Saturday September 2, 2023

Sunday September 3, 2023

After a connecting flight in Europe, we arrive in Zagreb and transfer to our hotel. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, we have no group activities or meals planned for today.

Monday September 4, 2023

This morning’s tour of the Croatian capital by coach and on foot reveals a gracious city of culture and hospitality. We will make a visit to the Zagreb Funicular, the first means of public transportation in Zagreb. Additionally, we will enjoy a tasting of Štrukli, a delicious pastry dish and regional specialty. then continue through Old Town with a visit to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. After calling on the colorful Dolac open-air market, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner. B,D

Tuesday September 5, 2023

Departing by coach this morning, we arrive in the Slovenian capital in time for lunch on our own. An afternoon walking tour reveals the heart of this friendly mid-sized city of romantic bridges, ornate façades, pedestrian zones, and abundant parkland. We dine tonight at our hotel. B,D

Wednesday September 6, 2023

This morning we visit Bled, Slovenia’s popular resort town whose namesake lake is the stuff of fairytales. Sitting in the foothills of the Julian Alps with a medieval castle perched above its emerald-green waters, Lake Bled draws visitors and locals alike. We tour the castle then enjoy a leisurely boat ride around the placid mile-wide lake. After this relaxing interlude, we return to Ljubljana with the remainder of the day at leisure. B

Thursday September 7, 2023

En route to Opatija today, we stop to explore Postojna Cave, the almost 13-mile-long karst cave system where an electric train takes us deeper than is possible in any other cave in the world. Then after free time here for lunch on our own, we continue on to Opatija, the seaside resort where Habsburg princes once vacationed. Upon arrival, we explore the “Opatija Riviera” on a walking tour of this modern-day resort town nestled between green forested hills and the cobalt Adriatic. We dine together tonight. B,D

Friday September 8, 2023

Today’s tour of the Istrian Peninsula reveals the multicultural roots of this alluring spit of land jutting into the Adriatic. At various times a vassal of Venice, the first Austro-Hungarian Empire, Fascist Italy, the Yugoslav Federation, and finally, Croatia, Istra, as it is known, boasts an interesting history, mild Mediterranean climate, lovely scenery, and good wines. Our first stop is in the port of Pula, where we visit the well-preserved remains of a Roman amphitheater (c. 177 CE). Next is Rovinj, a charming old Venetian port where we are free to explore on our own and perhaps enjoy lunch at an outdoor café. After returning to Opatija late this afternoon, we dine together tonight at a local restaurant. B,D

Saturday September 9, 2023

Today we visit nearby Moscenicka, a one-time fishing village that now draws visitors to its tranquil port and beautiful pebble beaches. After lunch together, we return to Opatija where the remainder of the day is at leisure. B,L

Sunday, September 10, 2023

We travel south this morning for an excursion to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Famed for its string of 16 turquoise-colored lakes connected by a series of waterfalls and cascades, separated by distinctive travertine deposits, and surrounded by dense forests, Plitvice counts as one of UNESCO’s first natural sites and Croatia’s largest national park. Late afternoon we depart for Trogir, arriving early this evening in time for dinner at our hotel. B,L,D

Monday, September 11, 2023

This morning we travel to Split, the main city of the central Dalmatian Coast and home of 3^rd-century Diocletian’s Palace. As we see on our guided tour, the palace, and eventually its ruins, formed the historic heart of picturesque Split. After time for lunch on our own, we board a ferry for the two-hour cruise to Hvar, “queen” of the Dalmatian islands. Upon arrival we travel by coach to lively Hvar Town, where we spend the next two nights. We dine tonight at a local restaurant just a short walk from our hotel. B,D

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

With captivating natural beauty and a strategic Adriatic location, Hvar has prospered since antiquity. We discover some of its charms this morning, first with a walking tour of Venetian-tinged Hvar Town then with a walking tour of nearby Stari Grad, one of Croatia’s oldest cities and where we also have time to wander on our own. Then we visit a local winery for a tasting and lunch. B,L

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

We continue our journey south today, leaving Hvar for the mainland then traveling along the scenic Dalmatian coast to popular and beloved Dubrovnik. We stop along the way for lunch before reaching our hotel late this afternoon. Tonight we enjoy dinner together. B,L,D

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Today we discover the city whose ancient walls have withstood both time and tide for hundreds of years. We begin with a walking tour around the city walls, whose original ramparts and bastions date to the 12^th and 13^th centuries (Dubrovnik itself was founded in the 7^th century). Then we continue through the Old City, paying a visit to the stately Baroque Cathedral (c. 1672). We also see the Treasury, whose gilded shelves and historic relics sit behind locked wooden doors; and the Franciscan monastery with a 14^th-century pharmacy. This afternoon is free to explore on our own. B

Friday, September 15, 2023

Today is free to explore on our own. From the medieval Old Town to the contemporary city with its Mediterranean accent, Dubrovnik offers discoveries aplenty. Then we enjoy a small group highlight as we set out late this afternoon for a farewell dinner with a local family whose home overlooks Dubrovnik. Our menu features produce from their garden, homemade olive oil, and local wine. B,D

Saturday, September 16, 2023

This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flights to the U.S. B

Please note: This trip involves considerable walking uphill and on uneven or cobblestone streets. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy this tour to the fullest.

B = Breakfast included L = Lunch included D = Dinner included

The beautiful Amadria Park Hotel Capital sits in the center of Zagreb, in a former bank building designed by famed Viennese architects Ernst Gotthilf and Alexander Neumann.  The hotel boasts Art Deco and Art Nouveau influences, a beautiful cream-colored stone façade, and elegant interior furnishings.  Hotel facilities include a restaurant and bar, fitness center (for a fee), shopping boutique, laundry and dry cleaning services (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.  Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, minibar, TV, and phone.

The uHotel Ljubljana stands in the heart of Slovenia’s capital, perfectly positioned to allow guests to explore this eminently walkable city.  Amenities of the hotel include a restaurant, bar, and café; fitness center with indoor swimming pool; spa with sauna and massage treatments (for a fee); beauty salon; jeweler; gift shop; laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee); and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.  Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, minibar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

The Hotel Milenij is located alongside the beautiful Park and Church of St. James on one side, and the famous Lungomare seafront promenade and Slatina beach on the other.  The 96-room luxury hotel offers a restaurant, bar, and café with outdoor terrace; indoor and outdoor swimming pool; spa; laundry and dry cleaning services (for a fee); and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.  Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, minibar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

Opened in 2008, Hotel Trogir Palace is located on the island of Čiovo a short walk from Trogir’s historic town center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 36-room boutique hotel’s amenities include a restaurant with terrace, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, and laundry and dry cleaning services. Each air-conditioned guest room has a balcony with sea view, private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

Opened in 2008, Hotel Trogir Palace is located on the island of Čiovo a short walk from Trogir’s historic town center, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 36-room boutique hotel’s amenities include a restaurant with terrace, complimentary Wi-Fi internet access, and laundry and dry cleaning services. Each air-conditioned guest room has a balcony with sea view, private bath with hair dryer, mini-bar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

The Dubrovnik Palace Hotel boasts a breathtaking location, set at the tip of the Lapad Peninsula overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Though the hotel feels secluded between the peninsula’s forest and the ocean, downtown Dubrovnik is only a few minutes’ drive down the coast. Among the many amenities on offer here are six dining and drinking options, private beach, three swimming pools (two outdoor and one indoor), tennis court, walking paths through the forested hillsides behind the hotel, full spa with a range of treatments (some at additional cost), fitness center, laundry and dry-cleaning services (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access. All guest rooms offer sea views, as well as air conditioning, private bath with hair dryer, minibar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.

One of the finest hotels in Montenegro, the Regent Porto Montenegro stands in the heart of the idyllic port town of Tivat.  The hotel offers stunning views of the Bay of Kotor and surrounding forested hillsides, a lovely primrose and cream exterior with wrought iron balcony railings, a wide range of comfortable common areas, a Mediterranean restaurant, library bar, bakery and delicatessen, pool bar, award-winning spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, fitness center, laundry and dry cleaning services (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.  Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, tea- and coffee-making facilities, in-room safe, minibar, TV, and phone.

The Hotel Croatia enjoys an ideal location, set on a secluded peninsula in the Adriatic Sea at Croatia’s southernmost point.  For all its spectacular views and unspoiled site, the hotel sits just 10 minutes’ drive from the Dubrovnik airport.  Among the many amenities on offer here are a range of restaurants and bars, a full spa, saltwater indoor and outdoor swimming pools, two secluded beaches, laundry and dry cleaning services (for a fee), and complimentary Wi-Fi internet access.  Air-conditioned guest rooms have private bath with hair dryer, minibar, in-room safe, TV, and phone.