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Coastal Voyages From April through October, a fleet of vintage coastal traders, which once delivered supplies to the islands, now offer a selection of one- and two-week roundtrip voyages on the Northern, Central and Southern Adriatic, the most popular ones being the two-week itineraries departing from Rijeka and Trogir(next to the Split airport). |
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Enjoy this casual, barefoot style of cruising along the 1,100-mile-long coastline. Swathed in pines and cypress trees, carpeted with wildflowers and aromatic undergrowth, your vessel meanders past medieval walled towns, vineyards, and orange-roofed fishing villages. Nightingales sing, hillsides blaze with golden gorse above little harbors and secret coves abound with pebbly white beaches. Turquoise waters are crystal-clear, so translucent you can see shoals of fish. This is the Mediterranean as it used to be. |
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In the northern Adriatic, voyages start from Rijeka or Opatija (photo above) in the heart of the Croatia’s Kvarner Riviera, once the fashionable seaside resort of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. |
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Calling at some of the most popular destinations, including Rab, known as the “island of love”, Pag renowned for its excellent cheese and handmade lace, Cres and the Mali Losinj Islands, which are among the sunniest places in Europe and offer the finest swimming in their crystal clear waters. Enter Northern Dalmatia around the City of Zadar. For ages, Dalmatia has been a prized region along the eastern Adriatic. It is Croatia's jewel and seaside province. The area is comprised of more than one thousands islands along the sparkling Adriatic coast, touching the slopes of the steep Dinaric Alps. |
| Sibenik (photo below) is located at the confluence of the Krka river and the Adriatic Sea, where beautiful waterfalls are formed. Unlike many other Adriatic cities, Sibenik was not founded by ancient Romans, but was established in the10th century under the Croatian King Petar Kresimir IV, who built a strong maritime fleet that ruled the Adriatic for a time. | 
Kornati Archipelago |
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On the photo in the foreground is Sibenik’s St James’s Cathedral, a unique example of church architecture built in stone and no other structural materials. The cathedral is a UNESCO world cultural heritage site. And in the background lies the Kornati archipelago. |
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“On the last day of Creation, God desired to crown his work and thus created the Kornati Islands out of tears, stars and breath”, wrote Irish writer George Bernard Shaw. The beautiful nature, landscape, big and small islands (the old folk saying goes: One island for every day of the year) and the magnificent sea, all make the Kornati Islands a unique paradise. This is the largest cluster of islands, islets and rocks in the Adriatic. The area stretches between the islands of Dugi Otok and Pasman on the northwest to Zirje and Zlarin on the southeast. The ships sail the entire length of the Kornati Islands and make stops in the coves along the way. |
| Trogir (photo on the right), located next to the Split airport, serves as the departure point from central Dalmatia. The city, under the protection of UNESCO, is often referred to as the “City of Museums". It’s quite an experience to walk through the intricate network of streets during an afternoon or evening, admiring the city walls, defense towers, churches, frescoes and arches or to just take a peak into the old backyards. |  |
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Split (photo on the left) is the economic and administrative hub of Dalmatia, with about 200,000 inhabitants. The importance of Diocletian’s Palace far transcends its local significance because of the extent of its preservation as well as the buildings of successive historical periods constructed within its walls, which today form the very heart of old Split. |
| Many of Split’s historical and cultural buildings can be found within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace. In addition, numerous museums, the National Theatre, old churches and other archaeological sites in the Split region make it an important cultural attraction. |
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“From Split we’ll set sail to explore the beautiful islands of Southern Dalmatia including Mljet, Korcula, Hvar and Brac with its extraordinary Golden Cape beach, which changes shape year to year according to the wind and waves”. Ann Smith Gordon |
Golden Cape, Bol, Island of Brac |
Dubrovnik Cruise liners, yachts, speed boats and other pleasure craft constantly ply the harbor and nearby waters. |
The old-walled city of Dubrovnik is a world treasure, a time capsule offering its visitors an unparalleled glimpse of life in a medieval maritime city-state. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site, the beauty of the old city is matched by the traditional hospitality of its residents. Gruz Harbour is located approximately fifteen minutes by coach from Dubrovnik’s historic city center and Dubrovnik, like so many of Croatia’s historic cities, can be easily explored on foot. Few urban experiences match strolling down the centuries-old promenade known as Stradun. More than an avenue, it is the city’s main artery, lined with graceful stone palazzos where people work as well as live. |
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No one should miss the opportunity to explore the medieval forts and ramparts that encircle the city, visit its many shops, or taste local specialties as well as the finest wines of the region. Guided sightseeing tours of this fascinating city and its rich history and culture are highly recommended. Highlights include the Rector’s Palace, the historic seat of government in medieval Dubrovnik; the Church of St. Blaise; the Franciscan Monastery with its 14th century pharmacy; the Dominican Monastery and the city’s walls and gates. |
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Accommodations for 20 to 50 passengers include double cabins with upper and lower berths. “A” class cabins offer private facilities with a shower, while “B” class cabins include a wash basin but share common bathroom facilities. The fares vary from €400 per person double occupancy, €700 single per week to €1,200 per person double, €1,950 single for two weeks, depending on the ship and cabin, as well as whether it includes fullboards or halfboards (continental breakfast and lunch, and passengers are left to visit and dine out at ports on their own). |
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To join the cruise, direct daily flights are available from all major European gateways to all three departure ports, Rijeka (Opatija), Split (Trogir) and Dubrovnik. |
| For more information on various cruise itineraries, services and prices, please click on the Coastal Voyages link below. If you experience difficulties on those pages, please contact us through our Reservations page on the left side of the screen, and we'd be pleased to assist you. |
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COASTAL VOYAGES
And for your extended vacations in Croatia, before or after the cruise, please check accommodations available and make reservations from the following pages: VILLAS HOTELS LIGHTHOUSES |
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Dalmatia has always served as the crossroads of Croatia’s culture, cuisine and politics. The environment has lent itself to simple, yet flavorful, dishes that have provided nourishment to renowned tradesmen, such as Marco Polo, Christian Saints, the Crusaders, Venetian Doges, Emperors and Popes. With its ideal Mediterranean climate, the area boasts delicious indigenous seafood, citrus products, maraschino cherries, hearty olive oil, red wine, pure mountain water and bountiful livestock. For generations, Dalmatians have combined their culinary heritage and resources to ensure digestibility and simplicity of preparation. They have perfected their cooking techniques of uncomplicated grilling and roasting and the use of whole foods. |
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First-time visitors can see first hand how the bountiful countryside and plentiful Adriatic have lent itself to superior cuisine. They will discover the wide variety of local dishes, prepared with the freshest of ingredients, including indigenous vegetables, virgin olive oils and wines. Dalmatia is rich in grains, game, dairy (including unique island cheeses), fresh seafood (John Dory), shellfish (mussels, clams, etc.) and lamb. |
| Visitors will also note how the region's unique mixture of Latin and Slavic cultures have shaped its beautiful landscape, people, architecture, culture and cuisine. This colorful mélange has complimented Dalmatia's centuries-old recipes steeped in Roman, Venetian and Eastern European cooking methods. Dalmatian cooking today remains rich in flavors from both the past and the present. It remains continuously simple, wholesome and healthful. |
| We are most grateful for the support, including comments such as the following, which we have been receiving from our valued customers and club members as well as from the steamship lines and media over the years: |
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