The details of the southern cruise | Meridian Tours, family travel agency organizing small ship cruises in the Adriatic

Day 1: Welcome Aboard & Off to the Island of Brač

The adventure begins at the dock, where the sleek silhouette of your yacht awaits you. As soon as you arrive, the crew extends a warm and personalized welcome. While you explore the teak decks and the ship’s elegant design, your luggage is carefully delivered directly to your cabin.

In the late afternoon, the yacht quietly comes to life, casts off, and glides across the azure waters, setting course for Pučišća, a hidden gem on the island of Brač.

After you’ve settled in and enjoyed the first views of the sea, all passengers gather in the salon for the traditional welcome cocktail. This convivial moment is the perfect opportunity for the official introduction of the captain and his crew, who will ensure your comfort throughout your stay. A toast is raised to the journey ahead, just before everyone sits down for the very first dinner of the cruise.

Day 2: The Splendors of the Makarska Riviera & The Mysteries of Korčula

Wake up gently to the sight of the sea.

Sitting comfortably on the Sun Deck, you can enjoy your breakfast whilst taking in one of Croatia’s most impressive panoramic views: the Makarska Riviera.

This magnificent setting stretches out with turquoise waters on one side and, on the other, the monumental cliffs of Biokovo, the highest coastal mountain range in the Mediterranean (1,762 m).

In the morning, the yacht docks in Makarska. You are free to go ashore for a stroll along the quay, shaded by the natural canopy of pine trees.

Your guide is entirely at your disposal to lead you to the most beautiful viewpoints and reveal the secrets of this stopover.

After lunch served on board, the anchor is weighed.

The yacht resumes its exclusive cruise, offering breathtaking views of the islands of Hvar and Brač, before setting course southwards towards the magnificent medieval town of Korčula. Nicknamed ‘Little Dubrovnik’, the old town of Korčula stands proudly on its peninsula, protected by its mighty towers and 14th-century ramparts.

Upon arrival, your local English-speaking guide will welcome you for an immersive walking tour (with audio guides). You’ll pass through the majestic Revelin Tower to enter this open-air museum. As you wander through the marble-paved alleyways, you’ll discover St Mark’s Cathedral and the birthplace of the famous explorer Marco Polo.

The evening is free to savour the magic of this walled town, whilst the yacht remains moored for an overnight stopover.

Day 3: The Jewel of the Elaphiti Islands & The Magic of Dubrovnik

Breakfast on board kicks off this new day full of wonder. During the morning, your yacht glides peacefully past the Elaphiti Islands.

Lopud, Koločep and Šipan pass before your eyes, offering a spectacle of wild coves, fragrant pine forests and timeless fishing villages.

After lunch served with a view of the deep blue sea, the yacht drops anchor in the harbour of Gruž. A private coach transfer takes you in just a few minutes to the gates of Dubrovnik, the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’.

Upon arrival, your local English-speaking guide will introduce you to this thousand-year-old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During an exclusive walking tour, you’ll stroll along the famous Stradun, the majestic white marble thoroughfare. From the Luza Palace to the Clock Tower, every stone tells a poignant and glorious story. After an intimate tour of the Dominican Monastery, the Old Town is all yours.

Take the time to wander through the maze of its medieval alleyways, enjoy a coffee on a terrace or admire the sunset from the city walls.

The yacht will remain moored for an overnight stop in Dubrovnik, allowing you to savour the magic of the city all lit up.

Day 4: The Mljet Odyssey & The Captain’s Evening

Today, the journey takes on a legendary air. Early in the morning, whilst you enjoy your breakfast on board, the yacht sets sail for Mljet. More densely wooded than any of its neighbours, this wild island with its deeply indented coastline is none other than the mythical Ogygia from the Odyssey, where the nymph Calypso held Odysseus captive with her charms for seven years.

On arrival, the gates of Mljet National Park open before you. A true delight for the senses, the park envelops you in the song of cicadas and the wild scents of pine, cypress and lavender. Accompanied by your guide, a shaded path leads you to two spectacular saltwater lakes connected to the sea by a secret channel.

You will then board a small local boat to glide across the calm waters of the Great Lake to the islet of Sainte-Marie. On this timeless patch of land stands a majestic 12th-century Benedictine monastery, which has become the park’s defining symbol. It is in this exceptional setting, amidst the former monastic buildings that have now been converted, that your lunch will be served.

After a peaceful return to your yacht and a relaxing afternoon, the evening takes on an air of elegance. Tonight, the mood is festive for the traditional and much-anticipated Captain’s Dinner. A gourmet meal and a warm atmosphere will celebrate this wonderful leg of the journey, before a peaceful night at anchor off the island of Mljet.

Day 5: The Secrets of Hvar & Dalmatian Flavours

Breakfast on board heralds a gentle morning of exclusive cruising. Your yacht glides across the shimmering waters of the Adriatic towards Jelsa, a haven of peace nestled on the north coast of the island of Hvar.

After a delicious lunch served overlooking the sea, you disembark in the early afternoon. A private coach takes you through the island scenery to the famous town of Hvar. Nicknamed the ‘local Saint-Tropez’, this highly sought-after seaside resort winds its way around a spectacular bay, sheltered by the Pakleni Islands and dominated by a majestic Venetian fortress.

Accompanied by your guide, you’ll delve into the history of this city of art and culture.

Your walk takes you to the vast Saint-Étienne Square, the beating heart of the town, before you explore a maze of cobbled streets that wind their way up to the medieval ramparts. You’ll discover Gothic and Renaissance palaces, the old Arsenal and the magnificent cathedral. Hvar also reveals its most precious gem: its Municipal Theatre, founded in 1612, one of the very first in Europe.

On the way back to Jelsa, the island’s authentic character is revealed during a deeply personal stop.

A local family will welcome you into their home for a moment of simple, shared hospitality. Around their table, you’ll enjoy a convivial tasting of their own artisanal produce: wines they’ve made themselves, homemade liqueurs and their olive oil.

The day draws to a gentle close in Jelsa, where your yacht is moored for a peaceful overnight stay, far from the hustle and bustle of the town.

Day 6: The Spirit of Brač, Between Zlatni Rat and Charming Villages

The morning gets off to a gentle start with breakfast on board, as your yacht sets off on a scenic cruise along the stunning island of Brač.

The yacht glides past Bol, a former village of winegrowers and sailors now renowned for its picturesque Dalmatian alleyways and beaches of fine white pebbles. It is here that the famous Zlatni Rat headland, the Golden Horn, unfolds – a spectacular beach whose shape changes with the sea currents.

Lunch is served on board with views of the coastal scenery.

To make the most of your morning, your tour guide will offer you an optional excursion to discover the island’s hidden treasures:

You’ll temporarily leave the yacht to climb to the peaks of Brač and discover the island’s magnificent inland landscapes. Your first stop takes you to the summit of Vidova Gora (778 m), the highest point in the Adriatic islands, which offers a breathtaking panorama of the sea and the neighbouring island of Hvar. You’ll continue on to Škrip, a timeless village with just 200 inhabitants. As the island’s oldest settlement, with 5,000 years of history, Škrip reveals its rich Illyrian and Roman past during an intimate tour of its archaeological and ethnographic museum.

At the end of the day, your yacht will set course for Milna. This perfectly sheltered natural harbour is a typical Mediterranean haven of peace, with its cut-stone houses and fishing boats.

It is in this authentic and peaceful setting that your yacht will drop anchor for a peaceful overnight stop.

Day 7: Diocletian’s Palace & The Heart of Split

The final morning of sailing begins with a delicious breakfast on board, as the yacht glides serenely towards Split, the vibrant capital of Dalmatia and the largest city on the Adriatic coast.

Split’s history spans more than seventeen centuries, beginning with the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s decision to build a monumental palace on this peninsula to spend his twilight years. Over time, this grandiose palace has been transformed into the heart of a fascinating city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

Late in the morning, you’ll set off on a guided walking tour with your local English-speaking guide. Nestled between the sea and the mountains, Split reveals a unique character.

You’ll step back in time as you explore the Palace’s impressive underground passages, the Temple of Jupiter, and St Domnius’s Cathedral, an architectural masterpiece blending Romanesque art, Gothic sculptures and Baroque paintings.

Following these fascinating discoveries, lunch awaits you on board your yacht.

The afternoon is entirely at your leisure to continue exploring at your own pace. You can stroll along the famous Riva, lose yourself in the maze of Roman alleyways or go shopping in the local boutiques.

For your final evening, the yacht will spend the night moored in Split or sail to the charming pirate town of Omiš.

JDay 8: Farewell to the Adriatic

Your journey draws to a close this morning. You’ll enjoy one last breakfast on board, lulled by the glistening water and memories of the week’s wonderful ports of call.

You’ll disembark this morning. It’s time to say goodbye to the captain and his crew before stepping onto dry land for your return journey, your mind still filled with the magic of the Dalmatian coast.