These week-long cruises conveniently embark and disembark in Venice. Following the ship's evening departure along the Canale della Giudecca past Piazza San Marco, we set a curse for Croatia and its stunning coastal beauty. Dalmatia alone has over 1,000 islands basking in the sun that, along with the coastal cities of Croatia, offer a wealth of art, architecture, culture and history.
On the island of Cres, take a walking tour of Cres Town, a fishing village with a palpable Italian sensibility. Depending on the season, visit the island's ornithological station where you can see and learn about Europe's largest carnivore, the Eurasian Griffon. Split has one of the best preserved Roman edifices in existence: the massive Diocletian's Palace, a fascinating complex where modern shops and offices are integrated harmoniously within the ancient and medieval ruins. The island of Hvar, with its popular harborfront promenade and picture-perfect views from the Fortress Spanjol, boasts acres of lavender fields outside of town. The Old Town of Dubrovnik is a breathtaking sight, entirely surrounded by massive gray walls of stone. Inside, find a treasure trove of medieval art and architecture that has earned it a designation as a UN World Heritage Site. Cap off your visit with a stroll along the Stradun, the wide pedestrian promenade where you will discover many fine shops, cafes and galleries.
The sparsely inhabited island of Mljet offers lovely pine forests and jewel-like lakes, with the opportunity for a refreshing swim in crystal-clear waters. Korcula, a very walkable peninsula town which claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, contains many reminders of the rule of the Venetians. In Zadar, step ashore for a visit to the exceptional Museum of Church Art, the Archaeological Museum or the National Museum. Your week aboard concludes with a full day in Venice, offering as much to see and do for the frequent visitor as for a first-timer.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Venice
On Board the M/S Monet or M/S Andrea
Embark 4 PM
Depart 6 PM
The magnificent “Queen of the Adriatic,” Venice occupies 117 islands in the azure waters of the Adriatic. This lagoon city is a watery maze of grand canals, 177 smaller canals, over 450 bridges and the world’s most famous sandbar, the Lido. Though thoroughly walkable, getting around Venice is a mesmerizing experience aboard the city’s variety of public transport boats, the vaporetti, motoscafi and the more expensive gondola ride, suggested more for a romantic interlude. Venice’s enticing, exotic beauty—typified by the Byzantine architecture, enormous stained glass windows rising along the Grand Canal and Venetian Carnival masks with their wry, knowing smiles—attest to the city’s historic role as a great Eastern trader. Venice’s legendary maritime heroes, such as Marco Polo, plied the Levantine trading routes. The entire Mediterranean flowed through the Venetian Republic, adorning the city in the splendors that illuminate it today. A walk through Saint Mark’s Square provides a wealth of sights from the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs to the Campanile and St. Mark’s Cathedral.
Day 2: Cres
Arrive 8:00 AM
Depart 1:00 PM
Despite its status as the second-largest island in the Adriatic, Cres is quite wild and unspoiled, decidedly “untouristy,” while its sister-island of Mali Losinj is an attractive resort community. The star attractions of Cres are the approximately 70 pairs of Eurasian Griffons, Europe’s largest bird. These huge carnivores, weighing 20 to 30 pounds with wingspans of nearly nine feet, nest in sea crags along the island’s eastern coastline. During the summer months, when the Griffons are less active, wander the slow-paced lanes of Cres Town, a fishing village which offers interesting 15th- and 16th-century Venetian architecture.
Day 3: Split - Hvar
Split - Arrive 8:00 AM, Depart 1:00 PM
Hvar - Arrive 4:00 PM, Depart 11:00 PM
Split is the second largest city in Croatia and a UN World Heritage Site. At the historical core of Split—and within walking distance of the ship—is the massive Palace of the Emperor Diocletian, dating from the end of the third century A.D., and one of the last palaces of the Roman Empire. Diocletian’s Mausoleum and the Temple of Jupiter are fully preserved, though in the Middle Ages they were converted to Christian edifices. The statue of Grgur Ninski, created by Croatia’s premier modern sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic, is situated in front of the Golden Gate. People who pass by rub the big toe for good luck. There are opportunities to visit Mestrovic’s handsome gallery and studio on the nearby Marjan Peninsula.
“I know paradise now, I know Hvar,” goes a local saying. The island is known as the Croatian Madeira because of its lush vegetation and mild climate. A walk along the waterfront promenade and through the Old Town reveals a wealth of historic medieval and Renaissance buildings as well as lovely yachts and other private craft. Fine art, including paintings by Old Masters and ecclesiastic treasures of precious materials, can be found in the collections of the Franciscan Monastery and the treasury of Hvar Cathedral.
Day 4: Dubrovnik
Arrive 8:00 AM
Depart 12:00 Noon
Dubrovnik is a breathtaking sight, entirely surrounded by massive gray walls of stone, interspersed with four gates, three forts, five bastions and 14 square towers. The “Pearl of the Adriatic” contains a treasure-trove of medieval art and architecture that has earned it a designation as a UN World Heritage Site. The Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries are beautiful examples of Romanesque–Gothic architecture, and other monuments of significance include the Onofrio Fountain, the Rector’s Palace, the Sponza Palace and several fine churches. A stroll along Stradun— the Old Town’s wide pedestrian promenade—allows you to discover Dubrovnik’s many fine shops, cafés and boutiques at leisure. Don’t miss a chance to take the walk at the top of the wall surrounding the city for beautiful panoramic views of this fascinating city on the Adriatic.
Day 5: Mijet - Korcula
Mijet - Arrive 8:00 AM, Depart 12 Noon
Korcula - Arrive 2:00 PM, Depart 12:00 Midnight
The tiny island of Mljet offers a relaxing retreat from the more urbane and monument-filled Dalmatian towns. From the dock area, wander along easy-to-navigate paths through the lovely pine forests of Mljet National Park to the two jewel-like lakes, which are actually inlets connected to the sea by narrow channels. In the center of Veliko Jezero (Big Lake) is the tiny islet of St. Mary’s, with its sleepy 12th-century Benedictine Abbey. There will be an opportunity to swim in the crystal clear waters of the lake.
Ancient defensive walls surround Korcula Town, on the island of the same name. The Cathedral of St. Mark, the largest and most beautiful building in Korcula, contains a wealth of artistic masterworks including paintings by Tintoretto. Another highlight is the Treasury, located in the 14th-century Abbey Palace, with its eclectic collection of paintings, jewelry, fine furniture and historic documents. Charming views of the harbor greet visitors as they wend their way through the narrow alleyways. On one of these lanes, you’ll see the Marco Polo house, where the famous explorer is said to have been born in 1254. Shop for handmade Croatian folk art near the City Gate, or relax at one of the picturesque waterfront cafés, and enjoy the breezy resort atmosphere that prevails in this medieval town.
Day 6: Zadar
Arrive 10:00 AM
Depart 6:00 PM
Zadar’s Old Town is located on a narrow peninsula in northern Dalmatia. It has the look and feel of an ancient Mediterranean city: the streets are paved with gleaming white stone, and the high protective walls—with portions dating to Roman and early medieval times—run alongside the harbor. Zadar’s 9th-century Church of St. Donatus was built on the remains of a Roman Forum and is one of the region’s most famous monuments. Other sights include the ancient City Gates, the Franciscan Monastery and Church and the imposing 12th- century Romanesque Cathedral of St. Anastasia. Stroll along the harbor’s tree-lined promenade, enjoy the many outdoor cafés, and perhaps taste Zadar’s famous maraschino cherry liqueur.
Day 7: Venice. Arrive 9:00 AM
Day 8: Venice. Disembark
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodations in Select Cabin Category
- Three Meals Daily Shipboard
Price Does Not Include:
- Port Charges - $95
- Gratuities
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Italy
Croatia
Boating and Sailing
Cultural Journey
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