Beautiful, historic and richly resilient, Croatia's Dalmatian Coast has reemerged among Europe's hottest holiday destinations.... offering golden sand beaches, vineyards bucolic with lemon trees, olives and vines, lavender fields fragrant from afar, limestone caves sculpted in time... the architectural artistry of the Venetian Republic... fortified towns and terra cotta tableaus that play out in palaces and promenades...
Walk with us to places immortalized with local color, sip and savor wines masterfully crafted, toast traditions and tales fondly shared, and become part of the stories, past and present, that make your vacation memories last lifetimes. Guided visits and shore excursions choices include revered UNESCO World Heritage sites as you cruise between Venice, the Dalmatian Coast and Montenegro. Discover the architectural masterpiece that is Venice... the Gothic Cathedral of St. Lawrence in Sibenik... the ancient Roman Palace of Diocletian in Split... the walled city of Dubrovnik, renowned for its Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monasteries, palaces, fountains, and churches... the stunning harbor town of Kotor... and the lavender-scented island of Hvar, where Stari Grad Plain astounds with its intact ancient Greek land system. Your elegant ship is perfectly sized and ideally suited for island exploration where the bigger ships can't go, charts a course for destinations of scenic serenity like the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro, where private shore excursions reveal maritime treasures and seaside settlements worthy of leisurely discovery. Two nights at a premier hotel in Venice bring the aura of daily life amidst architectural masterpieces, ancient squares and the ever-present lacework of canals.
HighlightsIn-depth shore excursion choices including visits to revered UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Venice, Dubrovnik, Sibenik, Kotor, Hvar and Split
A choice of walking sightseeing excursions in Venice and a visit to the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello in the Venetian Lagoon
Discover a time-honored cultural tradition in Dubrovnik when you attend an exclusive klapa singing performance at the Rector's Palace
All gratuities to Tauck Director, ship staff and local guides
Seven-night cruise aboard a Ponant ship
Choice of all-included shore excursions most days
Welcome to Venice
Tour begins: 6:00 PM. A transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport via water taxi to JW Marriott Resort & Spa or Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice is included upon your arrival. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.
Explore Venice in a choice of sightseeing walking excursions
You'll get a taste of how opulent life was for the ruling elite of medieval Venice at the richly decorated Doge's Palace; it served as the official residence of the Venetian Republic's rulers through the Renaissance and beyond. There's nothing quite like getting to know a new destination through the eyes – and the experiences – of a local expert... and you'll do just that in Venice today when you join a resident local guide on your choice of three walking excursions. First choice is a guided walking tour that includes a visit to the Doge's Palace and a stroll through Mercerie's lively shop-lined streets. Alternatively, discover Venice's artistic soul on a walking tour of the Santa Margherita district and an insider lecture about the city's mask-making history; or take a culturally rich walk through historic religious sites and traditional Venetian neighborhoods, including San Rocco and San Polo. Your afternoon and evening are free to spend as you please.
Visit islands in the Venetian Lagoon and embark
Board a local boat today for an excursion among the picturesque islands of the Venetian Lagoon – part of the region's UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, along with the city of Venice. Visit Murano, famous for glass production since medieval times, where you'll see how artisans still craft their signature glass in the traditional way with a demonstration at a glassblowing studio; and Burano, known for its lace and the colorfully painted homes lining its canals, with free time to explore on your own. The island of Torcello is quiet, green, and sparsely populated – more countryside than villages; it's your destination for lunch. Return to Venice late this afternoon and embark your ship to begin your Dalmatian Coast cruise.
The remarkable island of Korcula
Sail to Korcula, birthplace of explorer Marco Polo. You have a choice of sightseeing excursions today – a guided walking tour (either leisurely or active, your choice) through Old Town that highlights the variety of architectural styles seen in Korcula, including the Rector's Palace, the City Museum, the Museum of Icons in the church, the Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral of St. Marco, and the House of Marco Polo (viewed from the outside). Late afternoon, everyone attends a private Moreska dance presentation of a Moroccan folk story, performed only on this island. Enjoy free time this evening to explore on your own, before returning to the ship for the Captain's welcome reception and dinner.
Sibenik, Krka National Park & Split
Disembark ship in Sibenik, Croatia, for a choice of three morning excursions. Drive inland to the picturesque village of Primošten Burni, where you'll get a taste of daily life; you also have a choice of a visit to the medieval UNESCO World Heritage town of Trogir to view its stunning 13th-century cathedral with free time to explore on your own; and for a third choice, a drive along the Adriatic Sea to Krka National Park, where a guided walk through the forest leads to cascading waterfalls that are picture perfect in every way. Everyone travels to fascinating Split this afternoon where you'll also have choice of sightseeing excursion. Journey back in time on a historic walking tour that explores Split's historic roots and Imperial Roman past – included is a visit to the cellars of Diocletian's Palace as well as the Temple of Jupiter, and a visit to the Cathedral of St. Duje. Alternatively, join us for a walking tour of Split that includes a visit to Meštrovic Gallery, an art museum which is dedicated to the work of famous local sculptor Ivan Meštrovic. Board the ship late afternoon for cocktails and dinner.
Exploring Kotor, Montenegro
Head to the observation deck as you sail into Montenegro's Bay of Kotor, Europe's southernmost fjord – the view is inspiring and unforgettable. Morning shore excursion choices include: a guided walking tour of Kotor; a journey up a narrow mountain road to the village of Njegusi for a visit to a traditional smokehouse where they specialize in making prosciutto; a guided hike* up Mt. Lovcen accompanied by a picnic lunch; a zodiac-style boat* for an exciting but bumpy ride on colorful waters to the Blue Cave with an opportunity to spend time at the beach; or an exhilarating RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tour starting from the historic port town of Kotor, along the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea toward the famed Blue Cave. Everyone spends the afternoon as they please exploring the charming, winding streets of medieval Kotor, returning to the ship for an evening sail to Dubrovnik.
Day in Dubrovnik
Begin your day with an arrival in Dubrovnik and an exclusive lecture by a Croatia expert before heading ashore on your choice of shore excursions. Join a local guide on a walking tour of the city's well-preserved walled medieval center, a virtual open-air museum; enjoy a "Game of Thrones" themed tour of the city; learn about Dubrovnik's Jewish heritage on a walking tour; or embark on a buggy safari through the city. Alternatively, journey into the countryside to learn about the flour-making traditions at a mill in riverside Ljuta, and the traditional art of silk thread production in the village of Gruda, followed by a guided walking tour of Dubrovnik; or drive along the Adriatic coastline to Orašac for a visit to a family-owned mill and a demonstration of traditional olive oil production, with an opportunity to taste homemade food, wine and salad grown in the garden of the family house. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please in Dubrovnik; tonight, join us for an exclusive Klapa singing performance at the Rector's Palace.
Choices to explore the chic island of Hvar
Experience the island of Hvar; sightseeing here offers a number of choices: traveling to Stari Grad, dating back thousands of years, for a walking tour that includes a visit to the Dominican Monastery followed by a scenic drive to a nearby village for a special wine tasting; a hiking* adventure that takes you through local villages with lunch in a small tavern in the picturesque, hidden village of Malo Grablje; a leisurely guided walking tour along the streets of Hvar; or an off-roading adventure aboard a four-wheeled air conditioned vehicle. Everyone returns to Hvar midday for free time. Tonight,your ship charts a course for Sibenik.
The Istrian Peninsula & Rovinj
Dock in Rovinj this morning, one of the most picturesque and romantic little towns in the world. Sightseeing opportunities here include a walking tour of Rovinj, a bicycling* excursion along the Istrian coastline or a visit to Pula, its Roman amphitheatre and an olive oil tasting at an estate in the nearby town of Vodnjan. Enjoy your final evening aboard ship as you return to Venice.
Journey Home
Tour ends: 9:00 AM, Venice. A transfer is included from your ship to Marco Polo Airport or the Venice Train Station. Allow 3 hours for check-in at the airport.
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & Sightseeing
ITINERARY
