Small ship Adriatic and Riviera gems

Days 1 to 3 Venice

The first settlement of the marshy islands in the lagoon was for protection from barbarian tribes that terrorized mainland farms and villages. Island living quickly led to the development of skills in handling boats, then ships. Maritime trade conducted by shrewd merchants brought great wealth, which permitted the building of palaces, churches and monuments. The city became the centre of the vast Venetian empire, its name forever summoning visions of grandeur, magnificence, richness, graciousness and beauty. Although later linked to the mainland, first by a railway bridge built in 1848 and then by a motor causeway in 1930, this island city will always be considered the "Queen of the Sea." There are no cars in Venice; all transportation is by boat or on foot along the time-worn, cobblestone streets and across some 400 bridges that span the city's 177 canals. Enchanting Venice truly offers an atmosphere that exists nowhere else.

Arrive and enjoy 2 nights 5 star accommodation. On day 3 your private transfer will take you to your ship to board.

Cruise departs 5pm on day 3

Day 4 Zadar, Croatia

Arrive 8am, Depart 6pm

Located in central Dalmatia Zadar is one of the Adriatic's most historically interesting towns with a wealth of sightseeing and exciting nightlife. Zadar was founded by the Romans, attacked by the Turks, ruled by the Austrians and made part of Italy until 1943 when the Germans moved in. Allied bombing destroyed much of the historic centre which was rebuilt after the war only to suffer more attacks by Yugoslav forces in 1991. In recent years Zadar has undergone a startling revival. Cafes and bars are filled, museums and churches have been restored and tourists pour in to take boats to nearby islands.

Day 5 Hvar, Croatia

Arrive 8am, Depart 5pm

Known as the Queen of the Dalmatian Islands, Hvar is an intriguing medieval town on an island with the same name, and is where celebrities and royalty come to indulge in summer pleasures. It’s considered the sunniest place in Croatia, making it ideal for relaxing days on stunning beaches surrounded by lush forest. The island is also famous for growing the highest quality lavender in the world due to its unique climate, and you’ll be amazed at the intoxicating scent that greets you from the gorgeous fields at the height of blooming season.  Hvar is the UNESCO Island, boasting more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other island in the world. Visit the first public theatre built in all Europe, constructed in 1612 and still standing in the main square of Hvar Town. The Stari Grad Plain, established by the ancient Greeks in 384 BC, features ancient stone walls and shelters bearing testimony to the ancient geometrical system of land division. Hvar today is a quiet spot reminiscent of the French Riviera at the turn-of-the-last-century.

Day 6 Kotor, Montenegro

Arrive 8am, Depart 9pm

Kotor is a town of medieval architecture and historic monuments, influenced by its time under the rule of the Republic of Venice between 1420 and 1797. Set to a backdrop of majestic mountains, the scenery is second to none, so be sure to keep your camera handy. The Gulf of Kotor is sometimes called the southernmost fjord in Europe, although it is actually a submerged river canyon. The overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen complete one of the Mediterranean's most beautiful landscapes. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the best preserved medieval towns in the Adriatic. Take a stroll through the old town and you’ll find many cathedrals, churches and Venetian palaces to explore. St. Tryphon's Cathedral, Church of St. Nicolas, Church of Our Lady of Remedy and Kotor Maritime Museum are a few to get you started. Visit Our Lady of the Rocks or, take a 15-minute drive to Perast, a picturesque village at the edge of the bay, which is one of the most romantic places in Montenegro and affords a stunning view over the twin islets.

Day 7 At Sea

Day 8 Mgarr (Victoria), Gozo, Malta

Arrive 7am, Depart 3pm

A port not often visited by cruise ships, being more accustomed to welcoming fishing boats and private yachts. Malta’s smaller sister-isle has a lot of charm to offer. Villages such as Mgarr all boast tall, elaborately carved churches, the result of a combination of fine-grained, easily carved stone, time, and stonemasons whose skill is matched only by their religious devotion. The city of Victoria was so named to honor the British queen’s Diamond jubilee.

Day 8 Senglea (Valletta, Malta

Arrive 6pm, Depart 11:59pm

Set on a peninsula along Malta’s Grand Harbour, Senglea is one of three fortified cities that resisted the Ottoman siege of 1565. (The port’s nickname, Città Invicta, translates as “Unconquered City.”) The most prosperous of the Three Cities thanks to its shipbuilding docks, Senglea was home to some of Malta’s most respected politicians and merchants; a few of their grand houses survived the island’s bombing during World War II. Must-visits include il-Maċina, a seaside fortification built by the Knights of St. John; Gardjola Gardens, set on the tip of the bastions with a climbable guard tower; and the Basilica of the Nativity of Mary, which attracts Christian pilgrims with its venerated Maria Bambina statue. Senglea is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, with nearly 3,000 inhabitants living in an area about the size of ten city blocks. Meet some locals over Cisk lagers at a waterfront café, gazing across the harbour at the UNESCO World Heritage-designated city of Valletta.

Day 9 Valletta, Malta

Arrive 12:59am, Depart 5pm

Occupied successively by the Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Arabs, French and British, Malta has been of strategic importance throughout history. A British Crown Colony until 1964, Malta received the George Cross for its valiant resistance to German occupation in WWII. The island's rich heritage is reflected in the architecture of Valletta, the current capital, and Medina, the capital until 1565. In Valletta the Knights of St. John built such masterpieces as St. John's Co-Cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Masters, along with the fortifications that guard the town's magnificent harbours.

Day 10 At Sea

Day 11 Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain

Arrive 8am, Depart 5pm

Located at the western end of Menorca, Ciutadella was the island’s capital until the 18th century. Yet its roots reach much further back, as evinced by the surrounding area’s abundance of prehistoric sites. The city, built atop a former Roman colony, served as the archipelago’s main administrative centre through High Middle Ages, when power was transferred to Mahón. Ciutadella’s old quarter still evokes a medieval charm with its narrow cobblestone streets, neoclassical palaces and lively plazas like Plaça des Born, the main square, with its Gothic-style Town Hall. Other highlights include the 14th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria, noted for its marble altar and baroque chapel; and the Municipal Museum, housed in one of the 17th-century bastions of the original town walls. Saint Nicolau Castle, which guards the port entrance, features an exhibition about the UNESCO-designated Minorcan Biosphere Reserve.

Day 12 Port-Vendres, France

Arrive 8am, Depart 5pm

From this river-front harbour on the Côte Vermeille near Spain, travel to picturesque Collioure, whose fervent Catalan spirit, scenically-sited Notre-Dame-des-Anges church, romantic Chateau Royal and Fort Saint-Elme attracted the vigorous artists of the Fauvist movement including Derain, Matisse, Braque and Picasso. Collioure has an official wine appellation of its own, producing reds, a rosé and a few whites. The fruits of ancient vines arrayed behind the town also find their way in to the aperitifs and wines of the neighbouring Banyuls appellation. Try a glass, along with a few grilled Collioure anchovies at a harbourside boite.

Day 13 Barcelona

Arrive 7am

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is said to have been founded by the Phoenicians, and was once the rival of the powerful states of Venice and Genoa for control of the Mediterranean trade. Today, it is Spain's second largest city and has long rivalled, even surpassed Madrid in industry and commerce. The medieval atmosphere of the Gothic Quarter and the elegant boulevards combine to make the city one of Europe's most beautiful. Barcelona's active cultural life and heritage brought forth such greats as the architect Antonio Gaudi, the painter Joan Miro, and Pablo Picasso, who spent his formative years here. Other famous native Catalan artists include cellist Pau Casals, surrealist Salvador Dali, and opera singers Montserrat Caballe and Josep Carreras. Barcelona accomplished a long-cherished goal with the opportunity to host the Olympics in 1992. This big event prompted a massive building program and created a focal point of the world's attention.