Slovenia and Croatia

Settle in at our hotel, then gather this evening with fellow travelers for a welcome reception and dinner.

This morning, set out on a walking tour of the car-free old town, visiting its sprawling Central Market and Preseren Square, heart of the historic center, and walking across the famous Dragon Bridge with its four menacing copper dragons. Ride the funicular to the top of Castle Hill and then enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Today we venture to stunning, cobalt-blue Lake Bled in the Julian Alps, where we enjoy a private boat ride to a church-crowned islet. Then visit Bled Castle and, after a lakeside lunch, return to Ljubljana for dinner on our own.

Bid farewell to Slovenia as we cross into Croatia. Upon arrival in Zagreb, take a walking tour of the Upper Town, stopping at the mosaic-roofed St. Mark’s Church, the Stone Gate, Strossmayer Promenade and the 13th-century Lotrscak Tower, which has been firing its cannons at noon every day since 1877 to alert the city’s churches to ring their noontime bells. Enjoy dining independently this evening.

Set out this morning for stunning Plitviče Lakes National Park filled with beautiful lakes, caves, and waterfalls. Hike to see the splashing cascades that have formed over thousands of years from water flowing over the limestone landscape creating natural tufa dams. After lunch, drive to Zadar for a walking tour of the Old Town, stopping to meet with local artisans who teach us to blow glass. Later this afternoon, embark the Queen Eleganza, our home for the next seven nights.

Cruise to UNESCO-designated Trogir, where we dock this overnight. Enjoy time at leisure this evening to explore the maze-like, narrow pedestrian streets and the beautiful seafront promenade.

On a walking tour of the Old Town, delve into the history of this medieval town with its Romanesque churches and Renaissance and Romanesque buildings from the Venetian period. Then reboard the Queen Eleganza for lunch as we cruise to Split, a Greek settlement that later served as an important seaport in the Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Austro-Hungarian empires. Visit the sprawling, fortress-like Diocletian’s Palace, considered one of the world’s best-preserved examples of Roman architecture. Enjoy an evening at leisure for independent dining along Split’s waterfront.

During lunch onboard, cruise to lovely, lavender-scented Hvar Island, where we visit the elegant main square and meet with the nuns who make lace from aloe threads at the Benedictine Monastery. Spend the evening at leisure strolling among its restaurant-lined avenues.

Spend the morning sailing Croatia’s scenic coastline as our lecture program continues, arriving this afternoon in Korčula, considered to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. Take a walking tour of the fortified Old Town with its narrow, stepped streets, taking in the ancient walls and massive entrance gates. Then venture to the interior of the island for a wine tasting accompanied by local specialties. Enjoy free time for independent exploration and dinner on our own.

Walk, e-bike or kayak among the Aleppo pine forests and saltwater lakes of Mljet National Park. Dine tonight in an agrotourism home and enjoy a traditional peka meal, where meat and potatoes are slowly roasted over coals under an iron bell.

Spend this morning cruising to Dubrovnik. Then, visit the iconic sites of Dubrovnik, considered the crown jewel of the Adriatic with its magnificent walls, marble streets and stunning baroque architecture that speaks to a rich artistic history. Reboard the ship to toast our journey at the Captain’s farewell reception and dinner.

After breakfast, depart for the airport to catch flights home.