From Greece To Croatia
SPECIAL OFFER
2012 Earlybird – Save 10% off advertised prices in double occupancy or single occupancy accommodation when you book and pay your tour in full by 31 May 2012. Offer is valid on new bookings only and subject to availability. Contact us for more details and full booking terms on this 2012 Earlybird Special.
| Duration: | 16 days / 15 nights |
| Routing: | Athens – Delphi – Kalambaka – Ohrid – Tirana – Dubrovnik – Split – Trogir – Plitvice Lakes – Opatija – Postojna – Bled – Ljubljana – Zagreb |
Day 1, Saturday: Athens
You will be met & transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner in a traditional Greek tavern in Plaka. (D)
Day 2, Sunday: Athens
See the highlights of Athens this morning on a sightseeing tour. This cosmopolitan & bustling capital city is set amidst reminders of a long & glorious past: graceful temples, centuries-old monasteries, & ornate Byzantine churches. Visit the immortal Acropolis, the Parthenon, & the Erectheion with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena Nike & the Wingless Victory. Below the Acropolis lies the ancient Agora & the Theatres of Dionysus & Herodus Atticus. Your afternoon & evening are free. (B)
Day 3, Monday: Athens – Delphi – Kalambaka
Your first stop this morning is Delphi, where the famous oracle foretold the destiny of men. The Temple of Apollo, in which the oracle functioned, was built in the 6th century B.C. Also see the Sacred Way, the Stadium & 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 on to Kalambaka. (B,D)
Day 4, Tuesday: Kalambaka – Ohrid
After breakfast, admire the fantastic landscapes of Meteora, known as “the rocks that fell from the sky.” Here monks built their rock-top monasteries, far away from civilization. Of the 13 large & 20 small monasteries & hermit’s cells, only 4 are now active. The most important is Megalo or Great Meteoro, of peculiar architecture with its tall & intricate dome, 12 sides & fine frescoes. Continue across the border to Macedonia, & on to Ohrid. (B,D)
Day 5, Wednesday: Ohrid – Tirana
The lakeside resort of Ohrid is an important cultural & spiritual centre, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Start your morning sightseeing tour with a walk through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century. In the afternoon, travel to Tirana, capital of Albania. (B,D)
Day 6, Thursday: Tirana
On a morning sightseeing tour, see the Skanderbeg Square, the Mosque of Et’hem Bey, the Clock Tower, & 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 facade portraying Albanian history. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring on your own, shop, or just relax. (B)
Day 7, Friday: Tirana – Dubrovnik
After breakfast, depart Tirana & travel to the town of Shkodra, a cultural centre and one of Albania’s oldest cities. See the ruins of Rozafa Castle, set on a hill high above the city, then cross the border into Montenegro & on to Croatia & beautiful Dubrovnik. (B,D)
Day 8, Saturday: Dubrovnik
There is a walking tour of “Old Dubrovnik” this morning; the Rector’s Palace, Bell Tower Clock, Orlando’s Column & the Sponza Palace. You will also see the Dominican Monastery & Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 9, Sunday: Dubrovnik
Today, full day is at leisure to relax, shop or explore on your own. (B)
Day 10, Monday: Dubrovnik – Split
Depart Dubrovnik & travel north along the spectacular Adriatic coast, past old fishing villages & new resorts, to Split. Enjoy a city tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. See the remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, its Renaissance & Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle & the Cathedral. 227 km (B, D)
Day 11, Tuesday: Split – Trogir – Plitvice Lakes
After breakfast, head to Trogir, the centre of artistic activities. Scholars from around the world gather to study & paint here. Then, turn inland & travel to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Upon arrival, have your camera ready & take a walking tour around several of the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder of 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains & lush vegetation. 317 km (B,D)
Day 12, Wednesday: Plitvice Lakes – Opatija – Postojna – Bled
Return to the coast & travel along the beautiful bay of Kvarner to its popular resort, Opatija. After some free time, journey north to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Tour the fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterwards, continue to Bled, beautifully set amidst the Julian Alps. 352 km (B,D)
Day 13, Thursday: Bled
A sightseeing tour of Bled features the charming town with the lake shore, & imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The balance of the day is at leisure for optional activities, such as visiting the small island in the middle of the lake. (B)
Day 14, Friday: Bled – Ljubljana – Zagreb
Start your day with a walking tour of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Visit the most significant sights of the old city centre: the picturesque Central open-air Market & the Three Bridges, both designed by famous architect Jože Plečnik, Baroque Town Hall & Robba’s Fountain. Then, continue to Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia. 189 km (B,D)
Day 15, Saturday: Zagreb
This morning, enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St. Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, the Parliament & the Government Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the winding streets of the old town or to take an optional excursion with dinner into the surrounding countryside. (B)
Day 16, Sunday: Zagreb
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (B)
Tour Includes:
• Transfers Airport – Hotel – Airport at start & end of tour
• 15 nights in first class hotels
• Service charges & hotel taxes
• Breakfast Daily & 9 Dinners (B, D)
• Air-conditioned motor-coach
• Professional Tour Escort – English speaking
• Luggage handling
Sightseeing Tours Included:
• Athens
• Meteora
• Ohrid
• Tirana
• Dubrovnik
• Split
• Plitvice Lakes
• Postojna Caves
• Bled
• Ljubljana
• Zagreb
Hotels:
• Athens: Divani Palace Acropolis (F) or similar
• Kalambaka: Divani (F) or similar
• Ohrid: Metropol (F) or similar
• Tirana: Sheraton (DLX) or similar
• Dubrovnik: Lapad (F) or similar
• Split: Atrium (F) or similar
• Plitvice: Jezero (F) or similar
• Bled: Golf (F) or similar
• Zagreb: Westin (DLX) or similar
| Per Person NZ$ | Twin Share | Single |
| May 12 Jun 09, 23 Jul 07 Aug 18 Sep 01, 15, 29 | 4,567 | 6,056 |
All prices are subject to amendment any time
