Dubrovnik

Sit back, soak up the atmosphere and let the scenery move around you on this panoramic boat trip to the old city. Pass by the Fort of St Lawrence, before docking in the old port, just as mariners have been doing for centuries. A soft drink will be served during the boat trip.

In the heart of the old city, stretch your legs and your imagination, as your guide takes you on a walking tour encompassing the best of Dubrovnik. A variety of highlights will be visited including the Dominican Monastery and the Cathedral. Other fine buildings will be viewed from the outside, including the Church of Saint Blaise, Onofriou’s Fountain and St Saviour Church.

You’ll have some free time to explore the old city independently, or to relax over a drink in one of the local cafés.

The tour is rounded off with a coach drive to the coastal highway for a panoramic view of the city walls, ancient rooftops and picturesque surroundings.

A drive high above the old town of Dubrovnik allows you to stop and capture the picture-postcard views. The route then continues through the lovely Zupa Valley, the beautiful eastern part of the Dubrovnik Riviera, and the picturesque resorts of Kupari, Srebreno, Mlini and Plat.

The lovely little town of Cavtat, the southernmost town in Croatia, is situated in a bay between 2 peninsulas and is one of the oldest cities in this part of the Adriatic. Few places offer such a harmony of lush Mediterranean growth, emerald sea and new architecture, whilst cherishing a rich cultural and historical tradition.

At a venue overlooking the beautiful bay, relax and enjoy refreshments and free time at leisure to stroll along the palm-lined promenade or wander in the pretty town centre, browsing in the shops.

Upon return to Dubrovnik take the opportunity to explore the city independently. Passengers on the morning departure of this tour can take the shuttle back at leisure; however those on the afternoon departures should join their coach for return to the ship at the designated meeting time.

Enjoy a coach drive to the coastal highway for a panoramic view of the city walls, ancient rooftops and picturesque surroundings. Head to the old city of Dubrovnik, with its medieval walls, which have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The walls were completed in the 13th century; the ramparts are intact and encircle the old city with a circumference of more than 1½ miles.

Walk along the main street to the entrance of the city walls and the Maritime Museum, which was established in 1941. Enjoy a short visit to this interesting museum before climbing the stairway at St John’s Fortress, where you’ll reach the top of the wall to begin your exploration.

Walk the city walls with the guide, and see the Minceta and Bokar Fortress along with the red terracotta roofs of Dubrovnik’s old houses spread out before you.

Enjoy free time for independent sightseeing and shopping, before returning to the quayside.

Glide away from the port of Gruz and enjoy an unforgettable boat ride on a traditional motorboat. Pass by the Fort of St Lawrence and around the city walls to view the old port, where the medieval mariners used to arrive in centuries gone by.

Sail past the Island of Lokrum, where, according to legend, Richard the Lionheart was cast ashore after being shipwrecked in 1192. Continue past the magnificent cliffs, before reaching the Bay of Zupa Dubrovacka (Parish of Dubrovnik). Soft drinks will be served on board during the journey.

Your destination is Cavtat, situated in a bay and encircled by 2 peninsulas making it a safe harbour often frequented by numerous sailors and yacht enthusiasts. Enjoy approximately 1 hour of free time to explore the area.

Return to the ship by coach and gain an insight into the coastal beauty of the south coast of Croatia.

Drive through a chain of villages in the Konavle Valley, to the small village of Čilipi.

At Čilipi, visit a local family and their typical Konavle-style house. The family has lived here for generations producing grape brandy, olive oil and wine in a traditional way. Take a brief tour of the estate and learn about the wine and olive oil production, which took place there until 1991.

Lunch will consist of locally-made produce, including wine, and will be served in the large dining room of the house. Two local musicians will play a medley of Croatian and international songs during lunch.

A perfect ending to a memorable day will be a drive to the old city of Dubrovnik, where your guide will ensure you make the most of the 1 hour’s free time to explore the city for yourselves.

Your tour begins with a coach drive to the coastal highway for a panoramic view of the city walls, ancient rooftops and picturesque surroundings.

Continue with a walking tour of the city, which is on UNESCO’s List of World Patrimony due to its exceptional beauty and rich cultural heritage. This ancient town, surrounded by strong ramparts and fortresses, is a treasure-trove of architectural and cultural masterpieces, which has been well preserved over the centuries.

The pleasant walk will take you past the Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan Monastery, with visits to the Dominican Monastery and the Cathedral.

The Sponza Palace, Church of St Blaise, Bell Tower and Fountain of Onofrio will all be viewed from the outside.

There will be free time for independent sightseeing and shopping before returning to the ship.

The original Dubrovnik cable car was built back in 1969 and was used by visitors and the locals who wanted to enjoy a beautiful view of Dubrovnik Old City and the surrounding area. Until the war in 1991 more than 2½ million people were transferred to the top of Srdj Hill. After its destruction in the war, it remained in disrepair until it was recently restored and reopened. Transfer by coach to the lower station to board the cable car to a ride to the top of Srdj Hill for magnificent views of Dubrovnik.

Continue westwards by coach through the lovely countryside of Zupa Dubrovacka (Parish of Dubrovnik), and picturesque villages of Kupari, Srebreno, Mlini and Plat. Your next destination is Cavtat, the southernmost town in Croatia. Cavtat is situated in a bay, encircled by 2 peninsulas. Few places offer such harmony of Mediterranean flora, emerald sea and architecture, while cherishing a rich cultural and historical tradition. Enjoy free time to explore independently or to take a stroll along the lovely palm-lined promenade.

Your scenic drive will take you along the beautiful Adriatic coastline to your first stop at the small, charming village of Orasac. Here, you will have the opportunity to experience the production of olive oil in the old fashioned way with the mill powered by a horse, and taste some home made cheese, smoked ham and wine in the setting of a traditional Croatian house.

After your visit to Orasac, you will continue towards the small town of Ston, which is the oyster capital of Croatia. This little town is often referred to as a smaller version of Dubrovnik with its magnificent walls that surround the town. The walls are 3 miles long and the construction started in 1317 and was completed in the 16th century, producing one of the longest defensive walls in the world.

After free time in Ston you will have the opportunity to relax with tea or coffee or another glass of wine, to accompany your dessert. This will be followed by a beautiful drive along the Adriatic coast back to the ship.

Enjoy an easy walking tour of the historic sights of the medieval walled city of Dubrovnik. The audio player is yours alone, so you can spend as much or as little time as you’d like at each spot. Since there are no schedules to keep, you are free to have a meal, take a break for refreshments, or hit the shops whenever you wish.

Your stereo iPod® allows you to listen to all the facts and descriptions of this beautiful city and its historic sights while walking through the streets at your own pace. Simply consult the customised map to find each location and then go to the indicated number on the player for a detailed description of the site and its history.

Follow the suggested route or set out on your own adventure, moving about the city with ease thanks to your map and audio directions. With more than 20 of the city’s most important points of interest programmed into the player, your exploration of Dubrovnik's intriguing walled city is limited only by your personal wishes.

Your drive via the Pile Gate will take you to a local kindergarten to experience how children of an early age are educated in Croatia. The organisation is called ‘Djecji Vrtici Dubrovnik’ or ‘Kindergartens of Dubrovnik’ and their goals are based on the Law of Preschool Education, which includes ideas of humanism, knowledge about specific features and laws of child development.

The main role and purpose of preschool education is to contribute to the overall development of a child's personality and the quality of their lives, which is achieved by providing conditions to meet the needs of children and the realisation of child rights in school.

The children at the centre will be delighted to meet with you, share their songs and dances and talk to you about their school.

After this visit, join your guide for a stroll through the Old Town before enjoying some free time to explore at leisure before returning to the ship.

As you sail towards the Sveti Jakov Beach and past the island of Lokrum, you will pass by the Fort of St Lawrence, and along Dubrovnik’s city walls. Built between the 12th and 16th century, the city walls are approximately 1½ miles long, and boast 4 fortresses and 33 bastions.

Soak up the atmosphere on the beach, swim in one of the cleanest seas in the world or just relax and sunbathe on the pebbled beach, the choice is yours.

Returning by boat to the Old City port, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Dubrovnik’s Old City on your own. Your guide will give you all the details of where the shuttle bus will be for the return drive to the ship.