Cruising Croatia's Northern Coast & Islands: Split to Venice

Welcome to Split. Feel free to explore Croatia’s second largest city at your leisure before boarding commences at 5 pm, when you’ll meet your fellow travellers for a welcome meeting and safety briefing. This evening, sit down to your first group dinner on board before overnighting in port.

Wake to the Adriatic and take breakfast on the deck. The morning is free for you to enjoy – perhaps take a walking tour of Split before sailing for Sibenik, the gateway to the Kornati Islands. The ship will make an all-important swim stop en route, where you’ll have your first opportunity to take a dip in the crystal-clear waters. Stretch those sea legs on arrival Sibenik with a walking tour, which visits the beautiful 15th-century stone cathedral. Follow your nose in the evening and seek out a Dalmatian dinner before heading back to the ship.

Depart Sibenik in the morning and set sail for Kornati National Park. Made up of 89 stunning islands, Kornati is the perfect place to while away a day cruising around the beautiful bays, swimming and soaking up some rays. The ship will anchor in Telascica, a designated nature park since 1988 thanks to its historical, cultural and environmental value, and the crew will cook up a barbecue on deck. Kick back and enjoy the sunset with salty skin and a cold drink.

This morning, local park rangers will take you on a hike around Telascica’s stunning limestone cliffs. Alternatively, if you’d rather spend your time on the water, there’s the option to explore the bays and inlets by sea kayak before sailing to Zadar, described by Alfred Hitchcock as having the most beautiful sunset in the world. A guided walk around the Old Town ends at the famous Sea Organ, a giant organ with underwater pipes that makes music as the waves gently roll in. Enjoy a shot of Maraska, the local cherry liquor, then take your time exploring Zadar before over nighting in port.

The ship will depart Zadar in the morning and make its way to the island of Rab, which was first declared a city in 10 BC by the Roman Emperor Augustus. Stop for a swim along the way and spend the rest of the journey reading, getting some sun or simply staring at the crystal water. With ancient walls, churches and squares, Rab is the ideal place to explore on foot, be it with the local guides on a tour or by yourself in the evening. Hunt down some fresh seafood for dinner and discover why Rab is known as the Happy Island.

Join your leader on a walk around Rab (approximately 3 hours) or opt for a leisurely morning instead. Afterwards, the ship will head north to Krk with lunch en route. Krk is the equal-largest island in the Adriatic, a popular destination with beaches, a historic Old Town and plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs. Take a guided tour upon arrival before being transferred to a local farm for prsut (prosciutto) and a lamb dinner.

The morning is free for you to explore Krk town at your own pace. Popular sites include the Frankopan Castle and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Krk Cathedral), the latter of which was built over 15 centuries ago. Ask your leader for advice on where to lunch or find your own Adriatic gem before sailing to the rocky shore of Opatija in the afternoon. Tonight you’ll dine with the captain and reminisce with your shipmates before tomorrow’s farewell.

Transfer from Opatija to Venice by land and get dropped off at Marco Polo airport. Your trip officially ends here, so say goodbye to your group before either returning home or continuing the journey in Venice. The canals, basilicas and piazzas have inspired painters and composers for centuries and offer enough cultural and gastronomical delights to satiate the hungriest traveller. It may not be the Adriatic, and you won’t want to swim in it, but the Grand Canal has a charm of its own.