Croatian Rose Cruise & Stay – M/S Providenca | 11 Days

Morning sightseeing tour of Zagreb, Croatian capital city, gives you the opportunity to see the fortified Upper Town, the city’s historical centre, St Mark’s church with its multi-coloured 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. Early afternoon departure to Bled, small town in the Julian Alps which could be a setting for a classic fairy tale: immense natural beauty with mountains and forest surrounding an emerald glacial lake, an island in the middle of the lake with a church steeple and its wishing bell, a cliff top castle with picturesque views, and a well-known sweet treat. Bled, together with its surroundings, ranks among the most beautiful alpine resorts and is renowned also for its mild, healing climate and thermal lake water. Dinner and overnight in Bled.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Dinner

Morning departure to Ljubljana, Slovenian capital where you will have a guided tour of the most significant sights of its old centre: the picturesque Central open-air Market and the Three Bridges, the Baroque Town Hall, and Robba’s Fountain. After Ljubljana we are continuing our journey to Plitvice lakes, well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site, natural beauty of the 16 crystal – blue lakes cascading into 92 spectacular waterfalls. Walk on the wooden promenades with magnificent views on the waters where every turn leads to a breathtaking scenery and yet another waterfall. Surrounded by dense woods, Plitvice lakes are a natural phenomenon of rare and unique beauty. Dinner and overnight in Plitvice area.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Dinner

Morning departure towards Zadar, where upon arrival we’ll be taking you for a guided walking tour through the Roman Forum from the 2nd century BC, passing by the 9th century pre-Romanesque church of St. Donatus as well as St. Anastasia church. Continue to Split. Here, you will embark your cruise. Dinner and overnight in Split.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Dinner

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 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 the Cathedral of St. James at your next stop, Šibenik. Rolling down the hillslopes towered by the immense fortress of St. Michael, Šibenik is a sight to behold from every perspective. An included walking tour will introduce you to Šibenik’s great claim to Renaissance with the town’s Cathedral of St. James. Experience its stone alleys and great cuisine in an evening on own. Overnight in Šibenik.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy the stunning waterfront of Šibenik as you navigate down the narrow channel of St. Anthony out to the open seas. Today you will sail to the island of Vis. You’ll recognize its main settlement, the town of Vis, by numerous masts crisscrossed over the image of its seafront facades. Comprised of the newer, 19th-century harbor area, and the historic, medieval corner, the past of Vis spans over two millennia, hence the colourful array of heritage in this small settlement ranges from a Greek cemetery and Roman baths to an English fort and Yugoslav militia tributes. Join an optional guided tour** to get insight into the tumultuous history of Vis and getting some ideas on what to do that very evening. Overnight in Vis.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a breakfast with a view and a morning sail to Hvar, officially the sunniest of 1200 Croatian islands. This jet-set fave is also the island with the most UNESCO-listed heritage in the entire world. Guided walking tour on arrival. Later, you will be able to compare this beauty with the lovely island of Brač, the homeland of ‘the Croatian marble’. 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 included tour to the still-operating stonemasonry school in Pučišća brings a chance to learn more about shaping this stone for eternity. In the afternoon you can join us on our optional excursion to Bol**. Overnight Pučišća, Brac.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning, hop over to Korčula Island, one of the largest islands in the Adriatic, known for its signature lush dark forests. 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. The alleged home of the world renowned traveller Marco Polo is bound to charm you whether you explore it on your included walking tour. Overnight in Korčula.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch

Continue to another green island, this time Mljet. The national park on the island is the home of two salty lakes connected to the sea via a narrow canal. Nature lovers will get a thrill from hiking or cycling here, possibly even kayaking to the small inlet in the centre of the lake, charming with its 12th century Monastery of St. Mary. Alternatively, join our optional excursion** – but whatever you do, do not pass on setting foot on Mljet! Enjoy a refreshing dip before setting sail back to the mainland and the small settlement of Slano. In vicinity of Slano, the petite town of Ston claims its fame for many things gourmand: potent 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, where we are docked overnight.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Dinner

Take in the last of the Slano cool over breakfast. Just thereafter, you will set sail to Croatia’s southernmost gem and the renowned hotspot, Dubrovnik. Glimpse at its beauty sailing beneath the mighty City Walls, much in the same way its enemies and allies used to, before dropping anchor in the port of Gruž. The included walking tour of Dubrovnik Old Town takes you by the world-famous landmarks, strolling down the same streets that the cast and crews of the Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Robin Hood walked. Whatever you might consider to be the town’s main drawcard, Dubrovnik’s city walls and its courteous spirit will swiftly transport you back in time to when this was an independent republic which successfully rivalled the Venetian Republic. Enjoy an evening of romance, glitz and glam, as you will be staying in Dubrovnik overnight.

Meals Included:

Breakfast, Lunch

Disembarkation after breakfast by 9:00am. Transfer to Dubrovnik airport or hotel.

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Touring with multilingual speaking guide

Professional cruise manager on 7 night cruise

Tours as per itinerary

Walking tours of Sibenik, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Split, Hvar, Stonemasonry in Pucisca

10 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 7 Dinners

Deluxe cruise by M/S Providenca (or similar)

Transportation by air conditioned vehicle

Optional Island of Vis tour on day 6

Optional Bol and wine tasting tour on day 7

Optional Mljet National Park tour on day 9

Optional Taste of Dalmatia tour on day 9

Welcome drink and snack

Complimentary coffee, tea and fresh fruit all day long

Complimentary use of the water dispenser

Complimentary fresh fruit all day long

Towel change three times a week

Bed linen changed twice a week

Free Wi-Fi on board

Hotel taxes, service charges and tips for baggage handling

Beverages other than those mentioned

Gratuities or any other expense of a personal nature

Taxes and fees of EUR 45.00 per person, to be paid on board in cash

Laundry service at selected ports of call

Beach towel hire

Entrance fees to:

• Mljet National Park
• Krka River National Park