June
Monday 04                   Auckland - Singapore – Milan
Depart Auckland on Singapore Airlines. Change planes at Singapore.

Tues 05                        Milan B D
Arrive in Milan early morning for an over night stay. Day free to rest or explore the city. The welcome dinner this evening is at the hotel

Wed 06                        Milan – Bolzano B D
This morning we have a half-day city tour of Milan including an hour’s walking tour of central Milan. Leonardo de Vinci’s masterpiece – ‘The Last Supper’, the Duomo and La Scala.
After lunch travel by coach through changing countryside to Bolzano, the gateway to the Dolomites for a three night stay. This bilingual capital city of South Tyrol is a commercial and tourist centre with a rich history of the Italian and German cultures blending well

Thurs 07                       Bolzano B L
We start our morning city tour with a visit to the fascinating Otzi Museum - home of the ‘Iceman’ – a Neolithic Man discovered in 1991 who lived 5000 years ago. Continue the walking tour of this lovely town, followed by a cable car into the mountains for a train ride and lunch. Return to Bolzano in your own time

Fri 08                           Bolzano B
A free day to explore the local area. Options include hiring a bike to follow the many trails in and around the town, shop, take a bus up the valley into nearby villages or just relax in the hotel garden

Sat 09                          Bolzano – Mantova B L D
Our coach journey today takes us through villages, vineyards and orchards to Mantova. There will be time to explore this town of artistic and architectural delights.
Board the ‘Ave Maria’ and settle in for the next seven nights.

Sun 10                      Mantova - Governolo (50km cycle) - Zelo B L D
Set sail to Governolo (stronghold of the Mincio Pirates) for the first day of the ride, following the River Po to the village of Ostiglia, with the ruins of a medieval fortress. Subsequently ride to Bergantino and enjoy a tasting session at a cheese factory before continuing along ‘Canal Bianco’ to reach Zelo.

Mon 11                     Zelo (50km cycle) - Ferrara (bus) – Adria B L D
After breakfast, cycle to Ferrara (still surrounded by the old city walls) and a special lunch. From Ferrara a short bus transfer will bring you to Adria, an ancient Greek port famous for trading amber from the Baltic.

Tues 12                  Adria (35km cycle) - Porto Viro (20km cycle) –                                 Albarella B L D
The boat will take you to Porto Viro, from where you will start the ride into the maze of the Po Delta, a natural paradise between marshes and lagoons of the Po. The destination is Albarella, a private island of Ancient traditions.

Wed 13                    Albarella (40km cycle) – Chioggia B L D
Today you will be suspended between water and land as you pedal between the Po Delta and the month of the River Adige, following the Po-Brondolo waterway which links the river to the Venetian lagoon. A visit to the fish market at dawn is an absolute ‘must’. Chioggia is the largest city in the lagoon after Venice

Thurs 14                   Chioggia (30km cycle) – Venice B L D
The boat travels to the nature reserve of Ca’ Roman, a sandy islet surrounded by pinewoods. Pedalling along the lagoon you reach Pellestrina: From here via the cycle path, you reach the ferry landing where a short boat ride takes you via Malamocco, the ancient harbour of Venice, for an overnight stay on the Island of Giudecca - not far from St. Mark’s square with an amazing view of the lagoon.

Fri 15                           Venice B D
After waking up to a wonderful view of the lagoon, you have the whole day to discover the magnificent historical city – Venice. Catch a Vaporetto from Redentore (close by Ave Maria’s docking place) to San Marco Square or anywhere in Venice.

Sat 16                          Venice - Anacona - over night ferry B
Transfer by Vaporetto  to the coach park for the coach journey down the coast of Italy to Anacona where we join an overnight ferry to Split in Croatia

Sun 17                         Split – Dubrovnik - Join ‘San Snova’ B L D

An early morning breakfast on board the ferry before disembarking in Split. Travel by coach down the beautiful Croatian coast to Dubrovnik, arriving at approximately 1pm. Board our private boat ‘San Snova.’  After lunch your guide will show you Dubrovnik with time to explore the Old Town.

Mon 18                      Slano – Ston – Peljesac Peninsular –   Korčula (30km cycle) B L D
After a morning cruise, your first cycle ride will lead you to Slano, NW of Dubrovnik. Continue through idyllic landscapes to the walled, medieval village of Ston and onto Prapratno on the Peljesac Peninsular. Later sail to the island of Korčula with rest of the day free to wander.

Tues 19                        Korčula (cycle 55km) B L D
Today we explore the beautiful Adriatic Island by bicycle – known for its peacefulness, luscious gardens and large cypresses. Cycle the coastal road to Blato - a town built on seven hills; Smokvicka which along with Venice claims to be the birth place of Marco Polo. The boat will remain overnight in the beautiful harbour Vela Luka.

Wed 20                        Korčula – Vis – Hvar (cycle 32km) B L D
Sail to Vis – an island of beautiful coves, some with 100m high vertical cliffs rising from the sea. The island of Vis was a military base in ex Yugoslavia and Tito’s shelter and is one the most untouched island of Croatia. Later sail to the island of Hvar and the town of Hvar where a walking sightseeing tour will provide a very interesting afternoon.

Thurs 21                       Hvar (20km + 25km) B L D
Cycle almost car-free roads to Stari Grad – the oldest settlement of the island of Hvar, bike through Starigrad Plain - UNESCO World Heritage site - the largest and most fertile plain on all of Adriatic islands. The vineyards and olive groves have remained practically intact since it was first colonised by the ancient Greeks.
 
Fri 22                           Solta – Trogir (19km cycle) B L D
Sail to the island of Solta and cycle from Stomorska to Maslinica passing through charming villages and fields of lavender, rosemary and sage for your final cycle ride. Later sail to the UNESCO old town of Trogir.

Sat 23                          Trogir – Split B D
Disembark ‘San Snova’ after breakfast. Enjoy a guided walking tour of Trogir, a town with 2300 years of tradition, a UNESCO town since 1997 and known as ‘Stone Beauty.’
Travel on to Split where a city tour is included before checking into your hotel for a two-night stay.

Sun 24                         Split B D
Today we begin with a walking tour of this ancient UNESCO city with its wonderful harbour promenade and 1700 year old Diocletian Palace. The afternoon is free to enjoy the harbour and promenade area. Farewell Dinner tonight.

Mon 25                         Split – London - Auckland
Today we have a morning flight to London and then connect to a Singapore Airlines flight to Auckland.

Wed 27                        Arrive Auckland

* An extended stay in Croatia, UK, Europe is available. Please ask