Istria, Kvarner Bay & Brijuni National Park Cruise 2023

Embarkation in the port of Poreč takes place between 1100HRS and 1200HRS noon at the latest. Afterwards, the representative will welcome you with a welcome drink and you will get to know the crew and fellow passengers. During a snack we lift anchor and head for the Lim Canal, a narrow, fjord-like bay that stretches approx 10km into the mainland. The Lim Canal is a nature reserve and also widely known for its mussel and oyster farming. After a swim break, we continue our journey to Pula. First mentioned by the Greeks 3,000 years ago, the Romans left one of their most impressive buildings here - Arena, an amphitheatre for 23,000 spectators at that time, framed by a 31m high circular wall. Today, the "Days of Antiquity", the film festival, the "Histria Festival", as well as music concerts and opera performances take place here, the list of internationally renowned artists who have performed in the Arena of Pula is long. During a guided tour of the city you will get to know not only the Arena but also the other ancient sights, from the Roman Forum to the Sergian Arch. Dinner onboard and overnight stay in Pula. (D)

After breakfast we cruise around the southern tip of the Istrian Peninsula and head north along the east coast. At lunchtime we cruise into the 12km deep bay of Raša, where we take an extensive swimming break and have lunch onboard before continuing to Rabac, our destination for today. Rabac, originally a small fishing village with only a few houses, is now a modern holiday resort with shallow pebble beaches with crystal-clear sea, which are repeatedly interrupted by rocky sections. Opportunity for dinner in one of the numerous restaurants and overnight stay in Rabac. (B, L)

We leave the Istrian Peninsula and set course for the Island of Cres in the Kvarner Bay. A striking feature of the island are the almost endless olive groves and countless flocks of sheep. It is not without reason that lamb is one of the specialities of the Island of Cres. After the already natural swimming break and lunch, we head for the picturesque town of Cres, in whose harbour we also spend the night. (B, L)

We set off for the Island of Lošinj, which is not only known for having 300 cloudless or only slightly cloudy sunny days a year but is also covered in dense pine forests. With a bit of luck, we might be able to watch dolphins playing in the waves today, as there are more than 220 dolphins registered by the ‘Adriatic Dolphin Project’ living in the waters around the Island of Lošinj. After a swim break, we will reach Mali Lošinj, in whose harbour the Captain's Dinner will be served onboard today and where we will also spend the night. (B, L, D)

After approx five hours of cruising, we reach the Brijuni Islands National Park, which is located off the west coast in the south of Istria. The National Park consists of 14 islands and islets, whereby only the main island Veliki Brijun (Great Brijun) can be visited. The islands were already inhabited in prehistoric times, archaeological traces point to a first settlement around 3,000BC. In 1893, the Austrian industrialist Paul Kupelwieser bought the islands and made them habitable. The reason for the "uninhabitability" was malaria, which he eradicated here together with the German physician Robert Koch. From 1947 onwards, Yugoslavian state and party leader Tito had one of his favourite residences here, and the entire archipelago was thus off-limits to the ordinary population. After Tito's death in 1980, the islands became a National Park. The Island of Veli Brijun is still used by the Croatian government for state receptions and as the summer residence of the Croatian president. During an approximately one-hour round trip by mini train, we see remains from ancient times, the unique flora with around 680 plant species, over 250 bird species such as cormorants, as well as free-roaming deer, roe deer and mouflon. One of the biggest attractions is the Safari Park - here we see elephants, llamas, zebras, Nile Gau antelopes, Somali sheep, sacred Indian cows, donkeys and ostriches. The museum ‘Interactive Boat House’ and the exhibition ‘Tito on Brijuni’ complete the experience. Opportunity for dinner in one of the restaurants on Veliki Brijun and overnight stay. (B, L)

Our destination today is probably the most picturesque old town in Istria, Rovinj. Dominated by the baroque church of St Euphemia and the 60-metre-high bell tower, the old town is situated on the Monterosso Peninsula. The characteristic silhouette of the little town has attracted many painters, which is why Rovinj is a true artists' colony today. But it is not only the painters who offer their works in galleries, streets and squares, but also the narrow, winding streets and steep staircases with their countless wine bars and cafes that attract tourists from all over the world, who populate the old town every evening. Of course, there will also be an extended swim break today, during which lunch will also be served onboard. We dock in Rovinj in the late afternoon, where you will have the opportunity to have dinner in one of the countless restaurants. (B, L)

After breakfast we travel along the west coast of Istria and slowly return to the starting point of our journey. We pass the picturesque Vrsar with its offshore 18 green islets, where we will also enjoy an extended last swimming break. In the afternoon we dock in Poreč. Poreč is not only the most important holiday resort in Istria, but in Croatia as a whole. Nevertheless, Poreč has much more to offer than just hotels and holiday resorts. When you walk over the ancient cobblestones of the main street Decumanus, you should be transported back to times long past, because the Romans were already walking here in the 1st century BC. Of course, the Decumanus is not the only historical legacy, this also includes the Roman Forum and the Euphrasius Basilica, which has been included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List due to its unique mosaics. Opportunity for dinner in one of the restaurants, overnight onboard. (B, L)

After breakfast, disembarkation by 0900HRS. (B)