DAY 1: SATURDAY, DUBROVNIK
M/S Splendid is docked in the Gruz harbor where passengers can come aboard during the entire day. The official welcome neeting will start at 7 PM with a welcome greeting by the Cruise director and the captain, who will introduce the boat crew and your fellow passengers. Welcome dinner will be served at 7 30 PM.
Embarkation will be possible throughout the day, while access to cabins is granted from 2 PM onwards. Passengers arriving prior to 2 PM can leave their luggage onboard. Any late arriving passengers will be welcomed aboard by the captain, and will be served a cold platter dinner.
Overnight in Dubrovnik, (D)
Day 2: SUNDAY, DUBROVNIK – SLANO
After a delicious breakfast served onboard, our Dubrovnik expert will join the group on the pier and take you to the Old Town Dubrovnik. The drive towards the Old Town offers panoramic views from atop the hill above Dubrovnik, which we will make sure you have time to capture on your camera before continuing. The historic center of Dubrovnik, Old Town, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that the group will explore on a guided city tour. Return coach transfer back to the boat is scheduled at noon. Lunch will be served on board en route to Slano, where we shall arrive in the afternoon.
Overnight in Slano, (B,L)
Optional afternoon excursion - Ston Oyster & Seafood Tasting
We start our tour by coach with an English-speaking guide to Ston, a fortified town famous for 5-kilometer long walls, a city built in the 15th century according to a plan with a rectangular scheme of streets and squares. Ston is renowned for its delicious oysters and mussels. Another landmark of Ston is its old salt ponds where the salt is still gathered today in the old way. After a relaxed time, we will have dinner that will include a three-course meal, three oysters, seafood risotto, dessert and glass of wine and water with dinner. After dinner, we will go back to Slano for overnight onboard.
Reservations and payments on the spot.
Day 3: MONDAY, SLANO – MLJET -KORCULA
This entire morning is reserved for Mljet National Park exploration (entrance fees are not included), its untouched nature, olive groves, vineyards, villages, two salt-water lakes and a Benedictine monastery on the island of St. Mary, all perfect treks for a leisurely walk. Lunch is served on board as we continue to cruise toward the island of Korčula. Once we dock, the group will spend the afternoon discovering the cobbled streets of Korcula, guided by one of our local experts who will take the group for a city walking tour. Known as the birthplace of Marko Polo, this ancient city is home to a museum dedicated to this world explorer, a 15th century St. Mark’s Cathedral, Renaissance and Gothic architecture, the Bishop's Treasury of Korcula, which houses a remarkable collection of fine and sacral art by Renaissance artists, including sketches by Raphael and many historic sites to be explored. The rest of the evening is at leisure for guests to enjoy discovering Korcula and dining on their own in of Korcula’s many restaurants.
Overnight in Korcula Town, (B, L)
Day 4: TUESDAY, KORCULA - VIS
Today our adventure continues accompanied by stunning vistas en route to Vis Island. We will stop in one of many bays along the way for a refreshing swimming break and lunch. We anticipate arrival to Vis in early afternoon hours.
This traditionally fishermen’s island has a long maritime history with a bounty of pirate legends, but also ancient archaeological sites, winemaking tradition and stunning beaches. Rest of the day is at leisure in Vis, and travellers are invited to explore the island on their own and enjoy its many supreme seafood restaurants for dinner.
Overnight in Vis Town, (B, L)
Optional excursion - Vis Island Tour
We start our tour of Vis, our coach will follow the old road, rises above the town and overlooks the bay. After that, we descend to the fields and drive through vineyards and olive groves passing by the former allied airport from WWII and then we descend us down to Komiža. Free time in Komiža, stunning fishermen's village to have dinner in one of the cozy restaurants. Return to a boat for overnight.
Reservations and payment on the spot.
Day 5: WEDNESDAY, VIS – BISEVO BLUE CAVE - HVAR
This morning we will cruise to the nearby small island Bisevo, home to a stunning natural phenomenon of light and water, the Blue Cave. The cave is world famous for otherworldly blue interior, a result of sunlight reflecting off the water and white seabed. The entrance to the cave is only possible by official small boats and is dependent on weather. After the cave visit, our journey continues to Hvar Island with a rejuvenating swim break and lunch served on board. We will dock in Hvar Town, one of Adriatic’s best-preserved historic towns that was once the most prosperous regional center during the Venetian rule, and a present-day jet-set destination. The group will be welcomed to the island by our local Hvar expert who will take you on a walking city tour and introduce the history, culture and town highlights. Explore the 15th-century Franciscan monastery, visit Croatia's oldest active theater, and hike up to the citadel for unforgettable views. Guests are free to enjoy their evening and dinner at leisure.
Overnight in Hvar Historical Town, (B, L)
Day 6: THURSDAY, HVAR – BOL – PUCISCA
We start our day with morning departure towards Brac Island where our first destination is the coastal town Bol, home to the most famous beach in Croatia. Travelers will enjoy a half-day in Bol, when they are free to discover this Dalmatian town, its beaches, restaurants and cafes at leisure until lunch is served onboard. After lunch we will continue cruising towards Pucisca. Pucisca are set in a steep-sided natural harbor where a fjord-like inlet meets three narrow valleys that descend from the Brac hills. Most of its Mediterranean architecture is carved in limestone, a famous staple of the Brac Island that has been used to build limestone columns of the White House in Washington DC, The Parliament house in Vienna and much more. The village is home to the only stonemasonry school in Croatia where students are thought traditional techniques of this dying craft. We will spend night in this magical setting.This evening we will have Captain’s dinner on board.
Overnight in Pucisca, (B, L, Captain's dinner)
Day 7: FRIDAY, PUCISCA – OMIS - SPLIT
After breakfast we cruise across the Brac channel to Omis, an ancient town situated at the delta of Cetina River surrounded by large cliffs and wild canyons. Omis has a fascinating history, the Mirabella fort standing proof of its piracy days. Leisurely walk through the city unveils a number of fortresses and stone churches scattered around the town’s colorful local market place, small restaurants and coffee bars set amidst trendy shops and boutiques. After a relaxed walk in Omis, we’ll have lunch on board. During afternoon hours we sail towards Split, our last stop. Guests will enjoy the striking natural setting on the approach to Split, where dramatic mountains descend into the Adriatic Sea.
Upon arrival to Split our local expert guide will take you for a walking tour of this ancient city. Stroll the Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy the vibrant metropolitan atmosphere on Split’s many alleys and popular Riva. Dinner is at leisure and guests have a plethora of choices from traditional konobas to award-winning modern restaurants to chose from.
Overnight in Split, (B, L)
Day 8: SATURDAY, SPLIT
It is time to say farewell to all your new friends after having breakfast. (B)