Overseas Adventure Travel - Cruising the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina
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YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE®
Cruising the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro,
Bosnia & Herzegovina
2021
Learn how to personalize your experience on this adventure
Small Groups: 20-25 travelers—guaranteed! (average of 22)
®
Overseas Adventure Travel
The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled
1
®
Overseas Adventure Travel
347 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
Dear Traveler,
At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. Soon, you’ll once again
be discovering the places you’ve dreamed of. In the meantime, the enclosed O.A.T. Adventure Travel
Planning Guide® should help you keep those dreams vividly alive.
Before you start dreaming, please let me reassure you that your health and safety is our number
one priority. As such, we’re requiring that all O.A.T. travelers, ship crew, Trip Experience Leaders,
and coach drivers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to departure.
Our new, updated health and safety protocols are described inside.
The journey you’ve expressed interest in, Cruising the Adriatic: Croatia & Montenegro , will be an
excellent way to resume your discoveries. It takes you into the true heart of the culture, thanks
to our small groups of 20-25 travelers (average of 22). Plus, our European Trip Experience
Leader will reveal their country’s secret treasures as only an insider can. You can also rely on
the seasoned team at our regional office in Dubrovnik, who are ready to help 24/7 in case any
unexpected circumstances arise.
Throughout your explorations, you’ll meet local people and gain an intimate understanding of
the regional culture. In Dubrovnik, we’ll join a local family for a Home-Hosted Dinner where we’ll
have the chance to savor traditional dishes and chat candidly about every day life in Croatia. Plus,
a portion of our proceeds goes toward the charitable efforts of Grand Circle Foundation: inside
you’ll also see how your travel dollar helps make the world a better place.
We understand that no two people are the same. That’s why more than 80% of our travelers take
advantage of the freedom to personalize their experience. Join the 31% of travelers who extend
their time abroad. Add the pre-trip extension to Slovenia: Ljubljana, post-trip extension to Bosnia
& Herzegovina: Sarajevo, or both of these extensions to your Adriatic adventure.
I hope you find this O.A.T. Adventure Travel Planning Guide® helpful. If you have any
further questions, don’t hesitate to contact one of our Regional Adventure Counselors at
1-800-955-1925.
Warm regards,
Harriet R. Lewis
Vice Chairman
Overseas Adventure Travel
P.S. For further peace of mind, please know that we are EXTENDING our Risk-Free Booking
Policy through 12/31/21. Learn more at www.oattravel.com/risk-free-booking.
2
WHAT’S INSIDE
TRIP SUMMARY
It’s Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Departure Dates and Prices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Leader in Solo-Friendly Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Deck Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Grand Circle Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Freedom to Personalize Your Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
DETAILED DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Travel Documents & Entry Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Rigors, Vaccines & General Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Money Matters: Local Currency & Tipping Guidelines . . . . . . . 49
Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Climate & Average Temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Aboard Your Ship: Cabin Features, Dining & Services . . . . . . . 67
About Your Destinations: Culture, Etiquette & More . . . . . . . . 72
Demographics & History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Resources: Suggested Reading & Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Health & Safety Measures – Vaccines Required . . . . . . . . . . 94
MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
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Explore these 4 countries in the winter to enjoy fewer crowds
Cruising the Adriatic: Croatia & Montenegro
Small Ship Adventure
Croatia: Zagreb, Zadar, Split, Hvar, Vrboska, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Sibenik | Montenegro: Kotor
Countries: 2 | Cities: 9 | 10 Nights Aboard Our Privately Owned 50-Passenger M/V Artemis
Small Groups: 20-25 travelers—guaranteed!
It’s Included
(average of 22)
• International airfare, airport transfers, • Services of our local Trip Experience
15 days from $ 3595 government taxes, fees, and airline fuel
surcharges, unless you choose to make
Leader with your group of 20-25
(average of 22) throughout
Includes international airfare your own air arrangements your adventure
Travel from only $240 a day • Accommodations for 3 nights in Zagreb, • Gratuities for local guides and
10 nights aboard our privately owned motorcoach drivers
14 days from $ 2595 small ship with wireless Internet access
• All port charges
Without international airfare • 38 meals: 14 breakfasts, 11 lunches,
• Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage
13 dinners—including 1 Home-Hosted
per person, including tips
FREE Single Supplement available Dinner—plus all onboard house beer,
wine, and soft drinks • 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward
your next trip
• 13 guided tours (with personal
Maximize Your headsets) and cultural experiences
Discoveries & Value
To get a richer view of the Included Features on this adventure,
Optional extensions: watch our Trip Itinerary video at www.oattravel.com/mwt2021
Slovenia: Ljubljana
4 nights pre-trip from $795
Travel from only $199 per night
New! Bosnia & Herzegovina: Sarajevo
4 nights post-trip from $995
Travel from only $249 per night
Kotor Old Town, overlooking the Gulf of
Kotor, Montenegro
Cruising the Adriatic: Croatia & Montenegro
4
Cruising the Adriatic: RISK-FREE BOOKING POLICY: RESERVE WITH
CONFIDENCE—NOW THROUGH 12/31/21
Croatia & Montenegro We will waive any change fees if you transfer to another departure date for
any reason—up until 24 hours prior to departure.
See details at www.oattravel.com/riskfree-booking.
2021 Dates & Prices
To calculate your trip price with airfare, add deck price to air add-ons below.
CABIN CATEGORY NOV 2 NOV 12, 22 DECEMBER
A Upper Deck $3195 $3395 $2895
B (Cabins with private balcony) $3095 $3295 $2795
C Main Deck $2995 $3195 $2695
D (Cabins with portholes) $2895 $3095 $2595
Air Add-Ons NOVEMBER; DEC 2, 22 DEC 12
New York, Newark $1000 $1100
Baltimore, Boston, Chicago,
Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Portland, $1100 $1200
San Diego, Washington, DC
Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Detroit,
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, $1200 $1300
San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa
Phoenix $1300 $1400
Additional departure cities are available. Upgrade to Business Class may be available for the international portion of your flight. Call for details. MWT2021
Prices are per person. Airfare prices include government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges. Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our website:
www.oattravel.com/tc. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors.
For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.oattravel.com/mwt2021pricing
SAVE UP TO 10% WITH OUR LIMITED FREE OR LOW-COST SHARE YOUR LOVE OF TRAVEL
GOOD BUY PLAN SINGLE SUPPLEMENT New travelers you refer will instantly
The earlier you reserve your departure Once single rooms are sold out, save $100, and you’ll earn increasing
and pay in full, the more you’ll save—up double rooms at a low cost of $695 are rewards—up to a FREE trip!
to 10%—plus, you’ll lock in your price. available. When filled, call about our
For details, visit www.oattravel.com/va
For details, visit www.oattravel.com/gbd Roommate Matching Program.
Publication Date: 12/18/20
Information & Reservations 1-800-955-1925 www.oattravel.com/mwt2021
5
Leader in Solo-Friendly
Travel
Solo traveler with young women in Sarajevo, Bosnia
The leader in solo-friendly travel for Americans—by the numbers
More than 50,000 15,000 single More than 90% of 51 exclusive women’s
solo travelers joined us spaces with a FREE solo women travelers departures featured on
in the past two years— or low-cost Single rated their adventure 25 of our most popular
on their own or with a Supplement in 2021—a excellent adventures—10 of
friend or relative 76% increase from 2019 which are single-only
departures
6
WHO IS A SOLO TRAVELER? EXCLUSIVE WOMEN’S DEPARTURES
Traveling solo doesn’t necessarily mean traveling alone— There’s something special about traveling in a group of
some travelers opt to bring a friend or family member just women. Maybe it’s the camaraderie and friendships
along for the adventure, sharing accommodations and that form when women meet other women who share
discoveries. Others prefer exploring on their own, with their passion for travel. Or maybe it’s how, in a group
the security and camaraderie group travel provides. of their peers, women feel supported and confident
However you choose to see the world, you can feel to take risks and try new things as they explore. In
confident when exploring with the leader in solo- recognition of the special solidarity that often develops
friendly travel among our women travelers, we are offering 51 exclusive
women’s departures of our popular adventures. These
FREE SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS 2021 departures provide intrepid women travelers
an opportunity to connect with one another while
We’re committed to supporting our solo travelers who
experiencing local culture in a variety of destinations
want to explore the world, so we offer limited FREE
including Israel, Morocco, and more. Alongside a female
Single Supplements on all Small Group Adventures,
Trip Experience Leader on most of these adventures, you’ll
every trip extension, and our Stopovers, too. Plus, we’ve
delve into the heart and soul of your destination—from a
increased the number of single spaces to 18,000 on 2021
woman’s point of view. Together, you’ll share meaningful
departures—a 23% increase from 2019. See details at
moments, whether you’re helping with a student’s lessons
www.oattravel.com/solo.
at a local school, engaging in a spontaneous conversation
with a female artisan as you browse through a craft
YOU’LL ALWAYS FEEL SAFE AND SECURE market during your free time, and beyond.
With 36 regional offices around the world, your safety
and security is our first priority. Our regional associates
know your adventure inside and out, and are ready to help
should the need arise. And a local Trip Experience Leader Recent Awards
is there to ensure you always feel part of the group.
They’re great at organizing activities to help develop
camaraderie among all group members.
TRAVEL AMONG FRIENDS
Small groups of 8-16 travelers (average of 13) are ideal
for connecting with fellow travelers. Since three out of
eight travelers explore with us solo, you’re sure to forge USA Today “Best Tours”
special bonds as you experience the world. 10Best Readers’ Presented by
Choice Awards Solo Traveler
Solo travelers at Nijo Castle, Kyoto, Japan
7
YOUR MEDITERRANEAN SMALL SHIP
Small Ship Adventures aboard our privately owned, award-winning,
50-passenger small ships
During your travels in the Mediterranean—including the Aegean and Adriatic seas and French and
Italian Rivieras—you’ll be cruising aboard one of our 50-passenger small ships, rated excellent by
96% of travelers. The M/V Athena, M/V Artemis, and M/V Arethusa were designed and built to carry
just two groups of 20-25 (average of 22) travelers, each with its own local Trip Experience Leader.
These ships are the perfect size to navigate the islands and shores of the Mediterranean—and then
slip into the smaller ports and harbors for the night, well away from the larger cruise ships.
SHIPBOARD FEATURES
• Restaurant with single, open seating: • Outdoor common areas: Relish coastal
Savor regionally-inspired dishes or views from your seat on the Sun
American favorites during all meals. Deck—perhaps with a cocktail from the
outdoor bar.
• Comfortable lounge: Relax with old
friends and new, and participate in onboard • English-speaking crew: Enjoy dedicated
discussions and lectures. attention from our international staff
throughout your voyage. Plus, all shipboard
• Complimentary beverages: Enjoy house
beer and house wine—as well as soft announcements are made in English for
drinks—at any time of day while onboard. your convenience.
• Wireless Internet access: Connect online
in cabins and common areas. Please note:
Connectivity may be limited at certain points
throughout your cruise.
8
MEDITERRANEAN SMALL SHIPS
CABIN CATEGORIES
Wheelhouse
Bar Cabin with private balcony –
& A 150-170 sq. ft.
Grill
Cabin with private balcony –
B 150-170 sq. ft.
Cabin with portholes –
Sun Deck C 160 sq. ft.
Cabin with portholes –
D 160 sq. ft.
318 316 314 312 310 308 306 304 302
Single cabin with portholes –
S 140 sq. ft.
319 317 315 311 309 307 305 303 301
Upper Deck Registry: Malta
Length: 193 ft.
Bar
206 204 202 Beam: 35 ft.
Restaurant Lounge Reception
Draft: 10 ft.
205 203 201
WC Cabin Size: 150-170 sq. ft., with
2 single cabins of 140 sq. ft.
Main Deck
Number of Cabins: 26
101 Passenger Capacity: 50
Crew Area Crew Area Built: 2007
102 International crew: 21
Passenger Decks: 3
Lower Deck
Group Size: 25 travelers,
maximum, with 1 Trip
Experience Leader
This ship complies with the latest international and U.S. Coast Guard safety regulations and is outfitted
with the most current navigational and communications technology. It has retractable fin stabilizers to
Stairs, no elevator
help reduce discomfort during rough seas.
CABIN FEATURES
• 24 double-occupancy cabins from 150-
170 sq. ft.; 2 single-occupancy cabins at
140 sq. ft.
• All outside-facing with either portholes
or a balcony
• Two single beds (convertible to one full);
one single bed in single-occupancy cabins
• Wireless Internet access, closet, bed-side
tables with lamps, desk with mirror,
flat-screen TV, telephone, safe, mini- Cabin on the Upper Deck of the M/V Athena
refrigerator, individually controlled air-
conditioning, and dual electrical outlets
• Private bath with shower, hair dryer, and
toiletries
9
Changing People's Lives
One village, one school, one person at a time
Dear Traveler,
In 1992 we established Grand Circle Foundation, an entity
of the Lewis Family Foundation, as a means to give back to
the world that had already given us so much. We’ve pledged
or donated more than $200 million worldwide to support
the education of young people and the preservation of
international treasures and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Of course, none of this would be possible without your
help. A portion of our proceeds is donated to Grand Circle
Foundation—so just as your life will be enriched by the
discoveries you’ll make on your journey, you’ll also help to
enrich the lives of the people you’ll meet along the way.
Thank you for traveling with us, and for helping to change
people’s lives.
Love and peace,
Harriet R. Lewis
Chair
Grand Circle Foundation
Students at St. Mary's Primary School,
Hwange, Zimbabwe
10GIVING BACK TO THE WORLD WE TRAVEL
By bringing cultures together and teaching us about
our shared humanity, travel has the power to change
the world, one heart at a time. When determining how
we can help the people, schools and communities we
visit, we always ask for the wisdom of local leadership
and the involvement of the community to ensure we
are providing what is needed. We currently support 109
schools and organizations in 59 countries.
JOIN OUR GENEROUS TRAVELERS
We consider each and every one of our travelers to
be partners in our worldwide giving. Some travelers,
however, are so inspired by the schools and villages
they visit, they are compelled to give more. In fact,
our travelers have donated more than $1 million in
2019 alone.
Giving Back in
BETTER OUR OWN COMMUNITIES— Different Ways
ALL AROUND THE WORLD Support from the Grand Circle Foundation takes many
In addition to the destinations where we travel, we forms—and is based on what's needed most. In one
strive to better the communities where we work—from school alone in Tanzania, we have completed projects
our headquarters in Boston to our 36 offices around ranging from providing a new water system and building a
the world. In Boston, more than 99% of our associates new girl's dormitory to installing a solar powered electric
participate in community service each year. Worldwide, fence to prevent elephants from wandering through
nearly all of our offices organize annual community the school grounds. And in Morocco, we partnered
service events of their own. with the Imik Smik Women’s Center of Aït Benhaddou
after learning about the efforts of the 13 women who
wanted a place built where they could gather together
to develop new skills to improve their lives, and gain
some independence in this traditionally male-dominated
region. We were thrilled to provide funds that enabled
construction to begin on this worthy project.
How you can help
• Donate to a school or village that inspired you during
your travels. Because we charge no administration
fee, 100% of your donation will be used to help change
Learn more about the many ways people’s lives.
we help change lives together at
• To learn more about ongoing Foundation projects,
www.grandcirclefoundation.org you can sign up for our weekly e-newsletter, the Inside
Scoop, at www.oattravel.com/community/the-inside-
scoop. When you do, you’ll not only receive updates
on Grand Circle Foundation, but the latest news and
discoveries on all things Grand Circle and Overseas
Adventure Travel.
11Freedom to Personalize Your Experience
Your Choice, Your Adventure, Your Way
We recommend you spend extra time in a destination to truly make your adventure everything you’ve ever dreamed about—in fact, 85% of our
travelers are personalizing their experience in more than 85 countries. Call us at 1-800-955-1925 to discuss personalizing your adventure
today or visit us online at www.oattravel.com/personalize-mwt2021.
āƩłāÈŋŽũRùāÖķdāłėŶĞŋĕŶÖƘ̆ũũĢƑā1ÖũķƘ̇
' Please note: Our Adventure Specialists can help you plan your airfare if you’d
ŶÖƘdÖŶāũͽmŋũā like to “break away,” however since this option is completely on your own, you
will need to plan your own accommodations, meals, tours, and transfers.
Extending the length of your stay in a destination can improve your
overall travel experience—and allow you to seek out even more eye- Back-to-Back Adventures: 90% of our travelers who combined two
opening cultural interactions. Your local Trip Experience Leader will adventures rated it excellent
help to ensure you’re getting the personalized experiences you’re One of the most common adventures travelers combine with this one
looking for. With their unmatched understanding of local culture, is Allure of the Adriatic: Italy & Croatia. If you’re already overseas, why
it’s no surprise that 94% of our travelers rate their Trip Experience not see more of the world and avoid another international flight? Plus,
Leader excellent. you’ll save $250 per person when you reserve two trips right after
From extending your travels—with us or on your own—to building one another.
time to ensure a smooth beginning and end to your Small Ship
Adventure, the choice is yours. Here are some of your options: !ÖðĢłťėũÖùā̆!ĞŋŋŭāÈŋŽũRùāÖķzłðŋÖũù1ƗťāũĢāłóā
Maximize Your Time & Value: 55% of travelers take an extension Perhaps you’d like to be close to the elevator, dining room, or even
your friend’s cabin—we’ll help you select the ship cabin or deck
Trip extensions allow you to get refreshed and acclimated before your
category that works best for you. Plus, when you upgrade to an upper
adventure begins or before you return to the U.S. Plus, you’ll see more
deck cabin on this adventure, you can enjoy your own private balcony.
of the world and maximize your value by taking advantage of our
already-included airfare. On this adventure, you can choose between
Slovenia: Ljubljana, Slovenia and Bosnia & Herzegovina: Sarajevo.
ĢũzťŶĢŋłŭ̆mŋũā¦ĞÖł˔ˏͮŋĕzŽũ¦ũÖƑāķāũŭ
!ŽŭŶŋĿĢơā¦ĞāĢũDķĢėĞŶŭ
“Break Away” Options: 30% of travelers spend more time abroad
We make every effort to provide you with non-stop
Before or after your main adventure or trip extension, “break away”
flights and acceptable connection times to and from your
anywhere you’d like to go to do more exploring entirely on your
destination. You also have several other ways you can personalize
own. Extend your time abroad with the following options:
your air itinerary, including:
• Arrive in Zagreb a few days early, or spend more time there before
• Choose your departure city and airline
returning home
• Depart from one city and return to another
• Stay overnight (or for a few days) in Paris, a common connecting
city, or in a destination of your choice • Upgrade your seat or choose a specific meal option
Ljubljanica river, Ljubljana, Slovenia Pigeon Square, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Cruising the Adriatic: Croatia & Montenegro
12Overseas
Adventure Travel SM
Since 1978
Cruising the Adriatic:
Croatia & Montenegro
2021
15-Day Small Ship Adventure
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
PRE-TRIP
Slovenia: Ljubljana’s Old World Charm
POST-TRIP
Bosnia & Herzegovina: The Irrepressible Spirit of Sarajevo
Your Day-to-Day Itinerary
13OVERSEAS ADVENTURE TRAVEL
Overseas Adventure Travel, founded in 1978, is America’s leading adventure travel company. The New
York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, The Los Angeles Times, Travel + Leisure, The Wall Street Journal, US News
& World Report, and others have recommended O.A.T. trips. But our most impressive reviews come from
our customers: Thousands of travelers have joined our trips, and 95% of them say they’d gladly travel
with us again, and recommend us to their friends.
A WORD ABOUT ADVENTURE TRAVEL
Overseas Adventure Travel offers American travelers a 4-star experience at a 3-star price aboard our
privately owned and chartered fleet. On this Small Ship Adventure, you’ll enjoy off-the-beaten-path
discoveries in a group of 20-25 (with an average of 22), a convivial experience onboard the
50-passenger M/V Artemis or M/V Athena, and more travel choices. Plus, we are the only small ship
company with expert, local Trip Experience Leaders who accompany you throughout your journey,
enhancing your exploration with the kind of insight and passion that only a local can provide.
As with any type of travel experience, it’s important to remember that sometimes, due to weather, sea
conditions, or local circumstances, ports of call, activities, and accommodations could differ from what
is described in our trip itinerary. The order of the included features in this itinerary may also change.
Your Trip Experience Leader will advise you of any changes that may occur while on tour. As some of
these changes are just part of the nature of traveling, it’s good to remember that a certain degree of
flexibility can ultimately enrich your travel experience.
INCLUDED IN YOUR PRICE
» Services of our local Trip Experience Leader » 13 guided tours (with personal headsets)
with your group of 20-25 (average of 22) and cultural experiences
throughout your adventure » Gratuities for local guides and
» International airfare, airport transfers, motorcoach drivers
government taxes, fees, and airline fuel » All port charges
surcharges, unless you choose to make your
» Baggage handling for 1 piece of luggage per
own air arrangements
person, including tips
» Accommodations for 3 nights in Zagreb, 10
» 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward
nights aboard our privately owned small
your next trip
ship with wireless Internet access
» 38 meals: 14 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 13
dinners—including 1 Home-Hosted
Dinner—plus all onboard house beer, wine,
and soft drinks
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
14WHAT THIS TRIP IS LIKE
GROUP SIZE
» This adventure has a group size of 20-25
travelers (average of 22) with a local Trip
Experience Leader exclusive to O.A.T.
PACING
» 14 days, with 10 nights aboard a
50-passenger small ship, and a 2-night stay
in Zagreb
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
» Walk 3 miles unassisted and participate in
6-8 hours of physical activities each day,
including stairs
» Good agility, balance, and strength needed
for possible rough seas
» Not accessible for travelers using
wheelchairs or scooters
» Travelers using walkers, crutches, or other
mobility aids must travel with a companion
who can assist them throughout the trip
» The small ship does not have
elevators onboard
» We reserve the right for Trip Experience
Leaders to restrict participation, or in some
circumstances send travelers home, if their
limitations impact the group’s experience
TERRAIN & TRANSPORTATION
» Uneven walking surfaces, including ruins
and archeological sites, unpaved paths,
hills, stairs, and cobblestones, which can be
slick in wet or colder conditions
» Travel by 50-passenger small ship and
45-seat coach
CLIMATE
» Daytime temperatures range from 52-54°F
during cruising season
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
15Cruising the Adriatic: Croatia & Montenegro
YOUR DETAILED ITINERARY
BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE WITH AN OPTIONAL PRE-TRIP EXTENSION
4 nights in Slovenia: Ljubljana’s Old World Charm
Day 1 Depart U.S. Day 4 Ljubljana • Optional Postojna Cave
& Predjama Castle tour
Day 2 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Day 5 Ljubljana • Optional Lake Bled tour
Day 3 Explore Ljubljana
Day 6 Ljubljana • Zagreb, Croatia • Join
main adventure
Day 1 Depart U.S. extension. Depending on where we stay, the
hotel may offer an on-site restaurant and cafe,
Fly overnight from the U.S. to Zagreb, Croatia. a spa and sauna, and a fitness center. Each
air-conditioned room may feature satellite
Day 2 Arrive Zagreb, Croatia TV, a minibar, wireless Internet access, and a
• Destination: Zagreb private bath.
• Accommodations: Palace Hotel Zagreb After you settle into your room, you might take
or similar a stroll to the nearby central square, markets,
Activity Note: Depending on your arrival time boutiques, and cafes. Around 4pm, a short
and hotel check-in policy, you may not be able orientation walk in the vicinity of the hotel led
to check into your room immediately upon by your Trip Experience Leader will further help
arrival, but you are welcome to store your bags you get your bearings.
at the reception desk. Your Trip Experience
Dinner: On your own this evening. Your Trip
Leader will advise you of your check-in
Experience Leader would be happy to provide
status and activity schedule for the day when
suggestions for a taste of home. Perhaps you’ll
you arrive.
look to find a restaurant that serves typical
Morning/Afternoon: Arrive in Zagreb, where Croatian dishes, such as kotlovina—a fried meat
you’ll be met at the airport by an O.A.T. and vegetables dish that is popular in Zagreb.
representative. He or she will assist you with
Evening: The rest of the evening is free. This
your 30-minute transfer to your hotel, which
might be a good time to adjust to the time
is conveniently located in the heart of the
difference by relaxing in the hotel’s elegant
city, where you’ll join travelers who took the
public areas or in your comfortable room.
Slovenia: Ljubljana’s Old World Charm pre-trip
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
16Freedom To Explore: During your two days Day 3 Explore Zagreb • Croatia: Brain
in Zagreb, you have the freedom to explore Drain After Joining the EU discussion
this quaint, historic city on your own during
• Destination: Zagreb
your free time. Below are a few recommended
options for independent explorations: • Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodations: Palace Hotel Zagreb
• See the works of one of Croatia’s greatest or similar
artists at the Ivan Mestrovic Atelier: Explore
Activity Note: Today’s itinerary includes a
the sculptures of Mestrovic, exhibited in the
walking tour over cobbled streets with some
intimacy of his former apartment.
stairs and uneven surfaces.
• How to get there: Around a 10-minute taxi
ride from Westin Hotel, about $10 USD one Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel
way. beginning around 7am, featuring Croatian and
• Hours: 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday; American options.
10am-2pm, Sunday.
Morning: Around 8:30am, you’ll gather for
• Cost: About $5 USD per person. a Welcome Briefing in the hotel. During this
• Step back into the city’s past at the Zagreb briefing, you will introduce yourself and review
Shelling Memorial Center: Learn about the the itinerary in more detail (including any
Homeland War of the 1990s and how the at- changes that may need to occur). Your Trip
tacks impacted Zagreb through photographs Experience Leader will also discuss logistics,
and educational exhibits. safety and emergency procedures, and answer
• How to get there: Around a 15-minute questions you may have.
walk from Westin Hotel, about a $10 USD
Afterward around 9:30am, you’ll set out on a
taxi ride one way.
city tour of Zagreb. Your 2.5-hour tour begins
• Hours: 10am-7pm, Tuesday-Saturday; with a short walk—around 15 minutes—to the
10am-2pm, Sunday.
Square of Ban Jelacic (Trg Bana Jelacica), the
• Cost: Free. city’s hub. Like many medieval cities, Zagreb
• Treat yourself to an evening of snacks and includes an Upper and Lower Town, and your
fine wine at the Wine Bar Bornstein: Enjoy a tour takes in many of the landmarks of the
tasting of cold cuts and the local vino. medieval Upper Town (Gornji Grad), including
• How to get there: Around a 10-minute taxi Zagreb Cathedral, the bustling Dolac market,
ride from Westin Hotel, about $10 USD one Gric tunnel, the stone gates, St. Mark’s Church,
way. and Lotrscak Tower.
• Hours: 10am-11pm, Monday-Saturday Following your discoveries around 12:15pm,
(reservation required).
the rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the
• Cost: Determined by type of tasting city. You might continue delving into the Upper
selected.
Town, a warren of alleyways lined with baroque
architecture. A highlight is the Cathedral of the
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose
neo-Gothic spires are a city landmark.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
17Lunch: On your own—the Upper Town brims ship, keep in mind that the gangplank may
with cafes and restaurants to choose from. be steep, and elevators are not available on
You may seek out a popular local dish like board. This Small Ship Adventure includes long
strukli, which is a cottage cheese- and sour stretches of sailing, where rough sea conditions
cream-stuffed pastry. are possible.
Afternoon: Your afternoon is free to continue Breakfast: Served buffet-style at the hotel
your independent exploration. Perhaps you’ll from 7am-8:30am, featuring Croatian and
visit the Lower Town (Donji Grad), whose many American options.
attractions include the Zelena Potkova (Green
Morning: Departing around 9am, you’ll travel
Horseshoe) with its wide avenues and inviting
overland toward the Adriatic coast to meet
public squares. Around 4:30pm, reconvene
your small ship in Zadar, one of Croatia’s
at the hotel with your fellow travelers and
true hidden jewels. Your transfer will take
walk about 15 minutes to enjoy a one-hour
approximately 4.5 hours with comfort stops
discussion with a local professor on Croatia:
included along the way.
Brain Drain After Joining the EU. In recent years,
medical professionals have left Croatia for You’ll arrive at the dock about 1:30pm and
opportunities abroad, and you’ll discover how embark the M/V Artemis. This privately owned,
this phenomenon has affected the public health 50-passenger vessel will be your home for the
sector. Afterward, you’ll take a short walk to a next ten nights. The ship is staffed by a friendly,
local restaurant. English-speaking crew who will be eager to
welcome you aboard and show you to your
Dinner: Around 6:30pm, your small group
room. Each of the ship’s outside-facing cabins
will gather for a Welcome Dinner at a local
features a porthole or balcony, flat-screen TV,
restaurant, featuring regional specialties.
air-conditioning, and its own private bathroom.
Evening: Following dinner, walk 15 minutes
Lunch: Lunch is served buffet-style in
back to your hotel, where the remainder of the
the ship’s dining room after embarkation,
evening is free for you to explore at your own
around 2:15pm. Enjoy a choice of regional
pace. With its bohemian cafes, Tkalciceva Street
and international options that include soups,
is a good place to enjoy the city’s nightlife. Or,
entrées, and desserts, as well as a bountiful
if you prefer the Lower Town, you might check
salad bar with condiments. Complimentary
out the bars and nightclubs set between Trg
house beer, house wine, and soft drinks are
Petra Preradovića and Bogovićeva.
always available.
Day 4 Zagreb • Zadar • Embark ship Afternoon: After lunch, you’ll have time to
settle into your cabin and get acquainted
• Destination: Zadar
with the ship’s inviting common areas. The
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
lounge is equipped with cozy leather couches
• Accommodations: M/V Artemis
and chairs and a specialty coffee-maker, and
Activity Note: Today’s transfer to Zadar and the adjacent bar serves complimentary house
your ship will take about 4.5 hours. There will beer, house wine, and soft drinks throughout
be comfort stops as needed en route. Also, the day. A topside Sun Deck features ample
please note that agility will be required to board wooden deck chairs for admiring the scenery
the M/V Artemis. When embarking your small (weather permitting). Complimentary wireless
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
18Internet is available in all cabins and common experience in one of two rural locales: the
areas—the front desk staff will be happy to village of Sopot or an agricultural estate in
provide you with an access code. Ravni Kotari. Read more about one of these
included features below.
Around 5:30pm, your Captain will conduct a
safety briefing and introduce you to your ship’s Breakfast: All breakfasts on board are served
welcoming crew. buffet-style in the ship’s dining room. You
may choose from an assortment of familiar
Dinner: Around 7pm, enjoy a Welcome Drink
options—including hot and cold cereals, eggs,
with your fellow travelers, followed by your
sausage, bacon, fresh fruit, and toast. Breakfast
Captain’s Welcome Dinner in the ship’s dining
service is from 7:30am-8:30am today, and
room. As with all the dinners during your
you are welcome to dine at your convenience.
cruise, you are free to sit at whichever table you
Early risers can enjoy coffee and pastries
please. You’ll be offered a choice of appetizer,
beginning at 7am.
soup, entrée, and dessert—including regional
options—and complimentary house beer, Morning: We step ashore at around 9am and
house wine, and soft drinks. (Half-portions split into two groups of no more than 25 to
are available upon request.) But at this special begin our NEW A Day in the Life Experience in
welcome reception, you’ll also enjoy more one of two Croatian villages—both activities are
elaborate dishes. While the dress code at sure to offer equally memorable insights into
mealtimes is always relaxed and smart casual, day-to-day rural Croatian life. The first group
some travelers opt to wear a day dress or slacks will travel to the village of Sopot, while the
to the Captain’s Welcome Dinner. second will head to the agricultural estate of the
Demo family in the Ravni Kotari countryside.
Evening: Your ship docks in Zadar overnight.
Travelers in the second group will explore in
After dinner, you may choose to relax in the
the company of the farm’s gregarious owner,
lounge, take a comfortable seat on the Sun
Pavao Demo, and help out with hands-on
Deck and watch the twinkling of the city lights,
activities around the estate, such as planting
or retire to your cabin. Or you might visit one
seeds, watering crops, making wine, and
of Zadar’s charming harborside cafes for a
preparing lunch in the kitchen.
glass of maraschino, a liqueur distilled from
local marasca cherries—a centuries-old Zadar For those who will visit Sopot, our journey
tradition. begins at around 9:15am, when we board our
private motorcoach and drive for 45 minutes
Day 5 Zadar • A Day in the Life of a to a farm owned by our hosts: the Cusa
family. Upon arrival at around 10am, we’ll be
Croatian village
greeted by the matriarch of the family, Doris,
• Destination: Zadar
and we’ll toast the occasion with a sip of
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner homemade brandy.
• Accommodations: M/V Artemis
Doris will introduce us to the rest of her family:
Exclusive O.A.T. Activity: Today’s discoveries
her father and mother, Alojz and Jadrakna,
include our NEW A Day in the Life experience:
a retired couple who live on the estate; her
An immersive visit to a village in the Croatian
sister Ana, a university graduate who formerly
countryside near Zadar. We’ll split into two
worked in the cruise industry; and her young
groups for a more intimate people-to-people
nephew Hayat, who lives in the village with
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
19his mother Ana. We’ll get to know each other fritule (fritters) or Benkovački prisnac (a cheese
during a conversation of about 45 minutes, pie native to the nearby town of Benkovac),
and learn about the history of the farm and the then cap it off with some coffee or herbal tea.
family’s ties to the area.
Afternoon: We’ll clear the table at around
At around 10:45am, we’ll begin a 30-minute 2:30pm, then set off on a short stroll around
walking tour of the farm to learn about the the village at about 3pm. Sopot is a small,
various produce they create here. The bounty of tightly-knit community of about 300 people;
this 2-acre land is diverse, and includes dozens Doris knows just about everybody, and since
of olive and almond trees, as well as facilities the Cusa farm gladly shares its bounty with
for the production of prosciutto, brandy, wine, the local community, she is one of the village’s
a variety of fruit and vegetables, and herbal teas most well-loved residents. She’ll happily
and cosmetics. introduce us to her neighbors as we walk,
offering a firsthand view of what life is like in
We’ll also see the farm’s most prized
the Croatian countryside.
possessions: its 15 donkeys that are used to
produce highly sought-after milk. Residents We’ll also learn about the unique history of
of the region value donkey milk for its health this village; we might stop by an old church
benefits, and a single liter can sell for more where a stone engraving from the 9th century
than $100 USD. You’ll have the opportunity features the first known recorded writing of the
to try your hand at milking a donkey for word “Croat” in history. We might also see a
yourself if you’d like, and try a taste of the 16th-century cannon designed by Leonardo da
finished product. Vinci. Discovered by a local farmer in 1968, the
precious artifact spent a few years as a doorstop
At around 11:15am, we’ll split into groups to
for a chicken coop before visiting archaeologists
help out with some more hands-on activities
noticed the rare find.
on the farm. You might choose to head to the
kitchen to help prepare a lunch that we’ll At around 3:30pm, we will bid farewell to the
soon share together; others might be assigned Cusa family and drive by private motorcoach
another task depending on the needs of the for about an hour back to our ship and the rest
season, such as curing prosciutto, tending to of our group. At around 5pm, you are invited to
the olive trees, or helping out in the cosmetics learn a few key phrases in Croatian during an
workshop. At around 12:45pm we’ll gather back hour-long language lesson on board led by your
together to set the table for lunch. Trip Experience Leader.
Lunch: After working up an appetite, we’ll sit Then, at around 6:15pm, your Trip Experience
down at the family table at around 1:15pm to Leader will deliver the first in a series of nightly
enjoy a farm-fresh lunch together. We’ll start Port Talks. These informative discussions, led
things off with an appetizer that might include by your Trip Experience Leader, will give you
homemade cheese, prosciutto, pasta, or cream an overview of the following day’s itinerary and
soup, then enjoy an entrée of risotto or peka—a prepare you for the destination ahead.
meat and vegetable blend sprinkled with herbs
Dinner: Join your fellow travelers in the dining
and olive oil that is then cooked to perfection
room around 7pm for dinner.
under a bell-shaped dome over an open flame.
For dessert, we might sample some homemade
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
20Evening: You may want to relax in the lounge You’ll then have about 2.5 hours for
this evening, or head up to the Sun Deck and independent exploration of Split. Perhaps
gaze at the glowing city. Your ship lifts anchor you’ll hear your footsteps resounding on the
at 11pm and begins its voyage to Split. marble tiles of Pjaca Square, known locally as
the People’s Square. Here, you can visit the
Day 6 Explore Split • Folklore evening Gothic Old Town Hall and check the time on the
city’s ancient clock. Or return to the Cathedral
• Destination: Split
of Saint Domnius, Diocletian’s mausoleum and
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
the city’s oldest building.
• Accommodations: M/V Artemis
Lunch: Lunch is served aboard ship
Activity Note: Today’s city tour includes some
around 1pm.
easy walking over cobbled streets and a few
steps at the entrance to Diocletian’s Palace. Afternoon: The afternoon is yours to continue
pursuing your own interests in Split. Take in
Breakfast: Your ship will just have docked
panoramic views of the city and the Adriatic
this morning in Split. Take in the view as you
beyond from atop the bell tower. Browse
enjoy a buffet-style breakfast on board from
the stone carvings, jewelry, armor, and
7:30am-8:30am. Early risers can enjoy coffee
other exhibits of the Museum of Croatian
and pastry beginning at 7am.
Archaeological Monuments, or admire the
Morning: Around 8:30am, you’ll set out on foot sculptures and other artwork by a famous
for a roughly 2.5-hour walking tour of Split’s Croatian native son at the Ivan Mestrovic
Old Town with a local guide. You’ll discover Gallery. Or join the locals on a stroll through
the Imperial Palace of the Roman Emperor Strossmayer’s Garden, a public park whose
Diocletian. This UNESCO World Heritage Site centerpiece is a beautiful fountain.
is the greatest Roman ruin in southeastern
Around 6:45, your Trip Experience Leader will
Europe. Built like a fortress with walls 590
conduct their daily Port Talk.
feet by 705 feet, the palace was occupied by
the Emperor Diocletian from AD 300-313. As Dinner: Dinner is served on board beginning
you stand in the peristyle (central court) of this around 7pm.
grand structure, its scale is sure to impress you.
Evening: Following dinner around 9pm,
The medieval town of Split took shape within enjoy a 45-minute exclusive Discovery Series
the palace walls; Diocletian’s Temple of Jupiter event when locals come aboard to perform a
was converted into a Christian baptistery traditional Dalmatian folkloric dance. Perhaps
and his mausoleum became a cathedral. The these dancers will show you some moves so you
entire old section of Split, with the palace as its can try out one of these dances on your own.
centerpiece, is a virtual open-air museum with
Freedom To Explore: During your day in Split,
the city’s contemporary life bustling through it,
you have the freedom to explore this coastal
as you’ll discover.
town on your own during your free time.
When your tour ends around noon, your small Below are a few recommended options for
group will take a half-hour stroll along the independent explorations:
lovely Riva, the city’s seaside promenade.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
21• Delve deep into the culture of Split on a from the 1920s. The building features large
Jewish Tour: Discover some of the most windows that let in natural light and offer
important sites of Split’s Jewish history and a view of the Adriatic that the artist himself
culture on an approximate 2-hour tour. As may have enjoyed gazing upon a century ago.
you walk through some of Split’s important
• How to get there: Around a 15-minute
Jewish sites, you’ll learn from a local guide walk from Split harbor, about a $10 USD
about the history of the Jewish ghetto, taxi ride one way.
Rodrigos Street, the city synagogue, and
• Hours: 9am-4pm, Tuesday-Saturday;
much more. Learn about how this small but 10am-3pm, Sunday.
influential community in Split came to be,
• Cost: About $6.50 USD per person.
and discover the legacy of Jewish heritage
throughout Croatia. Day 7 Explore Hvar & Vrboska • Dubrovnik
• How to get there: Around an 11-minute • Destination: Hvar
taxi ride from Split harbor, about $10 USD
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
one way.
• Accommodations: M/V Artemis
• Hours: Schedule upon request.
• Cost: $85 USD per person for 2-hour tour; Breakfast: For early risers, watch as your ship
price can be negotiated for groups. docks in Hvar this morning over coffee and
pastries around 6:30am. From 7am-8am, savor
• Taste your way around Split at a Dalmatian
a buffet-style breakfast on board as you take in
Food and Wine Tasting: With legendary
views of Hvar, known as one of Europe’s most
Diocletian’s Palace as your backdrop, follow
beautiful islands.
a local guide through the city center. Along
the way, stop at local stands and shops to Morning: Around 8:15am, you’ll go ashore to
sample some of Croatia’s finest, from fresh discover the island of Hvar. Occupied since at
bread, to golden olive oil, to aromatic wines least 3500 BC, beautiful Hvar has been ruled
and beyond. You’ll learn about how Croatia’s variously by the Greeks, Romans, Ottomans,
wines and olive oils are produced, and cap Austrians, and French, without ever losing its
off your discoveries with a traditional lunch character as a place of fresh fish, wild herbs,
and dessert. and verdant vineyards. With warm summers,
• How to get there: Around a 10-minute mild winters, and more than 2,715 hours of
walk from Split harbor, about an $8 USD sunlight in an average year, it is arguably the
taxi ride one way. sunniest spot in Europe.
• Hours: Every morning starting at 9am. On arrival in Hvar town, enjoy a brief
• Cost: About $95 USD per person. orientation walk with a local guide. Your local
• Visit the Ivan Mestrovic Gallery for an guide and Trip Experience Leader will point out
impressive array of famous works: See ATMs, restaurants they recommend, and sites
renowned artist Ivan Mestrovic’s drawings, you can visit during free time. Then, enjoy time
sculptures, furniture, and architecture in an to explore the town on your own. One popular
impressive building based on the original activity is climbing the hillside to the city’s
blueprints designed by Mestrovic himself. ancient fortress. Experience the Venetian flavor
The design included living and working areas, that reflects Hvar’s long history of rule by that
as well as exhibition spaces. The collection city-state as you stroll its picturesque streets.
housed here showcases a variety of his work Or watch the world go by from a sidewalk cafe.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
22Next, at about 10:30am, drive about 30 minutes Day 8 Explore Dubrovnik • Controversial
by bus to the quaint seaside village of Vrboska, Topic: Aida Cvjetkovic on defying gender
which lies in a picturesque cove surrounded
roles during the siege of Dubrovnik •
by pinewood forests and lovely beaches. Upon
Gromaca village • Home-Hosted Dinner
arrival, enjoy a short walk with a local guide
through the charming town, ending at a small, • Destination: Dubrovnik
family-owned winery nearby. Here, you’ll meet • Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
with the owner who will explain the history • Accommodations: M/V Artemis
of her family business and what her typical Exclusive O.A.T. Activities: Today’s discoveries
routine entails throughout the year. After, include a conversation about a Controversial
enjoy a tasting of some of the varieties that are Topic: the role of women during the siege of
cultivated here. Dubrovnik during the Balkan conflicts. We’ll
Your roughly four-hour tour ends with a meet a local woman who defied expectations
one-hour bus ride back to your ship through and chose to stay behind instead of evacuating,
this luxuriantly green island, known for its helping her fellow citizens survive the brutal
aromatic patches of lavender, rosemary, and fighting. Later, we’ll immerse ourselves
heather at certain times of the year. further in Croatian culture when we join a
local family in the village of Gromaca for a
Lunch: Return to the ship for lunch, which is Home-Hosted Dinner—read more about these
served at around 1pm. experiences below.
Afternoon: At around 2pm, your ship charts Breakfast: Buffet breakfast is available onboard
a course toward Dubrovnik. As you sail, you from 7am-8am. Early risers can enjoy coffee
might catch up on email or your travel journal, and pastries beginning at 6:30am.
engage your fellow travelers in conversation,
open a book in the comfort of a soft chair, Morning: With its old section, the Stari Grad,
or watch as the beautiful Croatian coastline surrounded entirely by white stone walls,
stretches before your eyes from the Sun Deck. Dubrovnik gleams like the proverbial City on a
Hill. Regarded today as one of the world’s most
Dinner: Dinner is served on board at exquisite walled cities, Dubrovnik’s character
around 7pm. reflects its storied past as an independent
city-state that rivaled Venice. Also known by
Evening: You might want to be up on the
its Latin name, Ragusa, this was a fortress
Sun Deck as your ship pulls into harbor at
city that served as the base for a fleet of ships
Dubrovnik around 9:30pm, to see lights bathing
that carried trade between much of Europe
the ancient walls of the Old Town.
and the Middle East. The city-state’s period of
autonomy extended from 1358 to 1808. In the
early 1990s, some of Dubrovnik’s historic sites
sustained damage during the Balkan conflicts,
but the city has been peaceful for more than
20 years and largely restored under UNESCO
supervision. This restoration work has been
supported with a donation from Grand Circle
Foundation.
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
23Departing around 8:15am, you’ll discover the good health to render whatever aid they could
highlights of this historic gem on a walking and help their fellow citizens make it through
tour, featuring visits to the Rector’s Palace the siege.
and a Franciscan monastery housing one of
We’ll hear how Aida led the charge and within
Europe’s oldest pharmacies. The tour will last
two days organized around 2,000 other
about 1.5 hours.
women to join her and sign a pledge to stay
At around 10am, we will walk to War Photo and help. This act, which earned the ire of the
Limited, a museum featuring images captured city’s male-dominated old guard, formed a
by renowned photojournalists of the brutal Dubrovnik Women’s Forum which would play
fighting that gripped the Balkans during the fall a pivotal role in helping the city survive the
of Yugoslavia. Here, we’ll meet a local woman, war. On November 1, the Libertas Convoy—a
Aida Cvjetkovic, for a conversation about a grassroots humanitarian fleet of 29 civilian
Controversial Topic: the role of women during vessels—braved the Yugoslav blockade to
the siege of Dubrovnik, and how courageous deliver supplies and prominent politicians
women like her defied gendered expectations to and celebrities to draw international attention
help their city survive the war. to Dubrovnik’s plight. Although Aida had
the opportunity to join the refugees that the
When the Yugoslav People’s Army began its
fleet would carry back with it, she held to
bombardment of Dubrovnik on October 1,
her principles and stayed behind to continue
1991, local and foreign leaders reacted with an
her work.
old-fashioned instinct: Get the women and
children out first. Women like Aida, however, Although she never carried a weapon, she
refused to be treated as helpless victims, was never far from the frontlines as she
knowing they had as much to offer their carried supplies to soldiers and civilians,
beloved homeland as their male compatriots. and worked with local and international
Together, they made the hard choice to defy authorities—including Bernard Kouchner,
the chorus of voices pressuring them to leave the co-founder of Doctors Without Borders,
and stayed behind, putting their lives at risk to and then European Union envoy to the
render aid and support, and starting a rebellion city—to help deliver aid and draw attention
against Croatian gender norms whose effects to the beleaguered city. She and other Forum
can still be felt today. members even negotiated with Yugoslav
politicians and military leaders to fight for the
During our hour-long conversation with Aida,
release and fair treatment of Croatian prisoners
we’ll hear about why she decided to stay, and
of war. While her fierce advocacy made her few
listen to her harrowing perspective of what she
friends, she never shied away from doing what
endured as a consequence of this decision. The
was right.
choice wasn’t made lightly—as the mother of
two teenage sons, she was torn between her Aida’s work to assist Dubrovnik’s defenders
love of her homeland, and her instinct to flee painted a target on her back, and she spent the
with her children and bring her family to safety. war in constant danger. In mid-November, her
In the end, it was her boys who appealed to home was obliterated by Yugoslav artillery,
her sense of duty and convinced her to stay in and she experienced many more close calls
this moment of truth. With the city falling to throughout the siege—including an incident
ruin around them, they took advantage of their in which the force of an exploding mortar shell
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
24knocked her to the ground, shattering a glass Afternoon: Relax onboard this afternoon, or
bottle of water she was carrying back to her continue your exploration of Dubrovnik. You
family. Later, she would learn that these near might take in a bird’s-eye view of the city on
misses were no coincidence—intelligence a cable car ride. Or visit some of Dubrovnik’s
gathered from retreating Yugoslav forces hidden museums, such as the state archives at
revealed her name on a list of targets to be Sponza Palace, a 16th-century former customs
silenced. house and mint.
When the siege was lifted on May 31, 1992, 194 Dinner: Beginning around 5:45pm, drive by
soldiers and 88 civilians lay dead, and around motorcoach to Gromaca, a village of around 150
15,000 people were made refugees. The attack people near Dubrovnik where we’ll split into
on Dubrovnik was an act of aggression that smaller groups of no more than 6, and join a
shocked the world—but, if not for the actions local family for a Home-Hosted Dinner.
of Aida and the brave women she helped to
We’ll begin our experience at around 6:30pm
inspire, the toll would have been much worse.
when we arrive in Gromaca and take a
The work they started continues today in the
15-minute stroll through the village with our
form of Deša, an organization that aids women
hosts to meet the residents and catch a glimpse
and families affected by war around the world.
of daily life here. Then, at around 6:45pm, we’ll
Aida will spend around 20 minutes sharing her sit down at the table and share a meal with our
story, and we’ll then have the remainder of host family.
the hour to ask questions and take advantage
By separating into smaller groups, we’ll
of her firsthand perspective of this deadly
have an exclusive opportunity to enter the
period of Dubrovnik history, and how its impact
homes of Gromaca’s residents and connect
ripples into the modern day. You may want to
intimately with them to learn about what life
inquire into how Aida has seen the treatment of
is like here. Our hosts hail from a variety of
women in Croatia change since she organized
working- or middle-class backgrounds, and
the pledge 30 years ago; did women prove
multiple generations of the family might be
their worth during the siege of the city, or
present during our meal, offering a broad view
do old-fashioned attitudes about the role of
of village life in Croatia. Long-term residents
women still abound?
may also be able to offer their perspective of
The rest of the morning is free. Perhaps you’ll what life here was like during wartime in the
stroll the Stradun, the pedestrian-only main 1990s—Gromaca was pillaged by the Yugoslav
street through the heart of the Old Town, People’s Army during that conflict.
and admire the ornate Onofrio’s Fountain. At
We’ll also enjoy a taste of authentic
around 12pm, you can catch a shuttle back to
home-cooked Croatian cuisine as we share a
the ship.
typical meal that our host family would enjoy
Lunch: Lunch is served onboard, beginning in their day-to-day lives. We might enjoy
around 1pm, or you may stay in Dubrovnik vegetable soup, prepared with locally grown
and enjoy one of the city’s many cafés at your garden-fresh crops, followed by a traditional
own expense. dish like sporki makaruli (colloquially known
as “dirty macaroni”), a meat and pasta
dish historically enjoyed by the servants of
Dubrovnik’s aristocracy, who would prepare
Itinerary Subject to Change. For Information or reservations, call 1-800-955-1925
25You can also read
