Star Collector: Vintage Croatia & Timeless Italy

Explore the Croatian coastline with a local’s polako attitude—taking time to soak in the scent of lemon trees, skip stones on pristine pebble beaches, and browse for truffle treats and lavender ice cream in storybook medieval towns. From popular ports like Dubrovnik and Split to tiny, small-ship-only Pomena—home to fewer than 60 residents—Balkan hospitality shines. You'll also experience a rich tapestry of Italian regions, from the romantic canals of Venice to the southern charms of Puglia and Sicily. Enjoy an overnight in Sorrento, where you can explore the haunting remains of Pompeii and watch the sunrise over Mount Vesuvius. UNESCO treasures abound, including Diocletian’s Palace in Split, the time capsule city of Dubrovnik, the gnome-like trulli huts of Alberobello near Monopoli, and Mount Etna near Messina. Nature lovers will revel in the lush terraced waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes or Krka National Park, while the Bay of Kotor delivers a dramatic finale with deep blue waters, soaring cliffs, and a walled Old Town straight out of a storybook. This voyage is a curated mix of timeless wonders, coastal serenity, and soul-stirring beauty.

While larger ships must pass by, we anchor right beyond the famous walled city so you can admire its beauty with every glance. Tender ashore and step right into Old Town, a UNESCO site where no cars are allowed, just eons of history. Capture the exhilarating views on your camera — and in your memory. End your day at the Buza Café (if you can find it) watching bold divers leap off the cliffs into the crystalline sea. 

Quaint and charming, Monopoli has many sites within easy walking distance.  Start at the colorful street market and head toward the cathedral, built in 1693 with a tower that is 197 feet high. Past the cathedral is part of the seafront and a promenade and the beautiful Church of Santa Maria della Zaffira and the impressive Charles V Castle, built in 1552. The little harbors that make up the port are full of brightly colored boats and fishermen busily mending their nets.

Pomena is a peaceful harbor village on the western tip of Mljet Island in Croatia, surrounded by clear turquoise water, thick pine forests, and a naturally sheltered bay. Just a short walk from the entrance to Mljet National Park, it serves as a quiet gateway to the park’s famous saltwater lakes, offering swimming, kayaking, and scenic walking trails in a beautifully unspoiled setting.

Fishbone streets feed off the main arterial of this walled settlement making the humped peninsula look a bit like a rust-red tortoise. Beyond the medieval town lie woods, vineyards, and the idyllic island of Mljet, where Odysseus met the nymph Calypso and stayed for seven years. Visit Marco Polo’s supposed home and ponder why he would ever leave this divine place, then end the day with some white grk wine, Mediterranean sunshine in a glass.

One of Croatia’s oldest coastal cities and a small ship exclusive, Šibenik offers a perfect blend of medieval history and seaside beauty. Stroll through stone streets to discover St. James Cathedral, quaint cafes, and views of the Dalmatian coastline.

Once a favorite of Austro-Hungarian royalty, small ship exclusive Opatija is known for its 19th-century villas, palm-lined Lungomare promenade, and peaceful beaches. Relax in this elegant resort town filled with history, charm, and coastal views.

A vibrant town with Roman roots, small-ship exclusive Poreč is famed for its UNESCO-listed Euphrasian Basilica and ancient streets. Experience its rich cultural heritage, sunny cafés, and a lively waterfront along the Istrian coast.

Situated on a tiny piece of land jutting into the sea and considered to be the most beautiful of Slovenia’s coastal towns, Piran is full of medieval architecture, narrow streets, and compact houses.  A walk to the beautiful oval-shaped main square will greet you with a statue of Giuseppe Tartini, composer and virtuoso violinist, and the most famous man of Piran.  Around the square are attractions like Venetian House, and a delightful Gothic-Venetian structure, The Sergei Masera Maritime Museum and the Church of St. George with its gorgeous view over the city and the harbor from the bell tower. Take a tour to the nearby Skocjan Caves National Park, a UNESCO site. 

No other sea approach in the Adriatic raises goose bumps like Venice, a small ship exclusive where the entire city and its lagoon are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On your luxurious home-away-from home, you arrive already equipped with a sense of what it’s like to live in the city that’s neither land nor water. Add your own sigh to the Bridge of Sighs, sip a spritz al bitter as you plot your agenda, and let the water taxis do your navigating unless you don’t mind getting lost. Not such a bad prospect, with serendipitous discoveries around every corner.

The lovely fishing port of Rovinj on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula bordered on three sides by the Adriatic Sea. You can tour the maze of cobblestone streets that lead to the hilltop St. Euphemia Cathedral with its towering steeple dominating the skyline. Old Town Rovinj is a delightful tangle of medieval streets and twisting stairways. Seek out the Bronze Age ruins of Monkodonja, the hidden beaches or the breathtaking natural beauty of the 6-mile-long Lim Fjord.

Split welcomes you with open arms, Mediterranean style, and a bustling harbor lined with busy cafés. Beyond, looms stately Diocletian’s Palace a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the center of town. Within the palace walls, a majestic cathedral soars, surrounded by polished marble streets lined with every type of tempting shop. If you’re longing for a quiet respite, head for the western end of town for an easy stroll through a verdant mountain park. Or take an optional tour to Trogir, another UNESCO site.

While larger ships must pass by, we anchor right beyond the famous walled city so you can admire its beauty with every glance. Tender ashore and step right into Old Town, a UNESCO site where no cars are allowed, just eons of history. Capture the exhilarating views on your camera — and in your memory. End your day at the Buza Café (if you can find it) watching bold divers leap off the cliffs into the crystalline sea. 

The cobblestone streets of Messina, Sicily, are the perfect launching point for an optional visit to nearby Taormina. Stroll along flower-filled streets in search of a delightful lunch or an artist’s palette of colorful gelati. The ancient Greek Theater is an ideal place to sit back and admire shimmering waters below and Mount Etna, languidly smoking in the distance.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites abound in Sorrento.   Optional tours will take you to the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Torre Annunziata, or the 4^th century B.C. city of Herculaneum. Perhaps your choice will be a boat ride to Positano, the legendary home of the Sirens. Perched on a terrace on the spectacular Amalfi Coast, Sorrento offers exceptional views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites abound in Sorrento.   Optional tours will take you to the archaeological areas of Pompeii and Torre Annunziata, or the 4^th century B.C. city of Herculaneum. Perhaps your choice will be a boat ride to Positano, the legendary home of the Sirens. Perched on a terrace on the spectacular Amalfi Coast, Sorrento offers exceptional views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. 

In this enchanting city the past and present intersect in perfect harmony. Casually intermingled among ancient ruins and majestic cathedrals are the trappings of a modern metropolis: Skyscrapers,cafes, boutiques selling designer footwear. But of course what you seek first in the heart of Rome is its breathtaking history.  A good place to begin is the Vatican, with its Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica. Works by Bernini, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Raphael are just a few of those on display, any one of which is worth hours of contemplation. Then the ancient ruins—Colosseum, Forum, Circus Maximus. And of course the Trevi Fountain for the obligatory coins promising your return to the Eternal City.