Pre-Tour Day 1: Tuesday, October 10, 2023: DEPARTURE

• We depart the United States on our overnight flight to Zagreb, Croatia.

Pre-Tour Day 2: Wednesday, October 11, 2023: WELCOME TO CROATIA!

• Dobrodošli u Croatia - Welcome to Croatia! Upon arrival in Zagreb, we transfer to our hotel to check in and freshen up. (Transfer included for those arriving today).
• In the late afternoon, we set out to learn about Zagreb's Jewish community, founded in 1806. The Jewish community of Zagreb were Ashkenazi Neologs, with a small orthodox group, which in two periods, had their own community (1879-1906 and 1926-1941). It accepted Sephardi from Bosnia, who also had their own community from 1927-1941. Zagreb was the center of the Zionist movement. In 1992, the Zagreb community initiated a gathering of Jewish communities in Croatia, and in 1995, the Coordination Committee of Jewish Communities in Croatia was founded. It is the largest active Jewish community in Croatia with 1,100 members, a synagogue, Jewish kindergarten, old age home “Lavoslav Schwarz” and a Jewish museum. On our tour, we visit the synagogue and museum.
• This evening, we gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, with a short performance by Yale Strom and Elizabeth Schwartz setting the musical tone for our journey.

Overnight in Zagreb

Pre-Tour Day 3: Thursday, October 12, 2023: RIJEKA

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• This morning, we begin with a visit to the Mirogoj cemetery, established in 1876. The Jewish section opened two years later and once had several separate areas for Ashkenazic Neologs, Sephardic and Orthodox Jews.
• We travel towards Kvarner Bay to the seaport city of Rijeka. A Jewish presence in Rijeka dates from the 15th century with a Jewish community formally established in 1781. Today, the Jewish community has over 100 members, most of them of an older generation.
• Upon arrival, we enjoy free time for lunch on our own in the port area.
• This afternoon, we visit the site of the former Rijeka Synagogue, destroyed by the Nazis in 1944. Today, there stands a modern looking building that houses the Jewish community in the area. We also view the Jewish section of the Kozala Municipal Cemetery, with over 500 monuments and a historic landmark status.
• We check into our hotel and refresh before we enjoy a performance by Yale, Elizabeth and local musicians, followed by dinner on own.

Overnight in Rijeka

Pre-Tour Day 4: Friday, October 13, 2023: ZADAR & SPLIT

• Breakfast and check out of our hotel.
• We depart on a scenic ride south inland and then along the coast to Zadar. Upon arrival, our guide will take us on a tour of the historical center, a compact pedestrian zone perfect for exploring on foot. Along the way, we see the city walls and listen to the symphony of the (Zadar Sea) organ to hear how the action and flow of the waves can be turned into a pleasant sound resembling those of an organ.
• Free time for lunch on our own.
• We continue to the port city of Split and check into our hotel.
• This evening, we enjoy Shabbat dinner with the local Jewish community.

Those joining the cruise only depart the United States for Split this evening.

Overnight in Split

Pre-Day 5/Cruise Day 1: Saturday, October 14, 2023: DISCOVERING SPLIT/ALL ABOARD

• Breakfast at our hotel.
• Morning at leisure for those on the pre-tour, then we transfer to the port for embarkation. Those arriving in Split today will be transferred to the port as well.
• We meet aboard our ship, then begin touring.
• We explore Split, home to an ancient Jewish community with evidence of Jews living close to the area in what was called Salona in Roman times, now called Solin. It is presumed that Jews took refuge within the walls of the Diocletian's Palace in the 7th century. Over the centuries, many of them were buried in the cemetery on the eastern part of Marjan Hill, where you can find over 700 tombstones, many engraved with Sephardic scripture.
• Next, we visit Split's central synagogue dating back to the 16th century, found on Zidovski Prolaz (literally “Jewish Passage”), a small street in the northwestern part of Diocletian's Palace.
• We enjoy a musical Havdallah on the ship.
• We check in and settle into our cabins, then join together as one group for an orientation, welcome reception and dinner as our cruise gets under way.

Overnight aboard MS Desire (B, D)

Cruise Day 2: Sunday, October 15, 2023: TROGIR/KRKA NATIONAL PARK

• Breakfast aboard our ship.
• We begin our day with a guided tour of Split. We disembark and visit the seafront promenade and Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace. The historical center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• We reboard our ship and set sail to the old Dalmatian town of Trogir, sometimes referred to as “miniature Venice” or “mini Dubrovnik” because of its charming labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets. It is also known as a “floating museum town” as it has masterful architecture, including some stunning Venetian palaces. We enjoy lunch along the way.
• Upon arrival in Trogir, we drive by bus to visit Krka National Park, where we will discover pristine nature and waterfalls and an area extremely rich with flora and fauna. (please note the park visit will include significant walking)
• Enjoy dinner on our own, then return to the ship later tonight.

Overnight aboard MS Desire (B, L)

Cruise Day 3: Monday, October 16, 2023: Island Brac

• Breakfast aboard our ship.
• This morning, enjoy sailing towards Brac Island, stopping for a dip in the sea and lunch on board.
• We arrive in Bol and start with a short ride to an olive oil experience.
• We return to Bol and the rest of the day is free, perhaps to walk to see Zlatni Rat, also known as Golden Horn Beach. The beach's peculiar shape is due to continuous movement, a phenomenon caused by winds and sea currents. During the day, the tip of the beach can change shape and direction several times, moving first to the east and then to the west.
• Dinner on our own this evening.

Overnight aboard MS Desire (B, L)

Cruise Day 4: Tuesday, October 17, 2023: HVAR & VIS

• Breakfast aboard our ship.
• We depart Stari Grad this morning and head towards the city of Hvar, where we will set out on a sightseeing tour of the town. Our tour will include visits to the first public theater in Europe among many more historical sites.
• We continue to Vis on the northern side of the island, which was developed near the remains of ancient Issa, the first urban center in Croatia formed by the Greeks in the 4th century B.C. Here, we visit the remains of the Roman baths, Church of Our Lady and the city museum. You may also choose to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful view of Villae Rusticae situated along the coast.
• Evening at leisure in Vis.

Overnight aboard MS Desire (B, L)

Cruise Day 5: Wednesday, October 18, 2023: BIŠEVO - KORCULA

• Breakfast aboard our ship.
• We depart Vis early this morning and cruise towards Biševo Island to visit the Blue Cave, a magnificent natural phenomenon on the islet of Biševo just in front of the town of Komiža (stop is weather permitting).
• Next, we cruise towards the Korcula, the island's main settlement known as the birthplace of Marco Polo, one of the world's most famous explorers. We stop for lunch in one of the secluded bays en route.
• We arrive in Korcula this afternoon and disembark for a guided walking tour of one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean.
• Along the way, we stop to savor the flavors of Croatia's vineyards at a wine tasting and learn about the processing of the grapes grown locally.
• After our tour, set out on our own. Korcula has an abundance of restaurants to enjoy and there are numerous bars and clubs for those looking for evening entertainment.

Overnight aboard MS Desire (B, L)

Cruise Day 6: Thursday, October 19, 2023: MLJET & SLANO

• Breakfast aboard our ship.
• Today, we head further south to the Island of Mljet.
• OPTION 1: Join our Cruise Manager for a stroll to the famous salt lakes in Mljet National Park.
• OPTION 2: Rent a bike, scooter or kayak to explore the national park or island on our own.
• We meet back at the ship this afternoon for lunch and departure for a small village called Slano on the mainland. Slano is a peaceful fisherman's village and the starting point to Ston, situated on Pelješac peninsula, a fortified small village famous for its oysters. Pelješac peninsula is known as one of the best wine producing regions in Croatia.
• Tonight, we join together for a delightful Captain's dinner in the ship's dining room, accompanied by music from Yale and Elizabeth!

Overnight aboard MS Desire (B, L, CD)

Cruise Day 7: Friday, October 20, 2023: A DAY IN DUBROVNIK

• Breakfast aboard our ship.
• Early this morning, we set sail for Dubrovnik. Before we moor at port, we cruise alongside the old city walls.
• After docking, we join a guided tour with a panoramic view of the city. Upon arriving at Dubrovnik's historical old town, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, our guide will show us the most interesting sites and impart the tumultuous history of Dubrovnik's Jewish community. We visit Jewish landmarks such as the Jewish fountain, the remains of the old Jewish ghetto and the old Sephardic synagogue. This synagogue is the second oldest in Europe and is said to have been established in 1352, but gained legal status in the city in 1408.
• Our tour is completed with a visit to the Jewish Museum (pending opening hours).
• After our tour, enjoy further exploration the city on our own; take a walk on the ancient walls, a boat ride to Lokrum Island or take the cable car to the top of Mount Srd.
• Dinner on our own this evening in town.

Overnight aboard MS Desire (B, L)

Cruise Day 8: Saturday, October 21, 2023: DUBROVNIK & DEPARTURE

• Breakfast aboard our ship.
• It's time to disembark and transfer to the Dubrovnik Airport or your Dubrovnik hotel, then contact Ayelet Tours to book your next unforgettable journey!

(B)


B = Breakfast
L = Lunch
D = Dinner
CD = Captain's Dinner