Greece & Croatia Cruise & Stay | 15 Days

DAY 1:                 ATHENS

After arrival into Athens airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is free. Meet your fellow travellers tonight at a Welcome Taverna Dinner in the Plaka beside the Acropolis. (D)

DAY 2:                 ATHENS

See the highlights of Athens this morning on a sightseeing tour. This cosmopolitan and bustling capital city is set amid reminders of a long and a glorious past: graceful temples, centuries old monasteries and ornate Byzantine churches. Visit the immortal Acropolis and the Parthenon, said to be the most perfectly proportioned building of all time. Also, see the Erectheion with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Wingless Victory. Below the Acropolis lies the Ancient Agora and the Theatres of Dionysus and Herodus Atticus. Your afternoon and evening are free. (B)

DAY 3:                 ATHENS – DELPHI – KALAMBAKA

Your first stop this morning is Delphi, where the famous Oracle once foretold the destiny of men. The temple of Apollo in which the Oracle functioned, was built in the 6th century B.C. Also see the Sacred Way, the Stadium, and the Castilian Fountain, where pilgrims cleansed themselves in preparation for consulting the Oracle. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, which contains an impressive collection of finds from the site, including the beautiful “Bronze Charioteer”. We continue to Kalambaka for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 4:                 KALAMBAKA – METEORA – OHRID

After breakfast, admire the fantastic landscapes of Meteora, known as “the rocks that fell from the sky”, where monks built their rock-top monasteries far away from civilization. Out of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit’s cells, only four are now active. The most important is Megalo of Great Meteoro, of peculiar architecture with its tall and intricate dome, twelve sides and fine frescoes. Continue across the border to North Macedonia, and on to Ohrid for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 5:                 OHRID – TIRANA

The lakeside resort of Ohrid is an important cultural and spiritual centre, classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Start with a morning sightseeing walk through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century. In the early afternoon we travel to Tirana, capital of Albania. (B, D)

DAY 6:                 TIRANA

On this morning sightseeing tour, see Sheshi Skenderbej (Skanderbeg Square) the Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower, and the statue of G.K. Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero; the Palace of Culture, built with Soviet assistance, and the National History Museum with a mosaic on its façade portraying Albanian history. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring on your own, shop, or simply relax. (B)

DAY 7:                 TIRANA – SHKODRA – TIVAT

After breakfast we leave Tirana towards town of Shkodra, nowadays a major cultural centre. Shkodra was the centre of the Illyrian tribe Labeat and was taken by the Romans in the year 168 B.C. We will see of the Rozafa Castle, magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city, before we cross the border to Montenegro and drive to Tivat. Dinner and overnight. (B, D)

DAY 8:                 TIVAT – DUBROVNIK

After breakfast we leave Tivat towards the town of Dubrovnik, where embarkation starts from 2pm. Enjoy a Welcome Reception followed by a dinner that evening. Overnight onboard in Dubrovnik. (B, D)

DAY 9:                 DUBROVNIK – ELAPHITI ISLANDS – SLANO

Start the day with a walking tour of Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of Adriatic”. Walk through Stradun – both a street and a square, the most famous place inside the town walls, enlisted as UNESCO’s World Heritage site, where your guide will show you the most interesting sights of Dubrovnik including a visit to the Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy. After returning to ship enjoy the magic scenery as the ship cruises around Dubrovnik city walls to continue to one of the Elaphiti islands for a swim stop. Afternoon arrival in Slano, a peaceful fishermen’s village and our starting point to Ston, situated on Peljesac peninsula and once fortified small village famous for its oysters. Peljesac peninsula is known as one of the best wine-producing regions in Croatia. After exploring the town, we leave to a small nearby village to enjoy the authentic local oyster tasting. Overnight and Captains Dinner on board in Slano. (B, L, D)

DAY 10:                             SLANO – MLJET – KORCULA

In the morning we head north to the Island of Mljet. Join the Cruise Manager for a stroll to the famous salt lakes in the Mljet National Park. Continue our cruise towards Korčula island, best known as a birthplace of Marco Polo. Afternoon arrival in Korčula followed by a guided walking tour of this enchanting town surrounded by walls, which is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean. Overnight in Korčula where you can enjoy a gourmet experience at the multiple restaurants and bars. (B, L)

DAY 11:                             KORCULA – BISEVO – VIS

Early in the morning we sail to the small island of Biševo to visit the Blue Cave, a magnificent natural phenomenon, (weather permitting). Cruise towards the island of Vis, once a strategic naval Yugoslav base and restricted to the public. Due to this isolation, Vis has a special charm – “the Mediterranean as it once was” making it interesting to visit. Taste some exquisite wines in one of the Vis traditional wineries. If interested, visit the remains of the Roman thermal place, City Museum or simply take a walk to enjoy the views. Overnight in the port of Vis. (B, L)

DAY 12:                             VIS – HVAR

In the morning, head further towards Hvar, the longest and sunniest island in the Adriatic, with a swim stop and lunch on board. Afternoon arrival in Hvar town followed by a tour of the town – visit the many historical sights of the town, such as St Stephen’s Square, the largest piazza in Dalmatia and the main town square, see St Stephen’s Cathedral, the first public theatre in Europe, renaissance-style loggia and its clock tower, the Franciscan monastery. Above Hvar Town is the impressive fortress Fortica/ Spanjola offering magnificent views over the bay and Pakleni islands. After the tour set sail towards Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Overnight in Stari Grad. (B, L)

DAY 13:                             HVAR – TROGIR (KRKA NATIONAL PARK)

Early morning departure to the old Dalmatian town Trogir. Trogir is sometimes referred to as “miniature Venice” or a “mini-Dubrovnik” because of its ancient walls, or a “floating museum town” – as it has a masterful architecture including some stunning Venetian palaces. Afterwards, you will discover the beauty of the Krka National Park and the small access port of Skradin where the flora and fauna are exceptional. Overnight in Trogir. (B, L)

DAY 14:                             TROGIR – SPLIT

In the morning join the tour of Trogir with a local tour guide. Set sail to Split with a stop along the way to swim and relax, if weather permits, with lunch on board. In the late afternoon we arrive at Split to spend the night. Arriving in Split, join a guided tour of the city, visit the seafront promenade and Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. The historical centre of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your evening is free in Split. (B, L)

DAY 15:                             SPLIT

After breakfast, disembark your vessel. Transfer to Split airport. End of our services. (B)

Accommodation (or similar):

ATHENS: Stanley Hotel, or Titania Hotel

KALAMBAKA: Grand Meteora

OHRID: Hotel Granit

TIRANA: Hotel Colosseo

TIVAT: Palma Hotel

INCLUSIONS:

• Shared arrival transfer from Athens airport to Athens hotel on the first day of the tour and shared departure transfer from Split port to Split airport on the last day of the tour
• Accommodation in first class hotels
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
• Meals as per itinerary
• Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Professional English-Speaking Tour Director throughout
• Licensed Local Guides
• Complimentary whispers with sightseeing tours
• 7 nights cruise from Dubrovnik to Split in a cabin with private facilities, A/C & TV
• Welcome dinner and Captain’s dinner during cruise
• Water dispenser during cruise
• Complimentary coffee, tea, and fresh fruits available daily during cruise
• Professional English-speaking Cruise Manager throughout
• Whisper technology
• Daily cabin servicing, fresh bed linen and towels midweek during cruise
• Luggage handling
• One beach towel per person per week
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
• Professional English-speaking guide for sightseeing tours of Athens, Kalambaka, Ohrid, Tirana, Kotor
• Entrance fees to Diocletian’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery and Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik; Acropolis, Temple of Apollo, Archaeological Museum of Delphi, Megalo of Great Meteoro, Cathedral of St. Sofia, the National History Museum, Rozafa Castle
• City tours of Split, Trogir, Hvar, Korčula, and Dubrovnik
• Guided tour and entrance to Krka National Park and Mljet National Park
• Oyster tasting in Ston

Exclusions

• Drinks, extra meals
• Port tax 60 EUR net per person (to be paid by on board)
• All other entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions

Optional supplements

• Additional beach towel 7 EUR per person on request
• Entrance to Blue Cave to be paid on the spot

Things to Note:

–          Accommodation and cruise vessel is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel/cruise changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m. Tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.