7-Night Venice & Istrian Coast — Venice to Pula

7 nights Monaco → Antibes ~85 nm

About This Route

Route Overview

Day by Day

The Route

Day 1 — Venice: Embarkation

Board at Punta Sabbioni or Venice Certosa Marina. An afternoon in Venice — the Grand Canal, Piazza San Marco, the Doge's Palace and the Rialto Bridge. For those who know Venice, the bacaro (wine bar) route through the sestieri away from the tourist crowds reveals the real city. Welcome dinner at the historic Antiche Carampane in San Polo.

Day 2 — Venice Lagoon: Murano, Burano & Torcello

A morning exploring the famous islands of the Venetian Lagoon by yacht — Murano (glassblowing workshops operating since the 13th century), Burano (extraordinary lace and the most colourful houses in Italy) and Torcello (the eerily beautiful Byzantine mosaics of the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta). Overnight at anchor in the lagoon.

Day 3 — Poreč, Croatia

Cross the Adriatic — a 4-hour passage in calm conditions — to Poreč on the Istrian coast. The UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica (6th century AD) contains the finest intact Byzantine mosaics in the world outside Ravenna. A beautiful old town on a small peninsula; excellent local wine (Malvazija Istarska) and truffle products in every shop.

Day 4 — Rovinj

Perhaps the most beautiful town on the Istrian coast — a tightly packed old town on a rocky promontory, crowned by the Church of St Euphemia visible for miles out to sea. The morning fish market on the quay, the Batana boat museum, and some of the finest restaurants in Croatia (Monte, La Puntulina). Overnight in the town harbour.

Day 5 — Pula: Roman Amphitheatre

A full day in Pula — the ancient Roman city at the southern tip of Istria. The amphitheatre (6,000 seats, remarkably well preserved, still used for concerts) is one of the six largest Roman amphitheatres in existence. The Temple of Augustus in the Forum, the Arch of the Sergii and the extraordinary mosaic floors of Hercules. Overnight in the marina.

Day 6 — Brijuni (Brioni) National Park

Sail to the Brijuni National Park — 14 islands of extraordinary natural beauty. The ruins of a 1st-century Roman villa (with original mosaic floors), a safari park with animals given to Tito as gifts of state (including zebras and elephants), and some of the finest swimming waters in the northern Adriatic. Overnight at anchor.

Day 7 — Return to Venice

A final day cruise north along the Istrian coast, stopping at a favourite anchorage for a last swim, before returning to Venice for a farewell dinner in the city. Overnight at the marina.