Pearls of Croatia Cruise

Accommodation

MV Captain Bota

The luxurious MS Captain Bota is a First Class modern motor yacht built in 2015 - with its classic lines and superb passenger facilities it wouldn’t look out of place on the Cote d’Azur! Having just 38 guests ensures there is plenty of room to relax and unwind.

The 18 spacious cabins are on the main deck and the lower deck and are well appointed and contemporary in style. These luxurious cabins all have double or twin beds, an en-suite bathroom with toiletries, air-conditioning, satellite LCD TV, free Wi-Fi, a safe, radio and a hair dryer. Cabins on the lower deck have two portholes and cabins on the main deck have windows. Cabins on the main deck are accessed from outside the ship and cabins on the lower deck are accessed from inside the ship.

Public areas are well laid out and include an upper deck air-conditioned restaurant with a separate lounge-bar area as well as an outside, covered terrace with tables and chairs - ideal should there be occasional inclement weather.

The sun deck has sun-beds, or soak up the sun in the Jacuzzi. During swim stops head to the rear of the ship where you’ll find a swimming platform with ladders that dip down to the clear blue waters of the Adriatic, giving very easy access for a swim.

Please note; due to the size and overall design of the MS Captain Bota there is no lift between decks and therefore a reasonable degree of mobility is required to negotiate the stairs and gangways.

Excursions & Itinerary

Day 1 - UK to Croatia

Fly to Split and transfer to the port to embark on the MS Captain Bota, where the captain, cruise manager and crew will welcome you aboard and help you settle into your comfortable, well-equipped cabin. Meet your travelling companions over drinks and a Welcome Dinner, which is included on board this evening. The ship remains moored in Split overnight, so perhaps after dinner you may like to go ashore and enjoy a drink in one of the local bars. The ship’s bar will also be open should you decide to stay on board.

Day 2 - Split – Bol - Havar

As you enjoy a leisurely breakfast, you’ll be so glad you chose this yacht cruise. Our exclusively charted yacht, which really is just like a private yacht, weighs anchor and sails out to sea. Split soon dips below the horizon as we sail south – but we will be back for a more in-depth visit later. On our cruise it is impossible for large cruise liners to call at most of the picturesque harbours on the islands which we will visit on the MS Captain Bota. This cruise includes five lunches and two evening meals, including a Captain’s Dinner, prepared on board. On other occasions you can step ashore to try local restaurants and, each evening, there’s the option to enjoy a nightcap at the ship’s relaxed upper-deck bar. Swimming is planned today at one of the most famous beaches in Dalmatia – Zlatni Rat (the Golden Cape) near Bol. Bol is a typical small fisherman’s town turned into a popular tourist destination and there will be time for a walk or to have a coffee in one of the pavement cafes until lunch is served on board. After lunch our cruise continues towards Hvar which, with some 2,700 hours of sunshine each year, makes it Croatia’s sunniest island! On arrival we have a guided walking tour and then the evening is at leisure. There is a good choice of family owned restaurants in Hvar.

Day 3 - Hvar – Mljet National Park – Captain’s Dinner

This morning we sail towards the island of Mljet, which is a National Park and one of the most beautiful of the Croatian islands. We’ll make a swim stop along the way, then lunch will be served on board while cruising to Mljet National Park. On arrival there is an opportunity to explore the National Park with its two salt-water lakes (optional) and to enjoy the sun and sea on this peaceful island which, legend has it, was a favourite of the Greek hero Odysseus. This evening the Captain’s Dinner is served on board, offering a variety of delicious Mediterranean and Croatian dishes. The ship remains moored in Mljet overnight.

Day 4 - Mljet – Dubrovnik – Included Sightseeing Tour

After breakfast we sail for UNESCO listed Dubrovnik, which for many will be the highlight port of call on the cruise. Arriving in Dubrovnik’s bustling port in the afternoon, a coach takes us to meet our guide for our included walking tour of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, which is completely encircled by its 15th century stone walls. Dubrovnik was described as “heaven on earth” by George Bernard Shaw and is often referred to as the Pearl of the Adriatic. Learn all about the turbulent history of this amazing Adriatic city during our tour and discover its beauty whilst uncovering the treasures of the Old Town. The main avenue, the Stradun, is lined by inviting cafés and restaurants and is completely paved with marble. Other highlights will include the Franciscan Monastery that houses Europe's oldest pharmacy, and the Rector's Palace (entrances payable locally). After the tour the time is your own to make further discoveries in this fascinating city. Perhaps stroll around the 1,900 metres long walls or take a ride on the cable car to the top of Srd Hill for breathtaking views of the city and beyond and then choose a restaurant or cafe for dinner. A return coach transfer to the ship is scheduled for this evening or you can easily return on your own. We stay overnight in the port of this magical town.

Day 5 - Dubrovnik – Korcula

After breakfast we start our cruise to Korcula Island, making a swim stop on the way. Korcula Island is bursting with authenticity, tradition and untouched natural beauty with its picturesque villages, vineyards and olive groves. We have lunch on board as we cruise on to Korcula town. Step ashore to discover the narrow streets and crumbling fortifications of this lovely town on our included walking tour. This is – legend has it - the explorer Marco Polo’s birthplace and his house can be viewed among the splendid Venetian style architecture. On Korcula Island you can find more legends, tales and monuments than anywhere else in Croatia. After our guided walking tour, you are free to explore this beautiful town further. This evening, enjoy dinner ashore at your leisure in one of the innumerable harbour-side restaurants and cafés. Overnight stay in Korcula.

Day 6 - Korcula - Makarska

After breakfast you’ll want to go out on the sun deck to see the breathtaking coast of Korcula island sliding by as we cruise northwards to the Makarska Riviera on the mainland, making a refreshing swim stop on the way. On reaching the mainland we drop anchor in the port of Makarska, who’s old town is characterised by its narrow stone-paved streets, a main church square and a Franciscan monastery that dates back to 1614. This evening relax with an aperitif whilst watching the spectacular sunset over the Adriatic and enjoying dinner at a restaurant of your choosing.

Day 7 - Makarska – Pucisca – Split

This morning after breakfast we’ll cruise across from the mainland to the beautiful island of Brac, making a port of call at Pucisca. In tiny Pucisca, everywhere you turn is pretty as a picture thanks to the town’s skill for stone masonry. Cream-coloured townhouses and gently swaying palms give the place a model village look, while sleek yachts like ours and waterfront cafés around the sheltered harbour show off a touch of riviera chic. After time for a relaxing stroll we’ll lunch on board while cruising to Split. Split may be more than 1700 years old, but this spirited destination is anything but tired. Situated at the heart of the Dalmatian Coast, Split has a charming old town that contains the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diocletian's Palace. An included walking tour of Split includes a visit to this vast Imperial Palace which is named after the Roman Emperor Diocletian who built it as his retirement home and lived here from 295AD to 305AD. Croatia’s second largest city is bursting with energy and a charming Mediterranean flavour, with lots of bars and restaurants where you can take dinner at your leisure whilst the ship remains moored in Split. Back on board perhaps enjoy a farewell drink on the sun deck under a beautiful night sky.

Day 8 - Split – UK

After breakfast we disembark from the Captain Bota and return to the airport at the appropriate time for our return flight to the UK.