New land and cruise tour explores the Balkan Peninsula

19–night fly, stay and cruise tour – sail on a private, small ship

Departs May 2021

Media Release – February 21, 2020

Some of the Balkan’s prettiest villages, grandest palaces and most spectacular mountain scenery feature in a unique new escorted land and cruise itinerary that includes a week on a private, small ship along the beautiful Adriatic coast.

Hosted by Cruise Express, the 20-day ‘Empires and the Adriatic’ itinerary is a brand new itinerary taking travellers from the imperial grandeur of Vienna to the medieval splendor of Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast. Guests will experience the region’s best cuisine, centuries of history through Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic architecture, quaint coastal villages and unique natural wonders as they travel through Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro by land and sea.

The tour begins in the imperial city of Vienna where guests will experience the grandeur of Schonbrunn Palace, wander through Baroque streets and visit cosy eateries. The next major stop is Bled, a base for three days to explore the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, famous Lake Bled and the majesty of the Julian Alps. The route then travels south into Croatia and the Istrian peninsula with its medieval hilltop villages and strong culinary family traditions, with the chance to taste truffles and olive oil.

Further south is Plitvice Lakes National Park, a highlight of the tour with its 16 terraced lakes converging on each other to form a series of cascading waterfalls.

In the Croatian town of Split, guests will board MV Ban, a sleek, private and deluxe motor yacht for a seven-night cruise through the Dalmatian Islands, with many meals included each day and shore excursions. Take in a walking tour of the Old Town in Hvar, explore Mljet National Park with its two saltwater lakes and swim in the sparkling blue sea. The cruise ends in the walled city of Dubrovnik where the tour continues on to Montenegro and the port city of Kotor with it’s meandering, medieval streets, Romanesque churches and beautiful coastal views before returning to Dubrovnik where the tour finishes.

Including return flights from Australia to Vienna and home from Dubrovnik, the 19–night, guided, ‘Empires and the Adriatic’ package is available from $8590 per person, twin-share.

Call Cruise Express on 1300 766 537 or visit www.cruiseexpress.com.au