2009 Itinerary

• Indicates day of cruising

Day 1: Arrive in Venice
Your Venice and Croatia travel experience begins at 6:00 PM at Hilton Molino Stucky. A transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport to Hilton Molino Stucky is included upon your arrival. Originally built as a flour mill in the 19th century, your meticulously restored hotel is ideally located on Giudecca Island with breathtaking views of Venice. Tauck's Venice to Croatia travel days begin with a welcoming cocktail reception and dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice, Italy

Day 2: The romance of Venice, without the cars
Head to St. Mark’s Square, the heart of Venice, with a local guide. Visit St. Mark’s Square and see St. Mark's Basilica, one of the must-see architectural wonders of Europe with its exquisite mosaics and detailed carvings. See the Doges’ Palace, a pink marble Gothic masterpiece that dates back to the 9th century, then spend the remainder of the day in Venice as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice, Italy

• Day 3: Venetian Islands
Visit picturesque islands in the Venetian Lagoon, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site with the city. First stop is Murano, famous for glass production since the 10th century, followed by time in Burano, renowned for lacemaking. Board your private yacht, Le Levant, and enjoy the welcome cocktails and dinner. Le Levant’s stabilizers ensure smooth sailing – from Venice to Croatia travel in style.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Levant

• Day 4: Time-traveling in Croatia
Today, your Croatia travel adventure takes you to Sibenik. Visit the Cathedral of St. James illustrating the transition of Gothic to Renaissance church architecture. Down the coast in Split, a walking tour takes you to the ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, built between the 3rd and 4th centuries. Both of these structures are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Late day, enjoy the ship’s library, sauna, or swimming pool.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Levant

• Day 5: Korcula, home of medieval pursuits
Continue your Croatia travel on the island of Korcula and its medieval walled city with Cathedral Square at its center. A guided walking tour includes its most famous house, the Museum of Icons in the church, and the Cathedral of St. Mark, decorated with statues on the façade. Attended a private Moreska cultural dance performance for a look at the island's colorful folkloric traditions.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Levant

• Day 6: World Heritage in Kotor
Head to the observation deck for the sail into Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, one of the few fjords in the region – the view is inspiring and unforgettable. The bay and the city of Kotor are UNESCO World Heritage Sites in recognition of their natural and cultural uniqueness. Visit the fortress city of Kotor, an important Roman and Byzantine stronghold. See the Naval Museum, housed in an 18th-century Baroque palace. And as a special Tauck touch, you'll be treated to a private a cappella performance today.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Levant

• Day 7: Discover Dubrovnik
Your next port of call on this Croatia travel adventure is Dubrovnik. The Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces, and fountains. Spend time here on a guided tour visiting the main square, Dubrovnik Synagogue, the Rector's Palace and the Dominican Monastery before exploring on your own.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Levant

• Day 8: A day in Hvar
Dock on the island of Hvar, a well-known playground for international celebrities and royalty. A guided walking tour includes Stari Grad, the oldest part of town founded in 384 BC by the Greeks. Sightseeing includes a tour of Hvar Town and a visit to the Cathedral of St. Stephen, with its richly decorated façade. Admire the views from the hilltop Spanjol Fortress over the red-tile-roofed town below. Enjoy a wine tasting at a local winery, then spend some time in town on your own in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Levant

• Day 9: The Croatian coast
Today in Croatia travel first to the Istrian peninsula, beginning with a walking tour of the fairy-tale village of Rovinj – it is one of the most photographed places in Croatia. Visit the town of Pula to see the Roman Amphitheatre, one of the best preserved in the world. As Le Levant cruises back to Venice and your time in Croatia ends, enjoy a farewell cocktail reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Cruising aboard Le Levant

Day 10: Journey Home
Disembark the ship in Venice, Italy, and transfer to the airport. Tauck's Venice and Croatia travel cruise aboard Le Levant ends at 9:00 AM at Venice Marco Polo Airport. Venice to Croatia travel at its best!
Meals: Breakfast

Inclusive Prices

Tour prices are per person in U.S. dollars. All hotel and ship accommodations, motor coach and ship transportation, entertainment, special dinners, sightseeing, shore excursions, luggage handling, and the services of Tauck Directors and local guides are included. A representative of Tauck will meet you at Marco Polo Airport in Venice and provide transportation to the Westin Excelsior Resort, Venice Lido, regardless of the date or time of your arrival, provided we have updated flight arrival information at least two weeks before the start of the tour. On the last day of the tour, Tauck will provide one group transfer from Le Levant to Marco Polo Airport for arrival at 8:30 AM. If you extend your stay at the Westin Excelsior Resort, Venice Lido, transportation from the ship to the hotel is only included on the day the cruise ends. Your transportation from the hotel to the airport on the day you choose to depart is not included.

Hotel and Ship Accommodations – The tour price includes all hotel and ship accommodations with private baths. The Tauck standard is to provide the best available accommodations without sacrificing value. Although the quality may differ slightly from place to place, this standard remains uncompromised. Two-bedded rooms are reserved in most hotels. Triples are two-bedded rooms plus a rollaway cot where available and are not recommended for comfort.

Onboard Le Levant, staterooms are furnished with two twin beds or one queen bed. Some staterooms can accommodate a third guest on a sofa bed.

Meals – Most meals are included as specified in the itinerary.

Onboard Le Levant, breakfast and lunch are served in the panoramic restaurant on La Pérouse Deck; dinner is served in the gourmet restaurant on La Fayette Deck. International cuisine is featured and complimentary wine is offered with dinner. Both restaurants accommodate all guests in one seating.

Tauck Director – Each ‘Venice & the Dalmatian Coast’ cruise is conducted by two Tauck Directors who remain with the group throughout the tour. Your Tauck Directors are professional, fully trained employees of Tauck.

Gratuities Included – All appropriate gratuities for restaurant, hotel and ship staffs, local guides and drivers, and the Tauck Directors are included.

No Options Sold – Your Tauck Directors will assist with information on free-time activities based on honest opinion and guidance, but they will not sell you anything. This means better value and a more relaxed, pleasant experience for you.

Not Included

Airfare to the tour departure point and from the tour ending point is not included. Airfare may be purchased from Tauck for travel originating in the United States.

Hotel Rooms Before and After Tours – To avoid jet lag and possible flight delays, you may wish to make hotel arrangements for the nights preceding or following your tour. As a service, Tauck will book additional nights for you on a space-available basis using special rates only available through Tauck. Hotel room charges will be added to the tour cost. If you wish to spend additional nights, please consult the Extend This Journey section on this website and discuss it with the reservations agent when you book your tour.

Luggage Responsibility – Although every effort is made to handle your luggage carefully, we cannot be responsible, assume liability or accept claims for loss or damage to luggage and personal effects due to breakage, theft, or fair wear and tear through hotel, airline and group carrier handling. It is important for your own self-interest and protection that you make certain you have adequate insurance to cover these eventualities. Please refer to Tauck Travel Protection for more information.

Personal Expenses - Phone calls, room service, alcoholic and bar beverages, laundry, airline excess luggage charges, vaccinations, visa fees and services, and other optional or incidental extras are not included and may be significant.

Additional Information

Airline Security Measures - In the U.S., you must provide identification in the form of a passport at the time of airport check-in for travel to international destinations. Your passport name must match the name on your tour reservation and airline ticket or you may be denied boarding.

If you are traveling from an airport outside the jurisdiction of the U.S, you will need to determine what travel documentation and identification is required for that particular airport.

Air Services – Airfare may be purchased through Tauck for travel originating in the United States. By using Tauck's air services, you agree that Tauck, in purchasing, selling or otherwise arranging air transportation, is acting only as your agent and is not liable or responsible for any accident, death, personal injury, illness, property damage, delay or other loss or expense of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of any act of God, or any actions or omissions (including any failure to provide services) or default of, any carrier. All carriers are independent contractors and are not owned, managed, controlled or operated by Tauck. Your airline ticket constitutes a contract between yourself and the airline (and not Tauck), even if purchased through Tauck. Tauck is not liable for, and does not assume responsibility or accept claims with regard to, seat assignments, schedule changes, flight changes, cancellations, claims for a refund or reimbursement of airline ticket fees, or any other loss incurred by you for any reason whatsoever (including, without limitation to, bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar relief from creditors). Tauck must handle ticketing for Tauck's special fares, which are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed until reserved. Special fares cannot be combined with any other promotional offer. Tauck's air services can only be purchased in conjunction with a Tauck tour. Tickets or e-ticket numbers will be mailed with final documents. If you cancel or change your air before or after departure, all airline cancellation and change fees will apply.

Cruise Regulations – International maritime security guidelines require that your passport information be provided to the cruise line prior to your embarkation. You need to provide this information to Tauck as soon as you book your cruise or boarding may be denied.

Holidays and Museum Closures – Museum visits and personal shopping time may be disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances or the many religious, state and local holidays locally observed.

Itinerary Changes and Price Flexibility – Tauck pledges to make every effort to operate your tour as advertised. Tauck reserves the right to alter or curtail the itinerary, or substitute sightseeing, hotels, and/or conveyances as deemed necessary. Any savings realized by these changes will be refunded to you. Any resultant added expense will be covered by Tauck. Although not expected, prices on this website may be modified due to unexpected significant external factors not forecast at the time of printing.

Journey Start and End Times are provided at time of booking. The tour begins at 6:00 PM at the Westin Excelsior Resort, Venice Lido, on the first day of the tour. You or your booking agent will be advised of any change to this schedule. Your tour ends at Marco Polo Airport at 8:30 AM on the last day of the tour. We suggest that you allow 2½ hours for flight check-in.

Membership will be granted to all persons. Tauck reserves the right to terminate the tour of any person who is abusive of others or whose behavior disrupts the tour.

Photography on Tour – Occasionally, Tauck will use photographs taken by fellow guests or your Tauck Director on your tour for promotional purposes. If you prefer that your photo not be used in any marketing activities, please notify your Tauck Director at the start of your tour.

Preparing to Go

Air Conditioning - The hotel rooms, staterooms and motor coaches are air-conditioned for your comfort. European air conditioning should be considered as a climate-control system, with three settings for the fan, plus a "cool" setting. Very few of the European systems actually have a temperature setting. In general, the amount of cool air that is produced from a European air conditioning system may be less than what you may be accustomed to in your own living environment.

ATM and Credit Cards – We recommend that you contact your bank in advance of departing on this tour to determine whether you will be able to use your ATM and credit cards while traveling. When contacting your bank, notify them of your travel dates so that they will anticipate charges being made outside of your hometown and do not suspend your cards for what may appear to them to be “suspicious” charges. We also recommend that you make a photocopy of the front and back sides of your ATM and credit cards to leave behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your cards are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Clothing and Packing – Dress for comfort and convenience with a wardrobe that is adaptable and allows for layering. Many days are spent outside or in transit. Therefore, during the day, casual, comfortable, cotton clothing is recommended. Occasionally cool weather will require warmer, layered clothing. For the captain's welcome party festive attire is appropriate. Please note that swimsuits and shorts are considered unsuitable attire at mealtimes.

Valet laundry service is available at the The Westin Excelsior Resort, Venice Lido. Additionally, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards are either located in your hotel guest room or are available immediately upon request. Valet laundry and pressing services the cruise ship are available onboard for a fee; there is no dry-cleaning available onboard. Hair curling and clothes irons are not permitted onboard the cruise ship.

We recommend that you pack an adequate supply of your prescription medication in its original container to last through your entire journey, together with a copy of your doctor’s prescription, or a letter from your health-care provider on office stationery explaining that the medication has been prescribed for you, a list of the generic names of your medication, your travel documents and a change of clothing in your carry-on bag to avoid any inconvenience in the event that your flight or luggage is delayed.

Following is a list of recommended items to pack for a cruise on the Adriatic Sea:

• Casual daytime wear – shorts, slacks and short-sleeve shirts
• An optional jacket and tie for men
• Casually-elegant evening wear for ladies
• Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
• Swimwear
• A light sweater or jacket for the cooler months or a breezy night
• Binoculars
• Insect repellent
• Camera, lenses, batteries, memory cards and plenty of film
• Lightweight, comfortable yet sturdy walking shoes that have already been broken-in
• Travel alarm
• Raincoat and collapsible umbrella
• Daypack for camera equipment
• Copies of your travel documents that should be secured in the safe in your hotel room while traveling
  

Elevation - The maximum elevation on this tour is 1,187 feet (362 meters).

Health - To fully enjoy this tour’s itinerary, you should be in good health and able to walk reasonable distances, often over uneven ground, including cobblestone and limestone streets, as some of the most memorable sightseeing can only be accomplished on foot. The Dalmatian Coast is home to many historic buildings and sites, some dating from antiquity. Therefore, roads, walkways and architecture will present difficulties for some guests with physical limitations. The amount of walking you do, however, is at your discretion. Additionally, you must be steady and balanced to walk around Le Levant while cruising on the Adriatic Sea. Some ship to shore transportation is by Zodiac (capacity 9 to 12 persons) or local tender. These are safe transports but occasionally you may get wet with spray.

Le Levant has an elevator that connects all decks except the sun deck.

Le Levant has a licensed and registered French physician onboard for professional and emergency services, which are available at customary charges. The ships' small infirmary is designed to provide medical care for certain temporary illnesses and accidents, and is not intended or capable of providing on-going treatment of pre-existing medical conditions. If you require oxygen equipment, please notify Tauck so that special arrangements can be made.

We regret that we cannot accommodate wheelchairs on this cruise. We also cannot provide you with individual assistance for walking, dining or other personal needs. If you need such assistance, you must be accompanied by an able companion who will assist you.

Onboard the ship, certain outer decks have been designated as non-smoking areas. There is no smoking permitted in the interior of the ship.

Le Levant is registered in France. Please check with your health insurance provider to determine whether you are covered while traveling. If you will not be covered under your current policy, we strongly suggest that you arrange for adequate coverage while on tour.

If you have a medical condition that might limit your participation in activities, please consult your physician for pre-departure health advice and notify Tauck as soon as possible, if you have not already done so. We will advise your Tauck Director accordingly.

If you are a citizen of the U.S., no vaccinations are currently required for travel to Italy, Croatia or Montenegro. For complete vaccination information, contact your physician, the public health service in your area, or the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. The Travelers' Health Section of the CDC operates a 24-hour, pre-recorded "Travelers' Health Hotline" at 877-394-8747 (toll-free in the U.S.). You may also log on to the CDC Internet website at www.cdc.gov.

If you are a citizen of another country, please contact an embassy or consulate of each of the countries on the itinerary to determine what vaccination(s) may be required for you to visit.

Luggage Restrictions:

Checked Luggage – General
While it is common for airlines to allow passengers to check more than one piece of luggage per person, space constraints during your Tauck journey make it difficult to accommodate extra luggage. We ask that you limit your checked luggage to one average size suitcase per person.

In addition, airlines have adopted more strict policies in enforcing size and weight limits. Luggage exceeding maximum restrictions may require expensive overage fees, frustrating and hurried re-packing at the ticket counter, or even risk being left behind.

As of June 2006, many carriers require checked luggage not exceed a weight of 50 lbs (22.7 kg) per piece. Airlines revise luggage policies frequently and often without notice; therefore, Tauck cannot be held liable to the weight limit listed above. We urge you to check with your airline before traveling to determine current weight and size restrictions. It is also important to note that restrictions for luggage size and weight may vary with the same airline based on the class of service you select. First and Business Class ticket holders may have different restrictions than Coach Class travelers.

Tauck World Discovery cannot be held liable for additional fees or inconveniences imposed by the airline due to luggage size, piece or weight policies.

Please be sure to attach your Tauck luggage tag to your suitcase before leaving home.

Carry-on Luggage - General:
Although oversized bags and wheeled, carry-on luggage are popular for airline travel, they are often not convenient or appropriate for motor coach travel or for many intra-tour flights. Most modern sightseeing motor coaches offer limited space for numerous or larger items. Space under seats or in the overhead rack is typically small, and designed to accommodate items like coats, hats, purses, and small camera bags, etc.

For your day-to-day travel while on tour, we recommend that you limit your hand luggage to a small, soft-sided carry-on piece, and only those items you need handy during the day such as purses, make-up, medications, cameras, film, etc. Items too large to fit under the motor coach seat or in the overhead rack must be stored in the luggage bays beneath the motor coach, and may not allow for access during daytime travel.

Travel Document Requirements – If you are a U.S. citizen, you will need a passport to enter Italy, Croatia and Montenegro; however, you will not need a visa for the short duration of this tour. Please note that longer stays abroad for any purpose may require additional travel documentation.

If you are a citizen of another country, please contact a consulate or embassy of each of the countries on this itinerary to determine what travel documentation is required.

Tauck strongly recommends that your passport be valid for six months beyond the completion of your tour. Also, Tauck recommends that you make at least two photocopies of all the travel documents that you bring with you. Include copies of the photo page of your passport that contains the date of issuance, date of expiration and your citizenship, as well as the front and back sides of your driver’s license. Secure one set of copies in the safe in your room while traveling and leave one set behind with someone at home who will assist you in the event your documents are misplaced, lost or stolen.

Travel with Children – Many countries have specific entry requirements for children under 21 who are traveling with or without both parents. Usually a notarized letter, signed by the parent or parents not traveling with the child and stating the name of the child, the adult guardian, the itinerary and dates of travel, and the flight number, is required. To ensure smooth travel, Tauck requires all travelers to comply with the regulations for the country you are visiting. This information is available from each country’s consulate. Tauck is not responsible for the disruption of travel caused by improper documentation for any travelers, including children traveling without both parents. While there is no definitive format or standard for these letters, Tauck does offer for download a sample letter for guardians or one parent traveling with a child.

Destination Information

Cell Phones - We understand and appreciate the value of instant communication when we travel; it keeps us in touch with friends and family, and it's a reassurance in the event of an emergency. However, the use of cell phones can be disruptive to a tour and to other guests who are enjoying their vacation. As a courtesy to others, we ask that you refrain from using your cell phone during motor coach travel, group functions, when sightseeing and when the Tauck Director is addressing the group as a whole. There are usually ample opportunities to make or receive calls at times when it does not impact others.

Please contact your cell phone carrier to determine whether your phone will operate in the countries you will visit.

Currency and Exchange Rates - The currency in Italy and Montenegro is the Euro, and in Croatia, the Kuna.

Local merchants do not always accept U.S. travelers’ checks, although banks, host hotels and currency exchanges will accept them as well as cash. Expect to pay fees for using travelers’ checks. ATM machines are accessible in all areas visited. Credit cards may be used for purchases in many stores and restaurants, although a fee may be charged. For the best exchange rate, we suggest using major credit cards or ATM machines, which are available throughout the region. Contact your bank in advance of departure to determine whether you will be able to use your credit card or ATM card in these countries. Local currencies are generally most acceptable.

Onboard Le Levant, personal shipboard accounts may be settled by U.S. dollars, travelers’ checks, American Express, Visa or MasterCard. There is no foreign exchange facility on the ship.

To obtain the most current exchange rate, you may want to check your local newspaper or log on to the Internet website www.oanda.com.

Customs and Tax-Free Shopping – If you are a U.S resident who will be returning to the U.S. at the end of the tour, current regulations permit bringing back $800 worth of items duty-free, as long as you physically bring them with you. There are limits to the alcohol and tobacco that can be a part of this exemption - one-liter of alcoholic beverages, 200 cigarettes, and 100 cigars. Certain restrictions apply to unaccompanied goods mailed from abroad to the United States. Please call your local customs office or consult the U.S. government's customs website for further details and up-to-date limits at. www.cbp.gov.

If you are a resident of another country, please refer to your own country’s rules and regulations regarding customs and duty-free shopping to ensure compliance upon your return.

Italy currently levies a Value Added Tax (VAT) of approximately 20% on consumer goods and services; Croatia, 22% and Montenegro, 17%. (The tax rate may be higher for luxury items and lower for basic goods.) As a rule, if you are not a resident of the country (or of the country’s intergovernmental economic community, e.g., the European Union) in which the purchase is made, you may be entitled to a VAT refund and should inquire about the refund policy where you shop.

Electrical Current – In Italy and onboard Le Levant, all hotel rooms and staterooms are equipped with 220 V, 50 Hz, alternating electrical current that requires European-style two round-pronged plugs. If you bring electrical devices that are not compatible with this system, you may want to bring the appropriate adapters and converters.

Time Zones – Venice and the Dalmatian Coast share the same time zone; they are 1 hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (or Greenwich Mean Time). From late March through October, these locations switch to Daylight Savings Time and are 2 hours ahead. To determine current time in major cities around the world, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.timeanddate.com.

Weather – Along the Adriatic, summers are hot and dry with lots of sunshine, and winters are mild but rainy. Venice is generally humid. During the spring months, average high temperatures range from 75 to 81°F (24 to 27°C) in Venice and from 77 to 85°F (25 to 29°C) in Dubrovnik, and the average rainfall is 2.6 in (67 mm) per month in Venice and 4.3 in (108 mm) per month in Dubrovnik.

	Average Temperature
	Venice, Italy		Dubrovnik, Croatia
Month	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC	Hi/Lo ºF	Hi/Lo ºC
January	42 / 30	6 / -1	54 / 43	12 / 6
February	46 / 33	8 / 1	55 / 43	13 / 6
March	53 / 38	12 / 3	57 / 46	14 / 8
April	61 / 46	16 / 8	63 / 52	17 / 11
May	70 / 54	21 / 12	70 / 57	21 / 14
June	76 / 60	24 / 16	77 / 64	25 / 18
July	81 / 64	27 / 18	84 / 70	29 / 21
August	80 / 63	27 / 17	82 / 70	28 / 21
September	74 / 57	23 / 14	77 / 64	25 / 18
October	64 / 48	18 / 9	70 / 57	21 / 14
November	52 / 39	11 / 4	63 / 50	17 / 10
December	44 / 32	7 / 0	57 / 46	14 / 8
	Average Rainfall
	Venice, Italy		Dubrovnik, Croatia
Month	Inches	Millimeters	Inches	Millimeters
January	2.3	58	5.5	139
February	2.1	53	4.9	125
March	2.3	58	4.1	104
April	2.5	64	4.1	104
May	2.7	69	3.0	75
June	3.0	76	1.9	48
July	2.5	64	1.0	25
August	3.3	84	1.5	38
September	2.6	66	4.0	101
October	2.7	69	6.4	162
November	3.4	86	7.8	198
December	2.1	53	7.0	178

To determine current weather conditions, we suggest you log on to the Internet website, www.weather.com.

If You Have to Cancel

Cancellation Fees – Regardless of reason, cancellations of confirmed bookings result in Tauck incurring costly penalties and cancellation fees from our travel and hotel providers. Therefore, if you have to cancel a confirmed booking, Tauck will charge you a cancellation fee according to when your cancellation notice is received in our Norwalk, CT office. To help limit your liability, Tauck offers Tauck Travel Protection.

If you choose to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will have your cancellation penalties reduced. Click here for more details.

If you choose not to purchase Tauck’s Guest Protection or Cancellation Fee Waiver, you will incur cancellation penalties per person as follows:

Did you know that you can link-up Tauck itineraries to create longer journeys? Many of these trips are in the same region, and depending upon availability you might connect with them before or after your trip. Alternatively, you might find one of these options better suited for your interests and preferences or for when you are available to travel.

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