Best of Croatia Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro
TOUR DETAILS Best of Croatia Price: $3,395 USD Discounts: 5% - Returning Volant Customers Duration: 17 days Date: November 3-19, 2017 Date: May 20 - June 5, 2018 Difficulty: Easy Inclusions All accommodations (2-3 star) All meals Transportation throughout tour Airport transfers Personal guide Exclusions International airfare Entrance fees to museums and other attractions not listed in Inclusions Personal items: Laundry, shopping, etc. Traveler s insurance Highlights Zagreb, Capital of Croatia Ljubljana, Capital of Slovenia Lake Bled Triglav National Park Postojna Cave Lone Bay Arena of Pula Plitvice National Park Krka National Park Split Hvar Island Korcula Island Dubrovnik Kotor Fortress Mostar Stari Most Blagaj Tekija Sarajevo, Capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina Banja Luka
Best of Croatia - 17 Days / 16 Nights Itinerary - DAY ACTIVITY LOCATION - MEALS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 International Flight Arrive: Zagreb Airport (ZAG) Transfer to hotel and enjoy a warm welcome dinner Full day walking tour of Zagreb highlights; Upper Town, Trg Jlacica, Zagreb's Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Dolac Market, Gric Tunnel, Lower Town, Maksimir Park Transfer to Ljubljana (90m) Half day walking tour of Ljubljana's hghlights; Old Town, Opera House, Cathedral, Ljubljana Castle, Navje Memorial Park, Hercules Fountain, Sticna Mansion, Ljubljana River, Tivoli Castle Continue to Bled, Slovenia (1hr) Explore the natural wonders in Lake Bled and Triglav National Park; Vintar Gorge, Iglica Falls Tour the Bled Castle; strategically perched atop a precipice overlooking the lake and Julian Alps Ring the "Wishing Bell" Transfer to Postojna Cave (90m) Tour the fantastic web of tunnels, galleries and halls Continue through Robinj; explore Lone Bay (1hr40m) Transfer to Pula (40m) Enjoy a walking tour of Pula's roman ruins; the Arena, Temple of Augustus & the Arco dei Sergi Evening light show of the "Lighting Giants'; decorated industrial cranes that dance Transfer to Plitvice National Park (3.5hrs) Spend the remainder of the day exploring the park; 16 interlinked lakes, cascading waterfalls & lively green forests Transfer to Krka National Park (2hrs) Explore the iconic waterfalls within the park; Skradinski buk, Roski slap & Bilušića buk Enjoy the easy trail system within the forests and over the Krka River Tour the Krka Monastery; built above ancient Roman catacombs Transfer to Split, Croatia (1hr) Full day sightseeing tour of Split's highlights; the Diocietian's Palace & the Temple of Jupiter Scale the Marjan Hill for sweeping views of the city Climb aboard the ferry to Stari Grand for a day trip on Hvar Island (105m) Explore Hvar highlights; Bishop's Palace, the Hanibal Lucic Summer Residence, Tvdalj Castle, Hvar Cathedral & the Benedictine Monastery In the evening head back to Split Embark on the scenic transfer to the historic town of Korcula via car & ferry (4hrs) Tour Old Town, the Town Museum, St. Marks Cathedral, St. Michael's Church & the alleged childhood home of Marco Polo Continue to Dubrovnik via car & ferry ride (3hrs) Full day sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik's highlights; Lovrijenac, Old Town, Bell Tower, Rolan's Column & Big Onofrio's Fountain Walk atop the famous city walls that run for over a mile around the Old Town Zagreb, Croatia Welcome Dinner & Orientation Zagreb, Croatia Welcome Dinner & Orientation Ljubljana - Bled, Slovenia Bled, Slovenia Pula, Croatia Pula, Croatia Plitvice National Park, Croatia Krka National Park Split, Croatia Split - Hvar, Croatia Korcula - Dubrovnik, Croatia Dubrovnik, Croatia
DAY ACTIVITY LOCATION - MEALS 13 Day trip to Kotor (1hr50m) Explore the beautiful natural scenes as well as the historical man-made sights; Kotor Cathedral, Our Lady of the Rocks, Lovcen National Park & the Cat's Museum Return to Dubrovnik, Croatia (1hr50m) Kotor, Montenegro - Dubrovnik, Croatia 14 Transfer to Mostar (2hrs15m) Walking tour of Old Town & the Old Bridge Area Tour Blagaj Tekija; Dervish Monastery that resides along the Buna River & under a cliff Mostar, Bonia & Herzegovnia 15 16 Transfer to Sarajevo (2hrs) Sightseeing tour of Sarajevo's highlights; Bascarsija, Vrelo Bosne, Tunnel of Hope & the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque Transfer to Zagreb, Croatia (5.5hrs) Stop in Banja Luka; Bosnia's most modern and up-and-coming cities Continue to Zagreb Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovnia Mostar, Bonia & Herzegovnia 17 Depart: Transfer to Zegreb Airport (ZAG) Zagreb, Croatia Breakfast
TOUR MAP AUSTRIA ITALY Bled Lake SLOVENIA Ljubljana HUNGARY Postojna Cave Zagreb CROATIA SERBIA Rovinj Pula Plitvice Lakes National Park Banja Luka BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA Zadar Krka National Park Sarajevo Sibenik Split Mostar ITALY Adriatic Sea Hvar MONTENEGRO Korcula Podgorica Dubrovnik V Kotor ALBANIA V O L A N T
DAY 1: BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY Board your flight to Zagreb Airport (ZAG) not included. Your Volant guide will pick you up at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner and a leisurely evening. DAY 2: WELCOME TO ZAGREB Enjoy a full day walking tour in the fourth most polite city in the world. Stroll through the quaint network of streets in Upper Town and explore Trg Jlacica (central square). Witness the medieval beauty of Zagreb's Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Taste the scrumptious fruits and vegetables at the Dolac Market. Walk through the bohemian streets of Tkalciceva and discover the Gric tunnel; the once bomb shelter used in WWII. Continue to Lower Town for great shopping opportunities, spacious parks and historic museums. Climb abroad a short tram ride and walk through the oldest park in Croatia; Maksimir. Not only is Zagreb, Croatia's capital but it is also Croatia's largest city and as such it offers an invaluable insight into Croatian culture.
DAY 3: LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA Today will be dedicated to the exploration of the capital and largest city of Slovenia; Ljubljana. Spend the day in Old Town which is separated into three squares; town, old and upper. Explore all three for a holistic view of the historic sights in Ljubljana. Notice the medieval and baroque themes when you view the Opera House, Cathedral, Ljubljana Castle, Navje Memorial Park, Hercules Fountain, Sticna Mansion and National Museum. Cross the winding Ljublijanica River at Triple Bridge to peer into the commercial hub of the city. Be sure to visit the vast Ljubljana Central Market for a taste of the local culture. Stroll through the large green space at Tivoli Park to visit the Tivoli Castle. End your time in Ljubljana with a thorough appreciation of Jože Plečnik, a Ljubljana native whose creative opus had a significant impact on the architecture in the area as well as in Vienna and Prague. In the evening continue to the magical town of Bled.
DAY 4: BLED Located just south of the Austrian border and in the foothills of the Julian Alps, the town of Bled comes with many incredible natural wonders. Spend the day among the romantic scenery surrounding Lake Bled and explore the wide open spaces of Triglav National Park. Walk through the jaw-dropping Vintgar Gorge, explore the Iglica Falls and follow the passage at Pokljuka ravine for sights of a cave and natural bridge. Continue into town and scale the steep staircase at the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria to the bell tower. Explore the medieval, Bled Castle. Perched atop a steep cliff above Lake Bled, this castle's history dates back to the early 1000s. Ring the "Wishing Bell" at The Church on the Island and believe, to make your dreams come true. Take the iconic swan photo as these birds grace the lake with their presence. Complete your magical day by watching the sun dip behind the surrounding hills.
DAY 5: POSTOJNA CAVE - ROBINJ - PULA Once your thirst for Bled has been quenched rise early and head to the iconic Postojna Cave. Created by the Pivka River this 24,120 m long cave system was first discovered in the 17th century. Though inherently for tourism the Postojna Cave was also used to store aircraft fuel during WWII. Once you have explored this fantastic web of tunnels, galleries and halls, continue to the coastal town of Robinj. Robinj is considered to be the nicest town in Istria, the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. Be sure to explore Robinj's pride and joy; Lone Bay. In the afternoon transfer to Pula, a town just south of Robinj. Watch the sunset over the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea as you settle in Pula for the evening. DAY 6: PULA Located on the tip of Croatia's Istrian Peninsula, this town known for its protected harbor, gorgeous coastline and roman ruins. Enjoy a full day walking tour and explore the iconic roman ruins in the area including: the Arena in Pula, Temple of Augustus and Arco dei Sergi. Built between 27 BC and 68 AD, the Pula Arena is the last remaining Roman amphitheater to have all four side towers and three Roman architectural orders still intact. In the evening after a relaxing stroll along the beach watch as the industrial cranes along the waterfront light up the skyline and dance to a series of tunes. Called the 'Lighting Giants" these cranes have been decorated by Dean Skira, a world-famous lighting designer, and perform every hour starting at 9pm.
ITINERARY DAY 7: PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK Get an early start to the day and enjoy the scenic road trip through the Istria Peninsula and Croatia's mainland to the largest and oldest national park in the country. Made an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is a stunning example of the Croatia's natural beauty. Known for its system of sixteen interlinked lakes, lively green forests and stunning waterfalls the wonders in this park are worthy of your desktop's screensaver.
DAY 8: KRKA NATIONAL PARK - SPLIT Enjoy a relaxed day in Krka National Park for continued exposure to Croatia's natural beauty. Explore the iconic waterfalls within the park, namely, the Skradinski buk, Roski slap and Bilušića buk. Hike along the impressive footbridges and discover some of endangered flora and fauna. Continue into town (Kistanje) and tour the Krka Monastery. Dedicated to the Archangel Michael, this convent is considered to be the most important Serbian Orthodox monastery in Croatia and has been built above ancient Roman catacombs. If time permits, tour Visovac Island. In the evening transfer to Split.
DAY 9: SPLIT Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Split's highlights. As Croatia's second largest city, this stunning port town provides a fascinating history lesson as well as incredible sights. Stroll along the white sandy beaches or scale the Marjan hill for sweeping views of the city. At the end of the day all that really matters is that you have explored Split's most noteworthy sight; The Diocietian's Palace. Made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 the ruins of this palace make up over half of Split's Old Town. Visit the temples of Jupiter, Cybele and Venus as well as the Cathdral to St. Domnius. As the lights dim in the evening watch as the cobbled streets of the palace quickly transform into one of Croatia's most romantic scenes.
DAY 10: SPLIT - HVAR ISLAND Hop aboard the ferry out of Split and begin your day trip on Hvar Island. View Hvar Island highlights including: Bishop's Palace, the Hanibal Lucic Summer Residence, Tvdalj Castle, Hvar Cathedral and both the Benedictine & Franciscan Monasteries. Immerse yourself in the cultural and natural beauty that the island offers its guests. In the evening take the ferry back to Split. DAY 11: KORCULA ISLAND- DUBROVNIK Embark out on your second day among the Dalmatian islands. Enjoy a scenic ferry ride to the historic fortified town of Korcula. Within Old Town explore the Town Museum, St. Marks Cathedral and St. Michael's Church. Tour the alleged childhood home of Marco Polo and splash in the turquoise waters along the immaculate beaches. Continue to Dubrovnik, The Pearl of the Adriatic, for the next several nights.
DAY 12: DUBROVNIK Spend a full day sightseeing tour in the Pearl of the Adriatic. Put on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979, Dubrovnik is also considered to be one of the most prominent tourist locations of the Mediterranean. Tour the Lovrijenac, a fortress and theater sometimes referred to as "Dubrovnik's Gibraltar. It is this site that was used in several Game of Throne scenes. Walk where Joffery walked and stand where Arya Stark stood in this iconic landmark. Explore Old Town for views of the Bell Tower, Roland's Column, palaces and Big Onofrio's Fountain. Examine the damage made to the cobblestone streets from the Yugoslav Wars of the 90s, that has since been heavily repaired. Complete the day with a walk along the Walls of Dubrovnik for dramatic views of the Adriatic Sea and an incredible sunset.
DAY 13: DUBROVNIK - KOTOR Leaving Croatia in the dust for just a moment embark on today's day trip to Kotor, Montenegro. Be sure to visit the Kotor Cathedral, view Our Lady of the Rocks, explore the Lovcen National Park and spend time at the beloved Cats Museum. Located on the coast in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor, this city provides its guests with beautiful natural scenes as well as historical manmade attractions. Spend the day exploring both and make your way back to Dubrovnik in the evening.
ITINERARY DAY 14: DUBROVNIK - MOSTAR Enjoy a scenic drive through southern Bosnia to the historic town of Mostar. Explore the Old Town and Old Bridge Area; both made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. The 400 year old bridge that was destroyed during the Yugoslav Wars of the 90s was rebuilt in the early 2000s. Today Stari Most stands as an iconic symbol of peace and a celebration of the coexistence of diversity. Be sure to check out Blagaj Tekija. This Dervish Monastery resides along the Buna River, under a cliff and is considered to be one of Bosnia's most holy and ancient sites.
DAY 15: MOSTAR - SARAJEVO After a mid morning arrival in Sarajevo, use the remainder of the day exploring the highlights of this nation's capital. Stroll through Bascarsija (Old Town), visit Vrelo Bosne, a spring of the River Bosna, witness the Tunnel of Hope and tour the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque. Immerse yourself in a city rich in history and cultural diversity. Sometimes referred to as the "Jerusalem of Europe," Sarajevo is the only major European city to have a synagogue, Orthodox church, Catholic church and mosque in the same neighborhood. DAY 16: SARAJEVO - BANJA LUKA- ZAGREB Get an early start to the day and embark on a scenic quest though Bosnia & Herzegovina back to Zagreb, Croatia. Pass trough Bosnia's most modern and up-and-coming cities; Banja Luka. Enjoy sights of the vibrant Vrbas River, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Banski Dvor Cultural Center. Continue to Zagreb where the tour will come to its end. DAY 17: TOUR ENDS - DEPART HOME Although no group activities have been scheduled today your Volant guide will ensure timely arrivals to the Zebreb Airport where you will depart home. Thank you for choosing Volant and safe travels!
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