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Lands of the Adriatic - 2009 Venice to Dubrovnik
Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania aboard M.S. Andrea |
| 11 Days/10 Nights - August 7,27, October 6, 2009
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Day 1, Venice, Italy
Arrive in Venice, the magnificent "Queen of the Adriatic," and embark M.S. Andrea. Remain in port overnight.
Day 2, Venice
Venice occupies 117 islands in the azure waters of the Adriatic. This lagoon city is a labyrinth of canals, flanked by majestic palaces, merchants' mansions, and breathtaking baroque churches. Venice's legendary maritime heroes, such as Marco Polo, plied the Levantine trading routes. The wealth of the entire Mediterranean flowed through the Venetian Republic, adorning the city in the splendors that illuminate it today. An optional tour including St. Mark's Square provides a wealth of sights from the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs to the Campanile and St. Mark's Cathedral.
Day 3, Koper, Slovenia
Originally an ancient Roman town, Koper allied itself with Venice in 1278, then became part of Yugoslavia after World War II. The Venetian Old City remains intact, with piazze and palazzi crumbling with authentic medieval charm. An optional excursion takes you through the karst region, an area of dry white limestone, to the Postojna Caverns, an astonishing netherworld of stalactites and stalagmites that is Europe's largest.
Day 4, Zadar, Croatia
Zadar has the look and feel of an ancient Mediterranean city: the streets are paved with gleaming white stone, and the high protective walls – with portions dating to Roman and early medieval times – run alongside the harbor. Join us for an optional walking tour including Zadar's 9th-century Church of St. Donatus built on the remains of a Roman Forum and one of the region's most famous monuments. Other sights include the ancient City Gates, the Franciscan Monastery and Church, and the imposing 12th-century Romanesque Cathedral of St. Anastasia. Stroll along the harbor's tree-lined promenade, and be enchanted by the new "sea organ," whose 35 pipes produce otherworldly melodies from the sea winds. Arrive in Split this evening and remain overnight.
Day 5, Split
The Emperor Diocletian had a rough time maintaining order in the late Roman Empire. So when he retired in AD 305, he established a gargantuan palace in Split to live out his golden years. Improbably, the palace still exists – and forms the historic core of Split, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An optional tour of Split includes Diocletian's Mausoleum and the Temple of Jupiter, both fully preserved though converted to Christian uses during the Middle Ages; but the tremendous thrill here is to walk through an ancient edifice completely integrated with contemporary life, its chambers and porticos having become cafés, apartments, and storefronts. We also visit sculptor Ivan Mestrovic's handsome gallery and studio on the nearby Marjan Peninsula.
Day 6, Ploce / Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Located on the banks of the Neretva River, the imposing city of Mostar achieved renown under the reign of the Ottoman Turks in the 15th century. Damaged during the hostilities of the 1990s, Mostar has recently been restored to its original splendor by UNESCO, which has declared it a World Heritage Site. Our optional excursion will include visits to the legendary Stari Most (old bridge), the Tabacica Mosque, and the city’s bazaar, featuring extraordinary works of silver and copper. Lunch will be offered in a local restaurant, followed by free time before returning to the ship. Arrive in Korcula this evening and remain overnight.
Day 7, Korcula, Croatia
Charming views of Korcula’s harbor greet visitors as they wend their way through the city’s narrow alleyways to the Marco Polo House, where the famous explorer is said to have been born in 1254. Our optional tour includes the Cathedral of St. Mark, the largest and most beautiful building in Korcula, which contains a wealth of artistic masterworks including paintings by Tintoretto. Another highlight is the Treasury, with its eclectic collection of paintings, jewelry, fine furniture and historic documents. Shop for handmade Croatian folk art near the City Gate, or relax at one of the picturesque waterfront cafés.
Day 8, Sarande, Albania / Butrint
On today’s optional tour, drive the short distance to Butrint, a beautiful place with an intriguing past. Its history as a Greek colony, Roman city and bishopric was followed by turbulent times involving the Byzantines, Normans, Angevins, Venetians and Ottoman Turks. The Butrint Foundation was set up by Lord Rothschild and Lord Sainsbury in 1993 as a charitable trust. Its principle objective is to restore and preserve the Butrint site in southern Albania for the benefit of all.
Day 9, Kotor, Montenegro
We approach Kotor via the Boka Kotorska, or Gulf of Kotor, the only fjord in southern Europe. It's an astonishing sight – the deep blue waters of the gulf, a strip of subtropical Mediterranean vegetation, then the bold, rocky cliffs and mountains towering overhead. Fortified since the Middle Ages, Kotor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its medieval town center and the 12th-century Cathedral of St. Tryphon. Our morning walking tour of the town is optional. Arrive in Dubrovnik this evening and remain overnight.
Day 10, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik is a breathtaking sight, entirely surrounded by massive grey walls of stone, interspersed with four gates, three forts, five bastions and 14 square towers. Known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic," this grand UNESCO World Heritage Site once competed with Venice for the riches of eastern trade, amassing pride and fortune enough to dapple its streets with world-class Romanesque-Gothic design. Our optional city tour includes the Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries, the Onofrio Fountain, the Rector's Palace, the Sponza Palace and the cathedral. A stroll along Stradun – the Old Town's wide pedestrian promenade – allows you to discover Dubrovnik's many fine shops, cafés and boutiques at leisure. Remain in port overnight.
Day 11, Dubrovnik
Disembark M.S. Andrea.
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| MORE
INFO |
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| SHIP
STATISTICS |
| Flag:
Liberian
Nationality of Officers: European
Nationality of Crew: European
Number of Crew: 48
Official Language:
English
Passenger Capacity: 120
Ship Speed: 18 knots
Tonnage: 2,620 GRT
Length: 287 Feet
Beam: 43,5 Feet |
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| DAY |
PORT
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ARRIVAL |
DEPARTURE |
| 1 |
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EMBARK, 4 PM |
overnight |
| 2 |
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6:00 PM |
| 3 |
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7:00 AM |
6:00 PM |
| 4 |
|
7:00 AM |
2:00 PM |
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8:00 AM |
RON |
| 5 |
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---- |
11:00 PM |
| 6 |
|
7:00 AM |
5:00 PM |
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|
8:00 AM |
RON |
| 7 |
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---- |
2:00 PM |
| 8 |
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8:00 AM |
5:00 PM |
| 9 |
|
8:00 AM |
1:00 PM |
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5:00 PM |
RON |
| 10 |
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RON |
| 11 |
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DISEMBARK |
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| sCruise Rates (per person) |
Category
4 Inside
3 Outside
2 Deluxe
1 Master
Suite
Sup. Single
Std. Single
Port charges: |
Rate
$ 3,495
$ 4,695
$ 6,195
$ 7,395
$ 8,795
$ 5,795
$ 5,095
$ 110 |
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