Tauck World Discovery: Venice & the Dalmatian CoastDay 1 Burano, ItalyWelcome to Venice

Tour begins: 6:00 PM. A transfer from Venice Marco Polo Airport via water taxi to JW Marriott Resort & Spa or Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice is included upon your arrival. Join us this evening for a welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.

You'll get a taste of how opulent life was for the ruling elite of medieval Venice at the richly decorated Doge's Palace; it served as the official residence of the Venetian Republic's rulers through the Renaissance and beyond. There's nothing quite like getting to know a new destination through the eyes - and the experiences - of a local expert... and you'll do just that in Venice today when you join a resident guide in this city of canals for a tour of Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square), the center of Venetian life and home to dramatic St. Mark's Basilica. Your evening is free to spend as you please.

Board a local boat today for an excursion among the picturesque islands of the Venetian Lagoon - part of the region's UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, along with the city of Venice. Visit Murano, famous for glass production since medieval times, where you'll see how artisans still craft their signature glass in the traditional way with a demonstration at a glassblowing studio; and Burano, known for its lace and the colorfully painted homes lining its canals, with free time to explore on your own. Return to Venice late this afternoon and embark your ship to begin your Dalmatian Coast cruise.

Experience the island of Hvar; sightseeing here offers a number of choices: traveling to Stari Grad, dating back thousands of years, for a walking tour that includes a visit to the Dominican Monastery followed by a scenic drive to Vrisnik for a special wine tasting; a hiking* adventure that takes you through local villages with lunch in a small tavern in the picturesque, hidden village of Malo Grablje; a sea kayaking* excursion; a leisurely guided walking tour along the streets of Hvar; or an off-roading adventure aboard a four-wheeled air conditioned vehicle. Everyone returns to Hvar midday for free time. Tonight,your ship charts a course for Sibenik.

Disembark ship in Sibenik, Croatia, for a choice of three morning excursions. Drive inland to the picturesque village of Primošten Burni, where you'll get a taste of daily life; you also have a choice of a visit to the medieval UNESCO World Heritage town of Trogir to view its stunning 13th-century cathedral with free time to explore on your own; and for a third choice, a drive along the Adriatic Sea to Krka National Park, where a guided walk through the forest leads to cascading waterfalls that are picture perfect in every way. Everyone travels to fascinating Split this afternoon where you'll also have choice of sightseeing excursion. Journey back in time on a historic walking tour that explores Split's historic roots and Imperial Roman past - included is a visit to the cellars of Diocletian's Palace as well as the Temple of Jupiter, and a visit to the Cathedral of St. Duje. Alternatively, join us for a walking tour of Split that includes a visit to Meštrovic Gallery, an art museum which is dedicated to the work of famous local sculptor Ivan Meštrovic. Board the ship late afternoon for cocktails and dinner.

Head to the observation deck as you sail into Montenegro's Bay of Kotor, Europe's southernmost fjord - the view is inspiring and unforgettable. Morning shore excursion choices include: a guided walking tour of Kotor, a guided walking tour of Kotor and a visit to the small village of Perast via a private boat trip on the Bay of Kotor with a visit to Our Lady of the Rocks Church; a journey up a narrow mountain road to the village of Njegusi, a guided hike* up Mt. Lovcen accompanied by a picnic lunch or an exhilarating RIB (rigid inflatable boat) tour starting from the historic port town of Kotor, along the crystal-clear waters of the Adriatic Sea toward the famed Blue Cave. Everyone spends the afternoon as they please exploring the charming, winding streets of medieval Kotor, returning to the ship for an evening sail to Dubrovnik.

Begin your day with an arrival in Dubrovnik and an exclusive lecture by a Croatia expert before heading ashore on your choice of shore excursions. Take a guided walking tour of Dubrovnik's well-preserved walled medieval center, followed by free time to explore on your own. Alternatively, journey into the countryside to visit two typical Croatian villages, with flour making and silk thread demonstrations, then return to Dubrovnik for a guided walking tour. Or, if wine tasting whets your appetite, join us for free time in the seaside resort town of Cavtat, which is followed by a visit to a winery in Pridvorje village and a guided walk back in Dubrovnik. For those seeking a more active adventure there's a bicycle* excursion in the Konavle Valley, or a kayaking* excursion. The afternoon is yours to spend as you please in Dubrovnik.

Sail to Korcula, birthplace of explorer Marco Polo. You have a choice of sightseeing excursions today - a guided walking tour (either leisurely or active, your choice) through Old Town that highlights the variety of architectural styles seen in Korcula, including the Rector's Palace, the City Museum, the Museum of Icons in the church, the Gothic-Renaissance Cathedral of St. Marco, and the House of Marco Polo (viewed from the outside). Late afternoon, everyone attends a private Moreska dance presentation of a Moroccan folk story, performed only on this island. Enjoy free time this evening to explore on your own, before returning to the ship for the Captain's welcome reception and dinner.

Dock in Rovinj this morning, one of the most picturesque and romantic little towns in the world. Sightseeing opportunities here include a walking tour of Rovinj, a bicycling* excursion along the Istrian coastline or a visit to Pula, its Roman amphitheatre and an olive oil tasting at an estate in the nearby town of Vodnjan. Enjoy your final evening aboard ship as you return to Venice.

Tour ends: 9:00 AM, Venice. A transfer is included from your ship to Marco Polo Airport or the Venice Train Station. Allow 3 hours for check-in at the airport.