Croatia, Ljubljana & Venice

Italy & Croatia
As soon as you arrive, you'll see why Dubrovnik is known as the "pearl of the Adriatic." Stroll the winding stone walls of this ancient city, taking in picturesque vistas of terracotta roof tops and sparkling blue waters. Travel north along the Dalmatian coastline, where you'll see stunning examples of Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, as well as a massive stone organ that's "played" by the lapping waves of the Adriatic Sea. Then head inland to the lakes and waterfalls of Plitvice National Park, a place so incredible it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue north to experience Ljubljana, the cultural centre and capital city of Slovenia, before ending your tour in Venice or continuing on to Rome.
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Day 1 Overnight flight to Croatia (Dubrovnik)
Day 2 Zdravo Dubrovnik
Meet your tour director and check into hotel
Day 3 Dubrovnik
Details: Dubrovnik guided sightseeing tour
Surrounded by Medieval walls, entering the city of Dubrovnik is like stepping back in time. Once inside, you’ll first visit the historic Dominican monastery, followed by a stop at the picturesque Franciscan monastery—home to the third oldest European pharmacy, open continuously since 1317. Next on the agenda is Onofrio’s Fountain, a 16 sided drinking fountain built in 1438, and still in operation today. Finally, the ornate beauty of Rector’s Palace provides a perfect exclamation point to the rich culture of this ancient city.
Details: Medieval city walls
See the medieval city walls of Dubrovnik, a stunning fortification that encircles the old town. Built between the 12th and 17th centuries, these walls are remarkably well-preserved and offer breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea. They are a testament to Dubrovnik's rich history and architectural prowess.
Details: Dominican Monastery
The Dominican Monastery in Dubrovnik, dating back to the early 14th century, is a historic landmark featuring a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Constructed alongside the city walls, it was designed to fortify the northeastern section of the town.
Details: Dominican Monastery
The Dominican Monastery in Dubrovnik, dating back to the early 14th century, is a historic landmark featuring a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Constructed alongside the city walls, it was designed to fortify the northeastern section of the town.
Details: Franciscan Monastery visit
Visit the Franciscan Monastery in Dubrovnik, a historic complex that includes a church, cloister, library, and one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe. Dating back to the 14th century, it showcases beautiful Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
Day 4 Dubrovnik--Split
Travel to Split
Split guided sightseeing tour
Diocletian's Palace visitPeristil SquareSt. Duje's Cathedral
Details: Split guided sightseeing tour
Located on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, the ancient city of Split represents the historical and cultural magnificence of Croatia’s storied past. Perhaps the most splendid and well-known attraction to be seen in this enchanting city is Diocletian’s Palace. Finished in 305 AD, the Palace today represents the world’s most complete remains of a Roman Palace. Further heightening your experience is a visit to Peristil Square, coupled with a stop at the impossibly beautiful Cathedral of St. Duje. As a true testament to the importance of the historic center of Split, the entire area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
Day 5 Split--Plitvice
Travel to Plitvice via Zadar
Details: Zadar city walk
Let Zadar’s story unfold as you walk its marble streets, where Roman ruins, medieval churches, and Venetian facades reflect centuries of shifting empires. Let the Sea Organ be your soundtrack, an architectural instrument carved into the coastline, playing an eternal, wave-powered hymn to the Adriatic.
Details: Sea Organ
The Zadar Sea Organ is exactly what its name implies: a real musical instrument built into Zadar’s harbor and played by the lapping waves of the Adriatic Sea. With roughly 35 organ pipes built into the concrete, the Sea Organ can be heard by passersby and offers the listener a truly unique aural experience each and every time.
Details: Sun Salutation
The Sun Salutation, a series of solar cells that absorb the sun's energy during the day, convert the sun's energy into electricity to illuminate the waterfront with colorful lights at night.
Day 6 Plitvice--Ljubljana
Travel to Ljubljana
Details: Plitvice National Park visit
One of Croatia’s biggest attractions, Plitvice Park is known for its grand collection of waterfalls, lakes and forests. You’ll be entranced by the continually changing colors of the park’s sixteen lakes, and you’ll feel at peace as you soak in the natural beauty of the region. The park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, a tribute to its unique and stunning beauty.
Day 7 Ljubljana
Ljubljana guided sightseeing tour
Old townTriple BridgeDragon BridgeLjubljana Castle visitRepublic Square
Details: Ljubljana guided sightseeing tour
The first thing you need to know about Ljubljana is how to pronounce it: Lee-yoob-lee-yana. Okay, now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s talk about everything else this Slovenian capital city has to offer. True to its historical significance, the Old Town center of Ljubljana remains intact despite two major earthquakes over the past 500 years. The rebuilding process did however create a unique blend of architectural works, as evidenced by the varied styles of the St. Nicholas Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, The Triple Bridge and The Dragon Bridge—the latter of which is nicknamed “mother-in-law” due to the fearsome dragons on its four corners.
Day 8 Ljubljana--Venice
Details: Travel to Venice via Trieste
One of the lesser known, yet equally enchanting cities of Italy is the charming seaside village of Trieste. Featuring spectacular views, stunning architecture, a warm and welcoming culture and a storied history, a visit to Trieste is filled with pleasant surprises. From the many museums, castles and cathedrals to the pubs, trattorias and plazas, Trieste offers something for everyone.
Day 9 Venice
Venice guided sightseeing tour
St. Mark’s SquareSt. Mark's BasilicaDoge's Palace visitGlass-blowing demonstration
Details: Venice guided sightseeing tour
Bubbling up on more than 100 islands in a lagoon off the Adriatic, Venice is an absolutely unique and unquestionably beautiful city. Step into Piazza San Marco, an airy expanse of arches, sunlight, and pigeons. The multi-domed Basilica on one end, completed in 1094 but decorated for centuries afterward, is the final resting place of the apostle St. Mark, Venice’s patron saint. The mosaics beneath the basilica’s outside arches depict the arrival of St. Mark’s body, stolen from Egypt in 828 by Venetian traders. The frothy Venetian Gothic Doge’s Palace stands next door. Continue on to a glass-blowing demonstration. Venetian glass has long been considered the best in the world, and its production was such a state secret that during the Middle Ages, any Venetian glassblower who attempted to ply his trade outside the city was immediately arrested.
Details: St. Mark’s Square
Stroll through St. Mark's Square. Bordered by Venice's greatest historic buildings, St. Mark's Square is the center of both the city and its water transportation system, as well as a popular tourist attraction.
Details: Doge's Palace visit
Enjoy a visit to the Doge's’ Palace, residence of the rulers of the Serenissima Republic. We will explore the ornate and grandiose rooms of the palace, including a walk across thefamous Bridge of Sighs to the cells, where Casanova was once imprisoned, as well as the Grand Council chamber, featuring Tintoretto's Paradise, said to be the world's largest oil painting.
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Day 10 Flight home from Venice

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    Day 10 Start extension to Rome
    Travel to Rome by train
    Rome city walk
    Spanish StepsTrevi FountainPantheonPiazza Navona
    Details: Rome city walk
    Take a walk past Rome's most beautiful and unusual Baroque fountains. At the foot of the Spanish Steps, elegant cafes surround the central fountain. The water pressure here was so low that the artist had to sink the fountain into the ground to get any water going through it, so he went ahead and designed the fountain to look like a sinking ship. There's no shortage of water pressure at the nearby Trevi Fountain, a Baroque extravagance designed by master sculptor Bernini.
    Details: Trevi Fountain
    View the Trevi Fountain, where it is traditional to toss a coin into the fountain to ensure a safe return to the Eternal City.
    Details: Piazza Navona
    We will spend some time in the Piazza Navona area. Built on the foundations of Domitian's Circus, this magnificent square was designed by Borromini in 17th century. It is full of life and is highlighted by one of Rome's most spectacular fountains, the Four Rivers designed by Bernini. The square is often filled with local artists. The surrounding neighborhood is also one of the best places in Rome to get a tasty tartufo or gelato ice cream
    Day 11 Rome
    Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets
    Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel visitSt. Peter’s Basilica visitColosseum visitPiazza VeneziaForum Romanum visit
    Details: Rome guided walking sightseeing tour with Whisper headsets
    Gods and gladiators, glory and gore. Ancient Rome lives on in its spectacular monuments, flavoring the frenetic present with tastes of the past. Don a space-age Whisper headset to get the inside scoop on the most spectacular, the Colosseum, a grisly battle arena that seated more than 45,000. An enormous retractable roof awning system kept spectators cool on sunny days. The nearby Forum provides a glimpse into everyday ancient life, with markets, meeting places, and temples all combined into one vast space. Move into Christian Rome at St. Peter’s Basilica, the triumphal Renaissance church flanked by rows of columns radiating outward like welcoming arms. Within the church Michelangelo’s masterpieces are on display, the “Pietà” in the main church and the recently restored ceiling frescoes and “Last Judgment” in the Sistine Chapel. Continue your trek through time at Piazza Venezia, site of the enormous monument to Victor Emmanuel II, Italy’s first king, and of the Palazzo Venezia, where Mussolini set up his headquarters and from whose porch his mother was said to eavesdrop on citizens below. (The Sistine Chapel is closed on most religious holidays and Sundays, except for the last Sunday in each month).
    Details: Forum Romanum visit
    Tour the ruins and excavations of the Roman Forum, which features the remains of magnificent temples, basilicas, and triumphal arches that once formed the heart of the Empire.
    Day 12 Flight home from Rome
    Croatia, Ljubljana & Venice
    Tour Includes:
    • Round-trip airfare
    • 8 overnight stays (10 with extension) in hotels with private bathrooms
    • Full European breakfast daily
    • Dinner daily
    • Full-time services of a professional tour director
    • Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
    • Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
    • Guided sightseeing tours with high-tech headset as per itinerary
    • Tour Diary™
    • Local Guide and Local Bus Driver tips; see note regarding other important tips
    • Note: On arrival day only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided
    • Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees, or fees for any required passport or visa. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.

    We are better able to assist you with a quote for your selected departure date and city over the phone. Please call 1.888.378.8845 to price this tour with your requested options.

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    4906.00 total fee
    Basic Options


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