Compare Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Coast by Exodus Travels vs Adriatic Cruise by Senior Discovery Tours
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 8 days | 13 days |
| Price From | $ 2,175 | $ 6,997 |
| Price Per Day | $ 272 | $ 538 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small ship cruise |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | All breakfasts and one picnic lunch are included. For breakfast, expect a continental-style buffet with cold meat, cheeses, bread, eggs, jams, and pastries, plus tea and coffee. The Dalmatian Coast is dotted with mussel farms and fishing boats, and the seafood along the coast and on the islands is amazing. You will also find grilled lamb, pizza, pasta and salads, and influences from central Europe, Italy, and the Balkans. | N/A |
| Description |
With impressive architecture and some of the best scenery in Europe, the Dalmatian Coast is a destination to rival any of the big hitters. So spend a relaxed week taking in the best of this striking coastal region. We start by exploring the Unesco-listed cities of Split and nearby Trogir, before sampling island life on beautiful Korcula. We complete our trip with three nights in Dubrovnik, possibly the best preserved Renaissance town in the world, with a jumble of narrow streets and red-tiled roofs tucked tightly within the city walls.Discover Adriatic islands and the historic cities of Split, Trogir and Dubrovnik |
Along the coast the green hills serve as a backdrop to inlets, cliffs and beaches.
We will discover all of this in style and comfort aboard the MS Belle de L’Adriatique – an impressive 4-deck ship. The ship is sleek, stylish and modern with a wide range of facilities on board. Purposely built for coastal cruises, the ship can easily navigate this magnificent coast and all of its islands, and can dock in the ports and enchanting medieval towns along the coast. The ship has a Lounge Bar with dance floor, panorama bar with library, sundeck with sun loungers, Jacuzzis, swimming pool, gift shop, Wi-fi and anti-swell stabilizers. Meals on board consist of a daily buffet breakfast and 3-Course set menu for both lunch and dinner including beverages (local wine, local beer, water, tea and coffee). Cabins are equipped with a bathroom with shower, air conditioning, TV, radio, safe and hair dryer. All cabins are “outside” with a port hole or window. |
Day 1 Start Split Airport
The adventure starts our hotel in the Unesco-listed town of Trogir, a 10-minute drive from Split Airport. We’ll be staying in the atmospheric old walled part of town. Accommodation: Hotel Tragos (or similar)
Day 2 Explore Trogir; transfer to Split, free time in Split before a ferry ride to Korcula
We look around Trogir in the early morning before a short transfer to Split, another Unesco-listed city. There will be free time in the beautiful old centre before we catch a catamaran in the late afternoon to Korcula island (approximately 2hr to 2hr 30min). The medieval walled town here, reputedly the birthplace of Marco Polo, is often described as a mini-Dubrovnik. Like the larger city, it is a warren of small lanes and alleys: a great place to explore and a photographer's paradise. After, we take a short transfer to the village of Lumbarda, where our hotel is situated. Accommodation: Hotel Borik (or similar)
Day 3 Circular walk around Lumbarda village and wine tasting
It's time to stretch our legs and roam the surrounding area of Lumbarda. We walk through vineyards and olive groves and admire beautiful beaches, where we can stop for a drink or a quick swim. We also visit the renowned Grk winery to sample local wines. In the evening, we transfer to Korcula town for dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Borik (or similar)
Day 4 Travel by boat to Mljet Island; walk to the peak of Montokuc for panoramic views
After breakfast, we transfer to Korcula in time for the catamaran to Mljet Island, whose national park status has ensured limited development. The island is a tranquil place to walk, cloaked in forest, and dotted with tiny hamlets. Our goal today is the peak of Montokuc (840ft/256m), which offers panoramic views of the beautiful Dalmatian Coast, and to enjoy a picnic lunch on the island, before returning to our Korcula hotel. The path on the way up to Montokuc is rocky, good walking shoes are required to walk this route. Those who do not wish to walk up Montokuc can take a flat circular walk around the lake, have a swim and enjoy a drink overlooking the water. If the catamaran cannot operate due to bad weather, there are alternative excursions, or we will stay on Korcula island and visit Vela Spilja, one of the most important prehistoric archaeological sites in Europe. Accommodation: Hotel Borik (or similar)
Day 5 Ferry to mainland; visit Ston en route to Dubrovnik
After breakfast, we transfer to the port and take a 15-minute ferry ride to the Peninsula Peljesac. Upon arrival, we drive along a scenic mountain road with views of the coast and vineyards. We stop at a farm and enjoy a local olive and produce tasting just next to the old town of Ston. In Ston, we recommend walking up the magnificent old walls that overlook the town – the view from the top is fantastic. The town is also a seafood hotspot, the mussels and oysters here are among the best in the country. After, we transfer about 37mi (60km) to Dubrovnik where we have the rest of the day to relax. In the evening, we can go into the old town for dinner and a wander. Accommodation: Hotel Splendid (or similar)
Day 6 Dubrovnik city tour
We enjoy a full day in the remarkable old city of Dubrovnik, which includes visits to the Rector's Palace and the Franciscan Monastery. Dubrovnik exudes old-world charm with a location right on the Adriatic, fine religious buildings surrounded by heavily fortified walls, and a jumble of red-tiled roofs. The cobblestone streets of the old town, or Stari Grad, feature fountains, churches, palaces and museums – all built from the same light-coloured stone. There are no motor vehicles in the city but the streets come alive at night as locals and visitors stroll along Stradun, the main street. Following the walking tour, you have time to walk along the city walls: this is optional and costs approximately €35 for entrance (or is included in the Dubrovnik Card). Accommodation: Hotel Splendid (or similar)
Day 7 Free day to relax in Dubrovnik, or take an optional trip to Lokrum and explore the surrounding area
We have a free day today. Relax in the many eateries or chill on the beach. Alternatively, enjoy an optional visit to Lokrum Island; a 20-minute boat ride will take you from the Old Town port to this beautiful green island, home to a botanic garden full of exotic plants. Bring your swimming costume and a good book – after your stroll, you will definitely want to enjoy a swim in the Adriatic. Accommodation: Hotel Splendid (or similar)
Day 8 End Dubrovnik
The trip ends in Dubrovnik after breakfast. If you’d like a little more time to explore this fascinating city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Day 1: Departure
We depart with Air Canada for Sarajevo, with a change in Frankfurt.
Day 2: Sarajevo (Bosnia)
We arrive in Sarajevo and transfer to our hotel. Tonight we enjoy our Welcome Dinner at a local Bosnian Restaurant.
Day 3: Sarajevo
Enjoy a panoramic city tour of Sarajevo including the Parliament Buildings, Olympic Stadium, the War Streets and the Presidential Palace. We will then go to the part of the city known as Bascarsija for a walking tour, taking in the Fire of Freedom, Old Library, Kursunlu Medrese, Katolik Cathedral, Orthodox Church, the Bazaar, and Sebil Ferhadija Mosque. Tonight we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Mostar (Bosnia)
This morning we depart for Vrelo Bosne National Park. With small lakes and lush nature it is one of the most beautiful places in Bosnia. From there we proceed to the War Tunnels - one of the most important places for Bosnian Muslims, as they dug these tunnels in order to hide and save their lives. We will stop at the War Museum before continuing to the city of Konjic and the famous “Tito’s Bunker.” Later we arrive in Mostar and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5: Mostar
Enjoy a panoramic city tour in the “Antique City” with its many UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among the highlights: Old Town, Koski Mehmet Pasa Mosque, Mostar Bridge and Ottoman Hamams. In the early afternoon we continue to Blagaj which is the place where the Ottomans began the spread of Islam in Bosnia. Our sightseeing will continue in the village of Pocitel (Turks Village) where you will see Ali Pasha Mosque, the Hill of Positel and the Time Tower. Tonight we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 6: Dubrovnik (Croatia) / Embarkation
This morning we transfer to Dubrovnik, and en route we will visit Cavtat Island. Upon arrival in Dubrovnik we will enjoy a trip up the cable car for a birds eye view of the city. Later we embark our ship with a Welcome Dinner, cocktail and presentation of the crew.
Day 7: Dubrovnik / Mijet (Croatia)
Enjoy our morning guided tour of Dubrovnik, nicknamed “the Pearl of the Adriatic” by Lord Byron, and recently designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Monument. We walk through the old town's pedestrian-only streets, below the city walls and fortifications, and visit the Gothic and Renaissance-era Rector's Palace, the Franciscan Monastery (1424), the baroque cathedral and the Sponza Palace. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Dubrovnik. We recommend a walk around the ramparts for a beautiful view over the old town. Enjoy an evening of entertainment in the lounge after dinner, as our ship sails to Mijet.
Day 8: Mijet (Croatia)
This morning we enjoy a tour of Mijet - one of the most beautiful island in the Adriatic. Tonight we enjoy a traditional “Saber Dancing” evening.
Day 9: Sibenik (Croatia)
We cruise to Sibenik. Upon arrival we enjoy a guided tour of this city - the oldest Slavic city on the Adriatic. We also visit Krka Falls, where the water cascades over 17 terraces, flowing like a staircase.
Day 10: Trogir and Split (Croatia)
We arrive in Trogir for a guided tour. Trogir (deignated a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is a little jewel of a town with narrow labyrinthine streets and a scattering of stairways and vaulted passageways, as well as a dense concentration of palaces, churches and towers. After our tour we cruise to Split - second largest city in Croatia and the heart of central Dalmatia. Our guided tour will take in the Diocletian Palace - Split’s historical centrepiece.
Day 11: Split / Hvar / Vis (all Croatia)
We arrive in Hvar and have a guided visit of the city - one of the largest and oldest in Dalmatia. We then cruise to Vis - the most westerly of the Dalmatian Islands. It is also the least well-known because it had been closed to tourism for many years. Tonight we enjoy the Gala Farewell Dinner.
Day 12: Kotor (Croatia) / Dubrovnik
At the unique Kotor estuary the sea sweeps in for several miles, forming a number of calm bays. We will enjoy a sightseeing tour here before cruising towards Dubrovnik.
Day 13: Disembarkation and Fly Home
We transfer to the airport for our flight back to Canada, via Frankfurt.
