Under Sail - The Dalmatian Coast to Greece

We boarded the yacht Panorama in Dubrovnik, Croatia and set sail on our National Geographic expedition along the Dalmatian Coast to Greece. There are many exciting excursions planned for this 12 day adventure that will provide a full-sensory immersion in Greek and Adriatic cultures.

What we'll be doing, (from the NG itinerary):

Hvar
Hvar is known as one of the most attractive and lively of Croatia’s historic Venetian towns. A walking tour takes us through the Franciscan monastery, the stunning main street arsenal and the oldest active theater in Croatia. We’ll remain in Hvar into the mid-afternoon so you can have lunch in town or opt for a swim. We then set sail southward.

Sibenik/Krka National Park
The small port of Sibenik boasts a spectacular entrance and its own World Heritage Site. We’ll visit the great cathedral of St. Jakov, containing a remarkable frieze decorated with 71 sculptured faces. Outside of town, we’ll spend a day amid remarkable waterfalls, cliffs and boardwalks of Krka National Park, which includes an historic sugar mill. Late afternoon we’ll depart through the Sibenik Channel and set sail south.

Korcula
Dock along the 13th-century walls of the island port of Korcula, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in the Balkans. Visit the town's sites, including the house believed by some to be Marco Polo's birthplace; enjoy free time to take in Korcula's cafés and waterfront; and see a spectacular performance of the traditional Moreska sword dance.

Dubrovnik, Croatia
Under UNESCO’s protection, Dubrovnik is regarded as the best-preserved medieval town in the world. Unlike most ships, we will actually anchor off the city walls and land in the heart of the Old Town. Here we stroll marble-paved streets to the 15th-century Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan Monastery. We can take a walk on the ramparts, then explore this magical city. We remain anchored for the evening, so you might opt for dinner on your own or an after dinner stroll through town.

Kotor, Montenegro
Sail into the magnificent fjord-like Gulf of Kotor, backed by soaring mountains with sparse villages clinging to the slopes. Visit the historic town of Perast, and then take a local boat to the islet of Gospa od Skrpjela, or the Church of Our Lady of the Rock, created by local fishermen. Spend the afternoon in medieval Kotor, or join us for a drive up the 27 serpentine switchbacks to the top of the fjord for an unrivaled view.

Tiranë, Albania
From the port of Durrës, we drive to the old capital of Kruje to see the Ethnographic Museum and the Skanderbeg Museum, dedicated to Albania’s national hero. We continue to the fascinating contemporary capital of Tiranë, where we see relics from one of the longest dictatorships in Eastern Europe. We’ll visit wide-open Skanderbeg Square before a festive lunch in traditional Albanian style. We return to Durrës in the afternoon to sail northward.

Sarandë and Butrint, Albania
Today we visit the ancient city of Butrint, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its Hellenic theater, Byzantine basilica and Venetian towers lie in a beautiful lakeside setting. We continue to intriguing Sarandë with its blend of religions, cultures and landscapes. In the afternoon we’ll stop for a swim and a walk along Albania’s surprising coastline.

Ithaka
Few names elicit the intrigue and sense of adventure as Odysseus’s home of Ithaka. Today, the island remains off the beaten track, with gems of small Ionian villages. We’ll drive around the island to explore the sites that link the island to Homer’s Ithaka. In the afternoon we cruise to one of Ithaka’s delightful bays for a swim, then set sail north for Albania.

Delphi
Delphi, site of the famous Oracle and a great pilgrimage site for the ancient Greeks, was the center of worship for the god Apollo, and the ruins here are exceptional. Explore the Sanctuary of Apollo, site of the sacred Delphic Oracle, and walk along the Sacred Way. Back on board, we set sail west for a late afternoon swim stop.

Athens/Marina Zea/Embark/Corinth Canal
We arrive in Athens, and make our way to the Electra Palace Hotel, located in the shadow of the Acropolis. This afternoon we board Panorama in Marina Zea. After dinner, venture on deck to view illuminated geologic formations that are seemingly within arm’s length of the ship’s beam as we cruise through the Corinth Canal.