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1655 S 3rd St. W, Ste 1
Missoula MT, 59801 USA

Ship:  Monet

Itinerary:  Natural Wonders & Artistic Heritage of the Adriatic 2009

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  Korcula

 cabins & deck plans  |  additional itineraries |  cancellation policy | Testimonials

This popular program is offered in the early spring and late fall, when cool mornings lead to warm afternoons and life's pace along the Dalmatian coast is noticeably slower. The crowds of tourists are nowhere to be found. Twice as long as our classic eight-day cruise, this program's extra week affords more time in cities like Venice, Dubrovnik and Split. The benefit is more flexibility in departure and arrival times, and opportunities in port for local experts, invited aboard for informal lectures and discussions about an area's natural and political history, art and cultural heritage.

Day 1 : Venice, Italy / Embark

Arrive Venice and embark ship in the afternoon.

Day 2 : Venice, Italy

The magnificent “Queen of the Adriatic, ”Venice occupies 117 islands in the azure waters of the Adriatic. This lagoon city is a watery maze of grand canals, 177 smaller canals, over 450 bridges and the world’s most famous sandbar, the Lido. Venice’s enticing, exotic beauty—typified by the Byzantine architecture rising along the Grand Canal and Venetian Carnival masks with their wry, knowing smiles—attests to the city’s historic role as a great Eastern trader. Venice’s legendary maritime heroes, such as Marco Polo, plied the Levantine trading routes. The wealth of the entire Mediterranean flowed through the Venetian Republic, adorning the city in the splendors that illuminate it today. A walk through Saint Mark’s Square provides a wealth of sights from the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs to the Campanile and St. Mark’s Cathedral.

Day 3 : Koper, Slovenia

Koper is located in the Istrian Peninsula’s northwest corner, where Slovenia has a modest coastline and access to the Adriatric. It is a typical coastal settlement of beautiful squares and Renaissance palaces. An optional excursion takes you through the karst region, an area of dry white limestone to Postojna Caverns, Europe’s largest subterranean network of galleries and chambers, adorned with colorful stalactites and stalagmites.

Day 4 : Koper / Porec, Croatia

Day 5 : Rab

Day 6 : Sailing through Kornati Archipelago / Sibenik

We spend the morning sailing through the Kornati Archipelago to reach Sibenik mid-morning. Sibenik’s narrow streets encourage leisurely strolls to inspect the town’s churches, palaces and shops. Pre-eminent among these is the 15th-century St. Jacob’s Cathedral. Outside the cathedral, look for the intriguing frieze of 71 stone heads, said to depict those who refused to help fund the construction. Outside the city, drive east along the Krka River to Krka National Park. The river forms a deep canyon through the limestone, with centuries of calcified moss and algae creating unusual barriers of travertine. The result is a dramatic series of waterfalls. In between, you’ll see peaceful pools—some ideal for swimming—and cultural landmarks such as the Orthodox monastery and watermills used for wheat production centuries ago.

Day 7 : Sibenik / Split, Croatia

Split is the second largest city in Croatia and a UN World Heritage Site. At the historical core of Split—and within walking distance of the ship—is the massive Palace of the Emperor Diocletian, dating from the end of the third century A.D., and one of the last palaces of the Roman Empire. Diocletian’s Mausoleum and the Temple of Jupiter are fully preserved, though in the Middle Ages they were converted to Christian edifices. There are opportunities to visit sculptor Ivan Mestrovic’s handsome gallery and studio on the nearby Marjan Peninsula.

Day 8 : Ploce / Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina

From Ploce, a peaceful harbor town, take the excursion to Mostar, renowned for its graceful Stari Most bridge. The bridge, which was destroyed in 1993 during the war, has been rebuilt to its former majesty spanning the Neretva River.

Day 9 : Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a breathtaking sight, entirely surrounded by massive gray walls of stone, interspersed with four gates, three forts, five bastions and 14 square towers. The “Pearl of the Adriatic” contains a treasure-trove of medieval art and architecture that has earned it a designation as a UN World Heritage Site. The Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries are beautiful examples of Romanesque–Gothic architecture, and other monuments of significance include the Onofrio Fountain, the Rector’s Palace, the Sponza Palace and several fine churches. A stroll along Stradun— the Old Town’s wide pedestrian promenade—allows you to discover Dubrovnik’s many fine shops, cafés and boutiques at leisure.

Day 10 : Dubrovnik (for Kotor, Montenegro)

Today we venture to the city of Kotor on the shores of Montenegro. The approach to Kotor is through the Boka Kotorska, or Gulf of Kotor, the largest natural bay and only fjord in Southern Europe. The deeply indented and irregularly shaped fjord surrounded by towering mountains provides an intense contrast of colors: azure waters, green vegetation at sea level and stark, rocky cliffs overhead. Historic sites and medieval fortifications within the town of Kotor have been remarkably restored from a devastating earthquake 25 years ago.

Day 11 : Dubrovnik, Croatia

Spend another day exploring the historic streets of beautiful Dubrovnik. Tonight, we set sail for Korcula.

Day 12 : Korcula, Croatia

The Cathedral of St. Mark, the largest and most beautiful building in Korcula, contains a wealth of artistic masterworks including paintings by Tintoretto. Another highlight is the Treasury, with its eclectic collection of paintings, jewelry, fine furniture and historic documents. Charming views of the harbor greet visitors as they wend their way through the narrow alleyways. On one of these lanes, you’ll see the Marco Polo house, where the famous explorer is said to have been born in 1254. Shop for handmade Croatian folk art near the City Gate, or relax at one of the picturesque waterfront cafés, and enjoy the breezy resort atmosphere that prevails in this medieval town.

Day 13 : Komiza, Vis Island

On the tour, visit the monastery and fortresses of this charming fishing village.

Day 14 : Zadar, Croatia

Zadar has the look and feel of an ancient Mediterranean city: the streets are paved with gleaming white stone, and the high protective walls—with portions dating to Roman and early medieval times—run alongside the harbor. Zadar’s 9th-century Church of St. Donatus was built on the remains of a Roman Forum and is one of the region’s most famous monuments. Other sights include the ancient City Gates, the Franciscan Monastery and Church and the imposing 12th- century Romanesque Cathedral of St. Anastasia. Stroll along the harbor’s tree-lined promenade, enjoy the many outdoor cafés, and perhaps taste Zadar’s famous maraschino cherry liqueur.

Day 15 : Venice, Italy / Disembark / Return Home

After breakfast, disembark ship in Venice and transfer to the airport for flights home.

Ship Description: Monet

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  Monet

With just 30 outside cabins, the yacht-like Monet is the perfect size for calling at the small island ports and coastal towns of Dalmatia. With her shallow draft, Monet docks in places not available to larger ships. Guests enjoy friendly, professional service from our Croatian crew, excellent cuisine, educational shore excursions, and all the amenities that you would expect to find aboard such an elegant, small ship. From her classic teak decks one can take in the splendid Medieval and Renaissance cities while enjoying the pleasure of traveling without the hassles of packing and unpacking.

Cabins are all outside with private bathrooms with shower, air-conditioning, lower beds, wardrobe, vanity with chair, hair dryer, television, VCR, phone, and personal safe.

Cat D 100-115 sq ft. Twin beds (205, 207) with portholes or stern facing windows (217) on the Camille or Parisian Decks.	Cat C 125-135 sq. ft. Queen bed (108, 115) or twin beds (104-107) with portholes on the Camille Deck.
Cat B 135-160 sq. ft. Queen beds (201, 202, 110, 117) or twin beds (112, 119) with portholes on the Camille or the Parisian Decks.	Cat A 135-155 sq. ft. Queen beds (203, 204, 208, 209) or twin beds (210-212, 215) with picture window on the Parisian Deck.
Master 140-180 sq. ft. Queen beds (305, 306) or twin beds (206) with picture window on the Parisian or Lumiere Decks	JS Suite 180 sq. ft. Junior Suite with queen bed, table and chairs, picture window, and custom marble bathroom with shower on the Lumiere Deck
FS Suite 240-260 sq. ft. Flower Suite with queen bed, loveseat, coffee table, picture window, and custom marble bathroom with shower on the Lumiere Deck