South Dalmatia Route: Dubrovnik – Dubrovnik

Your embarkation is at 5:00 PM.

After a short greeting and introduction with the crew and a boat, you will set sail for Šipan – your first destination. Šipan is part of archipelago called Elafiti islands, that consists of about 10 islands and isles that spread across the open sea just in front of Dubrovnik towards northwest. This archipelago, named after deer, who unfortunately no longer live on these islands, attract tourists with its untouched nature and beautiful beaches. You will soon realize that Šipan is a perfect place for you to relax on your first evening on board. Šipan was for centuries a favorite holiday spot for Dubrovnik nobility. On the island itself there are 42 ruins of villas and holiday homes built by prominent citizens of Dubrovnik in the 16th and 17th century. The most famous and best preserved among them is the one of the Stijepović-Skočibuha family located in the village of Suđurađ. Next to this villa Tomo Skočibuha, rich shipbuilder and trader from Dubrovnik, built also a defensive tower, to protect his family and property from pirate attacks. This house is a great example of renaissance architecture, and it can be visited every day during the summer. Suđutađ is connected with a road with the second largest village on the island –Šipanska Luka (Šipan Port). This road, that goes through beautiful Šipan field, offers a perfect biking or hiking tour. Down the way you can visit some of the ruins of villas or some of 34 old churches, located on the island. One of them, the Church of St. Maria in Pakljena from the 13th century was known as a gathering place of the Templar order. Enjoy your walk through this pristine nature and discover what has, for centuries, attracted people to these islands, in their search for salvation from everyday bustle. Šipan is also the island of olive trees and it has been listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the island with the highest number of olive trees compared to its size and number of people living there.

After this visit to a charming and busy Korčula, you will have another day of relaxation surrounded with untouched nature. And is there a better place to find pristine nature then to visit the farthest inhabited Croatian island – Lastovo. As one of 46 isles that create Lastovo archipelago, this island was more than four decades closed for foreign visitors (as a military zone) and that way remained protected from the influence of mass tourism. Often referred to as the island of the bright stars, Lastovo is known to offer the clearest night sky in Europe. So here is an idea how to spend your evening tonight. Enjoy romantic star gazing, as the sky filled with so many bright stars you will not experience so often. Lastovo is also, together with Mljet, known as the greenest island in Adriatic as 70% of the island surface is covered with forests. Untouched nature, rich Mediterranean flora and fauna, habitats of many endemic species, enchanting underwater life are some of the many reasons why this island was declared a nature park, and was protected this way. Hiking and cycling are the best ways to explore the island as there are many marked trails. It is also good to know that there aren’t any venomous snakes on the whole island. We suggest you to visit Hum, the highest peak of the island and from there enjoy magnificent views of the whole archipelago and the open sea. If you are lucky enough and the sky is clear, somewhere in the far distance you can even see Italy. For all those who are not so much into a recreation, a short walk to village Lastovo, the center of the island, should be enough. Lastovo is the only settlement on the island that is located far from the sea, surrounded only with hills. Mostly known for its unique chimneys, Lastovo is a beautiful little village. With its amphitheatric layout, narrow streets and old houses it offers the true spirit of the Mediterranean. Spend your day in search of chimneys, each one different in its own way and each one more beautiful than the other.

Today you will sail to the sunniest island on the Adriatic – island Hvar. You will spend your day in some beautiful bay on island Šćedro or island Hvar: sunbath and relax, enjoy water sports and have lunch aboard surrounded with beautiful nature. In the afternoon, you will visit the center of the island, town with the same name – Hvar. Town of Hvar is already well known to most of the tourists coming to Croatia, as the night life paradise, but Hvar has so much more to offer. With a rich history, as Venetian center of the island, Hvar offers many historical attractions mostly dated in the 16th and 17th century. Central part of the town is Pjaca, main square, the largest and the most beautiful one in Dalmatia. The square is surrounded by St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Bishop’s palace and Arsenal. Hvar has also had the oldest public theatre in Europe, formed in 1612., located in the Arsenal. We advise you to take a short walk to the fortress Fortica and enjoy a stunning view on the Pakleni islands, an island chain that protects Hvar harbor from the south. Besides history, nature is something that will fascinate you on Hvar: from the magical lavender fields filled with enchanting scents, to fascinating vineyards on the south side of the island to the studding hidden bays and coves on the island chain of Pakleni islands that offer perfect anchoring spots. So, after spending the evening in the busy town of Hvar you will be ready to fully enjoy the peacefulness of night spent in some hidden bay on Pakleni islands. If you seek for a unique souvenir from this island – lavender flowers or lace from agave plant made by nuns from Benedictine monastery would be the perfect choices.

After a day spent in the busiest town on the Adriatic, you will have a few hours of relaxed sailing before you reach your next destination – peninsula Pelješac. Anchored in some hidden cove, isolated from anything that could disturb your inner peace, you will spend your day on Pelješac, sunbathing and enjoying various water toys available on board. Surrounded by crystal clear waters and the sounds of nature, you will soon realize that there is no other place you would rather be. Read your favorite book, listen to your favorite music and enjoy spending time with your family and friends in your own private part of heaven. All surrounded by top service, while enjoying the new gastronomic experiences that the chef will prepare just for you. If this sounds too uneventful for your taste, do not worry as Pelješac offers many possibilities that have yet to be explored. Pelješac is the second largest peninsula in Croatia, and it is mainly known to be a wine paradise as it’s mild climate and its position offer perfect conditions for grape ripening. So, here’s an idea – do a wine tour and visit one of the many wineries located on the peninsula. Crew can also organize you a day trip to visit Ston – largest and most famous settlement on the peninsula. You can walk the magnificent defensive stonewall (almost 7 km long), claimed to be second largest in the world (just after the Great wall of China) or visit a well-known saltern. You can even volunteer in salt harvest in some periods during the summer. Ston is also a perfect place to enjoy the most unique gastronomic experience – raw oysters freshly taken from the sea and served with just a drop of lemon juice. Prepare your taste buds! Restaurants on Pelješac are all well known to serve marvelous seafood.

On this route you will also visit one national park – Mljet, located on the island with the same name. Mljet is often called Odyssey’s island as there is a Homer’s story about Odyssey’s journey and a shipwreck next to the island called Ogigia. After shipwreck Odyssey woke up in a cave where nymph Calypso use to live. He fell in love with her and she kept him as a prisoner on the island for almost 7 years. Many believe that the island from this story is actually Mljet and in support of this theory they mention the fact that a beautiful cave named after Odysseus, is located on this island. Nevertheless, Mljet is truly a mystical island. Covered with dense forests, rich in plant and animal species, with four wells which do not ever dry out and two salt lakes that represent a natural phenomenon, Mljet is a true wonder of nature. You will arrive on Mljet sometime in the morning so there will be enough time for you to explore the island. You will have lunch aboard and after that we advise you to visit the park. You can take a walk or rent a bike and marked walking paths will direct you to the Big and Small lake, two most visited park attractions. A very interesting fact is that in the middle of the Big lake there is another small island. Benedictine monastery located on this island, is now turned into a restaurant but for a long time this monastery was the cultural center of Mljet. While living here Benedictine monks for centuries looked out that the nature on the island stays untouched, living with prayer and coexistence with the island’s wild life. Partly this is the reason why Mljet is still so magically beautiful, spared from excessive human influence, it represents a true paradise on earth.

Long time ago famous writer George Bernard Shaw wrote: ““Those who seek paradise on earth should come to see Dubrovnik.” And today, after almost hundred years, Dubrovnik still continues to amaze and inspire visitors from all over the world. Known as the pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is really one of our top destinations. Located on the south of Croatian coast, near the border to Montenegro, this town was the center of Republic of Ragusa, a free state that for centuries resisted the onslaught of powerful neighboring rulers and with skillful diplomacy maintained its freedom at a time when all the surrounding areas were under foreign rule. Even today, the inhabitants of Dubrovnik are proud of their historical freedom and it has been and remains an important part of their culture and identity. So, on your last day you will visit this proud city that has survived few earthquakes and wars and it still continues to shine in its full splendor.  When arriving to Dubrovnik by boat, while watching how the sea touches the stone cliffs on which city walls have been build, you can just imagine what hides behind them. Beautifully preserved old city, with its cobblestone streets, stunning buildings, monasteries and fortresses tells the story of a life that passed long time ago. We suggest you to start the visit by walking the city walls, enter the city gates, walk the Stradun street, visit Retors and Sponza palace and the town cathedral where remains of town protector St Blaise have been kept. Visit also Fran-ciscan monastery with the oldest Pharmacy in Europe. There is so much to see in Dubrovnik. Large number of city museums just continue this list (Archaeological Museum, Maritime Mu-seum, Franciscan Monastery Museum, Museum of Modern Art Dubrovnik, Love Stories Mu-seum, Gornji Ugao Tower etc). Enjoy the unforgettable views from one of the city fortresses or city walls or even better – unique view from Mount Srđ were you arrive with cable car. Af-ter seeing all this you will not be surprised why Dubrovnik was chosen as the filming location for some famous movies and TV series (like Game of Thrones, Star Wars etc). In Dubrovnik, history is combined with colorful and diverse gastronomy, stunning views, rich cultural and nightlife and a huge choice for sport and adrenalin lovers. There is something for everybody.  So, enter the city gates and start exploring this wonderful town. You will not be disappointed!

Your disembarkation is at 9:00 AM. The breakfast will be served on board. Enjoy your last cup of coffee with this never-to-be-forgotten view. If you have an extra day or two, we suggest you to stay in Dubrovnik and visit all of the town attractions or go north and visit Split – the second largest town in Croatia and another Adriatic pearl. Hope to see you in Croatia again!