Day 1, Sunday - Depart Venice, Italy for Koper, Slovenia
Tour starts at 2:30 PM with a transfer from the Venice Marco Polo airport to Koper, Slovenia for embarkation on m/s Arion at approximately 5:30 PM. You'll be greeted by our local host with full orientation. You will sail for Zadar, Croatia at 11:00 PM. (D,O)
LINK TO THE CRUISE ITINERARY

Day 2, Monday - Cruise Zadar, Croatia
Arrive 10:00 AM. Known today as “Treasure City”, Zadar once was a dominant city of the Adriatic region. Zadar, is one of the oldest Slavic city on the Adriatic coast with sights such as the Roman Forum, the Cathedral and St. Donat Church to enjoy. You will have an opportunity to take an optional full day excursion to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The park's scenery includes 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation with a winding trail that puts in contact with this incredible nature. Depart 8:00 PM. (B,L,D,O)

Day 3, Tuesday - Cruise Ploce - Korcula, Croatia
Arrive 7:30 AM in Ploce, one of the youngest towns in Croatia. From this port you have the opportunity to take an optional tour to the Turkish-style enclave of Mostar. The drive is through a marvelous gorge of the Neretva River. Mostar, a city in Bosnia and Herzegovina named after its 16th century Old Bridge, with towers that dot each side of the river. Depart 2:30 PM.
This evening the ship arrives at 6:00 PM in the beautiful island of Korcula, and according to local tradition, the birth place of world explorer Marco Polo. Enjoy the charm of the old walled city and the island's lively evenings. Depart 11:50 PM. (B,L,D,O)

Day 4, Wednesday - Cruise Kotor, Montenegro
Ship arrives 8:00 AM in Kotor, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Don't however, sleep late this morning because the sail into the deep, rugged Kotor Bay provides breathtaking views of the only fjords in southern Europe. You can walk into the charming walled city, just a short distance from the pier, or take one of the optional excursions to the ancient city of Cetinije or the picturesque sites of Budva and Sveti Stefan. Depart 10:30 PM. (B,L,D,O)

Day 5, Thursday - Cruise Durres, Albania
Arrive 7:00 AM in Durres, one of the most ancient cities of Albania, dating back to 627 B.C. Roman ruins abound in this largest seaport in the country. A full day optional tour to the historical town of Kruja, where you can visit the Bazaar, the museum of national hero, Gjergj Kastriot Scanderbeg, and the Ethnographic museum, where you'll enjoy a presenation on folk dresses and past-century tools in a typical Turkish-style house. Then on to the capital city of Tirana includes a walk around Skanderberg Square, the Moshe of Ethem Bey and a visit to the national museum. Depart 10:00 PM. (B,L,D,O)

Day 6, Friday - Cruise Dubrovnik, Croatia
Ship arrives 8:00 AM in the Medieval city of Dubrovnik. In the 7th century, this walled-city guarded the coastal approaches by invaders of the Croatian kingdom. Entering the gates of this over 1000-year old architectural marvel is like a step back in time. You may want to take an optional walking tour of the Old Town including the Rector’s Palace, the Church of St. Blaise, the fountain of Onofrio, the Franciscan Monastery, housing one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, and the Synagogue. With a full day and evening in this captivating town, energetic participants will even have time to take in the impressive views from the top of the wall surrounding the old city. Depart 11:00 PM. (B,L,D,O)

Day 7, Saturday - Cruise Split, Croatia
Arrive 8:00 AM in Split, the second largest city in Croatia and a UN World Heritage Site. At the historical core of Split, and within walking distance of the ship, is the massive Palace of the Emperor Diocletian, dating from the end of the third century A.D., and one of the last palaces of the Roman Empire. Diocletian’s Mausoleum and the Temple of Jupiter are fully preserved, though in the Middle Ages they were converted to Christian edifices. The statue of Grgur Ninski, created by Croatia’s premier modern sculptor, Ivan Mestrovic, is situated in front of the Golden Gate. People who pass by rub the big toe for good luck. Depart 4:00 PM. (B,L,D,O)

Day 8, Sunday - Disembark Koper - Piran - Portoroz, Slovenia
9:00 AM arrive in Koper. This coastal town is the largest commercial port in Slovenia. After the ship is cleared by local authorities you'll transfer the short distance to Portoroz (Port of Roses) for a welcome drink at your hotel followed by a walking tour of Piran, the picturesque Venetian-style, artist village nearby. The old stone houses, medieval architecture, narrow streets, and sidewalk restaurants are a delight to the senses. You'll have time to stay and enjoy lunch on your own or transfer back to Portoroz (Port of Roses) for a free afternoon to relax in this resort, seaside town. Dinner will be a gala, seafood feast with wine at a local seaside restaurant. Overnight Portoroz. (B,D,O)

Day 9, Monday - Postojna - Ljubljana - Bled, Slovenia
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for Postojna Caves, first mentioned in 1213. This is one of the largest underground caves in Europe and is home of the mysterious mollusc, called "human fish" (Proteus Anguinus). A small train guides visitors through this enormous maze of crystalline stone curtains and altars. A few kilometers from the entrance stands the amazing 16th century Predjama Castle, which hangs dramatically in the middle of a 123-meter cliff. On to the Baroque style town of Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, surrounded by the Julian Alps. After a walking tour of the colorful old town with its Baroque Town Hall, three-bridges and charming open-air market, you depart for the postcard-perfect alpine village of Bled and hotel check-in. Overnight Bled. (B,O)

Day 10, Tuesday - Bled, Slovenia
Breakfast at your hotel. Today you have a full day free to enjoy the walking trails around this picturesque, glacial lake and the charming town with an imposing 10th century Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. Be sure to try the specialty pastry of the region - creme schnitzel. Consider an optional pletna (gondola) ride to visit the old church on a small island in the middle of the lake. The church houses a collection of a religious art and the superstitious "wishing bell". This evening is a farewell dinner with wine and schnaps in a local restaurant. (B,D,O)

Day 11, Wednesday, depart to airport Venice, Italy
After breakfast, depart early for the Venice airport in accordance with your flight time. (B)

Key: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner; O=Overnight