Kotor-The head of the Boka Kotorska Fjord

Day One: The Bay of Kotor, one of the few fjords in the region, is truly memorable. With roots dating back to the site of a 3rd-century Roman military outpost, the fortress city of Kotor was a Byzantine stronghold in the 6th century; today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A walking tour takes in the great Romanesque cathedral of St. Tryphon and the Naval Museum, housed in an 18th-century Baroque palace. Take an afternoon cruise down the bay to Dubrovnik (40 miles).

Day Two: After breakfast, clear through customs and get ready to visit the spectacular walled city of Dubrovnik.  The wonderfully preserved 15^th Century "Old Town" features ancient buildings, squares, cobbled streets and fountains, all created from the same beautiful cut stone.  Visit the historic main square, the priceless collections in the Dominican Monastery, the Rector's Palace, Dubrovnik Cathedral and the Franciscan Monastery. Cruise to a secluded anchorage for dinner on deck under the stars.

Day Three: Options vary, Dubrovnik area to Celo on the island of Kolocep or Lopud - has an excellent beach for lunch. Continue on to Sipanska Luka, a delightful little village with an old quay to moor against. Take a lovely walk up the hill to a church where you can see for miles around (11 miles). Overnight.

Day Four: Leave early for the Island of Mljet.  The island was once one of the biggest producers of olive oil in the Med.  Odysseus was fabled to have been seduced here by nymphs in Homer's "The Odyssey". Swim and have lunch at a little secluded bay and then on to Polace, (literally "palace") to explore the ruins of a Roman palace. Cruise along a long wooded inlet, part of a national park. At the end is a protected bay with restaurants which is a great place for a refreshing swim. Relax with dinner on board or ashore (21 miles).

Day Five: In the morning cruise to Korcula and head ashore for a walk around the fortified medieval town of Korcula (pronounced KorCHoola) where Marco Polo was born.  Have a drink at the cocktail bar at the top of one of the towers, where the drinks arrive by a pulley outside the walls. Leave after lunch for Hvar.

Town of Hvar- Croatia  

Hvar town is overlooked by a large castle and has the oldest theatre in Croatia (circa 1200). This is where the beautiful people hang out. Enjoy a cocktail at the very chic "Carpe Diem" before strolling along the promenade to soak up the atmosphere of Croatia's Cote d'Azur. The ancients considered Hvar one of the "Isles of the Blessed".  Flower-filled gardens, palms, lemon and orange groves add a fragrance lovely enough to match the visual appeal of this sun-drenched island beauty. Visit the theatre of 1506, the Benedictine Monastery, the town square and ancient stone houses.  Overnight.

Day Six: After breakfast, cruise over to Vis.  Studded with little coves and inlets, one is simply spoilt for choice as to where to stop for a dip. Spend an evening in Komiza, where Tito hid from the Germans during WW2 and where there are two excellent restaurants serving fresh fish and local produce. In the Gradina area are remnants of the ancient Greek town if Ussa.  On the small Pirovo promontory are remains of a Roman theatre and thermal baths.  Enjoy lunch after a short morning sail to the off-lying island of Bisevo, where a quick jump in the dinghy will reveal "the Blue Grotto", an underwater cave that during the morning is lit from the sun, giving the water an amazing color. Head back to Vis Town, a charming old town with some excellent restaurants and a wine bar where they serve nothing but wine from Vis. Overnight.

Day Seven: Leave early for Rogac, a hamlet of the village of Grohote on the northern coast of the island of Solta.  In the port there is a citadel dating back to the 17th century. The church of St. Therese has an altarpiece with the portrait of the donor from 1749. The cove of Banje features the remains of a Roman fishpond.  Enjoy lunch and a swim before heading up to Split to overnight.

The ancient city of Split was taken from Salona as the metropolis of the Roman province of Dalmatia.  The medieval town developed out of the Emperor Diocletian's Palace, which is recorded as a UNESCO - "monument of universal importance".  Other sites to visit include the Peristyle, Jupiter's Temple and Visesllas's Baptistery.

Day Eight: 

In the morning head to the historic town of Trogir, right next to Split, for a walk around the old town, and then back to Split, or to a location close by the Split Airport to disembark.

Diocletians Palace - Split, Croatia