fbpx

Epicurean Delights of the Adriatic: The Food & Wine of Italy & Croatia

Epicurean Delights of the Adriatic: The Food & Wine of Italy & Croatia

From AUD $7,110

Description

Quintessential Collection Included Cruise Programme

Created specially for like-minded travellers.

We invite you to join us on this very special exploration of the foods and wines of the Adriatic coasts of Italy and Croatia, round-trip from Venice.

To enhance your cruise, you will be joined by renowned wine educators highly recommended by Wine Spectator School – Croatian wine educator and Master of Wine Jo Ahearne, and Italian wine educator Suzanne Branciforte – who will lead a series of talks, tastings, and discussions on board.

Food— its cultivation, preparation, and consumption—has always been central to the Italian way of life. In Croatia, the rich culinary tradition includes influences from myriad neighbouring regions. This one-of-a-kind program is an extraordinary opportunity both to explore and to experience the various roles food and wine play in our lives and its relation to physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.

Immerse yourself in the bounty of Italy and Croatia’s regional cuisines as we sample local fare during our comprehensive cruise across the Adriatic Sea.

In Croatia, highlights include the white truffles of Istria and the renowned oysters of Mali Ston, taken from the waters along the Dalmatian Coast north of Dubrovnik. While in Italy, we will explore olive oil and burrata from Puglia, and the famed hard cheeses, pastas, and balsamic vinegar of Emilia-Romagna. Taking advantage of the area’s rich soils and a variety of splendid grapes, wonderful reds and whites and sparkling wines characteristic of each region abound. We will taste them all.

A sure highlight of your cruise will be a visit to the Wine Spectator School-recommended Masseria Pizzariello, a 4th generation family wine estate celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2021, for a gala wine tasting and lunch of traditional Puglia cuisine. After walking through the vineyards, you may enjoy all the foods of the region to your heart’s content, while your sommelier pours the most famous DOC and DOCG wines from Puglia. Traditional, live music played by local musicians provides the perfect backdrop to your lunch. Relax and enjoy a hearty dose of La Dolce Vita!

In addition to these culinary-tailored activities, you will have the opportunity to explore important cultural and historic sites along the way, including the Old City of Dubrovnik, the Historic Center of Urbino, and the Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna – all UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Trip Name
Epicurean Delights of the Adriatic: The Food & Wine of Italy & Croatia
Days
8
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Small Ship Length: 142 metres Passenger Capacity: 224 Launched: 2015 A sleek silhouette, a welcoming intimate atmosphere, discover aboard this new ship the philosophy that has made our sisterships such a success: the spirit of Yacht Cruises. Sailing under the French flag, this magnificent yacht of only 122 staterooms and Suites, with balconies, will join our fleet in April 2015. You will be enchanted by the contemporary decor inspired by the our destinations and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation. The result is a subtle variation around a palette of blues, ranging from the  luminous delicate grey-blue of the Polar ice to splashes of the vivid turquoise blue found in  Mediterranean coves A refined ambiance is enhanced by the quality of the workmanship and materials: white Corian counters in the lobby contrast with the warmth of leather to recall a boat’s hull, while the central sculpture of enamelled pieces takes its inspiration from the sea. In the loungebar, the carpet picks up a tennis stripe theme symbolising a certain idea of cruising, one synonymous with French elegance and a chic seaside spirit.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 VENICE
Proud and eternal, Venice has reigned on its lagoon ever since the 6th century. You may think you know this city before even setting foot here. You will inevitably fall in love with the charm of the innumerable treasures of the Serenissima: Saint Mark’s square, the basilica, Doges palace, the Grand Canal and the gondolas. Yet, secret Venice is also waiting for you to explore its little interlacing streets and canals, to ramble through its squares and to push open the doors of its churches. The city’s extraordinary heritage shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a glass of Spritz and a few tramezzini.
Day 2 - Day 2 PULA
The Pearl of the Adriatic, lying at the southern tip of the Istrian Peninsula, Pula is undoubtedly the most Roman of all Croatian towns. Some of the greatest pages in history were written here, as the breathtaking ancient remains testify. Take your pick exploring the amphitheatre, the Twin Gates, the Gate of Hercule and the triumphal Arch of the Sergii. Stroll through the busy lanes in the old town, enjoying the warm welcome of the locals, and perhaps you will be tempted to try the famous Kvarner scampi or Istrian ham.
Day 3 - Day 3 AT SEA
During your day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This day without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
Day 4 - Day 4 DUBROVNIK
Emblem of the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik is magnificently positioned on a rocky spur. History is sovereign here, in this ancient city, now a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. You will perhaps be surprised by the proportions of La Placa, the central drag through the city. The sheer width of it can be explained by the fact that it straddles a former lagoon. The elegant houses along La Placa are built in the legendary travertine stone. At Pile gate, you will be greeted by the statue of the patron saint of Dubrovnik, and you can admire the coastline as you walk along the ramparts. But what’s inside Fort Saint John, adjoining the outer walls? A maritime museum and an aquarium featuring rare fish from the Adriatic.
Day 5 - Day 5 BARI
Extending out along a fertile plain facing the Adriatic Sea amid infinite landscapes sculpted by the water and wind, Bari bears the traces of the peoples which, over the centuries, have conquered it, settled it, or simply visited it fleetingly before making their way to faraway lands. Though its exact origins are lost among the mysteries of archaeology, the many sites here provide evidence of the town’s rich past. The Saracens, Byzantines, Normans and Swabians have left a trace here, each bringing their own cultural baggage. During your stop here, stroll along the minuscule streets in Bari Vecchia, the historic centre, where you will find small churches and monuments from bygone eras.
Day 6 - Day 6 ANCONA
Situated on the promontory of Monte Conero, Ancona, the capital of the Marche region, offers visitors all the charm of a typical Italian historical city. Founded by the Greeks in 390 BC and conquered by Julius Caesar in 49 BC, Ancona has a long history that was very much shaped by its harbour, a hub attracting different populations and cultures. When your ship calls here, take the time to discover the city’s many buildings, such as the cathedral dedicated to Judas Cyriacus and its façade made of white and pink marble, the Arch of Trajan, which is considered to be the port’s main embellishment, or the 15th century mansion where the painter Raphael was born and raised.
Day 7 - Day 7 RAVENNA
Linked to the Adriatic Sea by a canal, the city of Ravenna and its countless monuments offer you a rich journey back in time. Roman and Byzantine cultures intermingle here, and the fruits of this history adorn the interiors of the cityメs religious buildings: the abundance of classical mosaics is the most stunning witness to Ravennaメs glorious past. Eight UNESCO World Heritage listed Paleo-Christian sites punctuate your journey into the historic heart of the city. Still very lively despite the weight of its history, Ravenna has much to offer to visitors.
Day 8 - Day 8 VENICE
Disembarkation.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
16-09-202123-09-2021AUD $7,110Superior Stateroom
16-09-202123-09-2021AUD $7,680DeLuxe Stateroom
16-09-202123-09-2021AUD $27,360Owner’s Suite
16-09-202123-09-2021AUD $8,520Prestige Stateroom - Deck 4
16-09-202123-09-2021AUD $8,930Prestige Stateroom - Deck 5
16-09-202123-09-2021AUD $9,440Prestige Stateroom - Deck 6
16-09-202123-09-2021AUD $13,110Deluxe Suite
16-09-202123-09-2021AUD $17,700Prestige Suite - Deck 5
16-09-202123-09-2021AUD $18,610Privilege Suite
16-09-202123-09-2021AUD $21,360Grand Deluxe Suite
16-09-202123-09-2021AUD $25,280Grand Privilege Suite

Inclusions

    • A series of discussions aboard with renowned wine educators highly recommended by Wine Spectator School – Croatian wine educator and Master of Wine Jo Ahearne, and Italian wine educator Suzanne Branciforte.
    • An included gala wine tasting and lunch of traditional Puglia cuisine at the Wine Spectator School – recommended and spectacular Masseria Pizzariello, a celebrated 4th-generation family wine estate in Puglia celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2021.
    • An evening at leisure to experience magnificent Dubrovnik.
    • Three UNESCO World Heritage sites en route: Old City of Dubrovnik, Historic Center of Urbino, and Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna.
    • Optional excursions to artisan food producers and markets to sample local foods – white truffles, oysters, mozzarella, olive oil, and more – and to wineries for wine tasting in and from Pula, Dubrovnik, Ancona, and Ravenna.
    • Optional excursions to historic and cultural sites in and from Pula, Dubrovnik, Ancona, and Ravenna.

Map