With spotty internet on our ship, my diary will have to be condensed and late, but as the saying goes - better late than never.
Departing Zagreb we drove towards Split, not taking our eyes off the beautiful countryside. We stopped at the Plitvici Lakes park to hike down to the many waterfalls. Although there was a light rain falling, the first since we first began our trip in early June, the clarity of the water, the falling water, glistening leaves made this a heaven on Earth.
SPLIT
Arriving in Split, we boarded our ship, Athena, and were pleasantly surprised as to her appointments - built specifically in Croatia for Grand Circle Cruise Lines, she is quite luxurious for 48 passengers and 21 ship's crew.
Touring Split, we had our first glimpse of Adriatic lifestyle. Far from the charm of the capitol, Zagreb, our enrapturement with Croatia continues as we are enfolded in its' history, beauty and friendliness of the people. We took the optional tour of the small town of Omis and a boat ride up the river Cetina, allowing us to enjoy the canyon walls rising majestically to the blue sky. We ended our ride just below the rapids and then enjoyed herbal liqueur and fresh baked bread, a specialty of the area.
Touring Split, we had our first glimpse of Adriatic lifestyle. Far from the charm of the capitol, Zagreb, our enrapturement with Croatia continues as we are enfolded in its' history, beauty and friendliness of the people. We took the optional tour of the small town of Omis and a boat ride up the river Cetina, allowing us to enjoy the canyon walls rising majestically to the blue sky. We ended our ride just below the rapids and then enjoyed herbal liqueur and fresh baked bread, a specialty of the area.
HVAR
Underway at last, our first port of call is Hvar. A short bus ride to Hvar City allowed us to explore the Cathedral and then visit the 'noble' and 'common parts of the city. This city is where the rich and famous come to see and be seen. Before returning to our ship, we visited a winery in Vrboska to enjoy their offerings.
KORCULA
Underway once again, 2 hours later, we docked in Korcula, a smaller version of Dubrovnik. Famous as a ship building town, which gave birth to our ship, Athena. Korcula is a gastronomic paradise, with offerings of fish specialties, and famous for their white wines. Our program director, Luci, proudly claims this as her home town, and showed us this gem of Croatia.
DUBROVNIK
Another short cruise to Dubrovnik where we enjoyed the town by night as our first treat to this very famous destination. The next day we took in more of the narrow streets and the harbor dodging the hordes of tourists. We were told that over one million ships' passengers visit Dubrovnik annually, and three million guests overnight in the many hotels and guest houses in the area. We visited the famous synagogue, where I explained to a few fellow travelers a little of how Jews follow the tenants of Judaism. This evening we had our home visit where our Croatian host family showed us their 200 year old house, including rooms where wine is made, olive oil is stored and prosciutto is smoked. Before dinner, we sampled many of their home-made products; brandied cherries, walnut, cherry and loquat brandies, grappa, dried figs, and other fruit and nuts and then dinner of prosciutto and cheese, stuffed peppers and more wine.