Croatia & Slovenia                                     Printer Friendly Version
Jewels of the Adriatic & Dalmatian Coast  

March 26-April 8, 2011
14 Days 12 Nights
$3,249 pp. double occupancy single supplement $625

Are you looking to travel somewhere new in Europe? How about Croatia and Slovenia? Germans, Italians, Austrians and Hungarians have been aware of Croatia’s charms for more than a century and formed the bulk of its visitors, but not anymore. Travelers from around the world now flock to Croatia and its miles of coastline, ancient ruins, medieval hilltop castles and abundant natural beauty. Along the eastern shore of the Adriatic, Croatia is Eastern and Central Europe’s prime seaside destination. While the capital Zagreb, lies inland, all other main attractions are found along the coast from Istria in the north to Dalmatia in the south. In addition to Croatia, neighboring Slovenia is becoming a very fashionable destination among travelers. It is often compared to Switzerland but only one-half its size and much less expensive. Like Switzerland, Slovenia basks in the natural beauty of its mountains, turquoise rivers, silver lakes and its historic medieval castles.

Included in the trip cost are 11 breakfasts, 3 dinners, one with a folk show, one lunch all sightseeing/admissions as indicated, R/T air from JFK with all taxes, surcharges/fees at time of printing and tips for drivers and local guides. The TE has reserved excellent 4 star or superior tourist class hotels for this trip. In Split & Bled all rooms will have a sea or lake view. The trip includes a balance of tours along with ample free time to enjoy the cities visited. We will be staying several nights in most of the hotels. If you are interested in going, we suggest that you reserve immediately. The TE has been able to reserve only limited air and hotel space.


DAY: 1 - March 26th
Overnight flight with dinner and drinks and movies.


DAY: 2 - March 27th
Arrive in Dubrovnik with free time to rest and explore. Dinner included this evening. Overnight Dubrovnik


DAY: 3 - March 28th
Full Day sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide. The highlight of southern Dalmatia is undoubtedly the majestic walled city of Dubrovnik, which was once a wealthy and powerful republic. Overlooking the sea and backed by rugged mountains, it’s an unforgettable sight and probably Croatia’s most photographed city. Dubrovnik has been described as “one of the world’s most beautiful fortified cities”. Its massive stone ramparts and splendid fortress towers curve around a tiny harbor, enclosing graduated ridges of sun-bleached orange-tile roofs, copper domes and elegant bell towers. Dubrovnik was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. In 1667 the city was destroyed by several earthquakes and rebuilt in the baroque style. During the independence war of the early 1990’s, the city came under heavy siege and bombardments but none of the main monuments were harmed. During the 1990’s donations poured in from around the world to help with the city’s restoration and today there are barely any traces of the war damage. Entrance included to Rector’s Palace (the Rectorwas the chief citizen elected for only a month at a time), the Franciscan Monaster, the old Pharmacy(established in 1318 said to be the oldest in Europe and still in existence today), St. Blaize Church, Cathedral and Treasury Room . A stop will be made at the panoramic viewpoint Zarkovica for a view of Dubrovnik. Overnight Dubrovnik


DAY: 4 - March 29th
Full day excursion with guide to Korcula & Orebic towns. Like a mini-Dubrovnik, Korcula town (pronounced kor-chula) is a walled town on Korcula Island . Enjoying its own rocky promontory, this old town was carved out by the Venetians over the centuries. Korcula Town offers one of Croatia’s most romantic views. There will be a view of Marco Polo’s birthplace and entrance to the Cathedral and Treasury. After lunch on your own, we will go by public boat to visit Orebic, a small seaside town on the Peljesac Peninsula, that has been luring tourists for decades with its idyllic location, long sun-drenched pebble beaches, cafes and restaurants. We will be treated to a wine and brandy tasting before we return to Dubrovnik. Overnight Dubrovnik.


DAY: 5 - March 30th
Full free day to explore Dubrovnik. The TE will provide materials with suggestions on how you might want to spend your day. In the evening there will be an included Folklore show with dinner and a glass of wine. Overnight Dubrovnik


DAY: 6 - March 31st
In the morning we will be taken to Split on our coach bus. The afternoon and evening will be free to explore Split. The hotel will be in a great location. Overnight Split sea view room.


DAY: 7 - April 1st
Full day sightseeing tours with guide of Split and Trogir. In Split, the entrances to the Cathedral St Duje, St. Lucy’s Crypt and the Temple of Jupiter, to Diocletian’s Palace, the Peristile/Cellar Rooms are all included. In Trogier there is an included entrance to Kamerlengo Fortress. Split, Croatia’s second largest city, is busy and big but it remains one of the Adriatic’s most fascinating ports with a long and eventful history. Trogir is a town-museum in the very meaning of the term. It is a beautifully preserved medieval town, on a small island no more than a few blocks long and tied to the mainland by a single bridge. Originally a vital port in the Roman empire it became part of the Byzantium empire and eventually was taken over by the Venetians. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can explore the city in an hour. Lovers of cultural and historical monuments, art, original architecture and small alleys are given the opportunity in Trogir to learn about its complex heritage-from Romanesque yards to its modern interiors. The unique historical core, Radovan’s portal, the art collections which have been arousing excitement among visitors and travelers for centuries offer a tourist beauty personified in art. The wider surroundings of Trogier (Trogier-Seget-Civo Riviera) are characterized by lavish green vegetation, numerous islands and inlets, rocky and pebble beaches. Overnight Split Sea View room


DAY: 8 - April 2nd
Excursion to Brac Island with guide. Ferry from Split to Supetar (Brac) Lunch included at local restaurant. Brac continues to be one of the most easily accessed and pronounced benedictions of Croatia. With its limited population and breathtaking scenic beauties, this island can never be surpassed when it comes to excitement, adventure and peace. There will also be an included wine tasting. Overnight Split Sea View Room


DAY: 9 - April 3rd
Our first stop today will be a visit to Sibenik for a tour with a local guide. Sibenik is the political, economic, social and cultural centre of Sibenik-Knin county in Dalmatia, Croatia. Placed in the middle part of Croatian Adriatic coast, in picturesque, well-indented, bay in which river Krka empties. There are 42 000 inhabitants. From all other cities on Adriatic Sibenik takes a special place. There will be an included wine tasting at the “Vinopold” Winery”. Our next stop will be Zadar where we will have another tour with a guide. ZADAR may be Croatia’s most underrated destination. This Roman-era city on the northern Dalmatian coast — where a non-euro economy is easier on the dollar — has a youthful zeal, a rich architectural legacy The Romans were so smitten with Zadar — the Old Town is a 400-by-1,000-meter peninsula (about 100 acres) framed by Adriatic islands — they gave it municipal status, the second highest among cities. Today, a population of about 75,000 — most of whom live on the newer, mainland side, which can be reached by a pedestrian bridge or by waving down the boatman of Zadar, whose family has rowed folks across the harbor for centuries — shares that affection. We will stay in a hotel on the border of the Plitvice National Park this evening.


DAY: 10 - April 4th
A full day tour with a guide to the Plitvice National Park including park admission, shuttle bus & boat ride. Plitvice National Park, is Croatia’s most touted natural wonder. The Park is also Croatia’s most popular tourist attraction. The beauty of the park lies in its sixteen majestic, turquoise lakes inter-connected by a series of waterfalls and set in deep woodlands populated by bears, wolves, deer, boars and rare bird species. Anywhere you go in the park the water is crystal clear and teeming with fish thanks to the deposits of powdery white limestone rock (travertine). It is the steady distribution of travertine that is responsible for buildups of underwater mounds and thus the waterfalls. It also contains a gorge that some say looks like a green arm of the Grand Canyon. Plitvice became a national Park in 1949 and its sheer beauty caused UNESCO to declare it a World Heritage Site. There is an included boat ride on one of the lakes. Overnight border of the Pitvice National Park


DAY: 11 - April 5th
Today our group will take a guided tour of the famous Lipica Stud Farm, near the Slovenian town of Sezana. The Lipica Stud Farm is the birthplace of the world famous Lipizzaner white horses. We will be treated to a demonstration of horse training at the farm. The Lipica Stud Farm was founded in 1580 to provide horses to the Hapsburg court in Vienna and still supplies Lipizzaners to the Spanish Riding Academy in Vienna. These stallions are famous for their baroque shape and noble gait. If we are lucky it might be possible to see a special performance of the prized horses. Overnight in Bled Lake View Room.


DAY: 12 - April 6th
After our hot buffet breakfast we’ll travel to beautiful Lake Bled ( Blejsko Jezero) located in Slovenia with a tour upon arrival. Lake Bled has been referred to as a “jewel, pure and simple”, nestled between two great mountain ranges—the Karavanke and the Julian Alps. Boatsmen will row us on old-fashioned canopied wooden boats–called “Pletna”, similar to a Venetian gondola, to Bled Island (Blejski Otok) with its historic baroque Church of St. Mary. The island has long been a sacred site specializing in romance and if we are lucky there may be a wedding taking place. Traditionally, Slovene newlyweds ring the St. Mary’s bell and the groom tries to carry his bride up the ninety-nine steps of the bell tower to fulfill the custom. The Slovenes love to party, ideally with a polka band. After the visit we will be transferred to Zagreb where we will spend the night.


DAY: 13 - April 7th
Zagreb half day guided sightseeing tour of this inland, capital city of Croatia. Zagreb is divided into two districts: the romantic hilltop area of Gornji Grad (Upper Town) dates back to medieval times and is the loveliest part of the city and Donji Grad (lower town) founded in the late 19th century with an urban plan of a grid pattern that combines a succession of squares and parks laid out in a “U” shape known as “the Green Horseshoe” all overlooked by the city’s main public buildings and cultural institutions. There will be visits to the old/upper town to visit both St Mark’s Church and St Stephen’s Cathedral and a photo stop at the National Theatre/Opera House which is located in the lower town before heading to Marshal Tito’s Square. Free afternoon, to explore or shop for last minute gifts. Final include dinner this evening. Overnight in Zagreb.


DAY: 14 - April 8th
Transfer to the airport for our return flight home.




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