The wonders of Croatia can be experienced on a Seabourn luxury cruise when you visit the ports of Dubrovnik, Zadar and Rijeka. The medieval city of Dubrovnik offers numerous ways to enjoy local wines and delicacies. Take in the sights with a simple stroll, aboard a road train or from above in a cable car. In the port of Zadar, you can tour Lika on horseback; experience a wine, cheese and liqueur tasting; or visit Krka National Park to take a scenic cruise. The port of Rijeka gives you access to number of charming historic towns including Hum, Labin and Pula.
Vodice features the familiar red-tiled roofs and wide, stone seaside promenades of other Dalmatian ports. Tour historic churches including the Church of St. Cross dating from 1402, or the Church of St. Elijah, dating from 1298. The “newer” baroque Parish Church of St. Cross from 1746 is home to a bell tower, which is the work of master Vicko Macanović Dubrovčanin. Enjoy pebble sand beaches or traverse fields with archaeological remains of Roman-era occupation, including walls, cisterns, wells and fortifications. The Čorić Tower is a fortified manor built by a powerful family during the mid-17th century to protect against Turkish attacks. From Vodice it is also easy to access the seaside town of Šibenik, the waterfalls and pools of Krka National Park and the offshore islands of the Kornati National Park.
A half-hour from Vodice, Primošten is an enchanting village set on two peninsulas. You’ll feel like you stepped back in time when you enter this fairytale-like medieval village. Ancient stone houses and quaint shops flank delightfully narrow streets, making the town one of the most picturesque in the region — a perfect backdrop for selfies and a romantic stroll to the beach. Speaking of beaches, there are miles of them rimming irresistible, crystal-clear water. The region receives little rainfall, so most days are ideal for sunbathing, swimming or relaxing with a favorite novel in sun-kissed solitude. Be sure to stop by the Church of St. George to admire its stunning architecture and beautiful frescoes. If your day’s activity leaves you hungry, choose from a medley of cafés and restaurants offering scrumptious local fare.
Known as the Queen of the Dalmation Islands, Hvar is an intriguing medieval town on an island with the same name, and is where celebrities and royalty come to indulge in summer pleasures. It’s considered the sunniest place in Croatia, making it ideal for relaxing days on stunning beaches surrounded by lush forest. The island is also famous for growing the highest quality lavender in the world due to its unique climate, and you’ll be amazed at the intoxicating scent that greets you from the gorgeous fields at the height of blooming season. Hvar is the UNESCO Island, boasting more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other island in the world. Visit the first public theatre built in all Europe, constructed in 1612 and still standing in the main square of Hvar Town. The Stari Grad Plain, established by the Ancient Greeks in 384 BC, features ancient stone walls and shelters bearing testimony to the ancient geometrical system of land division. Hvar today is a quiet spot reminiscent of the French Riviera at the turn-of-the-last-century.
