Coastal Charms: Exploring Culture Along the Shores of Southeast Europe

Itinerary

Day 1. -Arrival Day

Meeting or pick up from the Airports or Ports in Croatia. Departure to the Accommodation. Overnight stay in Zagreb.

Day 2. Zagreb

Breakfast. Guided tour of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Transfer to Ljubljana. Guided tour of the capital city of Slovenia. Free time. Accommodation in Ljubljana.

Day 3. Ljubljana- Bled- Postojna-Predjama-Pula

Breakfast. First visit of Bled, mixed lakes of glacial and tectonic origin. Located in the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia. Castle visit, short boat ride to the island Bled, and walk around the church. In the afternoon, visit Postojna, the second longest cave system with 24,120 m of lenght and created by the Pivka River. Short stop at Predjama, the Renaissance castle built inside the mouth of a cave located 9 km from the Postojna caves. Departure to Pula. Accomodation in Pula.

Day 4. Pula-Brijuni (optional)- Opatija

Breakfast. Visit of Brijuni National Park, The Brijuni Archipelago where Dinosaurs footprints or Mesozoic reptiles can be seen on the island stone. Lunch. Afternoon visit of Pula, the city known for its multitude of ancient Roman buildings. Depature to Opatija. Dinner. Accomodation in Opatija.

Day 5. Rijeka- Plitvice Lakes

Breakfast. Exploring with a local guide the medieval Rijeka and Kvarner through a story of the medieval Croatian noble family, the Frankopans, Lunch. Departure to Plitvice Lakes. Accommodation in Plitvice.

Day 6. Plitvice Lakes- Zadar

Breakfast. Visit of Plitvice Lakes National Park the largest and oldest park in Croatia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch. Transfer to Zadar, the oldest inhabited city on the Croatian coast. Visit and tour with local guide. Dinner. Accommodation in Zadar.

Day 7. Kornati islands (optional) or free day

Breakfast. Boat excursion to the Kornati archipelago off the coast of Zadar, the densest archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea. Set of more than 150 islands and cliffs. Panoramic sightseeing of Kornati National park. swimming, snorkeling or sunbathing in famously isolated salt lake Mir in Nature Park Telašćica. Sightseeing tour of Kornati together serving delicious lunch on board Departure for Split. Accommodation in Split.

Day 8. Split- 5 island tour (optional) or free day

Breakfast on board, boat excursion to the 5 islands (Biševo, Vis, Budikovac, “Hell Islands” or Pakleni otoci and Hvar) around Split. The most famous and important is the island of Hvar; one of the centers of Croatian literature with the fortress called Tvrdalj Castle which was architecturally designed by the poet Petar Hektorovic. Then, visit the Blue cave on the island of Bisevo. One of the most beautiful natural wonders in Croatia. Accommodation in Split.

Day 9. Split- Međugorje- Mostar

Breakfast. Visit with a local guide of Split, the second largest city in the country, founded as a Greek colony of Aspálathos in the 2nd or 3rd century BC. This was on the same spot where Diocletian’s Palace now stands, which was built by the Roman Emperor in 305 AD. C. Lunch . In the afternoon departure to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Short stop in Međugorje, a popular site of Catholic pilgrimage due to Our Lady of Međugorje, an alleged series of apparitions of Mary, mother of Jesus, to six local children that are still happening to this day. Departure to Mostar. Overnight in Mostar.

Day 10. Mostar- Korčula

Breakfast. Guided tour of the city of Mostar, visiting the Old Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Ottomans in the 16th century. Lunch. Departure to Island of Korčula. Afternoon tour with local guide of the town Korčula. According to legend, the island was founded by Trojan hero Aeneas or his friend Antenor. Also, we will find the truth if Marco Polo was indeed born in Korčula. Accomodation in Korčula.

Day 11. Korčula- Dubrovnik

Breakfast. Departure to Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik or Ragusa, is the most prominent tourist destination in the Mediterranean Sea. Added to the UNESCO list as a world heritage site, in recognition of its outstanding medieval architecture and fortified old town. Guided tour of the city walls, the Lovrjenac fortress and a boat ride to the island of Lokrum. Free time the rest of the day. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 12. Dubrovnik- Elaphiti islands (optional) or free day

Breakfast. Half-day private cruise or group cruise to Elaphite Islands. the archipelago just off the coast of Dubrovnik. Snorkeling, swimming and relaxing day, 3 island visit ( Koločep, Lopud and Šipan). Complimentary GoPro camera and snorkelling equipment. Free time. Accommodation in Dubrovnik.

Day 13. Dubrovnik-Budva- Kotor.

Breakfast. Departure to Montenegro. Lunch in Budva. Visit of the city of Budva. Departure to Kotor. Guided tour of the city. Dinner. Accommodation in Dubrovnik.

Day 14. Dubrovnik- free day or other activities per request.

Breakfast. Departure to Dubrovnik. Accommodation in Dubrovnik.

Day 15. Dubrovnik-final day

Breakfast. Departure to the airport in Dubrovnik. End of services.