INSIGHT EXPERIENCES

• Meet a Local for a Photography Walk in Korcula

  Join Andrea, a passionate local, for a photography walk across the maze of streets and flagstone plazas. Spend time looking for the cultural and natural treasures of the city.

TOP RATED HIGHLIGHTS

AUTHENTIC DINING

Day 1: Welcome to Dalmatian Coast in Split  (D)

Your private transfer will collect you from Split airport and take you to Cornaro Hotel, located in the heart of the city. Your Local Host will greet you and be on hand to help you decide how to spend your time. Perhaps wander through the Old Town, situated minutes away from your hotel? Maybe enjoy a wine tasting at your hotel, or take in the views from the rooftop bar?
Hotel: Cornaro Hotel or similar

Day 2: Split – Board Your Elegant Cruise Ship (B/D)

After a free morning, your Local Host will accompany you to Split harbour, where your deluxe cruiser awaits. After a warm welcome by your Cruise Manager, settle into your cabin. Join your Local Expert for a stroll through the ancient walkways of Diocletian’s Palace, which now forms the historic centre of Split. Walk through labyrinthine streets to see St. Duje’s, originally Diocletian’s Mausoleum, and the Temple of Jupiter, which today is a baptistery, as well as the Golden Gate. Continue your venture underground to explore the cellars. Return to your cruiser to enjoy a cocktail and Welcome Dinner with wine at your meet-and-greet party.
Ship: MV Avangard or MV Futura or similar (7 nights)

Day 3: Cruise from Split to Korčula (B/L)

Early this morning, depart from Split and journey along the picturesque coast. From the comfort of your cabin window or the breakfast table upstairs, enjoy views of sun-dappled islands during your leisurely start to the day. Stop for lunch in one of the secluded bays before arriving in Korčula, on the island of the same name. The locals claim the celebrated globetrotter, Marco Polo was born here.
Embark on a fascinating  photography walk with Andrea, a passionate Local Expert who takes you through the herringbone maze of streets and flagstone plazas. Spend time looking for the cultural and natural treasures of the city. Then you are at leisure to indulge your taste buds in the evening at one of Korčula’s many appealing restaurants and bars.

Day 4: Mljet – Dubrovnik (B/L/D)

Voyage south to the Island of Mljet and join your Cruise Manager for a stroll to Veliko Jezero, the Big Lake of Mljet National Park. A gentle ferry ride brings you to the Benedictine Monastery of St. Mary, which rises out of the saline waters on its own small island. After time to explore, return to your cruise ship for a traditional Croatian lunch. Next, set sail for the mighty bastions of Dubrovnik. As the receding sun casts autumnal hues across the endless sky, drift alongside the monumental city walls and enjoy a delicious buffet dinner served on deck.

Day 5: Dubrovnik (B)

Transfer to the medieval Old Town of Dubrovnik, where the footsteps of endless travellers have buffed the marbled streets and squares to a smooth patina. After your guided walking exploration, take the cable car to Srđ Mountain for scenic views over the famous fortifications and the Elaphiti Islands. Enjoy a free afternoon in the Pearl of the Adriatic – explore at your own pace, shop in the markets or stroll with friends along the ancient ramparts.

Day 6: Dubrovnik – Elaphiti Islands – the Pelješac Peninsula (B/L/D)

Start off your day cruising past the beautiful Elaphiti Islands, a summer playground for Dubrovnik’s aristocracy during the 16th century. Continue to the Pelješac Peninsula, renowned for its excellent wines, where you will have the chance to take a dip in the beautiful blue waters. Enjoy time to explore before returning to your cruise ship for an included four-course buffet lunch. After mooring at a small port on the peninsula, transfer to the village of Kuna to see the local church and monastery, followed by a visit to a nearby farm. Meet the locals and treat your taste buds to a typical village feast with a Farm-to-Table dinner of Croatian delicacies, freshly made with their own produce. Late in the evening, return to your ship.

Day 7: Scedro – Hvar (B/L)

Drop anchor at the small island of Šćedro, with quiet coves and pristine beauty offering the most irresistible backdrop for lunch. Cruise west for a chance to swim in the crystal clear waters of the emerald Pakleni Islands. Continue to disembark at Hvar – the island of sunshine, lavender, sage and wine. Follow the gorgeous white stone, laid down by the Venetians to the town’s magnificent main square with your Local Expert, considered one of the country’s most beautiful. Lined with chic cafes, it unfurls onto the yacht-filled harbour, with the photogenic Renaissance cathedral forming a stunning backdrop. Spend time exploring the secluded beaches and tiny seafood restaurants, or visit the crowning fortress for superb views over the town and island-studded bay.

Day 8: Brac – Bol (B/L/D)

Set sail for Bol in the morning, the oldest town on the island of Brač and one of Croatia’s most famous seaside resorts. Walk along the promenade and swim at the picture-perfect Zlatni Rat, or Golden Cape, a shifting triangle of sandy beaches, protruding into the cobalt waters of the Adriatic. At a local winery, relax with some appetisers and taste some of the revered wines of the island. The evening is reserved for the Captain’s Celebration Dinner with live entertainment.

Day 9: Farewell Split (B)

Early morning, cruise to Split port, where your trip comes to an end. Transfers are available to Split airport. Please do not schedule flights prior to 12:00.

MV Avangard Ship

The MV Avangard is part of a newly built fleet of sleek, modern yachts, introduced in 2017 exclusively for cruising Croatia. She features advanced technology and comforts for a maximum of 36 passengers in 18 modern, air-conditioned cabins, guaranteeing an intimate setting for an unforgettable small-ship cruise.

Launched in 2017, the MV Avangard is a deluxe vessel with the latest trends in small-ship construction. She is 161-feet-long and 28-feet wide with a cruising speed of nine nautical miles per hour which makes her ideal for berthing at smaller ports of call. The comfort of guests is ensured with everything from the impeccable personal of the crew to the long list of modern amenities.

Cabins

The vessel includes 18 air-conditioned, en-suite cabins, 8 on the lower deck and 10 on the main deck. Each cabin offers important features like a PA system for announcements made by the captain and cruise director, a fire alarm, lifejackets and emergency lights. Passengers will also find a small sofa, writing desk and chair, nightstand, and either a port hole (lower deck cabins) or window (main deck cabins) for watching the world go by. All bathrooms include a shower, sink, toilet and hairdryer.

Facilities and Public Areas

Common areas have the comfort of each passenger in mind, including the spacious sundeck with both shaded and open spaces, along with chaise loungers for relaxing in the sun. An onboard hot tub is ideal for soothing those muscles after a day exploring Croatia’s medieval cities and gem-like islands. The restaurant includes a bar area with an LCD television, along with an outdoor lounge area for sipping a cocktail while taking in impressive panoramic vistas of your surroundings. When the water becomes irresistible, it’s easy to jump in as you’ll find a swimming platform with a ladder at the rear of the vessel.

Dining

While cruising the MV Avangard, you can expect delicious, freshly-prepared meals served on a half-board basis, including a buffet breakfast every morning and six 3-course set lunches. Passengers can also enjoy complimentary fresh fruit and a 1.5-liter of bottled water each day along with a selection of soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits at the bar for purchase, payable at the end of the trip. All dining on the vessel is enjoyed in a relaxed, casual setting, meaning no formal dress is required.

MV Futura Ship

Built in 2013, the MV Futura is a deluxe modern vessel that takes small-ship cruising up a notch. She not only offers highly personalized service in a more intimate atmosphere with a capacity for 38 guests, but passengers can look forward to plenty of contemporary amenities while sailing in affordable style.

The MV Futura is a deluxe 156-foot-long and 30-foot wide vessel designed to reach those smaller, out of the way ports, providing a more intimate cruising experience that includes more of Croatia’s highlights. With a maximum of 38 guests, each passenger will feel like a VIP and can expect well-equipped comfortable cabins and public areas with amenities like a Jacuzzi, expansive sun deck with deck beds for all, and a swimming platform for rejuvenating dips in the Adriatic.

Cabins

There are 8 lower deck cabins and 11 main deck cabins, each of which are en-suite and air-conditioned. All include the necessities like lifejackets, emergency lights and an internal intercom system so you won’t miss any announcements by the captain and tour director, as well as a small sofa, nightstand, wardrobe, safe, desk and chair. Each bathroom includes a toilet, shower, sink and hairdryer