Croatia: Highlights of Dalmatia: Split – Dubrovnik or Dubrovnik – Split | Plus

Individual journey to Dubrovnik. Check-in on board starts between 2 and 2.30 pm at Gruž, the town port. At about 4:30 pm, a guided tour through Dubrovnik is offered, where you hear some interesting details of the town’s history and visit the most interesting sites. The boat will spend the night in Gruž providing the opportunity to experience Dubrovnik’s nightlife.

Today is the perfect day to acclimatize to your holiday. In the morning we enjoy breakfast and a cruise towards the Island of Šipan with the possibility along the way for a swim directly from the ship. Šipan is the largest of the Elaphiti Islands, yet still humble in size. What it lacks in size, it makes up for in charm. A great place for our first bike tour and to get used to riding in a group. After a lot of firsts, the evening can be enjoyed in the peaceful island atmosphere. The night is spent on Šipan.

A short morning cruise brings us to Sobra on the green island of Mljet. Green because 70 % of its landmass is covered by woodland making it the most forested island in the Mediterranean region. Homer mentioned this lovely island in his epic poem “Odyssey”. He made it a home for the Nymph Calypso and the legendary Greek king Odysseus, who could not resist Calypso and stayed on Mljet for seven years. Our tour stretches almost the entire lenght of the island from Sobra to Pomena where our ships awaits. We hop on board and enjoy a relaxing cruise to the picturesque town of Korčula with its fishbone alleyways. This small town competes with Venice for the honor of being the birthplace of the famous explorer Marco Polo. It is here that we spend the night and enjoy a guided city tour packed with fascinating anecdotes concerning the history of the city and the island.

Today’s cycle tour leads us across the charming island of Korčula. A mild Mediterranean climate and a broad variety of different landscapes accompany us on the tour today. Take your time, and remember to take a break to enjoy the view over the deep blue sea and neighboring islands. Dinner is served on board to replenish our strength after an active day. Overnight stay in the sheltered by of Vela Luka.

In the morning we leave the island of Korčula behind and enjoy a breakfast cruise to the island of Vis with a possible swim stop from the boat before arrival. Vis is the furthermost inhabited island from mainland Croatia. A Greek colony called Issa settled on the island 2,300 years ago. Due to its strategic location it was a military zone until 1995 and prohibited for foreign tourists. In the afternoon we have the opportunity to explore the lovely island by bicycle. From the town of Vis we cycle once around the entire island with a coffee stop in the harbour of Komiža . The night is spent in the harbour of Vis.

The day starts with a relaxing cruise to Hvar town on the island of the same name. Make use of the time before the bike tour begins to go for a little stroll through the city. Standing on the magnificent Renaissance Square you can enjoy a view up to the Spanish Fortress towering high above the city. Today’s bike tour takes us from the Hvar town up a steady climb through small villages and lavender fields to the harbour town of Stari Grad on the opposite side of the island. The descent down to Stari Grad offers breath-taking views. After Lunch on the boat, we have the opportunity for a second, more leisurely ride to the town of Jelsa and back. Here we have time for an Ice cream and coffee before our ride continues through the picturesque town of Vrboska and through the ancient Greek plains, now a protected UNESCO heritage site, back to the artistic village of Stari Grad. The night is spent in Stari Grad.

In the morning we cruise to the island of Brač, famous for its radiant, precious limestone that was used in part for the White House in Washington as well as for the construction of the German Reichstag building in Berlin. Once on Brač, we start our bike tour from Milna to the picturesque harbour town of Postira. Our boat awaits us for lunch and the final cruise of the week to the UNESCO world heritage city of Split.  On a guided city tour, we get the opportunity to see inside the former Palace of Emperor Diocletian and learn about its transformation into the city it is today. A cheerful evening meal on board the boat gives us plenty of time to celebrate the wonderful week with fellow travellers and tour guides.

After breakfast disembarkation until 9 am and individual trip home or extended stay in Croatia.