Day 1: Tuesday
Arrive Venice and transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner and orientation meeting. Overnight hotel. D. (If you decide to arrive a day earlier (recommended), ROW will be happy to reserve an extra night at the hotel for you.) Day 2: Wednesday
You will start your morning with a very special “insiders” tour of Venice. The “Powers of the Past” tour, led by a resident expert, will focus on the town center, Cannaregio, and the Jewish Ghetto, the first in Europe, established by ducal decree in 1516. You’ll walk, boat and see the hidden treasures of this historically pivotal city. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own. Overnight hotel. B,L,D. Day 3: Thursday
Continue with an amazing introduction to Venice and her glory. In the morning, your walking tour will be centered on gondola making with a visit to a boatyard still in use, followed by a visit to the Naval Museum to learn more of the maritime history of Venice. Then, begin a gourmet discovery tour around the bustling Rialto market area. You’ll enjoy snacks at several places and explore many of the small streets of the area. Dinner on your own. Overnight hotel. B, L. Day 4: Friday
Your morning is free to explore on your own. In the afternoon, take the train to Ancona, enjoy dinner and then board the overnight ferry to Split. B,L,D. (If ferry service is available direct from Venice to Zadar, you’ll take this route instead, transferring by bus from Zagreb to Split. Current information suggests this ferry service ends September 9 however.) Day 5: Saturday
Arrive early in Split in time to enjoy the morning markets. Explore the town and meet your guide, Miso Poduje. After breakfast, depart to enjoy a guided walking tour of Split including the beautifully preserved Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Split is an active town with a colorful street market, friendly cafes and numerous ancient monuments. Around 4:00 pm, transfer to the yacht in the harbor and rendezvous with any guests who are joining just the yacht portion of the trip. You may begin the journey to the Island of Brac or enjoy an evening aboard Romanca in Split. B,L,D. Day 6: Sunday - Split to Starigrad
As you cruise to the southwest, if time and weather permit you’ll stop in a pleasant swimming cove on the island of Brac, and those interested will be able to hike about two miles to visit a hidden monastery in the mountains. In the latter afternoon, continue to Starigrad on the island of Hvar. This is the home of Petar Hektorovic, one of Croatia’s most loved poets. Visit his 16th century home, uniquely built within a Turkish fort. Enjoy a stroll in the lovely town and perhaps see the so-called “Cyclopean walls” built of gigantic blocks of stone dating from the Illyrian Period. B,L,D. Day 7: Monday - Starigrad to Vrboska or Jelsa and on to the Town of Hvar
For those with lots of energy, a five-mile hike from Starigrad to Vrboska is offered – others may travel by taxi. Vrboska is a charming town with narrow streets, ancient churches and houses, situated at the head of narrow bays surrounded by lovely pine forests and vineyards. It also is the home of a fortified church, which houses a magnificent collection of paintings, including some by Titian. Return to the boat for lunch and an afternoon cruise to the town of Hvar, arriving by late afternoon. The ancients considered Hvar one of the “Isles of the Blessed”. Flower-filled gardens, palms, lemon and orange groves add a fragrance lovely enough to match the visual appeal. Visit the theatre and Benedictine Monastery (open 5:00 – 7:00 pm). Enjoy dinner in town on your own. B,L,D. Day 8: Tuesday - Hvar to Vis
Get up early and enjoy the market at Hvar or sleep in. Spend a couple more hours exploring this beautiful town, including the 16th century cathedral with impressive Christian paintings of the Madonna. Depending on the weather, you may sail to Vis in the afternoon – or enjoy a trip to a lavender field. Day 9: Wednesday - Vis
If you didn’t make it to Vis yesterday, you’ll try today. It is about a two-hour sail and ROW will hope to make a swim stop en route. The cruise may take you to the town of Vis, or direct to the beautiful blue grotto on the island Bisevo, just a few miles off Vis. On the island of Vis, stroll though the enchanting seaside town of Komiza and visit one of the two best wineries on the island. As Miso is from Vis, he will be a wealth of information and may have some special stops during your stay. B,L,D. Day 10: Thursday - Vis to Korcula
More exploration of Vis and with cooperating weather, you begin the journey south to the island of Korcula. You may stop on the northern end and visit Vela Luka and the interior town of Blato. In the town of Korcula, the palaces and churches are a magnificent display of architectural style ranging from 14th to 16th century and house excellent collections of religious art. Korcula lays claim to being the birthplace of Marco Polo and in September there is a reenactment of the famous battle between Genoa and Venice where he was taken captive, thrown in prison in Genoa and thereby wrote his now-famous Travels. B,L,D. Day 11: Friday - Korcula
More exploration of Korcula. Good wine and friendly natives will add to your fun in Korcula. B,L,D. Day 12: Saturday - Korcula to Gradac
Disembark late morning. Continue by bus to Ston for lunch and then on to Dubrovnik. Overnight Dubrovnik Area Hotel. B,L,D Day 13: Sunday - Dubrovnik
A guided walking tour of Dubrovnik in the morning, followed by lunch on your own and a free afternoon. Gather in the evening for a farewell dinner. Overnight Dubrovnik Area Hotel. B,D. Day 14: Monday
Continue your stay in Dubrovnik, continue your travels, or travel home. ROW recommends a visit to Zagreb, capital of Croatia and can make any and all arrangements you might want, including hotels, tours, etc. |
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