TRIP NOTES CROATIA & SLOVENIA Cavtat (Dubrovnik) to Bled HIGHLIGHTS TOUR ESSENTIALS SUMMARY

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1 TRIP NOTES 2018 CROATIA & SLOVENIA Cavtat (Dubrovnik) to Bled HIGHLIGHTS Fortified City of Dubrovnik (UNESCO) Moreška Sword Dance** Old Town of Korčula Views from Španjola Fortress Free time to discover Hvar Diocletian s Palace (UNESCO) Plitvice Lakes National Park (UNESCO) Croatia s cosmopolitan capital Fairytale Lake Bled Excursion into Soča Valley, Julian Alps* Wine tasting in Goriška Brda* *With a local Tour Guide **Does not run out of season/bad weather TOUR ESSENTIALS SUMMARY Trip Code: HRSL (Combo) 1 Version: TN/2018/HRSL/V1 Start Point: Cavtat, Croatia End Point: Bled, Slovenia 2 Countries: Croatia and Slovenia Duration: 10 nights / 11 days Dates & Prices: see website (flights not included) Tour Pace & Style: Moderate / Adventure 3 Accommodation: Centrally located 3* hotels, apartments or rooms 4 Single room: Available on request Transport: Public boat to Dubrovnik Old Town (45 60 mins), 2 minibus journeys, 1 ferry (30 mins), 2 catamarans (60 mins / 90 mins), 1 train, on foot 5 Included Meals: 8 breakfasts and 2 dinners 6 Group Size: 4 16 (guaranteed to run with 4) 7 Tour Leader: Accompanies group until departure day 8 Kitty: No compulsory tipping kitty for this tour 9 Age: Minimum 12 years / No upper 10 Take a journey through the beautiful and welcoming countries of Croatia and Slovenia where we ll visit some of the most fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historical cities, crystal clear lakes and stunning coastline. Travel though some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe and learn about the history and collapse of Yugoslavia. Croatia has been touted as the new this and the new that for years since its re-emergence on the tourism scene, and it s not difficult to see why. Dalmatia has a glorious 1,788km-long coastline with turquoise bays, stunning beaches and a staggering 1,244 islands strewn along it. It also links historic towns and pretty villages with trails through hills and lush fields, vineyards and olive groves. With its impressive location overlooking the Adriatic, the gorgeous medieval walled city of Dubrovnik has white marbled streets and a sparkling harbour. The lovely old port of Split captivates with its old squares, narrow streets and its historic centre lying within the walls of Diocletian's Palace. In contrast, almost 50% of the country is covered with forests and the country boasts over 400 protected areas, including 8 national parks.

2 Our trip ends in Slovenia, one of Europe s smallest nations. The star of the show is breathtaking Bled, surrounded by mountains and a castle overlooking the small island on the lake. Take a boat ride, meander through grassy meadows or visit breathtaking natural wonders such as eerie Postojna Caves or Vintgar Gorge. For hikers nearby Triglav National Park offers many steeper alpine trails as well as cycle routes. Wandering its small square and tiny streets, you could be forgiven for thinking that Baroque Ljubljana is a pleasant, selfcontented small town. In fact, this elegant capital city is the largest and most populous in this pint-sized country. However you want to spend your time, whether it be relaxing on a beach or an action packed see-everything-in-one-day, you ll find the best of both worlds in these two stunning countries. Transfer: You will be collected at Dubrovnik (Čilipi) Airport and transferred by shared shuttle to our hotel. DAY 1 Tuesday: Arrival into Cavtat (Dubrovnik) ***This is a joining / leaving city 1 *** Welcome to Croatia! You may have some time to wander around the pretty little town of Cavtat. A welcome meeting and dinner will be arranged in the evening so that you can get to know the rest of the group. It is not imperative that you attend either of them, but it may be beneficial for you. Cavtat, 3* Villa Royal or similar Welcome dinner in Cavtat, airport transfer 11 Drive time: The airport is only 6km from Cavtat and will take approximately 15 minutes to reach the hotel. As with many small establishments, the villa does not have a manned 24-hour reception. The main promenade in Cavtat is within two minutes walk from the villa and has bars and restaurants. DAY 2 Wednesday: Cavtat Dubrovnik Old Town Cavtat Free day in Cavtat. Cavtat is a pretty little town located 15 km south of Dubrovnik, the city dubbed Pearl of the Adriatic on the southernmost part of the Croatian coast. A scenic boat ride takes you directly to the entrance of Dubrovnik Old Town. The main sites are within the UNESCO World Heritage listed walled city and a great place to start exploring. Following the deliberate shelling of Dubrovnik by the Yugoslav army in 1991, two out of every three buildings were damaged. Since then both the buildings and walls have been repaired with extraordinary skill and represents one of the most beautiful and solid fortress systems on the Mediterranean. You could take a leisurely walk around the spectacular city walls, look inside the 14 th century Franciscan monastery, Rector s Palace or get whizzed to the top of Mount Srd by cable car offering spectacular views over the city. There are also many spots to swim nearby, including Banje beach. Agencies offering boat trips to the islands and sea kayaking tours are plentiful. Spend the day at your leisure. Alternatively, Cavtat has some lovely walks, nice places to swim and great seafood restaurants. Cavtat, 3* Villa Royal or similar Buffet breakfast in Cavtat, boat to Dubrovnik Old Town Cavtat to Dubrovnik Old Town boat = mins (depending on stops/drop offs) Dubrovnik Old Town can be reached by public boat in minutes (depending on number of pickups).

3 DAY 3 Thursday: Cavtat Korčula Island Today we will check out of the hotel at 0800hrs and leave by minibus to Orebic, where we will be dropped at the ferry terminal for our short journey to the first of two Croatian islands Korčula. This afternoon is free for sightseeing, discovering tiny villages or simply lazing on the beach. The main town on the island is also called Korčula, featuring medieval walls and forts as well as many fine museums. It is said that Marco Polo was born on the island in 1254; you can visit what is believed to have been his house and climb the tower for an eagle s-eye vista over the peninsula and Adriatic. The people of Korčula have preserved their customs and you could have a chance to see the medieval sword dance called Moreška, a spectacular combat dance performed with swords. You may also have time to visit the slightly larger islet of Badija with its pebble beach, a beautiful Franciscan monastery or take a speedboat across to Mljet. Free afternoon and evening. Korčula, 4* Hotel Marco Polo or similar Buffet breakfast in Cavtat, dinner in Korčula Cavtat to Orebic = 2 hrs 15 mins, Orebic to Korcula ferry = 30 mins, Korcula ferry to hotel = 15 mins Moreška Sword Dance will not run out of season or sometimes due to bad weather. DAY 4 Friday: Korčula Island Hvar Island Free day in Hvar. After catching the only catamaran of the day we will arrive in Hvar, our base for the next two days. The ancient town is steeped in 7,000 years of history, surrounded by rocky terrain, green hills and a sea of azure. The main city square in front of the cathedral by the Arsenal and the oldest European theatre from the 17 th century are a favourite gathering place for tourists. On the hill high above the town is the Venetian fortress (1551) and is worth the climb up to appreciate the sweeping panoramic views. Explore the smaller villages of Stari Grad and Jelsa or visit wineries, lavender fields or eco villages to experience the local culture. Stop for an ice cream at a slasticarna, the Croatian equivalent of the Italian gelateria. Along with Dubrovnik, Hvar is the most popular tourist destination in the country. Famous people holiday here and multimillion-dollar yachts are flaunted along Riva, a reflection of the lavish lifestyles of the wealthy visitors to the island. Drink a cocktail in one of the swanky bars lining the waterfront, or party until dawn in one of the islands many clubs. Hvar, various rooms Small packed breakfast in Korčula Hotel to ferry terminal by minibus = 15 minutes, catamaran to Hvar = 1hr 30mins We ll meet in the hotel lobby at 0530hrs as the only catamaran of the day leaves at 0600hrs! We ll arrive into Hvar around 0730hrs so it s a good idea to decide which optional tours you d like to organise (if any) as some of them leave at 0900hrs and some only run on a Friday.

4 DAY 5 Saturday: Hvar Island Free day in Hvar. There are many options for today: relax on the beach, hire your own boat, take a jeep trip around the island or sign-up for one of the many boat trips local agencies have to offer the choice is yours! Hvar, various rooms N/A N/A The staff at Pelegrini Travel on Riva (next to the post office) are very helpful and efficient. DAY 6 Sunday: Hvar Island Split This morning we will take a catamaran to Split where you will have a free afternoon to explore. The second-largest city in Croatia, today's Split is the product of 17 centuries of building, renovating and remodeling. After wandering the city you may wish to walk down to the waterfront and visit Diocletian's Palace, the palace that Emperor Diocletian built for his retirement from politics. The mausoleum of the pagan Roman emperor evolved with time into the world's oldest Roman Catholic church. What began as an imperial residence and fortified camp is today an intriguing maze of narrow cobblestone streets where pre Romanesque churches nestle alongside Gothic chapels. Have dinner along Riva, the main promenade near the palace. Split, 3* B & B Kastel or similar N/A Hvar to Split catamaran = 1 hour, ferry terminal to hotel minibus = 10 minutes Accommodation is within Diocletian s Palace. DAY 7 Monday: Split Plitvice National Park Zagreb Following breakfast and check out, we ll make our way to the magnificent Plitvice Lakes National Park. This is Croatia's premier tourist attraction, and with good reason. Within 19.5 hectares of wooded hills are 16 turquoise lakes, all connected by a series of waterfalls and cascades. Wooden footbridges follow the lakes and streams over, under and across the rumbling water of this remarkable park, awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in There s an upper and lower area of the park and a small map is provided on your entrance ticket. There will be time for lunch before we depart for Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.

5 Have dinner in one of the many restaurants in the centre. As tomorrow is a completely free day you may want to sample the lively nightlife of this young, vibrant city. Zagreb, 3* Hotel Jadran or similar Buffet breakfast in Split, entrance into Plitvice National Park Split to Plitvice = 2 hrs 30 mins, Plitvice to Zagreb = 2 hours It will take around 2 3 hours to get from one end of the park to the other (it gets very crowded in summer). Almost none of the route has shade so you ll need to take a hat, sunscreen, etc in summer and at other times, waterproofs/warm attire. It can get quite chilly should you decide to take the included boat trip part-way through (around 20 mins duration). This is a long walk which includes boardwalks and some steps along the way, as well as around 200 steps at the end in order to exit the park. If you feel you will be unable to walk for this length of time, usually in the heat/rain, you should consider not entering the park as it s not possible to leave partway through. If you decide not to go your options are limited to waiting in a bar/coffee area or a restaurant. 13 DAY 8 Tuesday: Zagreb Free day. Zagreb has everything that makes a quality capital: culture, arts, music, architecture, gastronomy and world-renowned sporting events. Springing up from two medieval settlements called Kaptol and Gradec, which form the core of the old Upper Town; it is a true Central European city. The old Baroque nucleus is woven from old stone streets and buildings, a magnificent cathedral, modern shops, cosy cafes and restaurants. Have a ride on the city tram or take the funicular to the Upper Town and visit the Lotršćak Tower, St. Mark's Church and Kamenita Vrata. Zagreb, 3* Hotel Jadran or similar Buffet breakfast in Zagreb Nil There is a free walking tour of Zagreb at 1600hrs daily but must be reserved in advance: DAY 9 Wednesday: Zagreb Bled On our penultimate day, we will check out and leave the hotel early morning (0600hrs) to take a taxi to the train station. We will take the scenic 0650hrs train into the tiny green country of Slovenia, where we should arrive at 1001hrs. Dubbed Europe in Miniature, it has a population of just over 2 million people. It lies in the heart of Europe, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean. Our base for the final two days will be Bled. With an emerald green lake, a church on a tiny island, a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of Slovenia s highest peaks as backdrops, this picture perfect town looks like it comes straight out of a fairytale. It shouldn t take more than two hours to walk around the lake, including the short climb to the Osojnica viewing point in the southwest. A piloted gondola, or pletna, will take you to the island to visit the Church of the Assumption and ring the lucky bell. The castle offering breathtaking views is an absolute must to climb up to before taking a seat at a lakeside cafe for a well-deserved Kremšnita, Bled s famous cream cake.

6 One of the most popular natural features in Slovenia, Vintgar Gorge, is an easy walk 4km to the northwest of the centre. It has a 1,600 metre long wooden walkway that criss-crosses the swirling Radovna River ending at the delightful Šum waterfall, the highest river fall in Slovenia. Check out the Habsburg and Baroque architecture of the pint-sized capital, Ljubljana or nearby Bohinj Lake, complete with a cable car transporting you to the ski resort and offering superb views. Bled, 3* Hotel Astoria or similar Small packed breakfast in Zagreb Hotel to train station = 10 mins, Zagreb to Bled train = 3 hrs 11mins, train station to hotel minibus = 15 mins You can walk around the lake in around 1.5 hrs 2 hrs. There is a free yoga session tomorrow evening for guests of the hotel. DAY 10 Thursday: Bled Julian Alps Bled A full days excursion has been arranged for today. Departing early morning you will journey through the picturesque Julian Alps, including the Lago di Predil in Italy and the Predil Passo, arriving in Bovec. There is now time for rafting on the River Soča (optional) before we continue our journey through the Soča Valley and into Goriska Brda. Now in the Tuscany of Slovenia we will take a wine cellar tour and premium wine tasting with local bread, olives, prosciutto and cheese to accompany the wine. Return to Bled. Bled, 3* Hotel Astoria or similar Buffet breakfast in Bled, full days excursion (includes transport, wine cellar tour and wine tasting) 4 hrs There is a walk to Kozjak Waterfall through uneven, sometimes muddy terrain including steps. You will walk around 1.5km each way. You can opt not to do this. Remainder of the day is at a leisurely pace. DAY 11 Friday: Departure from Bled Transfer: Your Tour Leader will advise of your collection time whilst you are on the tour. As the closest airport to Bled is Ljubljana, you may wish to stay a couple of days in the capital before flying home. 2 See Post- Tour Suggestions below. Buffet breakfast in Bled, airport transfer 11 The airport is 35km from the hotel and is a drive of around minutes, depending on traffic. Post-Tour Suggestions Ljubljana, Slovenia: Why not add a couple of post-tour nights in Slovenia s charming capital? After all, you are flying from there! We can switch your transfer from Bled to central Ljubljana, 2 book a hotel and offer sightseeing suggestions or tours. Slovenian Coast: Piran / Koper these towns are perfect for a little relaxation before heading home. We can organise a transfer, a guided tour of the area and accommodation in both.

7 Venice, Italy: Depending on where you re headed you may find it easier/cheaper to fly out of Marco Polo Airport, Venice rather than from Ljubljana, Slovenia. We d be happy to help you find a transfer and accommodation in this beautiful part of Italy. Ask us for more details on the above, or anywhere else you have in mind! What s Included? What s NOT included? Return airport transfers (shared shuttle) International flights (unless specified) All accommodation Meals not listed All transport (as listed) Drinks 8 breakfasts, 2 dinners Travel Insurance (compulsory on ALL tours) Tour Leader to accompany group Pre / post accommodation or single room Local Guides on included tours (as listed) Optional excursions Sightseeing as listed in Trip Notes Spending money (tips, laundry, souvenirs, mini-bar) 100% Financial Protection Visa and passport fees MEAL ARRANGEMENTS DAY OVERNIGHT COUNTRY INCLUDED MEALS* 1 T Cavtat Croatia Welcome dinner Cavtat 2 W Cavtat Croatia Buffet breakfast Cavtat 3 T Korčula Croatia Buffet breakfast Cavtat / Dinner Korčula 4 F Hvar Croatia Small packed breakfast Korčula 5 S Hvar Croatia No meals Hvar 6 S Split Croatia No meals Hvar 7 M Zagreb Croatia Buffet breakfast Split 8 T Zagreb Croatia Buffet breakfast Zagreb 9 W Bled Slovenia Small packed breakfast Zagreb 10 T Bled Slovenia Buffet breakfast Bled 11 F Departure Slovenia Buffet breakfast Bled * Drinks are at your own cost. PRE / POST TOUR ACCOMMODATION** OVERNIGHT TWIN / DOUBLE SINGLE Cavtat 120 GBP (BB) 90 GBP (BB) Bled 90 GBP (BB) 70 GBP (BB) ** Prices are per room, per night. BB = includes buffet breakfast.

8 GENERAL INFORMATION IS THIS TOUR SUITABLE FOR ME? ARE TOUR LEADERS AND TOUR GUIDES THE SAME? This tour is suitable for people: over 12 years (accompanied by responsible adult) traveling alone, as a couple or friends who enjoy small group travel (up to 16) who want to experience the best sights in more than one country over a short period able to travel in a minibus for quite long periods on winding, mountainous roads and by small boat able to walk continuously up to a distance of 3km, sometimes up steep hills able to participate in activities/excursions as listed in the daily trip notes who want the convenience of being privately driven from hotel to hotel and to some included excursions but knowing that most of the main sights and attractions will be reached on foot from the hotel who d like to sample the local cuisine in nearby restaurants (sometimes complete with tamburasi, traditional music of the former Yugoslavia) and eateries rather than the hotel who aren t affected by smoke (see Smoking ) If you don t agree with, or are unable to do/participate in some of the listings above, you may want to reconsider booking. Not only will it affect your enjoyment of the trip, but it may also affect the rest of the group. If you re unsure, please contact louise@borderlandstravel.com or call +44 (0) LOCAL CONDITIONS Often standards will not match those at home and while we aim to make your trip as comfortable as possible, please be aware that we are often visiting areas which are less developed, have little infrastructure and a lack of medical supplies. Some of the roads can be a little uneven and a little bumpy, but generally they are of a good standard. There can be occasions when strikes occur, or museums, attractions, etc are closed for no apparent reason. While this is quite rare, please be advised that it can happen and it is out of the control of Borderlands Travel. COMFORT BREAKS We understand that people require a comfort stop when travelling on a bus for long periods. Stopping too often will result in a shorter time spent at an attraction or at our final destination. Therefore as a general rule we don t stop for a bathroom break on a journey of 2 hours, and stop only once up to 3 hours. No, they aren t. A Tour Guide is someone who works within an area they know very well. They provide a tour of a city or specific attraction. Their job entails providing commentary, routing the tour and seeing that people have a good time. They are paid by a local company and typically work on a daily basis. All of our Tour Guides are certified and registered with the relevant authority. A Tour Leader is someone who leads a group overseas, particularly on multi-country tours. Their job entails ensuring the people get what they paid for, sometimes leading orientation walks around town and making sure people have a good time. They are the person who takes a guest to see a doctor, throws a welcome meeting on arrival and makes sure the trip runs as smoothly as possible, sorting out any problems along the way. They work together with the Tour Guide. A Tour Leader will typically lead about a dozen trips a year. In some places, and in particular UNESCO World Heritage Sites, it is forbidden for anyone who is not a locally registered, certified Tour Guide to be seen to be showing a group around town. On orientation walks a Tour Leader is there to point out places of interest, good restaurants, Tourist Information Centre, etc. However, this can sometimes be mistaken as guiding and therefore orientation walks by Tour Leaders will never be carried out in these areas. A Tour Leader, or indeed Borderlands Travel can get into a lot of trouble and be issued with steep fines if they/we are thought to be guiding. Tour Leaders will sometimes only take you to a certain point but cannot then walk around with you as a group. For example, in Cavtat the TL will buy return tickets for the public boat ride into Dubrovnik Old Town, show you where to board and then leave you to your own devices. Sometimes there will be 'Free Walking Tours' in the cities we visit and your Tour Leader will advise you where and when to meet. TRANSPORT Day 1 onwards will include public transport as listed under note. 5 A number of places of interest will be reached on foot, usually from the hotel but within a minute walk away (with the exception of Dubrovnik Old Town, which will be reached by a minute public boat journey). Return tickets are included.

9 ACCOMMODATION GROUP SIZE & GUARANTEED DEPARTURES We have chosen well-positioned, comfortable accommodation within a minute walking distance of the main areas of interest. The majority are 3* standard, some are 4*. Be aware that a 4* in some countries may not be of the same quality/standard as your own. However, we have chosen what we consider to be the best option for location, cleanliness and facilities. All accommodation will have air-conditioning (with the exception of Hvar) and free wi-fi (sometimes only available in common areas). In almost all locations you will have a mini-bar (payable at check-out) or refrigerator, as well as a hairdryer and a TV with English channels. Some of the hotels do not have elevators but there will be someone on hand to help with your luggage. All of our hotels/apartments are featured on feel free to check them out! SMOKING A high percentage of people in the Balkans are smokers. Although some countries have officially prohibited it in public places, it is not enforced. It s safest to assume that everywhere you visit will be a smoking zone be it bars, restaurants, cafes, clubs or hotels, except where very strictly classified otherwise. It is perfectly common to see people smoking in restaurants while others are eating at the same table, many of them smoking half-way through a course. In some countries, outlets smaller than a certain size can choose whether or not to ban smoking and outlets larger than this have to have divided areas. You should be aware that any complaints by tourists about cigarette smoke and the perils thereof will be met with total derision and scornful laughter by both locals and foreigners who live there. FOOD Due to the many influences on the region, food in the Balkans is quite varied and combines both Turkish and European tastes. Locally sourced cheeses are present in almost every meal, as is meat. If you are vegetarian, vegan or have special dietary requirements you can still enjoy the local cuisine, however options will be limited throughout the Balkans. We advise checking whether the non-meat option contains chicken. Meals are usually big in size and reasonably priced at around (15-20 USD) per person. As a guide, beer and soft drinks are usually around 2, with a bottle of wine costing around This tour is based on a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 16 guests (plus 1 Tour Leader and sometimes, a trainee). In the event that we are unable to operate the tour on this basis, you will be advised at the earliest opportunity and always no less than 28 days before departure. At that time you will be offered one of the following options: travel as planned, but at an additional supplement, payable per person. The cost of this supplement will vary depending on the date of travel and number of confirmed clients. the same tour but for a different date or a different tour, for another destination and date. a full refund of all monies paid to the Company. Please do not book flights until your tour has been confirmed! HOW TO BOOK 1. Contact us: check the availability of a tour by calling us or completing the simple Tour Enquiry Form. 2. Secure your place: you can provisionally hold a place/s on a tour for up to 7 days. 3. Booking / Payment: if your tour is available you can: a. pay by cheque made payable to Borderlands Travel Ltd Trust Account b. pay through the website using World Pay. We accept all major credit and debit cards. louise@borderlandstravel.com requesting a payment link. We will this link to you. Deposits are the same for every group tour per person (non-refundable) if you are booking a tour which departs in 70 days or more. If you are booking a tour less than 70 days before departure, full payment must be made on booking. We are registered in England ( ) and are a member of the Travel Trust Association with TTA No. Q1412. The TTA exists in order to give you, the customer, 100% financial protection as every penny you pay to Borderlands Travel Ltd is protected by the association. We also feature on Trip Advisor under Borderlands Travel Ltd.

10 PRACTICAL INFORMATION CLIMATE EQUIPMENT Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. Get upto-date information at: FIRST AID KIT We recommend you bring a water bottle, torch, a pair of binoculars, a hat and sunscreen/block. CULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES Travellers are best advised to travel well-prepared: adequately immunized, with sufficient supplies of prescription drugs, along with a medical kit. PHOTOGRAPHY Please ask permission before taking photos, especially of children, military installations and at border control. In remote areas women and older people generally do not like being photographed. Please respect their decision if they say no. CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR Our general recommendation is to bring light clothing and layer up or down. A fleece or jumper for cooler evenings and a waterproof jacket for even rainy, summer days. You should bring at least one long sleeved top in case you d like to visit a church or monastery, along with a shawl/scarf (ladies). We recommend at least one pair of comfortable walking shoes/boots. Flip flops are not suitable for any of the days we visit an Old Town (Stari Grad). The surface is very slippery when it s dry and when wet, can be quite dangerous when wearing this type of footwear. LUGGAGE Your luggage should not exceed 20kgs (44lbs). On private minibus tours please be aware that luggage space is limited and we therefore advise that you bring no bigger than a medium sized bag, suitcase or rucksack along with your daypack or handbag. On tours where we utilise public transport i.e. public boats, you must be capable of transporting your own luggage and be able to store them in / onto the appropriate racks. Your luggage is your responsibility if you are unable to manage it yourself, leave it at home! Every traveller has different perspectives on begging and it is your choice whether or not you give them money. The rule of thumb would be if locals give, follow their lead with genuine beggars. We do not encourage giving money, sweets, etc to children as this can encourage them choosing to beg rather than go to school. Please do not buy any products made from endangered species. TIPPING Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in some regions of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. We are always asked how much people should give and while entirely your decision, we have tried to make things a little easier for you: If you take a short tour (for example, a 3 hour walking tour of a city or a minibus excursion), we recommend you give between 2-3 per hour, per person if they ve done a good job. At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive. A reasonable amount would be around per person (30 40 ) per person, per tour and depending on group size. Most groups prefer to present the money in an envelope at the end of the tour. This is to be used as a guideline only. HEALTH & IMMUNISATIONS We recommend that you check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor at least one month prior to departure. Further information can be found at: ELECTRICITY The two-pin Type C (Euro plug) electrical plug is used throughout the Balkans. Voltage is Volts. You will be able to charge a phone/camera, etc on all nights during this trip.

11 ESSENTIAL INFORMATION JOINING INSTRUCTIONS INSURANCE Full joining instructions will be sent to you within 2 3 weeks prior to your departure. If you do not receive these at least a week beforehand, please contact louise@borderlandstravel.com directly or let us know if you require them earlier. The information in the Trip Notes is given in good faith and the content will always supersede information on our website, in our brochures or on our leaflets. VISA & PASSPORT It is your responsibility to obtain the relevant visa for the countries you are entering (including any transit visas). We advise you to check with the relevant Embassy prior to departure. Please ensure you will have at least 6 months validity on your passport on day of travel. You should carry at least a copy of your passport details page with you at all times. Usually hotels will accept our detailed list of passport information for the group but in some countries they are required by law to hold your passport for the duration of your stay. CURRENCY & FOREIGN EXCHANGE ATM / Currency Exchange: Plentiful in almost every town/city. Your Tour Leader will advise on location. Scottish notes are usually not accepted. Exchange rate: information can be found at Credit Card Acceptance: Major stores and restaurants, some smaller shops will accept them. It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance and it should cover you for: Medical and health cover for an injury or sudden illness abroad, 24 hour emergency service and assistance, personal liability cover in case you re sued for causing injury or damaging property, lost and stolen possessions cover, cancellation and curtailment (cutting short your trip) cover. Extra cover for activities that are commonly excluded from standard policies, such as certain sports. The policy should cover the whole time that you are away and may also cover personal accident and legal expenses. More information: FOREIGN OFFICE ADVICE We constantly monitor the advice posted by the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). We will always advise clients of any relevant travel warnings. This information applies to British citizens only and other nationalities are advised to check the current position of their respective government. For further information go to We recommend that you check your government s travel advice and up-to-date information about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of, and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships.

12 Additional Information: 1 Combination Tour: This tour can be combined with Trip Code RSHR making it our longer 23-day tour: Best of the Balkans (YUGO). This means that you may be joining a tour which has been running since Belgrade. 2 End of Tour Add-on: As the closest airport to Bled is Ljubljana, you may wish to stay a couple of days in the capital before flying home. In this case your transfer from Bled to Ljubljana will be included instead of to the airport. However, you can take a shared shuttle from your Ljubljana hotel to the airport with and will cost 9 Euros per person, payable to the driver. We can also arrange transfers and accommodation in Venice, Italy and the Slovenian coast. 3 Tour Pace & Style: Croatia & Slovenia tour is graded as Moderate / Adventure: Moderate: Moderate pace tours are ideal if you want a holiday combining activities, culture, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and some time to relax and unwind. It includes a reasonable amount of walking. Therefore, in order to fully appreciate everything it has to offer it is only suitable for individuals capable of walking around 3 4 km per day, sometimes spread out during the course of the day, sometimes all at once. You will usually be busy for part of the day and then free to recharge and do your own thing for the rest. Adventure: If your idea of a holiday is to see interesting sites in more than one country, immerse yourself in the culture, try new activities and also have a bit of down time, this is the style for you. Travelling with a small group of like-minded independent people, this tour has some amazing experiences but not so overorganised that you have no time to unwind. Although there are some long travel days and included excursions as a group, at other times you will have the freedom to explore individually and at your own pace. This tour is a great option for both the not-so-experienced, and seasoned traveler. 4 Accommodation: Prices are on a twin share basis. If you are a single traveller and would be prepared to share a room with another guest of the same sex, the price will remain the same. If you would like your own space, we have single rooms available at an extra fee. Accommodation is chosen for cleanliness and location rather than decor and sea views i.e. a hotel by the sea will not necessarily mean you will have a sea view. Some of the hotels do not have elevators. In Hvar we will be placed in rooms which may be situated in different locations around the square. We will try to accommodate friends/couples travelling together in the same house/block, although this can t be guaranteed. 5 Transport: Days includes both public and private transport as follows: a) A scenic minibus journey will take us from Cavtat to the ferry terminal in Orebić. We will then board a boat to the island (around 30 minutes) and be transported to our hotel by minibus (10 15 minutes). b) The catamaran which takes us from Korčula to Hvar and Hvar to Split has inside seating only (you cannot go outside when it s operational). If you usually get sea-sick, we would advise taking medication beforehand as these journeys can get a little bumpy! c) A private minibus transfer from Split hotel Plitvice National Park hotel in Zagreb. d) We will take a taxi (10 minutes) from Zagreb hotel to the train station and a scenic train journey into Slovenia. Collection at the other end by private minibus to Bled hotel (15 minutes) and the same private minibus the next day for the excursion. 6 Hotel Restaurant/Meals: Please note that although some hotels include breakfast it is sometimes not possible to have lunch or dinner. As you are travelling through new countries we realise you probably want to experience local cuisine, which is why your Tour Leader will recommend a local restaurant/eatery for the group in each location. Included meals do not come with drinks and these are at your own expense. 7 Group Size & Guaranteed Departure: Refer to General Information below. 8 Tour Leader: You will be accompanied by a TL throughout your tour. They are NOT a guide. Refer to General Information. 9 Tipping: Refer to Practical Information below. 10 Age: Guests between years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult. There is no upper age limit however, every traveller must complete a standard medical questionnaire and depending on the answers could result in a further medical examination being deemed necessary before a booking can be accepted (you will be responsible for paying any necessary costs). It is also compulsory that you have adequate travel insurance for the duration of the tour. 11 Transfers: included for arrival into Dubrovnik (Čilipi) and out of Ljubljana (Jože Pučnik) airports only. Transfers will still be included if you have taken pre or post accommodation on the condition that it is in the same joining/leaving hotel. You do not have to book the leaving/joining hotel through us, but be aware if you book it yourself you may have to switch rooms on the first day of the tour as we already have allocated rooms. Hotels listed are a guide only and may sometimes change if you would like to book the joining/leaving hotels yourself, please check which ones we will be using before making confirmation. You will be responsible for settling any payments for reserved pre/post accommodation you may have made of your own accord. 12 Itinerary changes: While every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, political tensions can heighten occasionally. If the Foreign Office advises against travel to anywhere listed, we will not go. We also reserve the right to make alternative arrangements if we feel that any area we are to visit has become, or could potentially become, troublesome/violent. In this case we will arrange another activity in its place. 13 Refunds: will not be made for any included tours/excursions if you decide not to participate, nor can tickets be exchanged for another activity.