11 Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Thu: Arrive Sarajevo
Land in Sarajevo where you will be met at the airport.
Transfer to your hotel, settle in and relax a little. You may like to do some
exploring on your own for the remainder of the day. In the evening meet your
tour director and fellow travelers for a welcome
dinner.
(D)
Day 2 - Fri: Sarajevo Highlights
Sarajevo, capital of the Republic of Bosnia and
Herzegovina, reflects the influences of a number of cultures and civilizations.
The city center contains a number of mosques and churches, reflecting the
harmony in which religions flourished. Also see many influences of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire in wide streets and elaborate buildings. You can also
see some reminders of the recent 1992-95 siege of the city but most of the
damage has been repaired. On your city tour, visit the picturesque and lively
Bas Carsija bazaar, in the heart of the old Ottoman city. Tour the Husrefbey
Mosque, one of the city's most beautiful and dating fom 1531. Also visit the
Gavrilo Princip Museum and pass the Olympic Stadium built for the 1984 Winter
Games. The afternoon is free for further exploring on your
own.
(BB)
Day 3 - Sat: Mostar &Dubrovnik
Drive through the marvelous gorge of the Neretva River to
Mostar. This city was famous for its Old Bridge, built of stone in 1557 by a
Turkish architect, Hayrudin, employed by Sulieman the Magnificent. The bridge
was destroyed in 1993 but has been rebuilt and faithfully replicated using
original methods of building. Also walk through the old Turkish quarter that
lies on either side of the bridge. Continue your journey through the dry
countryside, where pomegranates and figs grow, to Dubrovnik, located on the
Adriatic Coast. Enjoy dinner with your group this evening.
(BB,D)
Day 4 - Sun: Tour
Dubrovnik
The old parts of Dubrovnik are completely encircled by the
defensive walls that date from the 10th century. Take a walking tour to see the
main points of interest in and around the Square of the Loggia. View Orlando's
Column, the Clock Tower and the Sponza Palace with its Renaissance loggia and
Venetian Gothic windows above it. Visit the Rector's Palace, which was the
political and administrative center for centuries and also see the Dominican
Monastery and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, dating back to 1317. The
rest of the day is at leisure.
(BB)
Day 5 - Mon: Visit
Split
Travel north along the spectacular Adriatic Coast past
traditional fishing villages and modern resorts to Split. Enjoy a city tour
featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's
Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and one of the largest and best
preserved from the Roman Empire. Diocletian became emperor in 284 A.D. and moved
to his palace in 305. See the Temple of Jupiter and the Cathedral of St.
Dominius, converted into a Christian church from Diocletian's mausoleum. Also
see the Peristyle, the interior courtyard of the Roman complex with slender
pillars. Today you can see where the layers of centuries of building have piled
one on top of the other. Spend some time on your own before joining your group
for dinner.
(BB, D)
Day 6 - Tue: Trogir & Plitvice
Lakes
After breakfast head to Trogir, set on a small island and
joined to the mainland by bridge. Since medieval times it has been a center of
artistic activities, attracting craftsmen and scholars from around the world.
Leave the Dalmatian Coast as you turn inland and travel to Plitvice Lakes
National Park. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder where 16
terraced lakes are surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation.
On arrival take a walking tour around several of the lower lakes and be sure to
have your camera ready to capture the wonderful vistas.
(BB,D)
Day 7 - Wed: Opatija &
Bled
Return to the coast and travel along the beautiful Bay of
Kvarner to its popular resort, Opatija. In the 19th century many of the
Habsburgs favored the area, due to the charming scenery and mild climate and
many elegant villas were built. After some free time journey north to visit
Postojna Caves. This is the longest cave system in Slovenia and was created by
the Pivka River. Even on a hot summer's day, the caves maintain an evenly cool
temperature. Tour the fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train,
which winds through fascinating limestone formations. Afterwards, continue to
Bled, beautifully set amidst the rocky Julian Alps.
(BB,
D)
Day 8 - Thu: Bled
Highlights
The town of Bled is set in a charming location on a lake
of the same name with a romantic island in the center. It is a great region for
sports at all times of the year. Take a sightseeing tour of Bled to view the
main features of the town and the lakeshore scenery. Visit the imposing Bled
Castle, one of the oldest medieval fortresses in Slovenia. As the residence of
the Bishops of Bixen, the fortress was noted in documents dating back to 1004.
Ascend a steep path, cross a wooden drawbridge and pass through several
fortified walls to the castle. From the terraces there are magnificent views
over the entire area. The balance of the day is at leisure for optional
activities, such as visiting the small island or walking around the lake
shore.
(BB)
Day 9 - Fri: Ljubljana &
Zagreb
Start your day with a walking tour of Ljubljana, the capital
of Slovenia. Visit the most significant sights of the old city center including
the picturesque open-air Central Market and the small but renowned Triple
Bridge. The original 1842 bridge had two side bridges added in 1931 by
Ljubljana's famous architect, Joze Plecnik. Also see the Gothic Town Hall, built
in 1718, and the Baroque Robba Fountain that stands in front of it. Then
continue to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, set in the central part of the
country. Dine in your hotel.
(BB, D)
Day 10 - Sat: Discover
Zagreb
This morning enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper
Town, which is set in the hills and where religious, political and
administrative power is located. Many of the buildings were restored following
the devastating earthquake in 1880. Visit Zagreb Cathedral with its tall spires
and elaborate decorations; the ancient St. Mark's Church with its
brightly-colored tile roof; and the Baroque St. Catherine's Church, built on the
site of an ancient Dominican church. Also see Ban's Palace, named after a
governor of Croatia and today houses the country's presidency. Pass the
Parliament Building, known as Sabor, which is the center of Croat politics
today. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the winding streets of the
old town or to take an optional excursion with dinner into the surrounding
countryside.
(BB)
Day 11 - Sun: Depart Zagreb for
Home
After breakfast, transfer to Zagreb Airport for your flight
back home.
(BB)
BB: Buffet Breakfast; D:
Dinner