Kvarner Bay & Telašćica Nature Park Cruise 2023

Embarkation time in Rijeka Port is from 1100HRS to 1200HRS noon. This is followed by a welcome drink from the tour guide and getting to know the crew and fellow passengers. During a snack we weigh anchor in the direction of the seaside resort of Crikvenica. We first call at a bay on the east coast of the Island of Krk to dive into the wonderful waters of the Adriatic for the first time. We then continue to Crikvenica, where we have dinner onboard and spend the night. (D)

After breakfast we cruise south along the east coast of the Island of Krk. After a swim break and lunch onboard, we cruise to the bay of Baška at the southern end of the Island of Krk. The landmark of Baška is the 2km-long fine gravel beach that stretches along the entire bay. Opportunity for dinner in one of the numerous restaurants and overnight stay. (B, L)

From Baška we first drive to the Island of Goli Otok. This served as a prison and labour camp until the end of the 1980s and is uninhabited today. By the way, the name means "naked island", as it is quite barren and offers hardly any shade. After we have moored here, we have the opportunity to see the island with the remains of the prison camp or to take a round trip on the miniature railway ‘Goli Express’ (seasonal). After lunch onboard, we first head for one of the countless bays on the Island of Rab for an extended swim break before entering the port of the town of Rab in the late afternoon. Afterwards, a guided tour of the old town. The old town of Rab with its striking bell towers stretches out on a narrow, rocky headland, surrounded by water on three sides. Three streets run through the Old Town, the ‘Lower Street’ with cafes and pubs, the ‘Middle Street’ with boutiques, souvenir shops and ice cream parlours, and the ‘Upper Street’ leading to the four churches with their bell towers. Opportunity for dinner in one of the restaurants and overnight in Rab. (B, L)

Our destination today is the Telašćica Nature Park, a protected bay cut approx 10 kilometres deep into the Island of Dugi Otok. Striking features are the steep cliffs up to 161m high and the saltwater lake Mir, which are only a few minutes' walk from the ship's landing stage. We will also spend the night in the idyll of this Nature Park. (B, L)

Today we have a somewhat longer sea voyage ahead of us. The journey to the small Island of Ilovik takes approx six hours, interrupted by a swim break in one of the bays on the Island of Molat, and is also called "Flower Island" because of the splendour of the blossoms in the gardens of the colourful houses. Opportunity for dinner in one of the restaurants on Ilovik and overnight stay. (B, L)

We set off for the neighbouring 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 approx an hour of cruising, we dock in the port of Mali Lošinj, where you will have the opportunity to stroll through the town or have a leisurely coffee right by the sea. During lunch we continue to the neighbouring Island of Cres, which is connected to the Island of Lošinj by a swing bridge. After a swim break, we arrive in Martinšćica, a cosy fishing village. Here the Captain's Dinner will be served onboard today. (B, L, D)

Today we say goodbye to the Croatian islands. From Martinšćica we cruise along the west coast of the Island of Cres and the east coast of Istria back to Rijeka, not without having had another opportunity to swim in one of the bays on the Island of Cres. Overnight stay in the port of Rijeka. (B, L)

After breakfast, disembarkation by 0900HRS. (B)