Our Road Scholar Best of Croatia tour was an absolute delight.
Quick! Blog about this wonderful adventure before time blurs the memory. :)
Our itinerary started in Montenegro and ended in Split.
Wed, June 07:
Depart 07 June 02:20 PM Phoenix
Arrive 07 June 07:46 PM Chicago
Depart 07 June 09:20 PM Chicago
Thu, June 08:
Arrive 08 June 01:05 PM Munich
Depart 08 June 02:30 PM Munich
Arrive 08 June 03:55 PM Dubrovnik
Transport to the Palmon Bay Hotel & Spa for two nights in Herceg-Novi, Montenegro. After a quick orientation, dinner at the hotel, and a short look at the Adriatic,
it was time for a much needed night’s sleep.
Fri, June 09:
Tito’s Villa, beautiful Bay of Kotor, and Kotor Town.
After breakfast at the hotel the next morning, we walked through the Institute Igalo Spa and onward up the slope through the trees to Marshal Tito’s Villa. A local guide gave an informative tour of the site.
Tito was a very important figure in Yugoslavian history before its breakup in 1991. The information provided by our guide as well as Alan, our trip leader, gave us a good appreciation of this well-liked, possibly loved, dictator.
Later that morning, we transported by coach around the beautiful Bay of Kotor.
We then hopped on a passenger ferry to visit Our Lady of the Rocks, an island within the bay.
Later, we explored Kotor Town, the Maritime Museum, a church or two, with a delicious lunch on our own.
Back at the hotel, we had a swim before dinner, and a walk under the full moon afterward.
Sat, June 10:
Old Town, Dubrovnik, and boarding the Casanova.
We checked out of the hotel and headed back across the border, with its associated delay, into Old Town, Dubrovnik.
We met our local guide who showed us around this bustling city.
After our group lunch, Leigh and I took the cable car for some splendid views of the walled Old Town and coastline.
That evening, we settled into our new home on the Casanova, had our first meal on board, and enjoyed a terrific sunset.
Then we went out in search of soap :), came back, and slept…
Sun, June 11:
Morning in Dubrovnik, then depart on our voyage and evening in Šipan.
Sunday morning we bused back into Dubrovnik for time on our own to walk around the top of the city walls.
Then back to the ship for an informative and entertaining lecture about the history of the Republic of Ragusa in the Middle Ages.
During lunch, the Casanova set off on our island-hopping adventure. After a little swim time from the back of the boat mid-afternoon, we docked for the night on the quaint island of Šipan.
After dinner, we strolled along the shoreline exploring the small town and enjoying the sunset views.
Mon, June 12:
A busy day with two islands and sightseeing tours.
We sailed out early in the morning and arrived in Pomena on the island of Mljet around 9 AM where we met our local guide. We proceed along the path and down the stone steps of the Mljet National Park where we walked along the Small Lake.
We then met a passenger ferry which transported us across the Great Lake to the tiny island within an island where we toured a Benedictine monastery and the Church of St. Mary and walked the path around the perimeter.
We returned via the same route. Mljet island was very quiet, probably a great place to get away from it all with hiking, bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, etc., and little else.
After lunch, we arrived in “Medieval” Korčula around 2 PM for our next guided tour.
We had a splendid tour of the city including the Town Museum and St. Mark’s Cathedral.
After swimming in the Adriatic on a pebbly beach, we had pizza on our own at a seaside restaurant.
Tue, June 13:
Lecture on board and sightseeing in Hvar Town.
After breakfast, we enjoyed beautiful scenery as we motored along the island of Hvar.
Mid-morning, our group leader Alan gave a very informative presentation on the Yugoslav wars. Serving in the army as war broke out, and lucky to get out alive, he provided an interesting and unique perspective on this difficult time.
Afterward, before lunch, we had a quick swim break from the back of the ship.
In the afternoon, we docked in Hvar Town and started our tour.
Cathedrals, monasteries, public squares and museums do tend to blend after a while but touring this ancient Roman Empire era city was fascinating nevertheless.
Afterward, we found a restful spot on the main promenade to enjoy a cold drink or two.
After dinner, we climbed up the hill to the fort for a splendid view.
Notice the ships stacked thirteen across. Ours was the second in line. (This made for a restless evening for some fellow passengers in the upper cabins as late night partyers crossed through onto their respective ships.)
Wed, June 14:
Stari Grad (Hvar Island), on-board lecture, and Klapa singers.
The day started with an early departure and our customary breakfast buffet.
We arrived in Stari Grad, same island, different port, around 9:30 AM. Does this guy look like the captain of a ship?
Stari Grad had a nice feel to it. We toured the main streets, monasteries, and museums, of course, then said a special thanks and goodbye to our guide.
We had time for a little shopping before lunch.
In the afternoon, we had plentiful free time for swimming and exploring the coastline.
Late afternoon, Alan gave a sequel to his lecture about the Yugoslav war, emphasizing current relations between peoples and governments of the former Yugoslavia.
After a short break, we were treated to a splendid performance of traditional Klapa music.
The town had a festival that evening. We didn’t understand it but it was fun to watch for a while.
Thu, June 15:
Trogir, on-board lecture, and dinner with Karen and Mike.
It rained overnight and into the morning as we arrived in Trogir around 11:30 AM.
Alan announced my birthday at lunch. There was a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday and the best desert (chocolate cake) of the trip.
Leigh has a photo somewhere.
Although threatening showers, the weather cleared by the afternoon. Alan introduced our local guide who led us around the highlights of this 4000 year old city.
After the tour, we went to the outdoor market and bought cherries. While there, we saw Karen and Mike and invited them to have dinner with us.
Late afternoon, a University of Split professor gave a presentation on the Dalmatian economy. Sadly, I barely remember it.
Although recommended by both Alan and our guide, the restaurant we chose had only mediocre food. Karen and Mike’s company was outstanding however and made dinner on my birthday memorable. Afterward, we paid a small admission fee and climbed the tower of an old fort for splendid views of the city.
Fri, June 16:
Split, free time, lecture, farewell captain’s dinner.
This morning’s guided tour of Split focused on the grand Diocletian’s Palace, built at the turn of the 4th century A.D.
Split is a beautiful city. I would definitely consider spending more time there someday.
It was pretty hot to do much sightseeing after lunch so we went swimming.
Late afternoon, a University of Split professor gave an interesting presentation on some of her research regarding the 20th-century sculptor, Ivan Meštrović. We enjoyed it. We later spent hours at his gallery in Split.
Our last dinner on board was accompanied by a singing duo. They were quite entertaining with lots of oldies but goodies and singalongs.
That evening we packed up our belongings for leaving the Casanova in the morning.
Sat, June 17:
Motor-coach to Šibenik, tour of restored country home, and check-in at
the Cornaro Hotel.
In the morning, we said goodbye to the Casanova and loaded a bus for a two hour scenic drive along the coast to the town of Šibenik. The coastline was stunningly beautiful. It is said that Bill Gates visits some of the ports from time to time.
We had our usual guided tour of the town. Unfortunately, the details and history of Šibenik elude me. Afterward, several of us climbed a few steps to enjoy a formal garden. (Here’s a cool photosphere too.)
Afterward, we were bused to a remote country village for hospitality and lunch at a (rather contrived) country home of years past. The countryside was interesting though.
That evening, we checked-in to the Cornaro Hotel. The accommodations were quite nice and the rooms spacious, especially after being in the smallish cabins all week.
After our luggage arrived, we freshened up and headed out to Diocletian’s Palace for a photo of one of the three remaining 3500-year-old granite Egyptian sphinxes.
Dinner at the hotel seemed exceedingly plentiful after a week of rather petite meal portions on board the Casanova.
Sun, June 18:
Split Ethnographic Museum, Meštrović Gallery, last group dinner.
The breakfast buffet at the Cornaro was outstanding. I’d stay there again just for the buffet.
Afterward, our group walked over to the Ethnographic Museum where the curator gave an informative slide presentation. Afterward we toured the museum at leisure. It was quite well presented and enjoyable.
Afterward, on our free time and last full day in Croatia, we walked along the port and fifteen minutes further to the Meštrović Gallery.
The gallery was superb and well worth the visit. An audio-tour, available free with admission on your smartphone or tablet, helped call attention to detail and further appreciation of his fine work.
That evening, our Road Scholar group had our last dinner together at an outdoor restaurant off the plaza in Split.
Mon, June 19:
Long, tiresome travel back home.
All but three of us bused together to the airport at 5 AM.
Depart 19 June 07:55 AM Split
Arrive 19 June 09:35 AM Munich
Depart 19 June 12:00 PM Munich
Arrive 19 June 03:15 PM Los Angeles
Depart 19 June 07:25 PM Los Angeles
Arrive 19 June 09:00 PM Phoenix
We stayed overnight at the airport hotel where we had parked the car. Including the nine hour time difference, delays into Phoenix, and transport to the hotel, it made for a twenty-eight hour travel day. Too long.
Tue, June 20:
Back home by around noon. Pets fine. Mission accomplished!