Tue 10 Sept: Auckland – Dubai
You will fly with Emirates to Dubai. Arrival and overnight stay at the Rove City Centre Hotel.
Wed 11 Sept: Dubai
A full day in Dubai to explore on your own. Various tours can be arranged for you should you wish one at extra cost.
Thu 12 Sep: Dubai – Venice
This morning you continue with Emirates to Venice where your 8-day tour of Venice, Slovenia and Croatia begins. (D)
On arrival early afternoon transfer to your hotel. Rest of the afternoon is free to relax or wander around the city. This evening you will meet your local tour escort at a welcome dinner.
Fri 13 Sep: Venice
This morning meet your local city guide for a 4 hours walking city tour of Venice Island seeing famous sights such as St Marks, Doge’s Palace, and the Clock Tower.
Dinner tonight is own arrangements to give you a chance to experience the many wonderful restaurants along the canals in Venice. (B)
Sat 14 Sep: Venice – Postojna – Ljubljana
This morning you will travel to Slovenia and discover its highlights including Postojna, one of Europe’s largest cave systems. Also visit Predjama Castle – a Renaissance castle built within the Postojna cave mouth. Lunch will be at Postojna Cave Restaurant.
Then continue to Ljubljana – Slovenia’s lively capital city. Enjoy a walking tour through its baroque Old Town and enjoy this beautiful city. Evening at leisure and many interesting restaurants to enjoy your dinner. (B/L)
Sun 15 Sep: Ljubljana – Bled
Today travel to picturesque Bled for a Pletna boat ride on the lake to explore the historic church on the island and Bled’s imposing Castle.
Next discover the town of Bled itself with a sightseeing tour, including Bled Castle. In the evening visit a nearby village for a traditional and lively dinner in a local restaurant. (B/D)
Mon 16 Sep: Bled to Zagreb via Ljubljana
Today you cross the border and travel to the Croatian capital, Zagreb to check into your hotel. After settling into your rooms join your guide for a walking tour featuring the historic Upper Town, Zagreb Cathedral and Government Palace. Dinner will be at a local restaurant. (B/D)
Tue 17 Sep: Zagreb – Istria
You continue your journey to enchanting Istria peninsular, which still retains its Venetian heritage, to explore its lesser-known inland region of delightful medieval hilltop villages. Your guide will take you for a true taste of the region with a visit to a small family-owned olive oil factory to sample the locally produced oil and enjoy lunch at a quaint local restaurant. Included is a visit to Motovun. (B/L)
Wed 18 Sep: Bale & Istrian Peninsula
Experience Istria’s stunning coast as you explore the picturesque fishing village of Rovinj and then continue to Pula to see its ancient amphitheater towering over the town’s Centre. (B/L)
Thu 19 Sep: Bale to Plitvice Lakes
This morning you will be taken on a scenic drive to one of Croatia’s highlights, Plitvice Lakes. After checking in at the charming family run Hotel Ethno House at Plitvica Selo, you will take a walking tour through the park where 16 terraced lakes are connected by cascading waterfalls offering spectacular scenery. Dinner at the hotel, tickets and guide to Plitvice National Park are included. (B/D)
Fri 20 Sep: Plitvice – Split
This morning travel through Croatia’s heartland to Bibich Winery. At this culinary stop we sample locally produced wines and enjoy a lunch of regional food. After lunch proceed to Split, arrive late afternoon and check into your hotel
After enjoying lunch, the group will set off for Split for an early evening arrival at your hotel. (B/L)
Sat 21 Sep: Split
Morning free to explore on your own before being greeted by a representative at the hotel and transferred to the port and board your ship.
Welcome aboard the MS ADRIATIC QUEEN
The cruise from Split to Dubrovnik
MS ADRIATIC QUEEN
21 – 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
8-DAY CRUISE
Split – Trogir – Hvar – Biševo – Vis – Korčula – Mljet – Šipanska Luka/Slano – Dubrovnik
Get settled in and mid-afternoon you will get the opportunity to stroll through the streets of Split in the company of our guide. Split is second largest Croatian town, best known for its glorious palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian which is inscribed in list of UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1979. Return to boat. This evening enjoy mingling with your fellow passengers and enjoy a “Welcome Aboard” dinner on the ship while the cruise manager will introduce you to the captain and crew. (B/D)
Sun 22 Sep: Split – Trogir
This morning we set sail towards our first stop, city of Trogir, another UNESCO world heritage site. While sailing towards Trogir, your lunch will be served. We will also make a swim stop along and we’ll arrive in Trogir in the afternoon. You will join our guide for a walking tour of Trogir whose rich history influenced by many people (Greeks, Romans, Venetians) is visible on every single step of its beautiful, narrow, cobbled streets. You will admire the architecture of Trogir’s most imposing monument, the Cathedral of St Lawrence, built in Romanesque-Gothic style. After the city tour, you will have free time to explore Trogir at your own pace or have a dinner in one of numerous restaurants. (B/L)
Mon 23 Sep: Trogir – Hvar
In the morning, we leave Trogir and head to our next stop, town of Hvar on the island of Hvar. Swim stop along the way and lunch on board. Upon arrival in Hvar, join our guided city tour, find out about its rich history and beautiful architecture and important landmarks like Cathedral of St Stephen, the Theatre which is one of the oldest in Europe dating back from 1612, Spanish Fortress, etc. Later in the evening, you can explore the town on your own and check what its night life has to offer. Overnight in Hvar (B/L)
Tue 24 Sep: Hvar-Biševo
In the morning, we set sail again, this time towards the island of Biševo and its famous Blue Cave. This mesmerizing natural attraction is breath-taking with its game of sunlight which creates a wonderful reflection from its white floor and bathes the cave in aquamarine light. Blue Cave can only be approached by boat and sometimes it can happen that due to winds, waves and currents, the access to the cave is not possible. We can only know about the sea conditions and possibility of entrance on the exact same morning of the visit. In case we are lucky enough to get to see Blue Cave, we will arrive in Vis after lunch. Vis is a small town on eponymous island, well known for its strategic importance through the years. You will have free time to explore Vis at your own pace and visit one of many fortresses, like Fortress of Saint George. Being closed during the time of ex-Yugoslavia, the wonderful island is still like an unspoiled and preserved oasis. Overnight Vis. (B/L)
Wed 25 Sep: Vis – Korčula
Morning departure towards the island of Korčula, with some time for swimming along the sail. City of Korčula is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean, thought to be the birthplace of the famous explorer Marco Polo. After arriving in Korčula in the afternoon, you will join our guide for a walking tour of Korčula. After the walking tour, enjoy your free evening to try out some homemade food in one of many restaurants. Overnight in Korčula (B/L)
Thu 26 Sep: Korčula – National Park Mljet – Šipan
We leave Korčula in the morning and cruise towards the island of Mljet. Upon arrival, you will visit the National Park, well known for its versatile eco-system and two salt lakes (‘’Veliko jezero’’- Big Lake and ‘’Malo jezero’’- Small Lake), as well as for Benedictine Monastery from 12th century located on the St Mary’s Islet. Walking around the Park and its lakes can be very relaxing, and it can make you forget about everything, so please do not forget to come back to boat for lunch. In the afternoon, our adventure continues, and we cruise towards the island of Šipan and its peaceful fishermen’s village, Šipanska Luka. In the evening, enjoy in Captain’s dinner on board. Overnight in Šipanska Luka
NOTE: In case we are not able to anchor there because of weather conditions or docking capacity limits, we will cruise to Slano, situated on the mainland (B/L/D)
Fri 27 Sep: Šipan – Dubrovnik
In the morning, we set sail towards Dubrovnik, our last stop and yet another city listed among UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. We will disembark in the port of Gruž where your coach will wait for you. We head to Dubrovnik centre for a guided walking tour. After a guided city tour, you will have plenty of free time to explore rich history of the Old Town or visit some of the famous sights of the “Pearl of Adriatic”, like Cable car ride to Srđ Mountain or a stroll along the city walls. A coach transfer to the port of Gruž will be organized for you at the scheduled time. Overnight in Dubrovnik. (B/L)
Sat 28 Sep: Dubrovnik – Rome – Dubai
After breakfast, it will be time to check out and disembark. You will be transferred to the airport for your midday flight to Rome on Croatia Airlines and connect with your evening, overnight flight to Dubai. (B)
Sun 29 Sep: Dubai – Auckland
Arrive Dubai early morning and reconnect with Emirates overnight flight to Auckland.
Mon 30 Sep: Arrive in Auckland
