Adriatic Cruise and Italy
onboard M/V Arion
16 days featuring Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania and Italy
Included Features
- 7 nights cruise aboard M/V Arion in inside cabins Cat. 1; upgrades to categories 2 - 6 are available
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner daily onboard
- First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
- Service charges and hotel taxes
- Land tour: breakfast daily, 1 lunch & 3 dinners including a welcome dinner in Venice and a farewell dinner in Rome
- Professional English speaking Cruise Manager/ Tour director
- Airport transfers
- Inter-city travel & sightseeing by modern motor-coach
- Whisper technology enhanced touring
Itinerary
Day 1, (Sun) arrive in Venice or Ljubljana
Transfer from the airport to the port of Koper, for embarkation between 4 PM and 10 PM. Late evening departure towards Zadar (overnight sailing). (D)
Day 2, (Mon) Zadar
Monday morning arrival in Zadar, the oldest Slavic city on the Adriatic, once famed cultural center. Optional tour to Plitvice National Park with breathtaking scenery of 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation, also listed in UNESCO's World Heritage list. Optional tour of Zadar includes the ruins of the Roman Forum, the Romanesque Cathedral of St. Anastasia, the Church of St. Donat, the Church of St. Mary and Benedictine Convent. Depart Zadar at 8 PM sailing to Ploce. (B,L,D)
Day 3, (Tue) Ploce and Korcula
Morning arrival in Ploce, a large commercial port located in Central Dalmatia. Optional tour to Mostar, a famous old city in Bosnia and
Herzegovina where you will see the reconstructed old bridge built by the occupying Turkish forces some 500 years ago. Depart Ploce at 2:30 PM sailing to Korcula.
Arrive in Korcula, birth place of Marco Polo, on Tuesday afternoon. You can visit the main square and see the Cathedral Square and nearby Marco Polo's family house. In the evening
enjoy optional performance of Moreska, the island's unique version of Morris Dance. Depart Korucla at 11 PM. (B,L,D)
Day 4, (Wed) Kotor
Morning arrival in Kotor, Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor and the old town of Kotor are both on UNESCO's World Heritage List. Bay of Kotor is actually the largest European Fjord outside of Norway. Optional tour to the former capital city of Cetinje or Montenegro's Grand Tour of the Riviera. Leave Kotor towards Albania at 10:30 PM. (B,L,D)
Day 5, (Thu) Durres
Morning arrival in the port of Durres, the most important maritime gate of Albania, also well known for its nice Riviera. Optional tour to Tirana, the country's capital city, only 40 kilometers away. Spend a full day discovering the city, including typical lunch in a local restaurant. At 10:00 start sailing towards Dubrovnik. (B,L,D)
Day 6, (Fri) Dubrovnik
Arrive Dubrovnik in the morning. Entering the gates of this over 1000 years old architectural marvel is like a step back in time. Optional tour: City tour includes the Rector's Palace, Bell Tower clock, Orlando's Column and the Sponza Palace. Also see the Dominican's Monastery and Franciscan Monastery housing one of the oldest pharmacies in the world. Optional Folklore Performance. (B,L,D)
Day 7, (Sat) Split
Morning arrival in Split. Optional tour of Split features the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO world heritage sight. See the remnants of Split's Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle and the Cathedral. Optional tour to nearby Trogir, the center of artistic activities. Scholars from around the world gather to study and paint here. In the afternoon sail back to Koper. (B,L,D)
Day 8, (Sun) Koper to Venice
Disembark after breakfast (after 9 AM). Transfer to your hotel in Venice. The rest of the day is at leisure. Meet your fellow travelers for orientation meeting with the tour director, followed by a welcome dinner. (D)
Day 9, (Mon) in Venice
Today begins with a sightseeing tour Venice. Start your walking tour in St. Mark's Square, visit St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, and view the Bell Tower and the Bridge of Sighs. Also visit a glass blowing factory where you will see the demonstration of a traditional Venetian glass blowing. Balance of the day is at leisure. Enjoy Venice at your own pace, shop or join an optional gondola ride. (B)
Day 10, (Tue) to Florence
Drive to Ferrara, a renaissance gem in the Emilia-Romagna region standing on the banks of the Po River. Orientation tour with your Tour Director. Continue to Pisa to view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, the Baptistery and Duomo. End your day in Florence with dinner in your hotel. (B,D)
Day 11, (Wed) in Florence
Today's morning city tour begins at the majestic Piazza del Duomo to see the Cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi's Dome, the Giotto's Bell Tower, and the Baptistery with Ghiberti's bronze "Gate of Paradise". Then, visit the Academy of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo's David is displayed. Tour ends at the Piazzale Michelangelo with the most spectacular view over Florence. Remainder of the day is at leisure to independently savor the renaissance splendor of the Tuscan capital. (B)
Day 12, (Thu) to Rome
Traveling towards Rome through the stunning panorama of Tuscany, and afterwards, travel through Umbria to Assisi for a walking tour of the main square and a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis. Continue to Rome for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
Day 13, (Fri) in Rome
A full day sightseeing tour shows you all the highlights of the Eternal city. Visit the Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Then continue on to visit the Colosseum, ancient Palatine Hill overlooking the Circus Maximus and the Imperial Palace, and the Roman Forum. Overnight. (B,L)
Day 14, (Sat) in Rome
A full day free in spectacular Rome. Your Tour Director will have suggestions on how to spend your time. You might want to visit some of the wonderful shops, galleries and museums, or relax in a sidewalk cafe. An optional excursion to Pompei is available. Once a prosperous port city, it was buried under volcanic ash when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in late August of 79 A.D. Your excursion will bring to life the sights and history of this fascinating town. Tonight, a farewell dinner in a local restaurant, complete with wine and music, is the perfect way to celebrate your glimpse of Italy. (B,D)
Day 15, (Sun) departing Rome
Morning transfer to Rome airport. Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
| Ports of Call | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Day | Port | Arrival | Departure |
| Sunday | Koper (Slovenia) | 23:00 | |
| Monday | Zadar (Croatia) | 10:00 | 20:00 |
| Tuesday | Ploce (Croatia) | 07:30 | 14:30 |
| Korcula (Croatia) | 18:00 | 23:50 | |
| Wednesday | Kotor (Montenegro) | 08:00 | 22:30 |
| Thursday | Durres (Albania) | 07:00 | 22:00 |
| Friday | Dubrovnik (Croatia) | 08:00 | 23:00 |
| Saturday | Split (Croatia) | 08:00 | 16:00 |
| Sunday | Koper (Slovenia) | 09:00 | |
| Departure dates and prices | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Start date | End date | Per person in twin | Single room supplement |
| Departure dates and prices | |||
| 12 September 2010 | 27 September 2010 | $ 3,995 | $ 1,805 |
| 19 September 2010 | 04 October 2010 | $ 3,995 | $ 1,805 |
| 26 September 2010 | 11 October 2010 | $ 3,995 | $ 1,805 |
| 29 May 2011 | 12 June 2011 | $ 3,645 | $ 1,699 |
| 12 June 2011 | 26 June 2011 | $ 3,645 | $ 1,699 |
| 11 September 2011 | 25 September 2011 | $ 3,645 | $ 1,699 |
| 25 September 2011 | 09 October 2011 | $ 3,645 | $ 1,699 |
Note
- Rates based on category 1 inside cabins
- Port taxes: $78 net per person
- Gratutity: $60 net per person - has to be pre-paid
- Upgrade per person to category 2 outside cabin (port-hole, ocean deck): $210
- Upgrade per person to category 3 outside cabin (port-hole, main deck): $420
- Upgrade per person to category 4 outside cabin (window, upper deck): $660
- Upgrade per person to category 5 outside cabin (window, promendade or navigator deck): $795
- Upgrade per person to category 6 outside cabin (superior window, navigator deck): $960
