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Wonders of Istria (Queen Eleganza)

Wonders of Istria (Queen Eleganza)

From GBP £2,495

Description

Join us for an eight night exploration of the beautiful Istrian coast combined with visits to the region’s bucolic interior of rolling hills, fertile plains and hilltop villages whilst accompanied by a small group of like-minded travelers.

We will discover the charming island of Mali Losinj, the fascinating Brijuni Islands and travel inland to an area of disarming beauty where we explore the village of Motovun in the middle of truffle territory, which has arguably the best views of the Istrian interior from its ramparts. Whilst in Pula, we will visit one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres in the world and the strong Venetian influence on the region will be evident during our exploration of Cres. For those who enjoy discovering Medieval towns, exploring Roman sites and cruising amongst some of the world’s most beautiful coastal scenery this itinerary will surely appeal.

Istria is acclaimed for its gastronomy and we will enjoy some lunches ashore to experience the local cuisine as well as visits to some vineyards to taste the wines typical of the area. We will be moored each night allowing for the opportunity to experience the atmospheric ports in their evening splendour and to dine ashore independently on some evenings.

Trip Name
Wonders of Istria (Queen Eleganza)
Days
9
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 to Opatija, Croatia.
Fly by scheduled flight to Zagreb. After lunch at a local restaurant, transfer to the Queen Eleganza moored in Opatija where we will embark and enjoy our welcome dinner. We will moor overnight allowing time to take an after dinner walk in this genteel resort.
Day 2 - Day 2 Cres.
During breakfast we cruise to the nearby island of Cres, mooring in the sheltered scenic Medieval harbour at Cres Town. Enjoy a walk through the atmospheric streets which have a strong Italian feel having been under Venetian rule in the 15th and 16th centuries. After a lunch of local specialities at a traditional restaurant we will continue to the former fort city of Lubenice. Situated on a cliff 378 metres above the sea we will explore the fortress, city gates, houses, chapels and winding streets of this evocative site and enjoy the stunning views over the bay below. Dine ashore this evening and perhaps take a stroll along the seaside promenade.
Day 3 - Day 3 Rabac & Labin.
Spend the morning cruising back towards the mainland arriving in Rabac, ‘The pearl of Kvarner Bay’. After lunch on board, we will travel inland to the attractive hilltop Medieval town of Labin. On a walking tour we will explore the labyrinth of cobbled alleys in the old town seeing the pastel houses, Baroque architecture and town museum before enjoying the wonderful views over Rabac, the Istrian coastline and the island of Cres. We will return to the Queen Eleganza via a local vineyard where we will enjoy a sample of Istria’s famous wines. This evening we will dine on board whilst moored overnight in Rabac.
Day 4 - Day 4 Mali Losinj.
Spend a relaxing day 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 is 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. Dine ashore tonight in this stunning location.
Day 5 - Day 5 Pula.
We arrive this afternoon at the tip of the Istrian Peninsula and the former Roman settlement of Polensium, now known as Pula. Our tour 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, Christian churches and Austrian villas. Enjoy dinner in the town as we moor overnight.
Day 6 - Day 6 Brijuni Islands & Porec.
The 14 islands of the Brijuni comprise one of Croatia’s National Parks and were once the summer retreat of former Yugoslav leader, Tito. Between 1947 and 1980 he spent up to six months a year in the islands. On a morning excursion we will explore Veliki Brijun including the 1st century Roman Villa, the nine hectare safari park created by Tito to house the exotic animals gifted to him by world leaders and the Church of St Germain. Later, we will sail up the Istrian coast to Porec where we will 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 ashore this evening as we moor overnight.
Day 7 - Day 7 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. On a morning walking tour we 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 ship for dinner on board.
Day 8 - Day 8 Rovinj.
After breakfast we sail the short distance to Rovinj where the houses inside the old town are small and lean to each other creating a unique atmosphere. Our guided walking tour will include a visit to the town’s main landmark, St. Euphemia Church, which is built on the top of a small hill. This Baroque building built in Venetian style was dedicated to the saint and martyr whose sarcophagus, according to a legend, was miraculously washed ashore somewhere around 800 AD. The afternoon is free to explore before we have our farewell dinner on board tonight.
Day 9 - Day 9 Rovinj to London.
Disembark this morning and transfer to Pula Airport for our scheduled flight to London.
Day 10 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
27-06-202005-07-2020GBP £2,495Category 6 Sole
27-06-202005-07-2020GBP £2,695Category 1
27-06-202005-07-2020GBP £2,695Category 2
27-06-202005-07-2020GBP £2,895Category 3
27-06-202005-07-2020GBP £3,095Category 4
27-06-202005-07-2020GBP £3,295Category 5

Inclusions

    • Visit Rabac & Labin.
    • Explore Mali Losinj.
    • Travel to Brijuni Islands & Porec.
    • Enjoy Motovun & Momjan.

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