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9 Jul 26, from £4,560
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Croatia's Dalmatian Coast by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys

Croatia's Dalmatian Coast by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

  • Itinerary
    Venice to Dubrovnik
    Duration
    8 days
  • Dates
    9 Jul 26 to 16 Jul 26
    Prices from
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Come aboard Le Bougainville for an unforgettable voyage.

In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.

This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.    

The eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, the Dalmatian Coast, is rich in the culture and art of the ancient, medieval, and Renaissance worlds and home to some of the most charming and welcoming towns and villages to be found anywhere. The relatively short distances traveled on this voyage (it is less than 350 nautical miles from Venice to Dubrovnik) means that you have ample time to explore each port of call and savor what it has to offer— the time to relax and soak in the sights and sounds, tastes and smells of a very special corner of the world.

After Venice, your first stop is in Rovinj on the Istrian Peninsula, where you may choose to tour the city, once the center of Venetian administration of the peninsula, or participate in a truffle hunt and tasting, or sample the vintages of the Matosecic wine cellar.

A menu of choices awaits you in Zadar: a tour of the ancient city's Roman ruins and medieval churches that includes a tasting of the local maraschino liqueur; or an exploration of the unique vegetation and marine fauna of the uninhabited Kornati Archipelago.

The third day of your voyage begins in Primošten with a visit to Krka National Park and its famous travertine waterfalls, after which you sail to Split, home of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diocletian's Palace, a massive structure that encloses the entire medieval town. Le Bougainville remains docked here until midnight, affording the opportunity to linger ashore well into the evening.

On the incredibly fertile island of Hvar, known for its fields of rosemary, lavender, and laurel, tour the island’s charming principal town of Stari Grad, or get away from the coast and visit a lavender farm in the countryside, where you will encounter some of the most beautiful views available on Croatia.

About 30 miles from Hvar is the island of Korcula, where a morning tour of the quaint streets of this medieval city, once home to Marco Polo, includes a performance of the Moreška sword dance. During lunch, sail to nearby Mljet Island, which local legend identifies with Calypso and Odysseus’s seven-year dalliance, to explore Mljet National Park.

You will want to be on deck as Le Bougainville sails into the deep, fjord-like Bay of Kotor to the UNESCO World Heritage town of the same name. This delightful place is the pride of Montenegro, and you will have a full day to explore its richly varied history. Or, if you prefer, you may enjoy a leisurely day at a beach club, where you can relax, stroll the beach, and swim.

Set on a rocky peninsula jutting into the sea, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Dubrovnik, the final stop on your voyage, is, despite a devastating earthquake in 1667 and the ravages of many wars, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities.

Overview

Your voyage

All-inclusive

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Destination

Destination

Mediterranean

Venice to Dubrovnik

Duration

8 days, 7 nights on board

Smithsonian Journeys, Timeless

Smithsonian Journeys

Smithsonian Journeys

Suzanne Pilaar Birch

Suzanne Pilaar Birch

Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included

Offers

PONANT Bonus 25%

Ref: VD1245US - EG090726

Journey

Your daily itinerary

  • A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
  • Engaging lectures and discussions on board with two Smithsonian Journeys Experts, including archaeologist Suzanne Pilaar Birch. A second Smithsonian Journeys Expert will be confirmed prior to departure.
  • Discover UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Venice, Split, Kotor, and Dubrovnik.
  • Combine visits of historic cities with forays into the idyllic countryside or crystalline coast.
  • Sample local wines and cuisine.
  • Visit Krka and Mljet National Parks.
  • Experience the nightlife of Split and Hvar.
  • Engage with the contemporary culture of these cities, towns, and villages as you discover their past.
Croatia's Dalmatian Coast by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys null

Customize your journey:

Guest

Sharing your journey with

Suzanne Pilaar Birch null

Suzanne Pilaar Birch

Staterooms and suites

Elegance and refinement

*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.

Details

More information

What's Included

Important travel details

In your luggage

Croatia's Dalmatian Coast by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

Itinerary

Embarkation 09/07/26 from 16:00 to 17:00 Departure 09/07/26 at 22:00

9 Jul 26 - Venice
9 Jul 26 - Venice

Arrival 10/07/26 midday Departure 10/07/26 early evening

10 Jul 26 - Rovinj
10 Jul 26 - Rovinj

Arrival 11/07/26 early morning Departure 11/07/26 late afternoon

11 Jul 26 - Zadar
11 Jul 26 - Zadar

Arrival 12/07/26 early morning Departure 12/07/26 midday

12 Jul 26 - Primosten
12 Jul 26 - Primosten

Arrival 12/07/26 early afternoon Departure 12/07/26 late evening

12 Jul 26 - Split
12 Jul 26 - Split

Arrival 13/07/26 early morning Departure 13/07/26 late evening

13 Jul 26 - Hvar
13 Jul 26 - Hvar

Arrival 14/07/26 early morning Departure 14/07/26 midday

14 Jul 26 - Korcula
14 Jul 26 - Korcula

Arrival 14/07/26 early afternoon Departure 14/07/26 early evening

14 Jul 26 - Mljet
14 Jul 26 - Mljet

Arrival 15/07/26 early morning Departure 15/07/26 late afternoon

15 Jul 26 - Kotor
15 Jul 26 - Kotor

Arrival 16/07/26 Disembarkation 16/07/26 at 8:00

16 Jul 26 - Dubrovnik
16 Jul 26 - Dubrovnik

Croatia's Dalmatian Coast by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

Included package

Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included

Croatia's Dalmatian Coast by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

Customize your journey

A venetian sojourn (2 nights)

A VENETIAN SOJOURN (2 NIGHTS)
Details

This specially curated pre-cruise program is designed to acquaint you with some of the special charms of Venice but also leave ample time for you to pursue other aspects of the city at your own pace and following your own interests. A panoramic tour via water taxi on the first morning serves to orient you to Venice and its neighborhoods, while an excursion on the following day introduces you to some of the city's finest craftsmen—a perfect beginning to your voyage in the Adriatic Sea.

Day 1 – Venice

Arrive at the Venice airport, where you will be met and escorted to the Starhotel Splendid Venice, your home for the next two nights. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. This evening, gather with fellow travelers for a sunset aperitif on the hotel terrace. Dinner is independent.

Day 2 – Venice | Cruising the Lagoon

After breakfast at the hotel, meet your guide for a leisurely cruise via private water taxi of some of the 118 islands that make up the city of Venice. Begin by cruising past the island of Murano, for centuries the center of the Venetian tradition of glassmaking, and past San Michele, the city’s historic cemetery island. Continuing along the Fondamente Nuove, enjoy sweeping views of Venice’s skyline, before following the broad Canale della Giudecca through a more tranquil neighborhood. Proceed along a section of the iconic Grand Canal, Venice’s main artery, lined with ornate palazzi—the legacy of the city’s maritime empire. A highlight of the excursion is a stop at the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Here, you disembark to explore its serene church and perhaps climb the bell tower for breathtaking views across the basin to St. Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace, and the domes of the Basilica.

Return to the hotel, where the balance of the day is at leisure. Lunch and dinner are independent.

Day 3 – Venice | Embark

Venice, like most cities, has a long history of craftsmanship—pottery, woodworking, jewelry making, and so on. But in addition to these traditional crafts, there are two that are uniquely identified with Venice: mask making and gondola building. This morning's excursion begins with a leisurely stroll through the Dorsoduro and Santa Croce districts to visit a mask-maker's atelier. In the workshop, you will see the variety of masks for which Venice is known—from classic Bauta and Moretta to the long-nosed Plague Doctor design—and a master artisan will give a brief history of the masks, explaining their roles at Carnivale and in the theater. Observe as craftsmen demonstrate making a mask of papier-mâché and decorating it. Leaving the mask maker, follow your guide along the waterfront to one of the two remaining squeri (boatyards where gondolas are made). During your visit, you will see skilled craftsmen at work, repairing damage and maintaining the gondola's seaworthiness. As you watch, your guide will explain the ancient methods being used, which are passed from generation to generation so that these black boats, so central to Venetian history, continue to be made entirely by hand.

Return to the hotel, where time is at leisure for lunch and independent activities until you transfer to San Basilio Port to embark Le Bougainville and set sail.

Your hotel:

The Splendid Venice is a 4-star property in the center of the city, near St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace. It features 165 rooms, a restaurant, two lounge bars, 24-hour room service, marvelous views of the surrounding area, and all of the services you would expect from a luxury hotel in a major European city.

Your program includes:

·        2 nights at The Splendid Venice (or similar)

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day

·        Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on the day of embarkation

·        Welcome Reception on Day 1

·        Breakfast on days 2 and 3

·        Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary

·        Local English-speaking guide

·        Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

·        Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program departure day

·        Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

·        It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.

·        Early check-in can be arranged, depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.

·        The official currency is the Euro. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.

·        This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.

·        Program is offered on a space available basis.

·        Program is subject to change without notice.

Hotel contact information:

The Splendid Venice

S. Marco Mercerie, 760

30124 Venice

Italy

Telephone: +39 041 5200755


Total

£1,570/person*

Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.