DALMATIAN DREAM
Explore the rocky shores and historic towns of Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast aboard the Azzurra, Emerald Cruises’ 100-passenger superyacht. At 110 metres (360 feet) long, it’s sturdy enough to take the open waters of the Adriatic, but sleek enough to sidle up to almost every port. Highlights include the Sky Bar, the Observation Lounge and the Aqua deck, with seafacing sunbeds and Missoni striped towels. Dalmatia is rich with Italian influences: From coastal Dubrovnik to the island of Krk, architecture is Romanesque, Renaissance, and Baroque while the rooftops covered with red clay tiles lend the area a Venetian vibe. Split, the capital, is home to Roman Emperor Diocletian’s palace, built in the early 4th century. Used as a set in 2014 for Game of Thrones, it’s where, in the lower reaches of the palace, Daenerys kept her dragons before the march to Westeros. It’s not the fiery breath of the beasts that fills the air now, but song. A halfdozen men, dressed in white shirts with red sashes around their waists, harmonize a cappella before small audiences. Known as Klapa music, this singing tradition captures the romance of Dalmatia. Next year, Sakara joins Azzurra. Both will also sail the Caribbean in late 2023. emeraldcruises.ca