The Strait of Gibraltar is famous worldwide for its ever-present population of wild dolphins, as well as transient dolphins that visit the area for food and to breed. On this special excursion with a marine biologist sharing data gathered over years of observation, you will venture into the strait in search of three species that call these waters home – striped, common and bottlenose dolphins.
This captivating tour is your chance to gain unique insights into local life on the Rock. Drive north to the border between Gibraltar and Spain and proceed along Line Wall Road – part of Gibraltar’s old fortifications – past the American War Memorial and Trafalgar Cemetery to arrive at Europa Point. From this vantage you can admire the North African coast just 12 miles across the Strait of Gibraltar, and it will be easy to see why this territory has long been of strategic importance. Your next stop is the Caleta Hotel in Catalan Bay, a quaint village of descendants of Genoese fishermen.
After tendering from the yacht, you’ll board a zodiac right at the pier for an exhilarating exploration of the Bay of Kotor. The small boat will whisk you past the tall, dramatic cliffs for which the bay is so famous, and take you out to the open waters of the Adriatic. A series of sea caves are carved into the coast of the Lustica peninsula, the most famous of which is the Blue Cave. You’ll be able to swim from the boat into the formation to see how the rays of the sun illuminate its nine-meter-tall vaulted ceiling in blue hues.
Embark on a scenic journey from the coast up into Montenegro’s forested and ruggedly mountainous interior. The drive from Kotor up to the former royal capital of Cetinje is famously beautiful. Your time in what is now a charming small town is centered around King Nikola’s Palace, now the National Museum of Montenegro, with its exhibits devoted to the royal family and national history. It’s another scenic drive to Njegusi, birthplace of the celebrated 19th-century poet-prince, Petar II Petrović-Njegoš.
A short drive from Kotor, Porto Montenegro has become the ultimate luxury resort and super-yacht destination on the Adriatic. Upon arrival, you’ll head to a professional kitchen where the resort’s chef de cuisine, Marko Zivkovic, is your instructor. Using the freshest ingredients from the market that day, he’ll guide you in the preparation of traditional Montenegrin recipes. Once the work is done, aprons come off to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Weather permitting, you’ll sit down on a terrace overlooking the marina for a relaxing, three-course dinner accompanied by Montenegrin wine.
Go behind Kotor’s Venetian-built defensive walls to stroll the pedestrian-only cobbled alleys, narrow streets and charming piazzas that make this city’s medieval Old Town such a delight to explore. Your guide will lead you into the heart of historic Kotor to visit the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, a symbol of the city, consecrated in 1166 on the site of an even older church. It contains priceless art and artefacts, including paintings by local masters, golden altarpieces and elaborate frescoes.
Nestled along a fjord-like waterway embraced by forested mountains, discover one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval fortified towns of the eastern Mediterranean, and add some zip to the journey with a nip of traditional brandy. In the heart of magical Kotor, adorned in coral-tiled roofs, you will see the Cathedral of St. Tryphon dating to the 12th century, the relatively modern St. Nicholas Church, and the Maritime Museum housed inside the Baroque former palace of the Grgurina family.
Experience Montenegro’s rich cultural heritage around the Bay of Kotor on this diverse tour. It’s a short, scenic drive along the waterfront from Kotor to Perast, a tiny, historic town that flourished under Venetian rule. Take a walk along the narrow streets with your guide who will highlight local history and the many once-grand Baroque palazzi and churches that still stand here, and take you inside the never-completed Cathedral of St. Nicholas. Just off Perast’s shores is the unique church and religious monument, Our Lady of the Rocks.
The Venetians began working on Kotor’s fortifications in 1420, work that continued into the middle of the 18th century. The city walls, 5 kilometers long, completely encircled the Old Town, protecting it from attack and allowing it to endure sieges. Your guide will share Kotor’s complex history as you hike around the town up to St. John’s Fortress, the highest point. You’ll take a break to rest and admire the beautiful views of Kotor and Boka bays before continuing the hike back down
Set sail on a luxury cruiser to explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Venetian Lagoon, created by the estuaries of three rivers and separated from the Adriatic by a row of sand bars. Cruising the tranquil waters, you will have tremendous views of Venice’s iconic landmarks, as well as other lesser known islands that play host to fishing villages, palaces, resorts and monasteries. Nearly half of the islands are completely uninhabited and offer simply beautiful natural vistas. Sit back with a glass of champagne and take in the views as you explore hidden corners of the lagoon.
