Croatia's Rich Nature and Culture

The floating city of Venice sits on millions of wooden piles and more than 400 bridges cross 150 canals. No other city possesses such an abundance of stunningly beautiful churches, monasteries, palaces and artistic treasures. Venice is a unique work of art and as such it, along with its lagoon, is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gateway to the city is probably the most magical of any in the world. Slowly and majestically glide past the proud palaces along the Grand Canal and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, permitting a long look at the fairytale setting of St. Mark's Square with the Doge's Palace and Campanile. Explore the city before boarding your ship to begin your adventure.

In Italy's Emilia-Romagna region sits the city of Ravenna. It is well-known for the vibrant mosaics that adorn many of its key structures, including the cross-shaped Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, the sixth-century Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, and the octagonal Basilica di San Vitale. The Mausoleo di Teodorico, a circular Gothic stone mausoleum with a monolithic dome that was constructed in the sixth century for King Theodoric the Great, is located to the north of the town.

The Adriatic island of Korcula is one of the greenest in the region. Vineyards and olive groves stretch across rolling hills. The island's main town of the same name is protected by a city wall. It is one of the best-preserved medieval Mediterranean towns. Some buildings evoke the time when the maritime power of Venice ruled. Tintoretto is immortalized in the cathedral, and in one of the narrow streets you can search for the house where, according to legend, Marco Polo once lived.

Croatia's central Adriatic coast is home to the town of Trogir. A small island that is connected to the mainland and the island of iovo by bridges is home to the city's well-preserved old town, which is renowned for its blend of Renaissance, baroque, and Romanesque architecture. The Renaissance Chapel of St. John is housed in the 13th-century Cathedral of St. Lawrence, which also has a bell tower with panoramic views. The old city walls are still in place in several places.

The port of Sibenik is set in a sheltered bay on the Dalmatian coast in the estuary of the Krka, one of the most impressive waterways in Croatia. In the National Park, just a few kilometres (miles) away from Sibenik, the countryside seems both enchanted and savage. Rushing waters cascade picturesquely down from a limestone plateau into the depths below. The charming old town of Sibenik is impressive, mainly due to the massive Cathedral of St James, one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in the eastern Adriatic and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city of Zadar is known for the ruins of its old town, which reflect the history of the city under both Roman and Venetian rule. A Forum dating to Roman times lies next to an 11th-century convent, which today houses hundreds of years' worth of religious art. Explore the winding streets of the old town to spot the various preserved Venetian gates scattered throughout the city. Or sit and listen to the sea organ, an architectural instrument and art installation that plays music as the sea waves pass through a series of tubes under a set of marble steps. 

On the western tip of the Istrian peninsula is the Croatian fishing port of Rovinj. With homes closely packed together all the way to the seaside, the ancient town is perched on a peninsula. The hilltop church of St. Euphemia, whose imposing steeple dominates the skyline, is reached through a maze of cobblestone streets. Lone Bay, one of the region's pebble beaches, is located south of the old town. The 14 islands that make up the Rovinj archipelago are located just offshore.

Return to Venice. Disembark your ship after breakfast to explore this beloved city before heading home or continuing on your independent travels.