Gems of the Adriatic - 2023

Today you’ll board an overnight flight to Zagreb. Or, depart earlier for your pre-trip extension in Lake Bled, Slovenia.

Welcome to Zagreb! If you purchased your airfare or transfers from Vantage, a representative will meet you at the airport and assist with your hotel transfer. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Briefing and Dinner at the hotel, getting to know your fellow passengers.

You'll met your expert local guide this morning after breakfast for a tour of Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. Kick off your exploration with a President’s Club feature — a private tram ride that will take you from your hotel past the city's impressive landmarks, including the “lower city” distinguished by its 18th and 19th century Austro-Hungarian architecture, Croatian National Theater and Opera House, Croatian Treasury, and more. Then, walk through the main square and the city’s “upper town,” strolling past the Croatian Parliament, the Prime Minister’s office, St. Mark’s square, and the Stone Gate. You'll also visit the Dolac Traditional Food Market, the largest market in Croatia, where local products arrive from villages to be sold in the city.

This afternoon, enjoy an afternoon at leisure, perhaps visiting the city's unique Museum of Broken Relationships or taking a walk through the botanical gardens. Zagreb also has one of the world's most extensive tram systems. So, consider boarding the local tram back to your hotel or to the city center for further exploration. Your Vantage Program Manager will be happy to assist with directions or suggestions of other activities.

Tonight, enjoy a private family village estate visit near Zagreb with dinner, unlimited drinks, and a guided tour of their art collection. You'll also tour the stables and meet their horses. Dinner is complete with a folkloric ensemble performance.

Included Feature:

• Half-day panoramic and walking tour of Zagreb

Cultural Discovery:

• Dolac Traditional Food Market
• Dinner at a family village estate with folkloric entertainment

This morning after breakfast, check out of your hotel in Zagreb and transfer to Koper, where you will board the Ocean Odyssey.

En route, enjoy a scenic drive through the Croatian Highlands and the Slovenian countryside. We’ll stop in Opatija for a guided walking tour. You’ll have time for lunch on your own before we continue on to Koper

Upon arrival in Koper, you will embark the Ocean Odyssey. This 5-star small ship is designed to merge unmatched luxury with an authentic ocean cruise experience. Get settled in your stateroom, before taking time to explore the ship’s world-class amenities, including the onboard boutique, indulgent spa, and hot-rock cooking restaurant.

Later, you’ll join fellow travelers for the first of your daily port talks to learn about tomorrow’s exciting destination.

Included Features:

• Guided walking tour of Opatija
• Scenic drive through Croatian and Slovenian countryside to Koper

Discover part of one of the most beautiful regions of Croatia on a morning tour of Pula. Istria is one of the most developed regions of Croatia and is sometimes referred to as “Croatian Tuscany,” with some of the most picturesque towns in the country.

You’ll enjoy a walking tour of Pula today, including a visit to Pula Arena, Europe's most complete Roman amphitheater. You'll be able to go below the arena floor to see the actual passageways and rooms where gladiators and their foes, along with wild animals, awaited their turn in combat. Later, we’ll walk through the city center to see the town and its streets brimming with history juxtaposed with modern shops and restaurants.

Included Features:

• Pula tour with visit to the Pula Arena

This morning, enjoy scenic sailing, passing by UNESCO protected St. Nicholas fortress, which guards the entrance to the ancient city of Šibenik. Upon arrival, we’ll depart for Krka National Park, a gem of Croatia and home to breathtaking waterfalls and gorges. We’ll witness the city's crystalline river rushing through the canyon against a green, mountainous backdrop as we ascend to the top of the waterfalls by bus and then hike to the bottom. On the way we’ll learn about how this water was used (and is still used today) to power local corn mills. At the end of the hike, we’ll enjoy a boat ride to the town of Skradin.

Your next stop is Jurlinovi Dvori, a Dalmatian estate with an ethnographic gallery. Enjoy a homemade lunch, prepared with centuries-old local recipes from homemade products, including Babić wine — a vintage derived from Primosten vineyards, which is strong and dry to represent the harsh land it grew on. After, depart back to Šibenik.

Tonight, enjoy a performance by local musicians on board your ship.

Included Features:

• Krka National Park hike and boat ride
• Šibenik guided walking tour

Cultural Discoveries:

• Jurlinovi Dvori traditional lunch

Hvar, a popular celebrity destination, is known for its vast fields of lavender, ancient olive trees, and fruit orchards. Set off on a guided walking tour this morning and learn the port town's history, hear about local legends, and visit the lace museum inside the Benedictine Monastery. Aloe lace is made in Croatia only by the nuns of this monastery, and it is designated by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage feature.

Later, discover even more on an island tour, including a visit to Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return for lunch on board and take the afternoon to explore Hvar at your leisure. You may also choose to go swimming, snorkeling, or fishing (weather permitting). Active travelers shouldn't miss the walk to Hvar Fortress, (entry fee included). Following your day of exploration, you'll head back to the ship where you can take part in an informative lecture on board.

Enjoy dinner onboard. You ship will set sail later this evening.

Included Features:

• Tour of Hvar town
• Hvar island tour with Stari Grad Plain

Cultural Discovery:

• Visit a lace museum in a Benedictine monastery in Hvar
• Afternoon lecture on board

You will be met by a local guide and enjoy a tour of Dubrovnik's Old City — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — introducing you to its most heralded landmarks, as well as its hidden gems. Following the tour, you’ll relax in a centuries-old church for a Vantage-exclusive private classical concert by the Sorkočević Quartet, who are members of the Croatian National Philharmonic Orchestra.

You’ll return to the ship for lunch. Following lunch on board, enjoy a leisurely afternoon and evening. You'll be supplied with a one-day Dubrovnik card, which provides free entrance to numerous sites around the city, including access to the walkway atop the walls surrounding the Old City. Your Cruise Director and Destination Manager will be happy to recommend activities to do and places to see.

Included Feature:

• Half-day tour of Dubrovnik’s Old City

Cultural Discovery:

• Vantage-exclusive private classical concert

You’ll have the day at leisure today to explore more of Dubrovnik on your own. Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik is filled with a plethora of intriguing attractions dating back several centuries.

One of city’s best-known features is the old city walls, even more so since being featured on the popular television series Game of Thrones. Built in the 10^th century, these walls were used to provide defense against enemy invaders. From here, the views of the Adriatic and the Old City center are spectacular.

The Stradun walkway is also a popular spot for visitors and locals alike. Aside from boasting many cafés and retail facilities, this is also one of Europe’s most picturesque pedestrian thoroughfares.

Another popular activity for visitors to Dubrovnik is to head to the hills via the Dubrovnik Cable Car. You’ll soar high above the Old Town, up Srd Hill, with the views only getting better and better the higher you ascend. When you reach the top, you’ll find the ­century Imperial Fortress, which houses a fascinating exhibit pertaining to the Homeland War of 1991-1995. There's also a restaurant boasting spectacular views over the Old Town, along with unique shopping, including a fascinating traditional coin minting blacksmith shop.

Following your day of discoveries, you can return to the ship and enjoy some time to relax and unwind before tonight’s dinner on board.

This morning you'll experience the Bay of Kotor, about which the poet Lord Byron wrote, “The Bay of Kotor, a submerged river canyon surrounded by dramatic rising mountain cliffs, is the jewel of the coast of Montenegro.” Tucked away at the head of the bay is the town of Kotor featuring intriguing medieval fortifications. Enjoy scenic sailing in the morning before you disembark at the port. Here, you’ll learn the town's history — which is believed to stretch back as far as the first century — while you walk the charming tangle of Old World streets. The city’s walls stretch up more than 800 feet from sea level to the fortress of Saint Giovanni. The views are sure to take your breath away, from medieval churches to staggering mountains.

Heading toward Dubrovnik, you’ll follow the winding Bay of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy a beautiful stretch of scenic sailing. With its narrow profile and steep walls, Kotor’s bay is often called Europe’s southernmost fjord. Technically however, the bay is not a true, glacier-carved fjord, but rather a ria, or submerged river valley. Tonight, enjoy an informative onboard lecture.

Included Feature:

• Tour of Kotor
• Sail through UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor

Cultural Discovery:

• Onboard Lecture

Enjoy a splendid day on the scenic island of Corfu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site adorned with Venetian inspiration and a lively local lifestyle. Once you step ashore, you'll have the opportunity to explore Corfu's east side, full of traditional bars, restaurants, and shops framed by winding alleyways.

During your time in Corfu, you'll indulge in a tour of one of its most famed attractions — the elegant Achilleion Palace. Dating back to 1890, this property was the brainchild of Empress Elizabeth of Austria (also known as Sisi), who was fond of the island and visited often. Each floor is adorned with lavish decor, including bronze and stone statues of fabled Greek gods in the palace and the surrounding gardens.

After your tour, enjoy lunch back onboard and a relaxing afternoon at leisure. Tonight, enjoy an onboard lecture before dinner.

Included Features:

• Scenic sailing before a tour of Corfu Town
• Tour of Achilleion Palace

Cultural Discovery:

• Onboard lecture

This morning, we’ll dock in Katakolon – where you will be able to step easily off the ship – and enjoy scenic drives through the villages of Peloponnese. Then, you'll have a full day where the ancient Olympic Games originated — Olympia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Surrounded by a natural setting of beauty and serenity, the archeological site dates back to the 10th century B.C., where it first became a sanctuary for the gods and a place to worship Zeus. Alongside temples, there are remains of various sporting venues from the festive games that began in 776 BC.

In the afternoon, you'll be delighted to join in on a traditional Greek lunch at the Magna Grecia, a family-owned Greek agrotourism farm. After a guided tour, sample its house made wine and olive oils while being regaled with local entertainment to boot.

Included Feature:

• Tour of Olympia

Cultural Discovery:

• Visit to Magna Grecia agrotourism farm for lunch, wine and olive oil tasting, and local entertainment

Today you’ll explore the well-preserved city of Messini. With its many significant sanctuaries, public buildings, and imposing fortifications, it has the advantage of never having been destroyed or covered by later settlements. Located on an unspoiled inland site, Messini was fortified to withstand Spartan incursions, with  its wall descending from the sides of Ithomi mountain and reaching to the Lacinic and Arcadian gates. Within the walls, you’ll find significant monuments dating back to the 4^th century. Admire the site of the Asclepeio, once the meeting place of the Messinian assembly, surrounded by a dual stoa, theatre, and bouleuterion. You'll have time to view notable temples and monuments before returning to the ship.

Included Feature:

• Ancient Messini visit

This morning, we’ll berth in Piraeus, where you will disembark the Ocean Odyssey to conclude your journey here in Greece. Today, enjoy a panoramic tour of Athens, the country's sophisticated capital. Mythology and ancient history come alive here, as you’ll see at the iconic Acropolis. It was here that Poseidon and Athena were said to have fought to determine who would be patron of the city. This was the architectural pinnacle of Athens, crowned by its breathtaking Parthenon. You’ll also visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Parliament House on Constitution Square, the Pan Athenian Stadium, and the Presidential Palace. Along the famed Panepistimiou Avenue, pass the Catholic Cathedral, Academy of Athens, the University of Athens, and the National Library. Enjoy lunch on your own, perhaps dining in the charming Plaka district, nestled at the foot of Acropolis Hill.

Enjoy your afternoon at leisure in Athens, with so much to discover — from extensive shopping options to open-air markets to museums and beyond. Lunch and Dinner are on your own tonight, and you're in luck: Athens restaurants are world-class, but so is its street food — at a fraction of the cost. Don't miss souvlaki, fava purée and pita, a classic Greek salad, or anything with feta cheese. Your conveniently located hotel is also just a stone’s throw from abundance of local restaurants and food stands. Settle into your room for the evening, with views of Greece's energetic capital.

• Athens panoramic walking tour, including the Acropolis

You have the day at leisure to set out into the Cradle of Civilization to uncover some of its less-explored paths. If you’re looking to shop for a deal, head over to the Monastiraki flea market, the atmospheric agora of secondhand treasures. Or perhaps you’ll brush up on your ancient history at the Acropolis Museum or the Athens Archaeological Museum. Alternatively, you can relax in your hotel and enjoy its sumptuous amenities, from the rooftop swimming pool to the spa.

Back at the hotel, say goodbye to fellow travelers at your Farewell Dinner.

Following breakfast this morning, you’ll transfer to the Athens airport for your flight home. Or, continue to Istanbul, Turkey, for your post-trip extension.