Page 12 - Explore Spring Summer 2019

By mid- to late afternoon you arrive at your evening’s
destination. Most stops, such as Split, Dubrovnik and the
islands of Hvar and Korčula, include a city walking tour where
you can gain first-hand insight into the region’s history from a
local guide. Other less populated islands such as Vis and Mljet
allow you to get back to nature and experience a quieter pace
of life. In general, the evenings are yours to further explore the
enchanting alleyways of these romantic little towns, immerse
yourself in local culture and indulge in the cuisine and wines
unique to each area.
One of the beauties of small-ship cruising is that the vessels
can drop anchor right in the heart of the port towns you visit.
This means no uncomfortable commuting from ship to shore via
tenders – you can simply step on or off the boat as you please.
The ports can be busy so often your boat will be tethered to
several others, sometimes stretching out five to ten boats
wide. This means crossing from boat to boat as you make your
way to and from shore which may require some focus and
concentration, especially if you have indulged in some late-
night cocktails or local liqueurs during your evening ashore.
Evenings on board are a nice time to relax with fellow travellers,
enjoying a drink in the salon or on the rear deck before retiring
to your cabin. All vessels have an evening curfew for noise so
while the air may carry the sounds of music and revelry from
the port, it is not excessive. By the time your week has come
to an end you will be leaving the ship feeling both relaxed and
invigorated, savouring memories of magical places visited,
farewelling new friends and most certainly contemplating when
you can return to enjoy the delights of this spectacular country.

10 HELLOWORLD TRAVEL : EXPLORE : SPRING/SUMMER EDITION