Croatia

Days One and Two

Depart from the US overnight, arrive in Dubrovnik, meet your tour guide at the airport and transfer to hotel. Relax in the evening, enjoy Dubrovnik by night, explore the Old Town with its unforgettable lights, music, small local restaurants, concerts, folk dancing and more.

Day Three

Walk to the Old City of Dubrovnik for a half day sightseeing tour. Visit the old Franciscan Monastery, with the oldest Pharmacy in Europe (founded in 1317). See the Rector's Palace, old Cathedral, Dominican Monastery, and walk magnificant city walls a mile long. This is a place where past and present unified in a wonderful harmony offer their soul to every visitor. This old city a real architectural, historical and artistic treasure.

In the afternoon, on your drive to Catvat, pass the Dubrovnik Riviera, small villages like jewels along the coast (Kupari, Srebreno, Mlini, and Plat). Cavtat, once upon a time was a Greek colony called Epidaurum, with a rich history. Today it is a charming small village scattered on the Peninsula surrounded with an azure blue sea, hundred year old pine and cypress trees, and a charming marina with sailing yachts from all over the world.

Return to your hotel and stay overnight.

Day Four

Visit Montenegro, the youngest country of Europe, which gained its independence in 2006. Drive through Konavle valley, part of the Dubrovnik region.

Enjoy the unique Fjord of Kotor where small medieval cities are scattered along the coast. Stop on the small island Gospa od Skrpjela and visit the seamen's votive museum and church, an exceptional experience.

Next arrive in Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Their Roman, Byzantine and Gothic churches, public buildings and steep city walls will tell you a lot about the rich history of this small city.

Drive to St. Stephan, an island hotel since 1950, when the Pastrovich family sold their houses to the government. Today it is a unique hotel connected with a narrow path to the mainland. Discover the medieval old city of Budva within the city walls.

Return to your hotel in Dubrovnik to stay overnight.

Day Five

Depart to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Take a beautiful drive along the coast, pass the border into Herzegovina, and cruise along the charming Neretva River. Reach Pocitelj, a small village with a typical Oriental influence. Tall, elegant Minarets, mosques, and Turkish houses all exhibit a real Ottoman, Turkish flavor. Painters, writers, and poets come here every spring searching for inspiration.

Half an hour later arrive in Mostar, the capitol of Herzegovina, with its bridges, mosques, Turkish houses, old Bazaar (market) on one side and a modern city on the other side. The Old Bridge (built 1556) was destroyed in the war in 1994, and with international help was rebuilt again.

Finally, drive to Split and stay overnight.

Day Six

In the morning take a half day sightseeing tour of Split: visit the historic Old Town, Roman Emperor Diocletian's palace, museums and galleries. We'll see the gallery of the famous sculptor Ivan Mestrovic and Marjan Park.

The afternoon will be free to enjoy the picturesque streets of old Split, its medieval squares, perhaps even go shopping.

Day Seven

Meet your guide and transfer to Split harbor, to embark on a ferry ride to Island Hvar, a stunningly beautiful boat ride among the Croatian islands. Hvar is well known for its oldest European theater, beautiful Renaissance squares and churches, Gothic buildings and a magnificent renaissance Lodge.

Excellent red and white wine, virgin olive oil and lavender fields are characteristic of this island, which is also called the San Tropez of Croatia.

Return to Split and stay overnight.

Day Eight

Meet your guide and drive to Trogir, a small medieval city 20 miles north of Split. Visit its famous Cathedral with a magnificent Radovan Portal, stroll narrow cobbled streets and medieval squares surrounded with dreamy, stony houses, enjoy the yacht harbor and the old fortress of Karmelengo that protects the town from the sea side.

In the afternoon take a drive to the pristine greens of the River Krka waterfalls. Lush vegetation, blue-green water, and the sound of the waterfalls will magically touch your soul. You can take a swim in a crystal green water that will welcome you, offering you the best refreshment of the day.

Return to Split and stay overnight.

Day Nine

After breakfast depart from Split to Plitvice Lake National Park. This natural wonder is one of the most exciting destinations in Croatia. The breathtaking 16 Upper and Lower lakes surrounded by thick forests and hills are unforgettable. We'll walk along the Lower lakes, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera.

In the afternoon drive to the Croatian capital of Zagreb and stay overnight.

Day Ten

Meet your local guide and discover this interesting city of Zagreb, visiting Gornji Grad (Upper Town), enjoying the roofs of old Zagreb, steeple of St Stephen Cathedral, and the old Baroque St Catherine's church. Walk by the famous Zagreb Theater on Zrinjevac Square where also numerous galleries and museums are located. Zagreb is a modern vibrant, city with a rich history.

Afternoon, explore Zagreb, its shops, coffee houses, flower market (beautiful arrangements of dry flowers can be taken home). Zagreb is famous for a fine dining restaurants and a good local wine selection.

Day Eleven

Transfer to the Zagreb airport for your flight home.