Ancient & Medieval Gems of the Adriatic

Founded by Greeks in the 6^th Century and conquered in more modern times by Venice, Dubrovnik was the capital of the mighty Republic of Ragusa. We spend the whole day exploring the city, starting with a visit to the city’s cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady, before continuing to the stunning Rector’s Palace, a Gothic structure which served as seat of the Rector who oversaw the Ragusan Republic. In the afternoon, we visit the Franciscan Friary built in the 14^th century and reconstructed in the 17^th century after a devastating earthquake. In the late afternoon, we board our ship, the MV La Belle de L’Adriatique, to begin our cruise.

We wake up in Dubrovnik, the UNESCO listed city with ancient foundations and Venetian influences. Our ship is moored here in the morning, allowing us to explore the beauties of the city, which is one of the most important sites on the Dalmatian coast. In the afternoon, we sail towards Corfu.

Exclusive Andante excursion: This morning, we continue our exploration of Dubrovnik, starting with the Walls, built from the 12^th to the 17^th Centuries to protect the city and which are some of the most complex in Europe. We proceed to the Loggia Square, one of the most picturesque parts of the city.

This morning we sail along the beautiful Illyriann coast considering the many important historical events which occurred here over the millennia, before arriving on the island of Corfu in the afternoon.

Exclusive Andante excursion: This afternoon we explore two very different periods of the island’s history. We start with the Archaeological Museum in Corfu where we examine the antique age of Corcyra, originally founded by Phoenicians and later absorbed into the Hellenic sphere. In the museum, we see the important archaic Gorgon pediment of the Temple of Artemis, as well as the cenotaph of Menecrates. From there we walk to the Venetian Fortress to consider the island’s more modern history and its role as a buttress against the might of the Ottoman empire.

We arrive in Saranda this morning, just 14 kilometres east of Corfu, was known as Onchesmus in the ancient period and is today better known for its coastline and natural environment.

Exclusive Andante excursion:

We spend all day in the magnificent site of Butrint, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for its impressive array of well-preserved ruins from different periods of history. Buthroton, as it was called in antiquity, was an important city of the Greek Epirote tribe of the Chaonians and became prosperous enough to afford a theatre which is still today largely intact. On the archaeological site, we also view the remains of the agora, as well as the Sanctuary of Asclepius.

After sailing through the night, we land in Vlore this morning. The city, once a Greek city known as Aulon, was conquered by a host of peoples through its history, including Romans, Normans, Venetians and Ottomans. Today it is one of Albania’s most populous cities.

Exclusive Andante excursion:

We explore two sites from two different eras of Albania’s past. In the morning, we venture to the important archaeological site of Apollonia, where we admire the impressive ruins of the bouleuterion, as well as a triumphal arch and odeon. In the afternoon we visit Oricum, an ancient city located along the shores of Vlora Bay. An Euboen Greek colony founded in the 7th century BC, it was an important harbour used by the Romans to conquer Illyria and Macedonia and then by Caesar against Pompeii in 48 B.C. 

Overnight, we have been sailing towards the busy port of Durres, where we land in the morning. Ancient Dyrrachium was an important city in the Roman and Byzantine periods, being the start of the Via Egnatia. Today it is one of the largest ports in the Adriatic and one of the most important cities in Albania. In the afternoon, we sail towards Bar.

Exclusive Andante excursion:

We drive to Albania’s vibrant capital, Tirana, where we visit the National History Museum which outlines the country’s history in thousands of artefacts dating from the Paleolithic to the medieval periods. On our return to Durres, we visit the Roman amphitheatre, built in the 2^nd Century to house 20,000 spectators, making it one of the largest in the Adriatic. In the 13^th Century, after the amphitheatre went into disuse, a chapel, complete with fresçoes, was built on top of its remains.

This morning we disembark in Bar, the coastal city in Montenegro called Antibari in the Roman period. Like other cities along the Illyrian coast, Bar was ruled by a succession of people, including Venetians and Ottomans who contested the city.

Exclusive Andante excursion:

Today we make our way to the stunning city of Budva, one of the oldest and most attractive cities along the Montenegrin coast. The city was ruled for 400 years by the Venetian Republic as part of Albania Veneta and this has lefts its mark on the city, its fortifications and charming streets. Our visit starts with the citadel, on the southern edge of the city, and continues with an exploration of the city’s Roman remains, including a bath complex and the Roman necropolis. After lunch, we venture to the Church of St. Ivan, built in the 15^th Century on the remains of a 7^th Century church and famous for a 13^th Century icon. The rest of the afternoon is free to spend as you wish.

Time permitting, we have a walk around the charming town of Dubrovnik before we make our independent onward journeys.