Adriatic Discovery: Venice, Istria & the Croatian archipelago

Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what was a wealthy trading center between Europe and the Orient. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but at some point you'll almost surely end up in Piazza San Marco, where tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or an aperitif.

Your Adriatic cruise begins in the centuries-old, Italian city of Venice and legendary ‘City of Canals.’ Upon arrival, you’ll be transferred to your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht for a memorable journey, cruising through the traditional passage past St. Mark’s Square—an exclusive route reserved for only a few cruise vessels.

Please book your flight to arrive into Venice prior to 04:00 PM.

Your first stop is Piran, a pretty town of red-tiled, whitewashed buildings clustered on the tip of the Piran peninsula and Slovenia’s glamorous yachting destination.  Part of the Venetian empire from the late 13th century to the end of the 18th century, this Slovenian town is esteemed for its gothic-style, Venetian architecture.

Welcome to Croatia. Set at the apex of a long natural harbour and ringed by elegant yet gently weathered, townhouses and verdant hills, this fascinating Croatian town straddles both coasts on the narrowest section of the island. As you’ll discover today, Mali Lošinj  boasts  countless natural wonders, as well as historical sites that testify to its turbulent and storied past.

Today, you’ll first enjoy a brief, scenic stop in the charming town of Senj, gateway to the renowned Plitvice National Park and breathtaking natural beauty. This UNESCO World Heritage Site will leave you in awe, as you wander along wooden walkways and winding paths, passing cascading waterfalls and crystal-clear lakes.   Later you will re-join your cruise in Baška, a picturesque resort town on the Croatian island of Krk, famous for its Old Town, containing centuries-old stone houses and atmospheric narrow streets. While here, you can also appreciate the beautiful local beaches and stunning nature of this scenic island.

Stroll along Opatija’s seaside promenade, and soak up the splendour, as you enjoy fresh sea air, the sight of waving yacht masts, and the presence of grand ocean-facing buildings. Historically a fashionable destination for European aristocracy, the city is just as in-demand today - with palatial structures watching out over an inviting blue sea, and a border of lush green mountains stretching around the city. Vibrant gardens, glorious weather and endless seafront combine to ensure that Croatia’s original tourist destination remains one of the country’s finest.

Located on the western peninsula of Croatia, Opatija boasts alluring views across the Adriatic towards the Kvarner Islands and distant Istrian mountains. Known as the ‘Nice of Croatia,’ this resort town is home to lovely seaside promenades and fairy-tale villas from the Habsburg-era. During your time in Opatija, be sure to sample some of the traditional local specialities, mussels with pršut, or fish stew.

One of the true jewels of the Mediterranean, Rovinj is a jaw-droppingly beautiful town, which juts out into sparkling Mediterranean. Dominated by the pencil-like bell tower of the Venetian Saint Euphemia Cathedral, pine tree forests flow to the borders of the quaint Old Town - which evokes the romantic, tangled backstreets of the Venice. Rovinj - or Rovino in Italian - is a city of split personalities, with two official languages - having been owned by the Kingdom of Italy between 1919 and 1947.

Resting on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, the delightful town of Rovinj is intertwined with a myriad of Italian influences. Here, you’ll have time to admire the Old Town and its meandering streets, colourful façades of old buildings, as well as the picturesque harbour dotted with fishing boats. Rovinj is a quaint and easily walkable town, where you can also discover plenty of art galleries and small, historic squares.

Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what was a wealthy trading center between Europe and the Orient. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but at some point you'll almost surely end up in Piazza San Marco, where tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or an aperitif.

Venice is an enchanting city that exudes an atmosphere not found anywhere else in the world. Established in the 5th century, this historic Italian city stretches across 118 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic. Among the many highlights in Venice, admire the grandeur of the city’s iconic canals and magnificent St. Marks Basilica.

Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what was a wealthy trading center between Europe and the Orient. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but at some point you'll almost surely end up in Piazza San Marco, where tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or an aperitif.

Your Adriatic discovery and Emerald Cruises luxury voyage concludes in Venice. From here, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your journey home, or to continue your holiday.

Please book your flight to depart out of Venice after 11:00 AM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will operated unaltered from the itinerary states above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.