On arrival, we'll be greeted and transferred to our hotel. As Albania’s vibrant cultural capital, Tirana combines a rainbow of modern buildings with remnants of its Ottoman and Communist past. The rest of the day is ours to enjoy at leisure. This evening, we'll meet our fellow travelers at a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Colosseo Hotel, Tirana (2 nights) (D)

During the morning sightseeing tour, we'll see Sheshi Skenderbej, the Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower, and the statue of G.K. Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero. We'll visit the Palace of Culture, built with Soviet assistance, and the National History Museum (entrance included), featuring a mosaic on its façade portraying Albanian history. The afternoon is free for us to continue exploring on our own, shop, or simply relax. (B)

After breakfast, we’ll depart from Tirana toward the town of Shkodra, now a significant cultural center. Once the heart of the Illyrian tribe Labeat, Shkodra was captured by the Romans in 168 B.C. We'll visit Rozafa Castle (entrance included), majestically positioned on a limestone outcrop high above the city, before crossing the border into Montenegro and continuing to Tivat. Dinner will be served upon arrival.

Overnight: Hotel Palma, Tivat (2 nights) (B, D)

Our exploration of Montenegro continues with a scenic drive along the Lovcen serpentines to the heart of the country, offering a panoramic view of Boka Kotorska Bay from over 3,000 feet above sea level. We proceed to the old royal capital, Cetinje, where we'll visit the home-turned-museum of King Nikola (entrance included) and Cetinje Monastery (entrance included), which houses two precious relics: the “Hand of St. John the Baptist” and a “fragment of the Holy Cross.” On the way back to the hotel, we'll once again enjoy the colorful seaside scenery of Montenegro's coast. Overnight stay. (B)

After breakfast, our journey takes us to Dubrovnik. Along the way, we'll see Kotor Bay, the only fjord in Southern Europe, and stop for an orientation tour of the old town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then continue on to Dubrovnik.

Overnight: City Hotel, Dubrovnik (2 nights) (B, D)

Following breakfast, we'll embark on a walking tour of Old Dubrovnik to see the Rector’s Palace, the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando’s Column, Sponza Palace, the Dominican Monastery, and the Franciscan Monastery with its pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is free for us to enjoy at leisure. An optional excursion is available: a home-hosted dinner in Dubelj. (B)

Travel north along the spectacular Adriatic coast, passing old fishing villages and new resorts, to the city of Split.

Overnight: Hotel Corner, Split (2 nights) (B, D)

In the morning, we'll enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. We'll explore the remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle, and the Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for us to stroll through the beautiful streets of Split or relax at the beach. An optional excursion is available to the jet-set spot of the rich and famous – the Island of Hvar. (B)

After breakfast, we head to Trogir, the center of artistic activities where scholars from around the world gather to study and paint. Next, we'll turn inland and travel to the spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park (entrance included). Have your camera ready as we take a walking tour around the lower lakes, enjoying the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder, featuring sixteen terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation.

Overnight: Hotel Jezero, Plitvice Lakes (1 night) (B, D)

We return to the coast and travel along the beautiful Bay of Kvarner to the popular resort of Opatija. After some free time, our journey continues north to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. We'll tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterward, we continue to Bled, beautifully nestled in the Julian Alps.

Overnight: Kompas Hotel/Bled Rose, Bled (2 nights) (B, D)

Alpine lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travelers in the middle of the 19th century. A sightseeing tour features the charming town and the lakeshore, along with views of the imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The rest of the day is ours to enjoy at leisure. Perhaps we’ll join an optional excursion to visit the small island in the middle of the lake, browse through the shops and boutiques, or simply savor the enchanting scenery. (B)

We leave the mountains and head to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. On a walking tour, we’ll see the most significant sights of the old city center, including the picturesque open-air Central Market, the Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, and Robba’s Fountain. Afterward, we continue to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city.

Overnight: Westin Hotel, Zageb (2 nights)  (B, D)

This morning, we’ll enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St. Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, Parliament, and Government Palace. The rest of the day is ours to explore the winding streets of the old town or take an optional excursion to see the countryside. (B)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Zagreb airport for your departure fight. (B)