Travel Experiences CRUISE EUROPE CROATIA, ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE‘19 & THE LORD’S TEST If you have ever dreamt Introduction of chartering your own Croatia is a Central European, Mediterranean country bordering Slovenia in the west, Hungary in the north, Serbia in the east and Bosnia Herzegovina in the south. It shares the Adriatic Sea with its neighbour Italy making it a super-yacht, then this highly desirable destination for travellers from around the world attracted by good value, generous sunshine, unrivalled history and a coastline that is truly tour is for you! spectacular. We visit three significant destinations; Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik whilst cruising the Dalmatian coast; as well as getting the chance to visit many other locations. If you have ever dreamt of chartering your own super-yacht, then this tour is for you! We have exclusively chartered ships from the Katarina-Line. Our ships are of equal standard with different styling, yet both have a fabulously relaxed ambience. This is a cruise where you can relax, unwind, watch the world go by and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow like-minded MCC Members – it doesn’t get much better than this! The tour is open to Full, Restricted and Provisional members to attend and each member can be accompanied by one non- member guest. After flying in from Melbourne via Dubai we commence in the capital of Zagreb with the traditional MCC Welcome Reception. Throughout the tour, the emphasis is on high-quality food, local wines and unique experiences. City tours are leisurely walking tours with experienced local guides. Ample time is available for you to do your own exploring. The cruise itself starts and ends in the coastal city of Split visiting several islands including the iconic walled town of Dubrovnik (pictured right), meandering amongst the historic and quaint islands along the Dalmatian coast steeped in tradition and history. Welcome to the 2019 edition of the MCC Travel Experiences: Cruise Europe where you will of course, end up at the hallowed turf of the Lords Cricket Ground for the second Test match between arch rivals England and Australia. For repeat MCC Tour travellers, welcome back on board and for the newcomers; we can assure you this will be an occasion you simply won’t forget. We look forward to seeing you all soon. Scott Butler Glenn & Gayle Hedley General Manager, Events Travel Tour Managers Membership & Heritage and MCC Members Thu 1st Aug ZAGREB to SPLIT – THE PARK HOTEL (B, L) 08.00 Bags are to be ready for collection outside your room prior to or after breakfast. 09.30 Our coach departs Zagreb heading for the coastal port city of Split. The journey will take around six hours overall including rest stops and an enjoyable lunch en-route. A fabulous local produce luncheon is included at Roca, around 90 mins north of our destination – enjoy the rustic atmosphere and farm to table dining with newly found friends. This afternoon we check into our hotel for 2 nights in Split and this evening is free to relax and enjoy the hotel facilities and the marvellous views. Maybe a poolside cocktail is tempting? The luxury 5 Star Park Hotel offers a unique Split experience, located within easy walking distance of the Port and the Old Town you can enjoy the finest in hotel services, including an outdoor pool. The building is historic, yet the inside is contemporary providing the comforts that guests expect on our Members Tours. The Park Hotel is one of only a few 2019 Itinerary hotels in the city that can take a group our size, ensuring all guests the best possible location, access and amenities. Flights & times shown are based on 2018 flight schedules and are subject to change. Fri 2nd Aug SPLIT OLD TOWN (B) Included meals: B=Buffet Breakfast, L = Lunch, D= Dinner 06.30-08.30 Buffet breakfast is served. Beverages are not included other than at Official Functions: 09.00 After breakfast we embark on a guided walking tour of Split, the second largest city in Croatia and indeed the WR=Welcome Reception, ETD=Events Travel Dinner, LL=Lord’s Lunch largest in the region of Dalmatia. Lying on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, this is a popular tourism destination and you will discover why. A highlight is the Diocletian’s Palace built for the Roman Emperor in 305 A.D. The city was Mon 29th July MELBOURNE to DUBAI originally founded by the Greeks in the 3rd & 2nd Centuries B.C. The current population of the city is around 168,000 with the wider area housing around 293,000 inhabitants. It’s a small city packed with character, history and culture. 18.00 Check in at Melbourne Airport considering a light dinner at the airport as supper will be served inflight. After the walking tour you may continue, on your own around the city or head back to the hotel. The afternoon is 21.15 Emirates flight departs Melbourne to Dubai. free to relax, explore and make sure you have Split covered! You may wish to arrange with the Concierge a Game of Thrones Location Tour. Tue 30th July DUBAI to ZAGREB (WR) 12.00 Alternatively, we have an optional excursion (included at no extra cost) to explore a little around the region of Split. The coach is at our disposal and it’s likely, depending on numbers, we will head along the coast nearby visiting 05.15 Scheduled arrival time in Dubai remaining in transit. Podstrana and Omis to find a relaxing spot for a local seaside lunch (not included but reserved). Your MCC Host and 08.30 Departure time for our onward Emirates flight, direct to Zagreb. Events Travel Tour Hosts Managers will be on hand to lead the way! Return around 16.00hrs to the hotel. 12.35 Scheduled arrival in Zagreb. On arrival you will be met by your MCC Host and Events Travel Tour Managers, a local guide and the coach driver for the Sat 3rd Aug CROATIA CRUISE (B, D, WR) Overnight Split transfer to the hotel for two nights. The afternoon is free to freshen up, take a wander to explore your surroundings or This morning after breakfast is free time until check out when we will take care of your luggage, so you can head into indulge in a quick nap, however it’s best to beat the jet-lag by suffering through day one and having an early night. the Old Town for a spot of lunch and some more shopping and exploring. Luggage collection and check out details will be provided on the final itinerary. 18.00 15.00 Boarding our vessels commences and this is when you get to unpack for 7 nights in a row! Because we have This evening you will be invited to our smart-casual MCC Welcome Reception. Enjoy a cool beer, a soft-drink, a local a chartered the ships, cabins will be assigned prior to departing Australia, just collect the keys. We will attempt as wine and tempting canapés (as a light dinner) before retiring after the long journey. Your MCC Host and Tour Managers much as possible to allocate a specific ship to Members who indicate they know other Members on tour – this process will explain what lays ahead and update you on any late timing changes if there are any. Supper can be taken on your will occur once all bookings are confirmed. account in the Hotel if required, however we do expect the canapés as ample for most Members, considering an early On board each day, expect fresh produce with lots of salads and local dishes. The dress code is ultra-casual, night is on the cards. so shorts, swimwear and summer frocks are the go! Enjoy a Welcome Reception and dinner on board as we relax overnighting here in the Port of Split. You are welcome Wed 31st July OLD TOWN ZAGREB – THE WESTIN HOTEL (B) to disembark at any time to continue your exploration of the city. 06.30-08.30 The Westin’s Buffet Breakfast eagerly await you. 09.00 After a nourishing breakfast we will be heading off for a guided walking tour of the Old Town in Zagreb. Locally known as Gornji Grad (Upper Town), the old town combines the twin settlements of Gradec and Kaptol close to the main street of Ilica. Our guide will outline the architecture, history and regale a few stories from the past whilst we relax, take photos and stroll around the old Gornji Grad. Lunch and Dinner are as you wish today, with the afternoon free to explore the capital at your own pace, maybe retracing some of your steps from the tour and checking out the sites and boutique shops in more detail. The Hotel Concierge is always a great start to seek dinner arrangements or if you are still tired, the hotel is always a good option whilst you get over your jetlag – however it’s not too bad flying towards Europe. Sun 4th Aug SPLIT to KORCULA (B, L) Sat 10th Aug BOL – SPLIT – LONDON & ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE (B) This morning we cruise to the island of Korcula, best known as the birth place of Marco Polo. We stop for lunch in It’s an early morning departure cruising to Split, where on arrival we say goodbye to the crew before we disembark one of the secluded bays en route. On arrival enjoy a guided walking tour of this enchanting town with its fortified and head for Split Airport on our chartered coaches. walls. We will spend overnight in port at Korcula.