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  4. Dalmatia and the Adriatic by land and sea
Days
15
Price from
10070NZD
Map of Dalmatia and the Adriatic by land and sea including Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy and Montenegro

See history at its most beautiful in Mediterranean Europe

Charming fishing hamlets, sun-soaked medieval towns and pretty islands are the star attractions of this 15-day tour and cruise through the gems that line the Adriatic. With stops in Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, Albania and Greece, this tour showcases history at its most beautiful. Begin with an in-depth adventure through the Dalmatian coast before boarding your small, stylish vessel and cruising further south. Spend time swimming off little-known Albanian beaches and delving into the myths that define the Greek islands, enjoying a mixture of locally guided excursions and free time to explore (or relax) at your own pace.

Start
Split, Croatia
Finish
Athens, Greece
Destinations
Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro
Style
Peregrine
Theme
Adventure Cruising
Code
PEDDC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 32

Why you'll love this trip

  • Follow a local guide through Diocletian's Palace in Split, where narrow cobblestone streets are lined with pre-Romanesque churches, Gothic chapels and museums.

  • Head out with a local fisherman and his crew from Lastovo Island, helping to bring in the daily catch and enjoying an on-board lunch of the freshest seafood imaginable.

  • Discover the winding streets and cathedral of medieval Kotor, hidden in the Bay of Montenegro and protected by limestone cliffs.

  • Travel inland to the World Heritage-listed towns of Matera and Alberobello, known for their historical 'trulli' and rock-cut 'sassi' caves respectively.

  • Explore the Albanian Riviera and visit the remains of ancient Butrint, once a glorious city under the Greeks and Romans that now belongs to nature.

Is this trip right for you?

  • Please be aware that the Croatian coast is very hilly and mountainous, which means lots & lots of steps are an inherent feature of the landscape. You will have to be able to easily lift your luggage and carry it up and down stairs and inclines. Also, stone streets become very slippery when wet. Some people may find Croatia's topography very demanding.

  • Summer temperatures can be extreme in Croatia (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

  • As accommodation on this trip is twin-share, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same gender. If you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is sometimes available at an additional charge. Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but two single beds that can be pushed together/apart.

  • This trip involves small ship Adventure Cruising, which means you’ll be sailing on a yacht with 30—50 other people. The boat is spacious and comfortable, but the itinerary focuses more on the destination than on-board activities. Instead of a pool, we have the sea itself. Instead of a casino, we’ve got board games and a good book. There’s also no formal dress code to worry about and Wi-Fi is available for a small charge

  • There are no lifts (elevators) on board our ships, so you’ll have to navigate a few steep flights of stairs (fitted with handrails) to access all the decks.

  • Most of our departures run in peak season, when the seas are calmer. The ship will experience some roll and pitch in choppy conditions, however all of our ships come equipped with stabilisers to minimise movement. There will be seasickness tablets on board and your crew will do all they can to minimise any discomfort.

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Boats

Callisto Exterior on Central American Adventure Cruising

Callisto

Considered a boutique cruiser, the Callisto offers the highest standards of comfort, safety and atmosphere on the seas. Relaunched in 2015, the...

Boat type
Motor Yacht
Passengers
34
Learn more

Itinerary
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Your trip starts today with your arrival in Split, the second-largest city in Croatia, located right on the Adriatic coast. You can arrive at any time during the day as there are no activities planned until the important group meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive with time to spare you are free to head out and get a first taste of this magnificent city. After the meeting tonight, get to know your fellow travellers and group leader over dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Luxe or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Dinner
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

An arrival transfer from Split Airport is included in the price of this trip. Please advise your booking agent of your flight details at the time of booking.

This morning embark on a sightseeing tour of Split with a local guide. The city dates back 1800 years to the time when Roman emperor Diocletian built a monumental imperial residence for his retirement. Today this fortified camp is an intriguing warren of narrow cobblestone streets where pre-Romanesque churches exist alongside Gothic chapels and a multitude of museums. Very much a living monument, it is framed by four gates, the most famous of which is the Golden Gate. In front of it stands a statue of the tenth-century bishop Grgur Ninski, who once opposed the pope and introduced the Croatian language into his services. In the afternoon, take a small boat to the town of Trogir and explore this quaint seaside town on a guided tour. Visit the cathedral where you can see the famous monument (a 13th-century portal of Dalmatian masonry) before returning to Split in the evening.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Luxe or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Guided Walk of Split
  • Diocletian's Palace
  • Day Trip to Trogir by Boat
  • Trogir Sightseeing with Local Guide & Visit to Trogir Cathedral
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Enjoy a free morning in gorgeous Split before boarding an afternoon catamaran to Croatia’s most remote island – Lastovo. The 4-hour journey is worth it to reach this secluded slice of paradise. The protected island nature park remains free from the effects of mainstream tourism and has retained its local flair. Free of the infrastructure that caters to mass tourism (and with a dwindling population for the same reason) Lastovo Island offers visitors scenes of traditional Adriatic island life as it once was. As a bonus, our sustainable tourism here supports the locals who have decided to remain. Transfer to your guesthouse and enjoy an included dinner with your group overlooking over the tiny bay.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse Augusta Insula or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Today you’ll learn the local trade with an immersive fishing experience – early start included. Rise and shine and head out on the water with a local fisherman, his wife and his crew. Help them to bring in the days' catch – usually scorpion fish, mackerel, sardine and bream. Enjoy the fishy fruits of your labour with a seafood lunch freshly prepared on board. This is a great chance to ask the captain any questions you may have. Return to Lastovo Island and enjoy the rest of the day as you see fit. Perhaps relax on the beach or explore the peace and quiet of the stone waterfront and tiny port of this unique island lost in time.
Accommodation
  • Guesthouse Augusta Insula or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Fishing Trip with Local Fisherman with Seafood Lunch
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Bid farewell to Lastovo and transfer back to the port of Ubli, where you will board the mid-morning ferry bound for the island of Korcula (approximately 1.5 hours). Disembark at Vela Luka and transfer to Korcula Town, stopping en route at Blato, a little-known interior town on the island. Enjoy some time to explore a town few tourists see and enjoy an optional lunch before continuing. Arrive in Korcula Town and get acquainted with this fortified, seaside city on an orientation walk. Enjoy a free evening in this stunning city. Perhaps wander through the narrow streets of the Old Town, taking in the stocky Revelin Tower and impressive defensive walls before stopping for dinner in one of the many restaurants.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Marko Polo, Hotel Villa Liburna, Hotel Port 9 or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Visit to the Town of Blato
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that during shoulder season (May and October) the ferry schedule is limited to one ferry per day. If you are travelling on one of our departures during these months the group's departure today is very early in the morning.

Take a short ferry ride from Korcula to the Peljesac Peninsula, famous for its wine. Visit a family winery and sample some of the local drops, along with light cheese and smoked ham. Next, visit the town of Ston and enjoy time to explore or partake in an optional lunch. Continue to Dubrovnik. Visit the amazing Stari Grad – Dubrovnik's compact Old Town – with your leader, just in time to enjoy the sunset views from the famous city walls. This walled city is often referred to as the 'pearl of the Adriatic' and is surprisingly tiny (400 metres by 600 metres within its protective walls). It's a lovely city to walk around, as it's been restored to its former glory since the damages of the 1991 conflicts.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Uvala or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Dubrovnik City Walls
  • Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport and entry to sites)
  • Matusko Winery Tour and Tasting
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Travel by boat to the island of Lokrum, located off the coast of Stari Grad. In this quasi 'botanical garden' you'll encounter a collection of exotic Mediterranean plants. Lokrum is also strewn with many golden sandy beaches that are popular with the locals. Visit the ruins of an old Benedictine monastery and enjoy great views back across to Dubrovnik as well as of Napoleon's fortress. Return by boat to Dubrovnik at around midday. The remainder of the afternoon is free for you to explore at leisure. Perhaps visit the Rector's Palace. In the evening meet up with your group again to enjoy an included dinner.
Accommodation
  • Hotel Uvala or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Boat Tour to Lokrum Island
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then the day is yours to explore the beautiful old town of Dubrovnik. You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to board the Callisto at 4.30pm. Settle into your cabin and meet your new ship mates. There will be a safety briefing, followed by your first dinner on board. Sail overnight to Kotor.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Callisto (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Welcome Dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group will likely change today. There will be a group meeting on board the Callisto to discuss the next stage of your itinerary. It's important that you attend the meeting as your new group leader will be checking insurance and next of kin information at this time.
Please note you will need to check out of your hotel by 10am and store your luggage in the hotels luggage storage facility. You will be picked up from the hotel at 4.30pm and transferred to the Port to start your Adventure Cruise trip.

Wake to the World Heritage-listed city of Kotor on Montenegro's Adriatic coast. Explore the fortified town on foot once the boat has docked, taking in sights including Saint Tryphon Cathedral, which was built in the 12th century, and the ancient city walls. Travel by small boat to Perast, located north of Kotor in the Bay of Montenegro, and ride a local ferry out to the striking church islands, one of which hosts a 12th-century monastery and the other an 18th-century church. The small boat will transfer you back to Kotor (approx. half an hour), then once you're back on board you'll sail overnight across the Adriatic to Bari, the capital of Italy's Puglia region.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Callisto (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kotor - Perast Visit
  • Kotor - Walking Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Buongiorno! And welcome to the western side of the Adriatic. Arrive in Bari and travel with the group on private bus to two areas known for their jaw-dropping architecture. After approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, arrive at Matera, claimed as the third-oldest continuously inhabited city in the world and one of Europe's 2019 Capitals of Culture. It's played host to film sets including Passion of the Christ and the new Ben Hur, and tourists flock to the stunning 'sassi' cave dwellings that dot the cliffs around town. It's hard to believe a place like this is real, but it lends itself to photography so fortunately you'll always have a reminder of its 9000-year-old existence. You’ll have some free time to enjoy lunch in Matera before travelling just over one hour in a private bus to Alberobello, a small town with hundreds of unique 'trullo' buildings, or 'trulli', which are whitewashed houses built from local limestone with conical roofs. Some of these World Heritage-listed dwellings were built as early as the 14th century and are recognised as an outstanding example of dry-stone construction. Once you've 'trulli' seen the Alberobello, travel on to Brindisi, a city south of Bari, where you'll board the Callisto for an overnight sail to Albania.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Callisto (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Bari - Matera and Alberobello Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Relax as the Callisto cuts through the Adriatic before arriving into Saranda, Albania in the morning. Albania isn't on the radar of most travellers, but the beaches dotting the coastline are as beautiful as any on the Mediterranean. Travel overland to Butrint, a World Heritage site and national park. The area's occupation dates back tens of thousands of years and is noted by UNESCO for 'a special atmosphere created by a combination of archaeology, monuments and nature”. Spend some time exploring the sight before travelling back to Saranda for a deck BBQ lunch on board as you sail towards Corfu. Stop along the way for a refreshing swim stop before arriving at your destination for the evening, the Greek island of Corfu, where you'll have a night at port.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Callisto (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Deck BBQ lunch
  • Butrint - National Park Visit
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Spend the day exploring Corfu, the second-largest Ionian Island, which has long attracted travellers in search of sun and sun. Corfu Town displays unique architecture influenced by Sicilian, Venetian, French and English styles. It's kept many of its imposing buildings, elegant mansions, superb palaces, French-style flowered squares and beautiful fortresses, and is an absolute dream to explore on foot. Enjoy some free time after the walking tour, perhaps visiting Palaio Frouiro or simply soaking up island life on the beautiful stone streets. In the evening, sail south down the Greek coastline to Ithaki, or Ithaca, the island home to which Odysseus, the hero of Homer's epic Odyssey, strived so hard to return. Your journey won't be so perilous.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Callisto (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Corfu - Walking Tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Spend some time exploring the island of Ithaki, soaking up both its mythology and storied history, then sail westwards to Sami, a port town on the island of Kefalonia where Captain Corelli's Mandolin was filmed. Travel north to Lake Melissani, an area that was once home to nymphs – or so the legend goes. Excavations in 1962 uncovered oil lamps, plates and figures depicting the god Pan, and some believe that one of the nymphs drowned here after being rejected by Pan, god of the wild. Whether you believe the stories or not, the beautiful cave and lake surrounded by forest certainly feels magic. You'll also visit the Ancient Acropolis of Sami, the remains of a heavily fortified town dating back to the Hellenistic period, before some free time in Sami. It's a picturesque little port with plenty of bars and restaurants, so why not take a stroll or settle in for a spot of people watching before sailing overnight to Itea.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Callisto (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Ithaki - Sami Town Visit
Optional Activities
  • Ithaki - Sami Acropolis Visit - EUR7
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Dock in Itea and travel inland to Delphi, site of the Temple of Apollo and home to the famous Delphic oracle. The area is what the ancient Greeks believed to be the centre, or navel, of the world, the meeting point between two eagles released by Zeus to the east and west. It received World Heritage listing thanks to 'an immense impact through the ancient world,' and is one of those pinch-yourself places where history and legend seep from every crack and crevice. Afterwards, return to the boat and cruise to the Corinth Canal, which divides the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese and is just 21 metres at its base. Travel through the canal both in daylight and in awe of this engineering feat, emerging in the Aegean Sea. Enjoy an evening with your fellow travellers on the island of Aegina.
Accommodation
  • M/Y Callisto (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Itea - Delhpi Visit
  • Farewell Dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

This adventure comes to an end today in Athens, Greek's historic capital and the heart of Ancient Greece, overflowing with sights like the Acropolis, the Parthenon and more. Say your farewells and if you have any time to spare, we highly recommend extending your stay to take it all in.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

14 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 8 dinners

Transport

Ferry, Private vehicle, Small Cruise Ship, Bus

Accommodation

Comfortable hotel (5 nights), Feature stay on Lastovo Island (2 nights), Small cruise ship (7 nights)

Included Activities

  • Guided Walk of Split
  • Diocletian's Palace
  • Day Trip to Trogir by Boat
  • Trogir Sightseeing with Local Guide & Visit to Trogir Cathedral
  • Fishing Trip with Local Fisherman with Seafood Lunch
  • Visit to the Town of Blato
  • Dubrovnik City Walls
  • Dubrovnik Card (1 day local transport and entry to sites)
  • Matusko Winery Tour and Tasting
  • Boat Tour to Lokrum Island
  • Welcome Dinner
  • Kotor - Perast Visit
  • Kotor - Walking Tour
  • Bari - Matera and Alberobello Visit
  • Deck BBQ lunch
  • Butrint - National Park Visit
  • Corfu - Walking Tour
  • Ithaki - Sami Town Visit
  • Itea - Delhpi Visit
  • Farewell Dinner

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Important notes

LEVEL OF FITNESS
This trip can be enjoyed by anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.

ARRIVAL TRANSFER
An arrival transfer from Split Airport to the start point hotel is included in the price of the trip. Please advise your travel agent of your flight times at the time of booking.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
A single supplement is bookable on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Please note that due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent. If a single supplement is not paid, then you will share a twin room with another traveller of the same gender. A single passenger cannot be booked or confirmed in a double cabin unless a single supplement is paid.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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