Day 01: Arrive Venice (ITALY)

Welcome to legendary Venice! As one of the world’s oldest tourist and cultural centers, Venice is famous for its scenic streets and maze-like canals. We are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Check in time starts from 1500 hrs. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore Venice’s many sites. Later, we gather together for a welcome dinner with our travel companions.

Overnight: Hotel Carlton Grand, Venice (2 nights) (D)

Day 02: Venice

We begin our exploration of Venice* at St. Mark’s Square, the city’s principal public square. Our walking tour from here includes visits to the St. Mark’s Basilica, most famous of all the city’s churches, and the Doge’s Palace, built in 1340 as the residence for the Doge, the highest official of the republic of Venice. We take in the amazing views of the Bell Tower and the Bridge of Sighs. We also enjoy a boat ride to Murano Island, famous for its artistic glassware. Visit a glassblowing factory, where we will watch a demonstration of traditional Venetian glassblowing by a master craftsman. Balance of the day is at leisure to enjoy Venice on our own. (B)

Day 03: Venice/Postojna/Bled (Drive) (SLOVENIA)

This morning, we drive across the border into Slovenia to visit the Postojna Cave, one of the largest caves in Europe. The jaw-dropping Postojna Cave system is a series of caverns, halls and passages some 24 kilometers long and two million years old. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. After seeing this phenomenal site, we drive approximately one hour to Bled, beautifully set in the Julian Alps.

Overnight: Hotel Park, Bled (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 04: Bled

A beautiful alpine lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travelers in the middle of the 19th century. Since then, a small town of hotels, villas and restaurants has developed around the lake, turning Bled into a lively, all-seasons resort. A sightseeing tour here features the charming town and the lakeshore, as well as a visit to the imposing Bled Castle. Built about a thousand years ago, the castle is perched on a cliff high above the lake. Continue to the small island in the middle of lake Bled with a Pletna boat—a traditional boat in the shape of a gondola with a history stretching back to the 16th century. Balance of the day is free to add more to your Bled explorations. (B)

Day 05: Bled/Ljubljana/Zagreb (Drive) (CROATIA)

Leave the mountains behind and head to Ljubljana*, the capital of Slovenia. One of Europe’s greenest capitals, Ljubljana is known for its unique mix of modern-day and traditional architecture. On our walking tour of Ljubljana, we see the most significant sights of the old city center. Highlights include the picturesque open-air Central Market, the Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, and Robba’s Fountain. We continue on a comfortable drive to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city.

Overnight: Hotel Sheraton, Zagreb (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 06: Zagreb

Our morning sightseeing tour includes views of the historic Upper Town, St. Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, a monumental Gothic building dating back to the 13th century, the Parliament, and the Government Palace. Rest of the day is at leisure, with a chance to explore this stunning city on our own. Theatres are by far the best places to visit for a cultural showcase of Croatian vivacity. Even though some theatres don’t have performances in English, a few, like the Croatian National Theatre, perform shows both in English and Croatian. (B)

Day 07: Zagreb/Plitvice Lakes (Drive)

A spectacular drive gets us to the even more spectacular, Plitvice Lakes National Park. Have your cameras ready while we walk through several of the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder of 16 terraced lakes surrounded by dense forests, mountains and lush vegetation. Stunning waterfalls connect the lakes, and we may even be treated to clouds of butterflies drifting overhead! Rest of the afternoon is free to explore on our own before it is time for dinner, which will be served at our hotel.

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

Day 08: Plitvice Lakes/Trogir/Split (Drive)

After breakfast, we head to Trogir, a Croatian centre of artistic activities. Scholars from around the world gather here to study and paint. Continue travelling along the lovely Adriatic coast, passing by old fishing villages and new resorts, to Split, Croatia’s second largest city. We tour the historic inner city, built around the Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian*, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Dating from 305 AD, this palace is dubbed by Lonely Planet as “one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments”. It is so massive that it forms approximately half of Split’s old town area! Next, we explore the remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle and the beautiful Cathedral. Remainder of the day is at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Briig, Split (2 nights) (B)

Day 09: Split

Day free to discover charming Split, the second largest city in Croatia and probably one of the most culturally authentic ones too. With ruins dating back to the Roman Empire, a bustling waterfront, and fresh seafood served daily at many of the restaurants in town, Split is a mix of modern life and ancient history. It is also famous for its great beaches! (B)

Day 10: Split/Dubrovnik (Drive)

Following breakfast, we continue on to Dubrovnik. Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik offers a beautiful combination of picturesque orange rooftops, shimmering blue waters and noteworthy monuments. Upon arrival, we are introduced to world-famous Old Dubrovnik* with a walking tour of the area’s highlights. We’ll see the Rector’s Palace, the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando’s Column, Sponza Palace, the Dominican Monastery, and the Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy. The pharmacy here dates back to 1317, making it the oldest pharmacy in the world still in operation! Rest of the day is at leisure to explore Dubrovnik on our own.

Overnight: Hotel Valamar Lacroma/Hotel Valamar Argosy, Dubrovnik (2 nights) (B, L)

Day 11: Dubrovnik

Day at leisure to sample Dubrovnik’s delights. Many visitors enjoy people-watching while sipping coffee in one of the numerous cozy cafes on the Stradun, the main street of Dubrovnik. The city has a rich cultural life that includes theatre, cinema and art, as well as the Dubrovnik Film Festival and Dubrovnik Summer Festival, held every year in July and August. Enjoy a treat of local cuisine at our farewell dinner before saying adieu to the many friends we have made. (B, D)

Day 12: Depart Dubrovnik

After breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. Check out is by 1100 hrs. Or, continue our adventure by joining our Balkan Gems: Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo & Belgrade tour, with dates that line up with this journey. (B)

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Departure Dates & Prices

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Notes

Inclusions

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and average tour size of 25 participants.
Also please note that this tour is NOT part of our small group journeys.

Customised Itinerary

If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you.

Contact Info
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call 1-604-264-7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1-800-663-0844.

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