9 Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Sat: Dubrovnik Arrival
Land in Dubrovnik where you are met at the airport.
Transfer to your hotel where you are free to relax or explore the old fortified
city a little on your own. Enjoy dinner with your group and your tour director
this evening.
(D)
Day 2 - 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 3 - Mon: Visit Split
Travel north along the spectacular Adriatic
Coast past traditional fishing villages and modern resorts to Split. Enjoy a
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 4 - 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 5 - 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 Europe 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, and relax before dinner.
(BB, D)
Day 6 - 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 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 7 - 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 8 - 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. See 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 Croatian 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 9 - Sun: Depart Zagreb for Home
After breakfast, transfer to Zagreb Airport for your flight
home.
(BB)
BB: Buffet Breakfast; D: Dinner