Dubrovnik & Jewels Of The Dalmatian Coast

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to northern France for an overnight stay.

• Day 2

  Continue to northern Italy for an overnight stay.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 3

  To Ancona for the overnight ferry crossing to Split in Croatia.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 4 - Mostar

  Morning arrival in Split then head into Bosnia-Herzegovina to Mostar. During Turkish occupation, a bridge (Stari Most) was built across the river and this became a symbol of the city during the Croatia-Bosnia conflict in the early 1990s, when it was totally destroyed. Since then it has been painstakingly rebuilt. Our included, guided sightseeing tour takes in the Turkish House and Muslim Mosque. We head back into Croatia to near Dubrovnik for a four-night stay.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 5 - Dubrovnik

  Enjoy a day at leisure in the place described as the ‘Jewel in the Crown of the Adriatic’. With its ancient walls still intact, Dubrovnik has also been called ‘the most perfectly preserved medieval town in the world’. Take a walk along the stone ramparts of the city for the best views, then venture inside to experience its many treasures. Our included, guided city tour will show the main highlights, including the cathedral and Franciscan Monastery.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 6 - Free Time or Korcula & Wine Tasting

  Enjoy an optional excursion by coach and boat to Korcula. Local legend says that Prince Antenor of Troy founded Korcula in the 12th century. The island is rich in fascinating historical influences including the Greeks, Venetians and Turks. Korcula is the sixth largest Croatian Island being 20 miles long and approximately 5 miles wide. Spend free time exploring the island and perhaps purchase some of its famous exports such as olive oil and red wine. Later we continue to the nearby peninsula of Peljesac and to Potojme where we visit the Mutusko wine cellar. Here you have the opportunity to sample some of the local wines such as Plavac and Dinjac on our included wine tasting.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 7 - Free Time or Montenegro

  We offer a full-day, optional excursion to neighbouring Montenegro and the well-preserved city of Kotor. From Lepatane we cross the only fjord in the Mediterranean to Kemenari and reach the city of Kotor. Kotor was built between the 12th and 14th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on account of its medieval architecture and numerous monuments. It is a place where youthful exuberance and art meet tradition and antique architecture. Upon arrival in Kotor we join our local guide who will then introduce you to the sights and history of this beautiful Old Town. Afterwards, there will be ample free time for you to explore at your leisure. Amble through the narrow streets and squares and try the delicacy of ‘frustula’ a type of crunchy sweet cookie.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 8 - Split & Trogir

  We leave Dubrovnik and head north along the coast to Split, where we include a guided tour of the city, exploring the charming old town. We continue to Trogir which enjoys a lovely setting on a small island just off the mainland, which is connected by a bridge. Overnight in the Sibenik or Vodice area.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 9 - Sibenik Guided Tour, Krka National Park & Zadar

  Leaving Trogir, we continue to Krka National Park. Here, deep tree-covered canyons plunge into plateaus with impressive waterfall cascades. From here we travel onwards to Sibenik where a guided city tour is included. Next, we visit Zadar, built on a narrow peninsula extending into the Zadar Channel. Zadar's 'Sea Organ' was assembled in 2005 by architect Nikola Basic and a team of expert stone masons. The organ is a musical instrument which looks like a set of steps disappearing into the sea, and has pipes placed so that the air and water create musical notes for passers-by to enjoy. A guided city tour is included. Overnight in the Zadar/Petrcane region.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 10 - Plitvice Lakes National Park

  We leave Zadar/Petrcane and enjoy a full-day, included excursion to Plitvice, the most beautiful and best known of Croatia’s national parks. The sixteen small lakes within the park are interconnected by waterfalls, dense forests of beech, fir and spruce trees and it is home to many species of animal, including the brown bear. Enjoy stunning colours all year round - lush greens and foliage in the Spring and Summer, or rich autumnal hues later in the year. Continue to the Opatija or Rijeka area, for a two-night stay.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 11 - Day at Leisure

  Enjoy a free day to relax in Opatija. Perhaps take a walk along the seaside Lungomare and visit the beautiful botanical garden.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 12

  Travel through Slovenia and into Austria for an overnight stay.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 13

  Continue to Belgium for an overnight stay.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 14

  Return home.

  Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

You will stay for four nights near Dubrovnik at the 3-star Hotel Astarea or similar or a  minimum 3-star hotel in nearby Cavtat. You will then stay for one night at a 3-star hotel in the Sibenik area, followed by one night in the Zadar or Petrcane area, such as the Hotel Pinja. Finally, you will stay for 2 nights in the Opatija/Rijeka area in a minimum 3-star hotel. 

On the overnight sailings, accommodation will be in en suite cabins.

Overnight stays in northern France, northern Italy and Belgium will be in city-style hotels. Your hotel in Austria will be a minimum 3-star hotel.