Cruise Advice
Duration
7 Nights
Journey Type
Sailing from Italy
Ports
8 Ports
20 June
Setting sail from Venice
Venice is a city like no other, a marble maze of turquoise canals criss-crossed by beautiful bridges, overflowing with palaces, churches and charming little piazzas. No matter how many times you've seen it in photographs, that first glimpse of the Grand Canal will simply take your breath away; it hardly seems credible that such an eye-popping scene could exist outside of a Canaletto painting. Of course Venice is a city that draws big crowds, especially in summer, but don't let this put you off; even the busiest areas are never more than a few steps from a quiet courtyard or a secluded square.
Don't miss
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection houses an eclectic assortment of works from the likes of Picasso, Magritte and Jackson Pollock. There is also a lovely garden facing on to the Grand Canal, with a rather rude sculpture of a rider on horseback.
21 June
Croatia: Rovinj
Rovinj is undoubtedly the highlight of the Istrian coast, a picturesque medieval fishing port with a strong Italian influence discernible in everything from the elegant architecture to the bilingual street signs. A day trip to one of the nearby islands also makes for an enjoyable excursion.
22 June
Croatia: Šibenik
One of the Dalmatian coast’s lesser known cities, Šibenik is notable for its compact medieval centre, UNESCO-listed Gothic-Renaissance cathedral and crumbling fortresses. The nearby islands of Zlarin and Prvić also make for an enjoyable day trip.
23 June
Croatia: Trogir
Set on a tiny island off the Dalmatian coast, and connected to the mainland by a bridge, Trogir is small but perfectly formed. The town’s appeal lies in its beautiful UNESCO-listed architecture, the legacy of the Venetians who ruled here for almost 400 years.
24 June
Croatia: Vis
Of all Croatia’s myriad inhabited islands, Vis is the furthest from the mainland, and was off-limits to tourists for many years, reserved for the Yugoslav military. The resulting lack of development is a big part of the island’s appeal, along with stunning scenery, excellent food and wine, and the attractive little towns of Komiza and Vis Town.
25 June
Croatia: Hvar
Hvar is the most popular of Croatia’s islands, a ruggedly beautiful place carpeted with lavender fields and dotted with little villages. The island’s capital, Hvar Town, is a charming collection of marble streets arranged around a harbour, and it gets very busy in the summer months.
26 June
Croatia: Korcula
Draped in vineyards and olive groves, the verdant Croatian island of Korcula is famous for its white wine and is said by some to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. The main settlement, Korcula Town, bears more than a passing resemblance to Dubrovnik, with a historic centre encircled by medieval walls and towers.
27 June
Arriving in Dubrovnik
We never fail to be moved when we see the terracotta roofs and honey-golden walls of Dubrovnik, and a stroll around the perfectly preserved old town is a highlight of any visit to the Dalmatian coast. Formerly known as Ragusa, Dubrovnik is a city with a rich, and occasionally troubled, history; the shelling of the city was one of the most shocking images of the Balkan wars of the 1990s, which makes the painstaking restoration of the old town in the years since all the more remarkable. Make sure you take the time to walk around the walls and soak up the views across the rooftops towards Lokrum island, and the deep sapphire of the Adriatic Sea beyond.
Our tip
Walking the entire length of the walls involves a lot of steps, and it can be quite exhausting in the hot Croatian sun. If you’d rather just see a smaller section, the Minčeta tower provides the best photo opportunities.
Your home from home
The third innovative luxury yacht from Emerald Cruises, Emerald Kaia represents an exciting evolution in intimate small-ship cruising, setting sail in 2026.
What we love
Following the success of sister ships Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, Emerald Cruises unveils a brand-new luxury yacht due to set sail in 2026, Emerald Kaia. This new yacht will feature enhanced spaces on board including an Observation Sun Deck at the bow, and a reimagined Sky Deck area, perfect for soaking in the views, and will operate itineraries in the Mediterranean and Seychelles.
| capacity | 128 guests |
|---|---|
| crew | 92 staff |
| style | Intimate, luxury cruising akin to sailing on your own private yacht, with enhanced outside spaces perfect for warmer climes. |
| inclusions |
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Tailor-make your trip
Ways to make it better
Our favourite hotel in Venice
The Metropole is an old favourite for its quieter location and lovely lagoon views.
See more of the Veneto
If you’ve time, take the train to Padova and visit the Scrovegni Chapel.
Our favourite hotel in Dubrovnik
We love the intimate Villa Orsula, with just eight lovely bedrooms and excellent sea views, but if you want to stay in the Old Town itself, the Pucic Palace is the one to go for.
Day trips from Dubrovnik
Make the short trip across the border into Bosnia-Herzegovina and visit the pretty little town of Mostar, with its famous stone bridge over the river Neretva.
