Croatia - Yachting the Dalmatian Coast
May 7-17, 2009
Preliminary Day by Day Itinerary
May 7 Depart Chicago
Thursday
If you choose to take our air, meet the Phi Mu group at Chicago O’Hare International Airport around noon for 3:25 PM departure aboard Lufthansa LH431 bound for Frankfurt.
Our tour begins in Zagreb tomorrow. If you would like us to provide flights via Lufthansa, we will gladly help you.
May 8 Arrive Zagreb
Friday Tour Begins
If you choose to take our air, arrive Frankfurt 6:30 AM with time to stretch your legs and have a look at the duty free shops before continuing to Zagreb via LH2478. Arrive at 11:25 AM. Our tour begins. We are met by our excellent guide who will be with us throughout the tour, and warmly welcomed to the capital. A city tour will introduce us to the highlights of this modern city. Zagreb lies between the Medvednica Mountain and the Sava River. Its well-preserved old quarter with a cathedral and churches is a special attraction. We’ll see the Croatian National Theater and the University. During a tour in “Upper Town”, you’ll notice that Zagreb also boasts lovely Baroque buildings, and a rich and varied cultural life. In the afternoon we are off for a two-hour drive to Plitvice Lakes, on the UNESCO’s List of World Natural Heritage. After check-in we’ll have an early dinner and retire for a good night’s rest. Dinner at the hotel. (D)
Hotel Jezero, Plitvice Lakes***
May 9 Plitvice Lakes
Saturday Makarska
This is Croatia’s best-known national park and one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world. Sixteen magnificent blue-green lakes merge one into the other in a necklace of cascades and waterfalls, which ultimately create the Korana River. The highest waterfall is 250 feet. There are also exquisite forests in the park. Lunch in Restaurant Poljana, then depart by coach southward to Split and on to Makarska Harbor. We embark on our lovely private yacht at around 4:00 PM and settle into our cabins. Dinner is served on board at 7:00 PM. Our guide will take those who wish to discover Makarska by night. (B-L-D)
Overnight aboard Aloha, Makarska
May 10 Excursion to
Sunday Mostar
After breakfast at 8:00 AM, we depart by coach to Mostar, an Oriental town in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We arrive at 11:00 AM for sightseeing of Mostar, with entrance to a typical Turkish house-museum. Refresh yourself over a light lunch in a local restaurant. There’s free time until 3:00 PM. On the way back to Makarska we stop at one of the river ports and embark on a riverboat ride along the beautiful River Neretva overlooking the Mandarin plantations. On the boat will be music, snacks and wine. Arrival back to Makarska about 7:00 PM. Dinner at the boat and free time for an evening in Makarska. (B-L-D)
Overnight aboard Aloha, Makarska
May 11 Sailing – Mljet,
Monday Dubrovnik’s
Archipelago
We set sail at 8:00 AM towards National Park Mljet, famous for its two salt lakes, beautiful nature and little islet with Benedictine monastery and its church of St. Mary of the 12th Century. Mljet has a rich history too, and we’ll learn about it from our accompanying guide. Lunch is at 2:00 PM with sightseeing and a possibility for a swim in the lake. In the evening our Captain will offer a fantastic Captain’s dinner (white fish). (B-L-D)
Overnight aboard Aloha, Mljet
May 12 Sailing
Tuesday Dubrovnik
Breakfast at 9:00 AM as we sail towards the walled city of Dubrovnik. We arrive to Dubrovnik about 12:30 PM. After lunch on the boat, the coach will pick us up from the harbor and take us to the Old City. We’ll begin the walking tour of the historic core of Dubrovnik, which is on UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage. Visit the Rector’s Palace, the Cathedral, the Dominican Monastery and the Franciscan Monastery. It has one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe. We return to the vessel for dinner, but there is more free time in Dubrovnik in the evening. You’ll probably want to have a walk along the city walls. Return to the boat individually at your leisure. (B-L-D)
Overnight aboard Aloha, Dubrovnik
May 13 Elafiti Islands
Wednesday Korcula
During breakfast, we sail to Elafiti Islands, and we stop on the island of Sipan for swimming. Lunch on board as we continue to sail to the island of Korcula, famous for its rich history and good wine. Greek colonies existed here in the 6th and 5th Century BC. Many governments and cultures have changed during the centuries and left traces behind. Marco Polo was born in Korcula, says the legend. After sightseeing in Korcula with our guide, there’s free time at leisure on this beautiful island. Dinner aboard, but we recommend you return to Korcula to enjoy the evening. (B-L-D)
Overnight aboard Aloha, Korcula
May 14 Hvar
Thursday
At 9:00 AM, depart to the island of Hvar. On the way, stop in a beautiful bay with crystal clear water for swimming. Lunch aboard at 2:00 PM. Arrival to Hvar at 4:30 PM. Immediate sightseeing of this most popular resort in Dalmatia. It is “paradise on Earth” for nautical tourism; Royal families from Europe and famous actors. Other wealthy people regularly come to Hvar aboard expensive yachts. We shall see the fortress and the oldest European theatre (15 Century), Cathedral, and Franciscan monastery in which concerts of classical music are held during the summer. Dinner at 7:00 PM and free time in the evening for strolling around and shopping in the numerous exclusive shops with art, souvenirs and clothing. (B-L-D)
Overnight aboard Aloha, Hvar
May 15 Brac - Split
Friday
We sail at 9:00 AM as breakfast is served. Destination Split, but enroute, the Island of Brac and Golden Cape sandy-pebble beach near the resort town of Bol. Lunch at 2:00 PM and continue to Split. We arrive to Split about 5:00 PM, with immediate sightseeing covering the Diocletian’s Palace (on UNESCO’s List of the World Cultural Heritage), the Perystile, Jupiter’s Temple and the Cathedral. Diocletian’s Palace was built at the turn of the 4th Century as an imperial fortified residence. Today it is an intricate maze of many narrow cobblestone streets, where pre-Romanesque churches are nestled alongside a Gothic chapel. Dinner is at 7:00 PM and we’ll have free time afterwards for a stroll in Split. (B-L-D)
Overnight aboard Aloha, Split
May 16 Split – Chicago
Saturday
Pack your bags. We will have breakfast at 8:00 AM and disembark with fond farewells to the crew at 9:00 AM. Our coach is waiting to take us to Trogir, a Greek settlement dating back to the 3rd Century BC that developed into a major port in the Roman period. We’ll have short sightseeing until 11:30 AM. Tour ends. If you are traveling on the group flight, it is time to meet your flight at the nearby airport departing from Split at 1:00 PM. LH2483 connects in Frankfurt with LH432 and arrives back in Chicago at 7:10 PM. Welcome home! (B)
Better yet, continue on the extension!
Welcome home!
B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
Flight schedules are always subject to change.
Istrian Peninsula & Solvenia Extension
May 16-21, 2008
May 16 Split – Sibenik
Saturday Tisno
After bidding farewell to those returning to the U.S., see the Cathedral of St. Lawrence with its magnificent Romanesque portal. Lunch in a local restaurant and continue to Sibenik for sightseeing: Cathedral of St. Jacob (15th Century) a masterpiece of the Gothic-Renaissance art. Arrival to the small village of Tisno, located on the island of Murter that is connected to land with small bridge. Accommodation in a very modern hotel. Dinner and overnight. (B-L-D)
Hotel Borovnik, Tisno****
May 17 Zadar - Paklenica
Sunday National Park
After breakfast departure to Zadar where you’ll see the Roman Forum, St. Elias’s church and St. Donatus Church. There’s time for shopping and lunch on your own. We continue to Paklenica National Park, known for its unique Karst landscape. Enjoy a three-hour exploration of the park. Our drive continues northward to Opatija, where we’ll arrive around 8:00 PM. Relax over dinner at the hotel. (B-D)
May 18 Opatija - Pula
Monday
Since Roman times, Opatija has been a “spa” town offering rest and recreation to its innumerable visitors. It was a favorite resort of the Hapsburgs and the European Royalty. Today Opatija is still a favorite European resort known for refined beauty, a mild climate and subtropical vegetation. The morning is free to visit Opatija’s beautiful parks, small art galleries, or to just relax sipping a beverage on a terrace cafe overlooking elegant old-style hotels and villas. At 11:00 AM, we depart for the Istrian Peninsula. Arrive in Pula in time for lunch in a nice restaurant to fortify us for a lovely afternoon. We’ll spend the next two tour hours in Pula sightseeing including the entrance to Amphitheater. Then we’ll visit Brijuni Islands National Park by boat. End the day in one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Istria, Rovinj, where we’ll have dinner and overnight. (B-L-D)
Park Hotel, Istria Rovinj***+
May 19 Rovinj– Postojna
Tuesday Caves - Ljubjana
Bled
After breakfast explore Rovinj’s stony narrow streets with plenty of art galleries, shops and the church of St. Eufemia. At 11:00 AM we board our coach and travel north crossing the border into Slovenia. At 1:00 PM, arrive in Postojna where we’ll lunch in the restaurant Jama. You’ll find in Postojna one of the largest Caves networks in the world, some 14 kilometers long. Board a small underground electric train to view the unique formation of limestone and galleries. Then we are off to Ljubljana, where we’ll have a tour of the capital city: the old Baroque center includes the famous Three Bridges, City Hall, Robba’s Fountain, the Cathedral, and the Church of the Cross. Continue to Bled for dinner and overnight. (B-L-D)
Accommodations in Bled****
May 20 Bled - Slovenia
Wednesday Zagreb
Bled, nestled at the foot of the Julian Alps, is considered one of the most beautiful Alpine holiday and health resorts. After breakfast, tour this fairy-tale town. Bled Castle, set on a steep cliff, enjoys a spectacular view of the mountain scenery and Lake Bled. Time permitting; you can take a gondola ride to a small romantic island in the middle of the lake to visit the famous pilgrim Church of Virgin’s Nativity. After lunch in a typical Slovenian restaurant, departure for Zagreb, with arrival in the late afternoon. Dinner and accommodations are in the center of the city. (B-L-D)
May 21 Zagreb
Thursday Chicago
Spend the morning in Zagreb with free time for last-minute shopping and exploring the city center. We must be at the airport for departure at 2:45 PM. Connect in Frankfurt and arrive back in Chicago at 7:00 PM. (B)
Welcome home!
B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner
Flight schedules are always subject to change.
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About the ALOHA
 A most luxury boat – Old-timer on the Adriatic coast. This boat was built in 1951 and renovated many times, but last time in May 2006, and it looks brand new. It could sail, but mostly is driving by power!
Each cabin is equipped with air conditioning and toilet/shower facilities. The Aloha has 16 cabins. There is an upper deck and a lower deck. On the upper deck, there are 2 double-bed (French) cabins and 2 three-bedded cabins (French and single bed). On that deck there are 3 wooden tables with benches and chairs covered, and on the other side deck with sun chairs.
 On the lower deck there are 4 cabins with French beds, and on the backside, a wooden big table with bench and chairs covered. On the same deck there is big saloon / restaurant with 6 tables (for six persons each) and aperitif bar, TV set, CD and DVD player. Under the deck there are 2 cabins with French beds and 6 cabins with twin beds on the same level. The bed linen and covers are brand new and looks as in good hotels. All beds are on the same level. The other 2 toilets are on the deck separately. There are wooden stairs, no ladders.
Very original and unforgettable!!!
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Foundation
