ADRIATIC EXPLORER Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro Tour 2017 21 Days / 20 Nights Fully escorted from Australia Tour Departs: Thursday, 21 September - Wednesday, 11th October 2017 **Tour Cost from: $8,990.00 per person Twin Share (Single supplement from $2,600.00) Plus Taxes of approx $820.00 - Airport taxes/levies are subject to change without notice until fully ticketed Tour Price based on Minimum 20 paying passengers Tour Price valid for travel 2017 but is subject to International Currency Fluctuations until fully ticketed. Please note that itinerary is subject to change without notice. Join us in September 2017 on this fully inclusive flight, tour and cruise package featuring Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. My tour includes an unforgettable journey cruising the scenically stunning and historic Adriatic coast AND visit four countries along the way! This region of Central Europe is still relatively undiscovered compared with neighbouring countries such as Austria, Switzerland and Italy. And yet, these countries offer stunning coastal and mountain scenery and thousands of years of fascinating history and architecture. They are the perfect places for a holilday, combining plenty to see and do but are also ideal for relaxation and fun under the Mediterranean sun and in the sparkling Adriatic Sea! it offers great value travelling and wonderful experiences. Join us both on land and on a cruise that will encompass Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro. The travelling is relaxed, the food and wine are wonderful and the whole experience will be unforgettable! The Itinerary Day 1 Thurs 21 September 2017: Australia - Zagreb Today we check in at our International Airport for our overnight flight to Zagreb Day 2 Fri 22 September 2017: Zagreb Dinner We will arrive in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia today and be met by our local tour director and guide. There will be time today for a relaxed orientation walk around Zagreb before we meet up for our welcome dinner tonight. It ll be your first opportunity to savour some of the delights of Croatian cuisine and wine! Overnight in Zagreb. For information, bookings & your Travel Insurance contact: Phone: 1300 139 715 E-mail: sue@tradetravelmelbourne.com.au Website: www.tradetravelmelbourne.com.au a member of
Day 3 Sat 23 September 2017: Zagreb Sightseeing Today we will set out on a walking tour of Zagreb. The Upper Town, with its winding, cobblestoned buildings, has a real Medieval European feel whereas the Lower Town is a more orderly 19th century array of Austro-Hungarian architecture studded with tranquil parks. Both are fascinating. We ll take you past the 13th century cathedral and thread through the traditional market with its mix of crafts and luscious local produce. There ll be an opportunity to have a coffee and try some of the delicious food specialities and then free time for lunch and further independent sightseeing or relaxing Dinner is independing tonight. Overnight in Zagreb Day 4 Sun 24 September 2017: Zagreb to Lake Bled, Slovenia & Dinner We cross in to neighbouring Slovenia to visit its delightful capital, Ljubljana. We ll take you on an easy-paced walking tour of the most significant sights of the city including the Triple Bridge, the Baroque Town Hall and the 18th century Robba s Fountain. We ll be staying the night at Lake Bled but dinner will be just a few kilometres from this gorgeous alpine resort, in the charming town of Radovlijca. There ll be entertainment on the menu too! Lake Bled, set against a backdrop of mountains, is Slovenia s most popular holiday destination as well as being a major drawcard for overseas visitors so we won t be here alone. However, with its picturesque lake (complete with a churchtopped islet) and a medieval castle perched on a cliff, it deserves its popularity. Overnight at Lake Bled Day 5 Mon 25 September 2017: Lake Bled to Opatija, Croatia This morning we set off for Postojna in the Karst region of Slovenia. This was the first place this amazing limestone landscape was studied in detail and other karst regions in the world are named after it and only Slovenia s Karst is entitled to a capital K! Here we will visit the world famous Slovenian cave system the Postojna caves. A twomillion-years-old and 27km-long system of subterranean caves, it is one of the most easily accessible network of underground caves in the world and one of the largest. A ride by electric train will be followed by a guided walk through a series of cave halls filled with stalactites and stalagmites unrivalled anywhere in the world. The underworld system is also home of the mysterious, unique and rare amphibian Proteus Anguinus, or human fish as it is popularly called here. This creature is a kind of salamander but is not related to any other amphibian and intriguingly, even after years of study no-one knows how it reproduces! We will enjoy lunch in the area and then head back into Croatia and the town of Opatija. This is a popular tourist resort in the bay of Kvarner along a stretch of coast known as the Opatija Riviera, thanks to its balmy climate. We ll take you on a short orientation walk past its lush and exotic gardens and elegant, expensive seaside mansions. This was once a favourite retreat for European royalty, aristocrats, the writer Chehkov and composers Mahler and Puccini. There ll be free time to explore further and to enjoy an independent dinner. Overnight in Opatija Day 6 Tue 26 September 2017: Istrian Peninsula We ll spend the whole day today exploring the delights of the Istrian Peninsula, a dazzling corner of Croatia, not always included on touring routes. Istria has a character all of its own undisputedly Croatian but there are Venetian and Austro-Hungarian influences here too. A highlight of our day out will undoubtedly be the 1st century Roman amphitheatre at Pula, the sixth largest Roman amphitheatre in the world. This once housed 23,000 spectators who watched gladiatorial contests and naval battles. We will also visit Rovinj, which has a real Venetian feel about it along with its colourful fishing boats bobbing in the harbor. This will be a great contrast with Motovun, a classic hilltop inland Istrian town. This town sits perched on a hilltop surrounded by green fields and vineyards. We ll have lunch on an Istrian estate on our day out - a meal that will include local wine and a local specialty noodles served with truffles. We return to Opatija for an independent dinner. Overnight in Opatija Day 7 Wed 27 September 2017: Opatija to Plitvice & Dinner After a leisurely start we head for Plitvice National Park. A UNESCO World Heritage site this park has 16 densely forested lakes which tumble with emerald water flowing over a multitude of waterfalls and are interlaced with a network of crystal clear streams. It is a stunning place. A variety of wildlife, including the occasional bear, shares the park with birds, small mammals and humans. The lakes are linked by bridges and wooden footpaths making this a great walking area. We will have lunch enroute and then on arrival at the park we will spend several hours stroling the walkways through this amazing landscape. Our hotel for the night is right beside the park. Dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Plitvice Day 8 Thu 28 September 2017: Plitvice to Sarajevo, Bosnia & Dinner We will briefly say goodbye to Croatia today as we cross into Bosnia. There will be a lunch stop en route and we are due to arrive in Sarajevo in the late afternoon. Once we ve checked into our hotel where we will be staying for two nights and which is right in the historic centre of Sarajevo, we ll have a short orientation walk and then later go out for dinner on our own Overnight in Sarajevo
Day 9 Fri 29 September 2017: Sarajevo Sarajevo made world headlines after the collapse of the former state of Yugoslavia and the outbreak of a vicious civil war. It s was all but destroyed. But today the city has been beautifully restored (although there are sombre reminders of its bloody past) and it remains as it ever was... a fascinating fusion of European and Turkish influence. One of the most intriguing places on our itinerary today is the Tunnel Museum which details the way the people of Sarajevo survived the Serbian siege that lasted between 1992 and 1995 with the help of this 800-metre long tunnel. We will also be exploring the Bas Carsija, the wonderfully atmospheric 15th century Turkish bazaar at the city s heart. There ll be free time this afternoon for lunch, independent exploration of the old town or time to just relax and then head into town for an independent dinner if you wish. Overnight in Sarajevo Day 10 Sat 30 September 2017: Sarajevo to Dubrovnik (cruise), Lunch & Dinner We re heading back to Croatia and the Adriatic Coast today but stopping en route in Mostar. Mostar was the most highly bombed town in Bosnia during the Civil War and one of the casualties was its 16th century Turkish bridge. However this has now been painstakingly rebuilt and is spectacular to behold. We re going to have a Turkish-style lunch in a local restaurant here and then drive towards Dubrovnik with tantalising glimpses of the Adriatic en route. This evening will be especially exciting as we ll be boarding our modern, mini-cruiser in time for a welcome drink, dinner and introduction to the shop and crew. We ll probably have time for a stroll inside the medieval walled city of Dubrovnik as well. Day 11 Sun 01 October 2017: Dubrovnik- Elaphiti Islands, Mljet National Park After breakfast we ll begin our cruise by sailing past the magnificent coastline of the Elaphiti Islands archipelago. There ll be a chance for a swim en route. On our arrival at our anchorage at Mljet Island there will be free time to go ashore to explore the island s national park including walking around the Great and Small lakes and the islet of St Mary with its 12th century Benedictine Monastery. Mljet is the second largest of the Southern Dalmatia islands and a third of it is a national park. It s wild, unspoilt and beautiful and legend has it that Ulysses was a prisoner here for seven years. Day 12 Mon 02 October 2017: Mljet to Hvar We re cruising this morning to Hvar with a stop for a swim near the island of Korcula. Hvar is known as the sunniest island in Croatia so we ll have another swim there today too! Hvar is a popular island with the international jet set but it remains a friendly and relaxed destination for everyone. We have an English-speaking guide waiting for us here who will take us on a walking tour of the old town of Hvar. The Venetians were here in the 15th and 16th century which means the island has a true Italian feel about it. It s also famous for its lavender production so we ll learn a little about this too. There ll be time tonight for an independent evening and meal out in Hvar town... there are plenty of restaurant and bar choices! Overnight in Hvar aboard our ship Day 13 Tues 03 October 2017: Hvar - Bol - Split Our cruiser will sail on to Bol on the island of Brac. Bol is considered to have the finest beach in all of Croatia, known as Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape). While we are in Bol there will be time for a walk around picturesque Bol with its Dominican monastery and tightly packed traditional houses all set under the highest mountain peak in the Adriatic, Vidova Gora. Then after lunch on board we ll be heading for Split. This city is considered to be the Adriatic s liveliest and most alluring. Split has a long history the Roman emperor Diocletian built a retirement home here between AD 295 and 305. It was later inhabited by the citizens of the neighbouring Roman city of Solona. Over the centuries families in Split have chosen to build into and around the palace structure rather than destroy it, offering us the unique chance to eat, sleep and drink in the shadow of a Roman emperor. The city has been listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. On arrival we will have a short orientation walk around Split, concentrating on walking through Diocletian s Palace. Dinner is independent tonight and Split is a great place for a night out! Overnight in Split Day 14 Wed 04 October 2017: Split Pucisce (Brac) Makarska We ll visit Brac again this morning for a swim and then continue to Pucisce, the largest town on Brac. This village is set inside a deep fjord andits white-stone house facades rise up steeply behind the port. The quarries in this area were the source of limestone columns for the White House in Washington DC and for Vienna s Parliament Buildings. After lunch on board it s on to Makarska. This town is actually on the mainland, and set beneath the magnificent Biokovo Mountains. This is one of the most spectacular stretches of the entire Adriatic coastline with glorious bays and coves set against a backdrop of karst mountains and forested ravines. There ll be a chance to explore the restaurants, cafes and bars along the waterfront Riva tonight for your independent dinner. Overnight in Makarska aboard our ship
Day 15 Thur 05 October 2017: Makarska - Korcula We re off to our last island today, Korcula. There ll be a swim before lunch on board and then we ll be anchoring beside Korcula town. This island is known as the birthplace of legendary explorer Marco Polo. We have a local guide to take us on a short walking tour of the town s narrow cobblestoned streets. Korcula is a quintessentially Croatian town with its terracotta-hued roofs and medieval spires and all set on its own peninsula. There will be time to explore further independently and enjoy dinner out in the town. Overnight in Korcula aboard our ship Day 16 Fri 06 October 2017: Korcula - Dubrovnik & Dinner We ll be sailing back past Mljet and Elaphiti islands today, pausing for a swim and lunch before returning back to our home port of Dubrovnik. Dinner will be aboard the ship tonight but there will be some time to enjoy the Pearl of Adriatic. We sleep aboard ship for the last time tongiht. Day 17 Sat 07 October 2017: Dubrovnik We disembark this morning and join a city tour of Dubrovnik. Described by poet Lord Byron as The Pearl of the Adriatic Dubrovnik has prospered for centuries, becoming a maritime republic (Ragusa) that rivalled Venice. Backed by sweeping limestone cliffs and flanked on three sides by the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik s setting is breathtaking. The water reflects the perfectly preserved fortifications and the city remains a living history book. Vehicles are banned within the walls, which makes its old world atmosphere more poignant. This morning we ll visit the stunning 15th century Rector s Palace, Bell Tower Clock where little green men chime the hours, Orlando s Column and the Venetian Gothic-Renaissance Sponza Palace. We will also see the Dominican Monastery and visit the Franciscan Monastery with its cloisters and pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world which is still functioning today. The afternoon is free to relax at our hotel by the sea or explore Dubrovnik further. Note: During our stay we will be attending a folklore show (times vary so we will notify you of this on our arrival in Dubrovnik) Day 18 Sun 08 October 2017: Montenegro We are setting of by road today to our fourth Balkan country... Montenegro, once also part of the former Yugoslavia. With some of the most rugged mountains in the region and a short but superb stretch of Adriatic coastline Montenegro is scenically spectacular. It s also historically and culturally fascinating because of the influences of Orthodox, Slav, Venetian and other invaders and neighbours. We will first travel along the Bay of Kotor to the town of the same name, which is protected by UNESCO. An important town during the era of Venetian domination of the Adriatic it is one of the best preserved medieval towns in the region. We then drive to Budba, on what is known as the Montenegrin Riviera, and a favourite resort town of millionaires (especially Russian ones) before returning to Dubrovnik for overnight. Day 19 Mon 09 October 2017: Dubrovnik & Dinner This morning we will be back in the old city of Dubrovnik to walk around its wonderfully intact medieval city walls which provide fantastic views over both the city itself and the Adriatic. Then it s a free afternoon before we meet up for what will surely be a memorable farewell dinner on a family estate near Dubrovnik. There ll be great Croatian food and wine, music and entertainment. Day 20 Tues 10 October 2017: We will be transferred to nearby Dubrovnik airport to begin our journey home. Day 21 Wed 11 October 2017: Arrive back in Australia. The Tour Price Includes: International Flights - Australia / Zagreb / Australia Domestic flight Dubrovnik / Zagreb Coach Travel Accommodation as per the itinerary (including 7 night cruise) Meals as per itinerary (33 Meals) All Entry Fees and Guides as per Itinerary Tour Director English Speaking Guides as per the itinerary Tour Price Excludes: Pre & Post Accommodation - POA Travel Insurance Any meals and drinks not mentioned on the itinerary Gratuities
Tour Highlights: Croatia sightseeing Zagreb - the Upper and Lower Towns and the Krapina Neanderthal Museum. See the Plitvice National Park, Elaphiti Islands and the Mljet National Park. Walking tours of Hvar, Korcula, Brac and Split. The city of Dubrovnik is home to the 15th Century Rector s Palace, Bell Tower Clock, Orlando s Column, the Venetian Gothic-Renaissance Sponze Palace and the Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries. Visit Slovenia s capital Ljubljana, the beautiful Lake Bled, the cave systems of Postojna and the Adriatic Riviera town of Opatija. Spend a day exploring the Istrian Peninsula including a visit to the sixth largest Roman amphitheatre in the world at Pula and admire the Venetian architecture of Rovinj. Bosnia-Herzegorina: wander the streets of Sarajevo and cross the Balkans most famous Old Bright of Mostar. See the Tunnel Museum and Bas Carsija. Visit Montenegro the Kotor Fjord, Budva and the old royal capital Cetinje. See the Bay of Kotor and follow the Lovcen Serpentine, 1000m into the mountains to see the panoramic view of Boka Kotorska Bay. **Tour Costs: Double/Twin Lower Deck on cruise ship per person $8,990.00 Double/Twin Upper Deck on cruise ship per person $9,550.00 Single person Lower Deck on cruise ship $11,590.00 Single person Upper Deck on cruise ship $12,350.00 All above costs plus taxes of $820.00 per person Booking & Payment Deadlines Deposit: $1100.00 pp due by Friday 24 February 2017 with completed & signed booking forms. Final Payment: Due no later than Friday 09 June 2017. For information, bookings & your Travel Insurance contact: Phone: 1300 139 715 E-mail: sue@tradetravelmelbourne.com.au Website: www.tradetravelmelbourne.com.au a member of