Venice has been known as the "Queen of the Adriatic," "City of Masks," "The Floating City," and "City of Canals." Luigi Barzini, writing in the New York Times, described it as "undoubtedly the most beautiful city built by man." Venice has also been described by the Times Online as being one of Europe's most romantic cities. Founded in the 5th century, the city stretches across 118 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic. In 1987, Venice and its lagoon were inscribed as a UNESCO Heritage Site. Settle into your cabin and attend a welcome dinner as the ship sets sail.
 
 

Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated toward the end of a narrow strip of Italian territory lying between the Adriatic Sea and Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city. Trieste is located at the head of the Gulf of Trieste, and, throughout history, it has been influenced by its location at the crossroads of Latin, Slavic, and Germanic cultures. Once a very influential and powerful center of politics, literature, music, art and culture under Austrian-Hungarian dominion, its importance fell into decline toward the end of the 20th century, and today, Trieste is often forgotten as tourists head off to the big Italian cities like Rome and Milan. It is, however, a very charming, underestimated city, with a quiet and lovely almost Eastern European atmosphere, several pubs and cafes, some stunning architecture and a beautiful sea view. It was also, for a while, the residence of famous Irish writer James Joyce.

Piran may be the most beautiful of Slovenia's coastal towns. It is perched on a tiny piece of land jutting into the sea. It has the feeling of being more like an Italian coastal town, without all the tourists. Piran was part of the Venetian empire from the late 13th century to the end of the 18th century and also had some influence from the Austria-Hungary Empire. There are excellent reviews when guests participate in the adventure to see the Lipizzaner Horses as well as the walking exploration.

Opatija is a tranquil resort sometimes referred to as “Croatian Monte Carlo” on the sheltered east coast of the Istrian peninsula of Croatia. This village is a complete contrast to the dry Dalmatian coastal towns further south. Green hillsides give way to gardens and parks full of exotic plants down by the ocean. This town was developed in the 1880s specifically as a chic resort. Its mild climate and stunning setting made it a favorite winter destination for the 19th century Austrian and Hungarian aristocracy. Most of the hotels in town were constructed from this period. Opatija's highly jagged and rocky coast is bordered by a shady promenade, the Lungomare, which extends for 12 km to the picturesque village of Lovran. Along the way, there are dozens of picturesque secluded coves to stretch out a towel along the rocks and jump into the sea.

Welcome to the Dalmatian Coast. Zadar is the oldest inhabited city in Croatia and dates back to 59 BC, when the city was a Roman municipality featuring traditional Roman infrastructure and early urban planning. The city’s modern history includes major transformations during World War II and during the 1990s with the country’s war of independence. Enjoy the beautiful streets, amazing architecture, and beautiful culture that the city has to offer.

Vis Island holds a host of accolades, from being the oldest town in Croatia and hosting the oldest regatta in Europe, to featuring some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. With a picturesque coastline, it is easy to see why Vis was selected as the backdrop for the 2018 feature film “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.” The farthest inhabited island off the Croatian mainland, Vis has an interesting cultural heritage after being secluded from foreign visitors up until the late 1980s. This history of isolation has been key in keeping the island pure, making Vis an ideal destination for those seeking authenticity.

Dubrovnik is one of the most prominent destinations in the Adriatic Sea. It lies in the region of Dalmatia and was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. The population is approximately 43,000 and is considered to be among the 10 best medieval walled cities in the world.

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your continued independent journeys.