Zagreb to Athens | 17 Days

DAY 1:                 ZAGREB

On arrival at Zagreb airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is free. Meet your fellow travellers tonight at a welcome dinner. Overnight Zagreb. (D)

DAY 2:                 ZAGREB

This morning, 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 at leisure to explore the winding streets of the old town or take an optional excursion to see the countryside. Overnight in Zagreb. (B)

DAY 3:                 ZAGREB – LJUBLJANA – BLED

After breakfast head towards Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. See the most significant sights of the old city centre on a walking tour. Highlights include the picturesque open-air Central Market, the Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, and Robba’s Fountain. Then, continue to Bled for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 4:                 BLED

An Alpine Lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travellers in the middle of the 19^th 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 features the charming town and the lakeshore, and visits imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps join an optional excursion visiting the small island in the middle of the lake, browse through the shops and boutiques, or simply relax and enjoy the enchanting scenery. Overnight in Bled. (B)

DAY 5:                 BLED – POSTOJNA – OPATIJA – PLITVICE

Journey continues to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterward, continue to the coast, stopping in Opatija. Enjoy a walking tour of this fashionable resort in the 19^th century, dotted with Habsburg era villas. After some free time, continue towards Plitvice Lakes.  (B, D)

DAY 6:                 PLITVICE – SPLIT

After breakfast, have your camera ready as you take a walking tour around the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder of sixteen terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. After the tour, head to Split for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 7:                 SPLIT

In the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Then see 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 at leisure to stroll through the beautiful streets of Split, enjoy at the beach or join an optional excursion to the jet-set spot of the rich and famous – Island of Hvar. (B)

DAY 8:                 SPLIT – DUBROVNIK

After breakfast travel to Dubrovnik. Day at leisure. Overnight Dubrovnik. (B, D)

DAY 9:                 DUBROVNIK

After breakfast, walking tour of Old Dubrovnik visit the Rector’s Palace, and see the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando’s Column, Sponza Palace, the Dominican Monastery, and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is free or join an optional excursion home hosted Dubelj with dinner. (B)

DAY 10:                             DUBROVNIK – KOTOR – TIVAT

After breakfast, our journey takes us to Montenegro viewing Kotor Bay, the only South European fiord, and tour of old town Kotor, a UNESCO heritage Site. Continue to Tivat for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 11:                             TIVAT – SHKODRA – TIRANA

After breakfast we leave Tivat and drive via Budva and Bar towards the town of Shkodra, nowadays a major Albanian cultural centre. Shkodra was the centre of the Illyrian tribe Labeat and was taken by the Romans in the year 168 B.C. We will see the Rozafa Castle, magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city. Continue to Tirana for overnight. (B, D)

DAY 12:              TIRANA

On a morning sightseeing tour, see Sheshi Skenderbej (Skanderbeg Square) the Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower, and the statue of G.K.  Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero; the Palace of Culture, built with Soviet assistance, and the National History Museum with a mosaic on its façade portraying Albanian history. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring on your own, shop, or simply just relax. Overnight Tirana. (B)

DAY 13:                             TIRANA – OHRID

Drive to the lakeside resort of Ohrid, an important cultural and spiritual centre, classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. A sightseeing tour will take you strolling through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century. Overnight Ohrid. (B, D)

DAY 14:                             OHRID – METEORA – KALAMBAKA

After breakfast, admire the fantastic landscapes of Meteora, known as “the rocks that fell from the sky”, where monks built their rock-top monasteries far away from civilization. Out of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit’s cells, only four are now active. We will visit either Roussanou or the Great Meteoro*. On to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

*Due to border crossing conditions and opening times of the monasteries, the exact monastery that we will visit be determined at the spot.

DAY 15:                             KALAMBAKA – DELPHI – ATHENS

Your first stop is Delphi, where the famous Oracle once foretold the destiny of men. The temple of Apollo in which the Oracle functioned, was built in the 6^th century B.C. Also see the Sacred Way, the Stadium, and the Castilian Fountain, where pilgrims cleansed themselves in preparation for consulting the Oracle. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, which contains an impressive collection of finds from the site, including the beautiful “Bronze Charioteer”, before continuing to Athens for overnight. (B)

DAY 16:                             ATHENS

See the highlights of Athens this morning on a sightseeing tour. This cosmopolitan and bustling capital city is set amid reminders of a long and a glorious past: graceful temples, centuries – old monasteries and ornate Byzantine churches. Visit the immortal Acropolis, the Parthenon, said to be the most perfectly proportioned building of all time, Also, see the Erectheion with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Wingless Victory. Below the Acropolis lies the Ancient Agora and the Theaters of Dionysus and Herodus Atticus. Your afternoon and evening are free. Join us for Farewell Taverna Dinner in the Plaka beside the Acropolis. Overnight in Athens. (B, D)

DAY 17:                             ATHENS

After breakfast, transfer to Athens airport for your departure flight. End of our services. (B)

Accommodation (or similar):

ZAGREB: Zonar Hotel

BLED: Kompas, or Bled Rose

PLITVICE: Hotel Jezero

SPLIT: Hotel Corner

DUBROVNIK: Lero Hotel

TIVAT: Hotel Palma

TIRANA: Colosseo Hotel

OHRID: Hotel Granit

KALAMBAKA: Grand Meteora Hotel

ATHENS: Stanley Hotel, or Titania Hotel

INCLUSIONS:

• First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Arrival transfer from Zagreb Airport to the tour hotel on day 1
• Departure transfer from tour hotel to Athens Airport on day 17
• Meals as per itinerary
• Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
• Professional Tour Director throughout
• Luggage handling (1 piece per person)
• Whisper technology enhanced touring
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Sightseeing tours in Zagreb, Ljubljana, Bled, Postojna Cave, Plitvice Lakes, Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Tirana, Ohrid, Kalambaka, Athens

Things to Note:

–          Accommodation is subject to change without notice. Every effort is made to avoid hotel 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.

–        Because of the narrow and cobbled streets, walking is the primary way of getting around. Please make sure you pack comfortable walking shoes.