No other sea approach in the Adriatic raises goose bumps like Venice, a small ship exclusive where the entire city and its lagoon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We begin our cruise in the enchanting city of Venice, Italy. In this intimate setting, gondoliers serenade, delicate bridges lead to winding cobblestone streets and glorious Renaissance architecture form a fairy-tale backdrop. Join our pre-cruise vacation stretcher and take in all the must-see sights.

We will offer pre-cruise vacation stretchers in Venice, Italy. More information will be available approximately 11 months prior to the trip.

The lovely fishing port of Rovinj on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula bordered on three sides by the Adriatic Sea. You can tour the maze of cobblestone streets that lead to the hilltop St. Euphemia Cathedral with its towering steeple dominating the skyline. Old Town Rovinj is a delightful tangle of medieval streets and twisting stairways. Seek out the Bronze Age ruins of Monkodonja, the hidden beaches or the breathtaking natural beauty of the 6-mile-long Lim Fjord.

Sample excursions: Experience Istria, Tour of Pula & Olive Oil Tasting, Rib Boat Sea Adventure, Seaside Resort of Porec & Wine Tasting.

Split welcomes you with open arms, Mediterranean style, and a bustling harbor lined with busy cafés. Beyond, looms stately Diocletian’s Palace a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the center of town. Don't miss the seafood market, located on Marmontova near the shoreline. The vegetable market is a fantastic lunch alternative. Be sure to visit any of the city's pekara, or bakeries for some pastries and baked goods. If you’re longing for a quiet respite, head for the western end of town for an easy stroll through a verdant mountain park. Or take an optional tour to Trogir, another UNESCO site.

Sample excursions: Cooking class & Dalmatian Delicacies, Flavors & Aromas of Dalmatia, Krka National Park Highlights, Rafting the Cetina River, Sea Safari of Trogir.

While larger ships must pass by, we anchor right beyond the famous walled city so you can admire its beauty with every glance. Often referred to as “the Pearl of the Adriatic”, tender ashore and step right into Old Town, a UNESCO site where no cars are allowed, just eons of history. Capture the exhilarating views on your camera—and in your memory. End your day at the Buza Café (if you can find it) watching bold divers leap off the cliffs into the crystalline sea.

Sample excursions: Lunch at a Local Family Village Home, Game of Thrones, Historic Dubrovnik & Wine Tasting, Kayaking the City Walls & Lokrum Island, Best of Dubrovink, Adriatic Sea Adventure.

This is one of Montenegro’s most beautiful bays, and the approach offers one breathtaking fjord-like view after another. Just when you’ve reached your fill of blues and greens, the bright red rooftops of the medieval Old Town come into view. The entire area has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The charming streets of Old Town remain car free, filled with 12^th century Baroque palaces and Romanesque churches. For a fresh perspective, climb to the fortress on the hill for a breathtaking vista.

Sample excursions: Kotor Bay & Baroque Village of Perast, Blue Cave Cruise with Lunch at Fishermans Village, Lovcen Hills by ATV Safari, Highlights of Montenegro, Kotor on Foot, Taste of Montenegro.

Today you’ll discover one of Sicily’s jewels, the charming village of Giardini Naxos, nestled in one of the world’s most beautiful bays. An optional excursion to the popular hillside town of Taormina will be a highlight of your voyage—from the stunning setting of the iconic Greek Theater to the sparkling beaches along the Ionian Sea. Take a more adventurous tack and explore the UNESCO site of Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano.

Sample excursions: Castelmola & Taormina, Wine Tasting at the Gambino Winery, In the Godfathers Steps, Taormina & The Blue Grotto by Boat.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites abound in Sorrento. Optional tours will take you to the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Torre Annunziata, or the 4^th century B.C. city of Herculaneum. Perhaps your choice will be a boat ride to Positano, the legendary home of the Sirens. Perched on a terrace on the spectacular Amalfi Coast, Sorrento offers exceptional views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

Sample excursions: Positano & Amalfi, Boat Tour to Positano, Sorrento Discovery & Tasting, Sorrento Gourmet, Journey to Pompeii.

In this enchanting city the past and present intersect in perfect harmony. Casually intermingled among ancient ruins and majestic cathedrals are the trappings of a modern metropolis: Skyscrapers, cafés, boutiques selling designer footwear. But of course what you seek first in the heart of Rome is its breathtaking history. A good place to begin is the Vatican, with its Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Works by Bernini, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Raphael are just a few of those on display, any one of which is worth hours of contemplation. Then the ancient ruins—Colosseum, Forum, Circus Maximus. And of course the Trevi Fountain for the obligatory coins promising your return to the Eternal City.

We will offer post-cruise vacation stretchers in Rome, Italy. More information will be available approximately 11 months prior to the trip.