Croatia &
Slovenia
By Land and Sea
Including Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina
*Fully escorted from Australia
Guaranteed SINGLE room throughout
Departing Australia 26 May, 2009
From Roman
origins of its capital, Ljubljana, to spectacular Bled in the Julian Alps and
ancient Piran on the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia is a very peaceful and lovely
country. Although geographically a neighbor, Croatia is culturally a distant
cousin and best known for medieval walled cities such as Dubrovnik and its
magnificent Dalmatian Coast characterized by dramatic cliffs, sandy beaches,
crystal clear waters and hundreds of exquisite islands.
After
visiting the 'must see' places in Croatia and Slovenia by land, we embark on a
privately chartered ship to explore the Dalmatian coast by sea. During the day
you can swim, snorkel, sunbathe and explore the underworld of the Adriatic Sea.
In the evenings, we step ashore at fascinating ports to meet the locals,
discover the region’s rich culture and history and enjoy traditional Croatian
cuisine in a truly wonderful setting.
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Day 1 26 May, 2009 Australia - Kuala Lumpur Depart Australia today for our flight to Kuala Lumpur for overnight. Accommodation: Parkroyal (or similar) 1 night
Day 2 27 May, 2009 Kuala Lumpur - Zagreb (B) Full day to explore Kuala Lumpur before our ovenight flight to Zagreb via Amsterdam.
Day 3 28 May, 2009
Zagreb (D) Arrive in the Croatian capital, Zagreb, and
transfer to our hotel. Remainder of day is at leisure and in the evening,
meet your fellow travellers for a welcome drink and dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Dubrovnik (or similar) 2 nights
Day 4 29 May, 2009 Zagreb (B,L) After breakfast,
embark on a comprehensive city tour of Zagreb featuring the historic Upper Town,
St. Mark’s Church, Zagreb Cathedral, the Parliament and Government Palace. After
lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is free for your own exploration.
Enjoy an evening at leisure, or join an optional cultural or theatre
performance.
Day 5 30 May, 2009 Zagreb - Otocec - Bled (B,D) This
morning you travel towards Bled. On the way, stop at picturesque Otocec on the
Krka River for an optional lunch. Upon arrival in Bled, you will have a tour of
this charming town and take a traditional pletna boat to the 15th century church
located on Bled Island. Tonight, you will enjoy dinner at the imposing Bled
Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. Accommodation: Hotel Golf (or
similar)2 nights
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Day
6 31 May, 2009 Bled - Kranjska Gora - Trenta Valley - Bled (B,L)
On today’s full-day excursion, discover Slovenia’s enchanting alpine region.
Passing through Kranjska Gora, a famous winter sports centre, you travel to the
highest Slovene mountain pass, Vrsic (1611 m), where you will enjoy the
beautiful scenery of the Julian Alps. The journey continues down to Trenta
Valley, one of the most scenic and unspoilt alpine valleys. Here you will visit
a museum that displays the natural heritage of Triglav National Park, and after
lunch in the small resort town of Bovec, the road will take you back into
Slovenia via the Italian Alps. Evening at leisure in Bled.
Day 7 01 June, 2009 Bled - Ljubljana (B,D) This morning
you depart for Ljubljana. Start your day with a walking tour of the Slovenian
capital and visit
the most significant sights of the Old Town, then take a funicular to Ljubljana
Castle to admire the stunning views over the city. You have free time in the
afternoon before dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Lev (or
similar)
Day 8 02 June,
2009 Ljubljana - Postojna - Predjama - Opatija (B,D)
From Ljubljana, you continue to
Postojna, home of one of the largest subterranean cave systems in Europe, where
you will have a guided tour by electric train. You will also visit nearby
Predjama Castle, then travel to the
beautiful Bay of Kvarner and its popular resort, Opatija. After check-in, enjoy
a tour of Opatija, followed by dinner at a local seafood restaurant. Overnight
at Hotel Astoria (or similar) 2 nights
Day 9 03 June,
2009 Opatija - Piran - Rovinj - Pula - Opatija (B,L,D)
Today you depart for a full-day
tour of the Istrian Peninsula and its quaint, medieval towns that still retain
their Italian heritage. First, you drive back to Slovenia and the lovely
Adriatic towns of Piran and Portoroz. After sightseeing, cross into Croatia and
travel along the peninsula’s coast to Rovinj where you will have a tour of the
Church of Saint Euphemia which dominates the entire Old Town, followed by lunch
at a local restaurant. Then continue to ancient Pula which was founded over
3,000 years ago and visit the famous amphitheatre.
Finally, your day concludes with a typical Croatian evening of folk dancers and
homemade Croatian food. Late return and overnight at Opatija.
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Day
10 04 June, 2009 Opatija - Plitvice (B,D) After
breakfast, your coach will take you on a scenic drive to Plitvice Lakes National
Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On arrival, take a walking tour around
several of the lower lakes and admire the breathtaking scenery of sixteen
terraced lakes connected by cascading waterfalls surrounded by dense mountains
and lush vegetation. The afternoon is free for lunch and your own exploration.
Dine this evening at a local restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Jezero (or similar)
Day 11 05 June, 2009 Plitvice - Zadar - Trogir (B,L,D)
Depart Plitvice and travel to Zadar, one of the oldest cities on the
Adriatic and once a famous cultural centre. Here you will have a sightseeing
tour that includes the ruins of the 2nd century Roman Forum, Zadar Cathedral and
St. Donat Church. En route to Trogir, experience typical Dalmatian customs at an
ethnological park. Enjoy a welcome ceremony, guided tour and traditional lunch
including smoked ham, local wines and live music. Continue to medieval Trogir,
and after check-in, you will be taken for dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Fontana ( or similar) 2 nights
Day 12 06 June, 2009 Trogir - Split - Trogir (B,L)
From Trogir you travel to the nearby port city of Split for a comprehensive
tour that includes the historic Old Town built around Diocletian’s Palace, now a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the remnants of the Roman emperor’s palace with
its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, peristyle and
cathedral. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant in Split before returning
to Trogir for a tour of this artistic centre where scholars from around the
world gather to study and paint. Your evening is at leisure.
Day 13 07 June, 2009 Trogir - Medjugorje - Mostar - Dubrovnik (B,L,D)
After breakfast, you depart for Bosnia & Herzegovina. Your first stop will
be Medjugorje, one of the most visited pilgrimage sites among Roman Catholics.
According to testimony, the Virgin Mary appeared to six young parishioners here
in 1981. Then continue to Mostar, the “city of bridges” and known for its stone
bridge built in the 16th century with a unique arch. Here you will have a city
tour and lunch in a local restaurant before travelling back to Croatia. After a
scenic drive, you arrive in Dubrovnik and embark your private vessel,
Kapetan Bota II. After settling in to your cabin and dinner on board, your Tour
Leader will take you on an evening stroll through this ancient walled city.
Accommodation: on board 7 nights
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Construction
of Kapetan Bota II was completed early 2008. Your ship has 16 cabins, an
experienced crew including captain and cook, an indoor dining area and large sun
deck. Cabins are basic but very clean and comfortable with private facilities.
Full English breakfast and lunch will be served
daily,
featuring local specialities.
Day 14 08 June, 2009 Cruise - Dubrovnik - Mljet (B,L)
This morning you will have a sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik, listed by UNESCO as
a world heritage site and described by George Bernard Shaw as “heaven onearth.”
You will have a tour of the Old Town including visits to the cathedral and
Franciscan Monastery which houses Europe’s third oldest pharmacy. Return to the
boat for an early afternoon departure and lunch as you cruise towards the island
of Mljet. Upon arrival you may take an optional visit to the salt lakes in Mljet
National Park, or simply enjoy an evening at leisure on this peaceful island.
This evening we'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant (own expense).
Day 15 09 June, 2009 Cruise - Mljet - Korcula (B,L)
After breakfast, you will have some free time before departing to the island
of Korcula. Korcula is considered to be the birthplace of the famous explorer
Marco Polo and has one of the most beautiful Old Towns in Dalmatia. After lunch
on board and a stop for swimming, you arrive at Korcula. Here, you will a guided
tour of “little Dubrovnik,” so named due its mighty fortress with impressive
city walls and towers. Evening at leisure. This evening we'll enjoy dinner at a
local restaurant (own expense).
Day 16 10 June, 2009 Cruise Korcula - Hvar (B,L) Depart
after breakfast and sail towards to the island of Hvar. Lunch will be served on
board, and there will be opportunities for water activities. Hvar, the longest,
sunniest and perhaps most popular island along the Dalmatian Coast, is well
known for its moderate climate and lovely lavender fields. Upon arrival, you
will have a guided tour of Hvar Town, a labyrinth of narrow streets beneath the
town’s fortress that are rich in historical and cultural heritage. Evening at
leisure. This evening we'll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant (own expense).
Day 17 11 June, 2009
Cruise Hvar - Trstenik (B,L,D)
From Hvar, you continue your journey
to the mainland town of Trstenik on the Peljesac Peninsula. After lunch on board
and a stop for swimming, you arrive at this picturesque little town where you
will enjoy local wine tasting, followed by a special captain’s dinner. After
dinner, the evening is free for a stroll along the town’s lovely beach.
Day 18 12 June, 2009 Cruise Trstenik - Dubrovnik (B,L)
Today, relax on board and admire the stunning scenery as you have lunch and
sail back to Dubrovnik, arriving late afternoon. This evening we'll enjoy dinner
at a local restaurant (own expense).and then perhaps stroll along Dubrovnik’s
wall that encircles the city.
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Day
19 13 June, 2009
Dubrovnik - Budva - Kotor -
Dubrovnik (B,L,D) Today, travel by coach to the newly independent
state of Montenegro. First you will visit ancient Budva, classified by UNESCO as
a world heritage site, and tour its Romanesque cathedral dedicated to the city’s
patron saint. After driving along the picturesque Bay of Kotor, you arrive in
the lovely city of Kotor where you will have lunch in a local restaurant and a
city tour. Return to Dubrovnik for your final evening and say ‘Dovidenja’ to
your fellow travellers at a farewell dinner at a local restaurant featuring
traditional Croatian klapa singing.
Day 20 14 June, 2009 Dubrovnik (B) After
breakfast on board, your tour concludes as you disembark for your transfer to
the airport for your
onward journey.
Day 21 15 June, 2009 En-route to Australia
Day 22 16 June, 2009 Arrive Australia
Tour cost includes:
Return economy class air travel with Malaysia Airlines Australia/Amsterdam - Frankfurt/Australia
Economy class air travel Amsterdam/Zagreb - Dubrovnik/Frankfurt
Services of a tour escort from Australia
Professional English speaking tour guide throughout
First class
hotel accommodation in SINGLE room with private facilities
• 7 nights aboard the brand new Kapetan Bota II (built
2008)
• 5 day, privately-chartered Dalmatian Islands cruise
• Comprehensive sightseeing with local guides, including entrance fees
• Meals as indicated: B=Breakfast (19), L=Lunch (12), D=Dinner (10)
• Arrival transfer in Zagreb and departure transfer in Dubrovnik
• Transportation by modern air-conditioned coach
• Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
Tour cost does not include:
Air ticket taxes
Port taxes
Travel insurance
Meals other than those specified in itinerary
Passport and items of a personal nature
Gratuities
N.B. All prices quoted are subject to increase and/or currency fluctuation
To contact us
Destination World Travel
P O Box 2040
South Plympton South Australia 5038
Australia
Phone: 08-8293-6988 Outside of
Australia telephone 61 8 8293 6988
Fax: 08-8293-5988 Outside of Australia fax
61 8 8293 5988
Email: destinationworld@internode.on.net
Lic. TTA 156054