Cruise Croatia: Dubrovnik to Venice via Split

Description

Discover Adriatic gems in this 15-day cruise of Croatia’s coast.

Discover Adriatic gems in the form of sparkling water, rugged coast and ancient, cliff-forged defences on this 15-day cruise from Dubrovnik to Venice. Immerse yourself in Dalmatia, savouring sun-drenched Hvar, the sounds of the Sea Organ in Zadar and seafood that practically leaps off the plate.

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. Wi-Fi 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. Handrails are always available.

Trip Name

Cruise Croatia: Dubrovnik to Venice via Split

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: Board in Dubrovnik

Zdravo and welcome to Croatia. Lovely Dubrovnik features the terracotta rooves, ancient cliff-forged walls and crystal coasts that many people associate with Dalmatia. Your adventure begins this evening at 5 pm, when you will be welcomed aboard the Peregrine Dalmatia and introduced to your crew and fellow travellers. Enjoy a drink and get to know each other before your first dinner on the ship this evening. Later, perhaps relax with a glass of wine on the deck and take in the incredible sight of waves lapping at rugged cliffs.Special InformationBags can be dropped off at the ship from noon. Feel free to explore Dubrovnik at your leisure until boarding commences at 5pm.

Day 2 - Day 2: Korcula

Enjoy breakfast on board then set sail for Korcula, one of many towns that claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. Eat lunch on the ship and if time permits stop for your first deep sea swim en route. Once in Korcula, get acquainted with the idyllic streets during an orientation walk and then explore at your own pace. Perhaps continue your stroll through the narrow alleyways of the marvellously-preserved Old Town or run your hands over the rough-hewn walls and towers that were built to protect Korcula in the 13th an 14th century. Ask your leader for dinner recommendations, and don’t forget to sample some of the famous local white wines.Special InformationSailing time between Dubrovnik and Korcula is approximately 6hrs, depending on the conditions

Day 3 - Day 3: Trpani and Opuzen

Depart early for Opuzen, enjoying breakfast on board and a mid-morning swim stop in turquoise waters near the small island of Badija. Continue to Trpani, alighting and transferring to the Matusko Winery for a tour of the evergreen vineyard and a wine tasting. Return to the ship and set sail up the River Neretva, taking in the sight of the steep cliffs that rise on either side of the fjord. Arrive in Opuzen and later enjoy a barbecue on the deck of the Peregrine Dalmatia.

Day 4 - Day 4: Mostar

Make an early start this morning and transfer to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina by minibus. Take a guided walk through the charming town, visiting a workshop specialising in traditional coffee sets and copper wall carvings. Enjoy some free time to explore the town, snap some photos of the iconic, arched bridge of Stari Most. Return to Opuzen in the early afternoon and hop in a small wooden boat for a leisurely cruise through the surrounding wetlands, enjoying some local snacks and music while you glide through the water. Alight at a beautiful local restaurant that looks over the water, and savour the rich flavours of Peka lamb and other local dishes. Spend the evening in Opuzen as you wish. Perhaps venture out to one of the friendly bars around the town square to meet the locals over a beer or two.Special InformationMostar's position in a river gorge can make it extremely hot. The streets of the old quarter are paved with river rock which can be a bit slippery and tricky to walk on. On this day, please ensure you have good walking shoes, a hat and drink plenty of water.

Day 5 - Day 5: Hvar

Depart for the famed shores of Hvar, arriving at the town of Jelsa and taking a private transfer to a local honey farm. Taste some of this sweet specialty and then take a stroll through the vibrant purple lavender fields. Continue to Hvar Town and explore this small but glamorous city on a leader-guided walk. Spend the evening in Stari Grad to experience a quieter side of Hvar. Stari Grad is one of the oldest in towns in Europe and it still has much of its ancient charm, without the crowds found on other parts of Hvar.

Day 6 - Day 6: Split

Spend the morning at sea, arriving in Split in the early afternoon. Get your bearings on a guided walk through the city, then the afternoon is yours to explore the beautiful streets and squares of the Old Town. The Octagonal Cathedral of St Domnius, the remarkable ruins of Diocletian's Palace and the ancient Temple of Jupiter are all worthy of a closer look. There are plenty of places to eat in Split, but if you find the choices overwhelming consider taking an optional Urban Adventures Dalmatian Wine and Dine tour. Find more details at urbanadventures.com/Split-tour-dalmatian-wine-and-dine.

Day 7 - Day 7: Split

After a leisurely breakfast on board, enjoy some more time to explore Split and eat lunch at leisure. Return to the boat in the afternoon and take a private transfer to Krka National Park. Explore the park on a small boat, stopping to swim at some of the park's famed waterfalls. Return by bus to Split in time for a captain's dinner for your evening repast.Special InformationThe wooden jetties and walkways in Krka National Park can be quite slippery. Do ensure take care, ensuring your footwear has a resonable grip, and the stunning scenery will be well worth it.

Day 8 - Day 8: Split

Your day is as clear as the waters of the Adriatic Sea, so spend your time as you wish in gorgeous Split. Maybe take a relaxing stroll along the palm-lined Riva Harbour. This evening, welcome some new travellers to your group at a dinner on board the Peregrine Dalmatia.Special InformationThis trip is a combination of 2 8 day voyages. Today there will be a changeover of travellers with some leaving the first half of the trip, and others joining for the second half. The Peregrine Dalmatia will be a hive of activity today as the ship is changed over and cabins made up so you may not be able to access your cabin until around 4.00 in the afternoon.

Day 9 - Day 9: Sibenik

Wake to the lapping waves of the Adriatic Sea and take breakfast on the deck. The morning is all yours. Perhaps join the new group members for a walking tour of Split, or simply relax and soak up some sun. Later, set sail for 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 in Sibenik with a walking tour. The 15th-century stone cathedral is just one of the town's impressive attractions. In the evening, maybe follow your nose and seek out a classic Dalmatian dinner before heading back to the ship.

Day 10 - Day 10: Kornati National Park - Telascica

Sail to Kornati National Park, a nautical wonderland made up of 89 islands and a designated nature park since 1988 thanks to its historical, cultural and environmental value. Explore the myriad small islands that make up this gorgeous area, stopping at secluded bays to swim. If you wish there will be an opportunity to discover the area by kayak. Alternatively, sit back, relax and take in the endless blue-green vistas. Spend the evening moored in the bay of Telascica, and enjoy a barbecue on deck. Kick back and enjoy the sunset with a cold drink while the salt dries on your skin.

Day 11 - Day 11: Kornati National Park and Zadar

This morning, local park rangers will take you on a hike around Kornati’s stunning limestone cliffs. 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. Once described by Alfred Hitchcock as having the most beautiful sunset in the world, tonight you'll get to decide for yourself if it deserves the title. Take a guided walk around the Old Town, finishing at the famous Sea Organ, a profound art piece with underwater pipes that create music from the waves. Enjoy a shot of Maraska, the local cherry liquor, and watch the famous sunset.

Day 12 - Day 12: Rab

Depart Zadar in the morning and head to the island of Rab, 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 gazing at the crystal waters. With it's ancient walls, churches and squares, Rab is the ideal place to explore on foot, and you'll do just that on arrival with a guided tour. In the evening, ask your leader for recommendations on where to find the best seafood for dinner and discover why Rab is known as 'Happy Island'.

Day 13 - Day 13: Krk

Choose to spend your morning taking in the natural beauty of Rab on a hike or enjoy a leisurely morning instead. The hike should take approximately three hours, after which the ship will head north to Krk with lunch en route. Take a guided tour upon arrival, taking in the sight of the 5th-century Krk Cathedral and the imposing Frankopan Castle. Transfer to a local farm to sample some prsut (prosciutto) and wines made in the area, and then enjoy a succulent, farmhouse-style lamb dinner.

Day 14 - Day 14: Opatija

The penultimate morning is free for you to explore Krk town at your own pace. Ask your leader for advice on where to lunch or find your own Adriatic gem before sailing to the rocky shores of Opatija in the afternoon. Tonight you’ll dine with the captain and reminisce with your shipmates before tomorrow’s farewell.

Day 15 - Day 15: Disembark in Opatija - 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 into 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 16 - Please Note:

Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

Start	End	Price From	Room Type

Inclusions

Sip local liqueur and listen to the lilting, haunting music made by the Sea Organ in Zadar
Immerse yourself in lively and sophisticated Dalmatian culture
Board a traditional vessel and sail between dramatic cliffs on the Neretva River
Feast on fresh seafood and most fragrant olive oil imaginable along the coast
The trip includes an excursion to Krka National Park, where you’ll get a chance to swim in secluded pools beneath gorgeous waterfalls that spill from the jungle
While large cruise liners have to moor out at sea and commute into shore via tender, we drop anchor in the middle of port towns like Hvar or Korcula. You can hop on or off the boat as you please
There’s nothing like diving into the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea. Weather permitting, our captain will be stopping the ship for regular swim breaks during the trip
This itinerary includes a special detour to Mostar, in Boznia and Herzegovina. It’s not a stop featured on many Croatian coastal tours. You’ll see the town’s iconic bridge and have the chance to chat with local craftsmen and metalworkers
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'
Soak up hundreds of years of history in the Old Towns of Rab, Krk and Sibinek
Feast on fresh seafood and most fragrant olive oil imaginable along the coast