Cruise Croatia: Dubrovnik to Split via Zadar

Day 1 Board in Dubrovnik

Welcome to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Your luggage can be dropped off at this ship from noon, so feel free to explore Split at your leisure before boarding commences at 5 pm, when you’ll meet your fellow travellers for a welcome meeting and safety briefing. This evening, sit down to your first group dinner on board before overnighting in port.

Day 2 Korcula

After breakfast on board, enjoy a mid-morning swim stop in the beautiful clear turquoise waters of Loviste in the Peljesac peninsula. Return to the ship and set sail for Korcula – the birthplace of Marco Polo – with lunch on the way. This afternoon, join your leader for an orientation tour of the town. This evening you’ll be spoiled for choice with many restaurants overlooking the waterfront – ask your leader for their recommendations. Overnight in the port of Korcula.

Day 3 Trpani and Opuzen

Depart for Opuzen, enjoying breakfast on board and a mid-morning swim stop in beautiful clear turquoise waters near the small island of Badija, then continue on to Trpani. Transfer to Matusko winery for a tour of the vineyard and a tasting, before returning to the ship and sailing up the River Neretva to Opuzen. Tonight, enjoy a deck barbecue on the Peregrine Dalmatia.

Day 4 Mostar

An early start this morning to make your way to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina by minibus. Take a guided walk through the town, visiting a workshop specialising in traditional coffee sets and copper wall carvings on the way and enjoy some free time to explore the town and have lunch at your leisure. Return to Opuzen in the early afternoon when you’ll jump into small wooden boats for a leisurely cruise through the surrounding wetlands (with snacks and music on board). End up at a beautiful local restaurant overlooking the water and enjoy some Peka lamb and other local dishes. Board the boats and return to Opuzen. You may want to venture out to one of the friendly bars around the town square to meet the locals over a beer or two.

Day 5 Hvar

Set sail for the island of Hvar, enjoying breakfast on board. Stop to swim in the waters of the Adriatic at a secluded beach close to Stari Grad – Hvar's old town. Arrive in Stari Grad around midday and look across one of Europe's oldest towns while lunching on board the Dalmatia. Next, take a bus to explore the island known as the 'Queen of the Dalmatian Islands'. Visit a nearby farm and try local produce before enjoying a walk through the nearby lavender fields. Afterwards, drive to Hvar town for an orientation walk with your leader, then enjoy free time to explore. Return to Stari Grad and dine at a local restaurant of your choosing. Overnight in Hvar (Stari Grad).

Day 6 Split

Spend the morning sailing, arriving in Split in the early afternoon. Meet a local guide who will take you on a walk around Split – explore the laneways and squares that make up the beautiful old town and hear the stories of conquerors and sieges – then enjoy lunch at your leisure in one of the old town's lovely al fresco eateries followed by free time.

Day 7 Krka National Park

After a leisurely breakfast on board, enjoy some more free time to explore Split’s old city. After lunch, take a private bus transfer to Krka National Park then board a small boat for some cruising and exploring within the park. The park spans two thirds of the Krka River, and some 142 square kilometres – visit some of the gorgeous waterfalls for which this park is renowned, stopping for a refreshing swim or two along the way. Afterwards, return by bus to Split, in time for a captain's dinner for your evening.

Day 8 Split

Your day is as clear as the waters of the Adriatic Sea, so spend your time as you wish in gorgeous Split. Maybe take a relaxing stroll along the palm-lined Riva Harbour to find a waterside eatery, or otherwise discover the city’s secluded swimming spots. This evening, welcome some new travellers to your group at a dinner on board the Peregrine Dalmatia, with another meeting scheduled to brief you on the next stage of your Adriatic adventure.

Day 9 Sibenik

Sail to Sibenik, take a short orientation walk with your leader, then a transfer to one of Croatia’s finest wineries to taste some world-class varieties. Enjoy a traditional Dalmatian lunch in an agriturismo renowned for its famous smoked ham, known in the to the locals as prsut. Explore the farm and enjoy the local countryside, before returning to Sibenik for an afternoon walking tour with a local guide.

Day 10 Zadar

Travel to Zadar, the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia, and enjoy a walking tour with a local guide on arrival. Visit the ninth-century St Donatus Church, one of the only buildings from this period to survive the Mongol invasion. Later in the afternoon you'll head to the unique Sea Organ, which generates music via sea waves, using tubes placed beneath a set of broad marble stairs. It's not only a profound piece of art, highlighting the long history of the town, but also a feat of engineering. As darkness falls, enjoy a glass of sparkling wine at nearby Monument to the Sun, an in-ground monument consisting of 300 multi-layered glass plates in a 22-metre (72 foot) circle that produces a stunning show of light after dark. It works in tandem with the Sea Organ – one communicates with light, the other with sound.

Day 11 Plitvice Lakes National Park

Transfer by coach to Plitvice National Park, where a leisurely hike with your leader allows you to take in the natural beauty of the surrounding area. While you can't swim in these lakes, the experience of nature is a profound one, with waterfalls and butterflies piercing the ambience of the lush green forest, providing many a photo opportunity. Enjoy a packed lunch, prepared for you by the crew, then return to Zadar in the afternoon. For dinner, you’ll be served a delicious barbecue on deck before sailing to Sali overnight.

Day 12 Kornati National Park

Cruise to Kornati National Park, a nautical wonderland made up of 89 islands. Explore the beautiful bays, stopping for a swim to cool off. Those keen for some kayaking are welcome to take that option, or alternatively, sit back and take in the endless blue-green vistas and snap some photos as you enjoy the park’s splendour from the deck. Spend the night in Telascica – part of Kornati National Park.

Day 13 Trogir

Set sail early to historic Trogir and enjoy breakfast on board before a swim stop en route. On arrival, a leader-led orientation walk acquaints you with this beautiful town. Visit the Cathedral of St Lawrence, which is one of Croatia's finest architectural pieces, and the 15th-century Kamerlengo fortress. Sit down to some lunch on board the ship before sailing to Primosten. Enjoy a free evening in this picturesque old town, which was once an island. Maybe spend time tasting some of the output of the region’s famous vineyards.

Day 14 Split

After breakfast on board, stop at Ciovo Island for a swim (if weather and time permits) before sailing back to Split. Take a guided walking tour on arrival, a city buzzing with the Dalmatian lifestyle. Located in the heart of this Mediterranean paradise is Diocletian’s Palace – erected in the fourth century, this white-walled fortress is a city within a city. In the evening, sit down to a captain's dinner on board the Dalmatia.

Day 15 Disembark in Split

Your trip comes to an end after breakfast today and you’ll disembark the ship at 10 am.