On arrival at Vienna airport, your transfer will leave for your hotel at 10:00, 13:00 or 15:30.Join your Travel Director at 17:30 for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant, for a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.
Join a Local Expert for a private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and explore its formal gardens at your pace. Then get your camera ready for a drive around the famous Ring Road. Built along the lines of the old city walls, it showcases many of the capital's architectural highlights, including the Opera House, Hofburg Imperial Residence, the Austrian Parliament Building and Karlskirche. The rest of the day is at your leisure to continuing exploring.
In the morning, cross the border into Slovenia and journey to its second largest city, Maribor. After spending time in this charming location, head to the beloved city of Ljubljana.
Your Local Expert will reveal the Baroque elegance of the Slovenian capital. The medieval castle stands as an ancient guardian, the City Hall and Cathedral of St. Nicholas testify to its historical importance, while the Triple Bridge spans the river adorned with cafes and restaurants. Spend time in the glorious Central Market, rich with the heady aromas of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat and spices. Your Local Expert will share insights into some of the Slovenian delicacies on display and treats you to a tasting. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to Postojna Caves?In the evening, choose from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening.
Spend the morning in Slovenia before journeying into Croatia, where on arrival in Zagreb, you meet your Local Expert for an exploration of this capital. Donji Grad, the Lower Town, is devoted to business, art and spacious parks, where streets are wide and airy and the layout is designed to give a sense of grandeur. See the Mimara Art Museum in Roosevelt Square and continue to Ban Josip Jelacic Square en route to the cathedral. The medieval Upper Town, is a network of little streets, stretching between the Kaptol and Gradec hills. View the former Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St. Mark's Church and the Lotrščak Tower.
A free day to relax and enjoy a city that is bursting with culture. Perhaps spend time exploring one of the many museums or browsing the shops in Donji Grad? Maybe try the local cuisine in one of Zagreb's interesting restaurants or cafes or join an Optional Experience to the charming village of Kumrovec and meet a local to hear their perspective on the region's history?
Journey south to visit one of Europe's great natural wonders.Explore Plitvice with Insight Choice. Choose between two MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences: Join a Local Expert to explore Plitvice National Park and learn how the site actively carries out research to monitor the natural habitat of species. Alternatively meet the industrious women of the Tara Community Centre, who produce handicrafts, enabling employment and engagement in the community.
The green forests give way to pebble-dashed shores lapped by turquoise waters as you travel to Trogir, a historic town founded by the Greeks 2,300 years ago. Admire the cathedral and Renaissance Cipiko Palace, before continuing to the historic port of Split. The Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace here, and today it forms the heart of the Old Town of Split. With your Local Expert, explore the 1,700 year-old palace cellars, and learn the story of the infamous emperor. Continue through the labyrinthine streets and arcaded squares to see St. Duje's- originally Diocletian's Mausoleum, and the Temple of Jupiter, which today is a baptistery, as well as the Golden Gate. Your exploration then continues underground as you are guided through the cellars. In the evening, don't miss the opportunity to dine like a true local at a traditional Konoba.
Always buzzing, lively Split has just the right balance of tradition and modernity. See Dalmatian life as it’s lived with a full day free to explore Split and its surroundings. Why not join an Optional Experience to discover the beautiful Dalmatian island, Hvar? Explore the historic Old Town with your Local Expert before having free time to relax by the seafront or admire the stunning views from the hilltop fortress.
In the morning, cross the border into Bosnia & Herzegovina to Mostar. During your guided walking exploration with your Local Expert, see the famous Stari Most, or Old Bridge, reconstructed after being almost completely destroyed during the Croat–Bosniak War. The cobbled old town stretches on both sides of the bridge and is filled with shops selling Turkish-style souvenirs. Continue to Sarajevo, a town with a turbulent past - in 1914 it was the site of the assassination that sparked World War I and more recently, it endured the longest siege in modern military history. Follow the scenic route to Sarajevo for a unique and rewarding insight into the local way of life as you are invited into a Sarajevan family home for a dinner with drinks. Savour the warm hospitality and authentic cuisine as you hear inspirational stories about their culture and experience the local culture.
Morning sightseeing with a Local Expert introduces you to the Sarajevo War Tunnels Museum, housing part of the secret tunnel that was the city's lifeline during the Bosnian war. Talk to one of the survivors, for whom the siege of Sarajevo remains a defining moment in their life. You will also see the Latin Bridge where Austrian Crown Prince, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated. Continue to Baščaršija, the cobbled old town market where Sarajevo was founded by the Ottomans in the 15th century. In the afternoon, enjoy time at your leisure.
In the morning, travel south to stop at the small town of Medjugorje, made famous by six children who claim to have seen visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Cross the border back into Croatia and journey to the walled town of Dubrovnik. On arrival, join your Local Expert to explore the stone-paved streets inside the 16th century bastions of the old town. See Onofrio's Fountain and the Rector's Palace and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries.
In the morning, why not visit Montenegro? This Optional Experience travels to Kotor, where your camera can capture one of the most beautiful parts of the bay as you learn the history of the area, before returning to Dubrovnik with a short cruise. As the sun begins to set, and should the weather permit, join your fellow travel companions as you sit back and enjoy a relaxing cruise around the fabled bay of Dubrovnik. Later, enjoy a Celebration Dinner of typical Dalmatian Coast cuisine, accompanied by local wines.
Your travels draw to a close after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Dubrovnik airport at 05:00, 09:00 and 11:30.
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Available on Day 2
Cross the Danube, passing the famous Prater Park en route to one of Austria's most famous restaurants. Former patrons include Napoleon, Emperor Franz Joseph, Liz Taylor and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Once through the door of this historic country mansion, you're transported to a different world! Old memorabilia, autographed photos and other paraphernalia cover the ceilings, walls and even the restrooms. Choose from traditional Austrian fare, enjoy unlimited drinks and be serenaded by musicians at your table. A fun-filled experience never to be forgotten!
Adult Price: € 63
Enjoy a wonderful concert of Viennese Classical music performed by highly acclaimed soloists and dancers. During this special evening, enjoy a glass of champagne along with some of the most famous works by Johann Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Adult Price: € 59
Available on Day 3
The mighty medieval fortress of Ljubljana Castle sits on top of a hill, high above the city. From the panoramic viewing terraces, survey the terracotta tiled "roofscape" of the Old Town. Then retire to the beautiful setting of the castle courtyard for a drink and a wonderful dinner of traditional Slovenian cuisine.
Adult Price: € 61
Available on Day 4
Deep beneath the Slovenian Karst lies a magnificent underground world of limestone caves. Shaped by nature over millions of years, this UNESCO World Heritage site is visited by thousands every year. During your 90-minute tour led by our Local Expert, you’ll travel by electric mini-train through a maze of mysterious corridors before exploring the vast limestone caverns by foot.
Adult Price: € 48
Available on Day 5
Drive through the pretty Slovenian countryside to the tranquil shores of Lake Bled. Surrounded by stunning views of the Julian Alps, an oarsman steers his traditional wooden 'pletna' across the turquoise glacial waters towards the tiny island that rises in the middle. Ascend the 99 stone steps to the pilgrimage church where the famous “wishing bell” has been ringing out since 1534. After making your wish, enjoy coffee and a delicious pastry by the lake, followed by some free time for unforgettable photo-ops!
Adult Price: € 56
Available on Day 6
Journey through the beautiful rolling countryside of the Zagorje region with our Local Expert to the charming village of Kumrovec. We'll visit the simple peasant house of the late Marshal Tito for a local perspective into this region's complicated and bloody history. The surrounding properties have been restored to represent the village life of 100 years ago. Later, we'll enjoy a farm-to-table meal with drinks in a picturesque restaurant much favored by the locals. Magnificent views of the rolling, vine-clad hills and Veliki Tabor Castle come as a bonus!
Adult Price: € 62
Available on Day 8
For the authentic Dalmatian cuisine experience, dinner in a traditional ‘konoba,’ is a must. Friendly staff serves a variety of seafood or meat, accompanied by good local wine and entertaining Dalmatian musicians. A night to make you fall in love with the tastes and flavors of the Adriatic.
Adult Price: € 55
Available on Day 9
Join us for a day trip to Hvar, one of the most beautiful islands in Croatia. We'll depart by boat from Split harbor and will soon explore Hvar's historic Old Town on foot with our Local Expert. There will also be time to relax in one of the seafront restaurants or perhaps soak up the stunning views from the hilltop fortress. We'll then cross the Adriatic to return to Split.
Adult Price: € 75
Available on Day 11
For centuries Sarajevo has been a place where East meets West, where different peoples and religions lived side-by-side. Start with a guided visit of the biggest Mosque in the Balkans. Enjoy a light lunch in the old Bascarsija quarter before visiting Brusa Bezistan to see the legacy of tolerance and how Sefardies found a new home in Sarajevo after expulsion from Spain. Then do as the locals and savor a Bosnian coffee. They even have a word for the pleasure experienced in this daily tradition - coffee with ceif!
Adult Price: € 43
Available on Day 13
We'll drive south along the coast with our Local Expert into Montenegro and the pretty town of Kotor, situated on the Adriatic's only fjord, listed with UNESCO world heritage sites. Visit one of the most beautiful parts of the bay, and learn some of the compelling history of the area.
Adult Price: € 54
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