Adriatic Small Group Tour. From $11,490 AUD. Adriatic Small Group Tour May 2017 Guaranteed

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1 From $11,490 AUD Single $13,330 Twin share $11, days Duration Europe Destination Level 1 - Introductory to Moderate Activity Adriatic Small Group Tour May 2017 Guaranteed - Adriatic Small Group Tour The Adriatic Small Group Tour explores Slovenia, Croatia, and Montenegro, is a fully escorted small group tour for the mature traveller to some of Europe s most scenic regions. Our tour explores the diverse cultures and the mountain, coastal, and island scenery of the Adriatic. Throughout history, countless mariners have appreciated the crystal clear waters and dramatic 16-Apr /8

2 landscapes of the Adriatic. This region has all the appeal of a classic Mediterranean destination, but with a dash of difference. From pristine hill towns to sun-soaked islands. This 22-night tour includes the very best of this diverse corner of Europe. Itinerary: The Adriatic Small Group Tour spends most of its time in the Balkan region. Unfortunately, this region is now best known for its war-torn history in the twentieth century. But, on this tour, it reveals itself to be full of scenic beauty and the remnants of magnificent ancient and medieval civilisations. The tour takes our small group from Zurich, in Switzerland, through the magnificent European Alps to Slovenia s fairy-tale Lake Bled and its picturesque capital, Ljubljana. During our time in Slovenia, we take a boat ride on Lake Bled. We also visit the WWI battle fields featured in Earnest Hemingway s novel A Farewell to Arms. From Slovenia, we travel to Croatia s beautiful coastline for a three night stay before continuing to waterfall-laced Plitvice National Park. Travelling on to historic Split during this section of the tour you visit the Roman palace of Diocletian. We also take a boat ride out to the fabulous island of Hvar. Ourtour concludes with five nights in the World Heritage-listed city of Dubrovnik. During our stay in Dubrovnik, we have the chance to spend the day exploring with local guides the much talked about but seldom visited Montenegro. 16-Apr /8

3 This tour: Our Adriatic Small Group Tour is specially designed to appeal to the senior traveller seeking a package holiday. A traveller with an interest in the culture, history, and scenery of this troubled but beautiful region. (This tour was previously known as Jewels of the Adriatic.) For more details, click the Top 5 or Itinerary buttons above! If you re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an . Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right hand side of this page. Tour Notes Group size will be a maximum of 18 participants. Top 5 1. Experience the World Heritage Listed Plitvice Lakes National Park, home to bears, wolves, and many rare bird species. 2. Explore the newly reinvigorated resort centres of Split and Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic. 3. Experience the stunning landscapes, islands, and the old world life of Croatia and Slovenia. 4. See Montenegro, the most storied region of the Balkans, yet the least visited. 5. Delve into the ancient histories of the Balkan states. Itinerary 16-Apr /8

4 Day 1 Locations: Zurich Overview: Upon arrival in Zurich, we will come to the hotel individually. There will be some free time before our tour orientation and welcome dinner. 1 night at an airport hotel in Zurich (details TBC). Day 2-3 Locations: Tyrol & Carinthia Overview: En route from Zurich to the Adriatic Coast we enjoy 2 nights in the Austrian Alps, one in the Tyrol and one near the Carinthian Lakes. This allows us to enjoy some outstanding Austrian Alpine scenery at a leisurely pace en route to Slovenia. Day 4-6 Locations: Julian Alps Overview: Slovenia is renowned as a peaceful haven in an otherwise turbulent area of Europe. It has historically been torn between east and west, with cultural influences from the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the Venetian Republic, and later Tito's Slavic communist regime. The people reflect this historical dichotomy in a mix of Germanic sobriety and Slavic vibrancy. Slovenia is composed of 2 distinct regions shaped by nature - the Julian Alps and the Adriatic coast. The Julian Alps, often overlooked by travelers, contain such scenic gems as Lakes Bled and Bohinj, considered among the most scenic in the world. This region was immortalised by Hemingway's "A 16-Apr /8

5 Farewell to Arms." Day 7-9 Locations: Adriatic Coast Overview: The Adriatic Coast, once part of the Venetian Republic, is strewn with red-roofed towns and ports with Italianate piazzas, churches, and campaniles. We will visit the Adriatic towns of Portoroz, Piran, and Koper, and see the world-renowned caves of Postojna. The 30 kilometre coastline has long been a mecca for summer holiday makers in Europe because of its climate and beauty. The nearby Karst region is also home to the Lipizzaner Horses, made famous by the Spanish Riding School. Day Locations: Rovinj Overview: The historic port of Rovinj is a town full of vitality with charming Venetian architecture, a harmony of colours, and a beautiful landscape whose natural Mediterranean surroundings add to its charm and beauty. Rovinj features houses with red-tiled roofs and unique chimneys, numerous cobbled squares and narrow winding streets, terraces, monuments, and Baroque churches. We will see the Roman Pula, which features an amphitheatre and Temple of Augustus. We will visit the villages of the Istrian Peninsula with local wine tasting. 16-Apr /8

6 Day Locations: Plitvice Overview: Situated between Zagreb and Zadar, Plitvice contains dramatic cascading waterfalls, a plethora of plant and animal life including wolves, deer, and bears, and has been added to UNESCO's list of World Heritage sites. We will learn about the Plitvice Lakes National Park with a locally-guided introduction. Day Locations: Split Overview: Split is Croatia's second largest city and has the largest population on the Adriatic Coast. Today's Split is the product of 17 centuries of building, renovating, and remodeling, where the present blends harmoniously with the past. This juxtaposition ensures Split's historical charm. We will see the Palace of Diocletian in Split, and also visit the Adriatic island of Hvar. Day Locations: Dubrovnik Overview: We will take a guided walking tour of medieval Dubrovnik (previously Ragusa), which enjoyed a reputation as an independent city state on the Adriatic, second only to Venice. It was a vibrant trade centre along the Silk Road. Its splendour lies in an incredibly rich history and culture. As Ragusa, Dubrovnik was established in the 7th century by refugees from the besieged city of Epidaurum in Greece. "Those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik," George Bernard Shaw once wrote. Since the 13th 16-Apr /8

7 century the old city of Dubrovnik has remained unchanged. Medieval walls encircle the city which features a centuries-old promenade - a stone-paved street known as Stradun, the city's main artery, which is lined with graceful stone palazzi. Dubrovnik has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage City. We will also visit Korcula Island, where we experience Korcula town to learn about early Greek colonisation and Venetian influence. In Montenegro we will see the World Heritage medieval town of Kotor, located on the huge Kotor fjord. Day 23 Locations: Dubrovnik Overview: The tour ends after breakfast. Inclusions / Exclusions What's included in our Tour 22 breakfasts and 12 dinners. Transport, lectures, and field trips as indicated. Services of a Tour Leader. Service charges and gratuities. Applicable entry fees and services of local guides. 22 nights of hotel accommodation offering en-suited share twin rooms. Detailed tour information booklet. What's not included in our Tour 16-Apr /8

8 Comprehensive travel insurance. Return economy class international airfares including taxes. Items of a personal nature. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any requests for further information about this tour or any others offered by Odyssey Travel. 16-Apr /8