Adriatic in style on Silver Ray

With airport access included, you’ll start your holiday in truly relaxing style before your flight to Venice and transfer to Silversea’s latest ship – Silver Ray. Once you’ve checked into your butler-served suite, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore the ship’s myriad facilities. Perhaps indulge with a spa treatment or familiarise yourself with Silversea’s latest dining concept, S.A.L.T. – an interactive space where guests can experience local culinary culture through workshops, lectures and demonstrations.

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Having sailed overnight, you’ll arrive in the port of Opatija, Croatia’s original tourism hotspot. The city retains the same sense of allure that appealed to the aristocrats of the Austro-Hungarian empire in the early 19th century. Located on the Istrian peninsula, Opatija faces the Kvarner Gulf and is protected by the Učka mountain. This charmed location lends Opatija a superb year-round climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Lungomare promenade weaves along the coast and can easily be explored at leisure., its seven-mile walkway leads to the quaint fishing village of Volosko. Look out for Opatija’s treasured 'Maiden with a Seagull' monument as you stroll. 

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Sail on to Split, whose walled old town and iconic Diocletian’s Palace provide a spectacular backdrop to the glittering waters of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. Take the opportunity to explore the Old Town’s maze of stone streets, host to charming cafes and buzzing bars, perhaps paired with an olive oil tasting, or venture further afield with options that range from RIB boat island tours to tours of pretty Trogir or the beautiful Krka National Park.

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One of the most popular of the island escapes that dot the turquoise Adriatic, Hvar is a glorious idyll of hidden coves, blue waters and charming port towns. It has the reputation as being a party island, mainly earned from Hvar Town’s nightlife and the day-tripping yachts that drop by. Soak up the energy, exuberance and fine dining, or sidestep the hedonism to explore a richly refined, rural and historic island that is blessed with sunshine and hidden beaches.  There’s also rich Medieval history – the sleepy town of Stari Grad is said to be Croatia’s oldest, dating back to 384 BC. Elsewhere, Jelsa is a postcard perfect place – settle in for a bite to eat, with nothing but the sound of harbour waters lapping. 

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Today is a real trip highlight as you arrive into Dubrovnik – a walled city of winding limestone streets framed by enchanting baroque architecture and the Adriatic’s shimmering blue. Again, you’ll have a choice of excursions, including speedboat trips out to hidden grottos and farm-to-table food experiences featuring wine-paired gourmet dining. There’s a city tour, of course, which can be paired with a trip out to explore the city’s bucolic surrounds, while for something a little more adventurous, a buggy adventure and cable car ride blends the best in 4x4 excitement with stunning views from the summit of Srdj Hill.

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Retracing your steps north, you’ll again follow Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, this time making port in the historic city of Zadar. Here, an optional walking tour will showcase the walled old town with its myriad churches and cathedrals, while sailing trips and guided hikes offer the chance to explore both countryside and coast. The Paklenica National Park is a special highlight for its walking trails and viewpoints, as is the Zadar Archipelago, where pretty islands framed by gorgeous beaches pave the way for sunbathing and refreshing dips in the Adriatic Sea. 

Stay: Silver Ray 

Your penultimate port is Trieste in Italy. This fascinating town has its own culture and dialect, distinct from the rest of Italy. And, that’s perhaps of no surprise, given its isolation from the rest of the Italian peninsula. Surrounded almost entirely by Slovenia, this once-great port of the Habsburg Empire is today a delightful mix of neo-classical and art nouveau architecture framing a harbour host to shiny yachts and flanked by a sweeping promenade. You’ll have the opportunity to explore it all with an introductory tour, or pair the city sights with a wine tasting experience, cave visit or tour of a local castle.

Stay: Silver Ray