The secret love affair between the sea and wine has been going on since the ancient times and few are those who can resist it. By joining this very special cruise, which includes the island of Korčula and Hvar, and the city of Dubrovnik, you will beco me a part of that unbreakable bond. A tour of the wineries, the cellars and the local wine makers on the islands and along the mainland coast around Dubrovnik, and the chance to savour wines produced from the indigenous varieties of grapes enables one to learn about the tradition of viticulture and taste the life of this striking part of Croatia. Let yourself relax in the embrace of the sea and wine, enjoy pleasant company and give a rest to your body and at the same time fortify your spirit with this rather unforgettable oenological adventure.
SATURDAY DUBROVNIK ( D)
Check in from 1 4: 00h onwards at GRUŽ harbor . This is a world famous and rather special place where the old town and many of the buildings have remained (some barely changed) from the time of the old Dubrovnik Republic. Many of the historic and cultural buildings belong to the architecture of the Renaissance period with some traces of the Gothic style too. Trans fer to the old city and afternoon guided city tour & Cable Car to the mountain Srđ. Return transfer to the Gruž harbor for dinner on board. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
SUNDAY DUBROVNIK – MLJET (B, L , D )
After breakfast we continue our journey towards the island and national park of Mljet. Lunch on board. Mljet is a beautiful, tranquil place and the whole afternoon is free to enjoy the seawater lakes in the National Park . In the middle of the large lake, i nside the National park, you can visit an old abbey and church, or take a small boat to roam around the National park. Dinner on board and o vernight in the of port Polača or Pomena.
MONDAY MLJET – HVAR (B, L, WT)
Early in the morning we depart towards the Paklenski islands in front of Hvar town where we will have enough time to relax an d refresh in the clean, crystal blue sea. Arrival in Hvar after lunch. Hvar is the longest island in the Adriatic. Here we can find the Renaissance cathedral with its original tower; also, the oldest community theatre in Europe was founded here in 1612. City of Hvar offers plenty of restaurants, bars and cafes that are open long into the night. Hvar is often referred to as the sunshine island. Afternoon guided city tour. During the afternoo n we will make a visit to the Tomić winery for wine tasting where the wine maker Andro Tomić will offer you some of his native Hvar wines and some cuvees like the innovative combination of Plavac Mali & Cabernet Sauvignon. Overnight in Hvar port.
TUESDAY HVAR – (BOL) SPLIT ( B, L, WT)
Leave Hvar and continue our cruise towards the island of Brač, more precisely to the town of Bol, best known for its famous Zlatni rat beach (Golden horn), a natural phenomenon that with its specific form dominates th e other beaches of Croatia. Before lunch on board in Bol, we will have a wine tasting in the facilities of the oldest Dalmatia wine cooperative (dating 1903). We arrive in Split in the afternoon. Afternoon guided city tour of Split , Croatia’s second city, a busy university and maritime town and the capital of the Dalmatia region. Split is a city under UNESCO protection, and its historical and cultural monuments are wondrous both to local inhabitants, but also to the many visitors who fall in love with this 1,000 plus year old beauty.
WEDNESDAY SPLIT – KORČULA (B, L, WT)
Early morning departure towards the Korčula island best known as the birthplace of Marco Polo. Stop for lunch in one of the secluded bays en route. Early afternoon a rrival in Korčula. On this Island you can find more legends, tales and monuments than anywhere else while you wander along the herringbone pattern streets. Afternoon guided city tour. In the late afternoon we will visit hotel Korsal’s wine cellar where we will taste some of the famous Croatian wines and discover the story behind their perfect taste while enjoying a light snack. Overnight in Korčula.
THURSDAY KORČULA – ŠIPAN (B, L, CD)
Early in the morning we continue our trip towards the Elafiti islands, a group of islands west of Dubrovnik. They include Šipan, Lopud and Koločep (Kalamota). They attract many tourists with their beautiful scenery and sandy beaches. Swimming and lunch is planned at one of the smaller Elafiti islands. ŠIPAN, the largest islan d of the Elafiti, is also the most distant from Dubrovnik. This is where we will spend the night. Captain`s dinner with live entertainment on board.
FRIDAY ŠIPAN – DUBROVNIK ( B, L, WT)
Early departure for Dubrovnik with breakfast en route. Enjoy the unforgettable natural beauty along the coast towards Dubrovnik which was referred to as “heaven on earth” by famous writer George Bernard Shaw. Lunch on board and we arrive in Dubrovnik in early afternoon , but before we tie the ropes at Gruž harbor the captain will take you for a cruise along side the old city walls . W e will visit Konavle area and Crvik winery to try one native Dalmatian wine sort ‘’Maraština”. Overnight in the GRUŽ port of this magical town.
SATURDAY DUBROVNIK ( B)
After an early breakfast say goodbye to the crew and all your new friends! Or choose the optional, full day coach excursion to Montenegro or Mostar.
For more information contact : res@rufaro.co.za
