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Few countries in the world offer as much geographical and natural diversity on such a small land surface as Croatia.

Stretching from the northern harbor of Rijeka to Dubrovnik in the south, Croatia’s coast is a stunning seascape of friendly locals and rare beauty.

The true highlight of Croatia is the legendary Dalmatian Coast, where pristine beaches and deep blue waters merge into the cool Mediterranean.

With approximately 1200 Islands only 66 of which are said to be inhabited, the Dalmatian Coast boasts not only the largest archipelago but also the cleanest and clearest waters in the Mediterranean region. The majority of the coastline along the eastern Adriatic Sea belongs to Croatia, with the city of Dubrovnik situated in the southernmost section of the Republic. Dubrovnik, among the unique cities of the world, is a place of ancient streets lined with stone palaces,Venetian style buildings and bell towers. It was recognized in 1979 as one of UNESCO’s “World Heritage Treasures” due to the numerous restoration projects executed over the past several centuries. Its people take pride in their uncompromising commitment to the restoration of their city at all costs. Entering Dubrovnik, you are greeted by an impressive pedestrian promenade, the Placa, which extends before you all the way to the Clock Tower and Small Onofrio Fountain at the other end of town. Just inside the city walls near the Pile Gate is the Large Onofrio Fountain a popular meeting spot for Dubrovnik’s young population. The entire perfectly preserved old town is unique for its marbled-paved squares as well as its cobbled streets, tall houses, churches, palaces, fountains and museums, all cut from the same light colored stone.

Streets and lanes are blessedly free of vehicular traffic and the human spirit prevails in a vibrant and inviting manner. Most tours to the old city begin at the ancient entrance at the Pile Gate, where you will pass through the city walls. Built between the 13th and 17th centuries, these great walls measure 6200 feet in length are 3 to 19 feet thick and encompass the entire old town. Several bastions and two great fortresses guard each approach.

Dating from the 14th century, the Franciscan Monastery has a remarkable Gothic porch with a small ornamented cloister. The monastery preserves the equipment and utensils of the third-oldest functioning pharmacy in the world. The library contains more than 30,000 volumes including 1500 manuscript, 15 illuminated choral books from the 15th and 16th centuries, and numerous works of old Croatian music.

The Adriatic Coast excels in fresh seafood dishes ranging from scampi, shellfish and Dalmatian brodet (mixed fish stewed with rice), all cooked in olive oil and served with boiled vegetables. Italian pizza and pasta are also good options on the Dalmatian Coast, costing about half of what you would pay in Western Europe. It’s customary to have a small glass of brandy before a meal and to accompany the food with one of Croatia’s fine regional wines. Croatia is also known for its plum brandies, herbal brandies, cognacs and liqueurs such as maraschino, a cherry liqueur made in Zadar. Italian-style espresso coffee is also a local favorite.

SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE IN DUBROVNIK
Today in Dubrovnik guests may use complimentary shuttle buses to reach Pile Gate. The shuttle buses will run approximately every 40 minutes from the ship beginning after at 10:00 am with the last shuttle returning to the ship at 4:00 pm. Shuttle buses are operated on a first come, first served basis and may depart earlier than scheduled if filled to full capacity. Shuttle buses are subject to unforeseen delays such as traffic. Taxis are an alternative form of transportation. No compensation is due for non-use of this complimentary service or if alternate forms of transportation are used. As this is locally operated shuttle bus services, Oceania Cruises is not responsible for any changes or delays to the shuttle schedule.

ベニスはイタリア北東部のアドリア海岸のラグーンに位置し、世界で最も美しくロマンチックで心惹かれる都市のひとつです。この真にユニークな都市にあるのは――水路、歩道、狭い通り、小さな広場が集まって迷路となり――約117か所の島、177の運河、400ほどの橋です。建物は文字どおり数百万のさおに支えられ、このさおは沼地の堆積物の中に埋められています。ラグーンを横切る4.8キロの橋がベニスと本土を結び、これはアドリア海の脅威からベニスを守る天然の防波堤です。ベニスには車やバスはなく、代わりに訪問者やベニスっ子たちは徒歩、ヴァポレット（水上バス）、個人用のモーターボート、水上タクシー、上品で伝統を守るゴンドラを利用します。 　ベニスはマルコ・ポーロや歴史的に有名なカサノバの故郷でもあります。ちなみに、カサノバはここで投獄されました。王、女王、皇帝、教皇など多くの有名な人々がベニスを訪れ、たとえば、バイロン卿、チャールズ・ディケンズ、プーシキン、マーク・トウェイン、ヘンリー・ジェイムス、アーネスト・ヘミングウェイなどは全員ベニスに滞在しました。ビバルディはコンサートマスターとしてここで働き、リチャード・ワグナーは「トリスタンとイゾルデ」を作曲した時にベニスに滞在しました。数多くの芸術家や作家は魅力的な美しさを伝えてくれます。今では観光はベニスにとって非常に重要な産業であり、続いて海運と港湾サービスです。サンマルコ広場は、ベニスの生活の中心地で、散歩したり、喫茶店の外で音楽家を聞いたり、広場のアーケードで店舗を訪ねたり、そこに集まる大量の鳩に餌をあげることもできます。 　サンマルコ広場の中央近くには、再建した鐘楼があります。元は９世紀につくられ、1902年に崩壊しました。エレベーターで登ると壮大な景色を見ることができます。時計塔は、鐘楼の反対側にあり、1499年にマウロ・コドゥッシが建築しました。ムーア人の人形２体が１時間ごとに大きな鐘を打ち鳴らします。時計塔には十二支の時計もあり、アラビア数字とローマ数字で時間を示しています。聖マルコ大聖堂は真にビザンチン建築の傑作で、建設は830年、元々はドージェの礼拝堂でした。現在の大聖堂は11世紀に建てられ、壮大なモザイク、貴重な芸術、珍しい大理石などがあります。大聖堂の隣にあるドゥカーレ宮殿は、ドージェの邸宅兼政庁であり、第一級の部屋は、壮大な議事堂で、ティントレットとヴェロネーゼが描いた絵画が入っています。嘆きの橋は、17世紀に建設されたバロック様式の石橋で、宮殿と古い刑務所を結びつけています。処刑か投獄された囚人の絶望にちなんで命名されています。大運河はベニスの主要な水路で、長さ約２マイル、約100の大理石の宮殿が並んでいで、12世紀から18世紀につくっています。 　ベニスではパスタより米のほうが人気があり、リゾットはすごく一般的です。フェガト・アッラ・ヴェネツィアーナは地元の名品です。薄い帯状に切った子牛レバーに炒めた玉ねぎとポレンタ（トウモロコシ粉の粥）を添え、これに合うのはトウモロコシやコーンミールのケーキです。魚も豊富で、パスティッチョ・ディ・ペッシェ、魚のパイを試してみてください。ベニス周辺地域では優れたワインもあります。おそらく最もよく知られている赤ワインはヴァルポリチェッラ、バルドリーノ、カベルネとメルローでしょう。

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Situated in a lagoon on Italy’s northeastern Adriatic Coast, Venice is one of the most beautiful romantic and best-loved cities in the world. This truly unique city–a maze of waterways, walkways, narrow streets and small squares– is built on approximately 117 islets, which are separated by 177 canals and spanned by some 400 bridges. The buildings are supported by literally millions of poles driven into the marshy sediment. A 3-miles (4.8-kilometer) bridge reaches across the lagoon connecting Venice to the mainland, while a narrow sandbar, the famous Lido, forms a natural breakwater that protects Venice from the force of the Adriatic Sea. There are, of course, no cars or buses in the main city and transport for visitor or Venetian alike is on foot, by vaporetto (water bus) private launch, water taxi or the traditional, graceful gondola.
Venice was the home of Marco Polo and later in history Casanova, who was imprisoned here. Many famous people have visited Venice including kings, queens, emperors and popes. Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, Puskin, Mark Twain, Henry James and Emest Hemingway, among others, all stayed in Venice. Vivaldi worked here as a concert master and Richard Wagner stayed in Venice while composing “Tristan and Isolde.” Numerous artists and writers have immortalized its charmed beauty. Today tourism is a very important industry for the city, followed by maritime and port services. Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is the center of life in Venice, a popular meeting place where visitors can stroll, listen to the musicians outside the coffee houses, browse in the shops in the Piazza’s arcades, or feed the large numbers of pigeons that congregate there.
Near the center of St. Mark’s Square is a copy of the original 9th-century bell tower, which collapsed in 1902. An elevator will take you to the top for magnificent views. The clock tower, across from the bell tower, was built in 1499 by Mauro Coducci. Giant Moors strike the hour on the great bell. There is also a zodiac clock on the tower, showing the time in Arabic and Roman numerals. St. Mark’s Basilica is truly a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Built in 830,it was originally a chapel for the Doges. The present Basilica dates from the 11th century and contains some magnificent mosaics, precious art and rare marbles. Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), situated next to the Basilica, was both the residence of the Doge and the seat of government. The finest room in the palace is the grand Council Chamber, containing paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese. The Bridge of Sighs (Ponte del Sospiri) is a baroque stone bridge built in the 17th, century connecting the Doge’s Palace with the old prisons. It was named after the despair of prisoners who were led across to be executed or incarcerated. The Grand Canal is the main waterway of Venice, approximately two miles in length, it is lined with some 100 marble palaces, built between the 12th and 18th centuries.
Rice is more popular in Venice than pasta, and risotto is quite common. Fegato alla Veneziana is a local specialty; thin strips of calves’ liver grilled with onions and served with polenta with the main accompaniment being either maize or cornmeal cakes. Fish is plentiful; try Pasticcio di Pesce, a fish pie. There are several good wines produced in the region surrounding Venice; perhaps the best-known reds are Valpolicella, Bardolino, Cabernet and Merlot.

SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE IN VENICE
Today in Venice guests may use complimentary shuttle buses provided by the local port authority to reach the water taxi station. The shuttle buses will run continuously from the terminal, beginning at 12:30 pm with the last shuttle returning to the ship at 10:30 pm. Shuttle buses are operated on a first come, first served basis, and may depart earlier than scheduled if filled to full capacity. This service should not be considered as an alternative to available local transportation such as taxis but rather as a supplement. Interval between shuttles is approximate and Oceania Cruises are not liable for any unforeseen delays or changes to the shuttle schedule. Guests who prefer not to wait for a shuttle may wish to secure a taxi at their own expense. No compensation is due for non use of this complimentary service or if alternative forms of transportation are used. Please note, shuttle buses are not wheelchair accessible.