Once a secret destination of in-the-know travelers, Croatia is bursting upon the international scene. The Dalmatian coastline is a beautiful mix of tranquil beaches, bustling medieval towns, and dreamy outlying islands. Over the past decade, Croatia has become one of Europe’s most popular destinations. It is a country of outstanding beauty, rich history, and friendly people. Experience Croatia and the unbelievable Dalmatian Coast on this 9 day journey. We will be spending four nights in Dubrovnik, Croatia's gorgeous capital, known as, “The Pearl of the Adriatic," due to its exceptional beauty. This phenomenal city is easy to fall in love with. We will also be spending 3 nights in the amazing city of Split, a 1700-year-old city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that is simply stunning in its beauty. Split offers something for everyone. Among the fine historical sites that you will visit are the Diocletian's Palace, Franciscan Monastery, Mestrovic gallery, island of Korcula, city of Trogir, and Plitvice Lakes. From local cuisine, natural wonders, history, nightlife or amazing adventures, Croatia has lots to offer for travelers who seek unique experiences.
HIGHLIGHTS
- 7 Nights at 4 star hotels
- Dubrovnik
- Diocletian Palace
- Franciscan Monastery
- Montenegro
- Boat excursion to “Our Lady of the Rock”
- Pelješac Peninsula
- Monstar
- Kotor
- Split
- Trogir
- Plitvice Lakes
INCLUSIONS
- Round trip airfare
- Airline fuel surcharges and taxes and fees
- 7 Nights First Class Hotels
- 13 Meals (7 B, 3L, 3D)
- Sightseeing per itinerary
- Professional Tour Manager
- Baggage Handling
- Hotel Transfers
- Day 1 - Depart the United States on an overnight flight for Dubrovnik.
- Day 2 - Upon arrival you will proceed to baggage claim and, after clearing customs, you will be met by your C I Destinations tour manager and transferred to your hotel in Dubrovnik. This is our home for the next 4 nights. This afternoon is at your leisure. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel. (D)
- Day 3 - Dubrovnik : After breakfast enjoy a sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik. The old city of Dubrovnik is most famous because of the Game of Thrones series, which was filmed in the old town and the surroundings. Completed in the 13th century, the old city Dubrovnik has remained basically unchanged since. Its medieval ramparts encircle the city, which pedestrians can enter through one of two gates. Either way they cross a stone bridge under the watchful gaze of the city’s patron Saint Blaise (Vlaho), to find themselves joining the evening promenade down the broad, stone-paved avenue, known as Stradun. Following our tour you will have free time to explore the city on your own and fans can discover the Game of Thrones filming locations on their own. (B)
- Day 4 - Montenegro excursion: Following breakfast, enjoy a full day excursion to Montenegro, a small country with magnificent mountains rising above the Adriatic Sea. Enjoy exploring Montenegro's contrasting natural attractions, interesting history, culture, and traditions. After entering Montenegro we first drive to Perast from where we take a boat trip to the “Our Lady of the Rock” islet. Afterwards visit the city of Kotor which is a UNESCO’s World Heritage site. The old Mediterranean port of Kotor is surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian period. It is located on the Bay of Kotor (Boka Kotorska), one of the most indented parts of the Adriatic Sea. Some have called it the southern-most fjord in Europe. Before returning to Dubrovnik, we will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in the town of Budva, known for a well-preserved medieval walled city and sandy beaches. (B,L)
- Day 5 - Peljesac Peninsula and Island Korcula: Enjoy a free day in Dubrovnik or join us for an optional excursion to the Peljesac peninsula and the island, Korcula. Drive through the Pelješac peninsula where we will stop in the town of Ston, located at the gates of the peninsula, and famous for its fortress and sea salt farm. In the town of Orebic, we will enjoy a boat ride (15 minutes) to the town of Korcula, located on a small peninsula. Here we will enjoy touring the old town which dates from the 13th century, surrounded by walls and one of the best preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean. On our way back to Dubrovnik we will visit a local winery ( Vukas or similar) and taste the famous “Plavac Mali” wine, a very close relative to the Zinfandel. (B)
- Day 6 - Dubrovnik-Mostar–Split: Today we depart for Split. Along the way we will visit Mostar in Bosnia & Hercegovina, which is another country from former Yugoslavia. Monstar is a city where “the east meets west”. Our walking tour will take us through the Old Town of Mostar, the traditional Kujundziluk (old bazaar), and a contemporary center. Next to modernly built edifices, there rise the towers of churches and the minarets of mosques. Nonetheless, the most magnificent stone monument is the Stari Most (Old Bridge), built in 1566, and is on the UNESCO’s World Heritage list. We will also visit a mosque and a traditional Turkish house. An authentic Bosnian lunch is organized in one of the old town restaurants. We continue further to Split. where we will enjoy dinner at our hotel. Split will be our home for the next three nights. (B,L,D)
- Day 7 - Split & Trogir sightseeing: Following breakfast, enjoy sightseeing in Split. Today’s Split is the handiwork of seventeen centuries of men and women building and remodeling, adding, tearing down and touching up, so that 18th century houses intersect with ancient Roman walls and 4th century chambers house 20th century apartments. At the core of this sprawling cityscape is the palace of the Emperor Diocletian, built for his golden years at the turn of the f4th century. Today's lunch will be the traditional Dalmatian dish: Pasticada, which we will taste at the Tragos restaurant in Trogir. The town of Trogir, a UNESCO site, has a fascinating 2300 years of continuous urban tradition. Its rich culture was created under the influence of old Greeks, Romans, and Venetians. Trogir has a high concentration of palaces, churches, and towers, as well as a fortress on a small island. It is sometimes referred to as the floating museum town. (B,L)
- Day 8 - Split-Plitvice Lakes: Enjoy a free day in Split, or join us for an optional excursion to the Plitvice Lakes. After an early start, we will reach the Plitvice Lakes before noon. Visit one the most beautiful and oldest national parks in Croatia, under UNESCO protection. It consists of 16 lakes connected by magnificent waterfalls. The park is located in Lika mountain region and visited mostly on foot, however the entrance includes a boat ride across the Emerald Green Lake, “Kozjak” and a train ride back to the main entrance. After the walking tour, return to Split. Tonight we will enjoy dinner at our hotel. (B,D)
- Day 9 - Split & Trogir sightseeing: Following breakfast you will transfer to the airport for your return flight home, taking with you lifelong memories of amazing Croatia. (B)
