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Idyllic Istria 2019

Idyllic Istria 2019

From GBP £2,895

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Description

For those who enjoy discovering Medieval towns, exploring Roman sites and cruising amongst some of the world’s most beautiful coastal scenery whilst accompanied by a small group of like-minded travellers, our journey along the Istrian Coast, which we have combined with a three night stay at the Kempinski Palace Hotel in Portoroz will surely appeal.

We will discover the charming island of Mali Losinj, the fascinating Brijuni Islands, and stunning Lake Bled. We will also travel inland to an area of disarming beauty characterised by fertile valleys with hilltop villages. Here we explore the village of Motovun in the middle of truffle territory, which has arguably the best views of the Istrian interior from its ramparts. Whilst in Pula, we will visit one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world and the strong Venetian influence on the region will be evident during our exploration of Cres and Piran.

Istria is often acclaimed for its gastronomy and we will enjoy some lunches ashore to experience the local cuisine as well as visits to some vineyards to taste the wines typical of the area. We will be moored each night allowing for the opportunity to experience the atmospheric ports in their evening splendour and to dine ashore independently on some evenings.

Trip Name
Idyllic Istria 2019
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 to Opatija, Croatia.
Fly by scheduled flight to Zagreb. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to the Princess Eleganza moored in Opatija where we will embark and enjoy our Welcome Dinner. We will moor overnight allowing time to take an after dinner walk in this genteel resort.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Cres.
During breakfast will we cruise to the nearby island of Cres, mooring in the sheltered scenic Medieval harbour at Cres Town. Enjoy a walk through the atmospheric streets which have a strong Italian feel having been under Venetian rule in the 15th and 16th centuries. After a lunch of local specialities at a traditional restaurant we will continue to the former fort city of Lubenice. Situated on a cliff 378 metres above the sea we will explore the fortress, city gates, houses, chapels and winding streets of this evocative site and enjoy the stunning views over the bay below. Dine ashore this evening and perhaps take a stroll along the seaside promenade.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Rabac & Labin.
Spend the morning cruising back towards the mainland arriving in Rabac, ‘The pearl of Kvarner Bay’. After lunch on board, we will travel inland to the attractive hilltop Medieval town of Labin. On a walking tour we will explore the labyrinth of cobbled alleys in the old town seeing the pastel houses, Baroque architecture and town museum before enjoying the wonderful views over Rabac, the Istrian coastline and the island of Cres. We will return to the Princess Eleganza via a local vineyard where we will enjoy a sample of Istria’s famous wines. This evening we will dine on board whilst moored overnight in Rabac.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Mali Losinj.
Spend a relaxing day on board as we sail to another of Croatia’s charming islands. Arrive this afternoon at Mali Losinj which sits at the foot of a protected harbour on the southeast coast of Losinj Island. It is the island’s mild climate and rich flora that give Mali Losinj its reputation as one of the most fragrant islands in Croatia; its air is scented with lavender, sage and rosemary. The seafront of old town Mali Losinj is lined with a string of imposing 19th century houses and villas. Dine ashore tonight in this stunning location.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Pula.
Today we arrive at the tip of the Istrian Peninsula and the former Roman settlement of Polensium, now known as Pula. On an afternoon tour we will discover one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres left in the world. The Arena, built in the 1st century AD was designed to host gladiatorial contests with seating for up to 20,000 spectators. Exploring the town further we will see the varied architecture from Baroque palaces, Christian churches and Austrian villas. Enjoy dinner on board tonight.
Day 6 - Day 6 - Brijuni Islands & Rovinj.
The 14 islands of the Brijuni comprise one of Croatia’s National Parks and were once the summer retreat of former Yugoslav leader, Tito. Between 1947 and 1980 he spent up to six months a year in the islands. A morning excursion will explore Veliki Brijun including the 1st century Roman Villa, the nine hectare safari park created by Tito to house the exotic animals gifted to him by world leaders and the Church of St Germain. Sail over lunch to the atmospheric town of Rovinj where the houses inside the old town are small and lean to each other creating a unique atmosphere. Our guided walking tour will include a visit to the town’s main landmark, St. Euphemia Church, which is built on the top of a small hill. This Baroque building built in Venetian style was dedicated to the saint and martyr whose sarcophagus, according to a legend, was miraculously washed ashore somewhere around 800 AD. Tonight enjoy the opportunity to dine in one of the local restaurants.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Porec.
Sail this morning up the Istrian coast to Porec. Weather permitting, we will stop at a local beach to swim and relax before enjoying lunch on board. Later, we will discover the compact old town on a walking tour and visit the 6th century Euphrasian Basilica, a World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s finest intact examples of Byzantine art. The basilica, atrium, baptistery and episcopal palace are outstanding examples of religious architecture. Enjoy dinner ashore tonight as we remain moored overnight.
Day 8 - Day 8 - Motovun & Momjan.
Today we will travel to the Istrian interior, an area famed for its picturesque villages, vineyards producing fine Malvasia and Teran wines and the forests that produce Istrian white truffles. A morning walking tour will explore Motovun which is perched on a hill in the Mirna River Valley with its Romanesque-Gothic bell tower, the Renaissance Church of St Stephen designed by Andrea Palladio and the charming central square. After a lunch of local specialities we will head into the agricultural area around Momjan where some of Croatia’s finest olives and vines have been grown for thousands of years. We will visit a local vineyard and enjoy a tasting of the Muscat and Malvasia wines which are typical of the region before sampling the olive oil. Return to the Princess Eleganza for our Farewell Dinner on board tonight.
Day 9 - Day 9 - Piran & Portoroz, Slovenia.
Disembark this morning and drive to Piran, one of the most photogenic cities in the Mediterranean. Influenced by the Venetian Republic, which left its mark on most Istrian towns, Piran has maintained the clustered Medieval structure of narrow winding streets, houses huddled close together and numerous squares and churches. Tartini Square is the gem found in the very centre of the city and was named after the famous violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini whose statue is located in the centre of the square. We will enjoy lunch in the town before transferring to the Kempinski Palace Hotel in nearby Portoroz for a three night stay. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.
Day 10 - Day 10 - Ljubljana & Lake Bled.
Today we will explore Slovenia’s best-known sites; the capital city and Lake Bled. Both are a wonderful gateway to Slovenian heritage with Ljubljana being one of the best preserved and green capitals in Europe. We will be introduced to its rich past and influences that are still present and will see symbols of socialism in the architecture, although far more of the Baroque era is evident, including beautiful ceramic tiles covering the buildings which snake along Ljubljana’s river. After some free time, and lunch in a local restaurant we continue to the mountain resort of Lake Bled where we will have some free time to explore the area known for its glacial lake and Medieval castle.
Day 11 - Day 11 - Portoroz.
Enjoy a day at leisure to explore independently and enjoy the wonderful facilities of the hotel before meeting this evening for our final dinner.
Day 12 - Day 12 - Portoroz to London.
Check out this morning after breakfast and transfer to Venice for our return scheduled flight to London.
Day 13 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
11-09-201922-09-2019GBP £2,895Category 1
11-09-201922-09-2019GBP £3,095Category 2
11-09-201922-09-2019GBP £3,295Category 3
11-09-201922-09-2019GBP £3,495Category 5 - Single
11-09-201922-09-2019GBP £3,695Category 4
16-09-201927-09-2019GBP £2,895Category 1
16-09-201927-09-2019GBP £3,095Category 2
16-09-201927-09-2019GBP £3,295Category 3
16-09-201927-09-2019GBP £3,495Category 5 - Single
16-09-201927-09-2019GBP £3,695Category 4

Inclusions

    • Moore in the sheltered scenic Medieval harbour at Cres Town. Enjoy a walk through the atmospheric streets which have a strong Italian feel having been under Venetian rule in the 15th and 16th centuries
    • Visit Rabac, ‘The pearl of Kvarner Bay’
    • Discover Pula. See one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres left in the world. The Arena, built in the 1st century AD was designed to host gladiatorial contests with seating for up to 20,000 spectators
    • Explore Slovenia’s best-known sites

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