From Rijeka through the Kvarner Islands and Dalmatia to the ťIsland of LavenderŤ, Hvar

2 weeks ex Rijeka – departures on Saturdays

1st day: From 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, boarding time in the port of Rijeka; welcome and presentation of the crew and the other passengers. Shortly afterwards “Cast off!” toward the island of Rab. The old town of the homonymous capital of Rab, with its impressive bell towers, stretches around a narrow, rocky promontory, flanked by water. Three streets pass through the old town – the “Lower Street” (Donja Ulica) with cafés and pubs, the “Middle Street” (Srednja Ulica) with boutiques, souvenir shops and ice cream parlours, and the “Upper Street” (Gornja Ulica), which leads to the four churches with their bell towers.

2nd day: We leave the Kvarner Bay and head towards Dalmatia. After a swim at the small island of Maun, we will reach Zadar, the centre of northern Dalmatia. We recommend a stroll through the beautiful old town, surrounded by solid walls, with its many sights – such as the Roman Forum, the circular church of St. Donatus, or the Cathedral Sveta Stosija (St. Anastasia). Enjoy trafficfree streets with elegant boutiques and countless cafés, or listen to the sounds of the worldwide unique Sea Organs on the Riva, their melodies created purely by waves.

3rd day: Passing numerous islands, we will reach the archipelago of Sibenik. We will first stop at a bay for some swimming, by the islands Kaprije, Kakan or Zirje. Then we will continue to the fishing village of Zlarin on the homonymous island, where we will spend the night.

4th day: We will leave the Adriatic Sea and turn into the embouchure of the River Krka. First we will tie up in Sibenik. Sibenik, mentioned for the first time in 1006, is the youngest of the larger cities on the coast, and at the same time, the oldest Croatian town as it was not built by Greeks, Romans, or Byzantines, but founded by Croats. The most famous building in the fortresslike old town is St. Jacob’s Cathedral, the most important Renaissance monument in Croatia. After a stroll through the old town, we continue down the River Krka. We anchor in Skradin, right before the famous Krka waterfalls. From here, smaller boats will take you to the National Park. You will have the opportunity to visit “Skradinski Buk”, the most popular part of the waterfall area, where in 17 falls, with up to 100 m broad cascades, the Krka rushes 45.7 meters down. Make sure you don’t forget to bring your bathing suit – a swim in the clear waters of the River Krka just below the falls is a truly unique experience. (Park entrance, including boat ride: € 11-14, payable onsite). Overnight stay in the port of Skradin.

5th day: We continue down the River Krka, and return to the blue waters of the Adriatic. We pass the islands of Mali and Veli Drvenik and come to the island of Solta, where we will first of all stop for a nice swim in a bay on the northwestern coast. Our destination is the fishing village of Stomorska, on the northeastern coast. The island is covered with scrub and olive trees – olive cultivation has a long tradition here and the dark olive oil of Solta counts among the best.

6th day: Through the strait of Splitska Vrata (the Split Gate), between the islands of Solta and Brac, we continue to Hvar – the island known for its mild climate and vast lavender fields. Here you can also buy lavender – either as essential oil in small bottles, or as dried flowers in small cloth bags, which will not only make your closet smell of lavender, but also function as an excellent protection against moths. The harbour of the homonymous main town lies at the foot of an island fortress, from where you will have a fantastic panoramic view on the offshore island group „Pakleni otoci“. After a brief stay in Hvar, we will continue to Stari Grad. Stari Grad is located on the northern side of the island, in a 7 km long bay, and is the oldest settlement on the island. Overnight stay in the harbour of Stari Grad.

7th day: Less than two hours from Stari Grad, in Bol, on the island of Brac, there lies Dalmatia’s most famous beach – Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn). The tip of this fine gravel beach reaches about 400 meters far out into the sea, and changes its direction with the ocean current. We anchor just outside the Golden Horn and you will have plenty of time for swimming. In the afternoon, we will once again weigh anchor and cruise to Milna. The village lies in a sheltered bay on the western side of the Brac Island. We spend the evening and the night in Milna.

8th day: We leave the island of Brac and set sail for the mainland. After a little more than an hour, we will arrive at the harbour of Split. Split, the capital of Dalmatia, and at the same time the second largest city in Croatia, was built 1700 years ago, out of the palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian. You will have plenty of free time for a stroll through the city, before moving on to Trogir. Trogir is also called the “Museum City”, thanks to its UNESCO protected Old Town. It’s a great experience, walking through the winding streets in the evening time, discovering walls, towers, churches, frescoes, vaults and old yards.

9th day: We leave Trogir and initially head toward one of the outlying islands, to anchor in one of the numerous crystal clear water coves. We then continue to the bustling holiday resort Vodice. In the evening, enjoy a glass of wine in one of the welcoming taverns or Konobas.

10th day: According to the Irish author George Bernard Shaw (who in 1925 received the Nobel Prize in Literature),”On the last day of creation, God crowned his work, and thus created, out of tears, stars and breath, the Kornati Islands”. The beautiful scenery, countless small and large islands (according to local lore “an island for every day of the year”), and the beautiful sea – all this makes the Kornati Islands a unique paradise. It is the largest and most dense archipelago in the Adriatic Sea – it comprises 147 islands, islets and reefs, with a total area of 69 km˛, spread over 230 km˛. They cover an area of 35 km of length and 13 km of width among the islands of Dugi Otok in the northwest, Zirje in the southeast, and Pasman, Vrgada and Murter in the north and northeast. We pass the Kornati along their entire length and head for a bay on the northern end for a swim. Overnight stay in Sali, on the island of Dugi Otok.

11th day: We cruise along the island of Dugi Otok – also called “Long Island”. After a swim, we will head towards Dragove, in the north of the island, or to one of neighbouring islands of Zverinac, Molat or Ist, where we will spend the night.

12th day: We head toward the island of Losinj, which is not known only for its 300 cloudless or only slightly clouded sunny days per year, but also for being covered by dense pine forests. With a bit of luck, we will maybe spot dolphins playing in the waves; in the waters around the island of Losinj, there are more than 160 dolphins registered by the “Adriatic Dolphin Project”. After a swimming break, we will reach Mali Losinj, where we will spend the evening and the night.

13th day: Today we will sail to the neighbouring island of Cres, which is connected to Losinj by a pivot bridge. The striking feature of the island are the endless olive groves and the innumerable flocks of sheep. Needless to say, that roast lamb is one of the specialties of the island of Cres. After the obligatory swimming break, we will head towards the picturesque town of Cres, where we will stay for the night.

14th day: Time to say goodbye to Croatian islands: from Cres, we will cruise along the eastern shoreline to Rijeka – not without taking one last dip into the sea. Overnight stay in the port of Rijeka.

15th day: After breakfast, around 9:00 am, disembarkation.