2009 Natural Wonders & Artistic Heritage of the Adriatic aboard the m/s MONET

Our grand 14-night Adriatic cruise embraces all the best of Venice and the Dalmatian Coast – bringing you the absolute unmissable destinations; intriguing you with islands, villages, and ports of historic and artistic importance beyond the traditional tourist trail – while providing ample time to sunbathe, sit at a café and watch the world go by, or to stroll through the medieval lanes at your leisure. You'll have the stars of Venice, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Zadar – the subject of a rapturous New York Times travel feature – Split and Kotor too. But unique to this departure is the inclusion of the Kornati Archipelago, one of the world's most beautiful mini-cruises; plus the villages of Porec, Rab, and Komiza: charming Dalmatian towns which all still embrace their medieval heritage. If you want to see the Dalmatian Coast that others don't see, this is the itinerary for you!

Natural Wonders & Artistic Heritage of the Adriatic

Venice – Venice
15 Days/14 Nights

April 1-15, 2009
November 4-18, 2009

Day 0. Depart USA under own arrangements.

Day 1. Venice, Italy. Arrive in La Serenissima and embark
m/s Monet this afternoon.

Day 2. Venice. In this magical city of water and light, enjoy a walking tour through St. Mark's Square, exploring the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs, and St. Mark's Cathedral.

Day 3. Koper, Slovenia. Koper's Venetian Old City remains intact, with piazze and palazzi crumbling with medieval charm. An excursion takes you to the Postojna Caverns, Europe's largest netherworld of stalactites and stalagmites.

Day 4. Koper / Porec, Croatia. In this Istrian resort, your day is at leisure; you may join an included tour of the town, which features the Basilica of St. Euphrasius with its early Christian mosaic floors dating from the 6th century.

Day 5. Rab. On the historic island of Rab, enjoy strolls down the cobblestone streets of this charming village and relax on the pristine beaches.

Day 6. Kornati Archipelago / Sibenik. Sail through the watery labyrinth of the Kornati Archipelago. Arrive at Sibenik, the only town on the Dalmatian Coast founded by ethnic Croatians. On today’s tour, stroll past churches and palaces to the 15th-century St. Jacob's Cathedral, with its frieze of 71 stone heads, then drive to Krka National Park, where waterfalls and pools are perfect for swimming.

Day 7. Sibenik / Split. When Emperor Diocletian retired in AD 305, he established a gargantuan palace in Split. Improbably, the palace still exists – and forms the historic core of Split, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy the tour of the palace, then visit sculptor Ivan Mestrovic's handsome gallery.

Day 8. Ploce / Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina. From Ploce, a peaceful harbor town, take the excursion to Mostar, renowned for its graceful Stari Most bridge. The bridge, which was destroyed in 1993 during the war, has been rebuilt to its former majesty spanning the Neretva River.

Day 9. Dubrovnik. On this morning’s tour, explore the Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries, the Rector's Palace, the Sponza Palace and numerous churches. We remain in port overnight so you can see the moonlight reflected upon Stradun, the Old Town's famous pedestrian promenade.

Day 10. Dubrovnik / Kotor, Montenegro / Dubrovnik. This morning we will drive south to the Gulf of Kotor, the only fjord in southern Europe. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site's medieval town center and the 12th-century Cathedral of St. Tryphon on our included tour. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant on the return.

Day 11. Dubrovnik. Your day is at leisure in this magnificent Renaissance city.

Day 12. Korcula. In this classic Dalmatian town, visit the Cathedral of St. Mark; the Treasury; and the Marco Polo House, all on today’s included tour.

Day 13. Komiza, Vis Island. On the included tour, visit the monastery and fortresses of this charming fishing village.

Day 14. Zadar. Zadar's 9th-century Church of St. Donatus was built on the remains of a Roman Forum. See it and the ancient City Gates, the Franciscan Monastery and Church, and the 12th-century Romanesque Cathedral of St. Anastasia, on today’s included tour.

Natural Wonders & Artistic Heritage of the Adriatic
Venice – Venice, Italy
14 Nights/15 Days

April 1-15, 2009
November 4-18, 2009

Natural Wonders & Artistic Heritage of the Adriatic
CRUISE INCLUSIONS

1. Cruise as described in the itinerary aboard the 62-passenger m/s Monet
2. All meals aboard ship including house wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner
3. Welcome and farewell receptions aboard the ship, hosted by the Captain
4. Complimentary coffee, tea and pastries at all times aboard the ship  
5. Complete program of shore excursions
6. Educational program of lectures given by local guest speakers
7. Performance of Dalmatian folk singers
8. On-board nightly musical entertainment
9. Professional Elegant Cruises tour staff
10. Complete pre-departure materials including destination information

NOT INCLUDED: International airfare; transfers to/from the ship; meals ashore except as noted in itinerary; gratuities; port charges; fuel surcharge; luggage and trip cancellation insurance; personal expenses such as laundry; alcoholic beverages except as noted, telephone calls, faxes, and e-mail services.

AIR TRANSPORTATION
Call us for International economy or business class airfare, as we will gladly assist you in making your air arrangements.

EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT
Reserve your cabin six months prior to the departure of your selected cruise and receive a
$ 300.00 per person early booking discount.

FUEL SURCHARGE
Our prices are based on fuel rates at the time of brochure printing, and although we will do everything we can to maintain our rates, it may be necessary to apply a surcharge.

Natural Wonders & Artistic Heritage of the Adriatic
2009 MONET CRUISE RATES

Cabin Description	Cruise only rates per person
Category D	$3,695
Category C	$4,195
Category B	$4,795
Category A	$5,395
Master Stateroom	$6,195
Junior Suite	$7,295
Flower Suite	$7,895
Port charges	$140
All shore excursions are included in the above cruise rates. Single Supplement: 50% for categories B, C & D; 100% for categories A, MS, JS & FS For assistance with your international air arrangements, please contact us at 1-800-683-6767.

Cabin Category Information
All cabins have lower beds (either queen or twin, as indicated), picture window or porthole (as indicated), private facilities with shower, hairdryer, air conditioning, wardrobe, vanity with chair, television/VCR, phone, personal safe.

Natural Wonders & Artistic Heritage of the Adriatic

Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro aboard m/s Monet
Cruise rates for this program include all shore excursions!

This popular program is offered in the early spring and late fall, when cool mornings lead to warm afternoons and life's pace along the Dalmatian coast is noticeably slower. The crowds of tourists are nowhere to be found. Twice as long as our classic eight-day cruise, this program's extra week affords more time in cities like Venice, Dubrovnik and Split. The benefit is more flexibility in departure and arrival times, and opportunities in port for local experts, invited aboard for informal lectures and discussions about an area's natural and political history, art and cultural heritage.
It also allows us to add new places that immerse you in the diversity of the Adriatic and the thousand islands that stretch from the Istrian Peninsula to southern Dalmatia. For example, from Kopar—a typical Slovenian coastal settlement of beautiful squares and Renaissance palaces—we'll drive inland to the Postojna Caves, the most impressive limestone caverns in Europe.

Corridors and huge galleries extend for an incredible 12 miles, with floors, walls and ceilings thick with stalactites and stalagmites. In Mali Losinj, where elegant sea captains' houses reflect the harbor town's importance as a 19th-century shipbuilding center, drive to the connecting island of Cres. This second largest island in the Adriatic is home to several natural reserves for Eurasian Griffons. In the company of an expert ornithologist, observe these magnificent carnivores, which can attain a lifespan of 60 years and a wingspan of up to nine feet.

Extra time in Split allows for an exploration of the nearby old Roman towns of Solin and Trogir, some of the most important archaeological sites in Croatia. Solin was a cult center for early Christians, while Trogir—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—has a marvelously preserved medieval quarter, with many 15th-century houses still inhabited by locals. While in Dubrovnik, enjoy a full-day excursion south to Kotor, Montenegro and the Boka Kotorska, perhaps the grandest natural feature on the Adriatic coast. This deeply indented and irregularly shaped fjord surrounded by towering mountains provides an intense contrast of colors: azure waters, green vegetation at sea level and stark, rocky cliffs overhead.

2008 m/s Monet Air-Sea Rates (per person)
(For cruise-only rates, deduct the international air credit from the air-sea rates)