Tour/Cruise Combo: Venice to Split (with Split return Deluxe Cruise) - 13nts

Activity Level: 1
Comfort: 5
Departs From: Venice
Location: Istria, Plitvice, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Korcula
Duration: 14 days (Sun-Sat)
Availability: SUNDAYS, May - September
CLICK FOR PRICING / DEPARTURES

Activity Level: 1
Comfort: 5
Departs From: Venice
Location: Istria, Plitvice, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Korcula
Duration: 14 days (Sun-Sat)
Availability: SUNDAYS, May - September
CLICK FOR PRICING / DEPARTURES

Highlights

Venice
Istria - Rovinj, Pula, Porec
Postojna Caves
Zagreb
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Split
Korcula
Dubrovnik
Hvar
Mljet National Park

Book now (obligation free) pay later

14 days from Venice, Poreč, Pula, Rovinj, Postojna, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Plitvice, Split, Bol, Jelsa, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Mljet, Hvar and to Split

Comprehensive Tour and Cruise combo from Venice to Split.
Tour from Venice to Istria, then overland via Zagreb and Plitvice Lakes to Split.
Join your 7 night cruise from Split to Dubrovnik and return, seeing the best of the Dalmatian Coast along the way.
Half-board, sightseeing and transfers included.
Only a few departures each year, so get in quick

Itinerary

SHIP INFO AND PHOTOS:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/ships/deluxe/

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INCLUSIONS AND FULL ITINERARY:
14 days from Venice, Poreč, Pula, Rovinj, Postojna, Ljubljana, Zagreb, Plitvice, Split, Bol, Jelsa, Korčula, Dubrovnik, Mljet, Hvar and return to Split

INCLUDED:
• Arrival shared transfer from Venice Airport to hotel
• Departure shared transfer from the port to the Airport/hotel in Split
• Ferry transfer Venice - Poreč
• 2 nights in hotel in Venice, 2 nights in hotel in Poreč and 2 nights in hotel in Zagreb
• 7-night accommodation onboard in a Deluxe cabin with private bathroom, A/C and LCD TV
• Air-conditioned motorcoach throughout tour
• Professional Tour Escort for land portion - English-speaking
• Professional Cruise Manager - English-speaking
• Daily cabin servicing, fresh bed linen and towels midweek during cruise
• Luggage handling
• Free Wi-Fi
• Licensed Local Guides for City Tours
• Whisper technology enhanced touring
• Hotel taxes

Meals Included:
• Daily buffet breakfast
• 2 dinners during the tour portion
• 6 lunches all with 3 courses and salad bar during cruise
• Welcome Dinner during cruise
• Captain’s Dinner with live music during cruise
• Drinking water dispenser during cruise
• Complimentary coffee, tea and fresh fruits available daily
• Wine tasting in Korčula

Sightseeing tours Included:
• Local guides for sightseeing tours of Plitvice National Park, Pula, Postojna, Zagreb, Venice
• City tours of Split, Hvar, Korčula and Dubrovnik
• Guided tour and entrance to Mljet National Park
• Entrance fees to Euphrasian Basilica, Venice glass factory, St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Postojna Cave, Pula Amphitheater, Plitvice Lower Lakes, Franciscan Monastery’s Pharmacy and Diocletian’s Palace

Hotels (before the cruise):
• Venice: Carlton on the Grand Canal 4star or similar
• Poreč: Valamar 4star or similar
• Zagreb: Zonar 4star or similar

NOT INCLUDED:
• Port Tax 35 EUR per person / cruise - pay onboard ship (obligatory)
• Tips and gratuities
• Transfers on days other than the scheduled start and finish days
• Arrival transfer from anywhere in Venice other than the airport
• Drinks, extra meals
• All other entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions

ITINERARY:
Check-in to your room from 14.00hrs. Passengers who arrive earlier can leave their bags at Reception until their room is ready. Late arrivals are possible.

Day 1, arrival Venice, Sunday (D)
Upon arrival to Venice airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Dinner at hotel and overnight.

Day 2 Venice, Monday (B, D)
After breakfast, we begin our exploration of Venice with a boat ride to Murano Island, famous for its artistic glassware. In a working glass factory, we observe master craftsmen demonstrate the art of traditional Venetian glassblowing. We then depat for St. Mark’s Square, for a walking tour with visits of St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. En route, we take in views of the Bell Tower and the Bridge of Sighs. The balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy even more of Venice. Later, we gather for dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 3 Venice-Poreč, Tuesday (B)
We embark the ship early in the morning and sail directly to Poreč. After check in at the hotel, we start our visit of the old town of Porec, whose traces of the past are preserved in the old core of the town. Stone streets, ruins of ancient temples, forums and other beautiful buildings preserved from ancient times testify to the number of conquerors. The Euphrasian Basilica from the 6th century is the most valuable historical and cultural monument in Istria, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Poreč.

Day 4 Poreč – Pula - Rovinj – Poreč, Wednesday (B)
Today we drive to Pula for an orientation tour of this strategic port city. We also visit the preserved Amphitheater, the sixth largest in the world. Then we continue on to the beautiful resort city of Rovinj, a city with magical landscapes, small traditional fishing boats "batana" and distinctive typical folk songs, bitinada. Stopping in front of the Baroque Church of Saint Euphemia, with the Saint's status on its bell tower, is mentioned in many songs. Free time in Rovinj. Return and overnight in Poreč.

Day 5 Poreč –Postojna - Ljubjana– Zagreb, Thursday (B, D)
After breakfast, we depart to Slovenia and visit the unique and beautiful Postojna Cave, one of the largest in Europe. We tour this wondrous subterranean world by miniature electric train. We continue to Ljubljana. City tour of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia and a home to one of the oldest Philharmonics in the world. Explore the baroque town buildings and stroll beside majestic Ljubljanica River. Free time on your own and continuation to Zagreb. Dinner and overnight in Zagreb.

Day 6 Zagreb, Friday (B)
Morning city tour of Zagreb, including the fortified Upper Town, city’s historical center, St. Mark’s Church with its multicolored roof, the Cathedral, the Croatian National Theater and the University. The rest of your day at leisure. Overnight in Zagreb.

Day 7 Zagreb – Plitvice – Split, Saturday (B, WR, D)
We journey south by motorcoach for a visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In Plitvice, we walk around several of the lower lakes. The Park is a natural wonder with 16 terraced lakes surrounded by wooded mountains and lush vegetation. After our visit, we motor on to Split where we embark after 14 h on a supreme cruise ship. Welcome Reception followed by Dinner that evening. Overnight onboard in Split.

Day 8 Split – Bol – Jelsa, Sunday (B, L)
Morning sail towards Bol on Brač Island, you will discover one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire Mediterranean – “Zlatni Rat” (the Golden Horn), which is constantly changing direction due to the ocean currents with optional swim if weather permits. Return to the ship for lunch and set sail for Jelsa on the island of Hvar. One of the most picturesque towns on the island of Hvar; Jelsa is nestled in amongst hills dense with pine woods. The town quay extends all the way around the harbour with numerous laid moorings. Walk around the town to see old stone streets, squares, churches, and parks. Enjoy a coffee in the main square and soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere of this bustling town. Your evening is free to explore Jelsa on your own.

Day 9 Jelsa – Korčula (Wine tasting), Monday (B, L, T)
Early in the morning we set sail for the island of Korčula, with swimming stop, if weather permits, in one of pristine bays, time to relax and lunch on board. Continue towards Korčula, the most preserved medieval town, thought to be the birthplace of the famous explorer Marco Polo. Take a walking tour of Korčula which takes you through its narrow, cobbled streets full of history and enjoy wine tasting in one of the local wine bars. Evening is free to explore the town on your own.

Day 10 Korčula – Dubrovnik, Tuesday (B, L)
In the morning sail to Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Upon arrival in Dubrovnik, you will enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent Old Town with a panoramic bus ride above the Old Town. After the panoramic view, we will arrive at the historical centre of Dubrovnik, walk through STRADUN – both a street and a square, the most famous place inside the town walls, the famous city enlisted as UNESCO’s World Heritage site, where your guide will show you the most interesting sights of Dubrovnik. After city tour, you will be left on your own to explore the city, visit City Walls, the Franciscan Monastery with Europe's second oldest pharmacy, the Rector's Palace, and the Cathedral, take a boat ride to Lokrum island or take the cable car to the top of the Mount Srđ. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 11 Dubrovnik - Mljet, Wednesday (B, L, CD)
In the morning head further north to the Island of Mljet. Mljet National Park encompasses five types of forest, many species of brids and two deep lakes, Veliko Jezero (Big Lake) and Malo Jezero (Small Lake). Join the Cruise Manager for a stroll to the famous salt lakes in the Mljet National Park. Alternatively, you can rent bicycles, scooters, or kayaks to explore the National Park or island on your own. Tonight, enjoy our Captain’s Dinner onboard.

Day 12 Mljet - Hvar, Thursday (B, L)
Take a break for a swim during your morning cruise. Continue sailing through lunch, arriving this afternoon in Hvar, a favourite holiday destination for international celebrities, but it’s also a charming seaside town with 8 centuries of architecture. On a walking tour visit the old town with the picturesque little streets and the first public theatre in Europe (older than Shakespeare’s theatre in the UK), the Franciscan Monastery and much more. Your evening is free in Hvar. You can explore more and dine on your own at one of the many restaurants in town.

Day 13 Hvar – Split, Friday (B, L)
Next, we head to our final port Split with a stop along the way to swim, cool off and relax, if weather permits, with lunch on board. In the late afternoon we arrive in Split to take a walking tour of the historic inner city takes us to the Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We see the remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle, and the Cathedral. Your evening is free in Split.

Day 14 Split – departure, Saturday (B)
After breakfast it’s time to disembark. You will be transferred to Split airport or your Split hotel.

B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner, WR-Welcome Reception, CD-Captain’s Dinner
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Accommodations

Luxury accommodations are provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our specific FAQ pages here:

Before You Go - General Croatia Info (general info for all travellers)

Before Your Cruise - General Cruise Info (for all small ship Croatia cruises)

Before Your Island Hopping Tour - General Info (packages combining hotels, ferries and transfers)

Before Your Private Charter - General Yacht and Gulet Charter Info (private charters)

Click here to see how the booking process works: https://www.discovercroatia.com.au/booking-process-how-to-book/

How far in advance do I need to book?

Cruises: For our weekly small ship cruises with guaranteed departures we suggest you book as soon as your plans are in motion. All cruises are extremely popular especially during peak season, which is June, July, August, September and these dates can be booked out up to a year in advance, especially September. One-way cruises are particularly sought-after and tend to sell out first, so please speak to us first to ensure your cruise choice is available before booking any flight arrangements.

Escorted Tours: Escorted Group Tours with guaranteed departures are also best booked as early as possible to ensure your place on the tour, as spaces are limited to a set number of passengers. Once the tour is full that departure is closed for new bookings.

Island Hopping, Self-Drive, Self-Guided Cycling/Hiking and Independent or Private Tours: Independent tours are available most days of the week at any time of year, so if you're booking late these are a great option. They can also start or finish on any day of the week, so can be a great alternative to the cruises (that mostly depart only on Saturdays). You can check out our Island Hopper Tours and our active tours for some examples. If you can't find what you are looking for please make an enquiry on any of our tours and let us know what you need. We love creating custom tours with our clients.

What do the different ship categories mean?

Please see our Ship Descriptions page here, for all the information on Ship Categories, Deck and Cabin Descriptions.

What is half-board? What meals are included?

Half-board (HB): This means that 2 meals a day are usually provided, mostly it will be breakfast and lunch on cruises, and breakfast and dinner on escorted tours. Each cruise or tour will have meals listed on the daily itinerary, so that you will know exactly which meals are included. Some lunches or dinners are swapped occasionally, so that you may enjoy a wonderful gourmet experience with your fellow travellers, such as a Captain's Dinner on a cruise, or a wine-tasting and lunch on an escorted tour. For the remainder of your meals you will be able to dine anywhere you choose and you will be responsible for the cost of those meals. Your Cruise or Tour Director will be happy to recommend a good value and trusted eatery nearby at every location, or you can explore on your own.

Bed and Breakfast (BB): This means that only breakfast is included in your holiday. Most of our Independent Tours include breakfast only, so that you are not beholden to going back to your hotel for lunch or dinner as you are going to be exploring on your own. We think that flexibility with lunch and dinner gives you the best option for exploring Croatia and experiencing the local culture and cuisine.

Full-board (FB) is occasionally offered on cruises as an optional extra, but we do not recommend you take the full-board option unless you are really sure about it. A lot of the joy of the cruise and tour experiences is to dine in local restaurants, 'konobas' (traditional pubs) and bars, so that you can meet the people who live and work there. Why come all the way to Croatia only to eat on-board for every meal? There are so many fabulous (and even some famous!) eateries. Get out there and taste them!

What type of transport is used on the Island Hopper Tours? Local ferries and vehicle transfers

Local ferries: Local ferries are used between the mainland and the islands where possible. Most of these ferries are fast ferries (high speed catamarans). Our Island Hopper Tours include all ferry tickets, as well as delivery of the ferry tickets to your hotel, when we come to pick you up to take you to the ferry port. In some towns, where some hotels are in the pedestrian zone close to the ferry port (like Hvar), then you will be met at the ferry and directed to your hotel, with luggage assistance if required. If your hotel is outside the pedestrian zone you will be met at the ferry and taken to your transfer vehicle, with luggage assistance if required.

Transfers: Most Island Hoppers have private airport transfers included, and private transfers to/from the ferry ports on the islands. Some transfers will be shared transfers if there are others going to the exact same hotel at the same time and it is a short distance.

How fit do I need to be for my holiday?

Relaxation/cultural cruises and tours: On-board your cruise ship, you will need to be able to negotiate gangways and stairs and be able to step from ship to ship as the cruise ships are moored next to each other sideways and sometimes you need to step across to the next ship. You will be walking mostly on the cobblestone streets through the iconic cities and towns of the region. The excursions are best-suited to those who are capable of walking on uneven surfaces as many old cities and towns have limited totally flat surfaces that can accommodate wheelchairs or walking-frames. Please contact us to ask about your specific circumstances, as we are happy to help plan for your needs as best we can. Assistance will be provided on cruise ships to help you navigate getting on and off, but there are a few limitations. Please ask.

Cycling tours: Although almost completely flat this cycle tour is graded easy to moderate as the daily distance ranges between approximately 15-50 km. You will be biking mostly on the dedicated cycle paths alongside canals, rivers and through the iconic cities and towns of the region. This tour is well-suited to those who have never taken a cycling holiday before as it is flat and predominantly traffic-free and you also have the option of skipping the cycling and relaxing on board.

What happens if I can't attend an excursion?

It is possible to relax at your hotel, on the tour bus or on the boat at any time.

What happens if I can't cycle or hike a stage on an active holiday?

For cycling cruises: If you don't want to cycle it is possible to relax on the boat as it moves to the next port of call.

For cycling and hiking tours: If you don't want to (or can't due to illness or injury) cycle, hike or walk a stage, then we will make arrangements to have you transferred to the next stop on your itinerary so that you can continue with your holiday. Prices for transfers vary widely, so pricing will be provided on an 'as needed' basis only.

What equipment do I need?

Relaxation/excursion cruises and tours: You will need comfortable walking shoes, clothes for relaxing, your swimming costume, and a sunhat. Most cruises are fairly relaxed and casual clothing is fine for all meals, though you may want to take one nice outfit depending on where you wish to dine onshore.

Cycling cruises and tours: You will need comfortable sports shoes, comfortable clothes for cycling, waterproof jacket and trousers, a helmet and a sunhat. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.

If you have any questions, just give us a call or email:

Call us or WhatsApp: +612-9212-1507
Email us: [email protected]