Jewels of the Adriatic

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You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.

Welcome to Croatia! Our Tour Director hosts a briefing tonight, followed by a welcome dinner.

Our morning guided tour covers the highlights of Zagreb: Upper Old Town with its monumental walls and iconic 13th-century St. Mark’s Church, colorful Jelacic Square, and charming alleyways nearby. The remainder of the day is free to explore this gracious city on your own.

Today we'll travel through the countryside to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Here, we’ll admire the architectural legacy of city native and 20th-century architect, Joze Plecnik, acclaimed for his work rebuilding the city after a devastating earthquake in 1895. As we explore the old town, we'll see some structures that survived the earthquake as well as some of the city's small shops and outdoor cafes. We'll have time to stroll along the riverside promenade and through the open-air market before we continue to Lake Bled.

An Alpine lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travelers in the middle of the 19th century. Since then, a small town of hotels, villas, and restaurants has developed around the lake, turning Bled into a lively, all-seasons resort. Our sightseeing tour features the charming town and the lakeshore and visits the imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The balance of the day is at leisure. Consider joining an optional excursion to the small island in the middle of Lake Bled.

Today, we'll journey north to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Our stop at Postojna Caves includes an underground train journey to view its impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Next, we'll visit a family-run homestead where we'll enjoy lunch. Afterwards, we'll continue to Opatija, a coastal town.

Ah, the Adriatic! We have a full day at leisure to savor the city's Austro-Hungarian grandeur, walk lovely waterfront promenade, and sample treats and delicious dishes from charming cafes and restaurants. Or, consider a delightful optional Istrian Peninsula excursion to see picturesque towns along the stunning coastline.

This morning we'll travel to Croatia’s oldest, largest national park, which is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Plitvice Lakes National Park features a string of 16 turquoise lakes linked by 92 waterfalls and cascades and is surrounded by densely wooded mountains and lush vegetation. This afternoon, enjoy a short scenic boat ride and leisurely walk around the along the lakeshores to admire its magnificent natural beauty. We will check-in to our hotel which is located inside the national park. Dinner is at the hotel's restaurant.

Today, we'll travel towards the coast of Zadar, the oldest Slavic town on the Adriatic sea and once famed cultural center. In Zadar, we will have a walking tour of the historical center where we can admire the old walls and Port Gate built in the 16th century. Next, we'll visit the Square of the Five Wells, the Church of St. Donat, the Roman Forum, and the largest Cathedral in Dalmatia, St. Anastasia. We'll continue along the spectacular coast to Trogir, the center of artistic activities where scholars from around the world gather to study and paint. Later, we'll arrive in Split in time for dinner.

Nestled between the mountains and the seas, Split is truly picturesque. Our guided tour takes us to one of the most imposing Roman ruins, the third-century palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian. Later, we'll depart for Dubrovnik, traveling along the spectacular Dalmatian coast, and taking in the amazing views of palm trees, olive groves and idyllic fishing villages.

Treasures abound in this enchanting city, and we'll have ample time to discover them—from its massive age-old walls to winding cobblestone streets, and its medieval buildings to the charming red-tile rooftops. This morning's guided walking tour through “Old Dubrovnik” takes us to the harbor, the Franciscan monastery, and the stately Baroque Cathedral. We'll have free time to enjoy the historic town independently and at our own pace for the rest of the day. This evening, consider an optional cruise and dinner tour this evening.

This morning we will join an excursion to Dubrovnik riviera and Cavtat with a scenic, panoramic drive for a view over the city with Lokrum island and Elaphite islands. Continue the drive along the Adriatic coast with beautiful scenery to Cavtat town. Then, we will venture further to Konavle region known for its rolling hills covered with vineyards, olive groves and elegant cypress trees. The impressive surrounding mountains give shelter to picturesque villages that have preserved the old traditional architecture, exquisite cuisine and beautiful national costumes. Later, join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.

Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today.