8-Day from Venice to Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast

This popular program is now in its eighth year of operation, attesting to our guests’ interest in the beautiful Dalmatian coast, and its historical coastal towns and islands. Your week-long cruise conveniently begins and ends in Venice, where a full-day following embarkation provides time for optional excursions or for pursuing your own interests. In the evening, cruise slowly along the Canale della Giudecca past Piazza San Marco, setting a course for Croatia and its stunning coastal beauty. Dalmatia alone has over 1,000 islands basking in the sun that, along with the coastal cities of Croatia, offer a wealth of art, architecture, culture and history.

Your itinerary includes Pula, at the tip of the Istrian Peninsula, famed for its Roman antiquities just a short walk from our dock. Split has one of the best-preserved Roman edifices in existence: massive Diocletian’s Palace. The Old Town of Dubrovnik is a breathtaking sight, entirely surrounded by massive gray walls of stone. Inside, find a treasure trove of medieval art and architecture that has earned it a designation as a UN World Heritage Site. Korcula, a very walkable peninsula town that claims to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, contains many reminders of the rule of the Venetians. Your exploration concludes with a visit to the medieval walled town of Zadar.

Depending on your choice of ships, you will visit the islands of Hvar and Mljet (aboard Monet), or spend more time in Split and Korcula (aboard Andrea). In Split, the additional time on Andrea departures allows for an optional excursion to the nearby old Roman towns of Solin and Trogir.

MS MONET ITINERARY 2009 - 8days/7nights - Venice to Venice 

M.S. Monet cruise ship description

MS MONET ITINERARY 2009 - 8days/7nights - Venice to Dubrovnik 

MS MONET ITINERARY 2009 - 8days/7nights - Dubrovnik to Venice 

• Accommodation in fully air-conditioned outside double or twin bedded cabins with private facilities and satellite TV;

• All meals aboard ship, served at a single leisurely sitting, freshly prepared by professionally trained chefs. Wine and beer are included with lunch and dinner. Also included are afternoon tea service and late night snack. Coffee, tea and pastries are available 24 hours a day;

• On board musical entertainment and cultural lectures;

• Services of the ship's hospitality staff, including cruise director, hotel manager and receptionist;

• Captain's Welcome Aboard and farewell Reception and Dinner.

• Domestic and international airfare;

• Transfers to/from the ship;

• Port charges;

• All shore excursions (available for purchase on board the M.S. MONET or MS Andrea);

• Meals ashore, gratuities, bar drinks, laundry , on board communications (telephone, email, fax);

• Cancellation, trip interruption insurance;

• Other items of a personal nature;
   

PORTS-OF-CALL

Venice
The magnificent “Queen of the Adriatic,” Venice occupies 117 islands in the azure waters of the Adriatic. This lagoon city is a watery maze of grand canals, 177 smaller canals, over 450 bridges and the world’s most famous sandbar, the Lido. Though thoroughly walkable, getting around Venice is a mesmerizing experience aboard the city’s variety of public transport boats, the vaporetti, motoscafi and the more expensive gondola ride, suggested more for a romantic interlude.
Venice’s enticing, exotic beauty—typified by the Byzantine architecture, enormous stained glass windows rising along the Grand Canal and Venetian Carnival masks with their wry, knowing smiles—attest to the city’s historic role as a great Eastern trader. Venice’s legendary maritime heroes, such as Marco Polo, plied the Levantine trading routes. The entire Mediterranean flowed through the Venetian Republic, adorning the city in the splendors that illuminate it today. A walk through Saint Mark’s Square provides a wealth of sights from the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs to the Campanile and St. Mark’s Cathedral.

Pula
Pula, located at the tip of the Istrian Peninsula in the northern Adriatic, is famed for its Roman antiquities. Most notable is the beautifully preserved Amphitheater, close at hand to our dock. Built in the first century B.C., it is the sixth-largest such arena in the world, with space for 22,000 spectators. Other sights that have earned this city its World Heritage designation include the Hercules Gate and the Temple of Augustus. The Temple of Jupiter, converted in the 4th century to a Christian church, is an interesting combination of Roman and Byzantine architecture. Nearby is a vibrant market, full of interesting shops, fresh flowers and handicrafts.

Split
Split is the second largest city in Croatia and a UN World Heritage Site. At the historical core of Split—and within walking distance of the ship—is the massive Palace of the Emperor Diocletian, dating from the end of the third century A.D., and one of the last palaces of the Roman Empire. Diocletian’s Mausoleum and the Temple of Jupiter are fully preserved, though in the Middle Ages they were converted to Christian edifices. The statue of Grgur Ninski, created by Croatia’s premier modern sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic, is situated in front of the Golden Gate. People who pass by rub the big toe for good luck. There are opportunities to visit Mestrovic’s handsome gallery and studio on the nearby Marjan Peninsula.

Hvar
“I know paradise now, I know Hvar,” goes a local saying. The island is known as the Croatian Madeira because of its lush vegetation and mild climate. A walk along the waterfront promenade and through the Old Town reveals a wealth of historic medieval and Renaissance buildings as well as lovely yachts and other private craft. Fine art, including paintings by Old Masters and ecclesiastic treasures of precious materials, can be found in the collections of the Franciscan Monastery and the treasury of Hvar Cathedral.

Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a breathtaking sight, entirely surrounded by massive gray walls of stone, interspersed with four gates, three forts, five bastions and 14 square towers. The “Pearl of the Adriatic” contains a treasure-trove of medieval art and architecture that has earned it a designation as a UN World Heritage Site. The Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries are beautiful examples of Romanesque–Gothic architecture, and other monuments of significance include the Onofrio Fountain, the Rector’s Palace, the Sponza Palace and several fine churches. A stroll along Stradun— the Old Town’s wide pedestrian promenade—allows you to discover Dubrovnik’s many fine shops, cafés and boutiques at leisure. Don’t miss a chance to take the walk at the top of the wall surrounding the city for beautiful panoramic views of this fascinating city on the Adriatic.

Mljet
The tiny island of Mljet offers a relaxing retreat from the more urbane and monument-filled Dalmatian towns. From the dock area, wander along easy-to-navigate paths through the lovely pine forests of Mljet National Park to the two jewel-like lakes, which are actually inlets connected to the sea by narrow channels. In the center of Veliko Jezero (Big Lake) is the tiny islet of St. Mary’s, with its sleepy 12th-century Benedictine Abbey. There will be an opportunity to swim in the crystal clear waters of the lake.

Korcula
Ancient defensive walls surround Korcula Town, on the island of the same name. The Cathedral of St. Mark, the largest and most beautiful building in Korcula, contains a wealth of artistic masterworks including paintings by Tintoretto. Another highlight is the Treasury, located in the 14th-century Abbey Palace, with its eclectic collection of paintings, jewelry, fine furniture and historic documents. Charming views of the harbor greet visitors as they wend their way through the narrow alleyways. On one of these lanes, you’ll see the Marco Polo house, where the famous explorer is said to have been born in 1254. Shop for handmade Croatian folk art near the City Gate, or relax at one of the picturesque waterfront cafés, and enjoy the breezy resort atmosphere that prevails in this medieval town.

Zadar
Zadar’s Old Town is located on a narrow peninsula in northern Dalmatia. It has the look and feel of an ancient Mediterranean city: the streets are paved with gleaming white stone, and the high protective walls—with portions dating to Roman and early medieval times—run alongside the harbor. Zadar’s 9th-century Church of St. Donatus was built on the remains of a Roman Forum and is one of the region’s most famous monuments. Other sights include the ancient City Gates, the Franciscan Monastery and Church and the imposing 12th- century Romanesque Cathedral of St. Anastasia. Stroll along the harbor’s tree-lined promenade, enjoy the many outdoor cafés, and perhaps taste Zadar’s famous maraschino cherry liqueur.