Venice and the Dalmation Coast September 11 - 20, 2018

The coast of Croatia and Montenegro has an irresistible loveliness. Long coveted by the ancient Greeks, Roman and Byzantine emperors, Venetian doges, and Ottoman caliphs, this sun-dappled strand of the Adriatic has retained its distinctive appeal, even in this era of mass tourism. The idyllic islands, the small, well-preserved medieval towns lining the coast, the revered monuments, the palm-lined promenades have all retained their authentic character. The entire coastline presents a lovely marriage of land and sea with the long history that has made the region so eloquent.

This is a voyage to the very best of the northern Adriatic aboard the elegant, 244-guest Le Lyrial, the youngest member of the Ponant fleet of small luxury ships. After a night in the storied city of Venice, we'll sail first to the charming medieval town of Korcula to explore St. Mark's Cathedral and other monuments, spending the afternoon in the old village of Lumbarda to visit the Milina-Bire Winery for a tasting of local specialties and wine. We'll continue to Split, where Emperor Diocletian built the magnificent palace that still dominates the city's architecture. Further down the Dalmatian coast, we'll devote three days to exploring the medieval cities of Dubrovnik and Kotor, both UNESCO World Heritage sites and both remarkably well-preserved. The seascapes and landscapes of the beautiful Croatian island of Hvar, our next stop, will surely be a trip highlight. Turning northward we'll call at Pula, with its Roman amphitheater in the center of the city, then travel to Rovinj, in the heart of the Istrian Peninsula, where the mix of Slovene and Italian spoken everywhere bears testament to its multicultural past.

Accompanying you throughout the program will be one of the W&L Traveller's most popular lecturers, Lamar Cecil, who will enhance your understanding of the history of the region. If you wish to explore one of Europe's most beautiful and unspoiled coastlines in extraordinary style, please join Professor Cecil and fellow W&L travelers aboard Le Lyrial.