Zadar and Islands of the North Yacht Cruise with Krka Waterfalls

On arrival in Split, you’ll be met and taken by coach to the beautiful MS Il Mare, moored in the picturesque, ancient harbour. The professional crew welcome you on board and will be on hand to help you settle in. 

The rest of the day is free to relax in your comfortable cabin or wander ashore and begin exploring this fascinating city (flight time permitting). It’ll soon be time for dinner in the ship’s stylish restaurant and a chance to meet your fellow travelling companions; with just 40 guests in total, a relaxed, uncrowded ambience pervades the ship so, after dinner, retire to a comfy armchair on the terrace for a nightcap and contemplate all that lies in store tomorrow!

You’ll rise refreshed and ready for a first fortifying breakfast on board as the mellow morning sun peeks above the northern hills and casts its shadow over this intriguing city. Expectation mounts as we cast off and our adventure begins! Head up on deck and take in the glorious views; the Dalmatian coastline is said to be one of the most spectacular in Europe with its vast stretches of deserted beach, secret coves and pretty, secluded bays.

We’ll soon arrive in Trogir heading ashore to enjoy a guided tour of this delightful city; behind its classic waterfront, an intriguing maze of winding medieval streets is revealed, tightly clasped by the imposing 15th-century city walls. At the heart of the old town, you’ll find the majestic cathedral, a Venetian masterpiece with its richly decorated chapel. We’ll return to the ship where a lovely lunch awaits.

You can relax in your cabin this afternoon or enjoy a refreshing cup of tea on the terrace as the MS Il Mare gracefully enters the picturesque harbour at Vodice. Once a fishing village, this bustling town offers a good choice of restaurants and cafés, so take this opportunity to wander ashore this evening and enjoy dinner perhaps on the waterfront, before watching the sun go down over a glass of fiery locally distilled brandy.

We’ll spend a leisurely day on board today; during breakfast we cast off once more heading out into the glistening Adriatic. This magnificent coast is littered with idyllic bays where the calm water is perfect for swimming, so during our cruising this morning we’ll make time for a refreshing swim stop, allowing you to work up an appetite for our on-board lunch.

Later, you could venture up on deck and absorb the best panoramic views from the comfort of a sun lounger. As we sail northwards, there’ll be the chance for a spot of reading perhaps or simply unwind to the sound of gulls soaring high above. With a long refreshing drink from the bar watch the coastal views drift by, and the mesmerising waters of the Adriatic dazzle under the warm rays of a hazy afternoon sun – now you’re really on holiday! 

Later we’ll arrive in the ancient capital of Dalmatia, Zadar. This bustling coastal town with the style and charm of the Italian Riviera, was ruled by the Venetians for centuries. There’ll be time for a fascinating guided tour around its marble streets, discovering Roman ruins and lovely medieval churches before you are free to explore under your own steam.

Dinner is at leisure tonight so why not try one of the many cosy restaurants with simple appetising menus of grilled meats or freshly caught fish. Make sure you don't miss the sound and light show of the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation at the waterfront! Perhaps end the evening with a glass of maraschino, a local cherry liqueur produced here since the 16th century.

This morning we’ll continue our passage northwards as the passing seascapes continue to enchant; sailing past the fascinatingly barren rocky island of Pag, its desolate landscape defined by its stark steely mountain backdrop. There’ll be time for a refreshing swim stop before a delicious lunch on board.

Later we’ll arrive in Rab, a real gem and one of the most alluring islands along this stretch of the Dalmatian coast. Sheltered against its sturdy mountainous spine, a verdant landscape of lush fragrant pine forest and a fertile patchwork of vine and olive groves gives way to golden ribbons of deserted beach and picturesque coves along this beautiful peninsula. Four colourful lofty bell towers rise up from the blaze of terracotta rooftops below. 

Spend some free time wandering in the cool shadows of Rab’s ancient stone buildings, admiring the Romanesque architecture, the grand Italianate houses - a legacy of Venetian rule, and absorbing the magical atmosphere of this charming town.

Dinner is at leisure again this evening so you might opt to try one of the stylish seafood restaurants tucked away in the old town. Why not try the catch of the day - simply fried with white wine, garlic and herbs and washed down with a glass of local chilled white wine. What could be better?!

After a relaxed breakfast, we’ll commence our southerly course into the crystal waters of the Kvarner Gulf. Up on deck you can take in yet more spectacular vistas as we drift between these romantically desolate islands. We’ll drop anchor at Silba or Olib, to enjoy a refreshing swim stop in one of these islands’ pretty little bays and then it’s time for lunch on board. This afternoon, you can take to the deck once more for a lazy afternoon’s cruising – perhaps indulge in a little nap, lulled by the soft breezes of the maestral. 

Later we idle into the bay of Telaščica, one of the largest and most beautiful natural harbours in the Adriatic where we will be moored overnight. Largely uninhabited, this is a stunningly rugged stretch of coastline backed by sheer limestone cliffs that plummet into the sea, flanked by a scattering of pretty islets and islands, home to numerous plant and bird species such as rare peregrine falcons.

During our stop here, you’ll have opportunity to wander to the shores of Lake Mir, a natural Salt Lake, with its warm, supposedly therapeutic water that channels through the limestone on its way out to sea.

As the sun begins to cast its rosy glow, thoughts turn to tonight’s special Captain’s Dinner, during which a selection of regional specialities will be served. Later, it’s time to sink into a comfy armchair on the terrace, sip your favourite digestif, and reflect on all that you have seen so far and what’s still to come.

Another day dawns and you rise refreshed as we continue our southerly course. This morning, have your camera at the ready as we enter the waters of the breathtaking Kornati archipelago; an explosion of numerous fascinating desert-like islands that lie scattered around the central island of Kornat. George Bernard Shaw wrote that [God] ‘created the Kornati Islands out of tears, stars and breath' and there is certainly something ethereal about their distinctive barren beauty.

In fact, this remarkable region was designated a National Park in 1980, in celebration of its extraordinarily unusual and desolate charm. The Kornati Islands hide a multitude of secret caves and grottoes amongst the rugged cliffs. Our Captain will drop anchor to allow a swim stop this morning, so enjoy a cooling dip before lunch again on board. 

Later we’ll arrive at the little port of Šibenik, where our guided tour reveals more about the history of this delightful town as we wander its medieval streets, seeing the beautifully restored Renaissance town hall and remarkable Gothic cathedral, thought to be the world’s largest church built without brick or wood supports. This evening the MS Il Mare remains moored in Šibenik.

Dinner is at leisure tonight so you can wander ashore and seek out some traditional Croatian fare: hearty fish stew or mouth-wateringly tender slow cooked beef, simmered with wine and prunes, with fresh crusty bread baked ‘under the lid’ – a typical Croatian style of cooking. After dinner, you can sit back and soak in the magical ambience of historic Šibenik.

The end of our cruise is in sight so make sure you make the most of our last scenic morning on board, whilst watching the coastal views float by. We’ll enjoy one last swim stop before commencing our journey to Split once again. Later, after a final lunch on board, the impressive cityscape will appear, and we’ll begin our final approach into this unique historic city. 

Croatia’s second city, Split, is one of its most vibrant and alluring. At its core lies the huge ancient ruins of the Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, undoubtedly one of the most exceptional legacies from the city’s Roman past and more recently used as the setting for the globally successful television drama ‘Game of Thrones’. A building constructed with the finest materials, Italian marble, lustrous local limestone, even sphinxes from Egypt. The whole palace complex occupies over 30,000 square metres, and is surrounded by towering walls, two metres thick and over 25 metres in places!

During medieval times, other buildings were grafted on to it, integrating the palace with the rest of the town and creating the quirky jumble of houses, churches, chapels and other buildings seen today. We will have a guided walking tour, seeing all the major sights and learning more about this city’s glorious past before you have some free time to wander.

Dinner is at leisure tonight so you might choose to return to the alluring tangle of streets in the old town for some delicious local cuisine whilst absorbing the magical ambience of this beguiling place.

After breakfast, we'll bid farewell to our crew as we disembark MS Il Mare and drive inland to the Krka Valley, home to an impressive sequence of lakes, where water cascades dramatically from one to the next via steep interlocking waterfalls. Minerals dissolved in the water trigger stunning colour changes, from turquoise to azure-blue and from vibrant green to steely grey. With reflections of the majestic surrounding peaks and luxuriant forests rippling on lake surfaces, it’s impossible not to be awestruck. The valley in its entirety has been awarded national park status and we will visit part of this exquisitely beautiful area on this morning’s tour. We'll also witness one of the river's most dramatic stretches - several waterfalls tumbling into one broad, shallow pool. 

We'll return to Split this afternoon and spend the rest of the evening at leisure, staying for two nights in the largest city on the Croatian coast. 

Today we’ll enjoy a tour to Makarska and the popular Biokovo Skywalk. Beginning with a short stop at the small coastal town of Omis, dominated by the 13th century Mirabela Fortress and the Fortica Fortress, we'll continue to the Biokovo Skywalk. Located at 1,228m above sea level in Biokovo Nature Park, the Skywalk is the first in Croatia, offering incredible views over the sea and islands. On a clear day, as you step onto the glass walkway, you might see all the way to Italy! 

After numerous opportunities to take some stunning photos for the folks back home, enjoy some free time in the nearby resort of Makarska, a cosmopolitan seaside town with an attractive promenade before returning to Split. 

You'll have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy this vibrant city at your own pace. Perhaps you'll opt for a slow walk to the beach, explore one of the centuries-old cathedrals or browse the local markets. You may just choose to soak up the vibrant atmosphere and enjoy a spot of people watching in one of the numerous cafes in the Old Town or, for ocean views, head to the harbourfront. 

This evening, perhaps savour a final glass of Plavac Mali with your traditional dinner tonight to mark your last evening in Croatia.