SHORE EXCURSIONS

Visit several of Old Town’s most iconic sites, which gained even greater fame after serving as locations for the fictional capital King’s Landing in “Game of Thrones.”

After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive in the oldest section of Dubrovnik, a revered UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fans of the TV series “Game of Thrones,” which is based on George R. R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” fantasy novels, will recognize this part of Dubrovnik as King’s Landing, the fictional capital of the Seven Kingdoms.

Your first stop will be imposing Lovrijenac Fortress, located just outside the medieval walls that encircle Old Town. Known as Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar, the 11th-century fortress perches atop a craggy rock overlooking the sea, which represented Blackwater Bay in the books.

Continuing on, you will enter Old Town and make your way to the defensive walls to the south. After climbing the steps, you will walk along the stone battlements, which afford extraordinary views of the sea and the inner city. These walls appeared in numerous scenes in “Game of Thrones”; they were particularly prominent in the Battle of Blackwater Bay.

Later, you will enjoy free time within Old Town, where you may explore other sites that you may recognize from the series. For instance, the Jesuit Staircase was where Cersei Lannister began her Walk of Shame in Season Five, and many of the show’s market scenes were filmed along St. Dominic Street. Following free time, you will return to the pier.

Romantic charm and beautiful scenery will make your visit to Dubrovnik memorable. After a photo stop to take in the magnificent view of Dubrovnik from a vantage point by the road, drive through the picturesque villages of the fertile Konavle Valley to a winery surrounded by olive groves and wineyards. Here, your gracious host will offer you a light snack of local specialities such as smoked ham, cheese, homemade bread and a glass of local wine.

Continue to the seaside resort of Cavtat. You'll have free time to enjoy the quiet little town, a favourite destination for sailors and yacht enthusiasts. Then drive back to the charming Dubrovnik Old Town for an orientation tour with your guide, followed by free time to explore on your own.

Depart the Port of Dubrovnik on foot to the newly opened cable car station situated in the vicinity of the Old Town. Arriving at the station, proceed by cable car to Srd Hill. From here you’ll enjoy a bird’s eye view of the greatness of the city and surroundings. You’ll never forget the centuries-old Dubrovnik rooftops. After returning by cable car to the main station, your guide will lead you on a walking tour of the Old Town. At the end of the walking tour, you’ll have free time to explore further on your own.

This ultimate tour of Dubrovnik encompasses the main highlights of this unique area and you’ll get to enjoy it in a small group by minibus. You’ll depart by minibus to the parking area and toward the cable car station. Ascend by cable car to enjoy a panoramic view from Srd hill. You’ll have a bird’s eye view of the entire city and of the old Dubrovnik rooftops which you’ll always remember.

From Mount Srdj, you’ll depart by minibus on a scenic drive to the picturesque seaside resort town of Cavtat, with a long history that dates back to the 6th century BC. Today, the city that was founded by the Greeks, is a popular tourist destination. Its seafront promenade is filled with shops, and restaurants. You’ll have an opportunity to sit at one of the many cafes along the coast or enjoy a nice walk along the beautiful sea front promenade. Depart Cavtat back to Dubrovnik. Enjoy a glass of Croatian wine while tasting some of the finest Croatian cheeses before a short guided walking tour of the city. Next, have some free time to explore the City on your own before heading back to your ship.

OVERVIEW

Hike a zigzagging trail up Srdj Hill and browse the fascinating war museum at the summit, which rises 1350 feet above Dubrovnik. Although the 1.5-mile trail is considered moderately challenging, there are plenty of switchbacks that make the slope easier to walk. The rewards will be well worth the effort, as the higher you climb the more spectacular the views of Old Town and the distant Dinaric Alps. Along the way, the guide will describe the local flora and fauna and the important role that Srdj Hill played in the Croatian War of Independence in the early 1990s. Some of the most fierce fighting took place on Srdj Hill as you will discover while perusing the exhibits in the Homeland War Museum. It is housed in Fort Imperial, which Napoleon’s occupying troops built atop the hill in 1812. The collection includes weapons, photographs and videos that detail the war and how it was finally resolved.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike the 1.5-mile trail to the top of Srdj Hill, the main slope behind Dubrovnik.
• Enjoy sweeping views of Dubrovnik’s Old Town on the way up and down the trail.
• Hear about the fierce fighting that took place on the hill during the war in the 1990s.
• Browse the Homeland War Museum in Fort Imperial at the hill’s summit.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Sail onboard a sleek catamaran to a pristine beach on Šipan Island with an additional stop to swim and snorkel at the stunningly beautiful Blue Cave on Koločep Island. The sunlight pours into the cave through a hole in the roof, illuminating the interior and giving the water an otherworldly blue glow. The setting will be absolutely magical as you swim and snorkel inside the cave. The island-hopping adventure will continue as you sail farther northwest to Šipan, a larger island listed in the Guinness World Records for having more olive trees per square foot than any other place on earth. After disembarking at Prijezba Beach, you will enjoy the next few hours doing whatever you please. Feel free to stretch out on a lounger with a welcome cocktail in hand, bask in the sun and take a refreshing swim in the sea. A three-course lunch with wine will follow at the Marko Restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Settle in on a spacious catamaran and sail through the islands northwest of Dubrovnik.
• Swim and snorkel inside the Blue Cave, a seaside grotto with brilliant blue water.
• Relax however you please on Prijezba Beach, a lengthy stretch of sand on Šipan Island.
• Enjoy a traditional Croatian three-course lunch at a restaurant on the island.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a panoramic drive to Dubrovnik’s fortified Old Town and stroll the cobblestone streets from venue to venue for tastings of Croatian wines and cuisine. The medieval atmosphere of Old Town is immensely appealing and the samplings will only enhance your appreciation for Dubrovnik’s allure. As an introduction to the local wines, you will drop by a boutique winery for a glass or two. The experience that follows will be more immersive as you will settle in for a degustation of carefully crafted dishes paired with six complementary wines at the Michelin-recommended restaurant Marco Polo. The offerings may include a Dalmatian bruschetta, pickled vegetables and characteristic Croatian cheeses. One of the sommelier’s wine selections could be a sweet prošek, a dessert wine made with dried grapes. A short walk along the main street of Stradun will bring you to the pastry and ice cream shop Dolce Vita for a dessert of crepe-style pancakes.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk through the medieval streets of Old Town, which will be buzzing with activity.
• Enjoy inspired tastings at three classic venues, one of them Michelin-recommended.
• Indulge in a sommelier-led degustation of local dishes paired with six Croatian wines.
• Savor a characteristic dessert wine and pancakes that may be stuffed with sweet fillings.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy panoramic views of Dubrovnik while riding through the hilly Lapad Peninsula. As you near a bay on the peninsula’s western shore, you will hop off for a short walk to the Sunset Beach Club Kompas. It is an ideal setting to linger over a drink and enjoy the sweeping views of the sparsely populated Elaphiti islands. Afterwards you will travel to Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town, which UNESCO deemed a World Heritage site for its extraordinary architecture. As you walk along the main street, known as the Stradun, you may see highlights such as Saint Savior Church, the polygonal Fountain of Onofrio and the Old Pharmacy, which was founded in 1317. The defensive stone walls surrounding Old Town were built in the 13th century. Take in a panoramic view from the Dubrovnik Bridge overlooking the harbor as you make your way back to the port.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy a panoramic drive in and around Dubrovnik.
• Explore Dubrovnik’s wonderfully atmospheric medieval Old Town on foot.
• Take in the natural beauty while enjoying a drink at a beach club on Lapad Peninsula.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Leaving the ship take a drive by coach over the panoramic road to a viewpoint from where you can see the magnificent view of Dubrovnik and its Riviera. Head toward the picturesque seaside resort town of Cavtat. Here, you’ll have opportunity for a pleasant walk along the sea front promenade or have a coffee in one of many cafes. Drive along the eastern coast of the Dubrovnik Riviera toward Konavle region to visit a winery. Upon arrival, proceed to the Brajković family vineyards. The owner of the winery will greet you on arrival and give you a presentation about his wines and show you the production process. He’ll even invite you to participate in a tasting of his vintage wines.

Following the tasting, you’ll re-board your coach and depart for Dubrovnik. The Old Town is unique for its marble-paved squares, cobbled streets, tall houses, churches, palaces, fountains, and museums, all built from the same light-colored stone. Along the way, you’ll visit the Dominican Monastery, inside where you’ll discover the finest collection of Renaissance paintings in Dubrovnik. Among the many works by local and Italian masters is a painting by Tizian. After the walking tour, you’ll have some free time to explore on your own.

After departing from the pier, you will soon pause for photos at the Franjo Tudman Bridge, the most expensive bridge in Croatia. Named to honor the country’s first president, the suspension bridge is a beautiful, modern structure that offers sweeping harbor views.

Continuing along the coastal road in an open-air vehicle known as a tuk-tuk, you will soon ascend Srdj Hill, which offers a different perspective of Dubrovnik. Napoleon’s soldiers built Fort Imperial here in 1812 because of the strategic location and view of the sea.

You will then enjoy a meandering ride down to Pile Gate, an ancient entrance that leads to a welcoming square in Dubrovnik’s medieval Old Town. Arriving here, you’ll commence a guided walking tour along the main street, commonly known as the Stradun. You might pass the ornate Cathedral of the Assumption, the 16th-century Sponza Palace, and the polygonal Onofrio Fountain, which supplied Dubrovnik with water for more than 500 years.

Following your guided tour, you may choose to extend your exploration of Old Town by walking the ramparts of the medieval city walls, which date to the 13th century. The full circuit is a little over a mile, but it’s worth every step, as the ever-changing views of the sea and Old Town are stunning. If you prefer, there are plenty of places to shop or grab a bite to eat. When you are ready to return to the ship, there is a shuttle available to transfer you back.

Explore Old Town at your own pace for as long as you wish, perhaps walking atop the medieval walls, visiting historical churches and browsing the many boutiques.

After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive at Pile Gate, the primary entrance to Dubrovnik's Old Town, an area so culturally significant that it has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site. From this point, you will explore on your own.

For an excellent overview of Old Town, you might climb the stairs and walk atop the remarkably thick, 13th-century walls. The full circuit is over a mile, but it's worth every step, as the ever-changing views of the sea and medieval Old Town are stunning.

You can also expect to see several imposing fortresses such as St. John's, which guards the entrance to the harbour. The Maritime Museum occupies part of the fortress and presents the area's maritime heritage through artifacts and documents.

Old Town's main street, the Stradun, is just as captivating. Meandering along you might pass the ornate Cathedral of the Assumption, the 16th-century Sponza Palace, and the polygonal Onofrio Fountain, which supplied Dubrovnik with water for more than 500 years.

When you get hungry, use the supplied voucher for a traditional, crepe-like pancake at Dolce Vita Dubrovnik. Another voucher for the cable car will take you to the top of Srdj Hill for a sweeping view of Old Town. When you are finished exploring, simply take the shuttle bus back to the pier.

One of the famous sea explorers, Jacques Cousteau voted the Dubrovnik Riviera as one of the cleanest and best preserved waters in the world. After sailing from the port, cruise along the picturesque Lokrum Island and Ploce, an area known for its luxury hotels. Further along, you’ll pass the magnificent, impressive site of the City Ramparts. After approximately 60 minutes of scenic cruising, reach the Old Town Port of Dubrovnik where you’ll find the famous main street – the Stradun. Your experienced guide will lead you through the charming streets, showing you the most interesting places in the Old Town. After the walking tour, you’ll have ample time to explore on your own.