Island hopping cruise

M/S Splendid

CROATIA, Dubrovnik - Dubrovnik

The Island Hopping Cruise is an extra value cruise. This cruise is carefully prepared in every detail in order to meet high personal requirements. The Cruise ship was built for summer of 2014. The Intention of this cruise is to show beauty of our islands and thousand year old cities and their rich history, to present our lifestyle and heritage that we want to offer to our children as a gift. The Itinerary is carefully prepared in order to give you right enough time to experience current history, enough time to undertake your own explorations of medieval towns located on South Dalmatian islands, as well as those on the mainland and to have enough time to relax and go swimming. During 7 night cruise you will be able to gain an exciting experience of Croatian way of life, its past blended with present. Boat with spacious air-conditioned cabins, a comfortable salon, lounge bar, an outdoor covered sitting area as well as a sunny deck together with carefully chosen and experienced crew and cruise manager will make your cruise unforgettable.

Day 1 Dubrovnik arrival

Ship will be docked in Gruž harbour where you can board during the entire day. Welcome meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. where you will be introduced by our Cruise director to the Captain, crew and of course your future fellow passengers with whom you will spend a week on board. Welcome dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. The embarkation will be possible throughout the day; passengers arriving in the morning cannot enter their cabins before 1:00 p.m. but they can leave luggage on board. Captain will wait for all passengers arriving late at night and these guests will be provided with cold dinner.

Day 2 DUBROVNIK- ELAPHITI ISLANDS- N.P. MLJET

After breakfast we will start our pleasant cruise to the Mljet National Park. On our way we will cruise by magnificent shores of the Elaphiti islands archipelago, to the northwest of Dubrovnik, with a swim stops along a way. Lunch will be served on board while cruising to Mljet National Park. Upon arrival to the Mljet National Park, you will have free afternoon to explore park, to walk around the Great and Small Lake and Islet of St. Mary with its Benedictine Monastery from the 12th century. Evening at leisure.

Day 3 MLJET - HVAR

Morning cruise to the Island of Hvar with a swim stop near the island of Korčula. After lunch we will continue cruising towards the sunniest island of Croatia – the island of Hvar, with a second swim stop in a one of the many coves and bays along the way. Hvar is one of the most popular, very attractive tourist destinations and a meeting point for the international jet set. Upon your evening arrival at Hvar, a local English speaking guide will walk you throughout the town introducing you to the history, culture and way of life on this island. We will join a short lavender presentation where you can learn how lavender was traditionally farmed on Hvar Island for centuries. Have an evening in Hvar is free to explore and dine around in one of numerous family owned restaurants.

Day 4 HVAR - BOL – SPLIT

After breakfast we continue sailing to Bol, said to have the best beach for swimming in Croatia named Zlatni Rat. (Golden cape) We will stop in Bol and enjoy this nice Dalmatian town for a walk, or to have a cup of coffee and take a swim till lunch is served on board. After a relaxed cruise from Bol to Split arrival in Split is expected during afternoon hours. Split is the second largest urban centre in Croatia and the seat of the Split and Dalmatia County. It is traditionally considered to be over 1,700 years old. Since 1979 the historic centre of Split has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. The historical and cultural buildings are located inside the walls of the Diocletian’s Palace. In addition, its numerous museums, the National Theatre, old churches and other archaeological sites in the region of Split make this city an important cultural attraction.Our English speaking guide will do 35-40 minute Split City tour, and walk us through historical Diocletian’s Palace.

Day 5 SPLIT – OMIŠ – PUČIŠĆA

After breakfast we cruise to Omiš, ancient town with city walls, fortresses and stone churches located at the delta of Cetina River with its wonderful beaches. In the past Omiš was for centuries a symbol of retaliation, courage and strength of the famous pirates against Venetian Republic. After a relaxed walk in Omiš we will have lunch. Our voyage will continue towards Pučišća. Pučišća is the biggest village on the island of Brač an entirely different experience. Nowhere in the system of towns and villages in Dalmatia does terrain play such a compelling role as in Pučišća with its spectacular irregularity of the steep-sided natural harbour, its authentic Mediterranean architecture and rustic ambience; the fjord like inlet meets three narrow valleys that descend from the hills to join those quiet and beautiful waters. Pučišća Quarry was exploited in the Antiquity; the reopening of the quarry took place in 1455, unused since Roman times. It was from this quarry that stone was excavated to build limestone columns of the White House in Washington DC, The Parliament house in Vienna and many other famous buildings all over the world. The only Stonemasonry School in Croatia is located in Pučišća where students carve sculptures from Brač limestone with traditional and unconventional tools that have been used here for centuries. We will spend night in this very quiet small town. Nightfall unifies the diverse features of Pučišća that have intrigued us by daylight.

Day 6 PUČIŠĆA - KORČULA

We start our day with morning departure towards the last island on our cruise – the island of Korčula. We shall stop for a swim before lunch and in the afternoon we will arrive in Korčula town, on Korčula Island. Korčula is a city known as a birthplace of Marko Polo, the famous explorer. Our English speaking guide will do short Korčula City tour, and walk us through narrow and cobbled streets of Korčula. The rest of the evening is free to enjoy dining at one of the local restaurants of your choice.

Day 7 KORČULA – DUBROVNIK

After breakfast we depart for a pleasant cruise along the shores of Mljet and the Elaphiti islands where we will have a swim stop and lunch; Arrival back to Dubrovnik in the afternoon, our first and last stop. You will have afternoon and evening free to enjoy your stay in the Pearl of the Adriatic.

Day 8 Dubrovnik departure

It is time to say farewell to all your new friends after breakfast.