"Viewers are treated to a smorgasbord of people, places and customs, set against a backdrop of stunning vistas and crystal-clear water."
Frank Matys, Orillia Today

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This DVD includes 8 X 30 minute episodes as we sail through the straits of Messina to the volcanic "Aeolian Islands" then on to historic Siracusa in Sicily, the south coast of the boot of Italy and Croatia. Exploring the wonderful Dalmatian islands of the Croatian coast we finish up at historic Venice.

Contains 8 X 30 minute episodes:

Episode #15 Vulcano
Episode #16 Stromboli
Episode #17 Siracusa and South Italy
Episode #18 Dubrovnik
Episode #19 Dalmatian Islands
Episode #20 Hvar
Episode #21 Rogoznica
Episode #22 Venice

Distant Shores Series Trailer (Quicktime) Hi-Speed version

Distant Shores Series Trailer (Quicktime) Dial up version

•  Feature commentary on Episode #19 Dalmatia with tips for chartering and sailing in Croatia
•  Feature commentary on Episode #22 Venice with insider information and extra travel facts
• “First Crossing” feature on Two-Step’s first Atlantic voyage from Florida to Gibraltar via Bermuda and the Azores
• Host biographies - Scene selections and more

Episode 15 - Vulcano

From Malta, we sail north through the notorious Strait of Messina navigating the strong currents featured in Homer's "Odyssey". We face headwinds on the way to the Aeolian Islands. Arriving at the island of Vulcano we swim in bubbling hot seawater from the volcano, dive on underwater bubbling gas vents, relax in healing mud pools and climb to the top of the island's steaming crater where the path is blocked by vents of toxic gas.

Episode 16 - Stromboli

We raise anchor to sail north to the twin-peaked island of Salina, famous for it's Malmsey wine. Paul rents a unique 5-wheeled vehicle and searches the island for the best wine. As he travels the island he meets fun-loving locals and samples the wine. In the distance is the island of Stromboli, an active volcano which for centuries has erupted every 15 to 20 minutes. Leaving Two-Step in the marina on Salina, we ride one of the island ferries and do a night climb of Stromboli and get a spectacular view of the eruptions.

Episode 17 - Siracusa and South Italy

From the Aeolian Islands, we sail back south through the Strait of Messina where they have calm seas and are visited by dolphins. We stop at the ancient town of Siracusa in Sicily, once the most powerful city-state in ancient Greece, rivalling even Athens in power. Next we sail to small ports along the south and southeast coast of Italy heading for the Adriatic Sea. We explore the isolated hilltowns of Calabria and are 'captured' by friendly brigands who wine and dine us.

Episode 18 - Dubrovnik

In Brindisi, Italy, we are held up with bad weather. Finally, we get the right wind to cross the Adriatic Sea to Croatia but have a rough passage. When we make landfall in Croatia the next morning we drop anchor to rest and are awakened by a couple of marine police officers who charge us for stopping without an anchoring permit. They confiscate our passports and we have to appear in court to get them back. We consider leaving the country there and then. But the court translator befriends us and, determined to show us what a wonderful country Croatia can be, introduces us to the local people, takes us on a tour of the old city of Dubrovnik, and sails with us to the beautiful surrounding islands where we dive and play with the colourful marine life.

Episode 19 - Dalmatian Islands (Includes additional commentary
 track with extra information for travellers or sailors planning to visit the spectacular Croatian coast)

Leaving Dubrovnik we sail north to the fortified town of Ston and visit it's treasured salt pans. In Mali Ston, we meet a local oysterman who takes us out in his boat to help harvest the oysters his son prepares for dinner. Next we sail to the barren islands of Kornati Islands National Park where we're caught in Croatia’s most dreaded type of storm - a bora. Then sail north to the island of Dugi Otok where we dive for giant mussels.

Episode 20 - Hvar

Sail to the island of Hvar in Croatia for a week-long rendezvous with 60 other sailors. We celebrate both Canada Day and American Independence Day, visit local wineries then explore this island, famous for its cultivation of lavender, in an old citroen rental car that continually breaks down..

Episode 21 - Rogoznica

Two-Step's next stop along the Dalmation coast of Croatia is the town of Trogir, an ancient walled city and one of the few Dalmation towns to first resist, then thrive under old Venetian rule. From here, we sail to the town of Rogoznica, once a pirate strong-hold, where we meet up with French sailing friends who have a waterfront summer home. They take us to explore an abandoned hilltop bunker from the recent war and teach us to purchase and cook the local fish. The highlight of our visit is the annual procession of Our Lady of the Shrine where Paul joins the locals in a grueling one-hour swim around the bay, while Sheryl participates in the procession joining the local boats in her dinghy.

Episode 22 - Venice (Additional commentary track on this episode)

After cruising north along the Dalmatian coast of Croatia, we cross the Adriatic Sea to Venice, Italy. Mooring Two-Step at the local sailing club, Sheryl rides the waterbus to the bountiful city fish market while Paul explores the canals in the dinghy looking for a repair shop to buy parts for Two-Step's engine. Our visit coincides with the annual Historical Regatta where traditional boats are raced in the Grand Canal. Later, Mario, a local sailor, takes us for a ride to outlying islands around Venice in his shallow-draft sailboat and stops at a boatyard where gondolas and other traditional Venetian boats are built. The show concludes with Mario teaching Paul how to row a gondola, a very tippy vessel, while singing gondolier songs.