Adriatic Crossing
Rome / Dubrovnik / Naples
September 2 - 12, 2005
(Spans Labor Day)
BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA
The Adriatic Sea straddles one of the major trading routes between
Asia and Europe, and for millennia it has been a meeting place for a
rich variety of societies and cultures. This history, stretching back
to ancient times, has left the cities along its coastline with a rich
heritage. While Venice, “Queen of the Adriatic,” is generally
well known to outsiders, the other city-states that competed with it
in the region are less familiar. Host to Illyrians, Greeks, Romans,
Byzantines, Goths, the Venetian Empire, Napoleon’s Empire, Austria-Hungary,
Italy, Germany, Yugoslavia, these cities shelter a treasure-trove of
beautifully preserved historical and artistic monuments, and a fascinating
story of human endeavor and persistence.
One of the most fascinating is Dubrovnik
in the country of Croatia. The city was fortified and two harbors were
built on each side of the isthmus. Its maritime trade grew as it became
the only eastern Adriatic city-state that rivaled Venice during the
Middle Ages, in terms of wealth and skilled diplomacy. Inhabitants of
Dubrovnik often proudly quote the Irish playwright and man of letters,
George Bernard Shaw, who visited the city in 1929: “If you want
to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik.”
With its sublime stretch of very long
coast on the Adriatic Sea, Croatia has long been regarded as one of
Europe’s finest attractions. Prior to 1991, it was rapidly becoming
one of the continent’s hottest vacation spots, with 10 million
tourists annually seeking a touch of the medieval along with the sun,
sand and surf of the Adriatic’s Dalmatian Coast. Unfortunately,
as a province of the former Yugoslavian Republic, it had to contend
with the violent break-up of the country and nearly a decade of civil
war. All is calm in the region once more, and visitors are returning
gradually. Now is the time to see this remarkable place before it once
again becomes overrun by tourist throngs.
Since so much of the narrow country follows
the contours of the sea, what better way to arrive than by crossing
the Adriatic? The tour begins with sightseeing and a two-night stay
in Rome, followed by an overnight crossing on a passenger ferry from
Ancona, Italy to the ancient Roman center of Split, Croatia. From there,
travel down the beautiful coast to the UNESCO World Heritage site of
Dubrovnik. Return to Italy via another overnight ferry crossing to Bari,
Italy, and end this unique experience with two full days in Naples.
Combine this tour with our subsequent
excursion, “Postcards From the Edge,” along Italy’s
Amalfi Coast, and save $100 off the cost of each tour. Not only will
you get a discount for both tours, you will also save on the cost of
international airfare by booking a round-trip flight in and out of Rome.
Book early and save even more.
Be the first in your social circle to
visit Croatia, and tour the wonders of two of Italy’s greatest
cities—Rome and Naples. With balmy sea breezes, fascinating history,
varied culture and exquisite cuisine, this delectable new adventure
has it all!
ITINERARY
Friday, September 2, 2005
Departure
Today is a travel day. Depart the United States on overnight flights,
arriving in Rome, Italy, tomorrow morning.
Saturday, September 3, 2005
Arrival in Rome / Welcome Dinner
The tour commences today at our hotel in Rome. Since we are not providing
group air travel arrangements to Italy, everyone is responsible for
making his own way from the airport to the hotel. Transfer options will
be described in Final Documents mailed prior to departure. In the afternoon
enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Rome’s main highlights, including
the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Di Spagna. This evening Toto
Tours hosts a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. (Dinner
Included)
Sunday, September 4, 2005
Free Day in Rome
Today is completely free to explore on your own, or revisit in more
depth some of the sights we saw yesterday. This is a perfect opportunity
for a leisurely stroll through one of the city’s many museums
or a tour of Vatican City. Our outfitters will provide suggestions for
touring options today. (Breakfast)
Monday, September 5, 2005
On to Ancona / Crossing the Adriatic
After breakfast at our hotel, board a motorcoach for a drive across
the Italian countryside to the port city of Ancona, the largest on the
Adriatic Sea. Our ferry does not depart until evening, so upon arrival,
the afternoon is free for independent sightseeing. Exploration of the
city center should include pleasant sea breezes as you walk along broad
avenues, palm-shaded piazzas and view many historical monuments dating
back to the 15th Century. This evening board the ferry for our overnight
voyage to Croatia, departing around 9:00pm. (Breakfast)
Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Split
The ferry arrives in the harbor of Split, Croatia, around 7:00am this
morning. Once our group gathers on the dock, we load our luggage into
the motorcoach and proceed to a local restaurant for breakfast. Afterwards,
enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of this ancient Roman center. Hemmed
in by the sprawling mansions and the modern harbor, the crumbling old
town lies within the precincts of the enormous Diocletian’s Palace,
built as a retirement home by Dalmatian-born Roman Emperor Diocletian
in 305 AD. It is one of the most outstanding classical remains in Europe.
Following our city tour, the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore
on your own. (Breakfast)
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
Down the Dalmatian Coast
After breakfast at the hotel, we board our motorcoach for the drive
south along the Dalmatian Coast, a 50-mile stretch of unexploited and
unspoilt towns and little fishing villages nestled amongst dark green
cypresses and pines. Along the way, we will stop in the beach resort
town of Tucepi to enjoy lunch. Continue on to Dubrovnik and check-in
to our hotel upon arrival.
In the afternoon take a half-day sightseeing
tour of the major points of interest in Dubrovnik, with entrance to
the city’s Grand Cathedral, the National Treasury, as well as
the top of the old city walls. This evening is free for independent
exploration. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Thursday, September 8, 2005
Dubrovnik
Today enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of the glories of old Dubrovnik,
designated as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built between the 13th
and 16th centuries, the ancient city walls are roughly 8 stories high
with 16 towers and provide the best view of the old town area, known
as Stari Grad. This automobile-free zone has marble-paved squares, steep
cobbled streets, tall houses, convents, churches, palaces, fountains
and museums, all cut from the same light-colored stone. Our tour will
include visits to the Franciscan Monastery, the Old Pharmacy, and the
Rector’s Palace. The evening is free. (Breakfast)
Friday, September 9, 2005
Free Day / Ferry to Bari
After breakfast, enjoy another full day at leisure to explore Dubrovnik
and its environs. We will request late check-out, but it is likely we
will need to vacate most rooms by noon. Return to the hotel before our
group transfer to the port. Our overnight ferry across the Southern
Adriatic back to Italy departs at roughly 11:00 pm. (Breakfast)
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Train to Naples
Our overnight ferry arrives at the port of Bari, Italy, at approximately
8:00am this morning. From the dock we transfer to a local restaurant
for breakfast. After breakfast we transfer to Naples via motorcoach.
Enroute we stop at Ercolano to visit the archeological dig of ancient
Herculaneum. Upon arrival in Naples, enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour
of the major sights including the Archaelogical Museum featuring treasures
from Pompeii. The evening is free for independent exploration. (Breakfast)
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Pompeii / Farewell Dinner
After breakfast at our hotel, we head out of the city to tour the ruins
of Pompeii, buried during Mt. Vesuvius’ biggest eruption in 79
A.D. Vesuvius continued to erupt regularly every 100 years or so, until
it entered a 600-year period of quiescence in 1037. After another deadly
blast in the 1631, workers repairing the damage discovered the ruins
of Pompeii, but it would be almost 300 years before excavation of the
site would begin in earnest. Now it is an outdoor living museum documenting
a great tragedy. Ascend Mt. Vesuvius for an invigorating climb to the
summit to peer into the fuming crater and to enjoy impressive views
of Naples. This evening we celebrate the end of our tour with a festive
Farewell Dinner. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Monday, September 12, 2005
Departure
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. We will assist
with arranging airport transfers for those departing today (transfer
not included in tour cost). Those continuing on our Amalfi Coast tour
will enjoy a free day to explore Naples. (Breakfast)
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