Dalmatia to the Balkans
A cruise exploring Croatia’s beautiful coast & islands aboard the Queen Eleganza combined with an exploration of Bosnia Herzegovina
- 1 May 2019
- 5 May 2019
- 19 September 2019
- 23 September 2019
Come with us to explore the beautiful Dalmatian Coast and its hundreds of islands aboard the charming Queen Eleganza. The region offers breathtaking natural beauty, an intense blue sea, amazingly picturesque islands, stunning architecture and an intriguing history, and even the most jaded of travellers cannot fail to be won over by its beauty. Added to this we have the benefit of three days before or after our cruise to explore Croatia’s lesser-visited neighbour Bosnia Herzegovina, a fascinating country at the crossroads of east and west with a history forged over centuries. Often overshadowed by its tumultuous past, it has emerged from its recent civil war reincarnated and offers the visitor a wealth of historical and cultural treasures, highlights of which will be the cities of Mostar and Sarajevo.
With our vessel that accommodates just 36 guests, we are able to visit some marvellous places which do not cater for the big ships and each night we remain moored in the picturesque harbours affording the opportunity to take an after-dinner stroll and dine ashore on certain evenings. Whether it be the heady mix of Croatia’s islands and ports or the craggy beauty of Bosnia Herzegovina with its mountains that sweep down to lakes covered in vegetation and wealth of historic buildings, this unique area has so much to offer the genuine traveller and our itinerary will be appreciated by those who enjoy an informal style of cruising and an eclectic mix of places.
Useful links & Travel Advice
Please find a selection of useful websites to refer to for information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on visa requirements, NHS travel health advice and other useful travel tips.
Queen Eleganza
For our cruises along the Adriatic coast, we are delighted to have chartered the newly built Queen Eleganza which was launched in April 2018. Beautifully crafted by Croatian hands, this is one of the finest Croatian flagged vessels of her kind and, with a maximum of just 36 guests, there is the added benefit of a relaxed and informal atmosphere on board. The team of friendly Croatian crew members all speak English and their excellent service and hospitality will do much to add to your enjoyment. Meals served on board have a homecooked feel and feature wholesome, fresh and tasty Mediterranean cuisine and, when dining ashore independently, your knowledgeable Cruise Director will recommend popular local restaurants. This is the perfect ship to escape the formalities of larger vessels and enjoy the casual nature of small ship cruising along the most beautiful of coastlines.
Itinerary
Day 1 - London Heathrow to Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight. On arrival transfer to the Queen Eleganza and enjoy dinner on board as we moor overnight.
Day 2 - Dubrovnik & Mljet.
Spend the morning in Dubrovnik – the “Pearl of the Adriatic” with a guided walk through this breathtaking city. Its many historic and cultural treasures have earned it the designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the major attractions such as the Rector’s Palace, the Romanesque - Gothic Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries, and the Sponza Palace. Return to the ship for lunch as we sail to Mljet. This is one of the few Dalmatian islands that was never ruled by Venice and this is apparent in the architecture and the absence of any sizeable historic town. What it lacks in great architecture it more than makes up for in natural beauty and there will be a tour to the National Park including its beautiful lakes. Take the opportunity to dine ashore this evening in one of the local restaurants as we moor overnight.
Day 3 - Korcula & Vis.
Spend the morning cruising to Korcula arriving in the late morning. Said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, Korcula boasts crooked Medieval streets, and elegant squares which are flanked with palaces of the old nobility. Enjoy free time to explore before returning to the ship for lunch. In the early evening we arrive at the island of Vis, this beautiful island sits far out in the Adriatic, well away from the conventional cruise routes where we have the chance to dine ashore in one of the harbour front restaurants.
Day 4 - Vis & Hvar.
This morning we depart for an island tour of Vis. The island spent much of its recent history serving as a Yugoslav military base, cut off from foreign visitors from the 1950s right up until 1989. This isolation preserved it from development, and today it offers an authentic tranquility and unique beauty. We return to the ship for lunch and sail to Hvar this afternoon where we enjoy dinner aboard as we moor overnight.
Day 5 - Hvar & Split.
From our berth in Stari Grad we take a short coach ride across the island to the attractive Old Town of Hvar for a guided walk. We begin in the main square which is the largest piazza in Dalmatia, see the cathedral, the Franciscan Monastery and the Benedictine Nunnery, where we hear about the aloe lace still produced today by the nuns. After some free time, return to the ship and enjoy lunch on board as we sail arriving in Split in the early afternoon. Here a guided walk takes us to the Palace of Diocletian, built by the emperor in 295-305 AD as his retirement villa. Much of this large building is well preserved and the palace contains Split’s old town within its walls, making it the only Roman palace that has been continuously inhabited since Roman times. It is a wonderful spot to wander the maze of streets. This evening enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants in Split.
Day 6 - Pucisca & Makarska.
Over breakfast we sail the short distance to the island of Brac and the attractive port of Pucisca located at the end of a long bay. Brac is world renowned for the quality of its stone which was used for the Diocletian’s Palace in Split as well as the White House in Washington and other parliament buildings in Europe. Spend the morning in the charming small town, voted one of the prettiest in Europe, where the building white roofs create an ambient atmosphere. Over lunch we sail to Makarska port located in a stunning location on the coast backed by the Biokovo mountains. A popular summer destination due to its nearby beaches it also has a historical centre including the Franciscan monastery, Church of St Peter and the city museum. This evening is free to find a restaurant in the town for dinner.
Day 7 - Opuzen.
We will sail this morning and this afternoon we arrive in Opuzen, located 12 kilometres from the coast on the Neretva River. Situated in the Neretva valley, the region is known as the centre of mandarin production in Croatia. Here we will board local boats and take a sail through the canals and backwaters of the Neretva Wetlands ending with a tasting of the local brandy at the local villa. Return to the ship for our Farewell Dinner on board as we moor overnight.
Day 8 - Pocitelj & Blagaj Tekke, Bosnia Herzogovina.
After breakfast we will disembark the Queen Eleganza in Opuzen and begin our journey to Bosnia. Our first call will be at Pocitelj, situated on the Neretva River, which is a splendid Ottoman city dating back to the Middle Ages. Here, King Tvrtko I of Bosnia built a fortress in 1383, later conquered by the Turks in 1471. Today this is truly a magical open-air museum with many Ottoman monuments, such as the Hadzi Alija Mosque and the Clock Tower. Lunch will be in a local restaurant, and we then continue Mljet Split on to Blagaj Tekke, also known as the Dervish Monastery. The tekija was built to host gatherings of the Sufi Brotherhood, and the stunning half-timbered tekija rests beside the fast-flowing blue-green Buna River. Arrive in Mostar in the early evening and check in to our hotel for an overnight stay. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant.
Day 9 - Mostar & Sarajevo.
In the 15th century, Mostar became a thriving centre on the banks of the emerald Neretva River under the Ottoman Turks. Damaged by the military conflict in the 1990’s, the town has been carefully restored by UNESCO and declared a World Heritage Site. Admire the ethereally graceful Stari Most (“The Old Bridge”), originally built in 1566, the nearby Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque and an old Turkish house, among other sites. You may also wish to explore the old bazaar independently, a haven for the city’s artists and craftsmen. After lunch we will continue our journey to Sarajevo and check in to our hotel this afternoon. Meet later for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 10 - Sarajevo.
After breakfast in the hotel we will take a walking tour of Sarajevo including Sarajevo City Hall, one of the most beautiful buildings from the Austro-Hungarian period. It is the National Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina and it faces the Miljacka River and the Emperors’ Mosque, the city’s oldest mosque. We will then continue on to see the Latin Bridge, where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in 1914. We will also take a walk through Bascarsija, the old part of the town built in the Ottoman period, where we can learn about the local food, crafts, and traditions. We will take lunch in a local restaurant and this afternoon we continue for a visit of the nearby mini spa town of Ilidza, where Franz Ferdinand and his wife stayed in June 1914. On arrival we will make our way to the public park of Vrelo Bosne, an oasis of greenery and gushing streams of water, one of the country’s prime natural attractions. Our day ends with a visit of the Tunnel Museum, the centrepiece of which is a 25 metre section of the 1 metre wide, 1.6 metre high hand-dug tunnel under the airport runway that acted as the city’s lifeline to the outside world during the 1992–95 siege. Walking through a short, restored section is the moving culmination to a visit that includes an archive video, a minefield garden and an engrossing museum within the shell-pounded house that hid the tunnel entrance. Return to the hotel and this evening enjoy our final dinner.
Day 11 - Sarajevo to London Heathrow.
After breakfast in the hotel transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London.
Sarajevo to Dubrovnik
Day 1 - London Heathrow to Sarajevo.
Fly by scheduled indirect flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to our hotel for a 2 night stay. The remainder of the day is free for independent exploration before we meet for our welcome dinner this evening.
Day 2 - Sarajevo.
After breakfast in the hotel we will take a walking tour of Sarajevo including Sarajevo City Hall, one of the most beautiful buildings from the Austro-Hungarian period. It is the National Library of Bosnia & Herzegovina and it faces the Miljacka River and the Emperors’ Mosque, the city’s oldest mosque. We will then continue on to see the Latin Bridge, where Franz Ferdinad was assassinated in 1914. We will also take a walk through Bascarsija, the old part of the town built in the Ottoman period, where we can learn about the local food, crafts, and traditions. Lunch will be in a local restaurant and this afternoon we drive to the nearby mini spa town of Ilidza, where Franz Ferdinand and his wife stayed in June 1914. On arrival we will make our way to the public park of Vrelo Bosne, an oasis of greenery and gushing streams of water, one of the country’s prime natural attractions. Afterwards, we continue to the Tunnel Museum, the centrepiece of which is a 25m section of the 1m wide, 1.6m high hand-dug tunnel under the airport runway that acted as the city's lifeline to the outside world during the 1992–95 siege. Walking through a short, restored section is the moving culmination to a visit that includes an archive video, a minefield garden and an engrossing museum within the shell-pounded house that hid the tunnel entrance. This evening dinner will be at your hotel.
Day 3 - Sarajevo & Mostar.
After breakfast in the hotel we will make our way to Mostar. On arrival we will check into the hotel and enjoy lunch before taking an afternoon tour of the town. In the 15th century, Mostar became a thriving centre on the banks of the emerald Neretva River under the Ottoman Turks. Damaged by the military conflict in the 1990’s, the town has been carefully restored by UNESCO and declared a World Heritage Site. Admire the ethereally graceful Stari Most (“The Old Bridge”), originally built in 1566, the nearby Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque and an old Turkish house, among other sites. You may also wish to explore the old bazaar independently, a haven for the city’s artists and craftsmen. This evening we will meet for dinner in a local restaurant.
Day 4 - Mostar, Pocitelj & Opuzen.
After breakfast we will start the day at Blagaj Tekke, also known as the Dervish Monastery, the tekija was built to host gatherings of the Sufi Brotherhood, and the stunning half-timbered tekija rests beside the fast-flowing blue-green Buna River. After our visit we will drive to a nearby local restaurant for lunch. This afternoon we continue on to Počitelj, situated on the Neretva River, which is a splendid Ottoman city dating back to the Middle Ages. Here, King Tvrtko I of Bosnia built a fortress in 1383, later conquered by the Turks in 1471. Today this is truly a magical open-air museum, as can be seen by the many Ottoman monuments, such as the Hadži Alija Mosque and the Clock Tower. Our day ends in Opuzen where we embark the Queen Eleganza and enjoy dinner on board as we moor overnight.
Day 5 - Opuzen & Makarska.
Opuzen is located 12 kilometres from the coast on the Neretva River and the nearby Neretva valley the region is known as the centre of mandarin production in Croatia. After breakfast on board we will drive to nearby Vid for a visit of the Narona Roman Museum, the exhibits here give a fascinating insight into the region’s history. We then continue our tour with a sail on local boats through the canals and backwaters of the Neretva Wetlands, ending with a tasting of the local brandy at the local villa. Return to the ship for lunch and sail on to Makarska, arriving in the late afternoon. Makarska port located in a stunning location on the coast backed by the Biokovo mountains. A popular summer destination due to its nearby beaches it is also has a historical centre including the Franciscan monastery, Church of St Peter and city museum. This evening is free to find a restaurant in the town for dinner.
Day 6 - Pucisca & Split.
Over breakfast we sail the short distance to the island of Brac and the attractive port of Pucisca located at the end of a long bay. Brac is world renowned for the quality of its stone which was used for the Diocletians Palace in Split as well as the White House in Washington and other parliament buildings in Europe. Spend the morning in the charming small town, voted one of the prettiest in Europe, where the building white roofs create an ambient atmosphere. Enjoy lunch on board as we sail, arriving in Split this afternoon. Here a guided walk takes us to the Palace of Diocletian, built by the emperor in 295-305 A.D. as his retirement villa. Much of this large building is well preserved and the palace contains Split’s old town within its walls, making it the only Roman palace that has been continuously inhabited since Roman times. It’s a wonderful spot to wander the maze of streets. This evening enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants in Split
Day 7 - Hvar.
Sail this morning and arrive in Hvar at lunchtime. From our berth in Stari Grad we take a short coach ride across the island to the attractive Old Town of Hvar for a guided walk. We begin in the main square which is the largest piazza in Dalmatia, see the cathedral, the Franciscan Monastery and the Benedictine Nunnery, where we hear about the aloe lace still produced today by the nuns. Return to the ship for dinner as we moor overnight.
Day 8 - Bisevo & Vis.
This morning we arrive the small island of Bisevo. On arrival we will join local boats from the National Park and depart for our visit to the Blue Grotto. This coastal cave shines an amazing blue when the sun’s rays pass through an underwater opening, whilst the rocks beneath the water glimmer silver. Later we cruise to nearby Vis for the remainder of the day and have the opportunity to dine ashore this evening.
Day 9 - Korcula & Mljet.
Spend the morning cruising to Korcula arriving in the late morning. Said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo, Korcula boasts crooked medieval streets, and elegant squares which are flanked with palaces of the old nobility. Enjoy free time to explore before returning to the ship for lunch as we sail to Mljet. This is one of the few Dalmatian islands that was never ruled by Venice and this is apparent in the architecture and the absence of any sizeable historic town. What it lacks in great architecture it more than makes up for in natural beauty and there will be a tour to the National Park including its beautiful lakes. Take the opportunity to dine ashore this evening in one of the local restaurants as we moor overnight here.
Day 10 - Dubrovnik.
Sail this morning to Dubrovnik, arriving in the early afternoon. After lunch onboard spend the afternoon in the “Pearl of the Adriatic” with a guided walk through this breathtaking city. Its many historic and cultural treasures have earned it the designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the major attractions such as the Rector’s Palace, the Romanesque- Gothic Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries, and the Sponza Palace. Return to the ship for a farewell dinner tonight.
Day 11 - Dubrovnik to London Heathrow.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy1 to 11 May 2019 • 19 to 29 September 2019 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
1 Twin/Double cabin on the Lower Deck | £3195 | |
2 Twin Cabin on the Main Deck | £3195 | |
3 Twin Cabin on the Main Deck | £3495 | |
4 Twin/Double cabin on the Main Deck | £3695 | |
5 Double cabin on the Main Deck | £3895 | |
6 Double cabin on the Lower Deck for sole use | £2995 |
Sarajevo to Dubrovnik
Prices per person based on double occupancy5 to 15 May 2019 • 23 September 2019 to 3 October 2019 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Price | |
1 Twin/Double cabin on the Lower Deck | £3195 | |
2 Twin Cabin on the Main Deck | £3195 | |
3 Twin Cabin on the Main Deck | £3495 | |
4 Twin/Double cabin on the Main Deck | £3695 | |
5 Double cabin on the Main Deck | £3895 | |
6 Double cabin on the Lower Deck for sole use | £2995 |
Tour Reference Code: SCQEDALMATIA9
Price Includes: Economy class scheduled air travel • Seven nights aboard the Queen Eleganza • Breakfast and lunch daily • Three dinners on board • House wine, beer & soft drinks with lunch and dinner on board • Noble Caledonia Cruise Director • Two nights hotel accommodation in Sarajevo & overnight accommodation in Mostar on full board basis • Tour Manager in Bosnia Herzegovina • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, four dinners ashore as detailed in the itinerary.
Queen Eleganza
For our cruises along the Adriatic coast, we are delighted to have chartered the newly built Queen Eleganza which was launched in April 2018. Beautifully crafted by Croatian hands, this is one of the finest Croatian flagged vessels of her kind and, with a maximum of just 36 guests, there is the added benefit of a relaxed and informal atmosphere on board. The team of friendly Croatian crew members all speak English and their excellent service and hospitality will do much to add to your enjoyment. Meals served on board have a homecooked feel and feature wholesome, fresh and tasty Mediterranean cuisine and, when dining ashore independently, your knowledgeable Cruise Director will recommend popular local restaurants. This is the perfect ship to escape the formalities of larger vessels and enjoy the casual nature of small ship cruising along the most beautiful of coastlines.
Video Library
Also of Interest
Croatian Coastal Odyssey
A seven night cruise exploring Croatia’s majestic beauty aboard the Queen Eleganza
Queen Eleganza
Queen Eleganza
Itinerary at a glance
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Korcula
- Hvar
- River Cetina & Split
- Sibenik
- Krka National Park & Zadar
- Zadar & Zrmanja Gorge
Summer Sailing in the Croatian Islands
Island Hopping aboard the Queen Eleganza
Queen Eleganza
Queen Eleganza
Itinerary at a glance
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Jakljan & Mljet
- Korcula & Vis
- Vis, Bisevo & Hvar
- Hvar & Zlarin
- Kornati Islands & Zadar
- Zadar, Pag & Rab
- Opatija
Book with Confidence
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000