The Croatian

2012 Season
Departs From: Vienna

From 2,042EUR

Length:  14 days from Vienna to Budapest, or 15 days incl. travel

Overview

This romantic vacation takes you from Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg empire, via scenic Semmering Pass, through Styria and Carinthian lakes and resorts, and via the Alps to Ljubljana in Slovenia. Sightseeing in Ljubljana features a visit to magnificent St. Nicholas’ Cathedral. Then enter Croatia, where you will stay for a week. Explore the Dalmatian coast and Split, where a visit to the 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace is included as well as a special dinner at a local restaurant. Travel through Bosnia-Herzegovina and arrive in Dubrovnik, where you will stay for three nights. Admire the impressive ramparts, erected during the Crusades, and 15th-century Rector’s Palace. Plus, you’ll have an entire day at leisure before continuing to Plitvice National Park, famous for its lakes, waterfalls, and forests, and to Zagreb, capital of Croatia, where guided sightseeing features all the major sites. Leave Croatia and enter Hungary. End with two nights in Budapest, Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan city. Admire St. Matthias Coronation Church, take pictures from Fishermen’s Bastion, and enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate the success of your vacation.

Duration:  14 Days

Schedule:

Start Date	End Date
28 May, 2012	10 June, 2012
11 June, 2012	24 June, 2012
25 June, 2012	08 July, 2012
09 July, 2012	22 July, 2012
06 August, 2012	19 August, 2012
27 August, 2012	09 September, 2012
03 September, 2012	16 September, 2012
10 September, 2012	23 September, 2012
17 September, 2012	30 September, 2012
24 September, 2012	07 October, 2012

City Highlights

Vienna
Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Ljubljana
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Nicholas’ Cathedral

Split
Guided walking tour, visit Diocletian’s Palace, dinner at a local restaurant

Dubrovnik
Guided walking tour, visit Rector’s Palace

Plitvice National Park

Zagreb
Guided sightseeing, visit the cathedral

Lake Balaton
Take pictures of the Abbey of Tihany

Budapest
Guided sightseeing, panoramic view from Fishermen’s Bastion, visit Matthias Coronation Church; farewell dinner

Headsets throughout the tour

Note:

Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
This tour passes twice through Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Day 1   Arrive in Vienna, Austria. Time to rest or to explore the city, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)

Day 2   Vienna. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with vistas of Prater Park with its giant Ferris wheel and the United Nations City on the banks of the Danube River. Then, drive along Ring Boulevard, pass the State Opera House and the Jewish quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz, and visit ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. An evening out to one of Vienna’s concert halls can be arranged. (B)

Day 3   Vienna–Ljubljana, Slovenia. Scenic Semmering Pass and stately Styrian crossroads towns provide the ever-changing Alpine backdrop to today’s journey through the loveliest parts of Austria to Slovenia and its elegant capital, Ljubljana. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the medieval castle, the impressive City Hall, and a visit to magnificent ST. NICHOLAS’ CATHEDRAL. (B,D)

Day 4   At Leisure in Ljubljana. Enjoy a full day at leisure. There is plenty of time to explore at your own pace, and to stroll along the Ljubljanica River or through the many attractive parks. An optional excursion to Lake Bled is available. (B)

Day 5   Ljubljana–Split, Croatia. Enter Croatia and travel south to the Dalmatian Coast and Split, the ancient Spalato, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your guided walking tour, learn about the history of this captivating resort and visit the labyrinth of 4th-century DIOCLETIAN’S PALACE, a well-preserved fortress and a living part of the Old Town. This evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Day 6   Split–Bosnia-Herzegovina–Dubrovnik, Croatia. This morning, cross the Bosnia-Herzegovina border and admire stunning seascapes as you drive along the Dalmatian Coast to Dubrovnik. (B,D)

Day 7   Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik, beautifully situated on a promontory jutting into the Adriatic Sea, was once an independent maritime republic rivaling Venice. Enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide and see the impressive ramparts, erected during the Crusades to protect the town against land attacks, and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. You will also visit the 15th-century RECTOR’S PALACE. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Why not join an optional boat cruise? (B)

Day 8   At Leisure in Dubrovnik. A full day on your own to just relax. You may wish to join an optional excursion to the Republic of Montenegro. (B)

Day 9   Dubrovnik–Plitvice. Enjoy a pleasant drive north through the Croatian countryside to Plitvice for your overnight stay. (B,D)

Day 10   Plitvice–Zagreb. Time to soak in the pure beauty of the NATIONAL PARK, famous for its lakes, waterfalls, and forests. Then, head for Zagreb, capital of Croatia. Meet your Local Guide and start your afternoon sightseeing, which features all important landmarks of the Lower and medieval Upper Town, such as the Parliament, Stone Gate, the Archbishop’s Palace, and more, plus a visit to the majestic CATHEDRAL. (B,D)

Day 11   At Leisure in Zagreb. A whole day to explore the city on your own: wander through the main center and browse through the shops or visit one of the excellent museums and art galleries. Your Tour Director has suggestions for exciting optional activities. Tonight is your chance to try out traditional dishes in one of Zagreb’s fine restaurants. (B)

Day 12   Zagreb–Budapest, Hungary. Today, leave Croatia and enter Hungary. Drive along Lake Balaton and stop to take pictures of the beautifully situated Abbey of Tihany before arriving in Budapest, Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan city. Tonight, perhaps join an optional dinner outing. (B)

Day 13   Budapest. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features elegant Andrassy Avenue, the Thermal Baths, and the world’s second-largest Jewish synagogue. From the lacy lookout towers of Fishermen’s Bastion, enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city. Then, visit the 13th-century MATTHIAS CORONATION CHURCH and Heroes’ Square. The afternoon is at leisure, and tonight a farewell dinner has been prepared at the hotel to celebrate the success of your Eastern European vacation. (B,D)

Day 14   Budapest. Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Meals:  Full buffet breakfast daily (B); 7 three-course dinners (D), including a welcome dinner in Vienna, a special dinner with wine in Split, and a farewell dinner in Budapest

Hotel Information:  VIENNA Mercure Grand Hotel Biedermeier (F), LJUBLJANA Austria Trend Ljubljana (F), SPLIT President (SF), DUBROVNIK Valamar Lacroma Resort (F), PLITVICE Jezero (F), ZAGREB The Westin Zagreb (SF), BUDAPEST Radisson Blu Beke (SF)


Terms and Conditions

Note: Flights are NOT included with the Tour and unless otherwise stated above transfers are also NOT included.

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