The Balkan Peninsula & Beyond 2024 (Athens - Split)

DAY 1 Athens
Welcome to Athens! You will be met and transferred to your hotel from Athens Airport. Then the day is free to relax at your hotel or begin exploring this historical city on your own. This evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and meet your fellow travellers and Tour Manager.

Stay at: Stanley Hotel (4 star) or Titania Hotel Athens (5 star) or similar
Meals: Dinner

DAY 2 Athens
See the highlights of Athens this morning on a sightseeing tour that also includes a visit to the immortal monuments of the Acropolis including the Parthenon, said to be the most perfectly proportioned building of all time. This cosmopolitan and bustling capital city is set amid reminders of a long and glorious past. You'll find graceful temples, centuries old monasteries and ornate Byzantine churches to further investigate at your own pace for the remainder of the day.

Stay at: Stanley Hotel (4 star) or Titania Hotel Athens (5 star) or similar
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 3 Athens - Kalambaka
Your first stop today is Delphi, where the famous Oracle once foretold the destiny of men. You will see the Sacred Way, the Stadium and the Castilian Fountain, where pilgrims cleansed themselves in preparation for consulting the Oracle in the 6th century BC temple of Apollo. Included is a visit to the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, which contains an impressive collection of finds from the site, including the beautiful "Bronze Charioteer”, before continuing your journey to Kalambaka.

Stay at: Grand Meteora Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 4 Kalambaka – Ohrid
After breakfast, admire the epic Meteora landscape, known as “the rocks that fell from the sky”. Here, monks built their monasteries on the top of these rock formations far away from civilization. Out of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and numerous hermit’s cells, only four remain active today. The most important is Megalo of Great Meteoro, with its tall and intricate dome, twelve sides and fine frescoes. Continue across the border to the Republic of North Macedonia, and on to Ohrid for your overnight stay.

Stay at Hotel Granit (4 star) or similar
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 5 Ohrid – Tirana
The lakeside UNESCO’s World Heritage site of Ohrid is an essential cultural and spiritual centre and is uniquely preserved ancient urban entity. Start your day with a walking tour through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century. Later in the afternoon you will continue your journey to Tirana, Albania’s Capital.

Stay at: Hotel Colosseo (4 star) or similar
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 6 Tirana
On your sightseeing tour this morning, you will see Sheshi Skenderbej (Skanderbeg Square), the Mosque of Ethem Bey, the statue of G.K. Skanderbeg (Albania’s national hero), the Palace of Culture that was built with Soviet assistance, and the National History Museum with a mosaic on its facade portraying Albanian history. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring at your own pace, shop, or simply just relax.

Stay at Hotel Colosseo (4 star) or similar
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7 Tirana - Shkodra - Tivat
Leave Tirana and depart for Shkodra, one of the oldest and most important cities in Albania. It was the center of the Illyrian tribe, Labeat until it was taken by the Romans in 168 BC. See Shkodra's main attraction, the Rozafa Castle, magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city before continuing to Montenegro and driving to Tivat.

Stay at: Hotel Palma (4 star) or similar
Meals: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 8 Tivat - Dubrovnik
After breakfast travel into the country of Croatia. Upon arrival to Dubrovnik, embark he deluxe vessel waiting for you, with a Welcome Reception followed by a dinner that evening. Overnight onboard in Dubrovnik.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 9 Dubrovnik - Slano
Start your day with a guided city tour of the historical centre of Dubrovnik. Walk down the Stradun - both a street and a square and see the buildings of the famous city enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage site. After, return to the ship and enjoy the beautiful scenery as you cruise along the incredible city walls before continuing to one of the Elaphiti Islands for a swim stop. In the afternoon, arrive in Slano, a small village on the mainland and a peaceful fisherman's village. From here, embark on your excursion to Ston and visit an oyster farm where you will learn more about oysters and enjoy a tasting of this delicious treat. Return to Slano for the Captain's Dinner on board.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 10 Slano - Mljet - Korcula
This morning, head north as you cruise towards Mljet where you can walk to the National Park and explore the famous salt lakes. After, make your way to the island of Korcula, also known as the "Black Island“ due to the distinct, almost black pine forests that cover much of the island. Upon arrival, embark on a guided walking tour of the town, one of the best-preserved medieval cities, and discover its fishbone streets. The evening is then free to experience the numerous restaurants and bars.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 11 Korcula - Bisevo - Vis
Early this morning, cruise to Bisevo where you can visit the Blue Cave, a magnificent natural phenomenon. Depart for Vis, an ex-naval strategic base that was closed to the public for years. The isolation helped to preserve the beauty of the island. Your afternoon is free to explore the island's charming sights including the remains of the Roman thermal place, the City Museum, or the town's beautiful waterfront.

Please note: Visit to Blue Cave is dependent on weather conditions as sometimes high tide can prevent entry. Your Captain will advise the conditions and accessibility the morning of scheduled visit.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 12 Vis - Hvar town - Stari Grad
Today, head towards Hvar, one of the most popular islands in the Adriatic, where you will embark on a guided tour of Hvar town. Here, you can see the Renaissance Cathedral with its original tower and the oldest community theatre in Europe - founded in 1612. Afterwards, sail to Stari Grad, one of the oldest cities in Europe where you will spend your night.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 13 Stari Grad - Trogir
Depart early this morning for Trogir, an old Dalmatian town famous for its masterful architecture including some stunning Venetian palaces. Upon arrival, join an excursion to visit Krka National Park. You will discover the pristine nature and waterfalls of the Krka National Park, an area extremely rich with flora and fauna.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 14 Trogir - Split
The day starts with a guided city tour of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Located on a small island, joined to the mainland by a bridge, this town has a well-preserved old town with a wonderful mix of architectural styles and is a centre for artistic activities where scholars from around the world gather to study and paint.
Continue to Split to join a guided tour where you will see the historic inner city, built around the impressive Diocletian's Palace, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Your evening is free to explore the city's famous waterfront and dine at one of the many fantastic restaurants.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 15 Split
Say goodbye to your crew and new friends as you disembark after breakfast. A shared departure transfer is included for your onward journey.

Meals included: Breakfast