■ Arrival and departure transfer from the hotel on days 1 and 17
■ First-class hotels
■ Breakfast daily and 10 dinners
■ Professional English-Speaking Tour Director throughout
■ Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
■ Luggage handling at hotels (1 pc per person)
■ Whisper technology enhanced touring
■ Service charges and hotel taxes
■ Admission included where indicated in bold letters
■ Athens
■ Kalambaka
■ Ohrid
■ Tirana
■ Kotor
■ Dubrovnik
■ Split
■ Plitvice Lakes
■ Postojna Cave
■ Bled
■ Zagreb
Day 1, Monday, arrive in Athens, Greece
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is free. Meet your fellow travelers tonight at Welcome Taverna Dinner in the Plaka beside the Acropolis. (D)
Day 2, Tuesday, in Athens
See the highlights of Athens this morning on a sightseeing tour. This cosmopolitan and bustling capital city is set amid reminders of a long and glorious past: graceful temples, centuries-old monasteries and ornate Byzantine churches. Visit the immortal Acropolis, the Parthenon, said to be the most perfectly proportioned building of all time, Also, see the Erectheion with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Wingless Victory. Below the Acropolis lies the Ancient Agora and the Theaters of Dionysus and Herodus Atticus. Your afternoon and evening are free. (B)
Day 3, Wednesday, Athens to Kalambaka
Your first stop this morning is Delphi, where the famous Oracle once foretold the destiny of men. The temple of Apollo in which the Oracle functioned, was built in the 6th century B.C. Also see the Sacred Way, the Stadium and the Castilian Fountain, where pilgrims cleansed themselves in preparation for consulting the Oracle. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, which contains an impressive collection of finds from the site, including the beautiful “Bronze Charioteer”, before continuing to Kalambaka. (B, D)
Day 4, Thursday, Kalambaka to Ohrid, The Republic of North Macedonia
After breakfast, admire the fantastic landscapes of Meteora, known as “the rocks that fell from the sky”, where monks built their rock – top monasteries far away from civilization. Out of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit’s cells, only four are now active. The most important is Megalo of Great Meteoro, of peculiar architecture with its tall and intricate dome, twelve sides and fine frescoes. Continue across the border to the Republic of North Macedonia, and on to Ohrid. (B, D)
Day 5, Friday, Ohrid to Tirana, Albania
The lakeside resort of Ohrid is an important cultural and spiritual center, classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Start morning sightseeing with a walk through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century. This afternoon we travel to Tirana, capital of Albania. (B, D)
Day 6, Saturday, in Tirana
On a Morning sightseeing tour, see Sheshi Skenderbej (Skanderbeg Square) the Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower, and the statue of G.K. Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero; the Palace of Culture, built with Soviet assistance, and the National History Museum with a mosaic on its façade portraying Albanian history. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring on your own, shop, or simply just relax. (B)
Day 7, Sunday, to Tivat Montenegro
After breakfast we leave Tirana towards town of Shkodra, nowadays a major cultural center. Shkodra was the center of the Illyrian tribe Labeat and was taken by the Romans in the year 168 B.C. We will see of the Rozafa Castle, magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city, before we cross the border to Montenegro and drive to Tivat. Dinner upon arrival. (B, D)
Day 8, Monday, Tivat to Dubrovnik, Croatia
After breakfast, our journey takes us to Dubrovnik. On the way you will see Kotor Bay, the only South European fiord and we stop for an orientation tour of the old town of Kotor, a UNESCO heritage Site. Continue to Dubrovnik. (B, D)
Day 9, Tuesday, in Dubrovnik
After the breakfast, walking tour of Old Dubrovnik visit the Rector’s Palace, and see the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando’s Column, Sponza Palace, the Dominican Monastery, and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is free
Optional Excursion: home hosted Dubelj with dinner. (B)
Day 10, Wednesday, to Split
Travel north along the spectacular Adriatic coast, past old fishing villages and new resorts, to the city of Split. (B, D)
Day 11, Thursday, in Split
n the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Then see the remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle, and the Cathedral. The rest of the day at leisure to stroll through the beautiful streets of Split, enjoy at the beach or join us on an Optional Excursion to Jet Set spot of rich and famous – Island of Hvar. (B)
Day 12, Friday, to Trogir and Plitvice Lakes
After breakfast, head to Trogir, the center of artistic activities. Scholars from around the world gather here to study and paint. Then, turn inland and travel to spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park. Have your camera ready as you take a walking tour around the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder of sixteen terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. (B, D)
Day 13, Saturday, to Opatija, Postojna, Bled, Slovenia
Return to the coast and travel along the beautiful bay of Kvarner to its popular resort, Opatija. After a bit of free time, journey continue north to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterward, continue to Bled, beautifully set in the Julian Alps. (B, D)
Day 14, Sunday, to Bled
An Alpine Lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travelers in the middle of the 19th century. A sightseeing tour features the charming town and the lakeshore, and visits imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps join an optional excursion visiting the small island in the middle of the lake, browse through the shops and boutiques, or simply enjoy the enchanting scenery. (B)
Day 15, Monday, to Ljubljana and Zagreb, Croatia
Leave the mountains and head to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. See the most significant sights of the old city center on a walking tour. Highlights include the picturesque open-air Central Market, the Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, and Robba’s Fountain. Then, continue to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city. (B, D)
Day 16, Tuesday, in Zagreb
This morning, enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St. Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, Parliament, and Government Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the winding streets of the old town or take an optional excursion to see the countryside. (B)
Day 17, Wednesday, depart Zagreb
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. (B)
NOTE: Because of the narrow and cobbled streets, walking is the primary way of getting around. Please make sure you pack comfortable walking shoes.
Start Dates | End Dates | Price per Person in Double Occupancy | Single Room Supplement |
■ Athens: Stanley (F)/ Titania (F) or similar
■ Kalambaka: Grand Meteora (F) or similar
■ Ohrid: Hotel Granit (F) or similar
■ Tirana: Colosseo (F) or similar
■ Tivat: Hotel Palma (F) or similar
■ Dubrovnik: Lacroma (F)/ Argosy (F) or similar
■ Split: Hotel Corner (F) or similar
■ Plitvice: Hotel Jezero (F) or similar
■ Bled: Park (F)/ Rikli Balance (F) or similar
■ Zagreb: Sheraton (DLX)/ The Westin (DLX) or similar