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Summer in Istria

Summer in Istria

From GBP £3,640

Description

Our eight night cruise exploring the beautiful Istrian coast forms the centrepiece of this delightful summer journey which we have combined with time in charming Zagreb, staying at the wonderful Esplanade Hotel, and time in the Italian, mountain ringed city of Udine.

Despite being one of Europe’s youngest capitals, Zagreb is one of the most fascinating. Often described as a ‘pocketsized Vienna’ there is a wealth of cultural and historical riches to discover. In addition to some free time to explore independently and a city tour, we will also travel out of the city to the Baroque city of Varazdin and enjoy a tasting of the some of the region’s wines before embarking the Queen Eleganza.

Our cruise along the Istrian coast will introduce you to Medieval harbours, picturesque villages, the vibrant town of Pula with its Roman amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in the world, the beautiful scenery of the Lim Fjord and the ancient town of Porec. Travelling into the Istrian interior we will spend a day exploring the region famed for its vineyards including the hill top town of Motovun.

Before returning to London, we have the added benefit of two nights in Italy’s Friuli region, a little known corner of Italy with an unspoilt landscape and a host of world famous wines grown on the rolling hillside vineyards. We will explore from our base in Udine, the relatively undiscovered jewel in the region with obvious remnants of its Austrian and Venetian past.

Trip Name
Summer in Istria
Days
13
Overview
Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 49m Passenger Capacity: 36 Built/Refurbished: 2018 For our cruises along the Adriatic coast, we are delighted to have the newly built Queen Eleganza. This beautifully crafted vessel is one of the finest Croatian flagged vessels of her kind and we believe she is the perfect vessel from which to explore the Croatian coast. Carrying a maximum of just 36 guests, there is the added benefit of a relaxed and intimate atmosphere on board. The Sun Deck, with its comfortable sun loungers, is the perfect place to watch the passing scenery and the team of friendly Croatian crew will provide you with excellent service and hospitality throughout the ship. To enhance your voyage further there is also a Cruise Director on board. Dining on board is a casual affair and the menus feature locally sourced fresh food including fish. When dining ashore independently, your knowledgeable Cruise Director will recommend popular local restaurants. AIR-CONDITIONING All cabins and public rooms have air-conditioning. BAR/BEVERAGES Wine, beer and soft drinks at lunch and dinner are included in your holiday price. For other drinks consumed throughout your journey you will receive a final bill to settle at the end of your journey. Complimentary bottles of mineral water will be placed in your cabin daily and near reception before an excursion. CABINS The 18 cabins are equipped with air conditioning/heating, a wardrobe, drawers, radio, a flat screen television, a hairdryer and safety deposit box. Most cabins also feature a dressing table and chair. The cabins on the Lower Deck all have two portholes whereas on the Main Deck, the category 3 cabins have three portholes and the category 5 cabin has four portholes. The category 2 and 4 cabins on the Main Deck benefit from a large picture window offering wonderful views. Cabins measure between 12 and 18 square metres, with Category 5 measuring 26 square metres. The cabins have fixed twin or double beds and the configuration cannot be changed. Each cabin also has an en-suite bathroom with shampoo /shower gel dispenser. Please note that the movement of the ship can cause small amounts of water to collect on your bathroom floor. Please note that bathrobes and slippers are not provided. DINING, DRINKING & DIETARY REQUIREMENTS Meals on board are either buffet style or served and there is one sitting with an open seating arrangement. When the weather permits, lunch and dinner may be served in the covered outside area of the Sun Deck. Please be advised that, as there is not always a choice at meal times it is imperative that you advise any special dietary requests, such as vegetarian, gluten free, low salt etc. to Noble Caledonia (in writing) in advance. Please also advise if you do not, or cannot, eat fish and shellfish as these feature regularly on the lunch and dinner menus. We regret that the ship is unable to guarantee special requests and is not equipped to prepare or serve kosher or halal cuisine. Complimentary self-service tea and coffee, with fruit and biscuits, are available in the restaurant 24 hours a day. On nights when you are free to dine independently ashore, if instead you wish to stay on board for dinner, this is possible at a rate of €25 per person each time, which will be added to your onboard account. 24 hours advance notice is required. DISABLED FACILITIES The ship does not have facilities for disabled or wheelchair dependent passengers. The stairs between decks are steep and there is no lift or chair lift on board. DOCTOR There is no doctor on board. Should you be in need of medical assistance, please contact a member of the crew who are first aid trained, or the Cruise Director.  ELECTRICITY The cabins feature 220 volt current, with sockets accepting 2 round-pin (European style) sockets. There are no sockets in the bathrooms. We recommend taking a universal adaptor. INTERNET The ship offers a free Wi-Fi connection in the public areas, but not in the cabins. Depending on the ship’s location, there may be times when the connection is very slow or is disrupted and the same level of connectivity that you enjoy at home cannot be expected on board. LANGUAGE All members of the crew speak English. LAUNDRY SERVICE Due to the size of the ship there is no laundry service on board. PUBLIC AREAS Main Deck: Reception is located on the Main Deck. Upper Deck: On the Upper Deck you will find the bar, restaurant, lounge, and public restrooms. The lounge has a small library of books, games and DVDs. The tea/coffee station is located in the restaurant here. Sun Deck: The Sun Deck has sun loungers and seating for outdoor dining (weather permitting). SMOKING Smoking is restricted to the designated open areas only. Smoking is prohibited in all other areas including cabins and the restaurant.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 - London Heathrow to Zagreb, Croatia.
Fly by scheduled flight to Zagreb and transfer to the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel for a two night stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure before meeting your fellow travellers this evening for dinner at the hotel.
Day 2 - Day 2 - Varazdin & Medimurje Hills.
This morning we take an excursion to the charming Baroque city of Varazdin, once the capital of Croatia. On arrival we will have a guided walking tour along its pretty streets and Main Square, passing by elegant mansions and picturesque churches including St Nicholas Church and the Old Town Fortress. Enjoy some free time here before we continue our journey onto the rustic county of Medjimurje, where we visit a traditional family-owned apple farm and take time out for a tasting of some excellent local wines, followed by lunch. Afterwards we will return to Zagreb and the remainder of the day and evening is at leisure.
Day 3 - Day 3 - Zagreb to Opatija.
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a guided walking tour of the highlights of Croatia’s handsome and vibrant capital. Enjoy some free time to explore and take lunch in one of the many restaurants. This afternoon we transfer by road to Opatija (approximately 2 hours) to embark the Queen Eleganza. Enjoy the Welcome Drink and Dinner on board this evening. Moor overnight in Opatija.
Day 4 - Day 4 - Cres.
During breakfast we cruise to the nearby island of Cres, mooring in the sheltered scenic Medieval harbour at Cres Town. After lunch on board, enjoy a guided walk through the atmospheric streets which have a strong Italian feel having been under Venetian rule in the 15th and 16th centuries. We will also visit the Franciscan Monastery and enjoy a tasting of the locally produced olive oil. Dine ashore this evening and perhaps take a stroll along the seaside promenade.
Day 5 - Day 5 - Mali Losinj.
Spend a relaxing morning on board as we sail to another of Croatia’s charming islands. Arrive this afternoon at Mali Losinj which sits at the foot of a protected harbour on the southeast coast of Losinj Island. It is the island’s mild climate and rich flora that give Mali Losinj its reputation as one of the most fragrant islands in Croatia, its air scented with lavender, sage and rosemary. The seafront of old town Mali Losinj is lined with a string of imposing 19th century houses and villas. This evening we will dine aboard the Queen Eleganza.
Day 6 - Day 6 - Pula.
Today we arrive at the tip of the Istrian Peninsula and the former Roman settlement of Polensium, now known as Pula. On an afternoon tour we will discover one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres left in the world. The Arena, built in the 1st century AD was designed to host gladiatorial contests with seating for up to 20,000 spectators. Exploring the town further we will see the varied architecture from Baroque palaces and Christian churches to Austrian villas. Enjoy dinner ashore in this vibrant town.
Day 7 - Day 7 - Rovinj.
This morning we take a gentle cruise along the coast to the charming town of Rovinj, situated on a hilly peninsula with the tower of St Euphemia Church marking its highest point. After lunch on board we depart for a walking tour of this picturesque town, after which the remainder of the day and evening are at leisure. Rovinj’s position in the heart of Istria means that the culinary scene is excellent, with seafood a specialty and truffles being a local delicacy. Dine ashore this evening in one of the delightful local restaurants. Moor overnight in Rovinj.
Day 8 - Day 8 - Vrsar & Lim Fjord.
This morning we cruise to nearby Lim Fjord, which forms part of the 35 kilometre long Lim Valley stretching almost to the centre of Istria. Our ship will sail through this beautiful and serene waterscape and, if weather conditions are favourable, we will drop anchor and enjoy a barbeque lunch on the Sun Deck. This afternoon we cruise to the pretty port of Vrsar for some free time and an overnight mooring. Enjoy dinner on board this evening.
Day 9 - Day 9 - Porec.
Today we continue our cruise as we head for the ancient Roman town of Porec. On arrival discover the compact old town on a walking tour and visit the 6th century Euphrasian Basilica, a World Heritage Site and one of Europe’s finest intact examples of Byzantine art. The basilica, atrium, baptistery and episcopal palace are outstanding examples of religious architecture. Enjoy dinner on board this evening.
Day 10 - Day 10 - Motovun & Momjan.
Today we will travel to the Istrian interior, an area famed for its picturesque villages, vineyards producing fine Malvasia and Teran wines and the forests that produce Istrian white truffles. A morning walking tour will explore Motovun which is perched on a hill in the Mirna River Valley with its Romanesque-Gothic bell tower, the Renaissance Church of St Stephen designed by Andrea Palladio and the charming central square. After a lunch of local specialities we will head into the agricultural area around Momjan where some of Croatia’s finest olives and vines have been grown for thousands of years. We will visit a local vineyard and enjoy a tasting of the Muscat and Malvasia wines which are typical of the region before sampling the olive oil. Return to the Queen Eleganza for our final dinner on board tonight.
Day 11 - Day 11 - Porec to Udine, Italy.
Disembark after breakfast and drive to the handsome city of Trieste, once the principal seaport of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and renowned for its fine café culture and literary connections with James Joyce and Umberto Saba. On arrival we visit the hilltop 14th century Trieste Cathedral, built on a Roman temple and known for its elaborate frescoes and mosaics. We will have lunch in a local restaurant and some free time to explore at leisure. Later this afternoon we drive on to the vibrant city of Udine for our two night stay at the Astoria Hotel Italia.
Day 12 - Day 12 - Cividale del Friuli & Castello di Buttrio.
After breakfast at our hotel we depart for a day’s visit to the beautiful Friuli region. We travel the short distance to the historic town of Cividale del Friuli, founded by Julius Caesar in 53 BC and later chosen by King Alboino as the capital of the first Lombard duchy in the region. We will take a walk through the town’s charming piazzas, see the colourfully frescoed façade of the church of Santi Pietro e Biagio, the Lombard Temple and the impressive Ponte del Diavolo (Devil’s Bridge). After some free time, we continue on to nearby Castello di Buttrio for a traditional lunch and a tasting of their delicious homegrown wine. Return to Udine in the late afternoon and enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 13 - Day 13 - Venice to London Heathrow.
Check out after breakfast and transfer to Venice for your return scheduled flight to London.
Day 14 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
29-06-201911-07-2019GBP £3,640Category 6 Sole
29-06-201911-07-2019GBP £3,840Category 1
29-06-201911-07-2019GBP £3,840Category 2
29-06-201911-07-2019GBP £4,200Category 3
29-06-201911-07-2019GBP £4,440Category 4
29-06-201911-07-2019GBP £4,680Category 5

Inclusions

    • Enjoy an excursion to the charming Baroque city of Varazdin, once the capital of Croatia
    • Arrive at the tip of the Istrian Peninsula and the former Roman settlement of Polensium, now known as Pula. Discover one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres left in the world. The Arena, built in the 1st century AD was designed to host gladiatorial contests with seating for up to 20,000 spectators
    • Discover the charming town of Rovinj, situated on a hilly peninsula with the tower of St Euphemia Church marking its highest point
    • Visit to the beautiful Friuli region

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