Cruising Croatia's Northern Coast and Islands: Split to Venice

Description

Leave Split in your wake and experience all that the northern Dalmatian coast has to offer during this 8-day adventure cruise.

Buck the trend and join Peregrine on this new adventure cruise heading north from Split to discover what makes Croatia’s coast so special. The clear waters of the Adriatic await with a salty embrace, ready to welcome travellers and reveal its national parks, glittering bays and historic Old Towns nestled on the rocky shoreline. Submerge yourself in the sea and the culture, lose yourself in the ancient alleys winding through the Old Towns and see for yourself why everyone is crazy for Croatia.

Is this trip right for you?

This is a small ship adventure cruise, which means you’ll be sailing on a yacht with up to 30 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but it focuses more on the destination than on-board activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about. Wifi is available for a small charge.

Our ship moves under engine power, rather than sailing, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the ship is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). It’s probably worth packing earplugs if you’re a light sleeper.

Unlike other ships that cruise through the night, we’ll spend our evenings docked at port. This will give you more time to dine ashore and enjoy those balmy Croatian evenings. Cruising will mostly take place during the day.

Onshore activities and excursions will involve a bit of walking. You’ll be visiting ancient sites and historical places, and at times you may have to cross cobbled streets and uneven ground, sometimes in hot conditions. If you have any concerns, please speak to your group leader before taking part.

If you’re concerned about seasickness, there are seasickness tablets on-board. The ship will experience some roll and pitch in choppy conditions, however all of our ships come equipped with stabilisers to minimise movement. Most of our departures run in peak season, when the seas are calmer. Your crew will do all they can to minimise any discomfort.

There are no lifts (elevators) on-board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs on-board. Handrails are always available.

Trip Name

Cruising Croatia's Northern Coast and Islands: Split to Venice

Days

Overview

Vessel Type: Motor Yacht Length: 40 metres Passenger Capacity: 31 Built: 2012 Facilities: Barbeque area and bar, Use of snorkels, goggles, fins and fishing equipment, Evening turn down service, Wine and fruit basket on embarkation day, Free Wi-Fi on board, Sun Deck Equipment: Fishing equipment, Beach towels, Hairdryer, In room Safe

Itinerary

Day 1 - Day 1: Split

Arrive in Split, Croatia’s second largest city, and meet your fellow travellers aboard the ship. Boarding will take place at 5pm. Tonight there’ll be a welcome meeting, safety briefing and group dinner before overnighting in port.

Day 2 - Day 2: Sibenik

Wake to the Adriatic and take breakfast on the deck. The morning is yours to enjoy and perhaps you’ll take a walking tour of Split before sailing for Sibenik, the gateway to the Kornati Islands. The ship will make an all-important swim stop en route, and you can stretch those sea legs on arrival Sibenik with a walking tour taking in the 15th-century stone cathedral. Follow your nose in the evening and seek out a Dalmatian dinner before heading back to the ship.

Day 3 - Day 3: Telascica

Depart Sibenik in the morning and sail for the Kornati National Park. Made up of 89 stunning islands, Kornati is the perfect place to while away a day cruising around the beautiful bays, swimming and soaking up some rays. The ship will anchor in Telascica, a designated nature park since 1988 thanks to its historical, cultural and environmental value, and the crew will cook up a BBQ on deck. Kick back and enjoy the sunset with salty skin and a cold drink.

Day 4 - Day 4: Zadar

This morning, local park rangers will take you on a hike around Kornati’s stunning limestone cliffs. Alternatively, if you’d rather spend your time on the water, there’s the option to explore the bays and inlets by sea kayak before sailing to Zadar, described by Alfred Hitchcock as having the most beautiful sunset in the world. A guided walk around the Old Town ends at the famous Sea Organ, a giant organ with underwater pipes that makes music as the waves gently roll in. Seriously, it’s a thing. Take a shot of Maraska, the local cherry liquor, then take your time exploring Zadar. Overnight in port.

Day 5 - Day 5: Rab

The ship will depart Zadar in the morning and make its way to the island of Rab, which was first declared a city in 10 BC by the Roman Emperor Augustus. Stop for a swim along the way and spend the rest of the journey reading, getting some sun or simply staring at the crystal water. With ancient walls, churches and squares, Rab is the ideal place to explore on foot, be it with the local guides on a tour or by yourself in the evening. Hunt down some fresh seafood for dinner and discover why Rab is known as the Happy Island.

Day 6 - Day 6: Krk

Join your leader on a hike around Rab or take a leisurely morning instead. The hike should take approximately three hours, after which the ship will head north to Krk with lunch en route. Krk is the equal-largest island in the Adriatic, a popular destination with beaches, a historic Old Town, myriad restaurants, bars and clubs. Take a guided tour upon arrival before being transferred to a local farm for prsut (prosciutto) and wine tasting and a lamb dinner.

Day 7 - Day 7: Opatija

The morning is free for you to explore Krk town at your own pace. Popular sights include the Frankopan Castle and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Krk Cathedral), the latter of which was built over 15 centuries ago. Ask your leader for advice on where to lunch or find your own Adriatic gem before sailing to the rocky shore of Opatija in the afternoon. Tonight you’ll dine with the captain and reminisce with your shipmates before tomorrow’s farewell.

Day 8 - Day 8: Venice

The group will be transferred from Opatija to Venice by land and dropped at Marco Polo airport, a journey of approximately three hours. Your trip officially ends here, so say goodbye to your group before either returning home or continuing the journey in Venice. The canals, basilicas and piazzas have inspired painters and composers for centuries and offer enough cultural and gastronomical delights to satiate the hungriest traveller. It may not be the Adriatic, and you won’t want to swim in it, but the Grand Canal has a charm of its own.Special InformationYou will arrive at Marco Polo airport in Venice at approximately 12 noon. If you are connecting to an international flight, we recommend that onwards flights are not booked to depart prior to 3pm.

Day 9 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Visit the stunning Kornati National Park, the biggest and most incredible collection of islands in the entire Adriatic Sea, once described by playwright George Bernard Shaw as God’s special creation of tears, stars and breath.
Experience the Sea Organ in Zadar, an incredible marriage of acoustical engineering and historical art with a shot of local liqueur as the literal cherry on top.
Soak up hundreds of years of history in the Old Towns of Rab, Krk and Sibinek.
Feast on the freshest seafood imaginable up and down the coast (but be sure to wait two hours before swimming).