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Island Hopping in Istria & Dalmatia

Island Hopping in Istria & Dalmatia

From £2,395 GBP

Description

For those who enjoy cruising amongst some of the world’s most beautiful coastal scenery, swimming in calm blue waters and discovering Medieval towns whilst accompanied by a small group of like-minded travellers, this unique itinerary from the Istrian coast all the way to Montenegro will surely appeal. We will sail through some truly beautiful scenery which you can appreciate whilst relaxing on the sun deck including cruising through the Brijuni Islands, the world-famous islets that make up the Kornati National Park and through the fjord-like entrance to Kotor. Other scenic attractions include a visit to the majestic waterfalls of Krka, strolling through the beautiful old towns of Hvar and Korcula and exploring the historic wonders of the World Heritage Sites of Dubrovnik and Kotor. This heady mix of islands and ports represents a fascinating itinerary combining as it does a mixture of renowned locations and under-the-radar gems.

With the Princess Eleganza as our base, we are able to visit some marvellous places which do not cater for the big ships such as the charming islands of Losinj and Pag with their quiet secluded bays, perfect spots for swim stops away from the crowds. We are also able to remain moored in the picturesque harbours when most vessels will have sailed from port enabling us to experience the atmospheric ports in their evening splendour and to dine ashore independently on many evenings.

Even the most jaded of travellers cannot fail to be won over by the unique beauty of this spectacular coastline. 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. This unique area has so much to offer the genuine traveller and our itinerary will be appreciated by those who enjoy a leisurely pace, an eclectic mix of places and an informal style of cruising.

Trip Name
Island Hopping in Istria & Dalmatia
Days
10
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 Porec, Croatia.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight to Pula and transfer to the Princess Eleganza moored in Porec. After settling in to your cabin enjoy the Welcome Cocktail and Dinner on board.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Brijuni Islands & Pula.
We will sail this morning to the Brijuni Islands for a morning of exploration. 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. On our morning excursion we 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. We will sail over lunch to Pula where on an afternoon tour we will discover one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres 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 as we moor overnight.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Unije & Losinj.
Today we experience the benefits of our small ship as we call at two of the lesser visited islands of the area. We hope to stop this morning for a swim off the island of Unije before we arrive at the island of Losinj over lunch. This afternoon we will explore the picturesque town of Mali Losinj, often referred to as the prettiest port in the Adriatic with 19th century sea captain’s houses lining the seafront and a charming historic quarter surrounded by green hills. Take the opportunity tonight to dine at one of the local restaurants.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Pag & Zadar.
This morning we cruise towards Zadar stopping at the island of Pag for a morning swim. 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. In the evening we have the chance to dine in one of the many restaurants in Zadar as we moor overnight.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Kornati Islands & Sibenik.
Spend the morning 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.” We will cruise around the islands and find a location to swim from the ship and in the afternoon continue to Sibenik. Here we will have time to explore the historic town including the Cathedral of St James, the old city walls, and the theatre before finding a restaurant to dine ashore.
Day 6 - Day 6 - Krka National Park & Hvar.
After breakfast on board we visit the majestic waterfalls of Krka on a guided walk along wooden walkways and across bridges through this unique fjord-like landscape with its multiple waterfalls and interesting flora and fauna. We return to the ship for lunch and spend the afternoon at sea as we cruise to Hvar arriving in the late afternoon. Take a brief walking tour of the Old Town of Hvar including 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. After some free time, return to the ship and enjoy dinner on board as we moor overnight.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Pakleni Islands & Korcula.
We will leave Hvar during breakfast and spend the morning at anchor in one of the private bays on the Pakleni Islands, a series of stunning wooded isles located off the coast of Hvar. Spend the morning swimming or enjoying the beautiful views. Over lunch we sail to Korcula, the reputed birthplace of the explorer Marco Polo, arriving in the late afternoon. Enjoy some free time to walk along Korcula’s crooked Medieval streets to the elegant squares which are flanked with palaces of the old nobility. Take the opportunity to dine independently in the Old Town as we moor overnight.
Day 8 - Day 8 - Dubrovnik.
We set sail in the early morning for Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic“, where we arrive after lunch. After a short drive to Pile Gate, enjoy an afternoon guided walk through the unique Medieval Old Town of Dubrovnik, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. See the major attractions such as the Rector’s Palace, the Romanesque- Gothic Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries and the Sponza Palace. Return to the ship for dinner on board this evening.
Day 9 - Day 9 - Kotor, Montenegro.
Depart this morning for Montenegro and the town of Kotor, where we arrive in the early afternoon. Be on deck as we enter the Gulf of Kotor and sail up the fjord-like entrance to the Medieval town and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor. Enjoy a guided walk through the town seeing the 12th century St Tryphon’s Cathedral and the ancient town gates. This evening we will have the Farewell dinner on board as we moor overnight.
Day 10 - Day 10 - Kotor to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for the return scheduled flight to London.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
27-08-201805-09-2018£2,395Category 1
27-08-201805-09-2018£2,595Category 2
27-08-201805-09-2018£2,995Category 5 - Single
27-08-201805-09-2018£2,995Category 3
27-08-201805-09-2018£3,195Category 4

Inclusions

    • Sail to the Brijuni Islands. The 14 islands of the Brijuni comprise one of Croatia’s National Parks and were once the summer retreat of former Yugoslav leader, Tito
    • Explore the picturesque town of Mali Losinj, often referred to as the prettiest port in the Adriatic with 19th century sea captain’s houses lining the seafront and a charming historic quarter surrounded by green hills
    • Enjoy the 140 islands that make up the Kornati archipelago, a wonder of natural beauty, coves and clear blue waters
    • Visit the majestic waterfalls of Krka on a guided walk along wooden walkways and across bridges through this unique fjord-like landscape with its multiple waterfalls and interesting flora and fauna
    • Discover Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic“

Map