Balkan Highlights Cruise & Stay | 14 Days

DAY 1:                 DUBROVNIK

After arrival, you will be transferred from Dubrovnik airport to your tour hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight Dubrovnik. (D)

DAY 2:                 DUBROVNIK – BUDVA – SHKODRA – TIRANA

Morning sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik, included in the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage. You will visit Franciscan Monastery with Europe’s third oldest pharmacy, the Rector’s Palace, and the Cathedral. Departure for Tirana; we drive inland via Budva, crossing the Albanian border at Shkodra, once the capital of the Illyrian Kingdom (3rd century B.C.). Dinner and overnight in Tirana. (B, D)

DAY 3:                 TIRANA – OHRID

Morning sightseeing tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania, including Skender Bey Square, the Mosque of Ethem Bey and a visit to the National Museum representing the flow of Albanian history and housing the finds from archaeological sites across the country. Afternoon departure for Ohrid, driving via Elbasan and crossing the North Macedonian border at Cafasan. Dinner and overnight in Ohrid. (B, D)

DAY 4:                 OHRID

Full day in the lakeside resort of Ohrid, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site. Through the activity of St. Clement and St. Naum of Ohrid, the first pan-Slavic University in Europe, the famous “Ohrid Literary School” was founded here. Morning sightseeing tour includes the church of St. Sofia (11^th century), the most eminent mediaeval monument in North Macedonia with magnificent Byzantine fresco paintings and St. Clement Church with its icon of Annunciation. In the afternoon, a short drive to visit St. Naum Monastery built on the shores of Ohrid Lake in 900 A.D. and dedicated to the Slavic missionary and educator St. Naum of Ohrid. Dinner in a local restaurant. Return to hotel for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 5:                 OHRID – SKOPJE  

Morning departure for Skopje. Sightseeing tour of Skopje, including the Kale Fortress, the Church of the Holy Savior with its iconostas, one of the finest samples of traditional walnut woodcarving, Old Bazaar and Stone Bridge. We drive to the slopes of the Vodno Mountain where we visit the Monastery of St. Pateleimon with its 12th century iconostas and frescoes ranking among the highest achievements of Byzantine art of this period. Dinner and overnight in Skopje. (B, D)

DAY 6:                 SKOPJE – KOLASIN   

Morning departure for Kolašin, driving via Peć and Berane and along the impressive Morača River Canyon. Afternoon arrival at Kolašin, spreading on the left bank of the river Tara, situated at the altitude of 954m. The whole area is surrounded by the thick pine forest of the Bjelasica Mountain and is a popular skiing and air spa resort. Dinner and overnight in Kolašin. (B, D)

DAY 7:                 KOLASIN – CETINJE – KOTOR – DUBROVNIK    

Morning departure for Cetinje where we visit King Nikola’s Museum, once the residence of the Montenegrin King Nikola I Petrović. Continue to Kotor, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site, where we visit its Romanesque Cathedral dedicated to St. Triphun, the city’s patron saint. We continue to Dubrovnik driving along the picturesque Bay of Kotor. Upon arrival to Dubrovnik, embarkation with a Welcome Reception followed by a dinner that evening. Overnight onboard in Dubrovnik.  (B, D)

DAY 8:                 DUBROVNIK – ELAPHITI ISLANDS – SLANO

Start the day with a walking tour of Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of Adriatic”. Walk through Stradun – both a street and a square, the most famous place inside the town walls, enlisted as UNESCO’s World Heritage site, where your guide will show you the most interesting sights of Dubrovnik including a visit to the Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy. After returning to ship enjoy the magic scenery as the ship cruises around Dubrovnik city walls to continue to one of the Elaphiti islands for a swim stop. Afternoon arrival in Slano, a peaceful fishermen’s village and our starting point to Ston, situated on Peljesac peninsula and once fortified small village famous for its oysters. Peljesac peninsula is known as one of the best wine-producing regions in Croatia. After exploring the town, we leave to a small nearby village to enjoy the authentic local oyster tasting. Overnight and Captains Dinner on board in Slano. (B, L, D)

DAY 9:                 SLANO – MLJET – KORCULA

In the morning we head north to the Island of Mljet. Join the Cruise Manager for a stroll to the famous salt lakes in the Mljet National Park. Continue our cruise towards Korčula island, best known as a birthplace of Marco Polo. Afternoon arrival in Korčula followed by a guided walking tour of this enchanting town surrounded by walls, which is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean. Overnight in Korčula where you can enjoy a gourmet experience at the multiple restaurants and bars. (B, L)

DAY 10:                             KORCULA – BISEVO – VIS

Early in the morning we sail to the small island of Biševo to visit the Blue Cave, a magnificent natural phenomenon, (weather permitting). Cruise towards the island of Vis, once a strategic naval Yugoslav base and

restricted to the public. Due to this isolation, Vis has a special charm – “the Mediterranean as it once was” making it interesting to visit. Taste some exquisite wines in one of the Vis traditional wineries. If interested, visit the remains of the Roman thermal place, City Museum or simply take a walk to enjoy the views. Overnight in the port of Vis. (B, L)

DAY 11:                             VIS – HVAR

In the morning, head further towards Hvar, the longest and sunniest island in the Adriatic, with a swim stop and lunch on board. Afternoon arrival in Hvar town followed by a tour of the town – visit the many historical sights of the town, such as St Stephen’s Square, the largest piazza in Dalmatia and the main town square, see St Stephen’s Cathedral, the first public theatre in Europe, renaissance-style loggia and its clock tower, the Franciscan monastery. Above Hvar Town is the impressive fortress Fortica/ Spanjola offering magnificent views over the bay and Pakleni islands. After the tour set sail towards Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Overnight in Stari Grad. (B, L)

DAY 12:                             HVAR – TROGIR (KRKA NATIONAL PARK)

Early morning departure to the old Dalmatian town Trogir. Trogir is sometimes referred to as “miniature Venice” or a “mini-Dubrovnik” because of its ancient walls, or a “floating museum town” – as it has a masterful

architecture including some stunning Venetian palaces. Afterwards, you will discover the beauty of the Krka National Park and the small access port of Skradin where the flora and fauna are exceptional. Overnight in Trogir. (B, L)

DAY 13:                             TROGIR – SPLIT

In the morning join the tour of Trogir with a local tour guide. Set sail to Split with a stop along the way to swim and relax, if weather permits, with lunch on board. In the late afternoon we arrive at Split to spend the night. Arriving in Split, join a guided tour of the city, visit the seafront promenade and Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. The historical centre of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your evening is free in Split. (B, L)

DAY 14:                             SPLIT

After breakfast, disembark your vessel. Transfer to Split airport. End of our services. (B)

Accommodation (or similar):

DUBROVNIK: Adria Hotel

TIRANA: Sky Tower Hotel

OHRID: Metropol Hotel

SKOPJE: Next Door Park Hotel

KOLASIN: Bianca Hotel

INCLUSIONS:                                        

• Shared arrival transfer from Dubrovnik airport to tour hotel on the first day of the tour and shared departure transfer from Split port to Split airport on the last day of the tour.
• Accommodation in first class hotels
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
• Meals as per itinerary
• Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Professional English-Speaking Tour Director throughout
• Licensed Local Guides
• Complimentary whispers with sightseeing tours
• 7 nights cruise from Dubrovnik to Split in a cabin with private facilities, A/C & TV
• Welcome dinner and Captain’s dinner during cruise
• Water dispenser during cruise
• Complimentary coffee, tea, and fresh fruits available daily during cruise
• Professional English-speaking Cruise Manager throughout
• Whisper technology
• Daily cabin servicing, fresh bed linen and towels midweek during cruise
• Luggage handling
• One beach towel per person per week
• Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
• Professional English-speaking guide for sightseeing tours of Dubrovnik, Tirana, Ohrid, Skopje, Kotor
• Entrance fees to Diocletian’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery and Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik; National Museum in Tirana; St. Sofia, St. Clement, and St. Naum in Ohrid; Church of Holy Savior and Monastery of St. Panteleimon in Skopje; Residence of King Nikola I Petrović in Cetinje; St. Triphun Cathedral in Kotor
• City tours of Split, Trogir, Hvar, Korčula, and Dubrovnik
• Guided tour and entrance to Krka National Park and Mljet National Park
• Oyster tasting in Ston

Exclusions

• Drinks, extra meals
• Port tax 60 EUR net per person (to be paid by on board)
• All other entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions

Things to Note:

–          Accommodation and cruise vessel is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel/cruise changes, but should a mid-tour hotel change become necessary after this list has been printed, contact details of the new hotel will be supplied to you by your Tour Director.

–          Hotel rooms may not be available for check-in before 2:00 p.m. Tips for baggage handling are not included in the tour price.

–          Tour can be a combination of regular tours, therefore coach changes may be required. The same people may not be travelling throughout the tour.

Optional supplements

• Additional beach towel 7 EUR per person on request
• Entrance to Blue Cave to be paid on the spot