Day 1: JNB – Doha
10:30 Meet at O R Tambo International Departure Hall. Make sure that your luggage is already rapped before meeting the group.
11:00 Check in at Qatar Airways Counters. Your luggage allowance is one suitcase of 23 Kg for checked luggage due to limited space on the coaches and in the cabins on the Almissa.
You may travel with one peace of cabin baggage of 7 Kg per traveller.
13:55 Depart on flight QR 1364 to Doha. Duration: 08:20
Meals on board.
23:15 Arrive Doha. Remain in transit. Change flights.
Day 2: Doha – Zagreb – Zlarin
02:00 Depart on flight QR 215 from Doha. Breakfast on board. Duration: 05:55
06:55 Arrive Zagreb, Croatia. Clear passport control and customs formalities.
Meet our bus driver and load luggage.
Depart by coach to Zlarin. Duration approximately 4-5 hours.
Board the Almissa at Zlarin round 14:00. Lunch on board.
Zlarin is a small island off the Dalmation coast of Croatia near the mainland city of Šibenik. Administratively, it is part of Šibenik-Knin County. In the winter time, the island has a population of 284, but from March to October its population grows substantially to 1,500 people, mainly because people relocate from Šibenik in the warmer months. Zlarin has a large expatriate community.
Zlarin’s highest point is Klepac at 174 metres (571 feet) above sea level. During bright and sunny days from this point you can see Mount Velebit and volcanic Jabuka island in the Adriatic Sea. Zlarin has a myriad of fig and cypress trees, and other natural plants. Inner parts of the island are uninhabited and covered with thick forest. Zlarin is one of few islands on the Adriatic Sea that do not allow access to cars. It is an island known for corals and it is one of rare places in Croatia rich with them. The island of Zlarin is also known as a green island. A union of nature guarding the soul of the Mediterranean,together with olives, the sea and green forests; it is a perfect place for being at one with nature and learning about its incredible power.
Day 3: Zlarin – Zadar
08:00 Breakfast and depart to Zadar. Duration 5:30 hours cruising time.
Zadar is our next destination. There is one famous Croatian song that says – “Zadar is in my heart, in my soul” and this town actually gets under the people’s skin pretty easily.
Place with the most beautiful sunset, famous architectural wonder – sea organ and tons of places with live music. Zadar is a must when you go to northern parts of Dalmatia. Zadar has lot of local life going on even in winter season what makes it pretty interesting place. Take a walk across the big food market in centre of the town, visit St Donat church and check the ancient Roman ruins. You will love it.
Day 4: Zadar – Mali Lošinj
Duration: 7 hours cruising time.
Mali Lošinj is the largest settlement on the island, located on the southern side of the Bay of Lošinj, which, thanks to this position, has become a very important maritime and commercial centre, and today, also an important tourist destination. In ancient times the island of Cres and Lošinj were one, and became two islands only after the channel of Osor was excavated, probably during the Roman period. Today a bridge connects the islands and they form one unit in terms of both geography and traffic. Lošinj is knows as island of vitality and has numerous prestige awards in tourism as destination due to exceptional offer – gastronomy, activities and quality of life.
Day 5: Mali Lošinj – Rovinj
Duration: 7 hours cruising time.
Everybody loves Rovinj for its scenic old town, cobblestone streets, and alleys, colourful houses, charming town squares, art galleries, a lively harbour full of small pleasure and fishing boats, seafront bars, and restaurants. It also has great restaurant scene and one of the best ice-cream shops.
Rovinj is a small and walkable town. It consists of a car free old, historic town set on a hilly peninsula, and the newer part of the town that spreads around the old town. The St. Euphemia Church, built at the top of the hill, is the town’s most dominant symbol. Its’ picturesque waterfront will make you want to stay here not just for one day, but for one week!
Day 6: Rovinj – Pula
Duration: 2 hours cruising time.
Pula, a seafront city on the tip of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, is known for its protected harbour, beach-lined coast and Roman ruins. Settled in the prehistoric era and valued for its strategic location, Pula has been occupied, destroyed and rebuilt numerous times. The Romans, Ostrogoths and Venetians, as well as the Allied Forces in World War II, have each administered the city.
Pula is the largest town in Istria. It is also a completely different place than any other you will find in Istria. With its long shipbuilding and navy tradition, it has always had more of an industrial, urban vibe than the touristy, dolce vita style other towns in Istria have. It’s rough around the edges, and it takes time to love and appreciate Pula. However, once you do, you will realize that this town has so much to offer, so many places to discover, and so many things to do.
The most famous town’s site is Pula Colosseum, a Roman amphitheatre dating back to the 1st century AD. It is well preserved, and today it also serves as a venue for summer festivals and concerts.
Day 7: Pula – Molat
Duration: 7 hours cruising time.
Molat is an island in north Dalmatia, covered with maquis and pine forests and is the ideal destination for hermits and those seeking hiking treks among a Mediterranean vegetation. The island is located southeast of the Ist island, separated from it by the Zapuntel strait. The whole island covers area of just 23 sq km with population of about 250. This is one of the quietest places that we will visit on the itinerary, but indeed a beautiful one. An interesting historic detail is that King Edward VIII, in the company of Wallis Simpson, visited the island on his Adriatic cruises in 1939. Historically, in 1151 the island became the property of the Zadar-based Benedictine monastery of St. Krsevan. From 15th century the island was under the power of Venice, which leased it to several wealthy Zadar families.
Day 8: Molat – Vodice
Duration: 7 hours cruising time.
The town of Vodice is a tourist centre famous for its lively and various tourist offer and pleasant people. It is a coastal town located in a wide bay, 11 km northwest from the more known town of Šibenik. Vodice panorama is dominated by Okit hill with its Church of the Lady of Carmel. The first church on this rise was built in the 17th century, probably on foundations of an earlier chapel. In early 20th century, the Way of the Cross was built from the foot to the top of the hill, with fourteen chapels, each one marking one station of the Way of the Cross. Vodices vibrant day- & nightlife make it a very popular destination even among the locals. There is always something going on there and it feels like it is a town that never sleeps.
Day 9 : Vodice – Split
Duration: 5 hours cruising time.
On our last day, we are heading back towards the centre of Dalmatia – town of Split.
Enjoy stroll over this magnificent town filled with ancient monuments that still ‘live’ to these days. Most popular Diocletian palace, 1700 years old Roman emperor summer house, is home to many locals. Instead of paying a ticket to see it, enjoy watching people live there. Take your time to visit famous food market and try to bargain with some of the old ladies. Also, visit Marjan hill, as it is one of the most favourite places for the locals to spend their free time, in nature, surrounded by pine trees and lovely beaches. Our journey ends here and tomorrow morning is your disembarkation.
Tonight we enjoy a Farewell Dinner on board!!
Day 10: Split – Zagreb – Doha
08:00 After an early breakfast, we depart from Split to Zagreb by coach (Duration: 5 hours).
13:30 Check in at the Qatar Airways Counters.
16:30 Depart on flight QR 218 from Zagreb. Duration: 05:20
22:50 Arrive Doha. Remain in transit. Change flights.
Day 11: Doha – Johannesburg
02:30 Depart Doha – JHB (Duration 08:25)
Meal on board
09:55 Arrive O R Tambo International Airport Johannesburg
Tour price per person sharing: On request
Included:
- Airfare: JNB – DOH – ZAG – DOH – JHB
- Travel Insurance
- Coach transfers from Zagreb Airport to Šibernik and back from Split to Zagreb Airport
- 8 Nights on board the Almissa in private cabins with en-suite bathroom
- All cabins have air-conditioning
- Half board – breakfast & lunch
- Drinking water on board
- Fuel
- Port fees and Visitors tax
- Free Wi-Fi on board
Not included:
- Drinks (alcoholic and soft drinks)
- Meals not included as per itinerary
- Shore excursions
- Visa fees and biometric charges
- € 35 (Euro) pp tips for crew and bus drivers – to be handed to the tour leader in cash after boarding the Almissa
Maximum Capacity – 38 persons