Split, Hvar and the Delights of Dalmatia Yacht Cruise - MS Mendula

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 & Makarska - Begin your journey to Split. On arrival you will be met and transferred to Makarska harbour to board your superb ship, the magnificent four-star, twin-masted MS Mendula. As you step on board, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the crew who’ll be on hand to help you settle in and familiarise yourself with this exceptional vessel. You’ll have the rest of the day to unpack and unwind – perhaps taking a stroll ashore before it’s time to enjoy dinner in the ship’s elegant restaurant. Tonight, chat with your fellow guests over a digestif from the bar as the sun goes down over this historic city.

Off the coast of Croatia in the southern Adriatic Sea lie some thousand islands and the largest of them, Korçula, is considered the most beautiful. With an average of 3,000 hours of sunshine per annum, which guarantees a wide assortment of Mediterranean vegetation, it is not difficult to understand why seasoned travelers compare Korçula to a latter-day Eden. Separated from the mainland by a channel of only one mile, Korçula's main town, named the same as the island, ranks among the best preserved medieval towns in the Mediterranean. It is the island's main tourist, economic and cultural center. Thanks to its strategic location along the sea trade routes, Korçula has always attracted travelers and settlers. Korcula was founded by Greek colonists, who were followed by Illyrians, Romans and finally the Croats. The Korçula Statute of 1214 is one of the oldest legal documents to have been adopted in this part of Europe. The same century saw the birth of the famous world traveler, Marco Polo. The house said to be his birthplace can be seen in town. Korçulans have always been known as keen seafarers, excellent shipbuilders, stonemasons and artists. From their many voyages, sailors brought back new ideas, which eventually mixed with local customs. To this day, Korçula has maintained the tradition of performing knightly games such as the chivalrous Moreska dance, which has been in existence for more than 400 years. Visitors to Korçula enjoy its stunning location, natural beauty and medieval ambiance. And if that's not enough, the town offers numerous attractions that are within walking distance from the pier, including the City Museum and the Bishop's Treasury.

Jelsa - Take to the deck this morning to watch the stunning coastal views slipping by. Enjoy another delicious lunch on board, before we’ll stop once more for an invigorating swim in one of the many sheltered bays in this breath-taking archipelago. We continue sailing along the northern shores of the island of Hvar to our next port of call. Later this afternoon, we’ll arrive in Jelsa, nestled on the edge of a pretty bay on the island of Hvar, situated between the island’s highest peaks, St Nikola and Hum. We’ll moor in its smart harbour fringed with palms and bustling pavements cafés. With its freshwater springs, the island is lush and green, its verdant hillsides draped in thick forest and its foothills perfumed with lavender and delicately scented fruit orchards. Inhabited since Neolithic times, the Greeks then founded a colony here, becoming a major naval base during the 14th-century as the Venetian Empire extended its reach. Enjoy an independent visit to admire the historic stonework of the typical Dalmatian houses, and the fine church encircled by a web of terracotta roofs and cool cobbled alleys. You’ll also have the chance to enjoy wine tasting in Jelsa – a town at the heart of Hvar’s rich wine heritage. This tradition stretches back over 2,000 years to the arrival of the Ancient Greeks in 384 BC. Jelsa’s harbour once served as a key hub for transporting its renowned wines across Europe, and in the 19th century, the island boasted around 5,700 hectares of vineyards. Although the phylloxera outbreak and harsh Austro-Hungarian taxes reduced this to just 280 hectares today, Jelsa still produces exceptional wines that reflect centuries of craftsmanship. This evening we enjoy the Captain’s Dinner, with a delicious locally-inspired menu.

The Croatian island of Hvar bills itself as the "sunniest island in the Adriatic." Not only does it have the figures to back up this claim—an annual average of 2,724 hours of sunshine—but it also makes visitors a sporting proposition, offering them a money-back guarantee if there are seven consecutive days of snow (snow has been known to fall here; the last time being February 2012).

Split - We enjoy a leisurely start this morning and after breakfast we continue our journey south. Make the most of this relaxing morning on board, soaking up the sun on deck or enjoying a drink with newly made friends in the bar. We stop at the island of Ciovo for our final swim stop, before lunch on board en route to Split. On arrival, join your knowledgeable guide for a walking tour of the sights including the huge Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, one of the greatest structures of the Roman Empire and recently used as the setting of the TV spectacular Game of Thrones.  No expense was spared in its construction – the best Italian marble, with columns and sphinxes from Egypt. But what makes this palace so astonishing is that during medieval times it was fully integrated into the town’s fabric with a jumble of buildings grafted onto and inside it. This means for example, the Temple of Jupiter became a baptistry. It’s all the more fascinating that today 3,000 people still live here. You will find surprises at every turn: there are tall medieval buildings lining the streets, buttressed by unmistakably Roman columns. Later perhaps choose the old town for dinner before returning for a nightcap on deck, against the backdrop of Split’s beautiful skyline.