Italy/Croatia
Voyage Through History: Discover the Adriatic on Sea Cloud II
Program No. 25379RJ
Sail the Adriatic on this Floating Campus voyage, exploring Venice, Ravenna, Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik. Discover art, history and culture aboard a romantic tall ship.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
22 meals (
8B, 6L, 8D
)
6 expert-led lectures
6 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
8 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
In Transit to Program
Location:
In Flight
Day
2
Arrive Venice, Italy, Embark Ship, Orientation
Location:
Venice
Meals:
D
Stay:
Sea Cloud II
Afternoon:
Ride to port and board the ship. After completing boarding procedures and getting your cabin, take some time to unpack, freshen up, and relax and start becoming familiar with the ship. There will be a mandatory passenger briefing and safety drill. Please note that your departure is part of our Floating Campus programs. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice. Later in the afternoon we will have an Orientation. Your Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions.
Dinner:
Aboard Ship, wine & beer available with dinner. Other drinks including premium alcohol available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure. Get to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
3
Venice,Italy- Venice Discovery
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sea Cloud II
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps up/down. Walking distances up to 3 miles on uneven terrain and cobblestones, standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will step off the ship and explore St. Mark’s Square with a local expert, the largest public space in the city, called the "drawing room of Europe" in the 19th century. It is also one of the most impressive public squares anywhere with the Basilica di San Marco (Basilica of St. Mark), Campanile (bell tower), and Palazzo Ducale (Ducal Palace), commonly called the Doge’s Palace.
Lunch:
Aboard ship. Lunch is served as a buffet on the lido deck or in the restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time to enjoy the amenities onboard the ship. The ship is scheduled to depart Venice at 1:30 p.m. on our journey to Ravenna. Take the opportunity to enjoy the scenery as we sail away from Venice along the Giudecca Canal. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars.
Day
4
Ravenna, Italy-Ravenna Mosaics
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sea Cloud II
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps up/down. Walking distances up to 3 miles, standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach and head out to explore Ravenna with a local expert. Ravenna, once a lagoon city and important naval base, is now located around nine kilometers (5.5 miles) inland from the Adriatic Sea. Its main heyday was between the 5th and 7th centuries when it was the capital of the Western Roman Empire. It was in this period that the most important early Christian and Byzantine religious buildings were constructed, as well as the delightful mosaics which, like large parts of Ravenna, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore Ravenna on your own. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars. The ship is scheduled to depart Ravenna at 7:00 p.m. on our journey to Zadar, Croatia.
Day
5
Day At Sea, Road Scholar Lecture, Independent Activities
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sea Cloud II
Activity Note
Full day at sea
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will gather with our lecturer for a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. Later in the afternoon, we will gather with our lecturer for a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars.
Day
6
Zadar, Croatia-Walking Discovery
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sea Cloud II
Activity Note
Walking distances up to 3 miles, standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
This morning, we will head off on a walking discovery of Zadar with a local expert. The historical quarter is separated from the new town on a peninsula in the blue of the Adriatic Sea. Step through one of the Venetian gates, and enjoy a walk right through the 3,000-year history of the old fortified city. Passing the Square of the Five Fountains and the Roman Forum, reach the landmark of Zadar, the Donatus Church with its pre-Romanesque and Byzantine elements. We will end our walk at the sea organ and the installation Greetings to the Sun.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to enjoy the amenities onboard the ship. The ship is scheduled to depart Zadar at 1:30 p.m. on our journey to Split. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars.
Day
7
Split, Croatia-Walking Discovery
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sea Cloud II
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps up/down. Walking distances up to 3 miles, standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will board our motorcoach for a short drive to Split. Upon arrival, we will start with an expert-led walking exploration of the city of Split. We will begin at Diocletian’s Palace, a palace and fortress built by Roman Emperor Diocletian shortly after abdicating his throne at the turn of the 4th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, this palace is considered one of the most significant monuments of the Roman Era. It’s remains lie on what is considered the old town of Split. After our visit, we will continue our exploration of the old town by visiting the Peristyle, the Cathedral, and some of the majestic statues of Ivan Mestrovic – the greatest Croatian sculptor of the 20th century.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore Split on your own. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars. The ship is scheduled to depart Split at 7:00 p.m. on our journey to Hvar, Croatia.
Day
8
Hvar, Croatia- Old Town Discovery
Location:
At Sea
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Sea Cloud II
Activity Note
Walking distances up to 3 miles, standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Following the decline of the Roman Empire, Hvar Town — a center of Adriatic civilization and trade for thousands of years — was besieged by pirates. Hvar’s people sought protection from the Venetians, resulting in a new era of prosperity that enriched its cultural heritage. Today, we will see ancient walls, Gothic palaces, and stone paved streets. Led by a local expert, we will walk to the Arsenal – described by the Venetians as “the most beautiful and the most useful building in the whole of Dalmatia” – that includes the first theater in the western world open to all classes (built in 1612). We’ll continue across the old town square, the largest in Dalmatia, to St. Stephen’s Cathedral, completed in the 18th Century on a 6th Century church site, followed by the Franciscan monastery.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore Hvar on your own.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars. The ship is scheduled to depart Hvar at 7:00 p.m. on our journey to Dubrovnik Croatia. Prepare for disembarkation from the ship tomorrow.
Day
9
Dubrovnik, Croatia-Disembark Ship,Old Town Discovery
Location:
Dubrovnik
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach with 2-4 steps up/down. Walking distances up to 3 miles, standing up to 2 hours.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
This morning we will disembark the ship and take a short drive to the Old Town of Dubrovnik for a walking field trip with a local expert. Surrounded by its famous city walls, Dubrovnik is a city where culture and history thrive harmoniously with modern life. Originally known as Ragusa, the city dates back to the 7th century when it was founded by refugees from Epidaurum (modern day Cavtat). During its long history, the town has been under the control or influence of multiple empires, and even ruled itself as a free state between the 14th and 19th centuries. The city has always been associated to prosperity and affluence due to its role in maritime trade, and is also considered a cradle of diplomacy and Croatian literature.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
We will board our motorcoach and ride to the hotel to check in. Free time to enjoy the hotel and its surroundings for the rest of the afternoon. We will gather for a farewell meeting at the hotel.
Dinner:
Farewell dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check out and departure tomorrow morning.
Day
10
Program Concludes
Location:
Dubrovnik
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check out 12:00 p.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
