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 »  Home  »  Tourism  »  May 2016 Croatian Heritage Tour and Cruise
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May 2016 Croatian Heritage Tour and Cruise
By Marko Puljić | Published  01/19/2016 | Tourism , History , Education | Unrated
There are still a few open spots left!

All this is included in your tour:

  • Escorted throughout by our experienced host: Robert Jerin

  • Private air-conditioned deluxe motor coach for all transfers

  • Welcome dinner and drink at our Hotel in Dubrovnik

  • English speaking tour guides for local sightseeing in Korcula, Hvar, Split and Zadar

  • 7 nights on board the M/S Splendid, sailing the lower Adriatic north to Zadar

  • Welcome reception, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 2 dinners served on board the ship

  • Modern deluxe private motor coach for the land tour portion of the tour

  • Traditional ?lunch with our village friends in Bukovelje

  • European style buffet breakfast daily at all the hotels during the tour

  • Guided sightseeing tour of the wonderful Krka National Park

  • 2 nights in Karlovac, dinner with local musical entertainment one evening

  • Traditional luncheon with local food and music in Samobor

  • Entrance to the official Croatian Archives in Zagreb

  • Wine tasting at the Plešivica wine cellar

  • Farewell dinner at our Hotel in Zagreb

Your Day by Day Itinerary:

 
19MAY Thursday
Depart your home city and fly to overnight to Europe. Please contact us for information about our airfare. A options available from most cities.
 
20MAY Friday • Arrive DUBROVNIK
We arrive in Dubrovnik a day before the cruise in case of flight disruptions and luggage delays and to be sure we have enough time to enjoy the ancient city. After we check into our hotel – you’ll have a free afternoon for a self guided sightseeing tour to reacquaint you with the old and new Dubrovnik. Dinner at our hotel. D
 
     
 
21MAY Saturday • DUBROVNIK
After a leisurely breakfast and some free time at the hotel or in Old Dubrovnik, we take our coach to the cruise ship that conveniently waits for us The M/S Splendid ship will be docked in the main Dubrovnik harbor, known as Gruz. During the welcome dinner onboard you will meet the Captain, our friendly crew and your fellow passengers. Your cabins will be at your disposal starting from 1:00 pm. The ship spends the night in Dubrovnik giving you time to further explore. B  

 Your Vessel, The M/S SPLENDID

 
The delightful cruise ship is quite new, built for the 2014 season to a higher standard than other small ships in the region. With its perfect size, maneuvering abilities and its elegant 19 cabins, our yacht-like ship is classified with a 5* rating and will satisfy your refined expectations for a comfortable cruise along the Adriatic Coast. Built under Croatian flag with an overall length of 41 meters, 8,50 meters in width with standard cruising speed of 9 knots. Construction material is steel with teak deck and mahogany wood. She has 19 spacious cabins for up to 38 guests, each with private bath and air-conditioning. 

Passenger cabins are on the Lower and Main deck. Crew members are accommodated in separate quarters. All guest cabins are extra comfortable, fully air conditioned and conveniently designed with modern private en suites, toilet and shower in cabin. Each is equipped with a working table, chair, mirror, night lamps, 220 V electric supply, life jacket, wardrobe and luggage space under bed, as well as the latest safety and fire alarm.

PUBLIC AREAS
Fully air-conditioned salon-restaurant (72 m2) is on the upper deck where guests can have their privacy, large enough for all passengers, equipped with bar and LCD TV, each table has easy-access chairs. There is a corner table for buffet breakfast, armchair and small coffee table in the bar, free wireless internet (WiFi), loud-speakers, audio-system and large windows. An outdoor terrace of 56 m2 that is fully covered, large enough for all passengers with tables, chairs and one public toilette is an additional part of the restaurant. On the high deck is a sun deck that covers 250 m2 with sun-beds for all passengers. This is the best part of the boat for those who enjoy sunbathing including a Jacuzzi (massage pool) for clients’ comfort.  The boat has a platform for swimming, 2 ladders with handholds for an easy access to the water and two outdoor showers and toilettes. 
 
We look forward to sharing with you an awesome and unforgettable experience of sailing the turquoise Adriatic, sampling the very essence of the scenic Dalmatian Coast with its alluring islands, wonderful coastal scenery, countless bays, romantic coves and historic and cultural treasures of fairy tale medieval towns.

By docking each evening in a different port of call you will find yourself within only a few steps from the evocative old towns with their gates, little squares and easy going narrow lanes, promenades, vibrant cafes, shops and traditional restaurants. For your laid back moments of relaxation we will keep you thrilled each day by revealing you secluded coves and pristine beaches with crystal clear water. We look forward to welcoming you aboard! Gruz can be seen on the map below:

 

22MAY  Sunday  • DUBROVNIK- NATIONAL PARK MLJET -KORCULA
After breakfast we will start our pleasant cruise to the Mljet National Park. On our way we will cruise by magnificent shores of the Elaphiti islands archipelago, to the northwest of Dubrovnik. Lunch will be served on board while cruising to Mljet National Park. Upon arrival to the Mljet National Park, you will have free afternoon to explore park, to walk around the Great and Small Lake and Islet of St. Mary with its Benedictine Monastery from the 12th century. Afternoon we departure towards the island of Korcula, on Korcula Island. Korcula is a city known as a birthplace of Marco Polo, the famous explorer. Our English speaking guide will do evening Korcula City tour, and walk us through narrow and cobbled streets of Korcula. The rest of the evening is free to enjoy dining at one of the local restaurants of your choice. Meals on board: Breakfast, lunch
 
23MAY Monday •  KORCULA 
Morning at leisure in Korcula with swim stop along the Island. After lunch we will continue cruising towards the sunniest island of Croatia – the island of Hvar, with a second swim stop in a one of the many coves and bays along the way. Hvar is one of the most popular, very attractive tourist destinations and a meeting point for the international jet set. Upon your evening arrival at Hvar, a local English speaking guide will walk you throughout the town introducing you to the history, culture and way of life on this island. We will join a short lavender presentation where you can learn how lavender was traditionally farmed on Hvar Island for centuries. Have an evening in Hvar is free to explore and dine around in one of numerous family owned restaurants. Meals on board: Breakfast, lunch. Get ready to party! Hvar is the town of Lace, Lavender and Parties

 

24MAY Tuesday • ISLAND of BRAC - SPLIT
Our next destination will be the seaside resort of Bol on Brac Island, claimed to have the most beautiful and the most photographed beach in Croatia, called Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape). Immerse yourself in a bath of sun and sea water or explore the town of Bol before lunch and continuation of our journey to Split where we will arrive in the late afternoon hours. Considered to be 1700 year-old Split is the second largest Croatian city. In the historic core of Split inscribed under UNESCO World Heritage - and within a short walk distance from our ship- stands the massive Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, dating back to the 3rd A.D. In the course of time the Old Town of Split developed inside and around the Palace which included three Roman temples and a massive mausoleum. You may Join us for an optional walking tour and explore with our tour guide numerous archaeological, historical and cultural sites of Split. Find your favorite restaurant for dinner, have a sip of wine or latte in one of many cafes on the pedestrian promenade called Riva and explore numerous shops in the city center. Overnight in Split. Meals on board: Breakfast, lunch
 
 
25MAY  Wednesday •  TROGIR - SIBENIK
After breakfast we continue sailing to Trogir. You will have free time to explore this unique city with 2300 years of tradition. It is a town-museum in the very meaning of the world. Its rich culture developed under the influence of Greeks, Romans and Venetians. Trogir is also listed among UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage Sites with its St. Lawrence Cathedral. Trogir, not far from Split has become a place for artists. And we over night at Sibenik a lovely place not so commonly seen by tourists Above left is a scene of ancient buildings in Trogir and on the right, the Trogir fish market. By now you non seafood lovers must be concerned, not to worry there will be plenty of other choices, such as Cevapcici and other Croatian dishes and for anyone who is vegetarian you can find choices to suit your diet.  Lunch on board, swim stop and evening arrival to Sibenik compact old town with medieval alleys, stairways ring of fortresses and a spectacular Renaissance cathedral - also listed among UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage Sites. After we arrive in Sibenik enjoy your walk and dinner at one of many restaurants in Sibenik. Meals on board: Breakfast, lunch
 
 
26MAY  Thursday • KRKA NATIONAL PARK - ISLAND OF DUGI OTOK
Morning departure by coach to National Park Krka, with foamy Skradinski buk waterfalls. Visit to the ethno village and old mills in National park and returning to boat for lunch on board. Afternoon next destination is National Park Kornati, Kornati archipelago dispersed northwest to southwest with length of 35 kilometers and 140 islands. In 1980 Kornati archipelago was declared as National Park where we will arrive in evening to have overnight. Croatia has many lovely national parks and we will have the opportunity to visit 2 of them, Krka Falls and Kornati Archipelago, with their almost moon like appearance. At the end of Day 6 we overnight at Sali on the Island of Dugi Otok (Long Island)Meals on board: Breakfast, lunch

27MAY  Friday • ZADAR
Morning departure to Zadar, middle Dalmatia regional center. Stop for swimming and "en route" lunch onboard. Late afternoon arrival in Zadar followed by a city tour. Zadar’s historical center is a compact pedestrian zone, perfect to explore on foot and admire defensive walls built in 16th century by Venetians as a defense from Turks. You will see 16th century Port Gate where Venetian lion (symbol of Venice) still guards the entrance, Square of the 5 Wells, Church of St. Donat, Roman Forum (1st century BC) and the biggest Cathedral in Dalmatia - St. Anastasia Cathedral. Meals on board: Breakfast, lunch Last but certainly not least is the lovely little town of Zadar, with Roman Ruins, the Sea Organ and much more!


 
   
28MAY  Saturday •  Disembark in ZADAR
Breakfast and disembarkation by 9:00 am. It is time to say farewell to the crew of the MS Splendid!. Meals on board: Breakfast

Now we begin our land tour as we meet our coach driver and tour manager beside the ship. Once luggage is transffered head to our first stop, Rastoke, nature paradise and phenomenon located at the confluence of rivers Slunjcica and Korana. Then continue to Gornje Bukvolje for a fabulous homecoming welcome from our friends at this lovely village. We will be greeted with traditional plum brandy and other homemade goodies, after which we are treated to the music of the local tamburitza group…. to whose music we can enjoy dancing.  Then it is on to the fire hall for a sumptuous feast of Croatian cuisine, village style with plenty local wines. This is sponsored by the Ladies Cultural Club. Late arrival to Karlovac, Overnight at the hotel Korana Srakovcic 4* in Karlovac. (B.L)    http://www.hotelkorana.hr/

 
29MAY  Sunday • KARLOVAC - ZUMBERAK
Karlovac,built as a fort by the Austrians to defend against the invading Turks in the middle Ages. Now a lovely little city known for its beer. Overlooking Karlovac is Dubovac Castle, a classic fortification with an impressive square tower and three bastions. The castle was probably first built in the 13th century. It was rebuilt in Renaissance style in the 15th century and rebuilt again in the 19th century in the spirit of Romanticism. The castle was then renovated in 1952 according to drawings from the end of the 18th century. Karlovac is situated on four rivers: the Dobra, Kupa, Korana and Mrežnica. These rivers provided a vital link to the Mediterranean coast and had a key influence on the prosperity of the town. We will stay for a couple of nights at what has been selected as "the best little hotel in Croatia", the Hotel Korana which is set in the city along the banks of the Korana River. We take a walking tour of this historic city, once home to the Zrinski noble family. We leave Karlovac continuing on the path of the ancient Adriatic Pirates. In the Middle Ages these pirates were sent to an area in the Zumberak Mountains. Today we head north to the town of Ozalj, where we will visit a Zrinski Castle as well as the first Nikola Tesla hydro-electric plant in this part of Europe, constructed in 1907. Karlovac is where the sad tale of of Petar and Katarina of Zrin took place under the rule of Austria, below is a dipiction of Katarina wishing Petar a farwell as he is off to Vienna to meet his fate.



 After our exploration of Ozalj, we will be in need of some refreshment, and there is no better place than one of the local wine cellars, such as Josip Vrbanek’s. Dinner outside in the restaurant with live music entertainment and overnight back in Karlovac.  (B,D )
 
30MAY  Monday • KARLOVAC -KRAŠIC -SAMOBOR –ZAGREB
 
Krašic, a town with a population of 3,200 lies in the southwestern part of Zagreb County, 23 km from the Zagreb–Karlovac motorway and 50 km from Zagreb. Krašic is a place of prayer, peace and pilgrimage, and the birthplace and place of death of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac (Krašic Days, 8 May). The Blessed Cardinal Stepinac was born in the village Brezaric in 1889, and served a 16-year sentence in a home prison. This is also the birthplace of Cardinal Franjo Kuharic (Pribic), Bishop Juraj Jezerinac (Prekrižje), and Bishop Josip Mrzljak.  After Krašic, drive via Jastrebarsko and the wine road of Plešivica where we’ll make a wine tasting of high quality regional wines . Continue to Samobor for nice lunch at local restaurant. Late arrival to Zagreb and check in to the Hotel DUBROVNIK. Dinner at hotel. (B,L,D)

Hotel Dubrovnik


The four star Hotel Dubrovnik has been welcoming guests since 1929 and has won a number of awards for its facilities and services. The hotel is ideally located in the heart of Zagreb, surrounded by all the city’s top business, cultural and entertainment attractions as well as parks and colorful cafés. It was designed by well-known European architect Dionis Sunko, who was born in Zagreb, and it is adorned with a bronze statue of Mercury by 19th century Viennese sculptor Anton Fernkorn. The Hotel Dubrovnik’s facade on Ban Jelacic square is a distinctive part of the city’s architectural heritage. To fulfill growing demand, the hotel added a tastefully designed modern wing in 1982 with an additional 150 rooms. 
Today, the Hotel has 214 rooms and 8 suites and offers perfect balance of tradition, classic beauty, excellent service and modern facilities in the heart of Zagreb.http://hotel-dubrovnik.hr/en
 
31MAY  Tuesday •  ZAGREB
Guided Zagreb sightseeing tour. Amble past the gleaming white facade of Zagreb Cathedral – or the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to use its formal name – and then wander along the central Zagreb streets that are lined with elegant 19th- and 20th-century buildings. Pose for photos by Lotršcak Tower, a fortified monument from which a cannon is fired each day, and learn about the city’s affinity with the arts as you pass Galerija Klovicevi Dvori, an art museum housed within an old Jesuit monastery. Take a respite from Zagreb’s daytime heat with a stroll along Strossmayer Promenade, the leafy terraced walkway that links Zagreb's lower town to it's upper town. At the end of the terrace, gaze in admiration at the Stone Gate, one of the city's prettiest landmarks. Marking the eastern entrance to the medieval quarter of Gradec, the Stone Gate is now a lovingly decorated shrine to the Virgin Mary. Head into Zagreb's upper town and walk along Kravi Most, a street that's unofficially (and confusingly) known as the 'bloody bridge.' Most definitely a street and not a bridge, Kravi Most's nickname attests to the medieval battles that once took place on it between the warring neighborhoods of Gradec and Kaptol. Rendezvous at the hotel before heading to a nearby venue IVICA I MARICA restaurant for a Folklore show with dinner tonight. Overnight Zagreb . (B,D )
 
1JUNE  Wednesday  •  ZAGREB
Those interested will have a hosted visit of the Archives in the morning. Free afternoon  in Zagreb and overnight. (B )              
 
02JUN Tuesday  •  ZAGREB      (optional tour to VARAZDIN)      
VARAŽDIN is one of the best-preserved Baroque towns you are likely to find anywhere in Central Europe and is well worth a day-trip. An important military stronghold for successive Hungarian and Habsburg rulers in their struggle against Ottoman expansion, Varaždin grew fat on the profits of the Austrian–Turkish wars of the late 1600s and early 1700s, and many noble families built houses here. From 1765 to 1776 it was actually Croatia’s capital, until a disastrous fire (allegedly started by a pipe-smoking local youth who fell over while chasing a pig) forced the relocation of the capital to Zagreb. Following the fire, life slowly returned to the town’s opulent Baroque palaces, many of which remain resplendent in their original cream, ochre, pink and pale-blue colours. There’s also a postcard-perfect castle, now home to northeastern Croatia’s most worthwhile museum, and quite a few churches – all crammed within the compact old town. An additional reason to visit is provided by Varaždin’s graveyard, famous throughout Croatia for its towering topiary and strollable park-like feel.  After city tour time to visit  either one of the galleries  , small handicraft shops .Lunch in typical restaurant of the region.  Kumrovec Staro Selo (Old Village) Museum is our next stop. It is the largest open-air museum in the country. It was made as a reconstruction of a nineteen century village, including a birth house of Marshal Josip Broz Tito.
Farewell dinner at our hotel ( B,D ) 
 

 
03JUN   Transfer to  Zagreb airport for your return flight home.
Extended stays are available for those interested!
 
 
 
Tour and Travel Arrangements by:
 
 
25000 Country Club Blvd.
Cleveland, Ohio 44070
1-800-247-0060
 
For information about this unique  cruise and tour of Croatia, please contact:
Michael Benz  mbenz@protrav.com
800-247-0060   x4055

Formatted for CROWN by Marko Puljic
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