14 day dalmatia discovery plitvice-national-park

14 Day Dalmatia Discovery Budapest to Venice

From $7345 per Person Twin Share

Itinerary

Day 1: Budapest

Welcome to Hungary. You will be met at Budapest airport and transferred* to your centrally located hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure before meeting up this evening over a welcome drink with your fellow travellers and Tour Director.
Two Night Stay: Budapest
Day 2: Budapest (FB,HD)

Nearly 2,500 years old, Budapest is one of Eastern Europe’s most ancient yet cosmopolitan cities. Your morning tour will visit both towns of Buda and Pest, linked by the famous Chain Bridge. Enjoy visiting such sites as Heroes’ Square, Matthias Church, the Fisherman’s Bastion and the medieval town on Castle Hill which offers a wonderful panorama over the Hungarian capital. Later we will enjoy coffee and cake in a famous coffee house. Tonight, we immerse ourselves in the rich Hungarian culture at a lively folklore show including dinner at a traditional restaurant.
Day 3: Budapest – Zagreb (FB,D) We depart Budapest and head into a landscape of picturesque thatched houses and stork nests as we travel south through gentle countryside towards central Europe’s largest lake – Balaton, regarded as a major wine growing region. We arrive in Zagreb where we will take in the sights of the city, whose most noteworthy buildings were constructed during Croatia’s golden age in the 19th century. Enjoy the architecture of the Archbishop’s Palace, Opera House, Cathedral and St Mark’s Church.
Two Night Special Stay: Zagreb
Day 4: Zagreb (FB,HL)

Croatia has emerged confidently from the shadows of the Balkan Wars of the 1990’s. This morning we journey to the quaint village of Kumrovec. SCENIC ENRICH We are exclusively guided through the house where Tito, the late President of Yugoslavia, was born and which today hosts a large collection of memorabilia on the former leader. We drive to a charming restaurant located in a gorgeous rural landscape for a delicious lunch. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the sights and sounds of Zagreb.
Day 5: Zagreb – Split (FB,D)

Our journey this morning takes us to the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic on the north Dalmatian coastline, where we reach the delightful port of Zadar. We stop briefly to savour the delights of the old city, which is located on a tiny promontory and largely free of traffic. We then continue our spectacular drive south along the Dalmatian coast to Split, site of the former Palace of the Emperor Diocletian. Today, the Palace constitutes the inner core of this bustling port city and is inhabited with shops and market squares.
Overnight Stay: Split
Day 6: Split – Dubrovnik (FB,D)

This morning we join a local guide for our city tour, which will reveal the remains of the massive Imperial Palace of Diocletian, constructed from 293 AD, primarily as a retirement home. We will visit the church which is thought to be the oldest in the world and which is still used for services today. Entrance to the Cellars of the Palace is a pearl of wonder with its many famous artefacts on display. Then we hug the coastline with the sparkling sea on our right and majestic mountains on our left as we head to Dubrovnik – commonly known as the Jewel of the Adriatic. This evening we savour Croatian cuisine at a local restaurant.
Three Night Special Stay: Dubrovnik
Day 7: Dubrovnik (FB)

The walled old town of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World heritage site and has remained largely unchanged since medieval times. The prosperity of the town has always been based on maritime trade and in the Middle Ages it rivalled Venice as a maritime power. We will enjoy a walk around the medieval ramparts which enclose the town and provide magnificent vistas of both the sea and the famous city of red roofs and grey stone. We will also see Onofrio’s Fountain, the Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries.
Day 8: Dubrovnik (FB,L)

SCENIC FREECHOICE choose from: (1) a boat trip to the green island of Korcula, where you can discover the charms of the old town whilst enjoying the views towards the mainland, or perhaps take a dip in the azure waters of the Adriatic at one of the secluded bays before enjoying lunch; or (2) enjoy a guided tour of the Dominican Monastery in the old town which is seen, by many, as the most valuable cultural experience in Dubrovnik. Here you will witness treasures of the old Renaissance school of Ragusa including old manuscripts, paintings and the tombstones of many famous Ragusans.
Day 9: Dubrovnik – Plitvice National Park (FB,D)

We farewell Dubrovnik and head north along the Adriatic, past the glittering islands of Brac and Hvar to the seaport of Trogir, the best-preserved Romanesque-Gothic old town in central Europe. Trogir’s medieval core, surrounded by walls, comprises a preserved castle and tower and a series of dwellings, churches and palaces from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. A last chance to enjoy the sea-breeze before we turn inland and enjoy the rugged natural scenery of the Balkans as we head towards the unique Plitvice National Park.
Overnight Stay: Plitvice National Park
Day 10: Plitvice National Park – Ljubljana (FB)

This morning we will enjoy a guided tour of the world famous National Park along meandering pathways as we view a series of emerald green lakes, stepped and linked by increasingly impressive waterfalls. Continuing our journey, we pass through Karlovac, a city that withstood seven Ottoman sieges in ancient times and is noteworthy for its beautiful parks and rivers. We cross into Slovenia and arrive in its capital Ljubljana, which means ‘much loved’ – you will see why as we appreciate the attractive architecture of this delightful city. Our sightseeing tour includes the Castle, Opera House, National Museum, Franciscan Church and St. Nicholas Cathedral. Tonight, an opportunity to wander amongst the lively cafés and restaurants to experience the lively atmosphere.
Two Night Stay: Ljubljana
Day 11: Ljubljana (FB,D)

One of Europe’s most picturesque and iconic settings is our destination today – Lake Bled, formed after a glacier retreat and overlooked by the famous Bled Castle. SCENICENRICH We step back in time and take a traditional wooden ‘Pletna’ boat to the stunningly beautiful island in the lake and visit the historic Church of St Mary with its wishing well – you may wish to ring the bell for good luck. Following a short drive through Triglav National Park we have time to relax and witness Slovenia’s largest glacial lake, Lake Bohinj, before returning to Bled. SCENICENRICH Enjoy coffee and cake at the famous lakeside Villa Bled, former residence of President Tito, where he hosted global statesmen in the post-war years. On our return to Ljubljana you can unwind or wander the markets for souvenirs before dining at a local restaurant this evening.
Day 12: Ljubljana – Venice (FB)

Today we will visit Slovenia’s greatest tourist site – the Karst Caves at Postojna. A mini-train will take us underground through a series of beautiful halls adorned with stalagmites and stalagtites, unique shapes that will leave you spellbound. Then on to Lipica stud farm, established for the Holy Roman Empire’s benefit in 1580, where we see the beautiful white Lipizzaner horses that perform dressage at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. We cross the Italian border and pass the cosmopolitan port city of Trieste, arriving this afternoon in magnificent Venice – the most unique city in the world! We cruise up the Grand Canal by private motor launch past ornate and gilded Palazzos and Palladian churches to our superbly located hotel.
Two Night Special Stay: Venice
Day 13: Venice (FB,HD)

SCENICENRICH This morning we enjoy a romantic gondola serenade as we enjoy this iconic Venetian experience whilst gliding under ancient bridges amongst the breathtaking canals. We will appreciate the wealth and power that pervaded this maritime city state in times past during our walking tour of the city. We shall enjoy the bustling cafés in the square, see the clock tower ‘dei Mori’, the Campanile and visit both the stunning Basilica of San Marco and the spectacular Doge’s Palace. SCENIC FREECHOICE choose from: (1) a private lagoon cruise visiting some of the many islands surrounding Venice; or (2) take a walking tour to visit the Fine Arts Academy. Tonight we dine at Antico Pignolo, a traditional restaurant superbly located alongside one of the city’s canals.
Day 14: Venice (FB) After breakfast transfer* to Venice airport for your onward or homebound flight.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Departure Dates and Prices Per Person Twin Share

Departure Date

Return Date

Price

22 May 2010

4 Jun 2010

7345.00AUD


Inclusions

• Visit Heroes’ Square, Matthias Church and the Fisherman’s Bastion on a guided tour of Budapest
• Enjoy coffee and cake in a famous coffee house in Budapest
• Enjoy a traditional folklore show including dinner at a Hungarian restaurant in Budapest
• Journey to the Croatian countryside for a traditional lunch in a village restaurant
• Visit the Opera House, St Mark’s Church, Cathedral and the Archbishop’s Palace on a guided tour of Zagreb
• Take an orientation tour of the Croatian seaside resort of Zadar
• Visit the remains of the Imperial Palace of Diocletian and its famous cellars on a guided tour of Split
• Walk around the medieval ramparts of Dubrovnik on our guided tour and see the Rector’s Palace,
Onofrio’s Fountain and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries
• Take an orientation tour of the historic Croatian seaport of Trogir
• Enjoy a guided visit of Plitvice National Park in Croatia
• Visit the Franciscan Church, St Nicholas Cathedral, the Opera House, the National Museum and Castle on our guided tour of Ljubljana
• Visit the Lipica horse farm in Slovenia to see the famous Lipizzaner horses
• Cruise by private motor launch along the Grand Canal in Venice to our centrally located hotel
• Dine at Antico Pignolo, a traditional restaurant located alongside one of Venice’s canals