Introducing 2021 Series of Small Group Tours - 

 


The Beauties of The Balkan Countries on the Adriatic

featuring Zagreb, Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Split, Trogir, Plitvice Lakes, Opatija, Postojna, Bled, Trieste, Venice

Included Tour Features: 

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

Breakfast daily
Welcome reception in Zagreb (heavy hors d’oeuvres, a glass of wine, beer or soft drink)
2 dinners in Plitvice
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 as listed in day-by-day itinerary
Luggage handling at the hotels
Whisper technology enhanced touring
Departure transfer from Venice to Venice airport 

 

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 

Tour Highlights:  

 
· Zagreb, Croatia’s cultural center with a rich history & 18th-19th century Austro-Hungarian architecture
· Sarajevo which has many stories to tell
· Mostar known for its landmark, the 16th-century Ottoman bridge
· Dubrovnik, the top jewel of the Adriatic
· Kotor’s Old Town & a boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks in the Bay of Kotor
· Split’s Diocletian's Palace
· Plitvice Lakes National Park
· Bled, a striking lake with a castle
· Ljubljana, one of Europe’s greenest capitals, with a prehistoric history, scenic bridges & a rich arts scene
· Postojna Caves, part of Slovenia’s natural wonders
· Venice, a fabled city with palazzos, bridges, masks, churches, canals and gondolas 

Day-By-Day Program: 

Day 1          MON          arrive in Zagreb 
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)

Day 2          TUE          in Zagreb 
This morning, we 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

Day 3          WED          Zagreb to Sarajevo 
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)

Day 4          THU          to Dubrovnik
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 16th-century stone bridge. Finally, we travel to Dubrovnik, with its picturesque setting on the stunning Adriatic coast (B)

Day 5          FRI          in Dubrovnik 

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 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

Day 6          SAT          in Dubrovnik: Excursion to Montenegro 
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

Day 7          SUN          to Split 
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) 

Day 8          MON         to Plitvice Lakes 
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)

Day 9          TUE          in Plitvice Lakes 
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)

Day 10         WED          to Bled 
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)

Day 11          THU         in Bled: A Day trip to Ljubljana 
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 

Day 12          FRI         to Venice 
We leave Bled and drive 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”

Day 13          SAT          in Venice 
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 

Day 14          SUN         See You Again, Venice 
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Venice airport for your flight home. Alternatively, you can continue your journey by joining Our Italian Trio Escorted tour (B)

Tour Dates, 2021:

 The above prices are in Canadian dollars, per person, twin/double share 

The prices are subject to change without prior notice