Passage through the Balkans - An Exploration of Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro & Albania

Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the MS Monet and embark. Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner as we sail this evening.

From our berth in Koper we drive to Piran, one of the most photogenic cities in the Mediterranean. Influenced by the Venetian Republic, which left its mark on most Istrian towns, Piran has maintained the clustered Medieval structure of narrow winding streets, houses huddled close together and numerous squares and churches. Tartini Square is the gem found in the very centre of the city and is named after the violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini. After lunch on board, enjoy some time at leisure in Koper. Maybe visit Tito Square, the impressive Praetorian Palace or the 11th century cathedral.

Arrive in Croatia at the atmospheric town of Rovinj where the houses inside the old town are small and lean into each other creating a unique atmosphere. Leaving the town this morning we travel to the tip of the Istrian Peninsula and the former Roman settlement of Polensium, now known as Pula. Here we will discover one of the best preserved Roman amphitheatres left in the world. The Arena, built in the 1st century AD was designed to host gladiatorial contests with seating for up to 20,000 spectators. After lunch on board an afternoon walking tour of Rovinj will include the Franciscan Monastery, City Palace and the 17th century clock tower before we visit the town’s main landmark, St Euphemia Church, which is built on the top of a small hill. This Baroque building built in Venetian style was dedicated to the saint and martyr whose sarcophagus, according to a legend, was miraculously washed ashore somewhere around 800 AD.

Once a dominant city on the Adriatic coast rivalling Venice, Zadar is today a treasured city that has preserved its historical core. During our guided walking tour we will stroll around the old town with its Roman columns and portals, Romanesque churches and Renaissance and Baroque palaces. Of particular interest are the 9th century circular Church of St Donat and the 13th century Romanesque cathedral. Return to the ship for lunch and some free time before we sail in the late afternoon.

Today we cross the border into Bosnia-Herzegovina for our visit to Mostar. In the 15th century, Mostar became a thriving centre on the banks of the emerald Neretva River under the Ottoman Turks. Damaged by the military conflict in the 1990s, the town has been carefully restored by UNESCO and declared a World Heritage Site. Admire the ethereally graceful Stari Most (‘The Old Bridge’), originally built in 1566, the nearby Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque and an old Turkish house, among other sites. You may also wish to explore the old bazaar independently, a haven for the city’s artists and craftsmen.

Spend the morning at sea as we arrive in Montenegro at lunchtime. From our berth we drive the short distance to the ruins of Old Bar which was built in the hills to protect its residents from attack yet was still subject to invasion from the Venetians, Serbians and Ottoman Empire. Enter via the 11th century city gates and as we wander through the citadel we can see the Ottoman bathhouse, the 17th century aqueduct plus the remains of a Franciscan Monastery and cathedral which were converted to mosques by the Turks. Alternatively remain in the new town, take a stroll on the seaside promenade and visit the elegant Palace of King Nikola built facing the water in 1885. Today, it houses a collection of antiquities, folk costumes and royal furniture whilst the shady gardens contain plants cultivated from seeds and cuttings collected from around the world by Montenegro’s sailors.

Arrive in Albania at the coastal city of Durres which was colonised by the Greeks in 627 BC and still has the remains of a 15,000 seat amphitheatre, the second largest in the Balkans. This morning we will head inland to Tirana where we will see the fascinating nuclear bunker built by the dictator Enver Hoxha in the 1970s and only recently opened to the public. This underground building is packed with original artefacts from the communist period. Afterwards continue walking through the city centre to see the mosque, Clock Tower and the “Blloku” area of the city. After lunch at a local farm we return to Durres to visit the Medieval city and the Archaeological Museum before sailing this evening.

Be on deck this morning as we enter the Gulf of Kotor and sail up the fjord-like entrance to the Medieval town and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor. This really is an extraordinary place full of marvellous architecture and pretty town squares. Our walk will include the 12th century Cathedral of St Tryphon, the ancient town gates, the Maritime Museum and Romanesque churches including St Luke’s. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy the afternoon exploring at your own pace. Those feeling active may wish to take the strenuous climb to the Castle of San Giovanni which offers wonderful views over the bay and town below.

Check out after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our return scheduled flight to London.

Itineraries are subject to change.