Magnificent North Cruise 2022

You will be met at Split Airport and transferred to Split Port, where your ship will be docked. Embarkation is in the afternoon, because on this day the ship is coming back to Split. At 1800HRS our guide will do an afternoon Split City Tour, walking us through the world-famous Diocletian Palace. Split is the second largest urban centre in Croatia and the seat of the Split Dalmatia County. Over 1,700 years old, Split abounds with cultural and historical sights, lots of them situated within the historical nucleus which has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List since 1979. After the city tour, at 1930HRS we will have Welcome Dinner. Captain will wait for all the passengers arriving late at night. All the late arriving guests will be provided with a dinner. Overnight in Split. (D)

In the morning we will cruise for Skradin with a swim stop on the way. Skradin is a romantic Mediterranean town of narrow intertwined streets, arches and staircases, located at the entrance to the Krka Waterfalls National Park. It has a history of 2,000 years, as evidenced by nearby important archaeological sites. The whole town of Skradin is a protected cultural monument. After lunch onboard we will visit the National Park, which covers a total area of 109km² of the loveliest sections of the Krka River, the vast and unaltered area of exceptional natural value. We will arrive with Park`s wooden boat directly at Skradinski Buk waterfalls. Upon arrival, head for the last set of falls before the river meets the sea, where the Skradinski Buk Falls form a spectacular multi-level cascade over travertine cliffs. The whole area is rich with vegetation as well as birds and fish. Due to new strong preservation laws, this extraordinary area has been kept in its original pristine state. After exploring the park, we will cruise to Šibenik where we will have a city tour. Šibenik is the oldest Croatian city on the Adriatic Coast and is one of the largest and best-preserved medieval cities. Most of the treasures can be seen by walking through the ancient streets, museums and churches which hide unexpected surprises and valuable spiritual experiences. There is over 20 sacral buildings and 17 palaces in the Old Town centre of which the most famous is Saint James Cathedral, a cultural and historical pearl under the UNESCO protection. We will do our best to overnight in Skradin, but only two ships can be moored in port. Alternative overnight port is Šibenik. Overnight in Skradin or Šibenik. (B, L)

Our cruise will continue towards Zadar with a swim stop near Galešnjak Island, located in the Pašman Channel of the Adriatic. Island attracted attention of the world public in 2008, when Google Earth declared it one of the few natural heart shaped island phenomena. For that reason Galešnjak is also called “Island of Love”. Lunch onboard and continue to Zadar. Afternoon arrival in Zadar followed by a city tour. Zadar’s historical centre is a compact pedestrian zone, perfect to explore on foot and admire defensive walls built in the 16th century by Venetians as a defence from the Turks. You will see 16th century Port Gate where Venetian Lion, a symbol of Venice still guards the entrance, Square of the Five Wells, Church of St Donatus, Roman Forum from the 1st century BC and the largest cathedral in Dalmatia, St Anastasia Cathedral. Zadar`s most amazing and unique modern attractions are the sound and light spectacle of the Sea Organ and the Greetings to the Sun, which need to be seen and heard to be believed. Overnight in Zadar. (B, L)

After breakfast we will start our cruise to Rab. Enroute stop for a swim at Maun Island, where there is a famous Sipa Cove and have lunch onboard. Upon arrival we will have Rab Town Tour. The town of Rab sits on a narrow sliver of land protruding towards the mainland, surrounded by ancient town walls and recognisable by four church towers that form the familiar outline, depicting Rab as a ship with four masts: bell tower of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the bell tower of the Church of St John the Evangelist (located near the ruins of the church), the belfry of the Church of St Andrew the Apostle and the bell tower of the Church of St Justine. Further inland from the Old Town is a beautiful park called Komrčar, whose numerous paths wind around wooded hills all the way down to the beaches of Rab. After dinner on your own at one of the local restaurants of your choice, come back to the ship where we will have interesting presentation and tasting of ‘Rab Cake’. You will have special opportunity to try and learn how to make the famous cake and not only cake, but also ‘Muštaćon’, ‘Baškotin’ and ‘Smokvenjak’ (the names might sound strange, but they are all delicacies of the island). Modelled on the ‘Rab Cake’ locals also produce Gin Tonic, which you will also have opportunity to try. Gin is enriched with almond, orange and lemon peel ingredients of the cake. Overnight in Rab. (B, L, T)

Morning departure to Mali Lošinj, passing by the islands of Ilovik, Silba and Olib. Upon arrival our guide will walk us through Mali Lošinj, the largest town on Lošinj Island. Situated on top of a long natural harbour and surrounded by graceful, gently weathered Mediterranean houses and green hills, the town straddles both coasts on the narrowest section of the island. After the town tour, we`ll visit the Museum of Apoxyomenos. The museum is a unique archaeological and architectural cultural institution in the region, and it is entirely dedicated to only one exhibit, the bronze statue of a young athlete, Apoxyomenos. The statue was discovered in 1997 by a Belgian tourist at the depth of 45m. In 1999, it was taken out of the sea in which it spent nearly two millennia. The Museum of Apoxyomenos tells the original story of an athlete of perfect physical proportions, a piece of art that is impressive in its wholeness and beauty of composition. The bronze statue of Apoxyomenos is from the time of Greek civilization and dates to either 2nd or 1st century BC. Its name stems from Greek term for an athlete that is cleaning his body from oil, sweat, and sand after exercise or competition. The Lošinj athlete depicts the moment when he is cleaning his scraper. The statue is entirely preserved, only missing a little finger of the left hand, eyes, and the scraper, while the right foot was still attached to the original bronze base. This museum is created especially for this beautiful antique sculpture and it has become Lošinj’s symbol and trademark. The Apoxyomenos’ timeless beauty, his unusual and mysterious story, and a distinctive museum setting have not left anyone unimpressed. Overnight in Mali Lošinj. (B, L)

Morning departure to Telašćica Nature Park with a swim stop along the way. The area of the Nature Park is a very contrasted area with quiet and peaceful beaches and a laid down coastline on one side, and wild and steep cliffs on the other, an area of Aleppo pine and holm oak forests on one side, and barren karst on the other, an area of cultivated fields covered in vineyards and olive groves, but also an area of degraded forms of vegetation covering dry habitats. Due to its extreme beauty, richness and importance, this bay surrounded by 13 islands and islets, together with 6 islets inside the bay itself, was proclaimed a Nature Park in 1988. Telašćica acquired the status of a protected area already in 1980 because of its valuable flora and fauna, geological and geomorphological phenomena, diverse underwater life, and interesting archaeological heritage. This evening in the heart of the Nature Park and in the silence of a beautiful cove we will have gala Captain’s Dinner onboard. Overnight in Telašćica Nature Park. (B, L, D)

Today is the day to enjoy. After breakfast we depart for a pleasant cruise passing by the middle of Kornati Archipelago, which is a labyrinth of stone, with eighty-nine islands, islets and rocks. It is the most fragmented island group in the Mediterranean. Whether you look at the Kornati Islands from the air, sea or from sightseeing points on the islands, the view is equally impressive and yet different to the eye every single time. The landscapes are perhaps at their most impressive on the part of the archipelago facing the open sea, where cliffs rise high above the sea surface. The visitors are bound to be at least as strongly visually impressed by the open, horizontal stone layers of some islands, leaving the impression of neatly placed stone steps leading all the way to the top of the island. With a swim stop on the way we`ll cruise to Primošten. Primošten is a small town located between Šibenik and Split. The Old Town is situated on a small island which is connected with the mainland. Primošten attracts tourists with its interesting architecture, beautiful beaches and crystal-clear waters. In the past, the population was oriented mainly towards cultivation of grapes, olives and fishing, and today mostly tourism. Once an island, Primošten has preserved the atmosphere and all the architectural features of a medieval Mediterranean fishing village. Upon arrival you will have free time to enjoy your last wonderful evening on this cruise and to have an intimate farewell dinner on your own. Overnight in Primošten. (B, L)

Breakfast and a morning cruise to Split, where we should arrive at approx 1000HRS. Upon arrival, disembarkation. You will be transferred to Split Airport. (B)