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Tentative
Itinerary
Day 1 -
Arrive Dubrovnik, Welcome Dinner
Arrive Dubrovnik
no later than 1p. Check into our hotel and relax before having our
welcome dinner in the evening.
Dubrovnik is one
of the most beautiful cities on the Croatian coast. Surrounded by
800-year-old city walls, this city is known for its signature terra
cotta roofs, narrow cobblestone streets, carefully preserved medieval
ambiance and lively atmosphere. In the Middle Ages the Republic of
Dubrovnik was an important rival of Venice. Many buildings in the old
city center testify to this glorious past and to its Venetian
influence.
Day 2 -
Dubrovnik City Tour, Free Afternoon
On a tour of “Old
Dubrovnik”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we’ll visit the fortified
walls and the Minceta Tower, the most beautiful and remarkable fort of
Dubrovnik, often regarded as the symbol of the city, and the 14th
century Franciscan Monastery whose cloister ranks among the most
inspiring sites in the city and houses the oldest working pharmacy in
Europe. We’ll also visit the Rector’s Palace, which used to be the seat
of the Government, and the Cathedral, built on the remains of the old
Cathedral that was destroyed in a 1667 earthquake. Its Treasury contains
an impressive collection of gold and silver artifacts. The afternoon is
free to continue your personal exploration of the city.
Day 3 –
Split; Zadar
This morning we
leave Dubrovnik traveling along the beautiful Dalmatian Coast to the
coastal town of Split where we’ll visit the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s
Palace. The importance of Diocletian's Palace transcends local
significance because of the level of preservation of the area. Many of
Split's historical and cultural buildings can be found within the walls
of Diocletian's Palace. In addition, numerous museums, the National
Theatre, and old churches and other archeological sites in the Split
region make it an important cultural attraction. We’ll see the remnants
of Split’s Roman heritage with its Renaissance and Gothic structures,
including the Temple of Jupiter, Peristyle Square and the Cathedral of
St. Domnius. This afternoon we continue along the Dalmatian Coast to the
city of Zadar, the oldest Slavic city on the Adriatic.
Day 4 –
Zadar
Zadar is three
thousand years old and it was the capital of Dalmatia for many
centuries. The Zadar peninsula still preserves the ancient street grid
of the town, as well as a Roman Forum dating back to the first century
AD. The pre-Romanesque Church of St. Donatus dates back to the ninth
century, and it is undoubtedly Zadar's most famous site. However, the
town is also renowned for having the most beautiful Romanesque churches
in Croatia, such as the Cathedral of St. Anastasia (13th century), the
Church of St. Chrysogonus (12th century) and the Bell-tower of St. Mary
(1105). The town is fortified with thick walls, renowned for their
impressive ports that date back to the sixteenth century.
Following our tour
the afternoon is free to stroll through Zadar’s Old Town at your
leisure.
Day 5 -
Zadar/Opatija
This morning we
depart Zadar and the coast and travel inland to the Plitvice Lakes
National Park. The beauty of the National Park lies in its sixteen
lakes strung together by waterfalls and miles of pleasant plank walks
making it possible to get close to its beauty. A tour of the region
will introduce us to the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder
where we’ll see crystal blue lakes cascading into spectacular
waterfalls.
This afternoon we
continue to the resort town of Opatija, one of the most famous resorts
in the Mediterranean and considered to be the "Pearl of the Adriatic."
Beautiful nature, parks, old Austrian villas, seaside promenade and
beaches attract visitors from all over the world.
Day 6-
Opatija (Istrian Peninsula)
Our treat for
today is to explore Istria, Croatia’s largest peninsula. We’ll visit the
Roman port city of Rovinj, one of the most photogenic towns in the
Mediterranean. The focal point of the town is the baroque church of St.
Euphemia. Afterward, we’ll travel to the nearby town of Porec. In 1267
Porec was the first Istrian town to choose Venetian rule and as a result
acquired a Venetian look as palaces, squares and religious buildings
were erected, the most noteworthy of which is the 6th century Basilica
of Euphrasius. On our return to Opatija we’ll travel through central
Istria, stopping along the way to visit the hilltop town of Motovun, a
typical example of Venetian colonial architecture.
Day 7 -
Ljubljana; Zagreb
We depart Opatija
and travel into the rugged Slovenian countryside, home to amazing
scenery and mysterious folklore. Our first stop will be Postojna to
visit one of the largest caves in Europe, which we will tour by
miniature electric train. Afterward, we’ll continue into Slovenia’s
beautiful capital city of Ljubljana. We’ll explore the Old Town with
its rich antique and medieval heritage, see the Cathedral of St.
Nicholas and the Ljubljana Castle that looms high above the city. Free
time will allow us an opportunity for shopping in the city’s quaint
boutiques or perhaps wine tasting at the Vinoteka Movia near Town Hall.
Late this afternoon we’ll return to Croatia as we travel to the capital
city of Zagreb, located on the banks of the Sava River and on the slopes
of Medvednica Mountain.
Day 8 -
Zabreb, Farewell Dinner
Take Vienna's
architecture, throw in Budapest's cafe culture, and you get Zagreb,
Croatia's grand capital and largest city. A showcase of architecture
capped by not one, but two hilltop medieval towns. You will experience
both Western European and Mediterranean influences in this 900-year old
city featuring dramatic architecture, open-air markets and wonderful
cuisine.
Today will begin
with a tour of Zagreb featuring both the fortified Upper Town and Lower
Town. In the historical Upper Town we will visit the City Museum, St.
Mark’s Square and St. Mark’s Church best known for its red, white and
blue tiled roof featuring the coat of arms for Zagreb. In addition,
we’ll see the Croatian Parliament, the Archbishops Palace and the
Cathedral with its neo-Gothic façade and twin steeples. We’ll explore
the Lower Town with buildings erected from the 19th century. The sights
include the Botanical Garden, the Old University Library, Mimara Museum,
the Croatian National Theater, the University of Zagreb and Zrinjevac
Park.
The afternoon is
free to explore Zagreb on your own. You might enjoy local figs and
olives at the Dolac open-air market, Tkalcica, the city’s most colorful
street, or the Lower Town full of wide boulevards, huge squares and
museums. We will enjoy our farewell dinner this evening.
Day 9 -
Return Home from Zagreb |
