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Itinerary June 2 to June 24, 2009
ATHENS – CORINTH CANAL – IONIAN ISLANDS – ALBANIA – MONTENEGRO – CROATIA
Ports of Call: Athens (Piraeus), Corinth Canal, Itea, Delphi, Trizonia, Ithaca, Lefkas, Paxos, Corfu, Sarande, Vlore, Durres, Ulcinj, Sveti Stefan, Budva, Kotor, Cavtat, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Komiza, Island of Hvar, Island of Bisevo, Island of Brac, Bol, Milna, Krka River, Skradin, Krka National Park, Rogoznica, Trogir and Split.

		Depart USA to Athens International Airport (leave Monday – arrive Tuesday)
Day 1		Embark in Athens (Piraeus). We'll spend the afternoon settling in and getting our sea legs. Dinner and Overnight at Athens Greece.

Day 2		ATHENS TO CORINTH CANAL (~40nm) The Corinth Canal was built in the late nineteenth century and created a new sea route by linking the Corinthian and Saronic Gulfs. Until that time, ships sailing between the Aegean and the Adriatic had had to circumnavigate the Peloponnese Peninsula, adding about 185 nautical miles to their voyage. However, in antiquity the Greeks had devised a way of solving the problem of communications between the two seas. In the late seventh or early sixth century BC, the tyrants of Corinth constructed a paved road called the Diolkos, which led from Schinous on the Saronic Gulf to Poseidonia on the Gulf of Corinth. The Diokos was 3.35 meters wide, and it was paved with blocks of limestone set in a deep layer of sand and gravel. Along this ran the ilkos, a wheeled vehicle on which ships were borne overland from one side of the Isthmus to the other. Sections of the Diolkos can still be seen today; the deep parallel ruts in the road, 1.5 meters apart, are the marks left by the wheels of the Diolkos. The ancient Greeks had of course considered the possibility of digging a canal through the Isthmus. The first to look into the matter was Periander, tyrant of Corinth, who drew up a plan for a canal in 602 BC. Subsequent planners included Demetrius Poliorcetes, Julius Caesar, and Caligula. These plans were later adopted by Nero, who in 67 AD announced to the spectators at the Isthmian Games that he was going to join the two seas by digging a canal through the Isthmus; indeed, he went so far as to cut the first turf himself, with a golden shovel, and to carry the first basket of earth on his back. But his plans came to nothing, as did those of Herodes Atticus, the Byzantines, and the Venetians in later times. The canal we see today was built in 1882-1893 by Greek and French engineers using the most advanced machinery of the day. General supervision of the enormous undertaking was in the hands of General Stepan Oupp, aide-de-camp to the King of Italy. The project was completed by the Greek Corinth Canal Company. The canal is 3.9 miles in length. It has a width of 75 feet, and in some places its sides are 260 feet high. The canal is crossed by road and railway bridges, while communications between Central Greece and the Peloponnese are also served by two ferries in the form of submersible bridges, one at either end (Poseidonia and Isthmia). Dinner and Overnight at Athens Greece.

Day 3		CORINTH CANAL TO ITEA (~21 nm) Itea, a relatively new city founded in 1830, is an important commercial and transit center. Its population is about 9,000. It constitutes the way out to the sea for the entire area of Central Greece. Dinner and Overnight at Itea Greece.

Day 4		ITEA - DELPHI TO TRIZONIA (~21 nm) In a setting of unparalleled beauty on the slope of Mount Parnassus and about 6 miles inland from the Gulf of Corinth, Delphi is perhaps the most famous classical site in Greece. Considered by the ancient Greeks to be the center of the earth, Delphi was once the site of an oracle of the earth goddess Gaea. According to mythology, Apollo defeated the monstrous serpent Python, which guarded Gaea, and expelled her from the sanctuary, which he then shared with the god Dionysus. The Delphic priests developed an elaborate ritual, centered on a chief priestess called Pythia. Her utterances were regarded as the words of Apollo, and the oracle was consulted by private citizens and public officials alike. The Sacred Way to the temple was lined with structures housing rich offerings given by Greek cities. Delphi once encompassed a theatre and a stadium where the Pythian festival (similar to the Olympics) was held. Four triumphal arches remain today to trumpet the glories of the past. This is a komboloi, a string of Greek worry beads, that is typical of the jewelry that can be bought in Delphi. You see men clicking and toying with these all over Greece. They are meant to relieve tension. After our tour of Delphi, we will proceed to Trizonia, a small island, where we will spend the night. Trezonia is a green island and the only one inhabited in the Corinthian Gulf. No cars are allowed on the island. This unknown island has a beautiful natural port and a marina for luxurious yachts. Along the coastline are traditional taverns, restaurants, and cafes to relax and enjoy the magical landscape. You can choose one of the wind-protected beaches in the bay to swim or walk. Dinner and anchor overnight at Trizonia Greece.

Day 5		TRIZONIA TO ITHACA (~50 nm) We leave the Gulf of Corinth and make our way to the Ionean Sea, stopping in Ithaca for the night. The name “Ionian” is, like many names in Greece, derived from Gods and Goddesses. The Goddess Io gave her name to the Ionian islands and Ionian Sea. Io was a priestess of Hera and was, for a short time, a mistress to Zeus. When Hera discovered that Zeus was deceiving her, Zeus fearing what Hera might do in retaliation, turned Io into a white cow! Hera, not to be out done, sent a gadfly to torment Io (now a white cow), and Io plunged into the sea to rid herself of the stinging gadfly – hence the Ionian Sea. Unlike much of Greece and her islands, the Ionian Islands are known as the Green Islands. Cypress, pine and elm trees cloak the hills, along with ancient olive orchards dating back, in some cases, to the Venetian occupation (1204 – 1550) when they were planted so the local population could pay their taxes in olive oil. To those who visualize a Greece of sun-baked rock dotted with dazzling whitewashed houses, the Ionian comes as a gentle surprise. This is not the Greece of the popular travel brochure but a shaded green country, sheltering red tiled Latin houses an eccentric collection of Italian and French architecture and English tastes (in Corfu the locals play cricket and you can buy currant buns and ginger beer) welded together into a whole that is indubitably Greek. Kioni is the premier resort on the Greek island of Ithaca and our stop for the night. It's a picture postcard setting with neat houses and apartments dotting the hills around the secluded and heavily wooded horseshoe bay. Well-heeled holidaymakers parade around the harbor before settling into the waterside bars and tavernas. Despite the cuteness, the resort has married authentic Greek charm to the demands of tourism. But it comes at a price, and Kioni is not a cheap place to stay or eat. It is a favorite stop for yacht flotillas, and big expensive yachts are often moored in the bay. Cars are banned from the village over the summer. There are tiny coves at the mouth of the bay, windmills on the headland, and old donkey trails to explore. You can follow a path down to the bay of Mavrona, where the islanders fended off a pirate attack in a pitched battle. To celebrate, they built the Monastery of Agios Nicholaos, which operated until the end of the 19th century. The monastery buildings were destroyed by the '53 earthquake, but the church was left standing, complete with an old column set into its altar, assumed to be from an ancient temple that once stood in the area. Among the other places of interest is "Lizzy's", as the locals call Hamilton House in Kioni, built in 1892 by Elizabeth Hamilton, a niece of Lord Nelson's mistress, when Ithaca was part of the British Empire. Among the celebrity visitors over the years have been Sophia Loren, the British royal family, Madonna, Nicholas Cage, and Tom Hanks. The town beach sits below the windmills, a steep, short, and narrow bank of pebble and shingle with overhanging trees for shade. Ithaca is thought to have been named after the son of a Kefalonian King, Ithacis, who settled here and together with his brother built a fountain that provided the whole island with water. It is known that in the Mycenaean times that Ithaca was the capital of Kefalonia. There have been archaeological finds that date back to 4000-3000 B.C. on Ithaca. Ithaca is most famous for being Odysseus’s homeland. Odysseus, after fighting in the Trojan Wars, endured a 10-year ordeal to get back home to Ithaca and his wife Penelope. Due to this many people feel that Ithaca symbolizes life’s journey and destiny. Ithaca offers some excellent walking opportunities in fabulous scenery. There are many types of wild flowers and wildlife to see and has excellent snorkeling. The island is popular with celebrities (Charles and Diana spent part of their honeymoon there). After a visit here you will see why Odysseus spent 10 years struggling to get back home. Dinner and Overnight at Kioni Greece.

Day 6		ITHACA TO LEFKADA (~29 nm) The southern end of the island of Lefkada, we will pass Vassiliki, one of the prime windsurfing resorts in Europe due to its location between two mountains that create a unique wind system in vast Vassiliki Bay. Thousands of windsurfers gather here in high season. Our lunch stop will be at the unspoiled islet of Meganisi, where we will get a glimpse of the Onassis-owned islet of Skorpios. Several members of the shipping magnate's family lie buried here, including Aristotle and his daughter Christina (but we can’t go ashore because the island is well protected by security guards). With a population of less than two thousand people, there are various walks around Meganisi and a variety of footpaths and goat trails to more remote parts of the island. Spartohori, perched high above Spilia Bay, is reached by a 10 minute walk up the road or up steps and has spectacular views across the sea to the mountains of the mainland. We will continue on to Lefkas, where we will spend the night. Lefkas is the capital situated on the northeast coast where the island is joined to the mainland by a causeway and 50 meter swing bridge. The town is a pleasant, friendly, traditional Greek town with a pedestrianized main shopping street and a jumble of narrow alleyways. The busy town square fringed with cafes provides endless people-watching opportunities. Dinner and Overnight at Lefkas Marina, Greece.

Day 7		LEFKADA TO PAXOS AND CORFU (~54 nm) Enroute to Corfu, we will stop in Paxos. Legend has it that Paxos was formed when Poseidon, god of the sea, severed the south tip of the island of Corfu with one mighty blow of his trident and dragged it south to create an idyllic retreat for his beloved wife Amphitriti. With an area of 25 sq km. and a population of 2500 inhabitants this green island, covered mostly with olive and cypress trees, is the smallest in the Ionian sea. Harrods, the London department store, reportedly sells only olive oil from Paxos. White impressive rocks sit vertically along the whole western side of the island where the famous blue caves are located. According to legend, the blue cave of Ypapanti, which is 1200m long and leads to the centre of the island, was the marble palace of Poseidon and Amphitriti. The small channel which leads to the village city of Gaios is a natural fjord that is formed at its entrance by two small islets. Located along the western side of the Greek mainland, Corfu, or Kerkira in Greek, is the northernmost of the six Ionian Islands and is separated from Albania by a narrow strait of 1.5 nautical miles. Its unique scenery, with gentle green hills and luxuriant southern flora, makes it one of the most beautiful of all the Greek islands. The island's shape resembles a scythe (once the ancient name for Corfu) and geologists say it’s the exposed crown of a submerged mountain range that broke off from the Greek/Albanian mainland. The greenest of Greece's 1,425 islands, Corfu boasts beautiful scenery, endless groves of silvery olive trees, lovely beaches and lush hillsides. The most marvellous thing about Corfu is that over the years it has absorbed so much yet has changed so little. Until recently, the island was mainly visited by Europe’s elite. Their discovery led to widespread interest; now Corfu is a popular holiday destination for vacationers from all walks of life. Visitors come to enjoy the mild climate, calm blue-green water, rugged mountains, hidden coves and miles of sandy beaches. Despite being a popular holiday spot, many parts of Corfu remain surprisingly unspoiled. Complementing the island's scenic attractions is a number of historical sights, ranging from old fortresses and mansions to cathedrals and palaces. Dinner and Overnight at Corfu Marina, Greece.

Day 8		CORFU TO SARANDE TO VLORE (~55 nm) The port town of Sarande, where we will go through customs, is situated in the southeast part of the country of Albania, opposite the northeast part of Corfu. The town has a population of 30.000, a number that triples during the summer. Albanians are 60% Muslims, 30% Greek Orthodox and 10% Catholics. If time permits, we will travel 25 minutes to Butrint, the least known of all the great classical ruins of the Mediterranean. Despite this obscurity, Butrint is one of the most authentic and complete repositories of Mediterranean history and is Albania's one and only UNESCO World Heritage site. For centuries, layers of earth and vegetation have covered the ancient city from view and have protected it from the ravages of time. Since 1928, archaeologists have been carrying out excavations that are helping to recover this ancient city. They have uncovered historically significant structures, dating from ancient times to the nineteenth century, that testify to Butrint's long-lasting commercial and military importance. In the process of discovering these architectural works, archaeologists have pieced together most of what is known about the city today. These archaeologists have come to regard Butrint as an extraordinary "microcosm of Mediterranean history"1 because their discoveries have made it possible to experience the city's continuous, almost 3000-year-long, evolution. After our tour of Butrint, we will make our way to Vlore on our long cruise to Croatia. Dinner and Overnight at Vlore Marina, Albania.

Day 9		VLORE TO DURRES (~47 nm) Durres, one of Albania's oldest cities, the country's main seaport and the second largest industrial center, lies on a small peninsula on the coast of the Adriatic Sea at the north end of the Bay of Durrës. Its population is around 85,000 (the second largest city in Albania). Durres was established in the 627 B.C. During the past nine centuries, The city has changed hands from one ruler to another 33 times. It is home to a cultural center, several theaters and museums, and many artistic groups. Dinner and Overnight at Durres Marina, Albania.

Day 10		DURRES TO ULCINJ (~36 nm) Ulcinj is the southernmost city on the Montenegrin coast and one of its oldest towns. It boasts the longest beach in the Adriatic, Velika Plaza (13 km long), and Ada Bojana, a unique river island with marvelous sandy beaches. It has a long and rich maritime and merchant tradition. From ancient times up to the end of 19th century, its geographic position made it the goal of conquest. The Ulcinj region of Montenegro traces its history to the prehistoric times of the Illyrians, a people of Indo-European origin. The scenic old walled town of Ulcinj, was founded in the 5th century BC by the Colchinians. Several centuries later the town was captured by the Romans and was afforded special privileges and independent status under Roman law. Under the Turks (1571-1880) the merchant marine of Ulcinj was the main pillar of the Ottoman Empire in the Adriatic. A colorful chapter in Ulcinj's past began in 1571, when the famous Spanish author, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, was imprisoned in Old Town Ulqin, a stay that last five years as he awaited his family's payment of ransom to the pirates who had captured him. Dulcinea del Toboso, a focus of his great novel "Don Quixote" takes her name and origins from the former name of Ulcinj - Cita de Dolcino. Dinner and Overnight at Ulcinj Marina, Montenegro.

Day 11		ULCINJ TO SVETI STEFAN TO BUDVA (~26 nm) We will enter Montenegro today and will stop briefly (hopefully) in Bar, an industrial town, to clear customs. From Bar we’ll sail up the coast 17nm and stop at Sveti Stefan (St. Stefan). A former fishermen's village, today it is a famous city-hotel situated in the most beautiful part of the Montenegrin coast. This place is famous for its beauty, architecture, comfort, and beaches. Its densely packed cubic houses reflect an archaic environment. Thanks to the idea of renowned Montenegrin painters, the city-hotel accommodated its first guest 40 years ago. Its clientele are mostly statesmen, high ranking politicians, industrialists, and movie stars. We will then travel a short 3 miles to Budva, where we will spend the night. An area with natural beauty that is rich in historic monuments, the old town lies on a small peninsula and represents a treasure chest of culture heritage. Crossed with narrow streets and squares are famous buildings: the Church Sv. Trojica, housing the tomb of the exquisite writer Stjepan Mitrov Ljubisa, as well as the Churches of Sv. Ivan, Sv. Bogorodica and Sv. Sava. During the summer months it turns into a City Theatre with numerous local performances and shows from abroad. In the Stari Grad (Old Town) you can also visit many shops, cafés, restaurants and galleries. Monasteries Stanjevici, Podostrog, Rezevici and Gradiste are important historic and religious monuments of Budva. We will moor at the marina in Budva for the night. Dinner and Overnight at Budva Marina, Montenegro.

Day 12		BUDVA TO THE BAY AND CITY OF KOTOR (~25 nm) The Bay of Kotor is one of the most distinctive landscapes anywhere on the Mediterranean. It would be worth visiting just to enjoy the spectacle of the sheer mountains plunging into the Adriatic. Combine this natural drama with mansions, churches, fortifications, and flower gardens and you have one of the most enjoyable destinations in the Balkans. Located along one of Montenegro's most beautiful bays is Kotor, a city of traders and famous sailors, with many stories to tell. The old town of Kotor is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in this part of the Mediterranean. It has succeeded in preserving its original form, so typical of towns between the XII and the XIV century. It's strong identity as a seafaring city seems to persist regardless of varying political affiliations - it has changed rulers fourteen times. Medieval architecture and numerous monuments of cultural heritage have made Kotor a UNESCO listed “World Natural and Historical Heritage Site". Through the entire city the buildings are criss-crossed with narrow streets and squares. One of these squares contains the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon (Sveti Tripun), a monument of Roman culture and one of the most recognizable symbols of the city. The Church of Saint Luke (Sveti Luka) from the 13th century, Church of Saint Ana (Sveta Ana) from the 12th century, Church of Saint Mary (Sveta Marija) from the 13th century, Church of the Healing Mother of God (Gospe od Zdravlja) from the 15th century, the Prince’s Palace from the 17th century and the Napoleon’s Theatre from the 19th century are all treasures that are part of the rich heritage of Kotor. Carnivals and festivals are organized each year to give additional charm to this most beautiful city of Montenegro. Dinner and moor Overnight at Kotor, Montenegro.

Day 13		KOTOR TO CAVTAT TO DUBROVNIK (~23 nm) We will stop first in Cavtat, a town 12 miles southeast of Dubrovnik, to go through Croatian customs. Throughout the last century Cavtat was an exclusive retreat for wealthy Croatians (many of whom built mansions there), as well as a thriving hub for working artists. Cavtat perches on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays. The sea is a deep and brilliant blue with pools of green reflected from the pine forests beyond. A wide promenade, fringed with palm trees, runs along the harbor front. The chief permanent cultural event is the Cavtat Summer Fesitval (July - August), with a number of concerts of harmony-singing groups, folk music groups, and sports tournaments (water-polo). The most popular event is the Day of Our Lady of the Snows (5th of August). After lunch we will head for Dubrovnik (also Ragusa, official name until 1909), a historic city on the Adriatic Sea coast in the extreme south of Croatia. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic. Since 1979, the historic center of Dubrovnik has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Dubrovnik has a remarkable history. An independent, merchant republic for 700 years (abolished by Napoleon in 1806), it traded with Turkey and India in the East and had trade representatives in Africa in the Cape Verde Islands. It even had diplomatic relations with the English court in the middle ages. (There is a letter from Elizabeth I on display in the City Museum in Dubrovnik). Its status was such that powerful and rich Venice was envious of this Croatian-Slav city. The old town was completed in the 13th century and remains virtually unchanged to the present day. Tall ramparts surround it and there are only two entrances to the old town which lead to the Stradun, the city's promenade. One of the greatest pleasures for many visitors is to have a drink in one of the nearby cafes and watch the world go by, whilst they themselves are being watched by the city patron, St. Blaise, or Sveti Vlaho as the locals call him. In 1991/2, the Serbs shelled the city causing considerable damage, but thanks to local efforts and international aid, the old town has been restored to its former beauty. The world-renowned Dubrovnik Summer Festival take place in July and August, with music, theatre and dance performances. The version of Hamlet on Lovrijenac Tower is magical. We will spend the next two nights at a marina in Dubrovnik. Dinner and Overnight at Dubrovnik Marina, Croatia.

Day 14		DUBROVNIK A Free day to explore the city. Dinner and Overnight at Dubrovnik Marina, Croatia.

Day 15		DUBROVNIK TO KORCULA (~45 nm) Korcula Island is long, thin, and densely wooded and is one of the largest islands of Croatia. It is particularly noted for the three main wines produced here—Posip, Marastina, and Grk—and for the Moreska sword dance. The striking town of Korcula juts out into the sea, with its fortifications around the peninsula and the imposing cathedral on top of the hill dominating the scene. Marco Polo, the famous Venetian explorer, was reputedly born on Korcula in a house that we can visit in the old city center. Korcula Town, an ancient walled city often referred to as "Little Dubrovnik," is among the most beautiful towns on the Croatian coast and is known for its unique architecture. The layout of the streets actually resembles a fishbone to create wind tunnels during the hot summer months. The largest and most beautiful building of Korcula is the Cathedral of St. Marco. South from it there is the Bishop's Palace where the Abbatial Treasury of St. Marco is placed with a rich collection of Croatian and Italian Renaissance artists, manuscripts and books, and ceremonial clothes. The small church of St. Peter, from the 11th century is the oldest preserved church in the town. On the western side of the square is Crkva Gospojina (Church of Our Lady) from 1483, a major Renaissance construction. The Town Museum is situated in the beautiful palace Gabrielis from the 16th century. Dinner and Overnight at the ACI Korcula Marina, Croatia.

Day 16		KORCULA Our second day in Korcula will allow us to visit local wineries and some of the beautiful inlets and beaches on the island (not to mention John Lukrich’s family, who remain on this island!). Dinner and Overnight at the ACI Korcula Marina, Croatia.

Day 17		KORCULA TO THE ISLAND OF VIZ (~45 nm) Viz Island was Croatia’s first main defense against aggression from the sea ad there is much evidence of its wartime past. With old artillery posts high up on the hills and a number of submarine caves, it was Tito’s stronghold during World War II and was the last Croatian island to open for tourism after the war. It has therefore stood still in time longer than its neighboring islands and has more of a British feel to it as a result of its history as an allied base. Komiza is a conventional fishing village and famous for a traditional, sail-powered wooden fishing boat, the Gajeta Falkusa, built in Vis for over 300 years. Komiza is a typical Mediterranean village characterized by small stone lanes and stone houses next to the port and beautiful beaches. In the old Venetian fortress on the coast there is a museum of fishing, the only one of the kind in Croatia, where all of the traditional tools of the past are displayed. The inhabitants grow grapes and fruit in the fertile fields in the interior, with fishing and wine production as the basis of the island’s economy. Viz is on the list of the ten most well preserved islands in Europe. Dinner and Overnight at the Komiza Harbor, Croatia.

Day 18		KOMIZA TO ISLAND OF BISEVO TO ISLAND OF HVAR (~23 nm) Before heading for Hvar, we’ll sail 5 miles to the small island of Bisevo, south of Viz. It is most renowned for its blue cave in Uvala Balun, where the sun enters the cave through an underwater gap, shines on the sea bed, and the reflection casts an iridescent blue light through the water around the cave. The effect is best around noon. After lunch we’ll head to Hvar. Of all of Croatia’s islands, Hvar is probably the best known. It enjoys the most hours of sunshine in the region. Its nightclub Carpe Diem, is popular with the jet set. Hvar is one of the Adriatic’s most enchanting and well-preserved historic towns and is known for its fragrant heather, lavender, laurel, and rosemary. Once an important harbor for Venice’s Adriatic fleet from the late 12th and 18th centuries, you’ll discover a fascinating array of sights within the thick-walled fortress town. Highlights include the Cathedral of St. Stephens with its treasury and bell tower, very distinct marks of the former Venetian rule. It also has an Arsenal, built in 1611 that houses Europe’s oldest theater. Long before it was fashionable, the theater allowed the masses to buy seats in the pit, while the landed gentry sat in raised boxes. It also claims to have one of Thomas Becket’s fingers in a glass bell in the church. Dinner and Overnight at Hvar Marina, Croatia.

Day 19		HVAR TO ISLAND OF BRAC: BOL TO MILNA (~16 nm) The island of Brac is best known for its famous white stone, which was used in the construction of our White House. Our first stop will be at Dugi Rat, the most photographed beach in Croatia, which is featured in the majority of tourist brochures. While even close up it looks like sand, it is in fact a long, narrow pebble peninsula stretching out into the sea, which changes shape with the tides and currents and is a center for all kinds of watersports, particularly windsurfing. It is said that Milna, on the western part of Brac, has forgotten time. A fishing village from antiquity, this spacious harbor is home to a people untouched by time. The ships of emperor Diokletian moored here during the building of his palace in Split. Still the fishermen ply the waters each morning in their tiny wooden boats; the women weave intricate lace; the harbour front cafes reverberate with the animated sounds of the men playing the traditional card games while the women are beckoned to the guided church by the peeling of the bells. Dinner and Overnight at ACI Milna Marina, Croatia.

Day 20		MILNA TO KRKA RIVER AND SKRADIN (~42 nm) We will leave Milna after breakfast and motor past Sibenik to enter a large lake. Exiting the lake to the east will lead us to the small village of Skradin, which is about 8 miles upstream from Sibenik. Here guests can enjoy swimming in the river Krka as well as at the mouth of the river, which flows into the sea. Because of the mix of fresh water and saltwater, Skradin is known for its variety of seafood, including fish and shellfish. Throughout the centuries Skradin has been demolished many times as a result of fighting between feudalists and yet it was always rejuvenated by new settlers. The remains of a Venetian tower and its surrounding walls as well as a Turkish fortress that was built later on both overlook the town of Skradin. Dinner and Overnight at ACI Skradin Marina, Croatia, one of the most beautiful and most popular marinas on the Croatian coast.

Day 21		KRKA NATIONAL PARK TO ROGOZNICA (~22 nm) We will take an organized morning tour of the Krka National Park because private boats are no longer allowed there. The park is full of porous limestone through which the Krka river has carved lakes, cascades, and caverns. The Skradinski falls reach a total height of about 164 feet and falls on travertine ledges. The park is partly visited on foot on walkways around the lower falls and partly visited by boat. The best feature is that you can swim in the lower lake. We will next head for Rogoznica, a beautiful fishing village that has a naturally protected harbor and where the sea is very deep, enabling all kinds of yachts to find safe berth there. The village is on an island connected to the mainland by a causeway. Thick pine forests, a long coastal path, and pretty beaches, islets, and rocks attract many tourists besides yachtsmen. Fresh fish is available every day with the sea food. A local gastronomic specialty is fish soup prepared à la Rogoznica. In recent history a nearby village of Zecevo became known widely because during the Homeland War the volunteer army hit two planes of the Yugoslav army during the aerial bombing and the soldiers' shouted triumphantly: "Both went down!" which then meant a lot for the course of the war. These words are still connected to this place. We will either anchor here or spend the night here at a marina, which is set apart from the village but is within a 20 minute walk. Dinner and Overnight at Rogoznica, Croatia.

Day 22		ROGOZNICA TO TROGIR AND SPLIT (~24 nm) Trogir, is the best preserved Romanesque-Gothic complex not only in the Adriatic, but in all of Central Europe. Its medieval core, surrounded by walls, comprises a preserved castle and tower and a series of dwellings and palaces from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. It is quite an experience to walk through the intricate streets either in the afternoon or evening, admire the city walls, defensive fortresses, churches, frescoes, and arches and take a peak into old courtyards. Trogir has a fascinating 2300 years of continuous urban tradition. Its rich culture was created under the influence of old Greeks, Romans, and Venetians. It has a high concentration of palaces, churches, and towers, as well as a fortress on a small island. “The orthogonal street plan of this island settlement dates back to the Hellenistic period, and it was embellished by successive rules with many fine public and domestic buildings and fortifications. Its beautiful Romanesque churches are complemented by the outstanding Renaissance and Baroque buildings from the Venetian period,” says the UNESCO report. From Trogir it’s a short ride to Split, the economic and administrative center of middle Dalmatia with a population of 200,000, making it the second largest city in Croatia. This 1700-year-old city was established with the building of the palace of the Roman king Diocletian. The importance of Diocletian's Palace far transcends local significance because of its level of preservation and the buildings of succeeding historical periods built within its walls, which today form the very heart of old Split. Our guide will take us through the palace and the historical nucleus of the city. There will still be enough time to stroll through the city before we head to Trogir, declared a World Heritage Town in 1997 by UNESCO, is also know as the “city of museums”. Dinner and Overnight at the ACI Trogir Marina, Croatia.

Day 23		DISEMBARK IN TROGIR, CROATIA

		Some Useful Links... http://www.worldclimate.com has useful monthly temperature and rainfall averages for thousands of destinations worldwide. You can plan your vacations avoiding rainy seasons or droughts. It can also assist you in deciding what to pack. Just knowing how to say “Thank You” in Greek or Turkish will bring smiles and open doors. Rosetta Stone offers an excellent Free Demo - http://www.rosettastone.com (Click on "Individuals" then "Free Demo.") Recommended Reading

This itinerary is subject to weather conditions. The captain has the right to change this schedule for the safety of the ship and her passengers.