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Adriatic and the Dalmatian Coast: Venice to Athens

Program Overview

Discover the influence of Roman, Greek, Byzantine, Venetian, and Slavic civilizations on this extraordinary 7-night cruise featuring visits to 4 countries. Call at ancient walled cities, medieval villages, sublime archaeological sites, picture-perfect islands, and stunning landscapes—including smaller, seldom-visited ports inaccessible to larger vessels. Visit 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as historical Split, with its 4th-century Palace of Diocletian; the 7th-century walled city of Dubrovnik; the dramatic, fjord-like Bay of Kotor; the elegant island capital of Corfu; and the ancient Delphi and its iconic Doric columns. Explore the many hidden gems along the Dalmatian Coast as a panorama of daily life unfolds before you.  Enhance your journey with the Venice Pre-Program and/or Athens Post-Program Options.

Program Details

September 25 to October 3, 2024 (L'Austral)
From $5,755 plus air View Terms & Conditions
  • Comprehensive, 7-night cruise featuring islands and villages of the Dalmatian Coast.
  • Exclusively chartered, 5-star small ship L'Austral, with only 110 suites and staterooms, most  have a private balcony.
  • Visit 4 countries—Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece—and up to 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including medieval Kotor.
  • Explore the thriving community living within Split's 4th-century Palace of Diocletian, including the Cathedral of St. Domnius and the well-preserved Temple of Jupiter.
  • Experience a walking tour inside the walled city of Dubrovnik with visits to the Franciscan Monastery, Rector’s Palace, and Maritime Museum.
  • Enjoy a traditional Croatian klapa music performance.
  • Explore medieval Kotor, including a visit to the 12th-century St. Tryphon Cathedral.
  • Discover Corfu’s Old Town, featuring the Venetian Town Hall and the Palace of St. Michael and St. George.
  • Complimentary alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages throughout the cruise.
  • Venice Pre-Program and Athens Post-Program Options.

Day 1 - Depart Home City

Day 2 - Venice, Italy / Embark L'Austral

Day 3 - Split, Croatia

Day 4 - Hvar / Korčula

Day 5 - Dubrovnik

Day 6 - Kotor, Montenegro

Day 7 - Corfu, Greece

Day 8 - Itea for Delphi / Corinth Canal

Day 9 - Athens, Greece / Disembark ship / Return to home city

View detailed program itinerary >

L'Austral

Exclusively Chartered, 5-Star Small Ship

Join us aboard the exclusively chartered, 5-star L’Austral  where distinctive French sophistication meets innovative nautical design. The ship’s efficient electrical propulsion system and custom stabilizers provide an exceptionally smooth, quiet, and comfortable voyage. Each of the 110 ocean-view staterooms and suites range from 200 to 484 square feet, and most have a private balcony.

Learn more about the L'Austral >

Venice Pre-Program Option

Beloved worldwide for its extraordinary beauty, Venice is one of Italy’s premier cities for art and architecture. Tour the heart of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including visits to the Doge’s Palace and Basilica di San Marco, a flamboyant example of Byzantine architecture. Enjoy a traditional gondola ride, cruise the Grand Canal, and visit the charming archipelago of Burano, known for its skilled fishermen, polychrome houses, and intricate lace‑making. Accommodations are for two nights in the ideally located Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal.

Athens Post-Program Option

Experience a beautiful ancient city unmatched in its contributions to the foundations of the Western world—Athens, the birthplace of democracy. Explore the enduring grandeur of the Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the gracefully proportioned Parthenon—dedicated to the goddess Athena in 438 B.C. See the archaeological treasures of the Acropolis Museum and visit the Temple of Poseidon, perched high on a cliff overlooking the Saronic Gulf. Accommodations are for two nights in the centrally located, five‑star Hotel Grande Bretagne.

The Pre-Program and Post-Program Options are available at an additional cost. Details will be provided with your reservation confirmation.

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Program Itinerary

Day 1 Departure

Depart your home city.

Day 2 Venice, Italy/Embark the ship

Arrive in Venice and transfer to San Basilio to embark L’Austral. 

Day 3 Split, Croatia

Take a panoramic drive through Split, and then visit the Mestrovic Gallery, home and gallery of Croatian sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic. Continue to the entrance to the nearly 2,000‑year‑old city center and built around Roman emperor Diocletian’s fourth-century palace compound, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tour the palace, including Diocletian’s mausoleum, converted to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius (A.D. 305) and regarded as the world’s oldest Catholic cathedral. Then, visit the Cathedral of St. Duje, the patron saint of Split: and the Temple of Jupiter, one of the best‑preserved Roman temples. See two of the four principal Roman gates: Golden Gate and Silver Gate; and Peristyle Square. Attend the Captain’s Welcome Reception on board this evening.

Day 4 Hvar / Korcula

Since the fourth century B.C., Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Venetians have left their mark on the island of Hvar, a key center of the Croatian Renaissance. Tour the Old Town’s remarkably preserved landmarks within its 13th‑century walls, including St. Stephen’s Cathedral and its four-story bell tower. Then, visit the Benedictine Monastery to see handcrafted lace made by nuns from agave and aloe thread—recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. After lunch on board, arrive in picturesque Korcula to explore sites within its medieval walls, including the Abbey Treasury; the 15th‑century, Gothic‑Renaissance-style St. Mark’s Cathedral, with paintings by Italian painter, Jacopo Tintoretto; and the house where Marco polo is reputed to have been born. 

Day 5 Dubrovnik

Enjoy a guided walking tour of UNESCO‑designated Dubrovnik to see Onofrio’s Fountains, a beloved city landmark. Visit the Romanesque Franciscan Monastery’s gorgeous cloister and historical pharmacy; the 15th‑century Rector’s Palace; and the fascinating Maritime Museum. This evening, delight in a traditional a cappella folk music performance. 

Day 6 Kotor, Montenegro

Take a guided walking tour through the medieval narrow streets of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its 16th-century Old Town fortifications. Then, visit the 12th-century Saint Tryphon Cathedral, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture and one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. Then, this afternoon, enjoy an exclusive Coastal Life® forum to engage with locals who will discuss life along the Adriatic. 

Day 7 Corfu, Greece

The island of Corfu is renowned for its beauty, exceptional architecture, and cultural heritage. On a guided walking tour of UNESCO-designated Corfu, pass through the Old Town and historical center and see the Palace of Saint Michael and Saint George; the Venetian quarters of Campiello; the Town Hall, once a Venetian theater; and the Church of Saint Spyridon, patron saint of Corfu. Attend the Captain’s Farewell Reception. 

Day 8 Itea for Delphi / Corinth Canal

In the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Delphi, tour the Archaeological Museum, and see the life‑size, fifth‑century B.C. bronze statue of the Charioteer of Delphi. Walk along the Sacred Way to the iconic sanctuary of Delphi and stand at the marble Altar of the Chians, where the ancient Greeks awaited the Oracle’s pronouncements. Thrill to a once-in-a-lifetime cruise through the 70‑foot wide, recently reopened, Corinth Canal, which was closed for two years after a 2021 landslide.

Day 9 Athens / Return to home city

After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to the Athens Airport for your return flight home.