The Island Paradise Of Dalmatia, Zlatni Rat & Split Cruise 2023

Embarkation in the port of Zadar from 1130HRS to 1300HRS. After embarkation, the tour guide will greet you with a welcome drink and you will get to know the crew and fellow passengers. After a snack onboard, we set sail and first set course for one of the countless islands in the area, where we take the first swimming break of our trip. We continue towards Vodice, a lively holiday resort. After dinner onboard, enjoy a glass of wine in one of the cosy tavernas or konobas. (D)

A few miles further south we leave the Adriatic Sea and turn into the mouth of the Krka River. We head upstream and anchor in Skradin, just before the famous Krka Waterfalls. This is also where the boats depart to take you to the National Park. Opportunity to visit the ‘Skradinski Buk’, with 800m the longest and probably most famous part of the waterfalls. An impressive natural spectacle, as here the Krka River falls in 17 steps with cascades up to 100m wide. Entrance fee to the National Park includes boat transfer and is approx EUR15-27 per person, payable locally. After visiting the National Park, we head for Šibenik. Šibenik, first mentioned in 1066, is the youngest of the larger towns on the coast, but also the oldest native town in Croatia. It was not founded by Greeks, Romans or Byzantines, but by Croats. The most famous building in the fortress-like old town is the Cathedral of St James, the most important Renaissance monument in Croatia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After a city tour, opportunity for dinner in one of the restaurants and overnight stay. (B, L)

We leave Šibenik and after approx 90 minutes' cruise we reach our next destination, Primošten, whose picturesque old town is situated on a peninsula. Originally an islet, the settlement was connected to the mainland by an artificial causeway in the 16th century. Here you have the opportunity to stroll through the old town before we set sail again and, after lunch onboard, call at a bay for a swimming break. We then set course for Split, the capital of Dalmatia. Split's main attraction is the old town, which grew out of Diocletian Palace. The complex, which belongs to the World Cultural Heritage protected by UNESCO, houses, churches, cafes … places full of flair between 1,700-year-old Roman walls! After a guided tour of the city, the rest of the evening is at your disposal to stroll through the old town. Overnight stay in the port of Split. (B, L)

In the morning we leave Split and continue south. After lunch and a swim break, we set course for the Island of Brač. The island is world-famous for its limestone, which is quarried here. It has been used in buildings such as the White House in Washington and the Reichstag in Berlin. We first drop anchor in one of the beautiful bays to enjoy an extended swim break. Then we head for Pučišća, where we also spend the night. When entering the bay of Pučišća, you will see the largest quarry on the island, and you will also encounter limestone at every turn in the town. The harbour pier, the facades of the houses, even the lanterns in the harbour are made of this stone, and Pučišća is also home to one of the most important stonemasonry schools in Europe. Overnight stay in Pučišća. (B, L)

We could also call today a "four-island day". We leave Pučišća on the Island of Brač and head for a bay on the Island of Šolta for our first swim break. After about an hour, we lift anchor and set course for the Island of Drvenik Veli, where we take our second swim break of the day. While lunch is served onboard, we start the engine again and cruise towards the fourth island, Zlarin. In the late afternoon we moor in the small harbour of the fishing village Zlarin. Opportunity for dinner in one of the restaurants and overnight stay. (B, L)

"On the last day of creation, God wished to crown his handiwork, so out of tears, stars and breath he created the Kornati Islands," wrote the Irish writer George Bernard Shaw. They are the largest and densest collection of islands in the Adriatic Sea - 147 islands, islets and reefs stretch for approx 35km. We sail the entire length of this nautical paradise, which was declared a National Park in 1980. Of course, we will anchor in one of the beautiful bays with their crystal clear water for an extensive swimming break. Our destination today is the Telašćica Nature Park, a protected bay that is cut approx ten 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. In the idyll of this nature park, the Captain's Dinner will be served today. Overnight stay in the Telašćica Nature Park. (B, L, D)

We leave the Telašćica Nature Park and head for one of the bays on the Island of Ugljan for a last extensive swimming break before returning to the starting point of our cruise. After arriving in Zadar, the tour guide will be waiting for you for a guided tour of the old town surrounded by mighty walls. She will show you the most important sights such as the Roman Forum, the round Church of St Donatus, St Anastasia Cathedral and the Sea Organs, unique in the world, whose sound and "melodies" are determined solely by the waves. Overnight stay in Zadar. (B, L)

After breakfast, disembarkation by 0900HRS. (B)