Dubrovnik - Split - Trieste – Venice
April 6 - 18 or September 21- October 3, 2007|
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Day 1- April 6 / September 21 USA Depart gateway city on overnight flights to Dubrovnik.
Day 2 - April 7 / September 22
Dubrovnik (L,D) Welcome to Croatia! Upon your arrival you will be met by your tour leader and taken by private coach to the center of Dubrovnik, one of the architectural wonders of the Adriatic. Dubrovnik is surrounded by thick ramparts offering a splendid panorama. Damaged in the civil war following the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, this UNESCO world heritage city is gradually coming back to life and revealing its wonders to the tourists. Check into your
hotel. After freshening up you will enjoy a welcome lunch
at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, take a city orientation tour of ‘Old Dubrovnik’. You will visit the Franciscan Monastery, with Europe’s third oldest pharmacy, see the old Harbor, the Cathedral, the Rector’s Palace, the city walls and many other historical sights. In the evening enjoy a welcome cocktail before sitting down to a Croatian dinner at a local restaurant . Day 3 - April 8 / September 23 Dubrovnik (B,L) This morning you will attend a lecture given by Nico Wegter on the situation in the western Balkans. After the lecture, other topics can be discussed such as politics and entry into the European Union. After lunch (included) you will enjoy a guided visit of the The Rector’s Palace which was the seat of the government and residence of the Prince (Rector) of the Dubrovnik Republic. The history of Dubrovnik as an independent city state situated on the east coast of the Adriatic lasted until January 31, 1808, when a decree issued by Napoleon's army dissolved the centuries old Dubrovnik Republic. After this visit you will have time at leisure or to visit another museum such as the Ethnographic Museum or the Modern History Museum. Dinner is on your own tonight. Day 4 - April 9 / September 24 Dubrovnik (B,L) In the morning you will travel to Kotor, in Serbia. In 2001, the Republics of Serbia and Montenegro merged into the Union of Serbia / Montenegro. Although it was agreed that within 5 years the parties could decide to strive for independence, in fact, after a referendum held in the spring of 2006, that union was cancelled and Montenegro became an independent state. The ancient city of Kortor, surrounded by ramparts, nestles at the back of the Kortor Gulf at the foot of the Lovcen Mountain. A local guide will show you the 12th Century cathedral and tell you about the famous Mouths of Kotor, a natural setting that form a series of bays separated by straits. It is in a mountainous setting with typically Mediterranean vegetation. The view from the Lovcen is remarkable. Prior to lunch you will enjoy a wine tasting of a variety of local wines. After lunch, learn about the exuberant maritime history of Boka (the Gulf of Kotor) and the Montenegrin coast. It can be best observed on the premises and among the collections of the famous Maritime Museum in Kotor. In addition to many historical records and objects, there are models of the ships which brave mariners from this area sailed throughout the world. The extent of the collection and its portrayal of the area's rich maritime tradition make this museum unique. Later you will return to Dubrovnik where dinner will be on your own. Day 5 - April 10 / September 25 Dubrovnik (B,D) This morning you will go to the Lokrum Ferry dock in the Old Town and catch a water taxi to Lokrum Island. The Island is uninhabited but there is plenty to see including a ruined fort and a former botanical garden. Your afternoon
time is at leisure. You can visit the Marin Drizic House,
or the Cultural Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. There will be a classical performance at one of the concert halls this evening. Day 6 - April 11 / September 26 Split (B,D) Today you will travel to Split (3 hrs) up along the Dalmatian Coast and enjoy enroute the breathtaking views of the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. The city of Split grew up around the palace built by the Emperor Diocletian from AD 295 to 305. During the 7th Century, the inhabitants of the Roman town of Salona took refuge in the palace. Today, this archeological site is a significant part of the world’s cultural heritage. Enjoy a lunch on your own at a local restaurant. After lunch a local guide will show you the main sights during a city tour. See Jupiter’s Temple and the Cathedral. Dinner is included at a local restaurant. Day 7 - April 12 / September 27 Split (B,L) After breakfast decorated portal and loggia, the first floor hall with its lavish four-light, two-light and one-light windows and the well preserved wooden ceiling are beautifully executed. The Renaissance building with a fine window decoration completes the ensemble of the courtyard. Inside, the permanent museum exhibition relates to the period from the 12th to the 14th Centuries when Split was an autonomous city commune. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. The afternoon will be free to visit one of the other museums or to be at leisure. Your tour leader will be happy to provide other suggestions. Dinner is on you own tonight. Day 8 - April 13 / September 28 Trieste (B,L,D) Today there will be an early departure for Trieste. Trieste, a lively modern city and the largest seaport on the Adriatic, is known as the pearl of the Adriatic. Lunch will be served on the way. There will be a stop at Plitvicka, Croatia’s most beautiful National Park. You will be in the heart of the spectacular lake region consisting of sixteen terraced lakes surrounded by forests and thick vegetation. Each lake is connected by a series of waterfalls and free flowing cascades. Upon arrival in Trieste, you will check into your hotel and, after freshening up, have dinner at a local restaurant (included). Following dinner a local historian will present a lecture on the ancient origin of Trieste, going back to the Celts and Illyrians who fought over the town before the arrival of the Romans. In 1382, Trieste rebelled against the Italians and placed itself under the protection of Austria.
Day 9 - April 14 / September 29
Trieste (B,L) After breakfast a local guide will show you the main sights. The hilltop,Colle di San Giusto, was the site of the ancient city. Today its Piazza della Cattedrale is lined with the ruins of a Roman basilica and a castle, the Basilica di San Giusto. Continuing to the lower town there is the beautiful central Piazza dell’Unita’ d’Italia, the largest seaside square in Europe. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, you will visit the Castello di Miramare. Standing on a headland facing the sea, this castle with its lovely terraced gardens was built in 1860 for Archduke Maximilian of Austria. He was shot in Mexico in 1867 and his wife, Princess Charlotte, later died insane. The rest of the day is at your leisure and dinner is on your own. Day 10 - Sunday April 15/ September 30 Venice (B,D) Today you will drive to the legendary city of Venice. She is a city of a multitude of moods and faces, lively and affectionate to the inhabitants that fill her streets with their chatter; or somber and sobering to those who choose to dwell on her turbulent history. Each visitor takes away a highly personal impression of the city's essence. A water taxi will be your transport to your hotel in the center of the city.
Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. Day 11- April 16 / October 1 Venice (B) In the morning, there will be an excursion by boat to Murano Island, also called Little Venice and Glass Island. Since 1296 it has been known for its glassmaking industry and during a visit to one of the factories you will see glassblowers at work. Next, you will continue on to the island of Burano and its quaint, brightly painted, fishing village, it is famous for its hand made lace. There will be time for strolling through the island and lunch is on your own. The remainder of the afternoon will be free for rest or an optional visit to the Academy of Fine Arts and its extensive panorama of the Venetian school of painting from the 14th to the 18th Centuries. Dinner is on your own tonight. Iif you are interested in seeing a performance at the famous Fenice Theater in Venice or attending a concert at a local church, your tour guide can help arrange for tickets. Day 12 - April 17 / October 2 Venice (B,D) After breakfast you will return to the Doges palace for a visit. The palace symbolizes the glory and power of Venice. It was the residence of the rulers, the seat of the government, the law  court and the prison. The facade is enhanced by an attractive geometric decor in white and pink marble. You will also see the Porta della Carta ( Door of the Papers) in its flamboyant Gothic style, the Giants’ Staircase, and the Doges’ apartments with the College Hall, decorated with paintings by Veronese and Tintoretto, where the Doge and his counselors met. The afternoon is free time for your last souvenir shopping. After a sumptuous farewell dinner at a local restaurant, you will enjoy a Gondola ride. Gondolas and Gondoliers, in their sailors’ sweaters and straw hats with colored ribbons, are virtually the symbol of Venice. Day 13 - April 18 / October 3 Departure for home (B) Transfer by water taxi to the airport for your return flight. Arrivederci
The price (land only) for both the April and September, 2007, tours is: $3310 per person double occupancy based on 15-19 participants OR $2985 per person double occupancy based on 20 - 24 participants. The supplement for single occupancy is $410.
The price includes: · Accommodations in a mix of superior tourist class and first class (in Croatia) hotels for 11 nights, · Daily breakfasts, · Six dinners (3 course) at local restaurants or hotels, · Six lunches at local restaurants (including one wine tasting), · A multilingual tour leader throughout, · A private motor coach for all transfers according to the itinerary, · Water taxis where required by the itinerary, · A gondola ride, · Guided tours in Dubrovnik, Kotor, Split, Trieste and Venice, · Entrance fees to: - The Franciscan Monastry, - The Rectors Palace, - The Maritime Museum, - The Split City museum, - Plitvicka National Park, - Castello di Miramare, - The Doges Palace.
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History
Museum or enjoy the beaches of Dubrovnik!
you will have a guided visit to the fascinating and well
preserved Diocletian Palace to see the Temple's interior,
the imperial residence and Diocletian's mausoleum.
You will also visit the City Museum which was founded in
1946. It is located in the northeastern part of
Diocletian's Palace, within the complex of Medieval buildings at
whose center is the Gothic palace of the Papalic family.
It was designed and built by the native master Juraj of Dalmatia
and his stone carvers and builders guild. The courtyard
with its richly
After
lunch on your own, you will be met by a local guide who will
take you on a walking tour starting with the Piazza San Marco
and its magnificent Basilica and Torre dell'
Orologio (clock tower). The basilica was built
from 1063 to 1073 as a repository for Saint Mark’s tomb.
The design is a unique blend of Byzantine and western
influences. The clock tower dates from the end of the 15th
Century. It has a fine dial with the signs of the zodiac.
The famous bronze Moors have been striking the hours for over
500 years. Adjoining the basilica is the Palazzo Ducale
(Doges Palace) and the Bridge of Sighs which connects the
palace to the prison where Casanova was once incarcerated. The
bridge owes its name to the sighs of the prisoners being led
away from their prison to be executed.
