Croatia and Montenegro Under Sail Luxury Cruise

Emblem of the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik is magnificently positioned on a rocky spur. History is sovereign here, in this ancient city, now a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. You will perhaps be surprised by the proportions of La Placa, the central drag through the city. The sheer width of it can be explained by the fact that it straddles a former lagoon. The elegant houses along La Placa are built in the legendary travertine stone. At Pile gate, you will be greeted by the statue of the patron saint of Dubrovnik, and you can admire the coastline as you walk along the ramparts. But what’s inside Fort Saint John, adjoining the outer walls? A maritime museum and an aquarium featuring rare fish from the Adriatic.

Cruise to Mljet. Discover Mljet Island off the Peljesac peninsula. Known for its national park and its protected forests, this Croatian splendid, pristine island offers many opportunities for walking with bays linked to two salt water lakes. On the largest lake, Veliko Jezero, a small island is home to an old Benedictine monastery. After lunch, cruise to Korcula. This harbour town has a very special location, presiding on a spur on the north-eastern coast of the island of Korcula. The ramparts in its medieval district provide perfect vantage points over the Peljesac peninsula. To get there, you can take the monumental staircase in the Revelin Tower. Another way is to climb the steps in the shade of palm trees from the MorskaVrata (Marine portal). As you make your way through the little streets, you’ll see the bell-tower of Saint Mark’s cathedral rise above you. This landmark will help you locate the house where Marco Polo was born. The island also has some of its own famous wines like the red Plavac and the white Posip.

Cruise to Vis Island, a little and little-known island ignored by big ship cruise itineraries. With your yacht at anchor, you will disembark by Zodiac in Komiza, the oldest fishing port in the Adriatic, to spend a pleasant moment in a charming setting. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, you will set off on foot or by bike to explore the port, its old fishermen’s houses in cut stone, its small market stalls or cafe terraces and get a taste of the gentle way of life that reigns here.

The ballet of the fishing boats is a reminder of the city’s essential activity and its strong connection to the sea. A few minutes from there, let yourself be tempted by a dip next to a pretty pebble beach. Opposite the turquoise water stands Our Lady of Pirates, a stunning church that shelters the oldest organ in Dalmatia. You can also enjoy an included experience, such as diving near the shipwrecks from the Second World War or visiting the island in a 4x4 vehicle up to Vis, discovering its singular history.

Cruise to Vis Port. While Le Ponant sails, a guide-lecturer will recount the island’s rich and eventful history, particularly during the Second World War. Your yacht will moor sheltered from the magnificent bay of the port of Vis. In the sea pool set up near the marina platform, you will enjoy a moment of surreal swimming. You can disembark by Zodiac to the port and discover the beauty of this preserved haven, which has been timidly open to tourism since 1990, after Croatia gained its independence. Fall under the spell of its historical heritage, which includes Roman ruins and Venetian architecture. Simplicity and authenticity are the watchwords of this rural territory, which is geared towards organic agriculture as well as responsible viticulture and fishing.

Sail to the popular island of Hvar, for a day in Stari Grad, an intimate port of call that is off the beaten track. Let your feelings guide you and discover this pretty city located at the end of a fertile plain, planted with vines and olive groves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The organisation of its parcels, marked out by dry stone walls that punctuate the landscape, goes back to ancient times. Wander around the small streets at your leisure, discovering the town’s pretty boutiques and gourmet restaurants. 

The stunning port of Pucisca, located on the northern coast of the island of Brac, appears at the end of a deep fjord. Le Ponant will drop anchor in the bay, and the sea pool will invite you for a delicious dip. An adapted all-terrain vehicle awaits you on shore for a morning spent exploring the island and its cultural riches. In the cradle of an ancestral stone-cutting tradition, there will be a fine encounter with a craftsman and renowned artist, Josip Radic, who makes reduced-scale models of religious buildings out of stone. You will take small roads and isolated paths through vines, and enjoy exceptional natural panoramas, such as the steep hillsides finishing their trajectory down on the shores of the Adriatic. 

Spend the morning in Sipan, a discreet island in the Elaphites archipelago and a picturesque fishing port where time seems to stand still. Let yourself fall under the spell of this naturally wooded beautiful oasis and its sun-soaked hillsides. Nicknamed the “golden island” for its fertile land, it is covered in vines as well as olive, almond, lemon and orange trees. In this authentic natural setting, you will enjoy the charm of one its beaches, sheltered from the world, for a moment of swimming. In the afternoon, we cruise to Dubrovnik where we spend the afternoon and evening.

The long walls of the fortified city of Kotor unfurl before your eyes as you admire this medieval construction enclosed between the sea and the rugged cliffs from the decks of your ship. The still, deep waters of the bay plus the clouds of mist floating here and there create a surreal and magical atmosphere. Small islands with churches and fortresses built on them remind us that a proud maritime people has lived here for centuries, in this bay that forms a perfect natural harbour, used by sailors since ancient times. At the crossroads of Latin and Byzantine cultures, you will have the pleasure of observing the natural treasures of Montenegro during an unforgettable journey. Spend the afternoon in Tivat. Much of Tivat’s elegance comes from the beauty of its marina, Porto Montenegro, which attracts many influential personalities. The port’s promenade, emphasised by its line of palm trees facing the mountains of the Bay of Kotor, really is a setting with unique charm. Built in the 14th century, the town was successively governed by the Venetians and the Austro-Hungarians before the creation of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia following the First World War. Today, Montenegro's most prosperous city welcomes visitors, in particular to visit its old town or take a walk along its magnificent beaches.

Disembark at 08.00 after breakfast