Split, Zadar and Secrets of the North Yacht Cruise for Solo Travellers - MS Adriatic Sky

Split's ancient core is so spectacular and unusual that a visit is more than worth your time. The heart of the city lies within the walls of Roman emperor Diocletian's retirement palace, which was built in the 3rd century AD. Diocletian, born in the nearby Roman settlement of Salona in AD 245, achieved a brilliant career as a soldier and became emperor at the age of 40. In 295 he ordered this vast palace to be built in his native Dalmatia, and when it was completed he stepped down from the throne and retired to his beloved homeland. Upon his death, he was laid to rest in an octagonal mausoleum, around which Split's magnificent cathedral was built.In 615, when Salona was sacked by barbarian tribes, those fortunate enough to escape found refuge within the stout palace walls and divided up the vast imperial apartments into more modest living quarters. Thus, the palace developed into an urban center, and by the 11th century the settlement had expanded beyond the ancient walls.Under the rule of Venice (1420–1797), Split—as a gateway to the Balkan interior—became one of the Adriatic's main trading ports, and the city's splendid Renaissance palaces bear witness to the affluence of those times. When the Habsburgs took control during the 19th century, an overland connection to Central Europe was established by the construction of the Split–Zagreb–Vienna railway line.After World War II, the Tito years saw a period of rapid urban expansion: industrialization accelerated and the suburbs extended to accommodate high-rise apartment blocks. Today the historic center of Split is included on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.

Arrival in Split - On arrival, transfer to your exclusive yacht, moored in the pretty harbour of Trogir. You will be welcomed by the friendly captain and crew, ready to help you settle into your new surroundings. The rest of the day is at leisure so you can start to truly unwind in the company of your fellow passengers – just 38 of you. Perhaps take to the sun deck or wander ashore – whatever you choose it won’t be long before it’s time to enjoy dinner in the ship’s restaurant.

Split's ancient core is so spectacular and unusual that a visit is more than worth your time. The heart of the city lies within the walls of Roman emperor Diocletian's retirement palace, which was built in the 3rd century AD. Diocletian, born in the nearby Roman settlement of Salona in AD 245, achieved a brilliant career as a soldier and became emperor at the age of 40. In 295 he ordered this vast palace to be built in his native Dalmatia, and when it was completed he stepped down from the throne and retired to his beloved homeland. Upon his death, he was laid to rest in an octagonal mausoleum, around which Split's magnificent cathedral was built.In 615, when Salona was sacked by barbarian tribes, those fortunate enough to escape found refuge within the stout palace walls and divided up the vast imperial apartments into more modest living quarters. Thus, the palace developed into an urban center, and by the 11th century the settlement had expanded beyond the ancient walls.Under the rule of Venice (1420–1797), Split—as a gateway to the Balkan interior—became one of the Adriatic's main trading ports, and the city's splendid Renaissance palaces bear witness to the affluence of those times. When the Habsburgs took control during the 19th century, an overland connection to Central Europe was established by the construction of the Split–Zagreb–Vienna railway line.After World War II, the Tito years saw a period of rapid urban expansion: industrialization accelerated and the suburbs extended to accommodate high-rise apartment blocks. Today the historic center of Split is included on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites.

Šibenik - Awake refreshed and draw back the curtains to witness the morning sun rising over the glistening water; now you’re really on holiday and home will feel a long way away. Over a leisurely breakfast, excitement mounts as our beautiful yacht-cruiser slips her moorings and we commence our Dalmatian adventure. The Dalmatian coastline is considered to be one of the most spectacular in Europe with mile upon mile of quiet beaches and calm, pretty, secluded bays perfect for swimming. The stark magnificence of the mountains sweeps dramatically into a fertile green landscape, studded with tiny stone built hamlets set amongst lush fruit groves and beautifully preserved medieval towns. In the crystal waters of the Adriatic lies a sprinkling of alluring unspoilt islands and mysterious coves inviting discovery. During our cruise this morning we stop for a swim before lunch back on board. After, why not take to the deck and catch up on some reading whilst a kaleidoscope of breath-taking coastal views drifts idly by? Later we arrive at the port of Šibenik and enjoy a guided walking tour of this interesting little town. Wander through the delightful maze of its medieval old town, unchanged for centuries and see the remarkable cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece and one of the finest in the region. We remain moored in Šibenik overnight, so take dinner at your leisure in one of the many quaint local restaurants, whilst absorbing the infectious charms of this lovely area.

Šibenik's main monument, its Gothic-Renaissance cathedral, built of pale-gray Dalmatian stone and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands on a raised piazza close to the seafront promenade. From here a network of narrow, cobbled streets leads through the medieval quarter of tightly packed, terra-cotta–roof houses, and up to the ruins of a 16th-century hilltop fortress. The city has never been a real tourist destination. Before the Croatian war for independence, it was a relatively prosperous industrial center, but when the factories closed, Šibenik sank into an economic depression. However, the cathedral more than warrants a look, and it makes a decent base for visiting the waterfalls of Krka National Park.

Krka National Park & Vodice - During breakfast, we sail inland to Skradin, on the edge of the Krka Valley where the River Krka flows through a series of lakes, gorges and rapids before heading out to sea. Here you change onto smaller boats to explore the valley, which in its entirety has been awarded national park status and we will visit part of this exquisitely beautiful area on this morning’s tour. Due to minerals dissolved in the water, the colours change from turquoise to azure-blue and vibrant green to steel-like greys. We will witness one of the most dramatic stretches of the river – several tiers of waterfall tumble fantastically into a broad, shallow pool. Back on board our yacht, during lunch, we slip our moorings for an afternoon’s spectacular cruising. Sail gently along winding channels, where each bend reveals a new story and the landscape feels close enough to touch. Settle into your sun lounger up on deck, cool drink in hand, whilst the salty sea breeze invigorates you - it doesn’t get much better than this. Later we moor in the lovely coastal town of Vodice. You have free time to wander ashore and explore, so why not enjoy dinner at one of the many waterfront restaurants? The perfect spot to watch the mellowing sun in a blushing sky, as it slowly descends on the hazy horizon.

Dalmatia's capital for more than 1,000 years, Zadar is all too often passed over by travelers on their way to Split or Dubrovnik. What they miss out on is a city of more than 73,000 that is remarkably lovely and lively despite—and, in some measure, because of—its tumultuous history. The Old Town, separated from the rest of the city on a peninsula some 4 km (2½ miles) long and just 1,640 feet wide, is bustling and beautiful: the marble pedestrian streets are replete with Roman ruins, medieval churches, palaces, museums, archives, and libraries. Parts of the new town are comparatively dreary, a testament to what a world war followed by decades of communism, not to mention a civil war, can do to the architecture of a city that is 3,000 years old. A settlement had already existed on the site of the present-day city for some 2,000 years when Rome finally conquered Zadar in the 1st century BC; the foundations of the forum can be seen today. Before the Romans came the Liburnians had made it a key center for trade with the Greeks and Romans for 800 years. In the 3rd century BC the Romans began to seriously pester the Liburnians, but required two centuries to bring the area under their control. During the Byzantine era, Zadar became the capital of Dalmatia, and this period saw the construction of its most famous church, the 9th-century St. Donat's Basilica. It remained the region's foremost city through the ensuing centuries. The city then experienced successive onslaughts and occupations—both long and short—by the Osogoths, the Croatian-Hungarian kings, the Venetians, the Turks, the Habsburgs, the French, the Habsburgs again, and finally the Italians before becoming part of Yugoslavia and, in 1991, the independent republic of Croatia. Zadar was for centuries an Italian-speaking city, and Italian is still spoken widely, especially by older people. Indeed, it was ceded to Italy in 1921 under the Treaty of Rapallo (and reverted to its Italian name of Zara). Its occupation by the Germans from 1943 led to intense bombing by the Allies during World War II, which left most of the city in ruins. Zadar became part of Tito's Yugoslavia in 1947, prompting many Italian residents to leave. Zadar's most recent ravages occurred during a three-month siege by Serb forces and months more of bombardment during the Croatian-Serbian war between 1991 and 1995. But you'd be hard-pressed to find outward signs of this today in what is a city to behold. There are helpful interpretive signs in English all around the Old Town, so you certainly won't feel lost when trying to make sense of the wide variety of architectural sites you might otherwise pass by with only a cursory look.

Rogoznica - As the sun rises above the rooftops of this historic port, we cast off once again and begin our journey southwards once more. After breakfast head up on deck to watch the picturesque islands of this enchanting archipelago. As the sun glints on the azure-blue depths, sit back and let this gloriously vivid coastal spectacle wash over you. Watch for the marine life in the crystal-clear waters below, or chat with your fellow companions over a coffee – simply heavenly. We find time for a refreshing swim around the beautiful island of Vrgada, with its deserted golden beaches and clear warm waters, before lunch is served on board. Later this afternoon we arrive in picturesque Rogoznica, an attractive harbour set amidst a scenic landscape of cypress forest and the occasional vineyard. There’s time to wander the pretty waterfront and winding backstreets and as evening falls before heading back to the ship for the Captain’s Dinner, during which a selection of regional specialities will be served.