14 DAY DALMATIAN TOUR
Day 1 - USA
Assemble at the airport for your departure flight to Skopje. Due to its rich religious cultural history, Skopje the capital of Macedonia.
Overnight and meals on board.
Day 2 - USA - SKOPJE
Arrival in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia.
Meet and transfer to restaurant for your lunch. After lunch, meet your local guide, hear about Macedonia proud history and start with your sightseeing tour.
Walking through the old city and the old bazaar, visit the small and unique church of the Holy Savior with one of the most beautiful wooden carved iconostasis in Macedonia. The Mustafa Pasha Mosques, stands on a plateau above the old Skopje bazaar, and is the most beautiful Islamic building in Macedonia, the kale fortress, the Clock Tower, and cross the stone bridge to Macedonia Square to see the Statue of Alexander The great, the walk will finish in front of the Memorial House dedicated to one of the most known Humanitarian in the world Mother Theresa who was born in the city of Skopje. We then take the cable car to Mount Vodno to see the millennium cross, a 66 meters high cross built to celebrate 2,000 years of Christianity, enjoy the marvelous view over the city of Skopje.
Dinner then check in at the hotel.
Overnight in SKOPJE.
Day 3 - SKOPJE - MAVROVO - KALISTA - OHRID
After breakfast at the hotel, we will depart from Skopje towards the western part of Macedonia, travelling through the National park of Mavrovo where we can enjoy the scenic views that make the national park so special.
We will visit the most beautiful monastery in Macedonia which dates back to 1020 with the miracle of St. John the Baptist. We will then continue to lunch.
After lunch, we will continue to the village of Kalishta to see one of the rare cave churches dating from the 14th century before continuing our drive to Ohrid, a small resort city on the hilly shores of Lake Ohrid in the southwest part of Macedonia.
After arrival we will start our walking tour of Ohrid, a city often called “Balkan Pearl” or “Jerusalem of the Balkans”. It once had 365 churches, one for every day of the year. In our tour we will visit the Samuel Fortress, from the medieval King Samuel, as well as the church of St. Kliment, a palace where the Slav literature was started and created.
Also visit to Ohrid ancient Amphitheater.
Dinner. Overnight in Ohrid.
Day 4 - OHRID - TIRANA - BUDVA
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Albania, a country that was closed to tourist for a long time.
Continue to the capital, Tirana via Elbasan and Durres.
Follow your tour guide on a walking tour and hear about the turbulent history of this interesting city that was originally founded as an Ottoman town and became Albania’s capital in 1920. Occupied by fascist forces during World War II , and under communist influence after the war, the city is an interesting mixture of architecture. Visit the national History Museum at Skanderberg Square, Et’hem Bey Mosque, Clock Tower, and Academy of Arts. Lunch in Tirana. Continue towards Montenegro and city of Budva. Along the way we will be able to see the island of St. Stefan.
Dinner. Overnight in Budva.
Day 5 - BUDVA - KOTOR - DUBROVNIK
Breakfast, this morning short city orientation tour to the old part of Budva, dating back to the 5th century BC and considered one of the Adriatic’s oldest settlements.
Then depart to the stunning Kotor on the northern part of the Montenegrin coastline. The UNESCO World Heritage site is fringed by mountains and nestled into the bay of Kotor, the longest and deepest fjord in southern Europe. Protected by an impressive wall since the early middle ages, the city has one of the best preserved medieval Old Towns in the Adriatic. Enjoy a guided walking tour along its winding, cobblestone streets and marvel at the picturesque squares and Romanesque churches. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Departure for Dubrovnik, beautifully situated on a promontory jutting into the Adriatic Sea. Arrival in hotel.
Dinner. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Day 6 - DUBROVNIK
After breakfast at the hotel, we will proceed to see the sights of Dubrovnik which 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, its intact city walls which run uninterrupted for 1940 meters encircling the city.
Other splendid buildings such as Onofrio’s Fountain, St. Blaise.s Church, Sponza Palace will be viewed along the way. You will be able to visit the Franciscan and Dominican Monasteries with Europe.s oldest pharmacy, the cathedral with its famous treasury and the Rector.s palace which one used to be the seat of the government.
Free time to explore the city and visit the sights of Game of Trones and walk around the city walls and nice small streets. Lunch and dinner will be provided.
Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Day 7 - DUBROVNIK - MEDJUGORJE - MOSTAR - SPLIT
Breakfast at the hotel, depart for Medjugorje, a town where Virgin Mary appeared to children.
Visit the church of Jacob and Apparition hill of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Continue drive to Mostar, a city and municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina region, inhabited by 120,000 people. Mostar has long been known for its old Turkish houses and old bridges, Stari Most, after which it is named. Admire the old Bridge, the city’s symbol, ordered by Suleiman the magnificent, the Ottoman ruler in 1566, replacing the older wooden bridge. Walk along the former frontline on Bulevar Revolucije.
Here in 1993 the city was divided between Croats on the West and Bosnians’ on the Eastern side. It is a surreal and sobering experience to see the bombed out buildings which still stand in this area only 5 meters divided.
Continue drive to second largest and most important city in Dalmatia-Split.
Dinner. Overnight in Split.
Day 8 - SPLIT - PLITVICE - ZAGREB
Breakfast.
This morning enjoy a city tour with a local guide featuring the historic inner city. Built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Labyrinth 4th century Diocletian’s Palace, a well preserved fortress and a living part of the Old Town.
This unique complex combines beautiful architecture- Romanesque churches from 12th and 13th century. Middle age fortress and palaces from different periods, including Temple of Jupiter and Diocletian’s Mausoleum, the ancient cellars, Cathedral and Golden Gate, all within once Roman walls. Enjoy beautiful Dalmatian coast’s scenery, wonderful heritage, and characteristic vivid mentality of the locals. Together with numerous shops, restaurants and cafes full of tourist from all over the World.
After lunch, drive towards the NP of Plitvice. Visit the Europe’s natural Wonders, located in a deep mysterious ancient forest known as the “Devil’s Garden” between Zagreb and Zadar lies Plitvice Lakes National Park, composed of 91.5 hectares of woods, lakes and waterfalls. Imagine Niagara Falls diced and sprinkled over a heavily forested Grand Canyon. This lush valley of terraced lakes is laced together by waterfalls and miles of pleasant wooden- plank walks. Admire the waterfalls and lakes of this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site on your walking tour with your local guide. See lakes of crystal clear water in many colorful shades of green, grey and blue which are linked by spectacular waterfalls. Continue to Zagreb.
Accommodation in hotel.
Dinner. Overnight in Zagreb.
Day 9 - ZAGREB - LJUBLJANA - BLED
This morning meets your local guide and start your morning sightseeing, which features all important landmarks of the Lower and medieval Upper Town, the majestic Zagreb Cathedral, the Archbishop’s Palace, St. Mark’s Church, City Scale Model, the Stone Gate, the Opera House, the Statue of Nikola Tesla, Lotrscak Tower, the Parlaiment, the Ban Jelacic Square, the Dolac Market and the King Tomislav Park.
Afternoon drive to the beautiful city of Ljubljana, lies in the valley of River Ljubljanica, it is the capital city of the Republic of Slovenia. Here you’ll view the Central Open-air Market, impressive Town Hall, Robba’s Fountain, and the Parliament. Visit the medieval Ljubljana Castle, located on Castle Hill overlooking the Old Town, and the magnificent St. Nicholas Cathedral. See the Triple Bridge across the Ljubljanica River. It connects the Ljubljana’s historical, medieval, town on one bank and the modern city of Ljubljana. Continue to Bled.
Dinner & check in at the hotel.
Overnight stay at Bled.
Day 10 - BLED - POSTOJNA - BLED
Breakfast.
This morning visit Bled Castle, a medieval castle built on a precipice above the city of Bled in Slovenia, overlooking Lake Bled. It is also the oldest Slovenian castle and is currently one of the most visited tourist attractions in Slovenia.
Take a traditional boat cruise to the idyllic island and walk 99 steps to The Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary Assumption built in 17 century, the church appears to float in the middle of the lake. Enjoy the breathtaking view on Bled.s Castle that stands on a rock about 100 m above the lake. Ring the “Bell of Wishes” and learn about an interesting legend. Then drive to Postojna to visit the Postojna Cave,A 20,570 m long, it is the second longest cave system in Slovenia, as well as one of its top tourism sites. The caves were created by the Pivka River.
Return to Bled.
Lunch and dinner will be provided.
Overnight stay in Bled.
Day 11 - BLED - HALSTADT - SALZBURG
Breakfast at hotel.
Today we will depart for Hallstatt, Located right on the shores of Lake Hallstatt, this small town is considered one of the most beautiful lake side villages in the world. Not only does it captivate you with its fairytale-like atmosphere, Hallstatt also has a rich history that dates back to the Neolithic Age.
Then we continue to Salzbourg an Austrian city on the border of Germany, with views of the Eastern Alps. The city is divided by the Salzach River, with medieval and baroque buildings of the pedestrian Altstadt (Old City) on its left bank, facing the 19th-century Neustadt (New City) on its right.
The Altstadt birthplace of famed composer Mozart is preserved as a museum displaying his childhood instruments. We will see the city’s sights including the Getreidegasse, Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s birthplace and many of the locations used in the film ‘The Sound of Music’.
Lunch and dinner will be provided.
Overnight stay at Salzburg.
Day 12 - SALZBURG - HINTERBRUHL - VIENNA
Breakfast.
After breakfast at hotel we will proceed to Hinterbruhl to visit the Seegrotte the underground lake, and wonderful Vienna woods.
Visit the former hunting lodge of Mayerling and learn all about how the lives of Crown Prince Rudolf and Baroness Vetsera came to a tragic end in 1889.
Next, discover the 12th-century Cistercian Heiligenkreuz Abbey and visit the medieval cloister and tomb of the last Babenberger.
Last but not least, also enjoy a guided walking tour through Baden.
Return to Vienna. Lunch.
Afternoon visit to Magnificent Schönbrunn Palace, modeled after France’s Palace of Versailles with its beautiful gardens.
Overnight in Vienna.
Day 13 - VIENNA
Welcome to Vienna.
This morning meet your local guide and start your guided sightseeing tour featuring the Jewish Quarter, the State Opera House, Parliament and the Gothic Town Hall. Stop for a stroll in Heroes Square to view the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family and an inside visit of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Lunch at Chinese restaurant.
Afternoon visit to Magnificent Schonbrunn Palace, modelled after France’s Palace of Versailles with its beautiful gardens.
Dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight in Vienna.
Day 14 - VIENNA - USA
Breakfast. Free time.
Transfer to airport for flight home.
Day 5 - USA
Home sweet home