Day 1: Dubrovnik
Our English-speaking guide will come to the lobby of your hotel to take you for the walking tour of Dubrovnik, visiting the Franciscan Monastery with 14th century pharmacy, Rector’s Palace and Cathedral.Dubrovnik is a medieval walled city. Completed in the 13th century, the old city of Dubrovnik remained basically unchanged since. Its medieval ramparts encircle the city which can be entered through two main gates, crossing a stone bridge under the watchful gaze of the city’s patron saint, Blaise or Vlaho. The main street of the old city is called Stradun or Placa, and is the city’s main artery, lined with graceful stone palazzos where people both work and live. “Those who seek paradise on earth”, George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “should come to Dubrovnik.”
Heavily damaged during the 1991-92 Serbo-Montenegrin aggression, Dubrovnik is now completely restored. With the support of people from all over the world, Dubrovnik has been reclaimed not just a Croatian treasure but one of the world’s treasures, a fact that was officially recognized when the United Nations declared it a World Cultural Heritage Site. Walking tour will take about 2-3 hrs. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Day 2: Montenegro
After breakfast, leave Dubrovnik and drive along the beautiful bay of Kotor to reach the town Kotor which is celebrated for its impressive walls surrounding the triangle-shaped town center. We drive on narrow serpentines to Lovcen from where we will have a breathtaking view over the entire Kotor bay. We make a stop for lunch in the village of Njeguši, known for its excellent prosciutto which when accompanied with goat cheese, fresh homemade bread and the famous Vranac red wine makes a delicious regional meal! We continue the trip towards Cetinje, former capital of Montenegro and formerly the seat of the Montenegrin kings. We visit the castle of King Nikola (currently a museum) whose influence and diplomatic relations let him to be known as ‘European father in law’ enabling him to marry his beautiful daughters into royal courts. We drive further towards the coast reaching Budva, the most important holiday destination on the Montenegrin coast. Return back to Dubrovnik at early evening. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Day 3: Adriatic Coastline - Mostar
Early departure from Dubrovnik with a scenic drive along the Adriatic beautiful coats line then drive inland along the Neretva River Delta toward Mostar. Sightseeing tour of the old city of Mostar recently (2005) included on the UNESCO`s List of World Cultural Heritage. During the Turkish rule, the city was an important trade center and traces of that period are still visible today. City tour includes elegant Bridge, Old colourful Bazaar, the Mosque and a typical Turkish house. Overnight in Mostar.
Day 4: Bosnia & Herzegovina
In the morning after breakfast, continue the drive toward the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Sarajevo. Sarajevo stands at the crossroads between Asia Minor and Central Europe. This resulted in the greatest diversity of religions and cultures to be found anywhere in Southeastern Europe, resulting in both the greatest potential for peaceful co-existence of cultures and also the greatest potential for turf battles. The Ottoman influence and Sarajevo's unique location helped it develop into a major city for trade. The Bascarsija became one of the city's main bazaars a center for trade, culture, and Islam in Bosnia. Sarajevo is renowned for its skilled craftsmen. The traces of Ottoman Empire are still visible. Sarajevo was first put on the world map in 1914 as the site where Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip assassinated the heir to the Austrian throne and precipitated World War I. Sarajevo was extremely damaged during the civil war from 1992-1996, The city which boasted a 1991 population of nearly 526,000 people had diminished to somewhere between 349,000. The city tour includes Bascarsija, Gazi Husref Bey Mosque and Tunnel War Museum. After the tour, the rest of the day is at leisure to explore the cosmopolitan beauty of Sarajevo and delicious Bosnian cuisine. Late afternoon return and overnight at hotel in Mostar.
Day 5: Split
Breakfast at hotel. Early morning drive from Mostar to Split (about 4 hrs drive) with a short stop in Makarska where you can stretch your legs and have a coffee in one of the cafés by the sea. Continuation and arrival in Split. In the afternoon, enjoy a walking tour of Split with English-speaking guide, visiting Diocletian’s Palace basements (on UNESCO’s List of World Cultural heritage) with the Peristyle, Jupiter’s Temple and Cathedral.
Overnight at hotel in Split.
Day 6: Natural beauty of Croatia
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Trogir (about 25-minute drive) for a short stop. Trogir is the city with 2300 years of tradition. Its rich culture developed under the influence of Greeks, Romans and Venetians. After Trogir, continuation to Plitvice (about 3.5 hrs drive). Upon arrival in Plitvice, tour the 16 crystal-blue lakes lying at different levels and linked together by spectacular cascading waterfalls. The largest national park in Croatia, Plitvice, was inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage List in 1979 in recognition of its “outstanding natural beauty” and the undisturbed production of travertine through chemical and biological action”. The lakes are situated on the eponymous Plitvice plateau, between the mountains. Plitvice National Park is heavily forested, mainly with beech, spruce, and fir trees, and features a mixture of Alpine and Mediterranean vegetation. Overnight in Plitvice.
Day 7: Zagreb
After breakfast, drive to Zagreb (about 2 hrs drive). Upon arrival, a local guide will take you to city tour of Zagreb. Visit the fortified Upper Town, the city's historical center, St Mark's church with its multicolored roof, the Cathedral, the Croatian National Theater and University. Zagreb has grown out of the two medieval settlements, Kaptol and Gradec, which for centuries developed on neighboring hills. The twentieth century brought the Secession style to its public buildings, parks and fountains emanating the lofty spirit of the Austro- Hungarian Empire. Overnight in Zagreb.
Day 8: Zargeb
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight.
Proposed Hotels:
Hotel Argentina in Dubrovnik 5***** or similar – 2 nights
Hotel Ero*** in Mostar or similar– 2 nights
Hotel Le Meridien Lav**** in Split or similar– 1 night
Hotel Jezero*** in Plitvice or similar– 1 night
Hotel Westin**** in Zagreb or similar – 1 night
*Rate per person for double occupancy subject to change due to currency exchange rate. Rate valid from 01st April to 31st October 2008.
