You drift past secluded coves fringed with pine trees as you take in the stunning scenery of the islands of Hvar, Brac, Mijet and Korcula

Nikki Bayley hops onboard SAGAs exclusive new coastline cruiser to experience a Champagne lifestyle and the beauty of Croatia's charming coast.

As soon as you mention you’re off to Croatia, the first thing everyone tells you is how beautiful it is, so I set off with high expectations which were not only matched but exceeded at every turn.

Made up of 1185 islands, the very best way to see this lovely country is from the smooth clear waters of the Adriatic.

SAGA's Dalmatian Island Explorer package offers the perfect solution, being one of just 30 passengers travelling aboard the MV Emanuel.

With spacious cabins made for a comfortable cruise experience and a cheery and keen-to-please crew you can sample a taste of exclusive champagne-lifestyle cruising at a price which is as equally comfortable.

After a two-hour flight to Dubrovnik, (where you’ll return at the end of the trip for a better look around), the first stop is the pretty harbour of Slano,which is an ideal place to acquaint yourself with the ship and take a gentle stroll around.

Seven nights on board allows you to make a decent discovery of a loop around the south of the country, taking in four islands, Hvar, Brac, Mljet and Korcula and two of its most historically interesting cities, Dubrovnik and Split, each with their own distinct flavour.

Few things in life have felt more luxurious than relaxing on deck, slowly cruising along and watching the ever-changing scenery drift by. Rocky cliffs, golden beaches fringed with pine trees and secluded coves; each view more beautiful than the previous one.

The crew on board work hard to make meal-times special; Dalmatian cuisine, like its architecture, takes a little from all the different nations we’ve occupied it over the years, from Romans and Venetians to Turks and Austro-Hungarians. Expect an abundance of zingingly fresh fish, aromatic herbs and spices and lots of slow-cooked melt-in-the-mouth meat dishes. A must-try is the wind-dried Prsut ham and local cheese from Pag.

Although different in many ways, each of the islands had in common a calm and unspoilt feeling, the tourist board’s tag line of ‘...the Mediterranean as it used to be...’ is spot on with not a McDonalds nor Starbucks in sight.

Both Split and Dubrovnik are much more bustling tourist affairs. The old town of Split is concentrated within and around the Diocletian Palace (AD305). This magnificent building shelters a jumbled labyrinth of bars, restaurants, shops and even churches - next to washing lines - as incredibly, people still live within its ancient walls.

For my money, Split has the edge. Dubrovnik’s old town, felt a little like a rather gorgeous treasure-chest of a museum. Like the rest of the country, it was spotlessly clean and every corner bought a fresh and picture-postcard view, but although both are wonderfully atmospheric and historically fascinating places, I loved the idea that families had lived within Split’s palace walls for hundreds of years and continued to do so. That’s the charm of the Dalmatian coast; ancient yet modern with something wonderful around every corner.

Prices start from £844 per person for seven nights, which includes:

Travel Insurance, return flights and transfers, full board with free bar 11 hours a day and excursions.

http://travel.saga.co.uk/holidays/touring-holidays/europe/dalmatian-island-explorer.aspx?For booking and more go to