DAY 1: SATURDAY, SPLIT
M/S Splendid is docked in Split harbor where passengers can come aboard during the entire day. The official Welcome Meeting 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.
The embarkation will be possible throughout the day, yet access to cabins is granted from 1 PM onwards. Passengers arriving prior to 1 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 Split, (D)
Day 2: SUNDAY, SPLIT – OMIS – PUCISCA ( BRAC 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. 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 Omis and cruise to Brac Island where our destination is the stunning village 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.
Overnight in Pucisca, (B, L)
Day 3: MONDAY, PUCISCA – 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 - BISEVO 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
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 – KORCULA
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 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 6: THURSDAY, KORCULA – MLJET - SLANO
After a delicious breakfast served onboard the journey continues to Mljet National Park. Guests can enjoy the stunning blues of the Adriatic and vistas of nearby islands and land from atop the sundeck, or chose to partake in a swim break we will make in one of the numerous secret coves on the way. The 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 and we reach Slano in the afternoon hours. One of the most picturesque villages on teh Dubrovnik Riviera with beautiful ebacehs and a marina.
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.
Overnight in Slano, (B, L)
Day 7: FRIDAY, SLANO – DUBROVNIK
This morning we set off to our final destination, Dubrovnik. On the way we pass the Elaphiti Islands archipelago where we will stop for a swimming break and to enjoy lunch before continuing to Dubrovnik. Our expert guide will join the group on the pier and take you to the Old Town. 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 is scheduled in the evening.
Overnight in Dubrovnik, (B, L)
Day 8: SATURDAY, DUBROVNIK
It is time to say farewell to all your new friends after having breakfast. (B)