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Islands of Croatia

Islands of Croatia

From £2,795 GBP

Description

Even the most jaded of travellers cannot fail to be won over by the beauty of the Adriatic Coast. The sea is an intense blue and the islands are amazingly picturesque. Mountains sweep down to the sea covered in rich vegetation, islands lace the coast creating endless inviting waterways and channels and on shore there are great historic villages, towns and cities. Whilst Croatia itself is no longer a secret, our unique cruise steers clear of the well-trodden tourist trail and instead heads to some of the quieter spots and out-of-the way beaches and islands which the Croats themselves escape to; places where you can wander the streets away from crowds and where nightlife means a nightcap by the harbour.

As we make our way along the coast we will witness a range of scenic delights from the world-famous Kornati islands to Mljet where we explore the National Park including its beautiful lakes, and the delightful islands of Rab, Hvar and Korcula.

When devising the itinerary for our vessel which accommodates just 36 guests, we did so with the view that we have a private yacht and were therefore able to create a journey that is somewhat different from regular cruises. In addition to our included guided excursions, we have allowed ample time at leisure for you to do as much or as little as you please. There will also be opportunities to swim from the ship as we call into secluded bays and hidden coves and, taking advantage of our central moorings, to dine ashore and experience the atmospheric ports in their evening splendour.

Please Note: 4th July voyage starts in Dubrovnik. Please contact us for more details.

Trip Name
Islands of Croatia
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 49m Passenger Capacity: 36 Built/Refurbished: 2018 For our cruises along the Adriatic coast, we are delighted to have the newly built Queen Eleganza. This beautifully crafted vessel is one of the finest Croatian flagged vessels of her kind and we believe she is the perfect vessel from which to explore the Croatian coast. Carrying a maximum of just 36 guests, there is the added benefit of a relaxed and intimate atmosphere on board. The Sun Deck, with its comfortable sun loungers, is the perfect place to watch the passing scenery and the team of friendly Croatian crew will provide you with excellent service and hospitality throughout the ship. To enhance your voyage further there is also a Cruise Director on board. Dining on board is a casual affair and the menus feature locally sourced fresh food including fish. When dining ashore independently, your knowledgeable Cruise Director will recommend popular local restaurants. AIR-CONDITIONING All cabins and public rooms have air-conditioning. BAR/BEVERAGES Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner are included in your holiday price. For other drinks consumed throughout your journey you will receive a final bill to settle at the end of your journey. Complimentary bottles of mineral water will be placed in your cabin daily and near reception before an excursion. CABINS The 18 cabins are equipped with air conditioning/heating, a wardrobe, drawers, radio, a flat screen television, a hairdryer and safety deposit box. Most cabins also feature a dressing table and chair. The cabins on the Lower Deck all have two portholes whereas on the Main Deck, the category 3 cabins have three portholes and the category 5 cabin has four portholes. The category 2 and 4 cabins on the Main Deck benefit from a large picture window offering wonderful views. Cabins measure between 12 and 18 square metres, with Category 5 measuring 26 square metres. The cabins have fixed twin or double beds and the configuration cannot be changed. Each cabin also has an en-suite bathroom with shampoo /shower gel dispenser. Please note that the movement of the ship can cause small amounts of water to collect on your bathroom floor. Please note that bathrobes and slippers are not provided. DINING, DRINKING & DIETARY REQUIREMENTS Meals on board are either buffet style or served and there is one sitting with an open seating arrangement. When the weather permits, lunch and dinner may be served in the covered outside area of the Sun Deck. Please be advised that, as there is not always a choice at meal times it is imperative that you advise any special dietary requests, such as vegetarian, gluten free, low salt etc. to Noble Caledonia (in writing) in advance. Please also advise if you do not, or cannot, eat fish and shellfish as these feature regularly on the lunch and dinner menus. We regret that the ship is unable to guarantee special requests and is not equipped to prepare or serve kosher or halal cuisine. Complimentary self-service tea and coffee, with fruit and biscuits, are available in the restaurant 24 hours a day. On nights when you are free to dine independently ashore, if instead you wish to stay on board for dinner, this is possible at a rate of €25 per person each time, which will be added to your onboard account. 24 hours advance notice is required. DISABLED FACILITIES The ship does not have facilities for disabled or wheelchair dependent passengers. The stairs between decks are steep and there is no lift or chair lift on board. DOCTOR There is no doctor on board. Should you be in need of medical assistance, please contact a member of the crew who are first aid trained, or the Cruise Director.  ELECTRICITY The cabins feature 220 volt current, with sockets accepting 2 round-pin (European style) sockets. There are no sockets in the bathrooms. We recommend taking a universal adaptor. INTERNET The ship offers a free Wi-Fi connection in the public areas, but not in the cabins. Depending on the ship’s location, there may be times when the connection is very slow or is disrupted and the same level of connectivity that you enjoy at home cannot be expected on board. LANGUAGE All members of the crew speak English. LAUNDRY SERVICE Due to the size of the ship there is no laundry service on board. PUBLIC AREAS Main Deck: Reception is located on the Main Deck. Upper Deck: On the Upper Deck you will find the bar, restaurant, lounge, and public restrooms. The lounge has a small library of books, games and DVDs. The tea/coffee station is located in the restaurant here. Sun Deck: The Sun Deck has sun loungers and seating for outdoor dining (weather permitting). SMOKING Smoking is restricted to the designated open areas only. Smoking is prohibited in all other areas including cabins and the restaurant.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - London to Opatija, Croatia.
Fly by scheduled flight to Zagreb. On arrival we will enjoy a brief city tour of Zagreb before transferring to the Queen Eleganza moored in Opatija. After settling in to your cabin the crew will welcome us on board with the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Dinner. We will moor overnight allowing time to enjoy an after dinner walk in this genteel resort.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Opatija & Rab.
We will sail over breakfast and stop at the island of Krk for a swim in the late morning. After lunch on board we arrive this afternoon at the island of Rab. This evening we will enjoy some time to meander through the narrow old alleys of the picturesque Old Town, a perfectly preserved late Medieval Adriatic settlement squeezed into a slender peninsula along which are dotted a sequence of Romanesque campaniles. This evening is free to dine ashore.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Rab, Pag & Zadar.
Sail from Rab over breakfast and if weather allows we will drop the anchor and stop for a swim from the ship as we pass the island of Pag. This afternoon we arrive in Zadar. Once a dominant city on the Adriatic Coast rivalling Venice, Zadar is today a treasured city which has preserved its historical core. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour strolling around the Old Town with its Roman columns and portals, Romanesque churches and Renaissance and Baroque palaces. Of particular interest are the 9th century circular Church of St Donat, and the 13th century Romanesque cathedral. This evening we have the chance to dine in one of the many restaurants in Zadar as we moor overnight.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Kornati Islands & Sibenik.
Spend the day amongst the 140 islands that make up the Kornati archipelago, a wonder of natural beauty, coves and clear blue waters. George Bernard Shaw fell in love with the islands saying “On the last day of Creation God desired to crown His work, and thus created the Kornati islands out of tears, stars and breath.” Today we will cruise around the islands and will find a location to swim from the ship. This afternoon we continue to Sibenik where we have dinner on board as we moor overnight allowing time for an evening stroll through the town.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Krka National Park & Hvar.
This morning we visit the dramatic waterfalls in Krka where we will see “Skradinski Buk”, a large natural pool with high waterfalls at one end and cascades at the other. We will then take a walk along wooden jetties and bridges to admire the falls, and the unique flora and fauna. Return to the ship for lunch and spend the afternoon cruising to Hvar where we have dinner onboard as we moor overnight.
Day 6 - Day 6 - Hvar & Vis.
From our berth in Stari Grad we take a short coach ride across the island to the attractive Old Town of Hvar for a guided walk. We begin in the main square which is the largest piazza in Dalmatia and see the cathedral, the Franciscan Monastery and the Benedictine Nunnery, where we hear about the aloe lace still produced today by the nuns. After some free time, return to the ship and enjoy lunch on board as we sail. Arrive at the small island of Vis this evening and dine ashore in one of the restaurants.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Vis, Bisevo & Korcula.
One of the further of the main Croatian Islands from the coast, in recent years Vis was used as a military base for the Yugoslav army and only opened up to tourism in 1989. This isolation and lack of development is the islands main draw and we will see the natural beauty as we drive across the island to the port of Komiza. Here we will board local boats to the neighbouring island of Bisevo where we visit the Blue Grotto. This coastal cave shines an amazing blue when the sun’s rays pass through an underwater opening, whilst the rocks beneath the water glimmer silver. We return to the ship for lunch and sail to Korcula this afternoon where we have time to walk along the crooked Medieval streets to the elegant squares which are flanked with palaces of the old nobility. Enjoy dinner ashore as we moor overnight.
Day 8 - Day 8 - Mljet & Dubrovnik.
Sail this morning to Mljet which is one of the few Dalmatian islands that was never ruled by Venice and this is apparent in the architecture and the absence of any sizeable historic town. What it lacks in great architecture it more than makes up for in natural beauty and there will be a tour to the National Park including its beautiful lakes. We will sail over lunch and hope to stop for a swim on the island of Jakljan before arriving in Dubrovnik this afternoon. Enjoy our Farewell Dinner on board tonight.
Day 9 - Day 9 - Dubrovnik to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-07-201812-07-2018£3,095Category 3
04-07-201812-07-2018£2,795Category 6 Sole
04-07-201812-07-2018£3,295Category 4
04-07-201812-07-2018£2,795Category 1
04-07-201812-07-2018£2,995Category 2
04-07-201812-07-2018£3,495Category 5
12-07-201820-07-2018£2,795Category 1
12-07-201820-07-2018£2,995Category 2
12-07-201820-07-2018£3,095Category 3
12-07-201820-07-2018£3,295Category 4
12-07-201820-07-2018£3,495Category 5
12-07-201820-07-2018£2,795Category 6 Sole
04-09-201812-09-2018£2,795Category 1
04-09-201812-09-2018£3,095Category 3
04-09-201812-09-2018£3,295Category 4
04-09-201812-09-2018£2,795Category 6 Sole
04-09-201812-09-2018£2,995Category 2
04-09-201812-09-2018£3,495Category 5

Inclusions

    • If a relaxed and informal atmosphere are at the top of your priorities, the Queen Eleganza is the perfect choice of vessel to cruise the Croatian coast and islands. With a maximum of 36 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.
    • The dining on board is a special experience with fresh fish featuring regularly on the menu, but a real treat is the chance to dine ashore. Croatia’s culinary delights are not to be missed. Dine al fresco in the warm evenings and perhaps end the night with a stroll to see the breathtaking illuminated historic buildings.

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