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Pearls
of Dalmatia
From Dubrovnik to Venice
Tour membership limited to 12-24 guests
15 days from $3,695 -- air & land inclusive
Independent, democratic Croatia again welcomes visitors
eager to absorb its remarkable history, culture, and unspoiled
Dalmatian coastline. As our small group travels from Zagreb
to beloved Dubrovnik, from the beautiful island of Hvar
and seaside Opatija to timeless Venice, we see why this
cherished region lays such a claim on the hearts of all
who visit.
Day 1: Depart U.S. for Zagreb,
Croatia
Day 2: Arrive Zagreb
After a connecting flight in Europe, we arrive in Zagreb
and transfer to our hotel. Tonight we gather for a briefing
and welcome dinner. D
Day 3: Zagreb
This morning's tour of the Croatian capital by coach and
on foot reveals a gracious city of culture and hospitality.
We visit Mirogoj Park Cemetery, known for its arcades and
sculpture; then continue through Old Town with a visit to
St. Stephen's Cathedral. After calling on the colorful Dolac
open-air market, the remainder of the day is free to explore
this delightful city on our own. B
Day 4: Zagreb/Plitvice/Dubrovnik
Late this morning we drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park,
a dramatic string of 16 turquoise-colored lakes connected
by a series of waterfalls and cascades. Once known as Devils
Garden, this intriguing natural landscape of karst formations
and abundant wildlife is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We
have an early dinner at a restaurant in Zagreb then continue
on to the airport for our evening flight to Dubrovnik. Our
well located hotel sits just outside the city's Old Town.
B,D
Day 5: Dubrovnik
Today we discover the "Pearl of the Adriatic," the city
whose ancient walls have withstood time and tide for hundreds
of years - and more recently, attack during the Serbian
invasion of the early 1990s. Happily, Dubrovnik is now repaired,
renewed, and ready to show off its many charms. We begin
our explorations with a walking tour through Old Town, including
Minceta Tower and the fortified city walls, whose original
ramparts and bastions date to the 12th and 13th centuries.
(Dubrovnik itself was founded in the 7th century). We see
the stately Baroque Cathedral (ca. 1672); the Treasury,
whose gilded shelves and historic relics sit behind locked
wooden doors; and the Franciscan monastery with a 14th-century
pharmacy. We return to our hotel early this afternoon; the
remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Then we
enjoy a small group highlight as dinner guests in the home
of a Dubrovnik family whose menu includes produce from their
garden, homemade olive oil, and local wine. B,D
Day 6: Today
is free to explore on our own. From the medieval Old Town
to the contemporary city with its Mediterranean accent,
Dubrovnik offers discoveries aplenty, including the tiny
synagogue dating to the 15th century, historic Sponza Palace,
the Maritime Museum, Luza Square, and the Rector's Palace.
Lunch and dinner today are on our own. B
Day 7: Dubrovnik/Split/Hvar
Leaving Dubrovnik this morning we travel a scenic coastal
route north to Split, the main city of the central Dalmatian
Coast. Here we have time for lunch on our own before boarding
a ferry for the two-hour cruise to Hvar, "queen" of the
Dalmatian islands. Upon arrival we travel by coach to lively
Hvar town, where we spend the next two nights. We dine tonight
at a local restaurant just a short walk from our hotel.
B,D
Day 8: Hvar
With captivating natural beauty and a strategic Adriatic
location, Hvar has prospered since antiquity. We discover
some of its charms this morning, first with a walking tour
of Venetian-tinged Hvar town then with a walking tour of
nearby Stari Grad, one of Croatia's oldest cities, where
we also have some free time. We return to our hotel for
lunch and an afternoon and evening at leisure. B,L
Day 9: Hvar/Split
We return to the mainland this morning, arriving back in
Split in time for lunch on our own. This afternoon we tour
Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built
by the Roman emperor Diocletian at the end of the 3rd century,
the palace, and then its ruins, eventually formed the historic
heart of picturesque Split. Tonight we dine at a local restaurant.
B,D
Day 10: Split/ Zadar/Opatija
We leave Split this morning, traveling further up the magnificent
Dalmatian Coast to the medieval city of Zadar. We have time
to explore this Italian-accented city and have lunch together
before continuing on to the seaside resort of Opatija, arriving
early this evening. B,L,D
Day 11: Opatija
Our tour of Opatija and its surroundings (the "Opatija Riviera")
begins this morning in Lovran, a small Mediterranean seaside
town with a 14th-century church and palatial belle époque
villas. Then we return to Opatija for a walking tour of
this once grand resort town. Our tour ends around lunchtime;
the remainder of the day is free for independent exploration.
We dine tonight at a local restaurant. B,D
Day 12: Opatija/Istrian Peninsula
Today's tour of the Istrian Peninsula reveals the multi-cultural
roots of this alluring coastal region jutting into the Adriatic.
At various times a vassal of Venice, the first Austro-Hungarian
Empire, Fascist Italy, the Yugoslav Federation, and finally,
Croatia, Istra, as it's known, boasts an interesting history,
mild Mediterranean climate, lovely scenery, and good wines.
Our first stop is in the port of Pula, where we visit the
well-preserved remains of a Roman amphitheater (ca. 177
bc). We continue on to Rovinj, a charming old Venetian port
where we have time to explore on our own before returning
to Opatija. B
Day 13: Opatija/Venice
Leaving Opatija this morning we travel through scenic countryside
on our way to Venice. Mid-afternoon we reach our hotel close
to St. Mark's Square. The remainder of the day and evening
are free to explore this most enchanting of cities on our
own. B,L
Day 14: Venice
This morning we take a guided walking tour of the area surrounding
vast St. Mark's Square. And there's so much more to discover
on our own this afternoon. Tonight we celebrate our adventure
over a farewell dinner at our hotel. B,D
Day 15: Depart for U.S.
This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flights
to the U.S. B
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