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Spring in Dalmatia (Monet)

Spring in Dalmatia (Monet)

From GBP £3,095

Description

If ever a coastline was purpose built for small ship cruising it would be the Dalmatian Adriatic coast. From its top to bottom, it offers some of the finest coastal scenery in the world. Large bays, hidden inlets and a myriad of islands both large and small make this one of the most appealing cruising areas in the world. If you are to do justice to this enchanting corner of Europe, your exploration should be on a small ship. True, there are a number of large cruise ships plying the coast but in general they content themselves with a port or two before steaming off to distant shores. A small ship such as the MS Monet is capable of a much more interesting itinerary, her size allows us to call into less developed places and once docked, with just 50 passengers, going ashore is quick and easy.

Our itinerary which includes Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania is a heady mix of islands and ports representing a fascinating itinerary combining as it does some ‘must see’ sites together with little known and rarely visited places that are perfectly suited for our vessel. Whether it be the towering cliffs and rich vegetation, scenic waterways and indentations or the 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 eclectic mix of places and an informal style of cruising.

Trip Name
Spring in Dalmatia (Monet)
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Motor Yacht Passenger Capacity: 50 Build / Referbished: 1998 / 2016 / 2018 Your Cabin All the cabins on board the MS Monet are designed for comfort and have a warm and inviting feel with light fabrics and wood trimmings. Cabins range in size from 9 to 22 square metres and Categories A, B & C are equipped with windows, while those in Category D have portholes. Cabins 104-107, 112, 119, 205 and 210-215 feature twin beds and all other cabins have fixed double beds. Facilities include en-suite bathroom with shower, television, minifridge, safety deposit box, air-conditioning and hairdryer. Your Space The public areas include a main lounge and bar with comfortable sofas on the Lumiere Deck, a restaurant located on the Parisian Deck and the Lumiere Open Deck al fresco dining area where meals can be enjoyed when weather permits. The gym can be found on the Parisian Deck and the Lumiere Sun Deck provides a delightful sun exposed space with sun loungers and a Jacuzzi, ideal for relaxation and wonderful views. Your Dining Located on the Parisian Deck, the glass enclosed indoor dining room seats all passengers in a single sitting with unassigned seating and allows for wonderful panoramic views of the stunning scenery as we sail. The Lumiere Open Deck provides a generous covered area where guests can enjoy meals al fresco, weather permitting. Food is served at the table or displayed on the hot and cold buffet stands. The menu is international, with a focus on local specialties. A choice of house wine, beer and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner. Life On Board During the day, life on board focuses around the indoor lounge area, and the indoor and outdoor dining spaces, as well as the open and inviting deck areas including the Jacuzzi. These are natural gathering places and perfect for enjoying your meals al fresco, relaxing in a comfortable chair with a good book or socialising with your fellow passengers and enjoying the views.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 London Heathrow to Split, Croatia.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Monet and embark. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we moor overnight.
Day 2 - Day 2 Split.
After breakfast we will take a guided walk through the town including the Palace of Diocletian which was 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. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore further at your own pace.
Day 3 - Day 3 Vis & Hvar.
Arrive this morning on the island of Vis, an island which 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 discover on an island drive. Sail over lunch to Hvar. This afternoon we will drive across the island for our walking tour of the Old Town of Hvar which will include 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.
Day 4 - Day 4 Ploce for Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina.
From our berth in Ploce we will cross the border into Bosnia & Herzegovina for our visit to 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. After lunch in a local restaurant you may also wish to explore the old bazaar, a haven for the city’s artists and craftsmen.
Day 5 - Day 5 Korcula & Mljet, Croatia.
Spend the morning in Korcula, the reputed birthplace of the explorer Marco Polo. A guided tour will include a walk along Korcula’s crooked Medieval streets to the elegant squares which are flanked with palaces of the old nobility. During lunch we sail to Mljet. This is 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 walk across the island which is a national park, to the lakes inland.
Day 6 - Day 6 Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik is a breathtaking sight and its many historic and cultural treasures have earned it the designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded by the Romans in the 7th century, it eventually came under the influence of the Byzantine Empire, then Venice, Hungary and finally Turkey. This morning our local guides will lead us through the bustling old town taking in the beautiful civic buildings, the Rector’s Palace, the Romanesque- Gothic Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries and the Sponza Palace. After lunch there will be free time to explore further at your own pace and perhaps take the opportunity to walk along the city walls or take a ride on the cable car to see the views down to the city.
Day 7 - Day 7 Kotor, Montenegro.
This morning we 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 Trython, the ancient town gates, the Maritime Museum and Romanesque churches including St Luke’s. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy the afternoon to explore at your own pace. Those feeling active may wish to take the strenuous climb to the Castle of San Giovanni which offers wonderful views over the bay and town below.
Day 8 - Day 8 Shengjin, Albania.
Arrive this morning in Albania at the northern port of Shengjin and drive to the town of Shkodra which was founded in the 4th century BC and has been occupied by the Romans, Serbians and Venetians. Here we will climb up to visit the Rozafa Castle, which rises majestically on a rocky hill just outside the city and enjoy the views to the plains below. Afterwards we will visit a nearby farm and restaurant for a “slow food” lunch of locally sourced ingredients. Return to the ship in the afternoon and sail this evening.
Day 9 - Day 9 Durres to London Gatwick.
Disembark this morning and explore the coastal city of Durres which was colonised by the Greeks in 627 BC and still has the remains of a 15,000 seat amphitheatre, the second largest in the Balkans. We will explore the Medieval city and the Archaeological Museum before taking lunch in a local restaurant. This afternoon transfer to Tirana for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 10 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
17-05-202025-05-2020GBP £3,095Category D
17-05-202025-05-2020GBP £3,295Category C
17-05-202025-05-2020GBP £3,595Category B
17-05-202025-05-2020GBP £4,095Category A
17-05-202025-05-2020GBP £4,095Category D Solo

Inclusions

    • Visit Split.
    • Explore Vis & Hvar.
    • See the sights in Korcula & Mljet.
    • Be amazed by Dubrovnik.

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