Balkan Beauties
Picture Perfect Croatia
September 2 – 11, 2010
BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA
The countries of the “Balkans” are in southeastern Europe
and take this historic and geographic name from a mountain range that
runs through the middle of the region. Don’t look for many other
connections between them beyond that, however. Each is as different
from the next as night from day, with unique cultures, languages, and
traditions.
One of the Balkans—Croatia—has
a fragmented and violent history, as a one-time province of the former
Yugoslavian Republic. Both had long been
regarded as two of Europe’s finest attractions and best-kept secrets.
Prior to 1991, they were rapidly becoming some of the continent’s hottest
vacation spots, with 10 million tourists annually. Tourists came seeking a
touch of the medieval along with the sun, sand and surf of the Adriatic’s
Dalmatian Coast, as well as the refreshing mountain air of the Julian Alps.
Unfortunately, Croatia had to contend with the
violent break-up of its country and nearly a decade of civil war. (Slovenia
escaped relatively unscathed.)
All is calm in the region once more, and visitors are returning in increasing
numbers. Now is the time to see this remarkable place before it once again
becomes overrun
by tourist throngs.
With its sublime stretch of very long coast on
the Adriatic Sea, Croatia feels almost Mediterranean in its pace and warm climate.
One of Croatia’s most
fascinating places is the fortified city of Dubrovnik, built on an isthmus
and bordered on two sides by harbors. As its maritime trade grew, it became
the only eastern Adriatic city-state that rivaled Venice in terms of wealth
and skilled diplomacy during the Middle Ages. Inhabitants of Dubrovnik often
proudly quote the Irish playwright and man of letters, George Bernard Shaw,
who visited the city in 1929, wrote: “If you want to see heaven on earth,
come to Dubrovnik.”
A drive along the Adriatic coast takes us to
the ancient Roman center of Split and the cultural center of Trogir. Turning
inland, we visit some National Parks world-famous for their beauty. The tour
ends in Zagreb, Croatia’s
other great center, and its capital since 1557. Central European in spirit
and appearance,
the
city
still
bears
the influence
of centuries
spent
under rule by the great houses of Vienna and Budapest.
An optional pre-tour extension gives you the
chance to visit another Balkan country – the tiny republic of Montenegro,
one of Europe’s
newest independent republics and best-kept secrets. Our tour focuses on Kotor,
located on a beautiful bay. It is an impressive medieval city deemed a UNESCO
World Heritage
Site for its ancient Roman structures, churches dating
to the 12th century and other grand architectural gems.
An optional post-tour extension visits Croatia’s neighbor to the north,
Slovenia. Mostly landlocked, the country’s allure is in its picturesque
alpine scenery, typified by the iconic image of a church floating on a little
island in the middle of Lake Bled. The charming capital of Ljubljana is straight
out of a medieval fairy tale, with its winding cobblestone streets, ancient
churches, and quaint ambience.
With balmy sea breezes, fascinating history,
varied culture and exquisite cuisine, this delectable new adventure has it
all! Come with Toto Tours to see the beautiful
Balkan countries of Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia.
Click on the link above to read the detailed itinerary for this optional
tour extension.
MAIN CROATIA TOUR ITINERARY
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Departure from the U.S.
If you are not participating in our pre-tour extension to Montenegro,
today is your travel day for departing your home city. Depart the United
States on an overnight flight, arriving
in Dubrovnik,
Croatia,
sometime tomorrow.
Use the airport code DBV when searching online for flights. If you
would like to arrive in Dubrovnik
a day or two early, we can extend your reservation at our group
hotel.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Arrival in Dubrovnik / Welcome Dinner
After arriving at the Dubrovnik airport, collect your luggage and
take a taxi to our hotel. Once you check in to your room, you
have the afternoon to recover from jet lag or do a little exploring
on your own. Our group
meets for the first time tonight in our hotel lobby. From there we
venture out to a local restaurant for our Welcome Dinner. (Dinner
Included)
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Dubrovnik Sightseeing / Free Afternoon
Today enjoy a 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 which
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 includes visits to the top of
the city walls, the Rector’s
Palace, the Cathedral, and the Franciscan Monastery with its old pharmacy.
The afternoon and evening are free for
independent activities, and we highly recommend a visit to the gay Lokrum beach. (Breakfast)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Split / Diocletian’s Palace
After breakfast we check out of the hotel and board our motorcoach
for the drive north along the Dalmatian Coast, a beautiful stretch
of unexploited and unspoiled towns and little fishing villages nestled
amongst dark green cypresses and pines. Split is about 125 miles north,
and we take our time exploring and making photo stops along the
way.
Split is an 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
Enjoy lunch upon arrival in Split, followed by
an afternoon sightseeing tour of the town’s most important attractions,
including the Diocletian’s Palace, Cathedral St. Duje (including St.
Lucy’s
Crypt), and the Temple of Jupiter. The evening is
free. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Monday, September 6, 2010
Free Day in Split
Today is completely free to delve further into the town’s long,
colorful history, or perhaps take an optional excursion to one of the
beautiful
outlying islands for a restful day of beach-going. Highly recommended
is a ferry trip to Hvar Town, which your tour leader will organize
for those who are interested. Enjoy a second night in Split. (Breakfast)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Trogir / Krka / Plitvice
After breakfast, we continue north about 20 miles along the coast
to the picturesque town of Trogir. Artists and scholars have made Trogir
into a cultural center, and we take time to enjoy a walking tour through
the historic center of town, with entrance to the Cathedral of St.
Laurence and the Kamerlengo Fortress.
After free time for lunch (on your
own), we travel another 40 miles (about an hour) to Krka
National Park, where the Krka River drops from the Dinaric Mountains
into the seas over a series of waterfalls into placid pools. Enjoy
a walking tour including a boat ride from the first waterfalls to a
Franciscan monastery on an island just above the second falls.
We continue
the last leg of today’s journey, traveling another 105 miles
northeast toward Plitvice Lakes National Park. Arriving in the early
evening, we check in to our hotel and enjoy dinner together. (Breakfast
/ Dinner)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Plitvice Lakes National Park
After a hot buffet breakfast, enjoy a full day guided sightseeing
tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park, named by UNESCO
as a
World
Heritage Site. The huge tract of wooded hills includes 16 turquoise
lakes connected by a series of waterfalls and cascades. Our tour
takes us along part of an 11-mile course of wooden bridges that follows
the
lakes and streams over, under and across the rumbling waters. The
late afternoon and evening are free. (Breakfast)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Zagreb
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel and board our motorcoach
bound for Croatia’s capital city, Zagreb. The 90-mile journey
takes about 2½ hours. Upon arrival we check in to our hotel
and have free time for lunch (on your own). Gather together
again this afternoon for a three-hour walking tour of the city center,
including Lotrscak Tower, Parliament and Government Palace, St. Stephen’s
Cathedral and Marshal Tito’s Square. The evening is free to check
out Zagreb’s abundant gay nightlife. (Breakfast)
Friday, September 10, 2010
Zagreb / Farewell Dinner
You are completely free today to relax and explore the environs of
our centrally located hotel in Zagreb, do some last-minute souvenir
shopping, or do some independent sightseeing. Our group gathers one
last time this evening to celebrate the conclusion of our tour with
a Farewell Dinner. You have another opportunity to enjoy Zagreb’s
gay scene tonight. (Breakfast / Dinner)
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Departure or Optional Extension to Slovenia
The tour officially ends after breakfast this morning. Since we are
not flying as a group, airport transfers have not been included in
the tour cost. It is a simple matter to take a taxi from our hotel.
Those extending their tour to Slovenia continue on this morning. Let
us know
if you
would prefer to end your
tour in Zagreb, but would like to remain for one or two more nights.
We will be happy to extend your reservation at our group hotel. (Breakfast)
Click on the link above to read the detailed itinerary for this optional
tour extension.
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