Embark on this premium cruise and discover Croatia’s beautiful coastline with everyday stops at different islands, historic towns, and world class National Parks. This 8 day tour from Venice to Dubrovnik offers a perfect balance of cultural sightseeing and beach relaxation.
Both Venezia Lines and Atlas Kompas operate Venice to Croatia ferries that are available from June to September. Visit their websites to see schedules and prices.
Venice
Flights between Venice and Dubrovnik are available for as little as USD$38 one-way. This route is served by budget airlines, so it’s easy to find cheap airfares if you plan ahead. The cheapest month to book this trip is March, when prices are typically lowest.
Venice Marco Polo Airport is the main airport serving Venice, with flights to a wide range of destinations around the world. If you want to fly nonstop, it’s best to book flights in advance. This will ensure that you get the most convenient flight times, and can save you money in case you have to change your plans at the last minute.
If you prefer to travel overland, you can take the train from Venice to Dubrovnik via Ljubljana and Zagreb. These trains offer excellent service and scenery, but you’ll have to make several stops along the way, which may take longer than flying. This option is cheaper and also allows you to visit a few other interesting places along the way. Be sure to check visa requirements for your passport before booking. For example, US passport holders must obtain a Schengen visa to enter Croatia. You’ll need a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your trip, and this can be arranged through the local embassy in your home country. You can also contact your tour operator to assist you with this.
Ravenna
Experience the best of the Adriatic, a region of azure waters, medieval towns, and pristine islands. This well-balanced tour of cultural and natural sightseeing combines the renowned wonders of Venice with the treasures of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, including Hvar, Korcula, and Dubrovnik.
Begin in Venice, Italy’s fabled canal city where iconic vistas live up to their reputation. Stroll through the enchanting streets of this unique city and explore its stunning churches, renowned art at the Gallerie dell’Accademia, and famously patterned terra-cotta rooftops.
After a morning lecture, spend time exploring the highlights of this city, including the marble-clad Stradun and Onofrio’s Fountain, as well as the baroque-style Dubrovnik Synagogue and the Jewish Museum on location. Stroll Zudioska Ulica (Jewish Street), home to the area’s earliest Jewish residents, and see the town’s 12th-century Church of St Mary.
From here, embark on a private transfer to the airport for your return flight home or continue with your post-tour extension to Zadar. During your extension, visit the spectacular Postojna Cave and enjoy a guided tour of this extraordinary subterranean world by miniature electric train.
Note: This is a full-day excursion that includes a guided tour of the Postojna Cave, which includes a walk through the darkest underground tunnel, as well as the option to climb to the top of a high cliff and see the spectacular stalactites and stalagmites that have formed on the walls below. You will also have the opportunity to visit a local winery for a tasting and to learn about the traditional ways of making Croatian wines.
Hvar
The glimmering Adriatic brims with ancient treasures. From the cosmopolitan ports of Hvar and Trogir to the UNESCO-listed walls of Dubrovnik, your cruise reveals islands, pristine beaches, and centuries-old heritage sites. This 8-day journey aboard Emerald Azzurra takes you on a discovery of Croatian gems, with stops at the enchanting islands of Mali Losinj and Vis as well as the quaint coastal town of Manfredonia on the Italian coast.
Arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of Dubrovnik, where a guided walking tour transports you back in time. Afterward, explore at your leisure under the blanket of terracotta rooftops. Take your time wandering the cobbled streets, gazing up at Baroque buildings, and inhaling the scent of fresh-baked pastries.
Depart for the island of Hvar, a swanky hot spot that’s both fashionable and historical. Here, a guided tour of the city highlights its historic center and renowned landmarks like the Cathedral of St Stephen. You’ll also discover some of the island’s hidden beaches and explore its rugged interior on a hike to the top of a medieval fortress.
The next day, set sail for the Elaphiti Islands, where a tour of Lopud introduces you to Dalmatia’s rich traditions on a family estate and vineyards. Then, visit Mljet National Park, which boasts five types of forests, several species of birds, and two deep lakes — Veliko and Malo Jezero.
Korcula
The enchanting Adriatic is a land of stories, and on this journey you will hear them from the people who made the region. The Greeks, Romans and Venetians all imbued the food, architecture and culture here with their own identities, and this cruise gives you a chance to discover it all.
Begin your cruise in Venice, the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a guided tour of the city’s medieval walls, stroll beneath the blanket of terracotta rooftops and take in the Baroque splendour. Then, aboard L’Austral, sail for Trogir, a small island known as a “mini-Venice” due to its many canals and gondolas. Explore the old town with a local guide, then head to Krka National Park. Here, the flora and fauna are diverse and stunning.
Next, you’ll call at Korcula, an island rich in olive groves and vineyards. This is the birthplace of explorer Marco Polo, and the ancient buildings here reflect its long history. Visit St Mark’s Cathedral and see the childhood home of the explorer, or head to the secluded beaches on the southern coast.
From here, you’ll be transferred to the island of Lumbarda to meet a family-run winery for two indulgent tastings. This is a chance to discover Croatia’s traditions and enjoy the gorgeous views over the archipelago and Peljesac peninsula. This evening, you can return to the old town for dinner and revel in the history of this UNESCO-listed gem.
Split
Ashore, stroll beneath a blanket of terracotta rooftops to discover why Dubrovnik is called the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Enter the walled city through Pile Gate and step back in time on a guided walking tour, seeing the Rector’s Palace, Maritime Museum, and 12th-century St. Tryphon Cathedral. The rest of the day is yours to explore on your own—pick your own path through the winding streets, pause at a cafe and take in the scent of freshly-baked pastries.
During your stay in Omis, visit a local shellfish farm and learn about the cultivation of these delectable mollusks—then head to the beach for an included lunch of shellfish and wine. Later, explore Split, a cosmopolitan coastal city where local culture effortlessly blends tradition with modernity. Examine sculptures, drawings, and paintings at the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery, then walk through Diocletian’s Palace, an enormous third-century complex that serves as a testament to the varied influences that have shaped this remarkable city.
Then, board your ship for a cruise into the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea, and sail along the picturesque Croatian coast. As you do, encounter the beauty of Croatia’s islands and enchanting villages, with calls at the picture-perfect island of Hvar, a fortified town of medieval origins; the secluded walled city of Dubrovnik; and the fjord-like Bay of Kotor, a place where the influence of Roman, Greek, Byzantine, and Venetian civilizations is evident in the architecture, landscape, and cuisine.
Dubrovnik
Take a step back in time beneath a blanket of terracotta rooftops in Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dazzles with its impressive walls and rich cultural heritage. Enjoy a walking tour of its Old Town, then visit the Rector’s Palace and Franciscan Monastery’s Pharmacy. Then, explore the island of Mljet, a National Park home to five types of forest, many birds and two deep lakes: Veliko (Big Lake) and Malo (Small Lake).
From Dubrovnik, sail into Split, Croatia’s second-largest city, for a guided tour of Diocletian’s Palace and its well-preserved cellars. Then, see the waterfront Sea Organ, a musical structure that plays in response to the waves.
From here, it’s on to Krka Waterfalls National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose 17 falls create a series of natural wonders that skim over limestone and chalk riverbeds and are nestled among lush forests. Then, return to Split for a final tour of the old town and its Gothic cathedrals.
