Croatian Island Hopping

You’ll touch down at Split airport, Croatia’s second-largest city and be transferred to the port. From here, you’ll board your home on the water for the next few nights, the MS Equator. Compact and ideal for traversing the country’s idyllic coastline, this vessel of 18 well-equipped and comfortable cabins encompasses a modern and elegant design with three decks, a restaurant, a bar, and a Jacuzzi.  

Settle into your cabin and join the other travellers for a welcome reception in the evening, followed by dinner.

Enjoy your first breakfast on board as the vessel travels to the Bol on Brač Island, with one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, Zlatni Rat (the Golden Horn). This stretch of smooth white pebbles is constantly shaped by the wind and ocean currents. Weather permitting, you can take a dip in its surrounding crystal-clear waters before lunch is served back on the deck.  

The vessel will then continue to the town of Jelsa in the centre of Hvar Island and ringed by pine forests. You’ll be welcomed by the pretty bay and have a chance to wander around its old stone streets and a coffee in the main 16th-century square, Pjaca. On its side, you’ll see a natural spring that has been used by the local people since ancient times.  

This evening, you’ll be free to explore Jelsa at your own pace, perhaps having dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants.

Early this morning, you’ll journey to the island of Korčula, have breakfast and depending on the weather, a swim in one of the nearby bays. You can then lounge on the sun deck and eat lunch before docking at the harbour and visiting the walled medieval town.  

Famed as the birthplace of the famous explorer, Marco Polo, Korčula will be explored on a guided walking tour, which will take you around its labyrinth of streets. Points of interest include the striking St. Mark's Cathedral, a prominent landmark with a bell tower, the Marco Polo House, a museum dedicated to the pioneer, and the 16th-century Renaissance-style Gabrielis Palace. This island is also known for its wine production, especially the white wine variety Pošip, and you’ll get to sample some of the local labels and learn about the winemaking process at a popular bar.  

Another free evening allows you to survey the town at your leisure, perhaps taking a stroll along the city walls as the sun sets over the Adriatic and tasting the seafood at an open-air restaurant.  

Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll head to Dubrovnik, the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient city.  

On the guided tour, you’ll get to see the pedestrianised central street Stradun, running from the Pile Gate to busy Luza Square and overlooked by the carved stone façade of the impressive Sponza Palace, as well as the baroque St Blaise’s Church. 

You’ll then have the opportunity to discover more highlights, like the Franciscan Monastery with Europe’s second oldest pharmacy, and the Rector’s Palace, the seat of the government in the former Dubrovnik Republic. The energetic can walk the entirety of the city walls, while others can take a seat in one of the city's many pavement cafés.  

You can also take a boat ride to the nearby Lokrum Island, home to a botanical garden, a salt lake, and a historic Benedictine monastery. Alternatively, choose to travel by cable car to the summit of Mount Srđ, which overlooks the city’s red-roofed buildings and the shimmering waters below.  

Choose from one of the city’s restaurants for dinner this evening as the vessel will dock here for the night.  

During breakfast, you can sit back and relax as the vessel ventures north to the island of Mljet, where the expansive Mljet National Park can be found. Made up of five types of forests and featuring two deep interconnected salt lakes, Veliko Jezero (Great Lake) and Malo Jezero (Small Lake), this is a natural haven for wildlife and several bird species.  

Your cruise manager will take you into the heart of the park along the scenic trails to these two salt lakes, pointing out St. Mary’s Island, with its Benedictine monastery and church. You can also choose to rent bicycles, scooters, or kayaks to do some sightseeing of your own. The 3,000-year-old Odysseus Cave is worth checking out because of its connection to Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey – it’s believed to be the cave where Odysseus sought shelter.  

Perhaps have a drink at the vessel’s bar this evening and then enjoy a special Captain’s dinner with the other travellers.  

Start the day with breakfast and a morning swim as you sail and have lunch on board later. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive at the port of Hvar Island, a popular summer resort enclosed by 13th-century walls and sprawling lavender fields. A walking tour will reveal Hvar’s main sights, such as the old town’s main square, St Stephen’s Square, Hvar Cathedral with its bell tower, and Hvar Public Theatre, one of the oldest public theatres in Europe, dating back to the 17th century. Positioned above the town is the fortress Fortica boasting panromantic views over the bay and the chain of rocky Pakleni Islands. 

A free evening means you can soak up the atmospheric nightlife, from the lively bars and assortment of restaurants with terraces spilling onto the pavements.

Following breakfast, the vessel will make its way to the final port, Spilt, with a swim stop to cool off and lunch on board. Upon arriving at the island, you’ll go on a walking tour of the inner city, visiting Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world.  

You’ll also get to view the central Peristyle Square with its marble colonnaded design and the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, built as the mausoleum of Emperor Diocletian and reflecting an elaborate Romanesque design. You can climb the bell tower for panoramic views over the city, too.  

It’s your last evening and you can spend it on Split’s Riva waterfront promenade, bustling with restaurants and bars, and looking out over the Adriatic Sea. Enjoy a chilled beverage as the sun goes down followed by a dinner of local delicacies.

You’ll depart the vessel after a final breakfast this morning and be transferred to Split airport for your flight home.