Itinerary – The Croatia Small Ship Cruising
Experience
August 24th – 31st, 2024
Featuring a nice combination of lovely swim stops and walking tours, this cruise program is worth raising a glass to. Each stop along the way is a discovery itself; jewels and hideaways that make this route a delight in exploration, culture and romance. The cruise is a combination of cultural and historic sightseeing through exploration of medieval Dalmatian towns, islands and islets, with leisure time for swimming, hiking, and wine tasting. We will serve you your daily breakfast buffet and set menus for lunch on board, while each evening in a different port you may explore local restaurants at your own pace. Please note this itinerary can change due to weather and/or sea conditions.
Day 1: Split
Today, make your way to the Port of Split, and join us on board the MS Diamond (2015). Check in starts from 2:00pm. In case your flight or transfer arrives earlier, let us take care of your luggage so you can enjoy the beautiful charm of Split on your own till the check in time. After settling, enjoy a welcome reception onboard. Overnight in Split. Meals Included: Welcome reception and dinner.
Day 2: Split – Bol/Milna – Hvar
Early in the morning we join the walking tour through Split with an expert guide who will bring the past to life and also tell you a lot about Split today. Stroll the streets of Split and learn many interesting facts that make this unique town’s history so full of intrigue. Take part of a story of this more than 1700 years old town, founded by a Roman emperor Diocletian, who chose this beautiful place for his retirement residence. Let the story of who he was and why he loved Dalmatia so much amaze you! Then we set sail to Hvar with a swimming stop enroute. Hvar, the longest and the sunniest island in Croatia, definitely one of the most beautiful islands in the world. We’ll join the guided tour of Hvar and learn why this amazing town is a must see on the historical map of Croatia. Meals Included: breakfast, lunch. Note: port of call can be substituted for Stari Grad because of the limited capacity of Hvar harbor. In that case transfer to and from Hvar will be organized by ship manager.
Day 3: Hvar – Vis
This morning we set sail to Vis. We can say that Vis is the most mysterious island in Croatia. For many years it was the military and naval headquarters of Tito’s partisan army and was closed to the public until 1989. This meant that it escaped large commercial development and was able to retain its natural beauty. This definitely explains why we love this island so much, the island which has retained its charm, resisted development and has become the world-famous destination for real nature lovers and people seeking some new adventures. We will make a stop on Bsevo Island to see a stunning natural phenomenon – the Blue Cave. Blue cave is famous all over the world for its extraordinary, magical, indescribable silver-blue light. Meals Included: breakfast, lunch. Note: Blue Cave experience is subject to weather conditions.
Day 4: Vis – Korcula
We’ll then set sail for the island of Korcula, rich in vineyards, olive groves, and small villages with numerous bays and coves. Swim stop in one of the beautiful bays, perfect to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere of the unspoiled nature, lush vegetation and crystal-clear sea. This is said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo and we shall be taken on an interesting tour along the winding streets of this lovely town. We will visit a homestead on the island for a wine tasting, where winemakers still prefer to follow traditional methods with a preference to their specialty red wines. The region is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful winemaking regions in Croatia After the tour, enjoy some free time to sip a glass of local wine or coffee at an outdoor cafe, take a dip in the sea or just continue walking the streets. Tonight we will enjoy the Captain’s Dinner onboard the MS Diamond, accompanied with live local music. Overnight in Korcula. Meals Included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, and wine tasting.
Day 5: Korcula – Mljet
Today we sail to Mljet - the most beautiful and most forested island in the Adriatic and one of the most beautiful pearls of the Mediterranean. Mljet is also well known for its two salted lakes – Veliko and Malo Jezero, that are located at the north end of the island. The Benedictine monastery located at one of the most beautiful locations in these areas, on the island of St. Mary on Veliko Jezero, is also the most visited location and symbol of the National Park. Join the cruise manager on this magnificent tour and enjoy all the beauty Mljet has to offer. Meals
Included: breakfast and lunch.
Note: Entry fee to Mljet National Park is 25 Euro and is payable at entry.
Day 6: Mljet – Slano
As we continue our journey, we’ll head towards Slano, lunch will be served onboard. From Slano we will start our gastro adventure towards Ston, the gastronomic center of the country. The town with the longest fortified walls in Europe is situated near Dubrovnik, and is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, which, together with the picturesque city architecture, forms a harmonic entity. Once we are there, we will visit a family restaurant in Ston, where you will learn how oysters and mussels are cultivated in this region, and why they are so delicious. You will enjoy a rustic oyster and mussel tasting with local wine. Overnight in Slano. Meals
Included: breakfast, lunch, and oyster tasting
Day 7: Slano – Elaphiti Islands – Dubrovnik
Today we’ll set sail for our final destination – Dubrovnik. We’ll start towards Elaphiti Islands with plenty of time for swimming near one of the islands. Upon arrival in Dubrovnik, we’ll take a guided tour of the Old Town a stunningly intact walled city on the Adriatic Sea coast. Meals Included: breakfast and lunch.
Day 8: Dubrovnik
After breakfast it’s time to disembark. Our cruise manager will be able to assist with any local transfers. Meals Included: breakfast.
The MS Diamond
Cruises aboard the MS Diamond explore the rich history and culture of the Dalmatian Coastline. Originally built in 2015, she’s an impressive 50m in length and one of the largest of the small cruise ships in Croatia, offering larger cabins for our guests. Each cabin features a private en-suite bathroom with towels, hairdryer and toiletries, air-conditioning, safety deposit box, wardrobe, desk and TV. Social areas include an outdoor lounge with tables and sofas and a large sun deck with chairs, sunbeds, and a hot tub. She will be refitted in 2023 ready for us to cruise in 2024 in updated luxury.
Pricing:
• The price is $2795 per person based on double occupancy for lower deck cabins.
• The price is $2995 per person based on double occupancy for main deck cabins.
• The single supplement is 100%
• $100 discount for past QTS Travel Experience guests. A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due at the time of registration. A second non-refundable deposit of $500 is due 90 days after registration. Final payment is due 90 days prior to the start of the travel experience. Please see registration form for more details.
What is included:
• 7 night/8-day private QTS Sailing Charter on board the MS Diamond.
• Welcome drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic option) and dinner on arrival day.
• Daily buffet breakfast and multi-course lunches.
• Special Captains dinner with live music entertainment.
• Fresh fruit available daily; Afternoon snacks daily.
• One liter of cold water per person daily.
• Oyster experience in Ston (Bus transfer included)
• Wine tasting on Korkula Island.
• Four guided walking tours (Split, Hvar, Korkula, Drubrovnik).
• Guided experience of the Blue Cave on the island of Bsevo (weather permitting).
• Daily cabin cleaning service.
• Unlimited wireless internet service on board.
• Rooftop Jacuzzi on the Sun deck with loungers and swimming platform for easy access to/from the sea.
• Professional English-speaking Cruise Manager and two QTS team members on board.
What is Not Included:
• Airline flights.
• Transfers to/from the ship in Split and Dubrovnik.
• Entrance fees to optional museums, National Parks (Mljet), and excursions.
• Port and tourist taxes and fees, 60 Euro per person/week, to be paid on board in cash at the end of the cruise.
• Gratuities for crew, tour guides, tour manager, and transfer drivers.
• Drinks at the on-board bar and tips, to be paid at the end of the cruise in cash.
• Personal expenses such as shopping, meals not included in this itinerary, and alcoholic beverages.
• Travel Protection (Quote will be provided by QTS).
To join us on this experience, please fill out the registration form found on this link: https://www.jotform.com/QTSolutions/RegistrationForm
Contact: Don Capparella at Don@QualityTravelSolutions.com or 602-614-6679.