EASTERN CAPITALS & THE DALMATIAN RIVIERA (CLASSIC GROUP)
Description
Itinerary
Price
Hotel
Remarks
Description
Overview
From Vienna to Ljubljana and onto Dubrovnik, this grand tour takes in the natural wonders of Plitvice National Park, the historic wartime Sarajevo Tunnel of Hope and the ancient town of Trogir—founded by the Greek Empire over 2000 years ago. Beginning the journey in royal style, a Schönbrunn Palace tour in Vienna brings the dynasty of the Habsburgs to life as a Local Expert guides you through the palatial ballrooms, and stately grounds. In the Slovenian capital, the intoxicating aromas of Ljubljanan’s Central Market are food for the soul, while the Croatian capital of Zagreb showcases the architectural grandeur of its twin towns. A tour of the Dalmatian Riviera serves up the 1700-year-old cellars of Split and the pearl of the Adriatic—Dubrovnik.
Included/Excluded
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Vienna (Dinner with Wine)
- Welcome to beautiful Vienna.
- Enjoy your afternoon in the Austrian capital before meeting your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant, for a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.
Day 2: Exploring Stately Vienna (Breakfast)
- 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.
- Perhaps join an optional evening to a Country Mansion to indulge in Classic Austrian dishes.
- And don’t forget to experience a performance of the waltzes and classical music for which Vienna is world-renowned!
Day 3: Maribor and Ljubljana (Breakfast)
- 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.
Day 4: Exploring Lovable Ljubljana (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- 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.
Day 5: Zagreb’s Twin Towns (Breakfast)
- Spend the morning in Slovenia during which you can join an optional visit to stunning lake Bled, or relax with locals in a nearby café before journeying into Croatia, where on arrival in Zagreb, you meet your Local Expert for an exploration of this capital.
- Take a walk to see the art Pavillion, the academy of Sciences and Art and pass Zrinjevac Park.
- We then board the city’s funicular to St. Mark’s Church and the Lotrščak Tower, take a walk back down through the Stone gate and back to the Square.
Day 6: Zagreb at Leisure (Breakfast)
- 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?
Day 7: On to Plitvice National Park (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- 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 woman of the Tara Community Centre, where handicrafts are produced, enabling employment and engagement in the community.
Day 8: Along the Dalmatian Coast (Breakfast)
- The green forests give way to pebble-dashed shores lapped by turquoise waters as you travel to Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a historic town founded by the Greeks more than 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.
Day 9: Exploring Split (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- 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.
Day 10: Mostar to Sarajevo (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- 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.
Day 11: Sarajevo, the City of Culture (Breakfast)
- 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.
- You will also see the Latin Bridge where Austrian Crown Prince, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated.
- Continue along the Milajacka river and see the historic Hapsburg centre of the city.
- In the afternoon, enjoy time at your leisure.
Day 12: On to Dubrovnik (Breakfast)
- Cross the border 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.
Day 13: Optional Montenegro Experience (Breakfast/Dinner with Wine)
- 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.
Day 14: Depart Dubrovnik (Breakfast)
- Your travels draw to a close after breakfast.
Price
PRICE FROM RM19,030 SUBJECT TO DATE AND AVAILABILITY.
Hotel
- Day 1 – Day 2: Hilton Vienna Park
- Day 3 – Day 4: Hotel Lev Ljubljana
- Day 5 – Day 6: Sheraton Zagreb Hotel
- Day 7: Hotel Lyra
- Day 8 – Day 9: Hotel President Solin
- Day 10 – Day 11: Swissotel Sarajevo
- Day 12 – Day 13: Hotel Ariston
Remarks
