Small Ship  │ Cruise │ Adriatic Pearl │ 8 Days │ From $1,195

The Best of Dalmatia cruise on the brand new Adriatic Pearl is the nicest ship among the vessels cruising on the Adriatic coast in the same category of small ship casual cruises. The Adriatic Pearl starts and ends in Dubrovnik which is especially suitable for spending a few extra days in Croatia’s most beautiful city, as well as for taking day excursions to Montenegro, Mostar or spending some leisure time on the nearby Mljet and Elaphite Islands, taking a wine tour to Pelješac Peninsula or just relaxing on the beach nearby Dubrovnik. The Best of Croatia cruise has an exciting itinerary with many unique shore excursions. You will love discovering the hidden settlements on the islands of Korčula, Brač, Mljet & Pelješac Peninsula and visiting small local farms where you will sample best artisan wine, olive oil, home-made cheeses, Dalmatian prosciutto, fresh seafood and many other traditional specialties. There will be plenty of time for swimming & snorkeling in beautiful bays during the day, as well as for some great shopping, browsing art galleries, mingling with locals, and enjoying artisan restaurants, music and nightlife.

		DAY	DESTINATION
		1	Embark Dubrovnik/Korčula
		2	Korčula/Povlja Bay/Pučišća
		3	Pučišća/Omiš/Split
		4	Split/Bol/Hvar
		5	Hvar/Gradina Bay/Vela Luka
		6	Vela Luka/Blato/Mljet
		7	Mljet/Lopud/Dubrovnik
		8	Disembark Dubrovnik

Day 1: Dubrovnik/Korčula

Once you are on board the adventure can start. During a welcome drink, Captain's orders and safety measures will be explained to you. Moreover, you will be introduced to the Captain, members of the staff and your tour guide. While sailing off to Korčula island you can start to mingle with your new fellow mates. The arrival in Korčula town is in late afternoon hours. Korčula is a small town situated on the north-east end of Korčula island. The old medieval part of the town was built on a small oval peninsula. Today the town has about 3,000 inhabitants. Local legend says that a great merchant traveler Marco Polo was born in Korčula town (but do not argue with locals on this point). The town centre is dominated by the splendid Cathedral of St. Mark. Upon your arrival to Korčula local guide will introduce you to historical town, architecture and stories of Korčula.

Optional Excursion: Korčula town tour

Day 2: Korčula/Povlja Bay/Pučišća

Departure for a spectacular trip between Pelješac peninsula, Hvar island and Makarska riviera to the island of Brač. After breakfast we will make a short stop on Pelješac peninsula, in Orebić town, situated on the opposite side of Korčula town. Our visit will include Maritime Museum of Orebić, due to the fact that town is known as a birth place of many Croatian Captains. We will continue our journey towards Pučišća with a stop for a refreshing swim in Povlja bay. Pučišća is the island's biggest village and it is settled on the north side of the island of Brač. Authentic Mediterranean architecture, rustic ambiance, village location inside a deep fiord; shiny and white stone facades rising amphitheatrically uphill the hummocks, makes this place so unique and worth seeing. Pučišća carries the mark of a stone. It was built on the stone, and the majority of the inhabitants live from it. The three nearby quarries of Punta, Veselje, and Kupinovo have produced a stone that has been used to build limestone columns of the White House in Washington DC, Parliament house in Vienna and many other famous buildings all over the world. Love of stone continues until nowadays. Stonemasonry school in Pučišća, one of the oldest in the world, founded in 1906, supports the skills of an authentic roman stone dressing, that makes it unique in the world. By Listening, respecting and loving the stone, students create pieces of work that one is be able to see in their workshop.

Optional Excursion: Maritime Museum of Orebić, Stonemason school in Pučišća
 

Day 3: Pučišća/Omiš/Split

After few days of cruising, we will stop in mainland towns. In the morning hours, we will arrive in Omiš, a pirate town where you can join us for a stunning river boat ride on Cetina river, a river that flows into Adriatic. After short Omiš town tour, Cetina boat excursion will take place from Omiš 6 km up the river to the picknic area of Radman mills where your host will welcome you with a drink and local snacks. Enjoy the food, nature and a boat ride around an impressive Cetina Canyon surronded by mountains. In late afternoon hours we will arrive in Split where a town tour led by a local guide will start. Split is the second largest urban centre in Croatia and the center of Split Dalmatian County. It is traditionally considered to be over 1,700 years old. Since 1979 the historic centre of Split has been inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List. It is the economic, administrative, educational, sport and tourist centre of Dalmatia. Many of Split’s historical and cultural buildings can be found within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace. In addition, numerous museums, the National Theatre, old churches and other archeological sites in Split region make this city an important cultural attraction.

Optional Excursion: Omiš town tour, Split town tour

Cetina river boat trip to Radman mills with snack - €18

Day 4: Split/Bol/Hvar

In early hours, before leaving Split, you will be given an unique opportunity to accompany the boat Chef to the fish market to pick up ingredients and fresh fish for a daily meal. The itinerary includes stop for swimming on the island of Brač. You will visit Bol, the most famous sandy beach in Croatia situated on the opposite side of Pučišća town. In Bol you can join us for a few glasses of good quality wine in awarded winery ''Jako vino''. Moreover, you will be offered with tasteful bites of olives, anchovies, prosciutto and cheese. You will be introduced to wine production in Croatia and on Dalmatian islands. After lunch we will continue sailing towards the sunniest island in Croatia – the island of Hvar.  Hvar is a unique fusion of luxurious Mediterranean nature, rich culture and historical heritage. Its name derives from the Greek name Pharos, today's Stari Grad (Old Town). Hvar became the island’s centre in the 13th century. The island gained glory and power during Middle Ages being an important port within the Venetian naval empire. Today, it is the centre of the island’s tourism and one of the favorite destinations in the Dalmatian Riviera.

Upon your arrival to Hvar, a local guide and a producer of aromatic oils will make a short lavender oil presentation and walk you throughout the city introducing you to history, culture and way of life on this island.

Standard excursion package: Split fish market tour, Lavender presentation, Hvar town tour

Additional excursion: Wine tasting in ''Jako Vino'' winery in Bol - € 18

Day 5: Hvar/Gradina Bay/Vela Luka

Wednesday is reserved for swimming. Before our arrival to Vela Luka (Big Port) we will stop for swimming and relaxation in a beautiful Gradina bay near the town of Vela Luka. Arrival in Vela Luka town will be in the afternoon hours.
On the western part of Korčula island you will find Vela Luka town that is situated in a deep and large bay, surrounded by many coves. Shores are covered with vineyards, olive trees, figs and pine trees that gently slope into the sea. Vela Luka is the second largest town on the Adriatic islands. It is a safe anchorage and harbour for boaters. Vela Luka is also famous for olive oil production where almost every inhabitant produces extra-virgin olive oil.

In late afternoon, upon your arrival, the custodian of Vela Luka's town museum will introduce you to a prehistoric life in this area by showing you findings of Vela Spila (Big Cave) that is considerd one of the oldest in this part of Mediterranean.

Ecursion package: Visit to Vela Luka town museum (archeological collection)

Day 6 : Vela Luka/Blato/Mljet

On Thursday you can expect a busy morning. After breakfast you will have a coach tour through the inland part of the island. First we will make a stop in Zlokić olive oil factory for tasting olive oil and homemade products. After the tour we will proceed to town of Blato to visit Barilo ethno museum. Folk museum and ethno house Barilo treasure a collection of variety of artifacts and objects from peasant life on island's villages. Visit includes tasting of local liquers and traditional sweets. Before leaving solid ground we will make a stop in Smokvica town for a walk or a drink and than the boat will pick you up from Brna bay up to sail again towards the island of Mljet. In case of bad weather, the embarkation will be on the northen part of island in Prigradica bay.

On the northwest part of the Mljet island you can find National Park that was founded on 11.11.1960 as the oldest National Park in Croatia. This part is well known in the whole world thanks to its natural wonders such as Small and Big Lakes. In the middle of the Big Lake there is a monastery and St. Mary’s Church built in the 12th century by the Benedictines from Monte Gargano, Italy. The church has changed its appearance trough times under different cultural changes, from the Renaissance to Baroque. However, the central part remained Romanic.

Optional Excursion: Olive oil tasting and snack in Zlokić olive oil factory, Visit to Folk museum and ethno house Barilo – € 15, Mljet National Park (entrance fee 90 kn /€ 15)

Day 7: Mljet/Lopud/Dubrovnik

A magnificent trip along the shores of Elaphiti islands consisting of serveral islands northwestern of Dubrovnik. In Dubrovnik you will have an organized town tour, but before arrival in Dubrovnik we will make a stop on Lopud island, famous for having one of the best beaches in Dubrovnik region. There you can take a swim, wonder around or simply enjoy a delightful scenery on the last day of your Croatian cruise adventure. Arrival in Dubrovnik in the afternoon.

Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities on the Croatian coast. In the middle ages the Republic of Dubrovnik was an important rival to Venice. Many buildings in the Old city centre testify of this glorious past and of the Venetian influence. Today, Dubrovnik is also a very lively city, with many things to do, both during the day and night. The coast nearby offers all sorts of activities and the town has many restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Dubrovnik is the city rich in culture and history, and for that reason, it is inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List. Dubrovnik has a rich cultural life that includes Dubrovnik theatre, several cinemas as well as Dubrovnik Film Festival and Dubrovnik Summer Festival that are held every year in July and August.

Excursion: Dubrovnik City Tour

Day 8: Dubrovnik

Disembarkation after breakfast.

INCLUDED

• Accommodation in a chosen category cabin
• Welcome drink and snack
• Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner (two main course option)
• 1 drink during lunch and dinner (glass of wine, beer or soft drink)
• 8 days / 7 nights cruise
• 9 crew members including cruise director
• Usage of the ship’s equipment
• Afternoon coffee/tea with small snack
• Fresh fruit all day long
• Towels change every second day
• Bed linen change twice a week
• Daily cabin cleaning service 

NOT INCLUDED

• Beverages from the ship’s bar
• Transfer from and/or to the ship
• Gratuities (suggested gratuities from $1 - $2 per crew member per day)
• Entrance to National Parks (except with Premium excursion package)
• Any other items of personal nature
• Taxes and fees, approx. $45 per person, to be paid on board in cash
• Standard excursion package: €35 - sold on board
• Premium excursion package: €55 - sold on board (price for all premium sightseeing together)
• Laundry service

Brand new, richly decorated boat with spacious air-conditioned cabins (12 - 18 m2), huge salon with a lounge bar combined with welcoming, carefully chosen professional staff will make your stay on boat pleasurable.

The boat is 41 m long, 8.5 m wide with cruising speed of 10 knot. Maximum capacity: 40 passengers. All cabins are air-conditioned, with queen-size bed or twin beds with possibility for an additional bed, cupboard, cabinet and window or porthole, bathroom with shower, toilette and wash basin. Boat has air-conditioned salon/restaurant on the upper deck (for 40 persons) with bar and LCD TV, two sun decks, one of which has sun beds and tables. It also has two outside toilettes with showers. Wireless Internet will be available on the open parts of the boat and on the upper deck (free of charge). Hairdryer is in each cabin.

Boat is equipped with:

• Complete navigation equipment (navigation radar, plotter, GPS, radio, etc.)
• Fire alarm
• Emergency lights
• Bow truster
• Life boat
• Electricity on board: 220 V
• Ship equipment is included in the price and include swim gear: goggles, swim fins, inflatable floats, fish hooks, tender boat (for 8 passengers)

ACCOMMODATION ON SUN DECK

• 3 twin cabins
• 7 double cabins – queen size bed

ACCOMMODATION ON SEA DECK

• 2 twin cabins
• 2 double cabins – queen size bed
• 4 double cabins – queen size bed + additional bed