Dalmatia Cruise Adventure 2012

Day 1 Embark in Dubrovnik, Croatia / Korcula

Embark the Adriatic Pearl this morning and prepare for your Dalmatian Adventure. During a welcome drink, Captain's orders and safety measures will be explained. Moreover, you will be introduced to the Captain, members of the staff and your tour guide. While sailing off to Korcula island you can start to mingle with your new fellow shipmates.

Arrive in Korcula in the late afternoon hours. Korcula is a small town situated on the north-east end of Korcula island. The old medieval part of the town was built on a small oval peninsula. Today the town has about 3,000 inhabitants. A local legend says that a great merchant traveler Marco Polo was born in Korcula town (but do not argue with locals on this point). The town center is dominated by the splendid Cathedral of St. Mark. Upon your arrival to Korcula, a local guide will introduce you to historical town, architecture and stories of Korcula town.
Included Excursion: Korcula Town Tour (walking tour, approx 1 hour.)

Day 2 Orebic / Povlia Bay / Brač Island

Depart this morning for a spectacular trip between the Peljesac Peninsula, Hvar island and Makarska riviera en route to the island of Brac. After breakfast, make a short stop on Peljesac Peninsula, in Orebic town, situated on the opposite side of Korcula town. Your visit will include the Maritime Museum of Orebic, due to the fact that town is known as a birth place of many Croatian Captains.

Continue your journey towards Pucisca with a stop for a refreshing swim in Povlja bay. Pucisca is the island's biggest village and it is settled on the north side of the island of Brac. Authentic Mediterranean architecture, rustic ambiance, village location inside a deep fiord; shiny and white stone facades rising amphitheatrically uphill the hummocks, make this place so unique and worth seeing. It was built from stone, and the majority of the inhabitants live from it. The three nearby quarries of Punta, Veselje, and Kupinovo have produced a stone that has been used to build limestone columns of the White House in Washington DC, Parliament house in Vienna and many other famous buildings all over the world. Love for stone continues until nowadays, as the stonemasonry school in Pucisca, founded in 1906 and one of the oldest in the world, supports the skills of an authentic roman stone dressing. By listening, respecting and loving the stone, students create pieces of work that travelers are able to see in the workshop.
Included Excursions: Maritime Museum of Orebic, Stonemasonry School in Pucisca.

Day 3 Omis / Split

After few days of island cruising, enjoy stops in the mainland towns. In the morning hours arrive in Omis, a pirate town where guests can embark on a stunning river boat ride on Cetina river, a river that flows into Adriatic. After a short Omis town tour, the optional Cetina boat excursion will depart from Omis 6 km up the river to the picnic area of Radman mills where you will be welcomed with a drink and local snacks. Enjoy the food, nature and a boat ride around the impressive Cetina Canyon surrounded by mountains.

In late afternoon hours arrive in Split where a town tour led by a local guide will start. Split is the second largest urban center in Croatia and the center of Split Dalmatian County. It is traditionally considered to be over 1,700 years old. Since 1979 the historic center of Split has been inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List. It is the economic, administrative, educational, sport and tourist center of Dalmatia. Many of Split’s historical and cultural buildings can be found within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace. In addition, numerous museums, the National Theatre, old churches and other archeological sites in Split region make this city an important cultural attraction.
Included Excursions: Omis Town Tour, Split Town Tour.
Optional Excursion: Cetina River boat trip to Radman Mills with snack.

Day 4 Brač Island / Hvar

In early hours, before leaving Split, have the unique opportunity to accompany the boat Chef to the fish market to pick up ingredients and fresh fish for a daily meal. Today's itinerary includes a stop for swimming on the island of Brač. Visit Bol, the most famous sandy beach in Croatia situated on the opposite side of Pucisca town.

For an optional excursion in Bol, savor a few glasses of good quality wine in awarded winery Jako vino. Moreover, you will be offered with tasteful canapé bites made of olives, anchovies and cheese. You will be introduced to wine production in Croatia and on Dalmatian islands.

After lunch continue sailing towards the sunniest island in Croatia – the island of Hvar. Hvar is a unique fusion of luxurious Mediterranean nature, rich culture and historical heritage. Its name derives from the Greek name Pharos, today's Stari Grad (Old Town). Hvar became the island’s center in the 13th century. The island gained glory and power during Middle Ages by being an important port within the Venetian naval empire. Today, it is the center of the island’s tourism and one of the favorite destinations in the Dalmatian Riviera. Upon your arrival in Hvar, a local guide and a producer of aromatical oils will make a short lavender oil presentation and walk you throughout the city introducing you to history, culture and way of life on this island.
Included Excursions: Split fish narket tour, Lavender presentation, Hvar town tour.
Optional Excursion: Wine tasting with canape in Jako Vino Winery (Bol)

Day 5 Gradina Bay / Vela Luka (Korcula Island)

Wednesday is reserved for swimming. Before your arrival to Vela Luka (Big Port), stop for swimming and relaxation in a beautiful Gradina bay near the town of Vela Luka.

Arrive in Vela Luka town in the afternoon hours. On the western part of Korcula island Vela Luka town is situated in a deep and large bay, surrounded by many coves. Shores are covered with vineyards, olive trees, figs and pine trees that gently slope into the sea. Vela Luka is the second largest town on the Adriatic islands. It is also famous for olive oil production as almost every inhabitant produces extra-virgin olive oil. Upon your arrival, the custodian of Vela Luka's town museum will introduce you to a prehistoric life in this area by showing you findings of Vela Spila (Big Cave), considered to be one of the oldest in this part of Mediterranean. After dinner you will in enjoy gala evening with live music.
Included Excursion: Visit to Vela Luka town museum.

Day 6 Blato / Smokvica / Pomena (Mljet Island)

Expect a busy morning today as after breakfast you will have a coach tour of inland Korcula Island. First, stop in the Zlokic olive oil factory for tasting olive oil and homemade products. After the tour proceed to Blato to visit the Barilo ethno museum. Part folk museum & part ethno house, Barilo treasures a collection of of artifacts and objects from peasant life on island's villages. Your visit includes a tasting of local liqueurs and traditional sweets. Before leaving solid ground stop in Smokvica for a walk or a drink before the boat will pick you up from Brna bay to set sail towards the island of Mljet.

On the northwestern part of the Mljet island the National Park is located, founded on in 1960 and is the oldest National Park in Croatia. This historic park is world renown thanks to its natural wonders such as Small and Big Lake. The monastery and St. Mary’s Church built in the 12th century by the Benedictines from Monte Gargano, Italy is located in the middle of the Big Lake. The church has changed its appearance trough times under different cultural changes, from the Renaissance to Baroque. However, the central part remained Romanic.
Included Excursions: Korcula Island coach tour, Folk museum and ethno house.
Optional Excursions: Zlokic olive oil factory, Mljet National Park entrance fee, payable locally.

Day 7 Lopud Island / Dubrovnik

Today embark on a magnificent trip along the shores of Elaphiti islands consisting of several islands northwestern of Dubrovnik. In Dubrovnik enjoy an organized town tour, but before arrival in Dubrovnik make a stop on Lopud Island, famous for having one of the best beaches in Dubrovnik region. There you can take a swim, wonder around or simply enjoy a delightful scenery on the last day of your Croatian cruise adventure.

Arrive in Dubrovnik in the afternoon. Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities on the Croatian coast. In the middle ages the Republic of Dubrovnik was an important rival to Venice. Many buildings in the Old city center testify of this glorious past and of the Venetian influence. Today, Dubrovnik is also a very lively city, with many things to do, both during the day and night. The coast nearby offers all sorts of activities and the town has many restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Dubrovnik is the city rich in culture and history, and for that reason, it is inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List.
Included Excursion: Dubrovnik town tour.

Day 8 Disembark in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Enjoy your final breakfast aboard the Adriatic Pearl before preparing for disembarkation. It is time to say farewell to all of your new friends, and continue your journey home with your memories, photos and experiences.