Day 1, Thursday - Depart Venice, Italy for Piran - Portoroz, Slovenia
Tour starts at 2:30 PM with a transfer from the Venice Marco Polo airport to Piran, Slovenia, a picturesque Venetian-style, artist village. The old stone houses nestled on a seaside penisula, the medieval architecture, narrow streets, and sidewalk restaurants, are a delight to the senses. After a small walking tour you will transfer the short distance to the seaside resort of Portoroz (Port of Roses) for check-in at your hotel. Dinner in a local waterfront restaurant and overnight. (D,O)

Day 2, Friday - Opatija - Motovun - Groznjan, Croatia
Breakfast at your hotel is followed by a full day tour of the Istra region, visting the royalty vacation beach resort of Opatija and the quaint stone villages of Motovun and Groznjan where many artists live and perform their crafts. Included is delightful lunch in a specialty truffles restaurant of the area with a scenic panoramic overlook. Return to Porotroz for overnight. (B,L,O)

Day 3, Saturday - Ljubljana - Bled, Slovenia
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for the Baroque style town of Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, surrounded by the Julian Alps. You'll have a little free-time after a walking tour of the colorful old town with its Baroque Town Hall, three-bridges and charming open-air market. Then heading into the mountains to the charming alpine village of Lake Bled, often mentioned as the pearl of the Alpine region. Enjoy the beauty of its emerald-green lake, the small church on the island in the middle of the lake and the medieval castle on a cliff above the lake before returning to Portoroz for a dinner and overnight. (B,D,O)

Day 4, Sunday - Portoroz - Koper, Slovenia
Breakfast at your hotel with a full day to enjoy this Riviera town while shopping the small boutique or artist carts, swimming and sunning on the beach, or being pampered in the spa facilities. Late afternoon transfer the short distance to Koper for embarkation on m/s Arion. You'll be greeted by the English-speaking onboard host with full orientation and dinner before sailing at 11:00 PM for Zadar, Croatia. (B,D,O)
LINK TO THE CRUISE ITINERARY

Day 5, 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 6, 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 7, 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 8, 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 9, 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 10, 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 11, Sunday - Disembarkation Koper - Venice, Italy
9:00 AM arrive in Koper. At approximately 10:30 AM, after the ship clears all authorities, you'll be transferred to Venice for hotel check-in and remainder of the day free to start exploring this romantic city of waterways. Overnight Venice. (B,O)

Day 12, Monday - Venice, Italy
Breakfast at your hotel with a free morning. Afternoon you 'll enjoy an amazing gondola ride – the number one must-do in Venice. From magnificent bridges to dream-like palaces, it is an experience you will never forget and a relaxing way to enjoy the city. Overnight Venice. (B,O)

Day 13, Tuesday - Depart Venice
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport in time for your flight departure. (B)

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