| |
|
|
|
Insight Vacations - Premium Europe & Britain |
Country Roads of the Balkans, Dalmatia and the Adriatic Riviera
15 days, Priced from US$3199
Country Roads Tour, Departs from & returns to Vienna
Tour code E961
Included Premium Highlights
- Enjoy a guided tour in Vienna's magnificent Schanbrunn Palace and its formal gardens
- Tour the pristine Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Enjoy a wine tasting and informative talk at a local winery on the Peljesac peninsula
- Bear witness to the tunnel that saved Sarajevo at the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum
Included Personal Insights
- An entré to the history and significance of Viennese cafe culture
- Hear about the excellent wines produced along the shores of central Europes' largest Lake
Included Additional Excursions & Sights
- Tour the Ring Street in Vienna seeing the City Hall, Parliament and St. Charles' church
- Views of Budapest from Gellert Hill and visit Matthias Church and Heroes' Square
- Scenic drive along Lake Balaton to the picturesque abbey of Tihany
- See Zagreb's Ban Josip Jelacic Square and Cathedral and tour the Upper Town
- Explore Split's historical buildings built within the walls of Diocletian's Palace
- See Marco Polo's house, Bishop's Palace, Cathedral and town museum in Korcula
- See Onofrio's Fountain, Rector's Palace and the awesome city walls of Dubrovnik
- Admire the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries in Dubrovnik Old Town
- Walk across the Stari Most in Mostar and explore the old town
- See the Bascarsija, Gazi Husrev-beg's Mosque, Olympic Stadium in Sarajevo
- See Belgrade's St Sava Church, National Museum, National Theatre and Kalemegdan Fortress
Included First Class Services
- Escorted by a professional Tour Director
- Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
- Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
- Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
- Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 15
Included Quality Dining
- Highlight Dinner with live music in the old Bohemian quarter of Belgrade (HD)
- 14 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 5 three-course table d'hote Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)
ITINERARY
Day 1 - VIENNA AT LEISURE |
Welcome to Vienna Airport, where your airport transfer leaves for the tour hotel at 09:00, 11:00, 13:00 & 15:00. Settle in & later, meet your Tour Director & fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Perhaps start your tour with a special concert?
Hotel: Hilton |
Day 2 - VIENNA - BUDAPEST |
Cross the Hungarian border & continue to Budapest. Enjoy a panoramic view across the Danube from the lofty Citadel atop Gellert Hill. Then ascend the Castle Hill district to marvel at the murals in Matthias Church beside the Fisherman's Bastion. View the Royal Palace of Buda, then cross the Danube to the Pest district to visit Heroes' Square & &rassy Boulevard.
Hotel: Corinthia Grand Royal (BB,D) |
Day 3 - BUDAPEST AT LEISURE |
A whole day to relax or explore this Grand metropolis. Perhaps shop for bargains in fine porcelain or maybe take an optional excursion to the famous artists' colony of Szentendre? (BB) |
Day 4 - BUDAPEST - ZAGREB |
Drive alongside tranquil Lake Balaton & hear about the excellent wines produced along the shores. Stop to admire the abbey of Tihany, then continue to the Croatian border & the capital, Zagreb. A guided tour takes you to Roosevelt Square, Ban Josip Jelacic Square & the cathedral. Walk through the medieval Upper Town to see the Stone Gate, St Mark's Church & Lotrscak Tower.
Hotel: Sheraton (BB,D) |
Day 5 - ZAGREB AT LEISURE |
Today is yours to explore at your will. The Ilica is the hub of Zagreb's shopping scene, or perhaps take an excursion to the Zagorje region to learn about local culture & tradition? (BB) |
Day 6 - ZAGREB - SPLIT |
Head for the charming fishing villages & sun drenched resorts along the Adriatic Riviera. Visit the ancient Roman port of Salona. Admire the 2nd century amphiteatre, Roman baths & necropolis. Stay tonight in the historic port of Split.
Hotel: Atrium (BB) |
Day 7 - SPLIT SIGHTSEEING - KORCULA |
1700 years ago the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace here & your local guide will lead you through the labyrinth of streets & historical buildings within that same palace. See St. Duje's, (originally Diocletian's mausoleum), the Temple of Jupiter (today, a baptistery) & the Golden Gate. Later drive along the coast for a short ferry crossing to the island of Korcula.
Hotel: Marko Polo (BB,D) |
Day 8 - KORCULA - DUBROVNIK |
Your guided walking tour of Korcula town takes you to the Cathedral, the town museum & the Bishop's Palace. The locals also claim Marco Polo was born here & you also see his ruined house next. After some free time, cross over to the beautiful southern slopes of the Peljesac peninsula. Stop amid the age-old vines to see how wine is produced & enjoy a taste. Continue to Dubrovnik.
Hotel: Libertas Rixos (BB) |
Day 9 & 10 - DUBROVNIK SIGHTSEEING |
You are invited to join a local resident to discuss life during the siege of Dubrovnik, the collapse of Yugoslavia & the subsequent rebirth of Croatia. Later, your guided city tour explores the stone paved streets inside the 16th century bastions of Dubrovnik's old town. See Onofrio's fountain & the Rector's Palace, as well as the Franciscan & Dominican monasteries. For the remainder of your stay, you are at leisure in this 'pearl of the Adriatic'. Stroll with friends along the ancient city walls, relax by the pool, shop in the bazaar... & the local cuisine is justifiably famous, so during your stay you are invited to choose from a selection of restaurants on your Dine-Around evening. (BB,DA,BB) |
Day 11 - DUBROVNIK - PLITVICE |
Enjoy the scenery of the Dalmatian coast - sparkling deep blue seas, studded with rocky islands. Visit Trogir, founded by the Greeks in 400BC. Admire the cathedraland Renaissance Cipiko Palace before continuing to the Plitvice region.
Hotel: Jezero (BB,D) |
Day 12 - PLITVICE – LJUBLJANA |
Get ready for one of Europe's natural wonders, Plitvice National Park; a scenic wonderland of 16 interconnecting lakes, flanked by thundering waterfalls & primeval forest. This afternoon drive through the unique region of Lika, crossing into Slovenia & reaching the "beloved" city of Ljubljana.
Hotel: Lev (BB,D) |
Day 13 - LJUBLJANA SIGHTSEEING |
A local guide reveals the Baroque elegance of the Slovenian capital. The imposing medieval castle st&s as ancient guardian, the City Halland Cathedral of St Nicholas testify to its historical importance, while the Triple Bridge spans the river adorned with cafés & restaurants. This afternoon is at leisure to shop or for optional excursions. (BB) |
Day 14 - LJUBLJANA – VIENNA |
It's only a short drive back across the Austrian border to the forested mountains of Styria. Return to the stately capital of Vienna for your final night on tour.
Hotel: Hilton (BB) |
Day 15 - VIENNA |
Your tour ends after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Vienna Airport at 07:00 & 09:00 (BB) |
|
|
|