14-Night Slovenia, Croatia & Montenegro Cruise-Tour

Morning departure towards Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. Ljubljana was named the European Green Capital of 2016, for its environmental awareness. It showcases gorgeous Art Nouveau facades, a castle sitting on the hill overlooking the city and a Ljubljanica river slithering its way through the city, perfect for a sightseeing river boat cruise. In the spirit of this green city, hop on one of the electric cars, ‘kavalirs,’ or use their bike-sharing scheme to cycle across the Triple Bridge and through Tivoli Park.

Travel towards beautiful Lake Bled in Slovenia. The emerald green lake has become a symbol of Slovenia’s natural beauty.

Upon arrival, take a boat, ‘pletna,’ to visit the islet where the Assumption of Mary Church is situated. Legend has it that a wish will be granted to anyone who rings the church’s bell. Experience the medieval Bled Castle, dating back to the 11th century, built in Romanesque and Gothic styles. For nature lovers, Vintgar gorge and its scenic walkway are a short drive away.

Head on towards Postojna Cave, one of the most visited caves in Europe, also a home to proteus or olm, an endangered species of salamander. Take a scenic train ride into the belly of the cave, 115 meters underground, and admire stalactites and stalagmites. Visit Vivarium Proteus, where olm offspring successfully hatched in 2016, giving hope for survival of the species. A short drive away, perched on the face of the cliff, is Predjama Castle. This Renaissance castle was built within a cave mouth, which can be visited during certain months of the year.

Explore the Istrian countryside, known for its hilltop Medieval villages, wine and truffles. Your private driver will take you truffle-hunting, led by specially-trained truffle-sniffing dogs, for a day of fun and tasting of truffle products. Alternatively, you can go wine-tasting at award-winning Kozlovic winery, where you can sip wine surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards. If you’d like to skip the gastronomic delights, enjoy a scenic ride across the country and seaside, visiting hilltop villages of Motovun and Groznjan, and towns of Rovinj, Porec and Pula along the coast.

Leave the Istrian peninsula behind to make your way to Plitvice Lakes National Park. This stunning conservation area is one of those bucket-list destinations. It consists of 16 interlinked lakes and magnificent waterfalls, connected via wooden pathways. It is also a haven for flora and fauna, all connected in a delicate ecosystem. Explore the National Park by walking the pathways allowing you to get close to waterfalls and crystal-clear water of the lakes, enjoying a tranquil boat ride across the lake or riding on a scenic train, admiring the lush forest.

On to Split, the stunning capital of the Dalmatia region. You’ll stop for lunch at a gem of a restaurant in a spectacular setting, serving delicious local dishes.

The Diocletian’s Palace in the Old Town is a symbol of Split, incorporating a combination of Roman temples, Gothic palaces and modern Mediterranean-style stone houses. It was also featured on the Game of Thrones TV show, with its imposing Palace and ancient underground cellars. The Old Town is infused with history, with vibrant cafes, restaurants and colourful shops. Don’t miss Riva, Split’s palm tree-lined promenade. Or climb up to Marjan hill for a stunning panoramic view.

You’ll find your luxury ship docked in chic Split harbour when you arrive. You can board at any time throughout the day, with cabins available from 1pm. If you arrive early, then we suggest that you leave your luggage on the ship and take a walk through the city or go to the beach for a refreshing swim. Join us back onboard for a welcome meeting at 7pm, where you’ll meet our Cruise Director, the Captain and crew and your fellow passengers before a sumptuous welcome dinner at 7:30pm.

The day starts with an intriguing guided walking tour of Split’s iconic old town, focussing on the cavernous Diocletian’s Palace – former palace of the Roman emperor of the same name. Cruise on to the beautiful medieval town of Trogir, known for its mix of fascinating Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque architecture. Our guide will take you on a tour of Trogir’s UNESCO-listed old town. The tour will take in a vast collection of sights, most notably the ornate Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the North Gate and the Trogir Ciovo. You’ll have a free evening to explore the city’s restaurants and nightlife.

Sail towards Bol on the island of Brač. Swim at Croatia’s most famous beach: the unique Zlatni Rat, which curves out dramatically into the Adriatic. Take a stroll around the picturesque town of Bol. Sail onwards to the cosmopolitan island of Hvar, with a delightful marina, fantastic nightlife and an exciting old town. Our guide who will take you for a tour of the Old Town, discovering the historic architecture such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral and square, the Franciscan Monastery and the striking Venetian Loggia and clock tower. Take an evening wander to the Marina for an unforgettable sunset over the Pakleni Islands.

Set sail towards the stunning Blue Cave on Bisevo Island. This cave is world-famous due to an intriguing natural light phenomenon that occurs when the sun enters the cave at an exact angle. When rays from the sun hit the water through a natural opening in the cave, the light refracts to illuminate the entire cave in striking blue luminescence.
As the Blue Cave is only accessible by boat, high waves can sometimes prevent access. In such circumstances, we’ll tour the picturesque village of Komiža and the WWII RAF Airport on Vis, after which we’ll continue onwards to Vis Town for the evening.

We sail through the azure waters of the Adriatic towards the riveting island of Korčula. The guide will show you the compact, terracotta-roofed islet, its antique church spires and fascinating history. If you’d like to see more of the old town, then we suggest navigating from the main street to explore its ornate collection of Venetian-style palaces, or alternatively head out of the town and find a quiet beach to call your own for the afternoon. In the evening, head back to the cobbled streets of the old town for dinner in a warmly lit piazza.

We cruise towards the island of Mljet and the lush Mljet National Park, home to two natural salt lakes. In the middle of the large lake is a small islet, with a quaint 12th century monastery. Explore the park and take a swim in the refreshing waters of the lakes. Cruise on to blissful Šipan Island where we’ll drop anchor for the evening in view of the charming fishing village of Šipanska Luka. If this isn’t possible (because of bad weather or conflicting schedules) then we’ll dock off the coast of Slano on the mainland with beautiful views of the amber lights of the town. Captain’s Dinner on board.

Sail past the jewel-like Elaphiti islands and into the impressive Dalmatian city of Dubrovnik. We’ll sail around the medieval city walls and staggering fortifications with picture-perfect views of the old town.
Our amicable local guide will take you on an insightful tour of the city which will include the impressive city walls, the Rector’s Palace, the Sponza Palace and the Pile Gate – familiar to fans of the Game of Thrones TV series. You will have an opportunity to ascend to the top of Srđ Mountain, via the cable car, for staggering 360-degree vistas over the rooftops of Dubrovnik and beyond.

Bid farewell to your captain, crew and new cruise friends. You will have a private inspiring trip across the border to beautiful Montenegro. You’ll have a private tour of the fortified medieval town of Kotor with several Romanesque churches. Enjoy lunch overlooking the stunning bay before returning to Dubrovnik.

It’s time to head home. We’ll take you by private transfer to Dubrovnik Airport at the end of a memorable trip.