Arrive in Dubrovnik, one of Europe’s best preserved walled cities. With dramatic ramparts surrounded by pristine, azure waters ? the entire historic core of Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival to the Dubrovnik International Airport, a local assistant will meet your group in the arrivals hall and accompany it to the hotel by private coach.

Your hotel rooms most likely will not be ready for check-in until 2:00 pm. Depending on your flight arrival time, energy level and time of the year ? this afternoon your group could check out the local scene at the Gunduliceva Poljana farmers market or stroll down the “Stradun,” the pedestrian street that runs east to west through Dubrovnik’s historic core. If the weather is nice, group members could also venture down to Banje Beach for a swim before tonight’s welcome dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 2:

After breakfast, meet your local guide in the lobby for a leisurely full-day tour of Dubrovnik, which is certain to enchant any visitor! Most of the city’s top attractions reside within its historic walls. Originally settled by the Romans ? Dubrovnik’s Golden Age came about during the Middle Ages because of its extremely strategic location as a maritime port. The Venetians, Hapsburgs and Ottomans all coveted Dubrovnik, the seat of the Republic of Ragusa as it was then known. Its medieval past has left a strong mark on the city that you will tour today.

On your guided walking tour through the Old Town, you will see the city’s very scenic harbor, the Onofrio’s Fountains, the 15th-century Ploce Gate, Luza Square, the Church of St. Blaise, Orlando’s Column, the Sponza Palace and the Franciscan Monastery. You will go inside Dubrovnik’s Baroque Cathedral (Church of the Assumption) and the Dominican Monastery & Museum. During the tour the guide will give the group free time for lunch and shopping. The tour will finish in the afternoon, and the remainder of the day is free to explore Dubrovnik.

Day 3:

After breakfast, meet your local guide in the lobby who will lead a fantastic sightseeing excursion today into the neighboring Republic of Montenegro, a nation that ? like Croatia ? boasts a rich heritage and immense natural beauty. This stretch of the Dalmatian Coast has a very Mediterranean climate and is known for its interesting geology.

Your first stop is the picture-perfect Bay of Kotor, a dramatic submerged river canyon (that resembles a fjord). This scenic spot is part of a largest historic area that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here, your group will proceed to the town of Cetinje, which was once the seat for the Montenegrin royals. While here, you will go inside the Orthodox Monastery of Saint Peter. Also on today’s itinerary is a visit to the gorgeous islet of Sveti Stefan, a popular resort in Montenegro. (There will be a stop for lunch on own during the day, perhaps in Budva). After an exciting day of exploring Montenegro, drive back north along the coast to Dubrovnik. The evening is at leisure.

After breakfast in the hotel, check out and board your bus to travel north to Split along a spectacular coast, passing fishing villages, olive groves and seaside resorts en route. Split is the second largest city in Croatia and a major port city on the Adriatic Sea, and its city center contains the ruins of a magnificent, 3rd-century Roman palace belonging to the Emperor Diocletian.

Upon arrival to the hotel in Split, the bedrooms will most likely not be ready until 2:00 pm. For this reason, group members can store their baggage with the hotel’s reception staff and grab a quick bite before meeting a local guide for an afternoon tour of Split’s historic city center. On your guided tour, your group will tour the impressive ruins of the emperor’s palace complex, a fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site. See the Temple of Jupiter, the Cathedral of St. Domnius, the lovely medieval square of Brace Radic Trg and the Riva promenade. The tour will finish at a local restaurant where the group will have an evening meal of Croatian seafood dishes and wines.

After breakfast in the hotel, check out and board your bus to travel a short distance to the town of Trogir, whose beauty will knock your socks off! Upon arrival, enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of historic Trogir. Trogir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its historical tapestry of Greeks, Romans and Venetians ? and because the town today still houses a fairytale blend of Romanesque-Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Visit inside the Cathedral of St. Lawrence. See the Clock Tower, the Loggia, the Land Gate, Kamerlengo Castle and St. Mark’s Tower. After the walking tour, group members will have free time for lunch before re-boarding the bus and proceeding north to Sibenik, the oldest town on the Adriatic that was founded by Croats.

Upon arrival to Sibenik, the group will check into the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure. Group members can relax, swim, and shop. Those wanting to continue sightseeing in Sibenik should visit the Cathedral of St. James, a 15th century Gothic-Renaissance church that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After breakfast in the hotel and check out, your group will depart by private bus for Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is world renowned for its 16 cascading, turquoise lakes that contrast beautifully with the surrounding verdancy. If you’re a nature lover, this guided excursion will most likely be the highlight of your entire trip. In addition to its prized lakes, Plitvice is also home to many animal species, meadows, caves and natural springs. A group lunch will be arranged at a restaurant near the park. After this once-in-a-lifetime visit, your group will re-board this bus and continue traveling north to the Opatija Riviera. Upon arrival to the hotel in Opatija, group members will check into the hotel and have the evening at leisure to explore Opatija.

After breakfast in the hotel group members should check out and board the bus to travel north. Today you’ll be crossing the border into Slovenia. Your first stop will be in Divaca to visit the Skocjan Caves. Prepare yourself to explore the greatness of the subterranean world! These are some of Europe’s best caves. In fact Skocjan is home to the largest underground canyon in the world. You’ll see incredible stalactites, stalagmites, limestone pools, subterranean gorges and underground waterfalls. After the visit, the group will proceed to Ljubljana, the fairytale-like capital city of Slovenia which boasts a real charm and a great cultural scene. It’s also a place where both Slavic and Latin influences can be seen. A group dinner is included tonight in the hotel’s restaurant.

Day 8:

After breakfast in the hotel, meet your local guide in the hotel to begin visiting fantastic Ljubljana with a walking tour. Visit the most significant sights of the old city center, most of whose architecture is Baroque, Secessionist or Neoclassical. See the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the Baroque Town Hall, Medieval Mestni trg and Robba’s Fountain as well as the picturesque Central open-air market and the Triple Bridge, the latter designed by famous architect Joze Plecnik. After the tour the group will have the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 9:

After breakfast in the hotel, meet your local guide and prepare yourself for a real treat. Today your group will be visiting Lake Bled (an hour northwest of Ljubljana), a natural setting that really is the stuff of fairy tales. Surrounded by mountains, its scenic castle sits atop a cliff and looks down at the lake’s turquoise waters, which house a small, island-bound church. After touring the 11th century castle, group members will have a couple hours to eat, relax or continue exploring this wondrous area. The group will return to Ljubljana in afternoon.

Day 10:

After breakfast and check-out, your group will transfer by private bus to Ljubljana International Airport for its return flight to the USA.

??????? Day trip to beautiful Montenegro

??????? Visit Split’s impressive ruins of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace ? a UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Site

??????? Explore the famed Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site

??????? Historic city of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

??????? Tour some of Europe’s most impressive caves

??????? Accommodations: Dubrovnik 3 nights, Split 1 night, Sibenik 1 night, Opatija 1 night, Ljubljana 3 nights

??????? Meals: Continental breakfast daily. Lunch and dinner as noted in itinerary

??????? Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach

??????? English speaking assistants and guides

??????? Admission tickets as outlined in itinerary