Welcome to Zagreb! You will be met at the airport and
transferred to your hotel. Then the day is at leisure to get
settled in or begin exploring on your own. Later, gather
for a welcome reception with your traveling companions
and your tour director. (WR)
This morning, enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper
Town, St Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the
Cathedral, the Parliament, and the Government Palace.
The rest of the day is free to explore the winding streets of
the Old Town. (B)
Optional tour: Kumrovec with dinner
We journey south, out of Croatia to Sarajevo, the capital
of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After checking in at the hotel,
there is free time. (B)
Sarajevo has been influenced by a number of cultures
and civilizations during its long history. On our city tour we
visit the Turkish bazaar “Bas Carsija,” Husref Bay’s Mosque,
the Olympic Stadium, and Gavrilo Princip Museum. Then,
we continue our trip through the mountains and along
the gorge of the Neretva River to Mostar. Here, view the
remains of the Turkish quarter and the reconstructed 16thcentury stone bridge. Finally, we travel to Dubrovnik, with
its picturesque setting on the stunning Adriatic coast. (B)
After breakfast, we take a walking tour of "Old
Dubrovnik". We see the Rector's Palace, the Bell Tower
Clock, Orlando's Column and the Sponza Palace. We will
also see the Dominican Monastery and the Franciscan
Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the
world. Next, we visit a local artisan to learn about the
traditional craftsmanship that still thrives here today. The
remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
Optional tour: Home-hosted dinner
We travel to the Republic of Montenegro, more
specifically to the mouth of the beautiful Bay of Kotor, the
longest and deepest fjord in Southern Europe. Here, we
enjoy a boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks, one of two
islets off the coast of Perast. The Roman Catholic Church
is the largest building on the islet; a museum is attached
to the Church. While we return to the coast, we stop in
Perast, an old and charming coastal town. Afterward, we
visit the city of Kotor before returning to Dubrovnik. The
evening is free to enjoy on your own. (B)
Optional tour: Home-hosted dinner
Today, we travel north along the spectacular Adriatic
coast, past old fishing villages and new resorts, to Split.
There, we enjoy a city tour featuring the historic inner city,
built around the Palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian, a
UNESCO World Heritage site. Then, we see the remnants
of Split's Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic
structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle, and the
Cathedral. After the tour, we enjoy some olive oil tasting.
The remainder of the day is at leisure. (B)
After breakfast, we head to Trogir, a center of artistic
activities in Croatia. Scholars from around the world
gather here to study and paint. Then, we turn inland and
journey to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Tonight, dinner is
served at our hotel. (B, D)
We have a full day to enjoy spectacular Plitvice Lakes
National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Have your
camera ready as we walk around several of the lower
lakes. The breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder
with 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded
mountains and lush vegetation is second to none. Dinner
is served at our hotel. (B, D)
We return to the coast and stop at the beautiful bay of
Kvarner and its popular resort Opatija. An orientation tour
of Opatija shows off the highlights of this former Imperial
resort city. Afterward, we drive across the border into
Slovenia and to the Postojna Caves, one of the largest
caves in Europe. We tour this fantastic subterranean
world by miniature electric train. Afterward, we continue
to Bled, beautifully set in the Julian Alps. (B)
An Alpine lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was
“discovered” by travelers in the middle of the 19th
century. Our sightseeing tour features the charming town
and the lakeshore, and a visit of the imposing Bled
Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. In the
afternoon, there is an excursion to Ljubljana. Here, in the capital city of Slovenia, our tour takes in views of the
open-air Central Market, the Baroque Town Hall, Robba's
Fountain, the Three Bridges, and the Parliament. We
return to Bled to overnight. (B)
Optional tour: Traditional dinner at the Country Inn
We leave Rovinj and drive south to Trieste in Italy for an
orientation tour and a visit to Miramare Castle and its
lovely park. The castle was built by the Habsburg
monarchy on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea. After
our visit, we continue to the romantic city of Venice. (B)
Optional tour: Pub crawl “Venetian style”
We begin our exploration of Venice at St. Mark’s Square,
for a walking tour including visits of the St. Mark’s Basilica
and the Doge’s Palace and enjoying views of the Bell
Tower and the Bridge of Sighs. During our tour we stop for
a tasting of the typical venetian aperitif called Spritz. The
balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy Venice on your
own. In the evening, gather with your fellow travelers and
your tour director for our farewell dinner. (B, D)
Optional tour: Gondola serenade
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Venice airport
for your flight home. (B)
Inclusion
Arrival transfer from Zagreb airport to the hotel
14 day/13-night guided tour featuring:
Centrally Located First Class hotels:
2 nights in Zagreb
1 night in Sarajevo
3 nights in Dubrovnik
1 night in Split
2 nights in Plitvice
2 nights in Bled
2 nights in Venice
Buffet breakfast daily
A welcome reception in Zagreb (heavy hors d’oeuvres, a glass of wine, beer or soft drink)
2 Dinners in Plitvice
A farewell dinner in Venice (coffee or tea included)
Hotel taxes and service charges
Touring by modern air-conditioned motor-coach
Professional English-speaking tour director
Sightseeing tours with licensed local guides
Admission included where indicated in bold letters
Luggage handling at the hotels
Whisper technology enhanced touring
Departure transfer from Venice to Venice airport
Tour Spotlights:
Zagreb, Croatia’s cultural center with a rich history and 18th and 19th century Austro-Hungarian architecture
Sarajevo which has many stories to tell
Mostar with its 16th-century Ottoman bridge
Dubrovnik, the Jewel of the Adriatic
Kotor’s Old Town
Split’s Diocletian's Palace
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Bled, a striking lake with a castle
Ljubljana, one of Europe’s greenest capitals, a prehistoric history, scenic bridges and a rich arts scene
Postojna Caves, part of Slovenia’s natural wonders
Venice, a fabled city with palazzos, bridges, masks, churches, canals and gondolas
Special Features:
Visit of a local artisan in Dubrovnik
A boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks in the Bay of Kotor
Olive oil tasting in Split
Exclusion
International airfares
Optional activities
Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not specified on the program
Personal equipment
Travel insurance
Gratuities
Voluntary tips for guides or drivers
Travel and medical insurance
Any items not mentioned as included
Note
Hotel Accommodation / Select Hotels:
Zagreb: Sheraton (F) or similar
Sarajevo: Europe (F) or similar
Dubrovnik: Lacroma (F)/ Argosy (F) / Lapad (F) or similar
Split: Atrium (F) or similar
Plitvice: Jezero (F) or similar
Bled: Park (F) / Rikli Balance (F) or similar
Venice: Bonvecchiati (F) or similar
