ROUTE 1:
Split -
Hvar - Korcula - Dubrovnik - Mljet - Hvar - Brac - Split
ROUTE 2:
Split - Hvar - Korcula - Mljet - Lastovo - Korcula - Vis - Hvar - Brac - Split
ROUTE 3:
Split -
Primosten - Skradin - Krka NP - Vodice - Kornati NP - Dugi otok - Trogir - Split
PRICES
Priced From $AUD 1962.00 per person sharing twin cabin - 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS CRUISE
Single supplement $AUD 1476.00 per person
Treasures of the Adriatic Cruise on 'M/S Barbara' Pula to Dubrovnik
Departs every Saturday May - Oct 2009 - 8 days 7 nights (2008 sold out)
This cruise accommodates a minimum of 22 persons and sails from Pula on the Northern Istrian Coast makings it's way to Porec, Motovun, The Apsyrtides Islands, Mali Losin and Kres.
Next stop is Osor, an ancient coastal settlement situated on an isthmus close to Kanavela.
Sailing south along this majestic Dalmatian coastline we visit the Kornati Islands National Park, and spend some time exploring Zadar, once a Roman colony and rival of Venice. Today, Zadar is a city of Treasures. Here we'll stroll the famous Kalelarga street and enjoy it's Mediterranean charm.
In Split we'll visit the ancient Palace of Diocletian where many locals live amongst cosy bars and restaurants, galleries and boutiques.
The cruise continues on to the old town of Hvar on the Island of Hvar (See Newsletter) followed by the Island of Korcula, birthplace of Marco Polo, which contains a wealth of artistic masterpieces including paintings by Tintoretto. another highlight is the Treasury, located in the 14th century Abbey Palace, with it's ecletic collection of paintings, jewellry, fine furniture, and historic documents.
On the way to Dubrovnik, we visit the National Park of Mljet Island, with it's lovely pine forests and crystal clear lakes.
Our final destination, Dubrovnik, Pearl of the Adriatic, is a breathtaking sight, surrounded by massive greay walls of stone, four city gates, three forts, five bastions, and 14 square towers. Here you will find a treasure trove of art, many fine shops, cafes and boutiques,
Priced from EU 2100 pp, includes all extras, meals, taxes, land excursions.
Robyn's Diary - Autumn 2007
Autumn in Croatia The 45 minute Croatian Airlines flight from Rome to Split only allows time to read the Inflight Magazine, filled with some of the most exciting destinations in Croatia. I was mesmerized by an article about the ISLAND OF HVAR, one of my favourite places which is always included in my Cruising Croatia Itineraries.
Hvar has always been the centre of a particular Mediterranean lifestyle; a sanctuary for it's ancient inhabitants; a sheltered port for the medieval seamen and merchants who sailed all over the Adriatic; a fort and transit port of the Serenissima; a cradle of culture; a selected place of sacred, noble and popular architecture and finally, today, one of the most attractive and certainly one of the highest class destinations in Croatia, and whose fame reaches far beyond it's national borders.
During summer, Hvar is a true and unbelievably irristible magnet. The town harbour is a place where the most luxurious yachts that sail the Adriatic are moored. Hotels, restaurants and cafes pulsate with the rythmn of life, and during this period not a day goes by without concerts, exhibitions and plays.
The Autumn and Winter are but a break, a natural rest, till the next Summer.
SPLIT - I have visited Split many times over the past 30 years, but the sight of the late afternoon Autumn sun shimmering across the harbour, and illuminating the ancient walls of the Diocletian Palace with a warm golden glow,was a very welcoming sight, and one that always manages to excite me. It brought back many memories of times gone by, spent in this city of warm Mediterranean spirit, together with my late husband and family.
Wandering through the old town at this time of year was very pleasurable. The throngs of tourists had long departed for home, and the little cafes and bars were very welcoming and cosy.
ALL SAINT'S DAY - November 1
In Croatia and Italy, this is a day when families visit the
deceased. Cemetries in every city and village alike become alive with flowers of every hue imaginable; candles are lit and churches are overflowing with those gathered in memory of loved ones more recently and also those long since departed.
AUTUMN IN ITALY -November 2007
Florence
Arriving back in Italy during Autumn is spectacular!
The seasonal foods bursting with flavour, the vineyards have turned to golden landscapes, grapes are harvested and are now fermenting, porcini mushrooms are abundant and featured in the local restaurants, chestnuts are roasting, and it's time to taste the 'new' first press of extra virgin olive oil.
One of my very favourite restaurants in Florence is MARIO'S TRATTORIA. This favourite of Florentine locals has been serving traditional local cuisine since the late Romeo Senior and his wife Amelia opened in 1953. Mario's opens daily at 12.00 noon for lunch only. There are no printed menus, and reservations are not taken. The daily menu consists of freshly purchased produce from the close-by Central Food Markets and on this day, Friday, we were treated to a seafood menu which was so superb, together with warm and robust hospitality, combined with an excellent choice of
Pinot Grigio from Villa Vescovile in Trentino.
We visited Romeo as he and the chefs were busily preparing for the usual busy Friday lunch, and found an assortment of freshly sourced seafood, and we were invited to watch and taste some of the daily dishes being prepared including a delicious tray of 'moscadini' (small calamari) for the Risotto, Spaghetti con Totani, and Baccala Alla Livornese which was senational.
DI VINO WINE SHOP
Around the corner from Mario's we discovered a wine shop with a difference. At DI VINO's a variety of local Italian wines can be purchased by the bottle or customers are welcome to fill there own from oak barrels. We happily explored the ancient cellars down the narrow winding stairway, and made our way home with some very affordable and interesting vintages that were excellent combinations with our Pasta con sugo di Cinghale - A rich slowly simmered sauce of Wild Boar.
Departs Split every Saturday 2008
