We stepped aboard the Maritimo in Split with bags in hand and the promise of eight days at sea ahead of us.
Arrival in Split
We arrived at the boat for check in at 2pm, with time to settle into our cabins and have a drink on deck before our guided walking tour of Split at 4.30pm. The historic town is under UNESCO world heritage protection with an abundance of Roman architecture. The magnificent Diocletian Palace, once home to the Roman Emperor, was a highlight. After the tour we returned to the ship for our welcome meet and greet cocktail reception and dinner. We spent the evening on the boat, ready for our departure the next morning.
Hvar & The Pakleni Islands
After breakfast we set off for the island of Brač, where we swam at the most famous beach in Dalmatia, Zlatni Rat near Bol. Its shingle promontory shifts from side to side as the wind and waves constantly cause the beach shape to change. Bol is a typical fishermen's village converted into a popular tourist destination yet retaining its charm. We continued towards the jet set island of Hvar with lunch on board at the Pakleni Islands. Hvar is the longest and sunniest island in the Adriatic, known for lush lavender fields and breathtaking beauty. We arrived in the afternoon for a guided tour of the town's historical landmarks, including the Renaissance cathedral with its original tower and the oldest community theatre in Europe founded in 1612. Some of us hiked up the zig zag path to the town fort overlooking the harbour for lovely scenic views of the vessel and the Pakleni islands. In the evening we had dinner in Hvar, which offers a great choice of entertainment and numerous restaurants, bars and clubs with many open long into the night.
Cultural Highlights on our Lesbian Group Trip
Days were a beautiful balance of relaxation and adventure. The adventures took us deeper into the heart of Croatia, where history, tradition, and storytelling came alive. We swam at the famous Zlatni Rat beach near Bol, marvelled at the breathtaking Blue Cave on Biševo, and sampled local wines on the island of Vis.
We wandered the lavender-scented streets of Hvar, walked the medieval walls of Korčula, and explored the salt lakes of Mljet National Park. A special treat was our visit to Ston, where we learned about oyster farming and enjoyed a tasting of this local delicacy, followed by the vast medieval ramparts. It was a reminder that travel is not just about where you go, but how you experience it.
Moments that Mattered for our Lesbian Group
What truly made the trip special were the small, meaningful moments:
Conversations that lasted late into the night on deck
Shared laughter over the Captain’s 4 course dinner
Enjoying gelato in the warm evening air after exploring medieval towns
Quiet reflections on the bow of the ship as the sun set over the Adriatic
Celebrating milestones, big and small, with new friends
Diva Destinations created a space where women could show up as themselves, feel empowered, and simply enjoy the joy of being present.
Mljet National Park
Today we headed further south to the Island of Mljet. The legend says the Greek hero Odysseus spent years on this island when he was captured by the nymph Calypso. We joined the cruise manager for a stroll to the famous salt lakes in the Mljet National Park and enjoyed the boat ride to St. Mary Isle to visit an ancient Benedictine monastery, an old abbey and a Church dating back to the 12th Century. Some of us rented kayaks, bicycles, scooters or convertible cars to roam around the National Park or island. This was an island where we enjoyed peace, beauty and tranquillity. We had dinner in Port Polača or Pomena where we docked for the night.
Ston & The Captain's Dinner
This morning we departed for the small village of Slano on the mainland, a peaceful fishermen's village and the starting point for Ston, another once fortified small village famous for its oysters. After exploring the town's vast medieval ramparts, we headed for a small village nearby Mali Ston to learn more about oysters and enjoy a special tasting of this delicacy. We were transferred back to our boat for the Captain's 4 course dinner with live entertainment. We overnighted in Slano.
Dubrovnik
After breakfast we departed for Dubrovnik, one of the world's most beautifully preserved medieval cities. Before we docked at Gruž harbour, we enjoyed a cruise alongside the old Dubrovnik city walls while lunch was served on deck. After docking we were transferred to the old town for our guided walking tour of this magical town. We took the cable car from the Old Town to Srđ mountain to enjoy scenic views of the Walls and the Elaphiti Islands and meandered through the narrow streets, exploring the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Some of us walked on top of the 1940 m long city walls. We overnighted in Dubrovnik where we had our final group dinner in a local restaurant.
Until Next Time
This morning we gathered for one final breakfast aboard our boat before saying our farewells. We left Croatia with tanned skin, full hearts and a group of women who started as strangers and left as friends. The Adriatic, the history and the company made this a week to remember.
