Croatian Coastal Cruising - Split to Dubrovnik (Aurora) Itinerary

Starting in

Split, Croatia

Physical Difficulty

2 / 5

Breakfasts included

7

Lunches included

5

Dinners included

4

Ending in

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Accommodation

Small cruise ship (7 nights)

Transport

Small cruise ship , Boat , Minibus

Navigate the gorgeous coastline of Croatia in comfort on this small-ship adventure cruise from Split to Dubrovnik. Soak up the sun, sea and salty breeze as you sail through the azure waters of the Adriatic, exploring islands, rivers, beaches and towns. Start in the ancient city of Split and walk through colourful Brac, before setting sail southbound. Drop anchor in Hvar and venture up the River Neretva. Check out the beautiful town of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, wander through the romantic Old Town of Korcula and enjoy tastings at a local winery, then dock in the walled city of Dubrovnik – whether you’re a Game of Thrones fan or just looking for a beautiful place to explore, this is the perfect city to end in (and stay longer, if you can)!

Day 1: Split

Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia. There is so much to see and do in the gorgeous seaside oasis of Split, where your adventure begins, so it's recommended you arrive a couple of days early. Your luggage can be dropped off at the boat from midday, so feel free to explore Split before boarding commences at 5 pm. This is where you’ll meet your fellow travellers for a welcome meeting and safety briefing. This evening, sit down for your first group dinner on board and get to know each other.

Day 2: Split - Brac

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.

Day 3: Brac - Hvar

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).

Day 4: Hvar - Opuzen

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.

Day 5: Opuzen - Mostar - Opuzen - Trpanj

It’s an early start this morning as you make your way to Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina by minibus. When you arrive, take a tour with a local guide, learn about the history of the iconic bridge and visit a local coffee shop where you’ll see how Bosnian coffee is made. Then, taste it for yourself! You’ll then have some free time to explore the town and have lunch at your own pace. Return to the boat the early afternoon and set sail for Trpanj, where you’ll visit the Matusko winery for a tasting and to enjoy the beautiful grounds of the vineyards. Return to the boat to enjoy a four-course dinner with the captain.

Day 6: Trpanj - Korcula

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.

Day 7: Korcula - Dubrovnik

Leave early this morning and cruise to Dubrovnik, stopping mid-morning for a swim near the island of Jakljan. Have your lunch on board before arriving in Dubrovnik in the early afternoon, where you’ll join a local guide to explore this beautiful walled city. Tonight, enjoy a final dinner on board the Aurora with your fellow travellers, making sure to toast to an incredible sailing adventure.

Day 8: Dubrovnik

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.

Essential Trip Information

Joining point

Port of Split, Obala kneza Domagoja, 21000 , Split, CROATIA

Finish point

Dubrovnik Port, Batahovina ulica 1962 , Sustjepan, Dubrovnik, CROATIA

Important information

This trip will be onboard the M/S Aurora. It has 18 cabins with private ensuites and can accommodate up to 36 customers

COMPLIMENTARY ARRIVAL TRANSFER
A complimentary arrival transfer is included from Split Airport to the Port of Split on day one of this trip or from the airport to the hotel if you have booked pre tour accommodation with us. Please provide your flight details at least 14 days prior to arrival so as we can organise this transfer for you.

PASSPORT DETAILS
Please provide your passport details at time of booking. It is essential we receive these details at least 14 days prior to departure as we must provide them to the Port authorities in order to comply with Maritime regulations.

SINGLE TRAVELLERS
Single travellers will share a twin cabin with another traveller of the same gender. If you’d prefer not to share, a single cabin supplement is available at an additional charge. A single passenger cannot be booked or confirmed in a double cabin (with a double bed) unless a single supplement is paid.

Emergency contact

Intrepid 's Local office: +49 8024 4679 540

Is this trip right for you

This is a small-ship adventure cruise, which means you’ll be sailing on a motor yacht with up to 35 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but it focuses more on the destination than on-board activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself and you’ll stop for swim stops most days. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about. Wi-fi is available onboard.

Our boat moves under engine power rather than sailing, so all cabins will experience light engine noise when the boat is moving (and occasionally when we drop anchor). If you’re a light sleeper, it’s probably worth packing earplugs.

Unlike other ships that cruise through the night, we’ll spend our evenings docked at port. This will give you more time to dine ashore and enjoy those balmy Croatian evenings. Cruising will mostly take place during the day.

Onshore activities and excursions will involve a bit of walking. You’ll be visiting ancient sites and historical places, and at times you may have to cross cobbled streets and uneven ground, sometimes in hot conditions. If you have any concerns, please speak to your group leader before taking part.

If you’re sensitive to seasickness, talk to your doctor before the trip about medication – however, this yacht sails close to the coastline of Croatia in often sheltered areas, so choppy water is uncommon.

There are no lifts (elevators) on-board our boat, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs. Handrails are always available.

Why we love it

Sail up the spectacular Neretva River in a traditional wooden boat to Bosnia and Herzegovina., Taste some local olive oil at the local museum in Brac – the longest island in central Dalmatia – before exploring this gorgeous island at your own pace., Explore the beautiful town of Mostar – check out the town’s iconic bridge and see how traditional Bosnian coffee is made followed by a sample of this delicious brew., Spend more time exploring the beautiful Croatian coast and less time on the boat with plenty of port stops and offshore activities., Drop anchor in the middle of port towns like Hvar or Korcula and explore straight off the boat – one of the many benefits of small-ship cruising.

Group leader

On your voyage, as well as the ship and hospitality crew, there will be between 1 and 3 local tour leaders (depending on the total number of passengers). These leaders will be with you on board the ship, and on all included shore activities. They will have good general knowledge of the areas you are passing through including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects, as well as being able to recommend great local eating venues for your on shore meals and what you might like to do with your free time (when you're not relaxing and enjoying the ship's facilities).

Safety

Travelling in and around Croatia should be relatively trouble-free; however, as is the case anywhere else in the world, there is always the chance of petty theft. Please take great care of your passport, cash, and other valuables. Each cabin on board has a safe and we urge you to use it. When out and about, do not carry more cash than required. Keep a photocopy of the first few pages of your passport, visas and air tickets - separate from the original documents. It is also worth remembering that throughout most of Europe, theoretically, it is illegal to be on the streets without an official ID card or passport - carry a copy with you. Please don't pack valuables such as cameras in your suitcase. It is a better idea to carry them with you as hand luggage.

Visas

PASSPORT
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date.

We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends.

VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements

Last modified (date)

07 Aug 2024

Validity

Validity: 01 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2025

Additional Information

Health

GENERAL HEALTH
All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others, if you are unwell prior to travelling, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

When selecting your trip please make sure you have read through the itinerary carefully and assess your ability to manage and enjoy our style of travel. Please note that if in the assessment of our group leader or local representative a traveller is unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, we reserve the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without refund.

You should consult your doctor for up-to-date medical travel information or for any necessary vaccinations before departure. We recommend that you carry a first aid kit as well as any personal medical requirements in their original packaging as they may not easily be obtained while travelling. If you are carrying medication, ensure you check your government's foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements. 


There is no doctor on board for this voyage. In case of an emergency, some crew members are trained to offer basic first aid. Medical care is available in all ports we visit and our voyages are mostly cruising around coastal waters meaning we are never far from a port.
As we are mostly cruising in coastal waters, we should not regularly encounter rough waters. However, if you know you are prone to sea sickness, please ensure you bring with you appropriate medication. You must also bring with you any general medicines you may need such as pain relief along with any prescribed medications you take. A general first aid kit is also a good idea.
If you are feeling unwell, please let a member of the crew know. Travelling on a boat means that everyone is sharing the same common areas and illness can spread very quickly to your fellow travellers.

Food and dietary requirements

While travelling in Croatia you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in this region. Meals on board are made by our on board chef using fresh local produce. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, not all meals are included in the trip price. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try on your trip during your free time. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.
On board, we are able to cater for most special dietary requirements. Please advise any special dietary needs at least 4 weeks in advance of travel.

Money matters

SPENDING MONEY
When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling.

EUROPE
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in the following destinations: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain. All other European countries still have their own national currencies.

You can use your credit/debit card in ATMs, which are common throughout Europe. You can obtain EUR cash prior to arriving through normal outlets such as banks and currency exchange offices.

Most of our voyages are half board, so breakfast, and at least one other meal daily will be included while on board the ship. This leaves plenty of opportunities for you to go out and explore local cuisines on shore for the remaining meals. Please ensure you have read the Essential Trip Information carefully and have budgeted for meals not included.

ON BOARD ACCOUNT
You will have an onboard account for your cabin, for purchases made on the ship, eg drinks from the bar. You will need cash to settle your account prior to disembarkation. Card payments are not accepted.

TIPPING
Tipping can be an appropriate way to recognise great service when travelling. While it may not be customary in your home country, it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations and is greatly appreciated by the people who take care of you during your travels. It is always best to avoid tipping with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes, as this can be regarded as an insult rather than the goodwill gesture it is intended to be.

YOUR GROUP LEADER OR LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE
You may consider tipping your group leader or local representative for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference; however, as a guideline, 4-7 USD or EUR per person per day (in a currency relevant to your destination), can be used. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length and involvement of your group leader or local representative on your trip.

BOAT CREW
You may like to tip the boat crew who take care of you during your trip. Envelopes are provided in your cabin for this purpose. We recommend USD 12 – 14 per person per day, which will be shared among the entire crew.

CONTINGENCY FUNDS
We try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond our control. We reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in USD for the relatability of universal travellers, however, local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs.

What to take

Please travel as lightly as possible so as not to restrict space in your cabin. Soft bags are more practical than hard suitcases.
The dress code on board ship is casual. You may want to bring something slightly dressier for the Captain's dinner such as a collar shirt or sundress but as a rule, neat casual will suffice.
Swimming will be offered so swimwear is essential.
Below is a suggested general packing list.

Daypack (a smaller back pack that you can take with you on shore excursions)
Comfortable clothing for warmer temperatures [shorts, t-shirts, light long sleeved tops and pants]
A sweater or jacket for the cooler evenings or early mornings
A light rain coat or poncho
Comfortable walking shoes for shore excursions
Sandals or thongs/flip flops/jandals
Sunscreen [bio degradable and waterproof if available] and lip balm [to combat the effects of wind burn]
Sunglasses
Sunhat [that can be secured as it can get windy out on the water]
Swimming costume
Water bottle
Bio-degradable shampoo, conditioner and soap
Pegs [so you can hang your swimming costume or towel out to dry]
Insect repellent
European adaptor/electrical plug
Camera
*** Beach towels and snorkelling equipment are provided on board ***

Climate and seasonal

Summer temperatures can be extreme in Croatia and have been known to reach 40°C. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water.

A couple of rules

Intrepid won't tolerate any kind of violence, harassment (whether physical, verbal or sexual), or disrespect toward fellow travellers, our teams or local communities.

To ensure the wellbeing of everyone on the trip, decisions made by your group leader are final.

Romantic relationships between travellers and group leader or local representative are not permitted while on trip.

Any behaviour that prevents your leader from continuing the itinerary as planned, breaks local laws or opposes any of these guidelines may result in Intrepid denying your booking or removing you from the trip.

If something concerns you during your travels, please speak to your group leader immediately. Alternatively, you can contact us on the emergency contact number detailed in the Problems and Emergency Contact Information section of this Essential Trip Information.

Accommodation notes

Information not available.

Transport notes

Information not available.

Travel insurance

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative.

If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below:

Your fellow travellers

As you travel on a group trip you will be exposed to all the pleasures and maybe some of the frustrations of travelling in a group. Your fellow travellers will probably come from all corners of the world and likely a range of age groups too. We ask you to be understanding of the various needs and preferences of your group - patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the benefit of everyone's travel experience. Remember too that you have responsibilities to the group. If you are requested to be at a place at a certain time, ensure that you don't keep the rest of the group waiting. We have found time and time again that the very best trips we operate are those where the dynamics within the group work well - this takes just a little effort on your part. Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with contact details and any personal information about your fellow travellers booked on your trip prior to departure.

Single travellers on this voyage can be matched with a passenger of the same gender in a twin cabin.
If you wish to have a cabin to yourself, this can be arranged with the payment of a single supplement and is possible in any cabin category.
Pre and post voyage accommodation will always be on a single basis for solo travellers.

Your group will be a mixture of fellow passengers from all corners of the world who will be internationally like-minded and enjoy travel.

Itinerary disclaimer

Travelling by sea is a fantastic way to explore, but it brings some challenges when weather conditions are not ideal.
The itinerary may be subject to change, based on winds and sea conditions which may render anchorage and landing at some stops difficult. We reserve the right to change the itinerary for the safety of passengers and the ship.

Shore excursions are subject to shore and weather conditions and are based on a minimum participation.

Each days' schedule will be posted by the cruise co-ordinator listing necessary information such as arrival/departure times, meal times, days activities and other information. This is given as a guideline and is subject to change.