Surround yourself in the greens and blues of this exhilarating vacation! Discover the lush forests and countryside of Slovenia and the Adriatic Sea along the Croatian coast. Add to this the breathtaking natural wonders of the Postojna Caves, Plitvice National Park, and the Neretva Gorges, as well as man-made splendors of the historical city centers in Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik. See the rebuilt Mostar Bridge and Sarajevo, famous for its unique blend of cultures. Also visit Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, before returning to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s gateway to the Alps—a magnificent vacation!
Highlights:
Scenic Highlights: Neretva Gorges, Dalmatian Coast
Itinerary:
Day #1 Arrive in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to see some of Ljubljana, the Slovenia capital with a strong Alpine/Austrian architectural flavor. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)
Day #2 Ljubljana–Postojna Caves–Zadar, Croatia. Undoubtedly one of the highlights on this tour is a visit to the Postojna Caves. Your included visit is comprised of a train ride and a walking tour, which will allow you to see what are possibly Europe’s most extensive and best-known caves. Then, into Croatia, traveling southeast along the coast to Zadar for sightseeing and an overnight stay. It was under Venetian domination for centuries, then Austro/Hungarian, was ruled by Italy after WWI, and today belongs to Croatia. (B,D)
Day #3 Zadar–Split–Dubrovnik. Drive south to Split to visit the former home town of the Roman emperor Diocletian and his palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More of the lovely Dalmatian Coast before reaching Dubrovnik for two overnights. (B)
Day #4 Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik is the best-preserved Croatian medieval city and the liveliest in Dalmatia. The most interesting part of the city is, of course, the Old Town. The Local Guide will give you a full commentary on the history of this beautifully preserved medieval architectural wonder on your included sightseeing tour. Afternoon and evening optional excursions are available. (B)
Day #5 Dubrovnik–Neretva Gorges–Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina–Sarajevo. Start the day with a scenic drive into the rugged beauty of the Neretva Valley. Stop in Mostar, where a Local Guide shows you the remains of the Turkish quarter and the reconstructed 16th-century bridge. On to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina and certainly the most Turkish-looking city in the Balkans—famous for its mosques, markets, and bazaars. Your included city sightseeing with a Local Guide will give you a grand opportunity to get acquainted with the city and its architectural highlights. (B,D)
Day #6 Sarajevo–Plitvice National Park, Croatia. Travel north today back into Croatia to visit the country’s best-known national park—Plitvice. Enjoy a walk with a Local Guide through the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder. Its 16 lakes, wooded hills, waterfalls, and cascades make it one of Europe’s most loved national parks. Overnight in this area. (B,D)
Day #7 Plitvice–Zagreb–Ljubljana, Slovenia. First, stop today for sightseeing in Croatia’s capital, Zagreb. This city is packed with historic buildings, such as the gothic-style Church of St. Marcus. Continue to Ljubljana for more sightseeing and an overnight stay. (B)
Day #8 Ljubljana. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)