Sailing the Dalmatian Coast

Transcription

1 Sailing the Dalmatian Coast Cast off from charming port towns and island hop your way through the beautiful blue Adriatic Sea Set sail along the coast of Croatia on a luxury yacht for the experience of a lifetime. Experience the Mediterranean as it once was from soaking in the sun on secluded islands and leisurely dips in secluded bays to watching fishermen bring in their daily catch and sipping wine with family winemakers. Let the joy of being out on the open waters awaken your senses! Please contact for pricing Per person based on double occupancy. In U.S. dollars. Airfare not included unless noted otherwise. Group Size: Up to 40 9 Days (Summer & Fall 2017) Great for: photographers' favorite Optional Extension 4 more days - Dubrovnik Extension

2 Itinerary: Day 1 Arrive Split (D) Welcome to beautiful Croatia! Upon arrival at the Split Airport, you ll be greeted by your Travel Director. A private transfer takes you to the hotel in downtown Split, just minutes from Diocletian s Palace. You ll enjoy time to settle in and relax before walking with your fellow travelers to a charming restaurant for a traditional Croatian welcome dinner. Overnight: Cornaro Hotel Day 2 Split and Trogir (B,L,D) This morning we ll be checking out of our Split hotel and heading to Trogir. First, we ll explore Diocletian s Palace with our expert guide. The Palace was originally the summer residence of the Emperor Diocletian at the turn of the 4th century. The fortress is a massive structure that is made up of many buildings that housed military, imposing towers, four gates, and the Emperors apartment. Next, we ll stop by a popular bakery and taste their freshly baked breads before leaving Split. Our private transfer takes us to Trogir, a gorgeous tiny walled town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trogir was founded by the Greeks and has seen cultural influences from the Romans and Venetians throughout its history. The 13th century Cathedral of St. Lawrence, the Portal of Master Radovan, and the preserved dwellings are just a few of the architectural ruins found within the city walls. In fact, Trogir is the bestpreserved Romanesque-Gothic complex in all of Central Europe. We ll stroll about the cobblestone streets and along the beautiful seaside promenade. A local chef opens her home to us and we ll stop by to taste her homemade liqueurs along with a spread of bite sized delicacies. Afterwards, we ll enjoy a seafood lunch at a lovely courtyard restaurant. Program Highlights: Set sail for an exclusive yachting expedition on the crystal blue Adriatic Sea complete with your own luxurious 8-passenger sailboat, skipper and crew, exquisite dining, and plenty of wind in your sails. Swim, snorkel, dive, and paddle to your heart s content in the stunning blue waters. Bask in the sunlight of the world s most delightful array of captivating coastlines, secluded coves, and pristine beaches. This is the life! Meet locals with a passion for the bounty of the land and sea from families embracing ancient techniques in their modern day wine making efforts to villages of multigenerational fishermen dutifully carrying on the traditions of their forebears. Enjoy opportunities for refreshing hikes and small expeditions on the non-touristed island of Vis and the forested island of Korcula. Experience the Mediterranean as it once was, visiting quiet islands with quaint towns, discovering secret local swimming holes and hide-outs, and delighting in finding remote, sunsoaked Roman ruins. Discover ancient port cities brimming with life and spectacle, from Hvar s Baroque-style harbor, to Trogir s island old town, and Roman Split.

3 Enjoy time on your own in Trogir before arriving at the marina to meet our captain and crew. We ll board the yacht and settle into our cabins. After a brief safety overview and welcome from the captain we ll set sail at sunset and enjoy dinner at sea. Day 3 Milna, Brac Island (B,L,D) The bright hues of early morning and deep blue waters of the Adriatic greet us for breakfast. We ll spend the morning tucked away in a secluded cove off the coast of Brac Island. It s the perfect spot for swimming, diving, and lounging on the boat. We ll enjoy a light lunch prepared by our onboard chef. Later in the day we ll anchor at a sandy beach just a few minutes walk to Milna, a quaint fishing village on the island of Brac. The beautiful harbour is filled with vessels and a modern marina. The baroque town is surrounded by a charming countryside, vineyards, and olive groves. A car is waiting to drive us to the outskirts of town to a small family winery. A husband-wife team come together to make beautiful wines from their Plavac Mali vineyards. They hand-cork each bottle and love sharing their passion for winemaking with guests. We ll take a tour of the property and enjoy a tasting of their most popular wines followed by homemade dinner at the winery. Back in Milna, enjoy time to stroll about village at your leisure before heading back to the yacht for the night. Day 4 Komiza, Vis Island (B,L) Today we set sail for Vis Island, the furthest west we ll travel along the central Dalmatian islands. The island of Vis is a popular destination for travelers looking to delve deeper into authentic experiences. It s distance from the other islands has preserved the area from development and tourists. Here we ll discover breathtaking landscapes, miles of vineyards, fresh seafood, and towns with an interesting history. The island was annexed as a naval outpost under communist Yugoslavia. Military tunnels were carved into the hillsides and visitors to the island were forbidden. These days, the island is more known for its gastronomy and unspoiled beauty. Komiza is seafaring town on the western coast of the island. The picturesque town sits at the foot of Hum hill. The part of the island is known for its winemaking and fisherman. Our guide will walk you through the town and assist with optional excursions to experience at your leisure, such as a scooter or bicycle ride, or touring a vineyard. Lunch is available back on our yacht while dinner is on your own in Komiza tonight.

4 Day 5 Bisevo and Vis Islands (B,L,D) This morning we ll head over to the eastern side of Bisevo Island to Balun bay. Here we ll board a small boat, making it possible to enter the Blue Grotto, a sea cave and stunning natural attraction. We must get there at a certain time to witness its famous blue glowing light. Sunlight enters the cave opening and creates an iridescent blue glowing effect all throughout the cave it s a truly majestic site! Back on board our yacht, we ll enjoy lunch before setting sail for Vis Town. Enjoy time to meander through the town streets at your leisure. This evening, we ll take a private transfer from Vis Town to an inland vineyard for a freshly caught dinner of grilled seafood paired with local wine. It s the perfect end to a wondrous day. Day 6 Vela Luka, Korcula Island (B,L,D) Another day at sea brings us to the greenest island of the Adriatic sea Korcula. The island is rich in art and culture and features an array of tiny, tucked away beaches and bays. First, we ll tour the Old Town of Vela Luka, a typical medieval walled Dalmatian city of terra-cotta roofed houses. Our journey continues with a stop at an olive oil mill with a reputation for top-quality olive oil. We ll taste local oils made from Lastovka olives that are unique to western Korcula. The mill also produces an oil made from olives that have been preserved under seawater an ancient method that creates a unique flavor. Next, we ll head to Lumbarda to learn about and taste Grk wine. The wine is made from Grk Bijeli, a grape varietal that is only found in the village of Lumbarda. The Grk vine only has female flowers, which means it must be co-planted with another grape variety with male flowers usually Plavac Mali. Following this interesting tasting, we ll return to our yacht in Vela Luka just in time for lunch. After lunch a visit to the islet of Proizd allows for sunbathing and swimming time at the beach. Dinner is enjoyed on board our yacht this evening. Day 7 Sveti Klement and Hvar Islands (B,L,D) The Pakleni Islands beckon us as we make our way to Hvar. The lush isles are made up of secluded bays and fine pebbled hidden beaches. We ll anchor at the island of Sveti Klement in the crystalline waters of Palmizana bay and enjoy time to explore the beaches and tree lined coast.

5 For lunch, we ll head to a secluded island for a rustic lunch with a local family. Afterwards, we ll set sail for Hvar Town, an impressive town with a beautiful harbour. Terracotta roofs, Gothic palaces, and marble streets create an idyllic scene. Led by a local guide, we ll stroll by the Cathedral of St. Stephen and perhaps enjoy an ice cream in the large, open Town Square. If time permits, we ll walk up to Hvar s Fortica, built under Venentian rule, and enjoy stellar panoramic views of the city and the surrounding Pakleni islands. Next, we ll take a private transfer to Jelsa, an un-touristed town that sits along the northern coast of Hvar. Here we ll experience a private wine and olive oil tasting in the wine cellar of Croatia s leading boutique winemaker. For dinner, we ll make our way down winding roads surrounded by pine trees and vineyards to an abandoned village that now features some of the islands best seafood. Day 8 Hvar Island and Trogir (B,L,D) After breakfast, we ll meet our local guide at Hvar s lovely promenade and leave for a private cycling tour of the island. Our trek takes us through fragrant lavender fields, dramatic coasts, ancient villages, shady olive groves, and beautiful vineyards. Along the way, our knowledgable guide discusses the islands ancient history and local customs. Following our cycling exploration, enjoy some time to discover Hvar Town at your own pace. Enjoy lunch back on the yacht. In the afternoon, we ll set sail for Trogir and anchor down at sunset for a special farewell dinner at sea. Day 9 Depart for Home (B) Enjoy one last breakfast with the sparkling Adriatic sea as your backdrop. We ll dock at Trogir s marina and if time permits, take one last stroll through the walled city. We ll take a private transfer to the Split Airport. A private transfer is available to guests traveling onwards to Dubrovnik for a 3-night extension.

6 Accommodations: Day 1: Boutique Hotel in the Heart of Split Located at the entrance of Diocletian s Palace in Split, this boutique hotel is centrally located to enable leisurely strolls down ancient streets and along the seafront promenade. The hotel s staff is dedicated to providing the utmost levels of hospitality, focused on every detail and each experience. The 34 luxury rooms and 2 suites exceed the highest standards of comfort and modern design, offering features such as air conditioning, WiFi, telephone, underfloor heating, minibar, and flat screen satellite TV. Spacious en-suite bathrooms provide a bathtub or walk-in shower, hairdryer, cosmetic bar, and luxurious toiletries. Guests are invited to enjoy their breakfast in a contemporary and inviting restaurant with an open air terrace, excellent service and a wide variety of dishes. Days 2-8: 4-Double Cabin Luxury Yacht The Hanse 54 luxury addition was until recently the standard bearer of the German Hanse Yachts shipyard. It is an elegant sailing boat with a flat and open deck that provides guests with ample room to lounge and bask in the sun. The cockpit is spacious and has a transom that folds and turns into a swim platform. The interiors, as in other models of the brand, are excellently finished, spacious, and comfortable. The yacht features 4-double cabins and accommodates 8 guests for a complete private charter.

7 What s Included: 1 night accommodation at a boutique Split hotel, including all taxes and fees 7 nights accommodations aboard a luxury sailing yacht, based on double occupancy, including all taxes and fees Meals as listed on the itinerary: 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners, including a special farewell Captain s dinner, plus limited alcohol service on board and wine pairings with select meals All private excursions described in the itinerary along with services of local speakers, guides, entrance fees, marina fees, gratuities, and transportation Full guiding services of a dedicated Experi Travel Director throughout, in addition to a certified skippered Captain and chef/first mate Private airport transfers on the first and last scheduled day of the the program with porterage Not included: Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses; air and land transportation to/from host cities; all types of personal insurance; alcoholic beverages and related gratuities; personal expenses

8 Optional 4 Day Program Extension Dubrovnik Extension Day 1 Mali Ston and Dubrovnik (L) Traveling from Trogir, we ll make a stop en route to enjoy a special oyster harvest and picnic near Mali Ston on the Peljesac peninsula it s an essential Dalmatian experience! From our private motor boat, we ll see oyster beds floating in the aquamarine waters of nearby coves. We ll watch the bivalves being harvested straight from the sea and learn how to shuck them before tasting the briny meat. Families here have been harvesting oysters for multiple generations. A local expert will share in-depth information about oysters such as what they eat and how they are formed, before we retreat to a private island for our lunch of mouth-watering oysters and local seafood. $2,595 Per person based on double occupancy. In U.S. dollars. Airfare not included unless noted otherwise. What s Included: 3 nights accommodations at a 5 star hotel, including all taxes and fees Meals as listed on the itinerary: 3 breakfasts, and 1 lunch, plus wine pairings with select meals All private excursions described in the itinerary along with services of local speakers, guides, entrance fees, gratuities, and transportation Private transfers on the first and last scheduled day of the the program with porterage Following this amazing experience, we ll continue on to Dubrovnik and check into the hotel. Dinner is on your own tonight. Overnight: Villa Dubrovnik Day 2 Dubrovnik Old Town (B) After breakfast, we ll take a short drive to Dubrovnik s Old Town where we re met by our local guide for an informative walking tour of the walled city. Described as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is an enchanting city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Old Town of marble streets, baroque buildings, and terra-cotta roofs is surrounded by magnificent walls. Your walk unveils the city s rich history and vibrant artistic traditions. Following the tour, the rest of the day is at your leisure. Lunch and dinner are on your own. Overnight: Villa Dubrovnik

9 Day 3 Dubrovnik (B) Rise as early or late you as wish today is open for you to explore at your own pace. The walled city has much to offer in terms of gastronomy, culture, and relaxation. Overnight: Villa Dubrovnik Day 4 Depart for Home (B) Check out of your hotel this morning and take a private transfer to Dubrovnik s Cilipi Airport for flights home. Safe travels!