by. Part of the joy of a cruise aboard this vessel is its capability to dock in small ports or drop anchor in any suitable spot. Being such a small operation, the close knit team work excellently together and will enrich your overall enjoyment of small ship cruising. The 19 cabins are finished to the highest standard with sleek lines and neutral colours. All are equipped with a safe, air conditioning/heating, hair dryer, and flat screen TV. Each cabin also has an en-suite bathroom with shower, toilet, and basin. Most cabins also feature a dressing table and chair. Main Deck cabins have port holes, whilst Upper Deck cabins have small windows. The Promenade cabins have larger picture windows which offer panoramic views.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 London Heathrow to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight to Sarajevo. On arrival transfer to our hotel for a two night stay. After check in enjoy some time at leisure before meeting for dinner in the hotel this evening. (D)
Day 2 - Day 2 Sarajevo.
After breakfast in the hotel we will take a walking tour of Sarajevo including Sarajevo City Hall, one of the most beautiful buildings from the Austro- Hungarian period. It is the National Library of Bosnia-Herzegovina and it faces the Miljacka River and the Emperor’s Mosque, the city’s oldest mosque. We will then continue on to see the Latin Bridge, where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914. We will also take a walk through Bascarsija, the old part of the town built in the Ottoman period, where we can learn about the local food, crafts, and traditions. We will take lunch in a local restaurant and this afternoon we continue to the nearby mini spa town of Ilidza, where Franz Ferdinand and his wife stayed in June 1914. On arrival we will make our way to the public park of Vrelo Bosne, an oasis of greenery and gushing streams of water, one of the country’s prime natural attractions. Our day ends with a visit to the Tunnel Museum, the centrepiece of which is a 25 metre section of the 1 metre wide, 1.6 metre high hand-dug tunnel under the airport runway that acted as the city’s lifeline to the outside world during the 1992–95 siege. Walking through a short, restored section is the moving culmination to a visit that includes an archive video, a minefield garden and an engrossing museum within the shell-pounded house that hid the tunnel entrance. (B, L, D)
Day 3 - Day 3 Mostar.
In the 15th century, Mostar became a thriving centre on the banks of the emerald Neretva River under the Ottoman Turks. Damaged by the military conflict in the 1990s, the town has been carefully restored by UNESCO and declared a World Heritage Site. Admire the ethereally graceful Stari Most (“The Old Bridge”), originally built in 1566, the nearby Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque and an old Turkish house, among other sites. You may also wish to explore the old bazaar independently, a haven for the city’s artists and craftsmen. Check in to our hotel this afternoon and enjoy some time at leisure before we meet this evening for dinner. (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Day 4 Blagaj & Opuzen, Croatia.
After checking out of the hotel we will visit Blagaj Tekke, also known as the Dervish Monastery. The tekija was built to host gatherings of the Sufi Brotherhood, and the stunning half-timbered tekija rests beside the fast-flowing blue-green Buna River. After lunch we continue to Pocitelj, situated on the Neretva River, which is a splendid Ottoman city dating back to the Middle Ages. Here, King Tvrtko I of Bosnia built a fortress in 1383 which was later conquered by the Turks in 1471. Today this is truly a magical open-air museum with many Ottoman monuments, such as the Hadzi Alija Mosque and the Clock Tower. We will cross the border and board the Princess Eleganza in Opuzen this afternoon. Tonight, enjoy the welcome dinner as we moor overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Day 5 Pucisca, Brac.
Sail this morning for Brac and the attractive port of Pucisca located at the end of a long bay. Brac is world renowned for the quality of its stone which was used for the Diocletian’s Palace in Split as well as the White House in Washington and other parliament buildings in Europe. Spend the afternoon in the charming small town, voted one of the prettiest in Europe, where the buildings’ white roofs create an ambient atmosphere. We remain moored overnight and have the chance to enjoy dinner in one of the harbour-side restaurants. (B, L)
Day 6 - Day 6 Split.
This morning we sail the short distance to Split and take a guided walk through the town. Explore the Palace of Diocletian, built by the emperor in 295-305 AD as his retirement villa. Much of this large building is well preserved and the palace contains Split’s old town within its walls, making it the only Roman palace that has been continuously inhabited since Roman times. It is a wonderful spot to wander the maze of streets. Spend the afternoon sailing to Hvar where we enjoy dinner on board as we moor overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Day 7 Hvar & Vis.
After breakfast we embark on a walking tour of the Old Town of Hvar including the main square, which is the largest piazza in Dalmatia, the cathedral, the Franciscan Monastery and the Benedictine Nunnery, where we hear about the aloe lace still produced today by the nuns. Sail over lunch to the island of Vis. The island spent much of its recent history serving as a Yugoslav military base, cut off from foreign visitors from the 1950s right up until 1989. This isolation preserved it from development, and today it offers tranquility and a unique beauty which we will see on an island drive. (B, L)
Day 8 - Day 8 Korcula.
During breakfast we set sail for Korcula, the reputed birthplace of the explorer Marco Polo. Arrive this afternoon and enjoy some time to walk along Korcula’s crooked Medieval streets to the elegant squares which are flanked with palaces of the old nobility. We will be moored overnight in Korcula and you will be able to dine ashore in the Old Town this evening. (B, L)
Day 9 - Day 9 Mljet.
Mljet was one of the few Dalmatian islands that was never ruled by Venice, which is apparent in the architecture and the absence of any sizeable historic town. What it lacks in terms of great architecture, it more than makes up for in natural beauty as we will see on our afternoon walk across the island which is a national park, to the lakes inland. We remain overnight in Pomena and have the opportunity to dine ashore. (B, L)
Day 10 - Day 10 Dubrovnik.
We sail this morning for Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic“, where we arrive after lunch. After a short drive to Pile Gate, we will begin our guided walk through the unique Medieval Old Town of Dubrovnik, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. See the major attractions such as the Rector’s Palace, the Romanesque- Gothic Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries and the Sponza Palace. Return to the vessel for dinner on board this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 11 - Day 11 Kotor, Montenegro.
Leaving Dubrovnik at dawn we spend the morning at sea. In the early afternoon we will enter the Gulf of Kotor and sail up the fjord-like entrance to the Medieval town and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor. This really is an extraordinary place full of marvellous architecture and pretty town squares. Our morning guided walk will include the 12th century cathedral of St Tryphon, the ancient town gates, the Maritime Museum and Romanesque churches including St Luke’s. Tonight, enjoy the farewell dinner on board as we moor overnight. (B, L, D)
Day 12 - Day 12 Kotor to London Gatwick.
Disembark this morning and transfer to Tivat or Dubrovnik airport for our scheduled flight to London. (B)
Day 13 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
29-09-202110-10-2021GBP £3,495Category 1
29-09-202110-10-2021GBP £3,695Category 2
29-09-202110-10-2021GBP £3,995Category 3
29-09-202110-10-2021GBP £4,195Category 5 - Single
29-09-202110-10-2021GBP £4,395Category 4

Inclusions

    • Discover Sarajevo.
    • Enjoy Mostar.
    • Explore Blagaj & Opuzen, Croatia.
    • Travel to Hvar, Mljet & Vis.

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