Heaven To Earth invites you to join world-renowned geologist, scholar, and bestselling author, Dr. Robert Schoch, for an incredible 7-day comprehensive cruise exploring the archaeology, history, culture, and natural beauty of stunning Adriatic;  the region rightfully referred to as the “Jewel of the Mediterraneanâ€.
Exploring the Archaeology of the Adriatic
with Robert M. Schoch, Ph.D.
July 20 - 27, 2019
Itinerary
Saturday, July 20 – Trogir
- Check in on our Yacht at 1:00 PM in Trogir City Harbor. Meet and
greet, welcome drink & light snack. - Settling in cabins, departure at 3 PM toward Zlarin.
- Arrival to Zlarin 5 PM – guided tour.
- Dinner on board.
- Lecture itinerary: The Origins of Civilization – Questioning the Status
Sunday, July 21 – Kornati
After breakfast departure for the panoramic cruise through National Park Kornati and Nature Park Telašcica. Upon the arrival, free time for swimming in the nearby bays and beaches. Lunch & dinner on board. Overnight in the village Sali on island Dugi Otok.
Lecture itinerary:
The Paradigm Begins to Crack: Re-dating the Great Sphinx of Egypt
Monday July 22 – Zadar
After breakfast visit to mysterious town Asseria, one of the largest andmost preserved megalithic sites in Europe! More than one researcher remarked that the monumental walls are reminiscent of the walls of Jericho. The mainline history books say it is a Roman and Liburnian settlement, but there is hardly an official historic context to fit such a monumental town. On this magnificent site we will be able to trace multiple layers of ancient history through observing distinctive building styles: from ancient Phoenician, Liburnian and Roman to post-Roman, and try to reconstruct a plausible context for this archaeological wonder. Overnight in Zadar.
Lecture itinerary: Shattering the Paradigm: Göbekli Tepe and Ice Age
Civilization
Tuesday, July 23 – Murter, Vodice
After breakfast visit to Ivinje, an ancient megalithic necropolis. A fitting place for the initiation in the mystery of the sepulchral stones of the Balkans, usually called stećak. The necropolis is one of the rare ones surviving to date on the coast. The current mainline history places these monuments in the Middle Ages. However, evidence for their antiquity is overwhelming and, as it happens, ignored. As the necropolis shares the same location with a medieval complex, we will be able to spot the differences. We sail to island Murter – free time for swimming and sightseeing. Overnite in Vodice.
Lecture itinerary: Easter Island and the End of the Last Ice Age
Wednesday, July 24 – Skradin, Krka waterfalls, Å ibenik
After breakfast we leave for Skradin and visit Krka National Park. Visit to Tesla’s birth place and Museum.
We will also stop to see a sepulchral stone which we usually call – the totem. In the Sonković village near Skradin there is a strange monument, probably also a sepulchral stone, but standing upright like no other. We will explore the symbolism of its ornamentations. Overnight in Šibenik.
Lecture itinerary: Cosmic Patterns, Solar Outbursts, and Cycles of Civilization
Thursday, July 25 – Primosten
After breakfast we sail towards PrimoÅ¡ten. Stop for a swim in a bay on island Ugljan. On our journey we will visit an ancient megalithic wall near Žirje, dated at least to 6th century BC that the folk tradition calls Teuta’s Palace. (Teuta was an Illyrian queen and the charismatic arch enemy of the Romans.) Above this wall there are remains of a hillfort from the Justinian times and, above all, a medieval fortification. Again, a wonderful place to observe multiple layers of history and spot its retrograde movement.
Also, Near Primošten, in a village called Grebaštica, we can see another ancient necropolis and the continuity of the use of the sacral sites in Dalmatia. The necropolis probably originates from deep antiquity, but we can trace continuity through the Roman times, Middle Ages and all the way to the present. On this location we can also see another Dalmatian specialty, a dual church, very unusual in the Christian tradition which probably points to old Manichean cults.
Lecture itinerary: We Become the Sun: The Ancient Metaphysics of
Consciousness, Life, and Beyond
Friday, July 26 – BraÄ
After breakfast on board we depart for island Brac, we stop for a swim in the famous bay. BraÄ is one of the most interesting islands in the Adriatic and a wonderful source of ancient wonders. We will see the Dragon’s Cave, still inexplicable shrine with beautifully stone – carved monuments of esoteric Christianity.
The mainline historians disagree as to the origin of these carvings for no less than 15 centuries. This is a very appropriate place to dive into the mysteries of early Christianity. It is not widely known that Christianity as a state religion was brought to Rome from Dalmatia, not the other way around. We will see why Dragon’s Cave probably was a sanctuary of an ancient oracle. Also visit to town of Å krip is the oldest settlement on BraÄ by tradition and, also by tradition, the birth place of Saint Hellen, Diocletian’s concubine and Constantine’s mother.
Here we will be able to see an ancient megalithic wall predating Rome and an unusual megalithic tomb in a tower, from the Roman times in which, by tradition, Diocletian’s wife and daughter were buried. We will be able to see the local museum with many interesting artifacts and, quite appropriately, the church of Saint Hellen. Captains dinner on board. After dinner we sail back to Trogir and overnite in Trogir.
Lecture itinerary: Lessons from the Ancients, Implications for Today;
Questions & Answers
Saturday, July 27 – Trogir
- Breakfast on board
- Disembarkation at 9:00 AM City Port Trogir.
**itinerary subject to change due to changes in weather condition
Our Yacht
The most luxurious ship available for charter in Croatia, Casablanca will give you incredible comfort in specious salon, lounge bar with piano, huge open area terrace for leisure and sunbathing. Sauna, wellness zone with massage on board and sundeck bar are just some of the facilities on offer.
Built in 2016
Cabins come with one double bed, two twin beds or triple beds with air-conditioning, plasma TV, free wireless internet, working tables, mirror, safety deposit box, night lamps, wooden wall boards, chair, electricity supply, safety and fire alarm installations, sanitary facilities, mini bar, toilet and shower.
Spacious Cabins
Twin / double bed cabins feature air conditioning, wireless internet and LCD TV’s.
Fine Dining
Healthy vegetarian meals (meat & fish options available) and there’s an abundance of fresh fruit & natural spring water, herbal teas,longevity elixirs and smoothies.
Modern Amenities
The Casablanca boasts an on-board Jacuzzi, serviced open-deck bar, sauna and wellness zone with spa services on board, sun loungers, and free WIFI.
Spa Services
We offer a range of Spa services aboard the yacht, including Esalen Massage®, Deep Bodywork® and Amethyst Crystal Biomat.
**Yacht selection subject to change due to number of participants, not to exceed total of 38 people on board.
Pricing
Exploring Ancient Megaliths in Croatia with
Robert M. Schoch Ph.D. 2019
Included in your price:
Seven days and seven nights on-board exclusive five star private Yacht
accommodations (double- or triple- occupancy cabins)
Daily educational programs: Speakers lectures, group yoga, meditation
and one-on-one transformational sessions
All high vibrational meals and non-alcoholic beverages, smoothies and
longevity elixirs
All from-the-boat activities – guided tours and visits to Ancient Megaliths
in Croatia
On-board access to sun deck jacuzzi, sauna, gym, piano lounge/bar, wi-
fi computer corner, use of amethyst crystal infrared Biomat
On board Naturopath Doctor
Not Included
Airfare
Travel insurance
Spa services
Alcoholic beverages
Payment Schedule
The total cost of the cruise is $3850.00 USD.
We are currently offering early bird special: pay your deposit of $850 now and in full by January 31, 2019 and your total cost is only $3.500. All payments received after January 31, 2019 will require full cost of $3.850.
You will need to fill out our required registration form prior to making
your payment. In order to complete the registration form, you will need
your passport information and your emergency contact information.
Destinations
DAY ONE Saturday, July 20 – TROGIR
Trogir is a harmonious stone town on a small island which is connected to the mainland and the island of ÄŒiovo by bridges. The old town, under UNESCO protection, is a treasure trove for lovers of Art, Renaissance and Baroque buildings and Romanesque churches. It is called the town-museum which is visible in the famous portal of Trogir cathedral by the craftsman Radovan in 1240, a Renaissance city lodge, the thousand year old Monastery of sv. Nikola [St. Nicholas] which has the ancient famous relief of Kairos preserved in it from the 4th century BC. The small, narrow streets and small village squares, numerous restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and galleries, along with numerous cultural and music open air events give this town a special atmosphere of the Mediterranean.
DAY TWO Sunday July 21 – KORNATI NATIONAL PARK
The Kornati archipelago is a special group of islands located between Šibenik and Zadar. It covers about 320 km2 and includes around 150 land units located either permanently or frequently above the sea. The archipelago makes 12% of all the islands in the Croatian Adriatic – 1264 islands, 67 of them inhabited. It has been long attracting the attention of yachtsmen, divers, mountaineers and other nature lovers.
DAY THREE Monday, July 22 – ZADAR
Zadar is a town that has antique origins with the most researched Roman forum on the eastern side of the Adriatic and late Roman church – the cathedral of St. StoÅ¡ija [St. Anastasia], Sv. KrÅ¡evan [St. Krsevan] and the famous Sv. Donat [St. Donatus]. With its valuable collections, libraries and archives, Zadar is proud of the fact that the foundations of the oldest Croatian university were laid here in 1396. Recently made even more famous for its Sea Organ, an architectural miracle on the Zadar riva (sea front). Alfred Hitchcock was so impressed with Zadar and its sunset that he said that from the Zadar riva ‘one can enjoy the most beautiful sunset in the world. If you go to the nearby old town of Nin, you will find the smallest cathedral in the world – Crkva svetog Kriza (Church of the Holly Cross), that is only 36 paces long.
DAY FOUR Tuesday, July 23 – VODICE
Not a long way from Å ibenik, in a beautiful cove encompassed by various islands and islets there is Vodice, one of Croatia’s most clean towns. Its closeness to the Kornati archipelago and waterway Krka gully with delightful waterfalls, and additionally the great state of the town, shorelines and parks, makes Vodice an alluring and appealing traveler goal.
As a residential area, it lives night and day, and dependably offers something new and unordinary. The most celebrated are the Vodice customary people celebrations, Easter and Christmas traditions, social and excitement occasions, celebrations, nighttimes of Dalmatian a’cappella melodies, sports rivalries: regatta, enormous diversion angling, cycling… Its rich nightlife and excitement makes Vodice a standout amongst the most appealing towns on the Adriatic. Whoever has gone to Vodice once dependably returns!
DAY FIVE Wednesday, July 24 – KRKA NATIONAL PARK
Stretching from the western foot of the Dinaric Range into the sea near Å ibenik, the 73km Krka River and its wonderful waterfalls define the landscape of Krka National Park. The waterfalls are a karstic phenomenon: over millennia river water has created a canyon up to 200m deep through limestone hills. It’s the most dramatic natural sight in the region, but there are also several artificial sights within the park that are well worth the effort of reaching.
DAY SIX Thursday, July 25 -PRIMOSTEN
Once an island, PrimoÅ¡ten has preserved the atmosphere and all the architectural features of a medieval Mediterranean fishing village. The town is dominated by sv. Juraj [St. George] on the highest point of the former island, and the Church of Gospa od Milosti [Our Lady of Mercy] and the chapel of sv. Roko [St. Rocco] certainly attracts our attention. Naturally sheltered from the winds, surrounded by vineyards woven into a stone honeycomb, at the foot of the hills there is Kremik marina which is unique on the Adriatic. The view of the Babić vines in their stone cells on the nearby slopes is a special experience and testimony to how man’s hand can enrich and fertilize even the harshest landscape. On the RaduÄa peninsula, to the north of the town, in a pine forest, there are hotels and beaches with a wide range of facilities.
DAY SEVEN Friday July 26 – BRAC
The famous Zlatni rat beach spreads to the west of Bol – island Brac and is one of the biggest and most beautiful natural beaches on the Adriatic. Like a tongue stretching almost half a kilometre into the sea, it grows with the drifting deposits of tiny pebbles, changing its shape depending on the wind and the direction of the waves. Bol is a paradise for surfers because of the favourable wind, which always blows. There is an array of high-class hotel complexes and private apartments along the beach and the coastal promenade.In the vicinity of the town centre are a baroque summer house, castle, parish church and the small square “pjaceta”.On the eastern side, a Dominican monastery, one of the most beautiful in Europe, rises on the Glavici peninsula.Only two hours walk from Bol are sites of exceptional value – the Blaca desert (church and monastery from the 16th century) and Zmajeva spilja (a cave rich in reliefs, and home to Glagolitic priests).
Travel
Flying from USA
We suggest you go to www.skyscanner.com or www.kayak.com to
purchase your round trip flight to Split, Croatia.
Flying from Europe
There are direct flights to Split from many European destinations. The
range increases continually so please check the full route network from the
Split Airport website. There are also charter flights to Split from UK
regional airports like Bristol, Norwich, Birmingham, Southampton, Luton
and Manchester. You can also travel to Split via nearby Zadar on the
Dalmatian coast. From Zadar, fly to Split or take a bus along the coast to
Split (approx. 2.5 hours)
You can also fly to Dubrovnik, Zadar, Pula and Zagreb airports. From these
places, you can easily connect to other cities by plane, bus, train or car-
rental.
Airlines which fly to Croatia from European cities
Easyjet Airlines from London Gatwick
Wizz Airlines from London Luton
Austrian Airlines from Vienna
Germanwings Airlines from Berlin Schonefeld, Cologne, Bonn, Hamburg
and Stuttgart;
Lufthansa Airlines from Frankfurt/Main International;
SNBrussels Airlines from Brussels;
Norwegian Air Airlines from Oslo;
SkyEurope Airlines from Bratislava, Prague, Budapest and Kracow;
Croatia Airlines flies from London Gatwick, Manchester, Paris Charles de
Gaulle, Vienna, Zagreb, Berlin Schonefeld, Dusseldorf, Hannover,
Hamburg, Frankfurt, Rome, Athens;
Croatian currrency is called Kuna. Check the current exchange rate on line – it changes
periodically. There are money exchange shops open 24/7 on every corner
and ATM machines. We suggest carry little cash and exchange your
currency as needed. You can NOT purchase things in Euros or Dollars,
however most places do take major credit cards.
For up to date currency rates visit:
https://greenwichmeantime.com/time-zone/europe/croatia/currency/
Croatia’s Adriatic coast is blessed with a Mediterranean climate. The
summers are typically warm and sunny with average daytime temperatures
around 80°F and nighttime temperatures dropping to the 60s. From May to
June and September to October, temperatures are usually a bit cooler but
still comfortable for swimming. Rain is always a possibility in Croatia so it
is essential to bring adequate rainwear and a warm jacket in case of
inclement weather.
Croatia does not require tourist visa to travel or stay in Croatia for up to 90
days.
We suggest you bring:
• Comfy walking shoes
• Sunblock/chapstick
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Camera
• Travel alarm
• Meds
• Personal toiletries
• Small backpack for day
• Hat/head covering for the sun
• Power adapters –
Croatia uses 220 volts, and you can use the same two pron
PlugAdapter used throughout most of Europe. Many appliances,
such as hair dryers and curling irons usually require a Plug Adapter
and a Voltage Converter. Some appliances and/or electronics, such
as laptops and many battery chargers only require the plug adapter.
Please check your appliances directly for their specific requirements.
• Medications – you should bring adequate medication for your entire
trip with a prescription slip or doctor’s letter explaining why you
need this medicine in case you need further medication.
• Journal and/or Note Pad
• Snack items, such as energy bars, dried fruit or nuts and/or special
dietary items
• Water bottle with a sprayer and/or with a battery-operated fan attached,
if you are sensitive to the warmer weather.
• An extra foldable/crunched up bag- if you plan to do any shopping.
• No Jet Lag – a homeopathic remedy that can help assuage the
effects of jet lag from long flights excursions.
Dress comfortably, loose cotton clothes are preferable, a t-shirt, and
cotton trousers, track pants, shorts, summer dresses for women. Bring
bathing suits/swim trunks. Dress code is casual, but you may want to
bring something dressier for evenings if you wish. Bring a rain jacket just in
case of occasional shower (highly unlikely). During the summer months it
is HOT during the day in Croatia, and warm in the evening. Comfortable
cotton clothing is suggested for your daily wear. Please be sure to bring
comfortable flat shoes for daytime, preferably with closed-in toes for
walking through Megaliths and stony beaches. Sneakers and socks are a
good choice for our Megaliths treks.
Croatian is the official language in Croatia. However, everyone speaks
English and most likely another language like German or French.
If your mobile is equipped with ‘roaming’ then you will have no problem
using it in Croatia, however please note that international calls are
expensive. If you feel you will need to make a large number of phone calls,
either local or international, while you are in Croatia, it is best to purchase
a local Croatian SIM card from local carrier, T-Mobile or VIP upon arrival in
Croatia. You can then use your phone just as you would a pre-paid phone.
To do this you must ensure your mobile is ‘unlocked’ and this must be
done from your home country. Recharge cards are easily available. Please
remember to bring your phone charger with you and an adapter.
WIFI is available in most places. However, it is sometime unreliable, not
often If you require an internet connection during your stay, we
recommend purchasing a SIM card and using your phone as hotspot. SIM
cards with pre-paid data plans can be purchased upon arrival at one of the
airport for about $30 USD. Please check with your carrier to make sure
that your phone is unlocked and compatible with an international SIM
card. Alternatively your carrier may offer international data plans that will
accommodate your usage needs without the need for a SIM card.
Internet Flash Drives (obtained through mobile phone companies) loaded
with up to 12 GB of uploading and downloading space are available for
$50.00 USD.
Drink only well-sealed bottles of bought water – although Croatia’s tap
water is officially safe to drink. Change in water content alone can be
enough to upset a sensitive stomach. Avoid drinks with ice cubes. Most
restaurants serve a variety of Croatian and Western dishes with plenty of
vegetarian options. Food is safe to eat, and is usually of a good quality.
You may want to bring along your own remedies for stomach ailments,
remedies like raw ginger, or ginger tea.
Bottled water will be provided on all excursions.
No inoculations are necessary when arriving in Croatia. Consult with your
health care provider before traveling. For further information regarding
vaccinations please visit this website:
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/croatia
Site visits will generally involve a fair bit of walking and standing. For those
who are concerned about the physical requirements of the excursions due
to mobility or health concerns, we may be able to take tired participants
back to the boat. If a shuttle vehicle is not available, you will be welcome
to return to the bus and wait for the rest of the group. As well participants
will be briefed each night about the level of difficulty of the upcoming
day’s excursion. You are always welcome to opt-out of site visits.
As Croatia is a part of UN alcohol is widely available. They offer both local
and international brands. It is also permitted for you to bring your duty-free
allowance into Croatia. If you have additional requirements, please ask for
assistance.
Tipping is welcome, but not necessary in Croatia. As in most countries,
tipping should be given for a service that you are happy with. As a
guideline, you should give small but regular tips of up to 30 Kaunas or
$5.00 USD to cleaners, bell boys etc. For waiters, drivers etc, typically
receive about 15%. It is customary to tip the cruise crew as well. Tips for
our cruise staff are normally included in your tour fee. Follow your own
guidance for tipping if you feel that you received special service from
anyone along your journey.
Popular shopping and gift items in Croatia are local arts & crafts,
chocolate, locally made alcoholic drinks, essential oils, spices, small
musical instruments, scarves, gold and silver jewelry. Although bargaining
is a common practice here, we recommend that you have a fair price in
mind when you see an item that you like and stay within what you decide
is a fair price range. Please ask for assistance when you are unsure!
It is mandatory for you to have travel insurance. Please check your policy
thoroughly to ensure it will cover all activities you may wish to do during
your holiday. There are many travel insurance companies. We recommend
STA Travel (www.statravel.com) and AAA (www.aaa.com) for affordable
worldwide travel insurance.
Another travel insurance company:
TravelInsured.com.
Also Travel Guard:
http://www.travelguard.com
Visit to Tesla's Birthplace & Museum
Wednesday, July 24
There are numerous exhibits in the open, including an authentic looking old barn, where
Tesla used to play.
Location
Smiljan – a birthplace of Nikola Tesla, born July 10, 1856 is a village in the
mountainous region of Lika in Croatia. The thematic park is well organized and consists
of the newly renovated birth house of Nikola Tesla (rebuilt several times), a Serbian
Orthodox church, where his father was a minister and a multimedia center.
Nikola Tesla symbolizes a unifying force and inspiration for all nations in the name of
peace and science. He was a true visionary far ahead of his contemporaries in the field
of scientific development.
Special Guests
Ellen Watson
Ellen is a teacher of Esalen® Massage, Gabrielle Roth’s 5Rhythms, Holotropic Breathwork, SpiritDanceSoulSong, The Art of Essential Touch and Your Body is a Musical Instrument. From 1984 through 2003, Ellen developed and administered the Movement Arts Program at Esalen® Institute – www.Esalen.org.
Domagoj Nikolić
Domagoj Nikolic is  a researcher of Ancient History, Megaliths, Sacred Sites and Archaeoastronomy, focusing on the Balkans. He is a member of an international multidisciplinary scientific team specializing in archaeoacuostics called SB Research Group, functioning under the auspices of the University of Trieste. Domagoj will be our Guide exploring Ancient Megaliths in the Adriatic.
In 1996 Ellen founded MovingVentures School, a 501c3 non-profit educational organization focusing on women and men in developing countries. MovingVentures faculty offer workshops, retreats and trainings around the globe -in USA, Indonesia, China, Japan and Europe. Included in our time together will be introductions to Mindfulness Practices including Esalen® Massage & Bodywork, Touching Essence, Aquatic Bodywork, Sensory Awareness Meditation, Gestalt Practice, Personal Inquiry Exercises, Holotropic Breathwork, Meditation, The 5Rhythms, SpiritDance/SoulSong, Continuum Movement and Releasing Trauma. The Croatian Islands and mainland’s stunning setting, gracious living and workshop spaces create an ideal environment for abiding in nature while returning to the wisdom of your senses and your body. Join Ellen Watson in warm waters of the Adriatic Sea and the magic of Croatia.
Robert M Schoch PH.D
Inspirational lectures from Robert on the Great Sphynx, Easter Island and Gobekli Tepe July 20th to July 27th, 2019
Enjoy the sun deck, Jacuzzi, sauna and piano bar aboard the Casablanca. Group yoga, meditation and one-on-one transformational sessions are available to guests alongside scheduled guided tours
2019/07/20 14:00:00