Croatian Coast & Karst
Join Katie & Sonja Bolf for a unique tour of the Croatian Coast & Karst
June 19 - July 4, 2010
Itinerary
(Sun) Dubrovnik
Upon arrival we will meet our driver and tour manager and then check into the Grand Hotel Park in Dubrovnik. Some free time this afternoon then an orientation talk by our guide followed by a 'Welcome to Croatia' dinner at our hotel.
(Mon) Dubrovnik
Following our first hearty buffet breakfast we'll begin a Dubrovnik city sightseeing tour that will include inside visits of the Franciscan monastery, the old Rector's Palace and the Treasury of St. Blaze Cathedral. Enjoy some time to stroll the promenade and alleyways of the old walled city. Later in the afternoon depart for Cavtat and continue on to the Konavle valley to find a typical local restaurant, Konavoski dvori, where dinner will be cooked under Iron domes over fires beside the river with local musicians providing entertainment. Overnight in Dubrovnik at the Grand Hotel Park.
(Tue) Dubrovnik - Medjugorje - Split
Depart after breakfast and head inland to visit the village and famous Marian shrine, Medjugorje. We'll see the famous Podbdro Hill and Cross and go to St. James church where we can have Mass and some time for reflections. Then continue north through the rugged mountains and back to the coast to the port city of Split. Board an afternoon ferry to the island of Brac, famous for its spectacular beaches and ancient marble quarry. Dinner will be served at our hotel in Supetar on the island.
(Wed) Island of Brac
We set aside this entire day giving you some time at leisure for swimming, sun bathing, snorkeling, hiking or just eating and relaxing. There will be a variety of offers for you to choose from. The island has a long and varied history - from prehistoric camps in ancient time to windsurfers on Bol beach today. We will gather together this evening for dinner in a local 'konoba' featuring some of the better local wines. Overnight on the island of Brac.
(Thu) Split - Plitvice
After breakfast on our Adriatic Island we take a morning ferry ride to the coast and the city of Split. A city sightseeing tor is well worthwhile as we wander inside Diocletian's Palace, a gigantic Roman structure dating from 300 AD and former seat of the eastern Roman Empire. In the afternoon we depart toward the national forest and Plitvice lakes park. We'll arrive later in the day and check into our hotel. Enjoy a sunset walk in the forest before heading to dinner at the Lick kuca restaurant for a rustic open hearth meal, possibly with the house musical entertainment. Overnight stay at the Hotel Jezero in the forest.
(Fri) Plitvice - Delnice
An early wake up is rewarded with a morning walking in the fresh forest air as we take a tour around Plitvice Lakes. This natural wonder is a series of 16 lakes that cascade one into another in a series of graceful waterfalls and streams. The forest is a national park and treasure housing one of Europe's last remaining stands of uncut woods. In the afternoon we head north through more rugged valleys and hills enroute to Delnice to check into the hotel Risnjak where we enjoy dinner and a restful overnight stay.
(Sat) Delnice
After breakfast at the hotel you are free to choose from a variety of options on this free day we've set aside for you. Some will wish to meet relatives or visit nearby villages in the Gorski Kotor region is home to a National Park that is well worth a hike. Overnight a our hotel.
(Sun) Delnice
Enjoy a 'village day' in the scenic city of Delnice. We'll join with friends and relatives for a party with music at the picnic grounds. A celebration of summer with local foods, home made wines, music and dancing. Hotel Risnjak for our overnight.
(Mon) Delnice - Krk Island
Depart Delnice for the port city of Rijeka where we will visit Trsat Shrine. Then on t Opatija, here we have some free time to enjoy the promenades of this seaside resort town dating from Austro-Hungarian Empire days. In Opatija we board a vessel for cruise around the bay. The ship takes us from Opatija and along the coast with its stunning views to Cres Island and the town of Beli where stop to enjoy local style luncheon. Sail on tot he Island of Krk and the port of Njivice where our coach and driver will meet the group. Drive to our hotel on Krk Island to enjoy dinner at the hotel and an overnight stay on an Adriatic Island.
(Tue) Krk Island
the tour has planned to take advantage of warm days on Adriatic Islands so we encourage you to enjoy your day on this most green island on the Adriatic sea. Beautiful bays and beaches, Roman ruins, vineyards and villages dot the coast of this rocky island. After a relaxing day rendezvous for dinner at the 'Konoba Nada' restaurant where we visit their wine cellar and enjoy a tasting before dinner accompanied by a local accordion player. Back to our hotel on Krk.
(Wed) Skocjan Caves - Lipica - Lake Bled
Depart Krk Island and rive across the modern bridge to the mainland. We cross into Slovenia and wind our way to the entrance of the world renowned Skocjan caves. We'll take an underground tour and walk through the spectacular cave system. Afterwards enjoy lunch in the Karst region at a local 'Gostilna'. If time permits we will stop in Lipica to see the famous horses and perhaps the one that belongs to the Queen Elizabeth II of Britain. Then we head north and into the Julian Alps for our hotel in the town of Bled. This Alpine Lake has been a retreat and resort for 100's of years. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the Hotel Golf overlooking the lake.
(Thu) Bled and Bohinj Lakes
A sightseeing tour of Bled features the charming town along the forested lake shore, and the imposing Bled Castle perched on a cliff high above the lake. Some may also choose to visit the small island in the middle of the lake. Then we head to nearby Lake Bohinj in Triglav National Park. Here we take a modern cable car ride to the top of Mt. Vogel to enjoy panoramic views of the Alps and a light lunch on the top at the Merjasec Hut. Dinner at a local Gostilna before returning to our hotel at Lake Bled.
(Fri) Lake Bled - Zagreb
We leave Lake Bled and stop in the charming capital city of Ljubljana. We'll have a short tour of the pedestrian area in the old city center with some free time for a lunch in one of the many small restaurants by Ljubljanica River. The rendezvous at the coach for a short ride to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Dinner and overnight at our Zagreb hotel.
(Sat) Zagreb
This morning we start a comprehensive city tour with an export local guide. We'll tour the upper town with its famous St. Mark's Church where the Croatian checker board crest has been displayed for centuries. The afternoon is left open for meeting with friends and relatives or to do some last minute shopping in the bustling capitol. Tonight we have a special farewell dinner at a restaurant like Zlatni Medo with a local tamburasi for musical entertainment.
(Sun) Zagreb
Early take up call as we head for Zagreb airport and our return flights home.
(Sun) Depart Zagreb
Early wake up call as we head for the Zagreb Airport and our return flights home to the USA.
Departure Dates and Prices
| Start Date | End Date | Per Person in Twin | Single Room Supplement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Jun 2010 | 04 Jul 2010 | $ 2,998 | $ 595 |
Included Features
- 14 nights in first class hotels, in great locations all rooms with private bathroom facilities
- Service charges, hotel taxes, luggage handling
- Breakfast daily
- 12 dinners including several at unique regional restaturants featuring local specialties
- Airport arrival and departure transfers
- Lunches and wine tasting per itinerary
- Touring by modern air-conditioned motorcoach
- Professional multi lingual tour director