Slovenia & Croatia: Hidden Coves and Ancient Treasures by Sea

Activity note: Pre-Program Option: Discover and explore more with extension program 23227: "Croatia’s Capital and Beautiful Lakes" featuring 2 nights of accommodation in Zagreb and 1 night in Plitvice Lakes National Park. Discover the energetic capital city of Croatia and the extraordinary natural beauty of southeast Europe's oldest national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you wish to enroll in this optional extension program, please contact Road Scholar Participant Services at 800-454-5768.

Activity note: Ship embarkation after 2:00 p.m.

Afternoon: At the airport, we will meet the Road Scholar representative and transfer to Primošten where we will embark the ship, our home for the next seven nights. In the early evening, we will gather in the ship's dining room for Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Adventures Afloat program. In addition to Road Scholar exclusive lectures, field trips, and activities, you are invited to take advantage of activities and events offered by the cruise line that are separate from Road Scholar. Please note that routes, field trips, and excursions are subject to change as weather and sea conditions could require altering the itinerary and/or the progress of the ship, making it run late and possibly miss ports if it cannot dock. The cruise itinerary should therefore be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of field trips and excursions without prior notice. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Aboard the ship each evening, our chef will prepare delicious plated dinners with different set menus. Dietary needs will be accommodated to the extent possible given local resources. One glass of wine, coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Walking up to 4.5 miles total throughout the day: about 2.5 miles at Krka National Park; approximately 2 hours; rough terrain including 500+ steps to reach waterfalls, with resting places on the way. Walking approximately 2 miles in Sibenik; periods of standing up to 1 hour; uneven, cobblestone streets. Expect crowds during high season. All routes and field trips are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.

Breakfast: In the ship's dining room, we will have a breakfast buffet offering eggs, cereals, local breads, yogurt, and fruit, plus coffee, tea, juices, water.

Morning: Our ship will sail to the mouth of the Krka River where it flows into the Adriatic Sea and from there, we will get off the ship to walk along a spectacular series of rugged canyons, azure lakes, and tumbling waterfalls within the spectacular Krka National Park. Led by our Group Leader, we’ll also enjoy commentary along the way.

Lunch: Aboard the ship as we sail to Šibenik, we’ll have plated and served meals with coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: During our expert-led field trip in Šibenik, we will walk through the heart of the old town where jewels of history wait around every corner. We will see the four fortresses, which kept the city safe from invasion from the 15th to the 16th century, the UNESCO-protected Cathedral of St. James, and Republic Square. On board before dinner, an Assistant Professor will give a lecture on what sets this region apart in both the past and the present.

Dinner: At a local village farmstead, we’ll enjoy a plated and served dinner of homemade local foods such as soup, roasted meat and potatoes, sweets, wine, and water.

Evening: We’ll then return to the ship. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure.

Activity note: Sailing about 1 hour from Telašcica to Sali. Swimsuit recommended; there may be opportunities for swimming on sailing days. Walking approximately 4 miles total throughout the day: about 2 miles in Telašcica Nature Park, approximately 2 hours, uphill on rough terrain. About 2 miles in Sali, approximately 2.5 hours on flat, cobblestone paths.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: In the ship's lounge, we will delve into the history and culture of Croatia during an onboard lecture presented by the Group Leader. Next, we will get off the ship to meet a local expert and set out on a walk in Telašcica Nature Park, a stunning bay studded with six small islets. The protected bay has been known as a harbor and shelter since antiquity; the Roman archaeological remains lie under the channel separating Dugi Otok from Kornati Island. On the southern side, between the bay and the sea, we will find Telašcica's highlight: Lake Mir, its brackish water is fed by the sea, which seeps in through underground cracks.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: Continuing, we will visit Sali, the biggest village of the island Dugi Otok (Long Island), which gets its name from a history of salt production. We will explore the village on the harbor, surrounded by olive trees and beaches. In the late afternoon in Sali, we will hear a lecture focusing on traces of the past as presented by a local archaeologist.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Sailing about 2 hours from Sali to Zadar. Walking approximately 1.5 miles roundtrip on group field trip in Zadar; about 1.5 hours; mostly flat terrain. Opportunities for more activity dependent on personal interest. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: Arriving via ship, we will explore historic Zadar on foot with a local expert. Discovering Zadar is like peeling back layers of time until you end up in the 9th century B.C.E. in ancient Illyria. The Old Town is paved with gleaming white stone and the straight streets were first laid out by the Romans. In Zadar, the ancient and the new blend in a quirky and vibrant harmony, with Roman-era fragments and Romanesque churches standing alongside blocks of flats, sleek cafés, and ultra-contemporary architectural installations such as the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: Free time. This block of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Sailing about 5 hours from Zadar to Rab. Walking approximately 1 mile in Rab; mostly flat ground, with frequent cobblestones and some stairs throughout. Sturdy shoes recommended. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: In the ship's lounge, we’ll enjoy a presentation on Croatia and its neighbors led by our Group Leader as we sail to Rab.

Lunch: Aboard ship.

Afternoon: While sailing, our Group Leader will provide an interesting lecture relating to the program theme. Upon arrival at the dock, we’ll set out on foot with our local expert for a field trip to explore the Island of Rab, during which we will see the four famous bell towers of the city. The spirit of history can still be felt as we take a walk down the streets of the town. When we return to the ship, we will enjoy a local Klapa group's traditional a cappella performance in Dalmatic.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Sailing about 3 hours from Rab to Krk. Walking approximately 1 mile in Ancient Krk; about 1 hour; mostly flat terrain. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: Aboard the ship, delve into the history and culture of Croatia during a lecture presented by your Group Leader in the ship's lounge.

Lunch: Aboard ship as we sail northward to the island of Krk.

Afternoon: With our local expert, we will explore ancient Krk on foot during our afternoon field trip. We will learn how Krk developed into an important settlement for the Romans and explore the Roman ruins inside the city walls, including a Roman bath dating from the 2nd century B.C.E. When we return to the ship, enjoy a lecture in the lounge before dinner.

Dinner: Aboard ship.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Sailing approximately 3.5 hours from Krk to Rijeka. Walking approximately 2.5 miles total throughout the day. About 1 mile in Opatija at botanical gardens; approx. 1.5 hours; mostly flat terrain. About 1.5 mile in Pula; approximately 2 hours; requires climbing several flights of stairs; no elevator available. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: After driving across the Istrian Peninsula to the Old Roman Town of Pula, we will see over 2,000 years of urban development and hear from a local expert the legend of the ship, Argo, in its pursuit of the Golden Fleece. Then we’ll learn about the Illyrians before the arrival of the Romans. As we walk, we’ll also analyze the influence of the Romans once they arrived and examine present day concerns.

Lunch: On your own to explore the local fare in Pula.

Afternoon: We will drive to elegant Opatija, with its pleasant climate, beautiful architecture, quality hotels and luxurious, well-tended parks and promenades. While in town, we’ll stop at the beautiful and expansive botanical gardens with a local expert and enjoy an exploration of the grounds. We will then return to the ship for our final night on board.

Dinner: Aboard the ship, we’ll dress up a bit and enjoy a special plated Captain’s Dinner with one beverage choice included. Share some of your favorite experiences from the program with new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out, disembarkation, and transfer in the morning.

Activity note: Driving approx. 100 miles total; about 3.5 hours. Walking approx. 3.5 miles total throughout the day: about 1 mile in Opatija at botanical gardens; approx. 1.5 hours; mostly flat terrain. Walking approx. 2.5 miles in Postojna Caves; about 1.5 hours; level terrain, which can be slippery, some steps and handrails; standing indoors and out up to 1 hour. Light jacket is recommended; temperature in caves is around 52 degrees. Border crossing today; keep passport handy to present it at border.

Breakfast: Aboard ship.

Morning: After checking out and disembarking the ship, we will board our motorcoach for our drive to Postojna.

Lunch: On your own, savor the flavors of Postojna with what you like.

Afternoon: Arriving via motorcoach, we will explore the Postojna Caves, a subterranean world abundant with unusual natural sculptures and animals. We will descend underground to a world of passages, halls and galleries abundant with cave formations. The cave interior is largely shaped by speleothems, cave formations whose growth is measured in millions of years. We will hear a lecture on site from a local expert. We’ll then travel to and check into the hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a meal blending international flavors plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Walking up to 4 miles throughout the day on uneven cobblestone streets and sidewalks; long periods of standing up to 1 hour at a time; ascending and descending flights of stairs with no railings. Getting on/off motorcoach; minimal driving throughout the day.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, our breakfast buffet offers a daily selection of breads, cheeses, cold cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea and water.

Morning: Led by our Group Leader, we will set out to explore Lake Bled on foot. With immense natural beauty, Bled ranks among the most beautiful alpine resorts, renowned for its mild, healing climate and thermal lake water. The beauty of the mountains reflected on the lake, the sun, the serenity and the fresh air made Lake Bled one of the most popular health resorts of the Hapsburg Empire, attracting the European aristocratic elite. We will learn about the history, local economy, and natural heritage during our walking field trip, during which we’ll visit St. Mary Church on a small island on the lake, which we will get to via small rowboats.

Lunch: On your own, explore the tastes of Slovenia as you wish.

Afternoon: Traveling via bus, we will visit the medieval town of Radovljica, where the compact city center is a veritable open air museum of beautifully restored buildings, narrow sloping streets, and pleasant sidewalk cafés. Some of the most interesting buildings include Gostilna Lectar’s very own living museum, which makes a traditional Slovene craft, gingerbread, with honey dough. The hospitable family, dressed in typical medieval clothing, will give a short lecture about the museum as we see tools that date back over 100 years and are still used to produce these uniquely decorated cakes. The oldest preserved wooden mold is from the 16th century. Back in medieval times, gingerbreads were considered prestigious gestures of romance, and these days they make excellent souvenirs.

Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll enjoy a plated and served farewell dinner to indulge in the local flavors. Choice of one beverage included, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Driving approximately 60 miles total; about 1 hour total. Walking approximately 2.5 miles; about 2 hours; long periods of standing up to 2 hours at a time; climbing stairs, sometimes with no railings.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet.

Morning: By bus, we will head to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital city where old meets new – a synthesis due in part to an 1895 earthquake, after which the city was rebuilt in Italian Baroque and Art Nouveau styles. A modern city rich in history, Ljubljana was shaped by famed architect and resident, Jože Plecnik, and the new wave of young architects he inspired. With a local expert, we will discover how the diversity of this city seamlessly blends into a single image as we explore the Jewish Quarter, the river, and the university.

Lunch: On your own to sample local Slovenian cuisine.

Afternoon: We will then visit the famous Plecnik House, which has been preserved and transformed into a museum. From the street, it looks like many of the other old homes in the area, but this master designer left his mark on this house, expanding the original building with a cylindrical annex and winter garden, as well as equipping the house and gardens with inventive furnishings of his own design. Permanent exhibitions at the house display Plecnik’s substantial architectural legacy in Vienna, Prague and, of course, Ljubljana. They give visitors a window into the eccentric designer’s personal life and history. Because the Plecnik House is very small, we will split into two groups to view the interior. Museum staff will lead groups one at a time through the house but we will all gather to enjoy an onsite lecture about Plecnik and his work.

Dinner: At the hotel, we’ll enjoy a delicious buffet dinner with coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.

Morning: Hotel to the airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don't forget to join our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!