15 days Eastern Capitals and the Dalmatian Riviera (Summer 2018)
Embark on a journey to areas of stunning natural beauty and historical significance.
| Day | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Your Journey Begins | Board your overnight flight to Europe (Flight not included) |
| 2 | Welcome to Vienna | On arrival at Vienna airport, your transfer will leave for your hotel at 10:00, 13:00 or 15:00. Join your Travel Director at 17:30 for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy a pleasant evening of dinner and wine. Hotel: Hilton Vienna. Meals: Dinner with Wine |
| 3 | Exploring Stately Vienna | Join a Local Expert for a private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and formal gardens. Then get your cameras ready for a drive around the famous ring road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital's architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, Hofburg Imperial residence and Parliament building and Karlskirche. The rest of the day is at your leisure to continuing exploring.. Hotel: Hilton, Vienna Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 4 | Maribor and the Capital City of Ljubljana | In the morning, cross the border into Slovenia and journey to its second largest city Maribor. After spending time in this charming city, head to the ‘beloved’ city of Ljubljana. Hotel: Lev, Ljubljana Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 5 | Exploring ‘Lovable’ Ljubljana | (Relaxed Start) A Local Expert will reveal the Baroque elegance of the Slovenian capital. The medieval castle stands as ancient guardian, the City Hall and Cathedral of St. Nicholas testify to its historical importance, while the Triple Bridge spans the river adorned with cafés and restaurants. Spend time in the glorious Central Market, rich with the heady aromas of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat and spices. Your Local Expert will share insights into some of the Slovenian delicacies on display. The rest of afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, you are invited to choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around evening. Hotel: Lev, Ljubljana Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dine-Around |
| 6 | Zagreb’s Twin Towns | Journey into Croatia where on arrival in Zagreb, you meet your Local Expert for an exploration of this capital. Donji Grad, the Lower Town, is devoted to business, art and spacious parks, where streets are wide and airy and the layout is designed to give a sense of grandeur. See the Mimara Art Museum in Roosevelt Square and continue to Ban Josip Jelacic Square en route to the cathedral. The medieval Upper Town, is a network of little streets, stretching between the Kaptol and Gradec hills. View the former Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St. Mark's Church and the Lotrščak Tower. Hotel: Sheraton Zagreb Hotel. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 7 | Zagreb at Leisure | (Relaxed Start) A free day to relax and enjoy a city that is bursting with culture. Perhaps spend time exploring one of the many museums or browsing the shops in (Donji grad) .Maybe try the local cuisine in one of Zagreb's interesting restaurants or cafes? Hotel: Sheraton Zagreb Hotel Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 8 | Relaxed Start On to Plitvice National Park. | Journey south to visit one of Europe's great natural wonders. Your Local Expert will lead you through zig-zagging timber footbridges and the crystal blue-green beauty of Plitvice National Park: a scenic wonderland of 16 interconnecting lakes, flanked by waterfalls and primeval forest. Visit Korana Canyon to see the 70-metre-high falls and Tomicevo Pogledalo for spectacular panoramic views. Spend the evening at Jezero Hotel, situated in a stunning location at the heart of the National Park and close to the lakes. Hotel: Hotel Jezero, Plitvice Lakes. Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 9 | Along the Dalmatian Coast to Split | The green forests give way to pebble-dashed shores lapped by turquoise waters as you travel to Trogir, a historic town founded by the Greeks in 400BC. Admire the cathedral and Renaissance Cipiko Palace before continuing to the historic port of Split. 1,700 years ago, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace here and today it forms the nucleus of the old town. A Local Expert will lead you through the labyrinthine streets and arcaded squares to see St. Duje's, (originally Diocletian's Mausoleum), the Temple of Jupiter (today, a baptistery) and the Golden Gate, Your exploration then continues underground as you are guided through the Cellars. In the evening, don't miss the opportunity to dine like a true local at a traditional Konoba. Hotel: Hotel President Solin, Split. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 10 | Exploring Split | (Relaxed Start) Always buzzing, this lively city has just the right balance of tradition and modernity. See Dalmatian life as it’s really lived with a full day free to explore Split and its surrounds. Why not join the Optional Experience to discover the largest Dalmatian island, Brač? The adventure includes sailing to the island and venturing to the highest peak for incredible views before visiting the island's oldest settlement and stopping for a light lunch. Hotel: Hotel President Solin Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 11 | Mostar to Sarajevo, | In the morning, cross the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina to Mostar. During your guided walking exploration with your Local Expert, see the famous Stari Most, or Old Bridge, reconstructed after being almost completely destroyed during the Croat–Bosniak War. The cobbled old town stretches on both sides of the bridge and is filled with shops selling Turkish-style souvenirs. Continue to Sarajevo, a town with a turbulent past - in 1914 it was the site of the assassination that sparked World War I and more recently, it endured the longest siege in modern military history. Follow the scenic route to Sarajevo for a unique and rewarding insight into the local way of life as you are invited into a Sarajevan family home for a dinner with drinks. Savour the warm hospitality and authentic cuisine as you hear inspirational stories about their culture and recent struggles. Hotel: Hotel Bristol Sarajevo. Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 12 | Sarajevo the City of Culture. | Morning sightseeing with a Local Expert introduces you to the Sarajevo War Tunnels Museum, housing part of the secret tunnel that was the city's lifeline during the Bosnian war. Talk to one of the survivors, for whom the siege of Sarajevo remains a defining moment in his life. You will also see the Latin Bridge where Austrian Crown Prince, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated. Continue to the Baščaršija, the cobbled old town market where Sarajevo was founded by the Ottomans in the 15th century. In the afternoon, enjoy time at your leisure. Hotel: Bristol, Sarajevo Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 13 | Mostar and Dubrovnik | In the morning, travel south to stop at the small town of Medjugorje, made famous by six children who claim to have seen visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Cross the border back into Croatia and journey to the walled town of Dubrovnik. On arrival, join your Local Expert to explore the stone-paved streets inside the 16th century bastions of the old town. See Onofrio's Fountain and the Rector's Palace, as well as the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. Hotel: Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |
| 14 | Optional Montenegro Experience | (Relaxed Start) In the morning, why not visit Montenegro? This Optional Experience travels to Kotor, where your camera can capture one of the most beautiful parts of the bay as you learn the history of the area, before returning to Dubrovnik with a short cruise. As the sun begins to set, and should the weather permit, join your fellow travel companions as you sit back and enjoy a relaxing cruise around the fabled bay of Dubrovnik. Admire the most important feature of the city, the mighty city walls rising straight from the cliffs, perfectly-preserved from the Middle Ages. While cruising, enjoy a Celebration Dinner of typical Dalmatian Coast cuisine, washed down with local drinks - wine and grappa being the most famous. After toasting a fabulous journey, your cruise will moor in the old town harbour for another look at Dubrovnik. Hotel: Hotel Kompas Dubrovnik. Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner with Wine |
| 15 | Depart Dubrovnik | Your travels draw to a close after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Dubrovnik airport at 05:00, 09:00 and 11:30. Meals: Buffet Breakfast |