8 Reasons to Take an Adriatic Cruise like Jane MacDonald

Explore Beautiful Historic Cities Like Split, Dubrovnik and Korcula with an Expert Local

Croatia is home to some of the world’s most alluring ancient cities like Split, Dubrovnik and Korcula. By embarking on an Adriatic cruise, you can explore these centuries-old places, including walled historic centres with lookout towers on small group tours led by expert locals. Your guide will have a wealth of insider knowledge to share, providing a more authentic experience as you step back in time, strolling medieval cobbled streets and learning all about their history and daily life from when they were first inhabited through today. You’ll get plenty of insider advice for explorations on your own too, including what to do, where to dine, shop and more.

Harvest Fresh Oysters Directly from the Sea

A cruise through the Adriatic means tasting delicious mouth-watering Dalmatian cuisine. You may even be able to learn more about the local foods through first-hand experiences. Journeying to one of Croatia’s hottest spots for oysters is often a highlight – once you’ve tried one, you’ll understand why they’re so famous. It all comes down to the pristine, clear saltwater and the minerals which infuse the taste with fabulous flavours. Small-ship cruises often include excursions that will teach you how to harvest the delicacies directly from the sea and then taste the results of your efforts.

Visit One of the Leading Family Wineries in Hvar

The Adriatic coast offers idyllic conditions for grape cultivation thanks to mild winters and hot summers. On the islands, grapes are grown on the karst hillside slopes that tend to get little rainfall, producing exceptional wines. Some of the most well-known production areas are on islands like sunny Hvar. A wine-focused tour here brings the opportunity to visit one of its leading family-run wineries to taste multiple wines with local appetisers. You’ll learn about the story of each wine like Prosek, the original Dalmatian dessert wine, from the Tomic family winemakers, with a tradition of winemaking dating back 150 years.

Enjoy a visit to a local winery in Hvar on our 7 Night Deluxe Dubrovnik to Split Cruise >

Explore Spectacular National Parks like Krka and Sibenik

Croatia’s national parks are a highlight on many Adriatic cruise itineraries, with Krka one of the most spectacular. An excursion often begins in Sibenik, an enchanting walled city founded over a thousand years ago that boasts one of the most important cathedrals in the region, the Gothic-Renaissance St. James Cathedral. From here you’ll be taken to the national park that’s famous for its magnificent waterfalls. In fact, some of the country’s most photogenic can be found here, like Skradinski Buk. Made up of 17 falls with cascades that up to 100 metres wide, it spills nearly 50 metres down into serene turquoise pools that are ideal for swimming.

Explore the impressive Krka National Park and city of Sibenik on our 7 Night Signature Split to Dubrovnik Cruise >

Spend Evenings Dining Alfresco in Small Restaurants in Each of the Islands You Visit

As we mentioned, a small ship cruise doesn’t mean you’ll always be dining onboard. These trips include evenings that can be spent at your leisure, perfect for taking advantage of the small traditional eateries on each of the islands you’ll visit. Enjoy opportunities to sample the delicious local fare that makes for a more authentic experience. Discover gastronomic specialties like fresh seafood with all types of fish that may be stewed, baked, fried or sun-dried to octopus fried in wine, and mussels with rice along with homemade pastas, perhaps topped with rare truffles. Oftentimes you can enjoy it alfresco under Dalmatia’s frequent sunny skies surrounded by breath-taking scenery.

Discover the Stunning Blue Cave

One of the most extraordinary natural phenomena occurs in Croatia’s stunning Blue Cave on Bisevo Island near Hvar. An Adriatic cruise can bring you to experience the magic. When conditions are right, you’ll hop on a small boat to access the narrow entrance and witness the interior as it becomes illuminated in a surreal silver/blue glow that’s created by light refraction. The rays of the sun enter through a crack in the rock and are reflected off the white limestone bottom resulting in this jaw-dropping show that’s become one of the top attractions in the country.

Visit the enchanting Blue Cave on our 7 Night Deluxe Split to Dubrovnik Cruise >

Do All of This on a Brand-New Small Ship with Just 38 Passengers

All of these experiences are arguably best enjoyed on a small-ship cruise – sailing on a yacht-like cruiser with up to just 38 passengers, you’ll be treated like a VIP with exceptional, personalized service while enjoying more time to totally immerse yourself in the destinations. These smaller vessels mean the ability to reach more hidden treasures and the most popular stops, navigating narrow waterways, reaching smaller ports and even into the hearts of medieval cities. Get to know the crew and your cruise manager while chatting about their favourite places while enjoying a laid-back uncrowded atmosphere for unwinding and relaxing in tranquillity as you watch the dazzling sea, island and coastal scenery pass by.

Swim Directly from the Back of the Ship in Crystal-Clear Bays

On a luxurious small ship cruise, your vessel will have a swimming platform at the rear with ladders that dip directly down into crystal-clear blue bays. These are ideal for the frequent swim stops, making it easy to leap into the enticing waters and melt stress away while gazing out at the magnificent scenes that surround you. By the time you climb back onboard, you’ll be refreshed and re-energized for enjoying the many wonders that await.

Give our travel experts a call on +44 208 004 2345 or take a look at our small-ship cruises here >