Dalmatian highlights cruise + journey into the balkans - from Dubrovnik

DAY 1 Saturday EMBARKATION IN DUBROVNIK (Gruz harbor); D

Embark at any time after 14:00. Over a welcome drink and a snack, meet your Cruise Director and the crew and get acquainted with the rules and safety measures. Your journey begins with a dinner onboard and overnight in Dubrovnik.

DAY 2 Sunday DUBROVNIK – KORCULA - B, L

The far south of Croatia holds many gems. Start with an optional walking tour* of Dubrovnik, a.k.a. the Pearl of the Adriatic or the King’s Landing. Whatever you might consider to be the town’s main drawcard, Dubrovnik’s mighty city walls and its courteous spirit will swiftly transport you back in time to when this was an independent republic which successfully rivaled the Venetian Republic. Its outpost is your next stop, with your journey over interrupted only by a refreshing dip on the Elaphite Islands. You’ll know Korčula** was a Venetian stronghold as soon as you lay your eyes on the many lion statues which lurk at you from the town’s facades and gates, intertwined with some of the most outstanding stonework you will get see anywhere on the Adriatic coast. Overnight in Korčula. 

*Dubrovnik town tour with a coach transfer from Dubrovnik port (Gruz) to the Old town – optional walking tour package (or on day7)

*Korcula town walking tour – optional walking tour package

DAY 3 Monday KORCULA – PUCISCA (Island of Brac) - OMIŠ; B, L

Breakfast is served over the stunning views of the playfully dispersed archipelago of Korčula, and followed by a scenic sail around the tips of Pelješac peninsula and Hvar Island, perhaps even a refreshing dip along the way. Stop to visit the homeland of ‘the Croatian marble’, the island of Brač. You’ve probably seen this ultra-quality limestone already, perhaps on the front of the White House in Washington DC or Bundestag in Berlin, but the optional tour* to the still-operating stonemasonry school in Pučišća brings a chance to learn more about shaping this stone for eternity. Once back at the mainland, get stunned by the dramatic rocks backing the lovely settlement of Omiš right at the mouth of Cetina River. Consider exploring the Cetina River canyon in a boat excursion**. Overnight in Omiš. 

*Stonemasonry school – optional walking tour package

**Optional excursion: Cetina river

DAY 4 Tuesday OMIŠ - SPLIT - excursion Skradin and Trogir; B, D

When sailing along the Croatian coast, surpassing the beauty around you may seem like an impossible task. Perhaps so, but there are sites on the Croatian mainland which surely parallel it, such as the Krka River and its stunning estuary. A coach trip brings you to the small town of Skradin, the guardian of the mouth of River Krka, and the gateway to its National park. The place where wild waterfalls inspire serene lakes, the park is definitely worth a visit. After returning to the seaside, visit Trogir, a petite island bridged to the mainland. A showcase of stunning architecture founded upon Greek and Roman heritage, Trogir is protected by UNESCO, just like its big neighbor and your next stop, the town of Split. Explore on your own or join our optional walking tour* to learn about the Diocletian’s Palace, once the Roman Emperor’s retirement estate and today a lively city center. Whatever you do, make sure to take it easy in Split, as after all, that is the true highlight of local living. Dinner on board and overnight in Split.

*Split Walking Tour – optional walking tour package

DAY 5 Wednesday SPLIT – HVAR (Island of HVAR) - VELA LUKA (Island of Korcula); B, D (Captains dinner)

In a splash of islands lined up directly across from Split, Hvar is the one known for purple lavender fields, potent red wines and glitzy jet-set feasts along starlit waterfronts. Especially so at its prime hotspot, the Old Town of Hvar, also the home of the oldest theatre in Europe and organized tourism in Croatia! Join an optional walking tour* to learn more about the interesting history and starry present of the town and the island, before sailing over for a swim at the beautiful archipelago of Pakleni Otoci. Later in the afternoon, drop the anchor in Vela Luka on Korčula, where you will enjoy dinner and overnight.

*Hvar town – optional walking tour package

DAY 6 Thursday VELA LUKA (Island of KORCULA) - POMENA (Island of MLJET) - SLANO; B, L

Your captain will choose a secluded bay to hop in the sea and start the day. Surrounded in deep green forests which earned Korčula its name and fame, meditate upon the sound of crickets and silence as you immerse yourself in the essence of this region: the crystal blue sea. Then continue to another green island, this time Mljet. The national park on the island is the home of two salty lakes connected with by a small channel with the sea. Nature lovers will get a kick from hiking or cycling here, possibly even kayaking over to the small inlet in the center of the lake, charming with its 12th-century Monastery of St. Mary. Alternatively, join our optional excursion** – but whatever you do, do not miss out on Mljet! Spend the evening in the small settlement of Slano on the mainland, once adored by Dubrovnik sea captains. Why becomes self-evident as soon as you take your first stroll along the waterfront. 

**Optional excursion: Mljet National Park, free time in the National park.

DAY 7 Friday SLANO - DUBROVNIK; B, L

In vicinity of Slano, the petite town of Ston claims its fame for many things gourmand: strong wines, ancient salt production and succulent oysters and mussels. Our optional tour the Taste of Dalmatia* highlights all these treasures, but you can also just relax in Slano before sailing out to Dubrovnik. Midway, a dip on Lopud Island gets you up and ready to join an optional guided tour** of Dubrovnik Old Town. Surrounded in immense city walls, as if in a universe of its own, the world-famous facades line up as you walk the same streets like the cast and crews of the Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Robin Hood. Enjoy an evening of romance, glitz and glam, as you will be staying in Dubrovnik overnight.

*Dubrovnik town tour with a coach transfer from Dubrovnik port (Gruz) to the Old town – optional walking tour package (or on day 2)

**Optional excursion:  Taste of Dalmatia

DAY 8 Saturday DUBROVNIK; B, D

Enjoy a farewell breakfast before disembarking by 09:00 AM. Make sure to keep in touch with your fellow travelers and the Cruise Manager and the crew, as MS Adriatic Princess will wait for you next year too! Late morning you will be transferred to your hotel in Dubrovnik. Overnight  Dubrovnik. ------------------------------

DAY 9 Sunday DUBROVNIK; B, D - excursion to Montenegro

Day excursion to Montenegro. Departure from the hotel driving through Konavle valley and around the bay of Kotor, continuing drive to Perast and boat ride to the islet of Our Lady of the Rock, sightseeing of the Baroque church from the 17th century. After Perast we go on towards the town of Kotor for a sightseeing tour with local guide (no entrance fees). Free time in Kotor. Upon departure short ferry ride across the bay of Kotor, then drive towards Dubrovnik and arrival back to the hotel. Dinner & overnight in Dubrovnik.

DAY 10 Monday DUBROVNIK; B, D 

Day at leisure. Optional excursion to the island of Korčula. Korčula holds indisputable a privileged position among the Croatian islands. Here we find more legends, tales and monuments than anywhere else. Being famous stonemasons, shipbuilders and seafarers the people of Korčula left their marks all over the world, but they saved their best works for their own city. Experience the narrow streets, beautiful churches and magnificent palaces in one of the best preserved Medieval towns in the Mediterranean. After sightseeing free time for lunch or even swimming. On the return a stop will be made in one of the well-known wine cellars of the Pelješac peninsula to sample some of the excellent local wine. Dinner & overnight in Dubrovnik/ Dubrovnik area/.

DAY 11 Tuesday DUBROVNIK - MOSTAR - SARAJEVO; B, D 

Morning departure to Mostar, city of bridges, where the traveler from the south gets the first glimpse of the continent beyond. Orientational walk with your tour leader in Mostar and free time for lunch. Departure to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo is one of the historically most interesting cities in Europe. It is the place where the Western & the Eastern Roman Empire split and where the people of the Orthodox East, the Ottoman South and the Roman Catholic West met, both an example of the clash of civilizations and of historical turbulences and a beacon of hope for peace and tolerance, reached through multi-cultural integration. City tour of Sarajevo upon arrival. Dinner and overnight in Sarajevo/Sarajevo area/.

DAY 12 Wednesday SARAJEVO - BELGRADE; B, D

Morning departure to Belgrade, capital of Serbia. Short break will be made in Zvornik, charming little town in the northeastern Bosnia on Drina river. Belgrade is situated at the place where Sava joins the Danube River. There are spots in Belgrade you must definitely see and feel. Streets, squares, monuments, parks, fountains, archeological sites. Many of them have been given the status of cultural assets. Upon arrival a guided tour of this beautiful city between two rivers famous by its sunsets. Dinner and overnight in Belgrade.

DAY 13 Thursday BELGRADE - NOVI SAD - OSIJEK/VUKOVAR; B, L

Morning departure to Novi Sad (Serbia's second largest city), located on Danube river.

Novi Sad's position at one of the continent's true crossroads and history as a multinational commercial and transit center has left it endowed with historical and cultural sights that even much larger cities have difficulty matching. Novi Sad has much to boast about, from the imposing fortress on the opposite bank to the churches representing numerous denominations throughout the old town's exceedingly pleasant pedestrian zone to several unheralded but noteworthy museums and art galleries. Our local guide will show us all „must see“ locations. After the guided tour of Novi Sad we will continue towards Ilok. You will have opportunity to taste wines in one of the famous Croatia wine cellars “Iločki Podrumi” followed by traditional lunch.  On our way to Osijek we will stop in Vukovar which is the biggest Croatian river port located at the confluence of Vuka River in Danube, a town also known as a symbol of the Croatian war for independence, as it arose from the ashes of the '90s into the proud city that it is today. In the late afternoon hours we will end this day. Overnight in Osijek or Vukovar.

DAY 14 Friday OSIJEK/VUKOVAR - ZAGREB; B, L

You will start you morning with the city tour of Osijek. Osijek Pancake - flat, rich in rivers, Slavonia has unique natural wonders and delicious regional cuisine that will take your breath away: endless plains, the intense yellow of its corn and sunflower fields, the flavors of its cuisine  that will make all your senses travel.... Osijek, the largest city in eastern Croatia, beautifully settled on the banks of Drava River. Osijek remains a popular tourist destination for its Baroque style, open spaces and lots of recreational opportunities. Located in one of the most fertile and most certainly the biggest agricultural area of Croatia, the town is its semi-official gastronomic capital. City tour passes by the Cathedral and the Tvrdja (Old Fort). We are continuing our drive and the first thing you see when approaching Djakovo from either side is the brightness of the bricks of the two towers and cupolas of its Cathedral, beauty of which welcomes the visitors. After the visit, departure towards Zagreb followed by a visit to the Ethno Village of Stara Kapela for a lunch/no drinks included/ of the products of the Pannonia soil. Upon arrival sightseeing tour of Zagreb, Croatian capital city, gives you the opportunity to see the fortified Upper Town, the city’s historical center, St Mark’s church with its multi-colored roof, the Cathedral, Croatian National Theatre and the University. Through the carved facades of buildings and baroque churches, we see many green spaces and terraces of cafes where the locals like to gather. Overnight in Zagreb/Zagreb area/.

DAY 15 Saturday DEPARTURE; B

Departure transfer from the tour hotel to Zagreb airport or hotels in Zagreb.