Magic of Italy & Croatia Cruise Tour

Your two-in-one getaway begins with a warm welcome to Italy upon arrival at Venice’s airport from your private driver who will provide a transfer to your hotel, just over a 5-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square. After checking into your room, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. You can choose to rest and relax after a long flight, but you might want to stretch your legs while soaking up the atmosphere in one of the world’s most romantic cities. Check out St. Mark’s Square or any one of the nearby attractions like the Rialto Bridge before sitting down for dinner with a view.

• Hotel Accommodation:Hotel Ai Cavalieri di Venezia

Enjoy a two-hour tour with our expert local guide, starting from iconic St. Mark’s Square, which will provide a more in-depth look at all that Venice has to offer. Your guide will provide interesting insight and the history behind the landmarks you visit, including 14th-century Doge’s Palace, built in Venetian Gothic style, and the white limestone Bridge of Sighs that crosses over Rio di Palazzo. You’ll stroll the narrow streets to reach the Grand Canal and visit the Rialto area, the oldest part of Venice, famous for its market. Mostly frequented by the locals, it’s a great place to delve into the daily life of Venetians.

• Excursions Included:Taste of Venice tour
• Hotel Accommodation:Hotel Ai Cavalieri di Venezia

Saying farewell to Venice, you’ll be assisted with a water taxi transfer to the train station where you’ll catch the train to Florence. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Get settled in and then join your local guide for a walking tour which includes visiting Santa Croce Church, the burial place for Italian legends like Michelangelo and Galileo. You’ll see Pallazo Vecchio, the town hall, and the iconic Florence Cathedral too. Accademia Gallery is a highlight featuring paintings by Botticelli, Raphael, and other greats, along with the original statue of David, one of Michelangelo’s most well-known works.

• Excursions Included:Walking tour of Florence with the Academia Gallery
• Hotel Accommodation:Hotel Balestri

Venture outside of Florence for a full-day trip to the medieval hilltop towns of San Gimignano and Siena. The San Gimignano skyline stands out with its 11th-century towers, once an important relay point for pilgrims traveling from or to Rome on the Via Francigena. Enjoy a typical local meal at a farmhouse nearby and then meet our local guide to explore Siena on a walking tour. It’s best known for its Piazza del Campo which hosts the world-famous II Palio horse race, but it’s also the center of local life. You’ll see the 13th-century City Hall and the 335-foot-tall Torre del Mangia bell tower here too.

• Excursions Included:Full-day tour of San Gimignano & Siena
• Hotel Accommodation:Hotel Balestri

Today you’ll transfer from Florence to Rome via train. Your driver will bring you to the train station and once you arrive in Rome, another driver will provide a private transfer to your hotel in the historic center of the city. Enjoy the remainder of the day on your own, with plenty to discover nearby, including the Spanish Steps, one of the longest staircases in Europe. Ascend the steps to admire Piazza di Spagna and the beautiful baroque-style Barcaccia fountain. The wide steps offer the perfect seat for people watching with many weaving in and out of the boutiques and eateries.

• Hotel Accommodation:Hotel Artemide

A half-day tour with your own private driver/guide brings you to Vatican City, an independent state located in Rome, with its own flag, stamps, coin, and militia protecting the pope. You’ll visit the vast museum complex while enjoying expert insight from your guide who provides a more in-depth look at one of the greatest collections of Renaissance works, including tapestries, frescoes, sculptures, and paintings. Discover the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of Geographical Maps, and, of course, the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s incredible frescoes. Marvel at the early 17th-century St. Peter’s Basilica, which includes Michelangelo’s Pieta and so much more.

• Excursions Included:Half-day tour of Vatican City
• Hotel Accommodation:Hotel Artemide

Your final full day in the Eternal City will be split between time on your own to explore what interests you most and a half-day private guided tour that explores Ancient Rome. You’ll be immersed in the period for a trip back to the days of the Roman Empire, visiting the Roman Colosseum, the city’s most iconic symbol where for over 440 years tens of thousands of spectators came to watch gladiator games, famous battle re-enactments, dramas based on classical myths and brutal fights between man and beast. You’ll wander through the fascinating Roman Forum too, once the heart of the Roman Empire and Republic.

• Excursions Included:Half-day tour of Ancient Rome
• Hotel Accommodation: Hotel Artemide

This morning your private driver will provide a transfer to Rome’s airport where you’ll catch your flight to Split International Airport. Upon arrival, another driver will provide a private transfer to the port in Omis. Embarkation is from 2 pm onwards, with assistance provided at check-in along with a brief tour of the vessel. You’ll have time to relax and settle into your cabin before everyone gathers together for a welcome drink and safety overview. With leisure time afterward, you might explore the picturesque town with historic sites like the Fortica and Mirabella fortresses, returning in time for this evening’s Welcome Dinner with introductions to the crew.

• Meals Included:Breakfast and Welcome Dinner

Departing Omis, cruise toward Trogir with your first swim stop in a peaceful bay with crystal-clear blue waters en route. Upon arrival in Trogir, you’ll be steps from its medieval Old Town, a UNESCO-listed site where you can meet our local guide for a tour through its narrow streets and alleyways. With a rich history spanning more than 2,300 years, you’ll see influences from the Greek, Roman, and Venetian eras. Alternatively, you can join some of your fellow passengers on the bus to Split for a locally guided walking tour of the historic center, including Diocletian’s Palace with its incredibly well-preserved Roman architecture.

• Excursions Included:Guided walking tour of Trogir or Split
• Meals Included:Breakfast and Lunch

We depart from the charming town of Trogir whilst guests are enjoying breakfast and head to one of Croatia’s best-kept secrets the idyllic island of Vis. The Island of Vis was once used as a military base and therefore out of bounds to tourists, so it has maintained a unique off-the-beaten-track charm about it. Before we arrive in Vis, the captain will find a quiet bay for guests to enjoy a refreshing afternoon swim. Once we reach Vis, guests will have free time this afternoon to explore the charming streets of Vis which boast gorgeous marina views and are a maze of boutique shops, seafront cafes, and old-world charm. Those who are looking to enjoy a stunning sunset drink should take the walk up to Fort George which boasts sublime views over the island and a great selection of cocktails.

• Meals Included:Breakfast and Lunch

The nearby Island of Bisevo is our first stop this morning as we depart from Vis before breakfast. This tiny island is home to one of the most popular sites in Croatia, the magical Blue Cave. Weather permitting, guests will get an opportunity to do a tour inside the cave and see this beautiful natural phenomenon and admire its beautiful colors. (Please note that entry to the Blue Cave is subject to weather and sea conditions and therefore the entry fee of EUR30pp is payable on the day). Cruise on toward Hvar, sailing through the Pakleni Islands, renowned for their hidden bays with brilliant turquoise water, perfect for your next swim stop. At Hvar, you’ll enjoy a tour and tasting at a family-run winery before continuing to Hvar Town, with free time to delve into its world-class dining and nightlife.

• Optional Excursion:Guided tour of the Blue Cave (Subject to weather conditions)
• Excursions Included:Wine tasting tour at a sought after family winery
• Meals Included:Breakfast and Lunch

We bid farewell to the Island of Hvar this morning and make our way to Korcula. Once docked in Korcula, join our cruise director and our expert local guide who will take you through the narrow, cobbled streets to view the impressive Venetian-gothic architecture and learn more about the alleged birthplace of explorer Marco Polo. This evening you will be spoilt for choice with a superb selection of restaurants available in Korcula or ask our Cruise Director about the optional Traditional Village Dinner experience which is also an option.

• Excursions Included:Guided walking tour of Korcula
• Meals Included:Breakfast and Lunch

Mljet is our last island, known for its lush greenery and national park with two saltwater lakes in brilliant hues of blues and greens. A short walk with your cruise director brings you to visit them and an optional boat ride to the islet in the middle of Great Lake topped with an ancient monastery and church. Slano is our stop for the evening and we’ll disembark for a walk along the coast to an oyster farm in Ston, famous for its oysters, so you can enjoy them fresh from the sea. Back on board, the Captain’s Dinner with live music will be hosted.

• Excursions Included:Entrance to the Mljet National Park, and Fresh oyster and mussel tasting experience
• Meals Included:Breakfast, Lunch and Captain's Dinner

It’s time to head to our final destination, with an early departure for Dubrovnik. Your captain will sail around the walls of the Old City for a beautiful perspective before sailing into the harbor. After disembarking, you’ll meet our local guide for a walking tour. Take a stroll along the Stradun, the main street, and marvel at the many impressive buildings dating to the days of the old Dubrovnik Republic while learning about the history behind them. Upon conclusion, enjoy free time, perhaps walking atop the walls that encircle the historic center before enjoying dinner in a rooftop restaurant with a sea and sunset view.

• Excursions Included:Guided walking tour of Dubrovnik
• Meals Included:Breakfast and Lunch

After two full weeks in Italy and Croatia, it will soon be time to conclude your enchanting journey. Enjoy breakfast on board before saying your farewells, with your private driver meeting you at disembarkation to provide a transfer to your local hotel or Dubrovnik’s airport to catch your flight home. The crew will be there to assist and should you need help with ongoing travels or just about anything else, feel free to reach out to our staff.

• Meals Included:Breakfast