SOUL OF THE BALKANS 2017 OVERVIEW

SOUL OF THE BALKANS 2017 OVERVIEW Tour Date: 28 June 2017 22 July 2017 Tour Duration: 25 days Tour Cost ($AUD): $16,350 Single Supplement ($AUD): $4,200 Price based on twin-share lower deck: Upgrade to Main Deck $550 pp twin-share This unique journey takes us to a fascinating corner of Europe that is steeped in ancient and recent history the Balkans. Our 25-day itinerary reveals the many natural and architectural treasures of Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania. Croatia s beautiful Dalmatian Coast is where our journey begins, with a Travel Directors exclusive week-long cruise from the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik, to Split. Our small, private cruise ship allows us to moor in the shallow waters right at the heart of the beautiful islands along the coast. We then head north to the amazing bridge town of Mostar before embarking on our journey to Sarajevo, a city with a formidable history. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand here in 1914 triggered the First World War Crossing the magnificent Dinaric Alps, we then enter Montenegro before heading to Kosovo, which since 2008 has been recognised as an independent country. That is, except for Serbia, which still regards Kosovo as a United Nations-governed entity within its borders. Moving further south, we enter Macedonia and the Ottoman city of Skopje, before heading to stunning Lake Ohrid. We then cross into mysterious and little-visited Albania, the only country in Europe without a McDonald s outlet! Soul of the Balkans takes us through a region rich in history, culture, natural beauty, reconciliation and hope. Explore one of the last hidden gems of Europe before the advent of mass tourism! Tour Fitness Level: Moderate

SOUL OF THE BALKANS - 2017 TOUR ITINERARY 28/06/2017 Australia Singapore Check-in at your chosen Australian airport for the flight to Singapore. Depart Singapore SQ26, 23.55 29/06/2017 Frankfurt Dubrovnik Board MS Emanuel (D) Arrive Frankfurt 06.40 Depart Frankfurt, Croatian Airlines OU 419, 10.25 Arrive Dubrovnik 12.15 On arrival you will be greeted by the breathtaking sight of Dubrovnik. The stunning city is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. This afternoon we board our cruise ship, MS Emanuel. With just 18 cabins, Emanuel is the perfect size for visiting the small ports and coastal towns of the Adriatic. 30/06/2017 Dubrovnik (BLD) After breakfast we begin to explore Dubrovnik. Lord Byron famously described Dubrovnik as the 'Pearl of the Adriatic. A magnificent medieval wall encloses marble streets and baroque buildings that exude a pearly light in the Adriatic sun. The main pedestrian thoroughfare, Placa, is a maze of cafés and shops, and has outstanding monuments at either end. Churches, monasteries and museums ornamented with finely carved stone, recall an eventful history and a vibrant artistic tradition. 01/07/2017 Dubrovnik Mljet Korcula (BLD) We set sail from Dubrovnik and by early afternoon arrive at the island of Mljet. We enjoy a delightful walk to the two lakes, a stunningly beautiful part of the island. In fact, no less than half of the island is designated a national park. This lushly forested paradise also attracted such residents as Ulysses and St Paul! Mid-afternoon we set sail for Korcula. 02/07/2017 Korcula (BLD) One of the greenest islands in the Adriatic with numerous tiny and secluded bays, Korcula is rich in art and culture. It is a typical medieval walled Dalmatian town, with its cluster of red rooftops and round defensive towers. It is also reputed to be the birthplace of the great explorer, Marco Polo, in 1254. 03/07/2017 Korcula Vis (BLD) Vis is the most westerly of the larger Croatian islands. A British base during World War II, the island was closed to tourism after 1945 and reopened only in 1990 after Croatia declared its independence. As a result, Vis is largely unspoiled by mass tourism. More significantly, it was the island where Marshall Tito directed his partisans from a secret cave in which he worked and slept. Today we have the chance to view these living quarters. 04/07/2017 Vis Hvar (BLD) Today we arrive at the island of Hvar, recently voted one of the ten most beautiful islands in the world and known as the Croatian Madeira because of its lush vegetation and mild climate. A walk along the waterfront promenade and through the Old Town reveals a wealth of medieval and Renaissance buildings. 05/07/2017 Hvar Split (BLD)

Setting sail from Hvar, we drop anchor in small bays for some swimming, as we cruise towards Split. Early in the afternoon we arrive in Split, the second-largest city in Croatia and a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the historical centre, and within walking distance of the port, is the huge palace of the Emperor Diocletian. Dating from the end of the third century AD, it was one of the last palaces of the Roman Empire. 06/07/2017 Split (BLD) This morning we visit the nearby town of Trogir, with its serpentine medieval streets and imposing Kamerlengo Fortress. On our return we start to explore the old city of Split, beginning with the warren of medieval buildings that is contained within the walls of Diocletian's Palace. We then continue along the beautifully restored promenade as we make our way to the open-air marketplace. 07/07/2017 Split Mostar (BLD) Leaving Croatia we cross the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina, and shortly afterwards arrive at Medjugorje, the town famous for its apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since the first appearance in 1981, millions of people from all over the world have been spiritually strengthened and renewed after a visit here. Countless non-believers and the physically afflicted have returned home converted or healed. After lunch we depart for nearby Mostar. The beautiful Stari Most (Old Bridge) is the icon that gives Mostar ('Keeper of the Bridge') its name. On 9 November 1993, during the Bosnian War, the bridge lay in ruins. It was rebuilt and reopened on 22 July 2004 and today is a symbol of reconciliation, hope and a new era for the region. Flanking the great bridge is the old cobbled Ottoman Quarter with its 16th-century mosques and old Turkish houses. Hotel Bristol Mostar 08/07/2017 Mostar Sarajevo (BLD) After breakfast we board our bus and drive through the beautiful mountainous scenery of the Dinaric Alps before entering a lush green valley with the city of Sarajevo at its heart. Sarajevo has an amazing religious diversity as Islam, Judaism, Orthodoxy and Catholicism have co-existed here for centuries. It has a long and formidable history: on 28 June 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie of Austria-Hungary were assassinated here, in one of the most bizarre attacks in history. It sparked the outbreak of World War I and four years later Bosnia became part of Yugoslavia. From 1992 to 1996, the city was under siege - the longest in the history of modern warfare. Today Sarajevo has been totally rebuilt and its inhabitants look forward to a peaceful and prosperous future. Today we begin a walking tour to discover all of Sarajevo's hidden marvels. Hotel Europe Sarajevo 09/07/2017 Sarajevo (BLD) This morning we visit the Olympic Stadium built for the 1984 winter games, which was used as a massive cemetery during the siege of the '90s. We then explore the Butmir Tunnel Museum beneath the airport that was used to bring food and supplies to Sarajevo when Serbs shut off the United Nations' airlift and the one remaining road. The Bosnian Army also used it to move soldiers and guns. This afternoon there free time to explore Bascarsija, the pedestrian street. 10/07/2017 Sarajevo Kolasin (BLD)

The scenery is breathtaking as we drive from the Sarajevo valley up to the mountains. We continue to pass spectacular peaks as we cross the border into Montenegro and on to the mountain village of Kolasin. Hotel Bianca Kolasin 11/07/2017 Kolasin (BLD) Kolasin lies at the foot of Bjelasica and Biogradska Gora mountains. Using 4WDs, we start climbing by an amazing road into the very heart of the mountains as we spend the day exploring the immensely beautiful Biogradska National Park. This is one of the oldest national parks in the world and perhaps provides the clue as to why Montenegro is the best-kept secret in Europe. It is a wonderfully-unspoilt area of natural beauty and is a fantastic place to unwind. 12/07/2017 Kolasin (BLD) Following the mighty Tara River we head north and into the largest forest of black pine in Europe. We then descend through a narrow corridor into the second deepest canyon in the world, the Tara River Gorge. Here, in the Montenegrian Colorado, waterfalls tumble through forests and into the river. On our arrival in the small town of Splaviste, we switch transportation and head down river in rafts that take us on an exhilarating journey through the stupendous Durmitor National Park. Today truly encapsulates Travel Directors theme of Unexplored Europe. 13/07/2017 Kolasin Skopje (BLD) Shortly after leaving Kolasin we cross the border into Kosovo. After lunch in Pristina, we drive into Macedonia and continue to the capital Skopje, birthplace of Mother Teresa. Stone Bridge Hotel Skopje 14/07/2017 Skopje (BLD) Macedonia s friendly capital, Skopje, is 2,500 years old and has had many different incarnations. All of them, from Roman to Byzantine and Ottoman to Yugoslav, have left indelible marks on the city as evidenced by the varied architecture and mix of cultures. A walk through the meandering narrow streets of the Old Town evokes the spirit and atmosphere of the past. Today we explore the city and, after lunch, visit the beautiful Byzantine monastery of Panteleimon. 15/07/2017 Skopje Bitola Ohrid (BLD) Leaving Skopje behind we continue on to Bitola, Macedonia's second city. Here we enjoy lunch and take a walking tour before continuing our drive to Ohrid. After checking into our hotel we enjoy a cruise on beautiful Lake Ohrid. Millenium Palace Hotel Ohrid 16/07/2017 Ohrid (BLD) Ohrid is a kingdom of light and water; a maze of ancient ruins from Macedonia's earlier settlements. It is a sublime lakeside city that for many represents the culmination of the Macedonian experience. Thought to be among the oldest human settlements in Europe, and with a lake that is three million years old, Ohrid is truly worthy of its UNESCO World Heritage listing and is often described as Macedonia's 'crown jewel'. Today we explore this extraordinary city. 17/07/2017 Ohrid Elbasan Berat (BLD)

This morning we leave Ohrid and cross the Albanian border where we soon descend onto a vast fertile plain and onto the town of Elbassan. Dominated by the Neokastron (new castle) Elbasan is a beautiful Ottoman metropolis and after lunch in the castle itself we head onto the UNESCO town of Berat. The town of a thousand windows is a truly magical treat. Perhaps one of the great highlights of the tour, this cobblestoned warren of whitewashed walls and tiled roofs, set amidst rugged mountains and flanked by the Osumi River, is a kaleidoscope of a great Ottoman past. Even our hotel tonight is a fantastic Ottoman mansion that is right in the heart of the old city. Hotel Mangalemi Berat 18/07/2017 Berat Durres Tirana (BLD) Leaving Berat, we head to Durres on the Adriatic Sea. Founded in 627 BC, ancient Durres is today Albania's vital port city. It is also home to the most amazing amphitheatre in the world. It was discovered by a cat called Bianca who fell into the amphitheatre in 1960. The owner of Bianca went in search of his beloved cat and discovered the 2 nd century AD marvel. After lunch we head to the nearby capital, Tirana. Tirana International Hotel Tirana 19/07/2017 Tirana (BLD) Albania is slowly emerging from being the most isolated country in Europe, if not the world. The brutal dictatorship of Enver Hoxha came to a violent end in the early 1990s and today Albania remains the only country in Europe without a McDonald's! Tirana is a lovely city of parks and striking architecture with a vibrant population forging a new relationship with Europe. Today we explore the city and take a cable car to the top of Dajti Mountain for superb views of the city. 20/07/2017 Tirana (BLD) Today we travel to Kruje, a medieval town located northwest of Tirana which was the capital of the first autonomous Albanian state in the Middle Ages. We will enjoy a tour of the city including the Kruje Castle before returning to Tirana for our final night. 21/07/2017 Tirana Istanbul Singapore This morning we board a flight to Istanbul where we connect with our flight to Singapore. Depart Tirana, Turkish Airlines TK 1074, 09.10 Arrive Istanbul, 11.50 Depart Istanbul, Singapore Airlines SQ391, 13.30 22/07/2017 Singapore Australia Arrive Singapore 05.00 Connect with the flight to our chosen Australian city.

SOUL OF THE BALKANS There was a war in the Balkans in 1994, and in Kosovo as recently as 1999. Is it safe to go there? What makes this journey so fascinating is to witness how the Balkans has moved on since the war. What makes this journey so haunting is to witness the scars of a war that was so recent. Today people in the Balkans are friendly and welcoming and the area is very secure and safe. If I travel alone, do I have to pay the single supplement? If you do not want to share a room with another person in the group, you will have to pay the single supplement. However, if you are willing to share we will team you up with another passenger of the same gender in the hotels and on the boat. If a matchup is not possible, we will upgrade you at our expense. Is it possible to upgrade the cabin on the Emanuel? Generally there is little difference between the cabins apart from their location. All cabins have private facilities. We do offer an upgrade from Lower to Main Deck at a cost of $550 pp twin-share. Do the crew members on the Emanuel speak English? Most staff members on board Emanuel have a working knowledge of English. Also on board is a ship coordinator who speaks fluent English and therefore we have no language barriers. Does the Emanuel have credit card facilities? No. However, payment can be made in Euros, USD and local currency. Are there laundry facilities on the Emanuel? The boat has a full laundry service and is generally fairly cheap. How much spending money do I need for the entire trip and what currency should I bring? Because almost everything is included, an amount of 700 Euros would be ample. While Croatia is not particularly cheap, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania are amazingly inexpensive. Money should be taken in cash and with small denomination Euros. ATMs are also available in all countries. We do not recommend travellers cheques as they can be difficult to change. Do I need vaccinations for this journey? No vaccinations are mandatory on this route but we would recommend you seek advice from your doctor. Tetanus should certainly be up to date at all times. Is the water safe to drink en-route and what is the general standard of hygiene? We err on the side of caution on all of our tours and advise travellers to drink only bottled water. This is easy to obtain everywhere. The standard of hygiene is surprisingly high along the entire route. I would like to stay on in Europe after the group departs. Is this possible? It may be possible to extend in Europe; likewise it may be possible to stop over in Dubai on the return journey. Our consultants will be happy to provide details. If you wish to take up this option, all arrangements must be confirmed before leaving Australia.

I have been on a Croatian cruise before. Is it possible just to do the journey from Dubrovnik to Albania? This is no problem. Please ask one of our consultants for a costing. Do we need any visas? The whole journey is delightfully visa-free. A lot of companies have many expensive optional extras on their tours. Do you? We don't believe in a lot of expensive optional tours'. Our itineraries are designed to make the best possible use of time and to include all the must-see sights, plus additional surprises. Therefore practically everything is included in the tour cost. What is the standard of the hotels? We use centrally located 4-star hotels for this journey, with the exception of Ohrid, which is a good 3-star property. Are there internet facilities en-route? All hotels we use have internet facilities and many have WiFi. Do mobile telephones work? Telstra and Optus mobiles work throughout the entire journey. You will need to ensure you have global roaming. Contact your service provider for further details. How much should we tip the guides and porters? There is no need to tip guides or porters as all tips and gratuities are included in the tour cost.