Venice – Porec – Rovinj – Pula – Opatija – Lipica – Postojna – Zagreb – Bled – Ljubljana – Plitvice – Trogir – Split – Mostar – Dubrovnik – Budva/Montenegro – Shkodra/ Albania – Tirana – Ohrid/ North Macedonia – Skopje – Kolasin/ Montenegro – Cetinje – Kotor – Dubrovnik
Sightseeing Tours included
Hotels listed in this brochure will be used on almost all departures. If changes become necessary for any reason, substitute hotels will be similar to those in the brochure.
Day 1 Venice – Poreč, Saturday
4:30 PM departure of speed-craft Prince of Venice, from Venice to Poreč. Arrival to Poreč at 8:00 PM, dinner and overnight in Poreč.
Day 2 Poreč – Rovinj – Pula – Opatija, Sunday
In the morning orientation tours of Poreč and Rovinj and then continuation to Pula. Poreč was founded as an ancient Roman town and it evolved into a Byzantine community and is today a tourist “Mecca” on the Adriatic. Poreč off ers architectural and artistic treasures, such as the Basilica of Euphrasius – a complex of buildings whose oldest parts date from the 6th century. The tour takes you down the west coast of Istria through Rovinj, a typical Mediterranean town with narrow cobblestone streets and stone houses built centuries ago with extra thick walls and small windows as a protection against pirates. Then drive further to the south for the walking tour of Pula, well known for its exceptional Roman amphitheater. A busy port town where commerce flourishes amid Roman arches and temples, Pula’s Gothic buildings and Byzantine churches make it a historical treasure. Continuation to Opatija for dinner and overnight.
Day 3 Opatija – Lipica – Postojna – Opatija, Monday
In the morning drive to Postojna, one of the most beautiful karst caves in Europe, 22 km long. Electric train will take you through one part of the cave, after which there is a walk through the most stunning part of the cave. Rails were laid for the first cave train for tourists in 1872. At first, these were pushed by the guides themselves, and at the beginning of the 20th century a gas locomotive was introduced. Part of the cave open to the public is 5.3 km long, the longest publicly accessible depth of any cave system in the world. Sportswear recommended. Free time for lunch on your own and then drive to Lipica Stud Farm, a green oasis in the middle of the karst. It was founded in 1580 by the Austrian Archduke Karl. During the Napoleonic Ward the stud farm was forced to move three times to Hungary, and during the World War I it relocated to a site near Vienna and it remained property of the Court of Vienna until 1918. Then the herd came under Italian authority. It was not spared in the World War II either. Germans took the majority of horses and returned a small number of them aft er the war. Some horses were taken to America and the allies returned but eleven horses to Lipica, other horses were delivered to the Spanish Riding Academy in Vienna. Return to Opatija for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 Opatija – Zagreb, Tuesday
Morning at leisure in Opatija. Once the resort of choice for European royalty and cultural figures from Gustav Mahler to Isadora Duncan, Opatija is Croatia’s oldest seaside resort. Situated in the picturesque Kvarner Bay, Opatija has been a “spa” town offering rest and recreation to its innumerable visitors since Roman times. Early afternoon departure to Zagreb. Dinner and overnight in Zagreb.
Day 5 Zagreb – Bled – Ljubljana, Wednesday
Morning city tour of Zagreb, including the fortified Upper Town, city’s historical centre, St. Mark’s Church with its multicoloured roof, the Cathedral, the Croatian national Theatre and the University. Free time, then departure towards Slovenia. Explore Lake Bled and it’s mountainous environs and stunning topography. Continue to Ljubljana. Dinner and overnight.
Day 6 Ljubljana – Plitvice, Thursday
Morning city tour of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia and a home to one of the oldest Philharmonics in the world. Explore the baroque town buildings and stroll beside majestic Ljubljanica River. Departure for Plitvice. Dinner and overnight in Plitvice region.
Day 7 Plitvice – Trogir – Split, Friday
Morning tour of the Plitvice Lakes National Park on the UNESCO’s List of World Natural Heritage. Sixteen lakes, each at a different level, are connected in a series of cascading waterfalls. Surrounded by dense wood. Plitvice Lakes are a natural phenomenon of a rare and unique beauty. Then departure for Trogir, where we visit the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. Continuation to Split; city tour of Split, including the Diocletian’s Palace on the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage with the Peristyle, the Jupiter’s Temple and the Cathedral. Dinner and overnight in Split.
Day 8 Split – Mostar – Dubrovnik, Saturday
After breakfast, departure for Dubrovnik, via Bosnia & Herzegovina. Short stop in Mostar, recently included in the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage with its elegant Bridge. Continuation to Dubrovnik. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik.
Day 9 Dubrovnik, Sunday
Day at leisure in Dubrovnik. Dinner and overnight.
Day 10 Dubrovnik – Budva/Montenegro – Shkodra/ Albania – Tirana, Monday
Morning sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik, included on the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage. You will visit the Franciscan Monastery with Europe’s third oldest pharmacy, the Rector’s Palace and the Cathedral. Departure for Tirana; we drive to Budva know for its Old City encircled by walls from the Venetian period. Continuation to Shkodra, once the capital of the Illyrian Kingdom (3rd century B.C.). Dinner and overnight in Tirana.
Day 11 Tirana – Ohrid/North Macedonia, Tuesday
Morning sightseeing tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania, including Skender Bey Square, the Mosque of Ethem Bey, and a visit to the National Museum representing the fl ow of Albanian history, also housing the finds from archeological sites across the country. Afternoon departure for Ohrid. Dinner and overnight in Ohrid.
Day 12 Ohrid, Wednesday
Full day in the lakeside resort of Ohrid, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site. Through the activity of St. Clement and St. Naum of Ohrid, the first pan-Slavic University in Europe, the famous “Ohrid Literary School”, was founded here. Sightseeing tour includes the Church of St. Sofi a (11th century), the most eminent mediaeval monument in North Macedonia with magnificent Byzantine fresco paintings and St. Clement Church with its icon of Annunciation. Short drive to St. Naum Monastery, built on the shores of Ohrid Lake in 900 A.D. and dedicated to the Slavic missionary and educator St. Naum of Ohrid. Dinner in a local restaurant. Return to hotel for overnight.
Day 13 Ohrid – Skopje, Thursday
Morning departure for Skopje. Sightseeing tour of Skopje, including the Kale Fortress. Church of the Holy Savior its iconostas, one of the finest samples of traditional walnut woodcarving, Old Bazaar and Stone Bridge. We drive to the slopes of Vodno Mountain where we visit the Monastery of St. Panteleimon with its 12th century iconostas and frescoes ranking among the highest achievements of Byzantine art of this period. Dinner and overnight in Skopje.
Day 14 Skopje – Kolašin/Montenegro, Friday
Morning departure for Kolašin, driving via Peć and Berane and along the impressive Morača River Canyon. Aft ernoon arrival at Kolašin, the town spreading on the left bank of the river Tara, situated at the altitude of 954m. The whole area is surrounded by the thick pine forest of the Bjelasica Mountain and is a popular skiing and air spa resort. Dinner and overnight in Kolašin.
Day 15 kolašin – Cetinje – Kotor – Dubrovnik, Saturday
Morning departure for Cetinje where we visit King Nikola’s Museum, once the residence of the Montenegrin King Nikola I Petrović. Continuation to Kotor, classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage site, where we visit its Romanesque Cathedral dedicated to St. Triphon, the city’s patron saint. We continue to Dubrovnik, driving along the picturesque Bay of Kotor. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik.
Day 16 Dubrovnik – departure, Sunday
Breakfast followed by departure shared transfer to Dubrovnik Airport.
CANCELLATION FEES
All cancellations must be made in writing. The following scale of charges will apply when notice of cancellation of the passenger is given after the booking is confirmed:
30+ days prior – Full deposit 200 EUR or 10% of the total
29 – 22 days prior – 35% of the total
21 – 15 days prior – 60% of the total
14 – 8 days prior – 80% of the total
7 – 0 days prior – 100% of the total
Product Code: ZAGTOATLASDAT107