Vantage World Travel

Adriatic Cruise and Italy - 16D/15N

Cruise along the coast of the Adriatic Sea aboard the M/V Arion.

Zardar is located in central Dalmatia and is one of the Adriatic’s most historically interesting towns with a wealth of sightseeing and exciting nightlife. Traveling to Zardar is like peeling back layers of time. This walled peninsula town contains Roman ruins from its days as a Roman colony, the Byzantine-style St. Donat Church and 16th century walls built by the Venetians after they subjugated the rebellious city. Zardar was founded by the Romans, attacked by the Turks, ruled by the Austrians, and made part of Italy until 1943 when the Germans moved in. Allied bombing destroyed most of the historic center which was rebuilt after the war only to suffer more attacks by Yugoslav forces in 1991. In recent years, Zardar has undergone a startling revival. Cafes and bars are filled, musems and churches have been restored and tourists pour in to take boats to nearby islands such as Pag, Dugi Otok, or Biograd. It makes a good base for exploring Paklenica National Park.

Dubrovnik has a remarkable history. As an independent merchant republic for 700 years, it traded with Turkey and India in the East and had trade reprisentatives in Africa. It even had diplomatic relations with the English cour in the middle ages. Its status was such that powerful and rich Venice was envious of this Croation-Slav city. The old town was completed in the 13th century and remains virtually unchanged to the present day. Tall ramparts surround it and there are only two entrances to the old town which lead to the Stradun, the city’s promenade. One of the greatest pleasures for visitors is to have a drink at one of the nearby cafes and watch the world go by.

Split is Croatia’s second largest city and remains one of the Adriatic’s most fascinating ports with a long and eventful history. It offers a wealth of museums and Roman ruins under a dramatic mountain backdrop and opens onto a vast expanse of sea. The town makes an excellent base for exploring the wonders of Split-Dalmatia country, not to mention the many islands that lie just offshore. Split’s Old Town is exhilarating with plenty of sights.

Venice: is built on 117 small islands and holds 150 canals, connected by 409 bridges. The entire city covers an area of only 284 miles. Travelers, cautious while in other cities not to get lost, are encouraged to roam the streets and canals to really discover the city. The mysterious alleyways create an endless maze of backstreets and deserted squares; a perfect place to walk for hours on end and escape the touristic side of Venice.

Florence is a Renaissance city famous for its art and architecture. History and culture can be found around every corner, tucked among the city’s many piazzas, beautiful churches, and fascinating museums. The spectacular Uffizi Gallery houses the works of such masters as Titan, Botticelli, Michaelangelo, and da Vinci. Don’t miss the Duomo, the symbol of Florence; the sunset of the Arno River; or the famous wines of the region.

Rome is a city different from any other, where history and legend proceed side by side, enterlaced together. Tourists are able to admire treasures of art, architecture and history; combining a sense of living history with a bustling, lively capital city. Rome was not only the capital of the Roman Empire, but was, and still is, the center of Roman Catholocism Christianity. The Vatican has been a state since 1920, with the Pope as its head. This tiny enclave in the heart of Rome is the world’s smallest independent state. The Vatican is the richest country in the world per square foot and has a total population of only 750.

Included: 7 nights cruise aboard m/v Arion in inside cabins Cat. 1; upgrades to categories 2 - 6 are available. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily onboard. First class hotels, rooms with private facilities. Service charges and hotel taxes. Land tour: breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 3 dinners including wine. Inter-city travel and sightseeing by modern motor-coach. Professional English speaking Cruise Manager/ Tour Director. Airport transfers. Luggage handling. SPECIAL FEATURES: Wine tasting with local special ties at Tuscan countryside farm. Dinner with Opera singers in Rome. Wine and mineral water with all dinners. Whisper technology enhanced touring. SIGHTSEEING TOURS INCLUDED: Venice: Doge’s Palace, Florence: Michaelangelo’s David, Assisi: Basilica of St. Francis, Rome: Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel, Forum and Colosseum.

Not Included: Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary. Any airfare. Passport or visa fees. Any items of a personal nature.

Cruise Ship Cabin: Inside (Ocean/Main/Upper Deck); Outside port-hole (Ocean/Main Deck); Outside window (Upper/Promendade/Navigator Deck); Outside superior window (Navigator Deck).
Accommodations: Venice: Carlton Hotel. Florence: Grand Hotel Adriatico. Rome: Massimo D’Azeglio Hotel.

Departures: 2010: 2-May; 16-May; 30-May; 13-Jun; 27-Jun; 29-Aug; 5-Sep; 12-Sep; 19-Sep; 26-Sep.

Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrive in Venice or Ljubljana, Sunday - Transfer from the airport to the port of Koper, for embarkation between 4 PM and 10 PM. Late evening departure towards Zadar (overnight sailing). (D)
• Day 02: Zadar, Monday - Monday morning arrival in Zadar, the oldest Slavic city on the Adriatic, once famed cultural center. Optional tour to Plitvice National Park with breathtaking scenery of 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation, also listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage list Optional tour of Zadar includes the ruins of the Roman Forum, the Romanesque Cathedral of St. Anastasia, the Church of St. Donat, the Church of St. Mary and Benedictine Convent. Depart Zadar at 8 PM sailing to Ploce. (B,L,D)
• Day 03: Ploce, Tuesday morning - Morning arrival in Ploce, a large commercial port located in Central Dalmatia. Optional tour to Mostar, a famous old city in Bosnia and Herzegovina) where you will see the reconstructed old bridge built by the occupying Turkish forces some 500 years ago. Depart Ploce at 2:30 PM sailing to Korcula. Korcula, Tuesday afternoon - Arrive in Korcula, birth place of Marco Polo, on Tuesday afternoon. You can visit the main square and see the Cathedral Square and nearby Marco Polo’s family house. In the evening enjoy optional performance of Moreska, the island’s unique version of Morris Dance. Depart Korucla at 11 PM. (B,L,D)
• Day 04: Kotor, Wednesday - Morning arrival in Kotor, Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor and the old town of Kotor are both on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Bay of Kotor is actually the largest European Fjord outside of Norway. Optional tour to the former capital city of Cetinje or Montenegro’s Grand Tour of the Riviera. Leave Kotor towards Albania at 10:30 PM (B,L,D)
• Day 05 : Durres, Thursday - Morning arrival in the port of Durres, the most important maritime gate of Albania, also well known for its nice Riviera. Optional tour to Tirana, the country’s capital city, only 40 kilometers away. Spend a full day discovering the city, including typical lunch in a local restaurant. At 10:00 start sailing towards Dubrovnik. (B,L,D)
• Day 06: Dubrovnik, Friday - Arrive Dubrovnik in the morning. Entering the gates of this over 1000 years old architectural marvel is like a step back in time. Optional tour: City tour includes the Rector’s Palace, Bell Tower clock, Orlando’s Column and the Sponza Palace. Also see the Dominican’s Monastery and Franciscan Monastery housing one of the oldest pharmacies in the world. Optional Folklore Performance. (B,L,D)
• Day 07: Split, Saturday - Morning arrival in Split. Optional tour of Split features the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO world heritage sight. See the remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, it’s Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle and the Cathedral. Optional tour to nearby Trogir, the center of artistic activities. Scholars from around the world gather to study and paint here. In the afternoon sail back to Koper. (B,L,D)



• Day 08: Koper to Venice, Sunday - Disembark after breakfast (after 9 AM). Transfer to your hotel in Venice. The rest of the day is at leisure. Meet your fellow travelers for orientation meeting with the tour director, followed by a welcome dinner. (D)
• Day 09: in Venice, Monday - Your morning tour of Venice will start with a boat ride to the world famous Murano Island, known for its fine glasswork industry. Then, the walking tour of Venice will begin with St. Mark’s Square, to view the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs, and visit the Doge’s Palace. The remainder of day is free. (B)
• Day 10: to Florence, Tuesday - Leave Venice toward Pisa for a visit. Upon arrival, view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with it’s Leaning Tower, the Baptisery, the Duomo, and the Monumental Cemetery. Continue on to Florence, stopping to visit a local Tuscan farm in the countryside for a lunch and wine tasting with local specialties. Overnight in Florence. (B,L)
• Day 11: in Florence, Wednesday - Today our morning tour begins with a visit to the Accademia of Fine Arts, the home of Michelangelo’s David. Walk to the splendid Duomo with it’s maginifcent dome designed by Brunelleschi, and see the Baptistery with its renowned “Gates of Paradise”. Continue to explore the open air art museum of Signoria Square ending at Ponte Vecchio, known as the “Old Bridge”. Remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
• Day 12: in Florence, Thursday - Enjoy a full day at leisure in Florence to explore the city on your own. (B)
• Day 13: to Rome, Friday - Leave Florence via “Sun Route” motorway toward medieval city of Assisi, renowned for its 13th Century Basilica of St. Francis and Giotto Frescoes. Continue to your hotel in Rome. Dinner and overnight. (B,D)
• Day 14: in Rome, Saturday - Morning visit the Vatican and its breathtaking museum including the Sistine Chapel. Stroll thru St. Peter’s Square, passing Bernini’s famous colonnade, to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, where you will view Michaelangelo’s Pieta. Afternoon is at leisure. (B)
• Day 15: in Rome, Sunday - Sightseeing tour of this ancient city takes you to the Roman Forum, the triumphal Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus and the Colosseum, the largest amphitheater built in the Roman Empire. Afternoon is at leisure. Tonight, dine in a typical Roman restaurant with wine and music, then enjoy an illuminated tour of the city. (B,D)
• Day 16: departing Rome, Monday - After breakfast we transfer you to airport for your homebound flight. (B)

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