Elegant Cruises & Tours

Ancient Trade Routes

In 2006, Elegant Cruises & Tours, Inc. celebrates 17 years in business by introducing exceptional, all-new deluxe small ship cruise programs in the Adriatic, Mediterranean and Black Seas.

Their small ships are the ideal means to explore the diversity of these regions, without the crowds found on larger vessels. Unpack just once, as we visit not only the Adriatic's major coastal towns—Venice, Dubrovnik, Split and Kotor—but also take you to the less frequented islands like Hvar, Mljet, Cres and Krk. No need to figure out the local ferry schedules to visit these wonderful isles that have a beauty and relaxed pace all their own. Whether you choose our yacht-like Monet or our 105-passenger Andrea, you'll enjoy deluxe accommodations, fine dining and friendly service.

Itinerary

Day 2 - Venice, Italy

Day 3 - Zadar and Split, Croatia

Day 4 - Split and Korcula, Croatia

Day 5 - Korcula and Dubrovnik, Croatia

Day 6 - Dubrovnik, Croatia and Kotor, Montenegro

Day 7 - Sarande, Albania

Day 8 - Levkas, Greece

Day 9 - Monemvasia, Greece

Day 10 - Chankkale, Turkey

Day 11 - Istanbul, Turkey

Day 12 - Istanbul, Turkey - Disembark

Details

Six countries are visited on this 13-day program, with convenient embarkation / disembarkation in Venice and Istanbul. A full day is set aside for both, with the Andrea serving as your conveniently located floating hotel. As you cruise through the beautiful blue waters of the Adriatic, Ionian and Aegean seas, from medieval coastal towns to resort islands, experience a stunning variety of scenery, ancient and contemporary cultures, and architectural styles.

Zadar, Korcula and Dubrovnik are Dalmatia's finest examples of medieval walled cities that are truly “living museums” for residents and visitors alike. Optional walking tours cover the highlights, but there is time to explore on your own, enjoying the small museums, churches, sidewalk cafes and art galleries that flourish within the friendly confines of the massive walls.

Within walking distance of the ship's dock in Split, the enormous marble palace of the Emperor Diocletian waits to be explored. While parts of the 3rd-century A.D. palace are open as museums, churches and monuments, other sections are pragmatically utilized as shops, offices, pedestrian walkways and even residences.

With its beaches, cafes and palm trees that line the colonnade along the sea, Saranda has always been popular with Albanian newlyweds. It serves as our gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, an unspoiled microcosm of almost 3,000 years of Mediterranean history. The sixth-century B.C. fortifications evoke the city's military power, and its third-century B.C. amphitheater symbolizes the rich Roman and Greek cultures that once thrived in this ancient commercial port.

A rocky outcrop rising high above Greece's Peloponnesian Peninsula , Monemvasia creates a sense of wonder and awe for the visitor lucky enough to discover this Byzantine-Medieval-Venetian fortress city. Stroll along the narrow, stone-paved lanes, where the medieval houses give the impression of being built one on top of the other.

Kavala, in eastern Macedonia, is a hilly harbor town, crowned with a Byzantine castle. It was a Roman naval base and, after Paul landed here on his first journey to Europe, became an early Christian bishopric.

Canakkale provides access to the nearby archaeological ruins of Troy, the legendary cultural center in the third and second millennia B.C. Istanbul is a modern city with a very ancient past, with many great monuments from its days as the capital of three great empires: Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman. An optional full-day excursion includes the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar.

Cost of This Itinerary

The most expensive stateroom costs:
$746 per person per night