Marvellous Balkans Cruise & Stay | 16 Days

DAY 1:                 SPLIT  

Upon arrival, you will be transferred from Split airport to the port. Embarkation begins at 2pm. Get settled in your cabin before attending a Welcome reception followed by dinner this evening. (D)

DAY 2:                 SPLIT – TROGIR (KRKA NATIONAL PARK)

In the morning join a guided tour of Split. Visit the seafront promenade and Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. The historical centre of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Set sail to the old Dalmatian town of 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. After disembarking in Trogir we take the bus to visit Krka National Park. You will discover the pristine nature and waterfalls of the Krka National Park, an area extremely rich with flora and fauna. Overnight in Trogir. (B, L)

DAY 3:                 TROGIR – HVAR

Morning guided tour of Trogir with a local tour guide. Afterwards, enjoy sailing towards Stari Grad on the Island of Hvar, swim stop and lunch on board. Stari Grad is one of the oldest towns in Europe with many friendly and affordable conobas and restaurants in the backstreets of the old town. The Stari Grad Plain and the old town centre of Stari Grad have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2008. Your evening is free to explore Stari Grad on your own. (B,L)

DAY 4:                 HVAR – VIS

Depart Stari Grad in the morning towards the city of Hvar. A sightseeing tour of Hvar town shows you many historical sites, such as St Stephen’s Square and Cathedral, the Arsenal with the theatre built on its first floor, the first municipal theatre in Europe. Above the town is the impressive fortress Fortica offering magnificent views over the bay and Pakleni islands. Afterwards continue to Vis. The town of Vis is on the northern side of the island and was developed near the remains of ancient Issa, the first urban centre in Croatia, formed by the Greeks in 4th century B.C. Visit the remains of the Roman Baths, Church or Our Lady and City Museum or take a walk enjoying the view of the beautiful Villae Rusticae situated along the coast. Your evening is free in Vis. (B, L)

DAY 5:                 VIS – BISEVO – KORCULA 

Leaving Vis, we will have an early morning cruise towards Biševo island to visit the Blue Cave, a magnificent natural phenomenon on the islet Biševo just in front of the town of Komiža. Possibility of our visit will depend on weather conditions; however, you will be notified of this on the day. Afterwards, cruise towards Korčula, and the island’s main settlement, known as the birthplace of Marco Polo, one of the world’s most famous explorers of all times. Stop for lunch in one of the secluded bays en route. Afternoon arrival in Korčula followed by a guided walking tour of one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean. Korčula has variety of different restaurants, bars, and clubs for those looking for evening entertainment. Overnight in Korčula. (B, L)

DAY 6:                 KORCULA – MLJET – SLANO 

In the morning head further south to the Island of Mljet. Join the Cruise Manager for a stroll to the famous salt lakes in the Mljet National Park. Alternatively, you can rent bicycles, scooters, or kayaks to explore the National Park or island on your own. Lunch on board and departure for a small village called Slano on the mainland. Slano is a peaceful fishermen’s village, and the starting point to Ston, situated on Pelješac peninsula, a fortified small village famous for its oysters. Pelješac 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. Tonight, enjoy Captain’s dinner and overnight in Slano. (B, L, D)

DAY 7:                 SLANO – ELAPHITI ISLANDS – DUBROVNIK 

Early morning cruise to Elaphiti islands with a swim stop on one of the secluded bays. Continue sailing to Dubrovnik, and, before we moor at the port, we cruise alongside the old city walls. After docking, join a guided tour at the historical centre of Dubrovnik, walk through Stradun – both a street and a square, the most famous place inside the town walls, enlisted as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Your guide will show you the most interesting sights of the Old Town and visit the Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy. After the city tour, you will be on your own to explore the city, visit City Walls, the Franciscan Monastery with Europe’s second oldest pharmacy, the Rector’s Palace, and the Cathedral, or take a boat ride to Lokrum island or take the cable car to the top of the Mount Srđ. Overnight in Dubrovnik. (B, L)

DAY 8:                 DUBROVNIK

After breakfast it’s time to disembark. You will be transferred to your Dubrovnik hotel. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik hotel. (B, D)

DAY 9:                 DUBROVNIK

Day is at leisure in Dubrovnik. Tonight, you meet the tour guide. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik. (B, D)

DAY 10:                             DUBROVNIK – BUDVA – SHKODRA – TIRANA

Morning sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik, included in the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage. You will visit Franciscan Monastery with Europe’s third oldest pharmacy, the Rector’s Palace, and the Cathedral. Departure for Tirana; we drive inland via Budva, crossing the Albanian border at Shkodra, once the capital of the Illyrian Kingdom (3rd century B.C.). Dinner and overnight in Tirana. (B, D)

DAY 11:                             TIRANA – OHRID

Morning sightseeing tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania, including Skender Bey Square, the Mosque of Ethem Bey and a visit to the National Museum representing the flow of Albanian history and housing the finds from archaeological sites across the country. Afternoon departure for Ohrid, driving via Elbasan and crossing the North Macedonian border at Cafasan. Dinner and overnight in Ohrid. (B, D)

DAY 12:                             OHRID

Full day in the lakeside resort of Ohrid, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site. Through the activity of St. Clement and St. Naum of Ohrid, the first pan-Slavic University in Europe, the famous “Ohrid Literary School” was founded here. Morning sightseeing tour includes the church of St. Sofia (11^th century), the most eminent mediaeval monument in North Macedonia with magnificent Byzantine fresco paintings and St. Clement Church with its icon of Annunciation. In the afternoon, a short drive to visit St. Naum Monastery built on the shores of Ohrid Lake in 900 A.D. and dedicated to the Slavic missionary and educator St. Naum of Ohrid. Dinner in a local restaurant. Return to hotel for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 13:                             OHRID – SKOPJE  

Morning departure for Skopje. Sightseeing tour of Skopje, including the Kale Fortress, the Church of the Holy Savior with its iconostas, one of the finest samples of traditional walnut woodcarving, Old Bazaar and Stone Bridge. We drive to the slopes of the Vodno Mountain where we visit the Monastery of St. Pateleimon with its 12th century iconostas and frescoes ranking among the highest achievements of Byzantine art of this period. Dinner and overnight in Skopje. (B, D)

DAY 14:                             SKOPJE – KOLASIN   

Morning departure for Kolašin, driving via Peć and Berane and along the impressive Morača River Canyon. Afternoon arrival at Kolašin, spreading on the left bank of the river Tara, situated at the altitude of 954m. The whole area is surrounded by the thick pine forest of the Bjelasica Mountain and is a popular skiing and air spa resort. Dinner and overnight in Kolašin. (B, D)

DAY 15:                             KOLASIN – CETINJE – KOTOR – DUBROVNIK    

Morning departure for Cetinje where we visit King Nikola’s Museum, once the residence of the Montenegrin King Nikola I Petrović. Continue to Kotor, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site, where we visit its Romanesque Cathedral dedicated to St. Triphun, the city’s patron saint. We continue to Dubrovnik driving along the picturesque Bay of Kotor. Arrival and overnight in Dubrovnik. (B, D)

DAY 16:                             DUBROVNIK

After breakfast, transfer to Dubrovnik airport. End of our services. (B)

Accommodation (or similar):

DUBROVNIK: Adria Hotel

TIRANA: Sky Tower Hotel

OHRID: Metropol Hotel

SKOPJE: Next Door Park Hotel

KOLASIN: Bianca Hotel

INCLUSIONS:                                        

• Shared arrival transfer from Split airport to Split port on the first day of the tour and shared departure transfer from Dubrovnik hotel to Dubrovnik 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 Split to Dubrovnik 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 Dubrovnik, Tirana, Ohrid, Skopje, Kotor
• Entrance fees to Diocletian’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery and Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik; National Museum in Tirana; St. Sofia, St. Clement, and St. Naum in Ohrid; Church of Holy Savior and Monastery of St. Panteleimon in Skopje; Residence of King Nikola I Petrović in Cetinje; St. Triphun Cathedral in Kotor
• 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.