Product Description
Highlights
Visit the stunning Kornati National Park, the biggest and most incredible collection of islands in the entire Adriatic Sea, once described by playwright George Bernard Shaw as God’s special creation of ‘tears, stars and breath’. Experience the Sea Organ in Zadar, an incredible marriage of acoustical engineering and historical art – with a glass of sparkling wine at sunset, no less!. A nice, easy guided walk in Plitivice Lakes National Park is the ideal way to experience this UNESCO listed World Heritage wonder. History lovers rejoice – this trip visits coastal villages and towns that are brimming with buildings left by all conquerers of the Dalmatian region
Overview
There’s a special place in central Dalmatia that’s home to beautifully preserved medieval towns and little coves with some of the clearest waters in all of Europe. This eight-day trip gives an opportunity to sail up and down the coastline while still allowing enough shore time to get lost in towns and national parks along the way. Go castle hunting in Trogir, paddle through the Komati national park via kayak, check out the mashed architecture of Zadar and sink your teeth into some smoked ham with a traditional Dalmatian lunch in Sibenik. Find out why central Dalmatia is getting a reputation as one of Europe’s best getaways on this adventure cruise across the Adriatic.
Breakfast Included: 7 Lunches Included: 5 Dinner Included: 4
Split
Welcome to Croatia. Board your ship at 5 pm, and meet your fellow travellers for a welcome meeting and drink. In the evening, enjoy dinner on board.
Trogir and Primosten
Set sail early for Trogir and enjoy breakfast on board. On arrival, a leader-led orientation walk acquaints you with this beautiful town. You visit the Cathedral of St Lawrence, which is one of Croatia's finest architectural pieces, and the 15th-century Kamerlengo fortress. Sit down to some lunch on board the ship, before sailing to Primosten where your evening is at leisure.
Kornati National Park
Sail to Kornati National Park, a nautical wonderland made up of 89 islands. Explore the bays, stopping for a swim. Those keen for some kayaking are welcome to take that option; alternatively, sit back and take in the endless blue-green vistas and snap some photos. Stay overnight in Telascica.
Zadar
En route to Zadar you'll stop at a deserted cove for a swim. In Zadar, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia, you'll take a walking tour with a local guide. This includes admittance to St Donatus Church, an imposing 9th-century domed building still used for music performance. Later in the afternoon you'll head to the unique Sea Organ, which generates music via sea waves, using tubes placed beneath a set of broad marble stairs. It's not only a profound piece of art, highlighting the long history of the town, but also a feat of engineering. As darkness falls you'll enjoy a glass of sparkling wine at nearby Greeting to the Sun, an in-ground monument consisting of 300 multi-layered glass plates in a 22-metre (72 foot) diameter circle that produces a stunning show of light after dark. It works in tandem with the Sea Organ -- one communicates with light, the other with sound.
Plitivice Lakes National Park
Transfer by coach to Plitvice National Park, where a leisurely hike with your leader is a lovely way to take in all the natural beauty. While you can't swim in these lakes, the experience of nature is a profound one, with waterfalls and butterflies piercing the ambience of the lush green forest, providing many a photo opportunity. Return to Zadar in the afternoon.
Sibenik
Sail to Sibenik, take a short orientation walk with your leader, then a transfer to a nearby village. Here you are treated to a traditional Dalmatian lunch in an agriturismo. This particular spot is famous for its smoked ham, known in the to the locals as pršut. You visit the farm, enjoying the local countryside, before returning to Sibenik in early evening.
Split
After breakfast on board you’ll make a stop at Ciovo Island for a swim (if time allows) before sailing back to Split, Croatia's second largest city, abuzz with the Dalmatian lifestyle. Take a guided walking tour on arrival. In the evening, sit down to a captain's dinner on board the Dalmatia, and raise your glass to the adventure that has been.
Split
Enjoy a final breakfast at 8 am. Your trip comes to an end as you disembark at 10 am.