Croatian Coastal Cruising - Split to Dubrovnik (Aurora)

Dobro dosli! Welcome to Croatia. There is so much to see and do in the port city of Split, where your journey begins, so it's recommended you arrive a couple of days early. Your adventure begins at 4 pm, when you’ll board a private bus for a short drive to the town of Omis. When you arrive, you’ll board the boat for a welcome meeting and safety briefing with your fellow travellers. This evening, sit down for your first group dinner on board and get to know each other. (D)

This morning you'll sail to the colourful island of Brac. Along the way, stop for a swim in the ocean and have lunch aboard the boat. When you arrive in Brac – the longest island in central Dalmatia – you’ll head to the Skrip museum. As the oldest settlement on the island, this regional museum is full of fascinating history. After, visit the Olive Oil Museum to explore the history of this cooking staple on the island. Here, you'll can also taste some local olive oil along with some local produce (and pick up a souvenir, if you fancy). Tonight, enjoy some free time exploring Brac or lounging on the boat. (B/L)

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 around midday and look across one of Europe's oldest towns while lunching on board the Aurora. Next, take a bus to explore the island known as the 'Queen of the Dalmatian Islands'. Visit a nearby lavender farm and try some local produce. After, 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). (B/L)

Set sail early towards Opuzen, stopping for a spot of swimming along the way. Enjoy lunch on board as you sail up the Neretva River towards Opuzen. When you arrive, jump into small wooden boats for a leisurely cruise through the surrounding wetlands (with local snacks and music on board). End up at a beautiful local restaurant overlooking the water for Peka veal and other local dishes, then board the boat and return to Opuzen. This evening, you may like to venture out to a couple of the bars around the town square to meet the locals to soak up the atmosphere. (B/L/D)

It’s an early start this morning as you make your way to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina by bus. When you arrive, take a tour with a local guide, learn about the history of Mostar’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed reconstructed 16th-century bridge and visit a local coffee shop where you’ll see how Bosnian coffee is made. Then, taste it for yourself! Enjoy an included lunch at a restaurant with a view of the historic bridge over the Neretva River. You’ll then have some free time to pick up a souvenir before travelling by bus back towards the Dalmatian coast. Along the way, you’ll stop at Matusko Winery for a tour of the vineyards followed by a wine tasting. You’ll then continue to Trpanj where you’ll reboard your boat. Here, you’ll sit down to a four-course dinner with the captain as the sun sets over the water. (B/L/D)

After breakfast on board, enjoy a mid-morning swim stop in beautiful clear waters of Loviste in the Peljesac Peninsula. Return to the boat and set sail for Korcula – the birthplace of Marco Polo. This afternoon, you’ll join your leader for an orientation tour of the town. Then tonight, you’ll be spoiled for choice with many restaurants overlooking the waterfront – ask your leader for their recommendations. Spend the night at port, with the boat rocking gently with the water. (B/L)

Leave early this morning and cruise to Dubrovnik, stopping mid-morning for a swim near the island of Jakljan. Enjoy lunch on board with your fellow travellers before arriving in Dubrovnik in the early afternoon, where you’ll join a local guide to explore this walled city which has an eclectic blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Tonight, enjoy some free time exploring Dubrovnik and sampling the local cuisine – your local leader will be happy to provide recommendations for restaurants in town! In the evening, return to the Aurora and perhaps toast to your sailing adventure with your fellow travellers, enjoying one last cocktail on the sun deck (B/L)

Your adventure along the Dalmatian Coast ends after breakfast today and with no activities planned, you are free to leave at any time. If you’d like to extend your stay in Dubrovnik, and it’s recommended that you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. (B)