10-Night Islands & Walled Cities — Dubrovnik to Zadar

Day 1 — Dubrovnik: Embarkation

Board at ACI Marina Dubrovnik. Afternoon exploration of the old city — the City Walls walk is 2km and offers extraordinary views. A welcome dinner at 360 restaurant, perched on the Walls above the sea.

Day 2 — Elafiti Islands & Šipan

Cruise northwest through the Elafiti Islands — Lopud, Koločep and Šipan. Lopud has a famous car-free sandy beach (Šunj) and a ruined Franciscan monastery; Šipan is the largest, with abandoned summer palaces of the Dubrovnik aristocracy visible from the water.

Day 3 — Korčula

A full day in the beautiful walled city of Korčula — the Cathedral, the Marco Polo Museum, and an evening of local wine at one of the konobas in the old town's narrow lanes.

Day 4 — Hvar

Hvar town for a full day and night — explore the Venetian Loggia, the fortress above the town, and the lavender fields. Dinner at Gariful or the excellent Zori restaurant. Hvar has the most sophisticated nightlife in Croatia.

Day 5 — Vis & Blue Cave

The remote island of Vis — local wine, the Blue Cave at Biševo by tender, and complete seclusion. Overnight in Komiža, the island's fishing village.

Day 6 — Šolta & Split

A morning swim stop at the quiet island of Šolta before arriving in Split for an afternoon and evening. Diocletian's Palace, the Peristyle square, Meštrović Gallery and the excellent fish restaurant Fife just outside the Walls.

Day 7 — Primošten

Continuing north to the beautiful small town of Primošten — built on a small island connected to the mainland by a causeway, surrounded by vineyards producing the remarkable Babić red wine. One of the most photogenic anchorages in Croatia.

Day 8 — Šibenik & Krka National Park

Arrive at Šibenik — the only major Croatian city built by Croats (not Venetians or Romans), with a UNESCO-listed Cathedral. By tender up the Krka River to the Krka National Park's famous waterfalls — swimming in the emerald plunge pools is compulsory.

Day 9 — Kornati Islands

Overnight in the extraordinary Kornati archipelago — 89 islands, mostly uninhabited, in an area of barely 300 square kilometres. The karst landscape of the 'crowns' (raised cliffs on the seaward side) is found nowhere else in the world. Anchor in one of dozens of perfect coves with not another yacht in sight.

Day 10 — Zadar

Arrive in Zadar — a Roman grid city with extraordinary early medieval churches. The Sea Organ (a musical instrument built into the quay, played by the waves) and the Sun Salutation (a solar-powered light installation) are unmissable at sunset. Alfred Hitchcock called this 'the most beautiful sunset in the world'.

Day 11 — Zadar: Disembarkation

Farewell breakfast before disembarkation. Zadar Airport has direct connections to many European cities; alternatively, Split Airport is 90 kilometres south.