2024 Island Hopping Cruise From Split - M/S Captain Bota

DAY 1; SATURDAY, SPLIT

The M/S Captain Bota is docked in the Split city port. Travelers can get aboard during the entire day. The official Welcome Meeting will start at 7 PM when guests will be greeted 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.

The embarkation will be possible throughout the day, yet 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 boat Captain, and will be served a cold platter dinner.

Overnight in Split, (D)

DAY 2; SUNDAY, SPLIT - OMIŠ - PUČIŠĆA (BRAČ ISLAND)

After breakfast, the adventure begins with an introduction to Split’s rich history on expertly guided walking tour. The group will stroll the ancient Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy the vibrant metropolitan atmosphere on Split’s many alleys and popular Riva. At noon, lunch will be served on board as we depart Split towards Omis. En route, we will make a swimming break before reaching this ancient town situated on the Cetina River surrounded by imposing cliffs and wild canyons. Omis has a long, fascinating laced with pirate legends. The group will enjoy a leisurely walk through the city with its many fortresses and stone churches scattered around the town’s colorful local market place, small restaurants and coffee bars set amidst trendy shops and boutiques. We depart Omiš and cruise to Brac Island where our destination is the stunning village Pucisca. Pučišća 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.

Overnight in Pučišća, (B, L)

DAY 3; MONDAY, PUČIŠĆA – BOL – HVAR

We start our day with morning departure towards another destination on this island, the 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. Our journey continues to Hvar Island where we will dock in Hvar Town, one of Adriatic’s best-preserved historic towns that were 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. Local traditions will be discovered during a lavender presentation, depicting the importance of this fragrant plant traditionally grown on Hvar. 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 4; TUESDAY, HVAR - BIŠEVO BLUE CAVE – VIS

This morning we will cruise towards Vis and 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 (entrance fee of about 10 EUR is not included), and is dependent on weather. After the cave visit, our journey continues to Vis Island with lunch served on board. 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

Discover Vis' fascintaing military history and gastronomic delights on this excursion. Riding along the old road rising above Vis town and overlooking the bay, we'll make our way towards Lokva, stopping along the way to see fertile fields. The largest freshwater surface on the island, Lokva was once home to an allied forces airport after WWII. We then descend and drive through picturesque vineyards and olive groves before reaching Komiza. On a tour with a local guide we'll discover the town with the oldest fishing tradition on the eastern Adriatic.

DAY 5; WEDNESDAY, VIS – KORČULA

We continue to cruise along the Adriatic Sea towards the island of Korčula. Once we dock in Korcula Town, the group will spend an entire afternoon discovering the cobbled streets of Korcula, guided by one of our local experts who will take the group for a historic walking city tour. Known as the birthplace of Marko Polo, this ancient city is home to a museum dedicated to this world explorer, a 15^th 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 6; THURSDAY, KORČULA – NATIONAL PARK MLJET - SLANO

Morning cruise to Mljet Island, where you’ll be free to explore National Park Mljet (entrance fees are not included), walk around the Great and Small Lake, visit The Islet of St. Mary with its Benedictine Monastery dating from the 12th century and, of course, take a swim in the heart of this pristine National Park. Lunch will be served on board as we continue our cruise to Slano, where we shall arrive in the afternoon.

Slano is one of the most picturesque places on the Dubrovnik Riviera, with a beautiful beach, dense pine forest, olive groves, a long cultural tradition, and numerous historical monuments.

Optional Excursion - Ston Oyster Experience

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 payment on the spot.

This evening we will have the Captain`s dinner on board.

Overnight in Slano, (B, L, Captain`s dinner)

DAY 7; FRIDAY, SLANO – DUBROVNIK

This morning we set off to our final destination, Dubrovnik. On the way we pass Mljet island and the Elaphiti Islands archipelago where we will stop for a swimming break and to enjoy lunch before continuing to Dubrovnik. We dock in Gruz harbor in Dubrovnik in the afternoon, where 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. Afterwards, you will have time at leisure to explore on your own, visit the city walls, or take the electric cable car to the top of the Mount Srdj. Return coach transfer back to the boat is scheduled in the evening.

Overnight in Dubrovnik, (B, L)

DAY 8; SATURDAY, SPLIT

After breakfast we shall say farewell, and wish you calm seas. (B)