Private Yacht Cruise on the Adriatic with Gus and Michelle Lloyd and Fr. Leo Patalinghug

Depart from Newark on an overnight flight to Dubrovnik. Dinner and breakfast are served on the plane. Quotes for add-on domestic flights and optional Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades are available upon request starting 120 days before departure. As we work with group airfares, we are unable to reserve specific seats on the flights. If you wish to have control over your seat assignments, please plan to book your own airfare and purchase the Land Only package.

Upon arrival at Dubrovnik Airport, we are greeted by our Croatian, English-speaking tour manager who assists us to our motor coach. We drive to a nearby church to celebrate Mass. After Mass, we visit the Konavle County Museum, housed in a traditional stone home where we learn about Konavle’s history, showcasing a rich collection of local artifacts, historic weaving techniques, and a silk workshop with presentations. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a local ‘Konoba’ before transferring to Dubrovnik’s Port of Gruz. In the afternoon (after 4 PM), we board our private yacht, the MS Ambassador, and settle into our comfortable cabins. Enjoy a welcome cocktail and meet our crew. Dinner and overnight on the ship. Meals: L.D

After breakfast onboard, a relaxing day awaits us as our bus transfers us to the Old Town, where we celebrate Mass. Then begin a 90-minute guided walking tour of the Old Town, including Stradun Street, Onofrio’s Fountain, Rector’s Palace, Sponza and the Franciscan Monastery. Enjoy a leisurely independent lunch in one of the many restaurants lining the narrow city streets. You may wish to walk to the nearby Hilton hotel, right outside the Old Town, to enjoy the views and an afternoon drink or coffee at the hotel’s beautiful terrace, a hidden gem. Then take a taxi back to the ship. Dinner and overnight on the ship in Dubrovnik. Meals: B.D

We sail to the Elaphiti Islands in the morning with time to explore the beautiful nature reserve or swim. In the afternoon, we celebrate Mass at the Franciscan church in Slano. We then reach the Peljesac peninsula by motor coach to visit one of the best wineries in Croatia, called Matusko. Enjoy a tour of the cellars and a wine tasting along with a plate of local cheese, olives, and cured meats. In the evening, we continue to the historic town of Ston, known for its seafood, where we visit an oyster-harvesting farm. Enjoy dinner at leisure in town. Overnight on the ship in Slano Bay. Meals: B.Wine and Cheese Tasting

This morning, we have a leisurely breakfast on board and savor a lunch of freshly caught seafood as we continue sailing to Mljet – the most beautiful and forested island in the Adriatic. Mljet is also well known for its two salt lakes – Veliko and Malo Jezero- at the island’s north end. We explore the Benedictine monastery on the island of St. Mary on the large lake “Veliko Jezero” and enjoy a relaxing afternoon and evening on Mljet. Mass will be celebrated in the local church. Dinner and overnight on the ship. Meals: B.D

Today, we set sail for the island of Korčula, rich in vineyards, olive groves, and small villages with numerous bays and coves. Stop to swim in one of the beautiful bays, perfect for enjoying the atmosphere of unspoiled nature, lush vegetation, and crystal-clear sea. Following lunch onboard, we arrive in Korcula. This is said to be the birthplace of Marco Polo. Mass will be celebrated in the local church. Our time on the island is at leisure, walking along this lovely town’s winding streets, enjoying a glass of local wine or coffee at an outdoor cafe, taking a dip in the sea, or doing some shopping. Tonight, we have our Captain’s dinner on board, accompanied by live entertainment. Meals: B.L.D

Following breakfast on the ship, we sail to the island of Hvar, the longest and sunniest island in Croatia, considered by many to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Upon arrival, we celebrate Mass. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore this amazing holiday spot by ourselves and enjoy lunch at leisure with an opportunity to sample local food and wine at one of the many small “konobas” on the island. Dinner and overnight in Hvar on the ship. Meals: B.D

Our cruise of the Adriatic Coast, also known as the 1000 Island Coast, starts with a visit to Brac and a morning retreat with Fr. Leo and Gus before we arrive at Zlatni Rat Beach for a swim, or you may remain on the yacht and enjoy a relaxing morning in a beautiful setting. After lunch on board, we set sail to Trogir to celebrate Mass and explore the heritage of the UNESCO-listed city and an amazing city museum, with its legends and myths rooted in local history and popular culture. The evening is at leisure to walk around the city and taste local food. Overnight on the ship in Trogir. Meals: B.L

Following breakfast on the ship, we say goodbye to our crew and leave for Medjugorje. On our route, we stop in Tihaljina to celebrate Mass before we check in to our hotel in Medjugorje. In the afternoon, our tour guide walks us through the village for an orientation tour. Evening program in the parish: Rosary 5 pm, Mass 6 pm, Eucharistic Adoration 7 pm. Dinner and overnight in Medjugorje. Meals: B.D

Our spiritual program in Medjugorje consists of talks given by the Franciscans, daily Holy Mass, a visit to Podbrdo, also known as Apparition Hill, the site of the apparition of Our Lady, and a visit to the village Bijakovici from where all six visionaries come. We can meet with the visionaries if they are in Medjugorje. We also visit Holy Cross Mountain. Overnight in Medjugorje. Meals: B. Special Dinner *On October 11th, we enjoy a special dinner at a local restaurant.

After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we travel to Sarajevo – the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina to celebrate Mass in the local church and have lunch. In the afternoon, we meet our local guide for a walking tour of Old Town called Bascarsija and have time to meander around the narrow streets, peeking into the local stores and enjoying a cup of Turkish coffee and local pastries. Once our city tour has concluded, we check into our hotel. Enjoy a special dinner in the local restaurant with traditional food. Overnight in Sarajevo. Meals: B.L.D

After breakfast and check out, we travel to Sarajevo Airport for our flights back to the USA. Meals: B