Croatian & Slovenian Explorer 2027 (Zagreb - Dubrovnik)

DAY 1 Zagreb
Welcome to Zagreb! Your tour commences with a shared arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel. After settling in, you will have free time to start exploring the city before gathering this evening with your fellow travellers and Tour Manager for a welcome meeting and a welcome drink.

Stay at: Westin Zagreb (5 star), Sheraton Zagreb Hotel (5 star) or similar

DAY 2 Zagreb
This morning, enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St. Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, the Parliament, and the Government Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the winding streets of the old town.

Stay at: Westin Zagreb (5 star), Sheraton Zagreb Hotel (5 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 3 Zagreb – Ljubljana – Bled
After breakfast head across the border towards Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. See the most significant sights of the old city centre on a short orientation walk. See the vibrant open-air Central Market, the Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, and Robba's Fountain. Then, continue to the picturesque town of Bled, located in the foothills of the Julian Alps.

Stay at: Hotel Kompas (4 star), Bled Rose Hotel (4 star), Ribno Alpine Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 4 Bled
Nestled behind an alpine lake and surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travellers in the middle of the 19th century. Since then, a small town filled with hotels, villas, and restaurants has developed around the lake, turning Bled into a vibrant, all-season resort town. A sightseeing tour will take you around this charming town and the lakeshore, as well as to the imposing Bled Castle perched on a cliff high above the lake. The remainder of the day is free to spend at leisure.

Stay at: Hotel Kompas (4 star), Bled Rose Hotel (4 star), Ribno Alpine Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 5 Bled – Postojna – Opatija – Plitvice Lakes National Park
Your journey continues southwest to Postojna, home to one of the largest cave systems in Europe. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train before heading to the coast for a stop in Opatija. Enjoy a short orientation walk in this resort town dotted with Habsburg era villas. Afterwards, continue towards Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979.

Stay at: Hotel Jezero (3 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 6 Plitvice Lakes National Park – Split
Have your camera ready as you begin your day with a guided walking tour around the lower lakes in Plitvice Lakes National Park! Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder with sixteen terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. After the tour, continue to Split, the largest city on the Dalmatian coast.

Stay at: Hotel Corner (4 star), Art Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 7 Split
This morning, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Split's historic inner city which has been built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace, now a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. See the remnants of Split's Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle, and the Cathedral. The rest of the day is at leisure to stroll through the beautiful streets of Split and its waterfront promenade, or to relax at the beach.

Stay at: Hotel Corner (4 star), Art Hotel (4 star) or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 8 CRUISE: Split – Trogir
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Trogir port where embarkation for your cruise begins at 14.00hrs. Get settled in your cabin before joining a short orientation walk through this medieval city. Sometimes referred to as a “floating museum town”, Trogir’s Old Town consists of masterful architecture including stunning Venetian palaces. Return to the ship after the tour for a Welcome Reception followed by dinner on board.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner

DAY 9 CRUISE: Trogir – Split – Brac
Cruise towards Split, a unique modern city that has evolved from the ruins of the remarkable Diocletian’s Palace. Embark on a guided walking tour of the historic inner city where you can witness the remnants of Split's Roman heritage, it's renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter's temple, the Peristyle, and the Cathedral. After visiting Split, enjoy lunch on board and a swim stop before heading towards Milna on the island of Brac. In the afternoon, disembark in Milna, a Dalmatian town known for its 1783 Baroque church situated beside the water.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 10 CRUISE: Brac - Hvar
After a swim stop and lunch, cruise towards Hvar, one of Croatia’s most popular destinations due to pleasant climate all year round. On arrival, join a sightseeing tour of Hvar by Land Rover Defender, driving through the picturesque villages, visit a lavender farm, stop and enjoy a wine tasting, and finish your evening at a donkey farm. Tonight, overnight in one of the harbours of Hvar.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 11 CRUISE: Hvar - Bisevo - Vis
Your day begins as you cruise to the island of Bisevo to visit the spectacular Blue Cave. Accessible only by boat, the cave's natural underwater entrance allows for sunbeams to penetrate through and reflect off the white cave floor, creating a magical blue glow. Afterwards, continue to Vis Island, once a strategic naval base and closed to the public for many years. As such, the island was closed to the public from the 1950’s until 1989, with the isolation preserving the island from development and therefore retaining its special charm. The afternoon is free to explore Vis at leisure. Overnight in one of the harbours of Vis.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

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

DAY 12 CRUISE: Vis - Korcula
Depart early this morning towards the island of Korcula, known as the supposed birthplace of Marco Polo. Stop for a swimming break and lunch en route in one of the secluded bays. Upon arrival in Korcula, embark on a guided walking tour of Korcula Old Town and discover its fishbone streets and numerous restaurants. The remainder of the day is free at leisure. You can visit the small Marco Polo Museum and climb the tower for wonderful views, enjoy a drink at a bar within the fortifications or simply wander through its charming pedestrian streets.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 13 CRUISE: Korcula - Mljet - Slano
Today you cruise to Mljet to visit the National Park famous for its salt lakes and an ancient Benedictine monastery. Here, you can either rent bicycles, scooters, or kayaks to explore the National Park or join your Cruise Manager for a stroll around the salt lakes. Later, enjoy lunch onboard as you cruise to Slano, a peaceful fisherman's village. On arrival, embark on your excursion to Ston, a once-fortified small village now famous for its oysters. After exploring the town's medieval ramparts, a short coastal walk leads you to an oyster farm where you will learn more about oysters and enjoy a tasting of this delicious treat. Upon returning to the vessel tonight, enjoy the Captain’s dinner, whilst overnighting in Slano.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 14 CRUISE: Slano - Dubrovnik
Cruise to the Elaphiti Islands this morning and enjoy a swim in one of the bays before arriving in Dubrovnik. Cruise along the impressive city walls and fortifications, and after lunch, embark on a guided city tour of the Pearl of the Adriatic. The remainder of your afternoon will be free to further explore this UNESCO World Heritage listed city at your own pace. You can use this opportunity to take the cable car to the top of Mount Srd for incredible panoramic views of Dubrovnik, or perhaps take stroll down the ‘Stradun’, the completely pedestrianised main street in the Old Town where you can find plenty of cafes, shops and restaurants to try out.

Meals included: Breakfast and lunch

DAY 15 CRUISE: Dubrovnik
Say goodbye to your crew and new friends as you disembark after breakfast. Your adventure continues with an included shared departure transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Meals included: Breakfast