UNESCO Heritage Tour
Programme Overview
Duration: 13 days
A special interest itinerary in Croatia, exploring the country's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Highlights: Zagreb, Croatian Castle Country, Plitvice, Split, Krka, Sibenik, Trogir, Split, Hvar, Pakleni Islands, Mostar, Ston, Dubrovnik, Montenegro
Arrive Zagreb
Upon arrival at Zagreb Airport you will be welcomed to Croatia in the arrivals hall by your local Tour Leader, and transferred to the Regent Esplanade Hotel where you will be assisted with check-in procedures.
This evening, meet your fellow travellers for a cocktail reception followed by a welcome dinner in the hotel.
Overnight: Regent Esplanade Hotel
Meal Plan: D
Zagreb and Croatian Castle Country
This morning take a half day tour of the Croatian capital with an expert local guide. On the tour you will see the Croatian National Theatre, the Mimara Museum and the Museum of Arts and Crafts. You will also visit the Upper Town where sites include St. Mark's Church, the City Hall, the Parliament, St. Stephen's Cathedral, and Josip Jelacic Square. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant following your tour.
This afternoon leave the city and drive into the region known as the 'Croatian Highlands'. On this tour, see green hills dotted with churches, romantic castles, thermal springs and beautiful vineyard landscapes. The first stop is Veliki Tabor Castle, an impressive structure dating from the 12th century. Continue to Trakoscan Castle which still retains original furnishings and an important ethnographic collection; there are breathtaking views of the tranquil lake nearby.
Overnight: Regent Esplanade Hotel
Meal Plan: B,L
Zagreb - Plitvice - Split
Leave Zagreb this morning to drive across the country as you head towards the Dalmatian coast. En route stop at Plitvice Lakes, one of the country's principal national parks. This limestone karst scenery has produced the most remarkable natural landscape where a myriad of waterfalls cascade over rocks into innumerable pools. Due to their uniqueness, the Plitvice Lakes have been invited into the UNESCO Register of World Natural Heritage. The tour of the lakes includes an excursion by boat and electric train. Lunch will be taken in the park.
Continue onto to the coastal city of Split, where the Roman Emperor Diocletian built an immense palace. Your hotel, Le Meridien Lav is located in Podstrana, 5 miles south of Split.
Overnight: Hotel Le Meridian Lav
Meal Plan: B,L
Split
This morning's tour will take you to the heart of Split, beginning with the Palace of the Emperor Diocletian, an UNESCO Heritage Site. This palace was built in 295 BC and includes Peristil Square where the Emperor made his speeches as well as the mausoleum of the Roman Emperor which has been transformed into a Catholic church. After visiting the palace, there will be time to explore the many charming piazzas, ideal spots for people watching, and the Riva, a coastal promenade with palm trees where you can relax in the sun and enjoy a beautiful view of the port and nearby islands.
Overnight: Hotel Le Meridian Lav
Meal Plan: B
Split - Krka - Sibenik - Trogir - Split
Croatia is noted for its natural beauty and there will be an opportunity today to explore one example as you visit the Krka Waterfalls National Park. Your visit will include a boat ride to the isle of Visovac where you can visit the Franciscan Monastery. After lunch at Etnoland Dalmati continue to Sibenik, where you will visit to the 15th century Cathedral of St. Jacob, an UNESCO Heritage Site, a masterpiece of Gothic-Renaissance style set in the most beautiful town by the sea. Also visit Trogir, also an UNESCO Heritage Site, with its Cathedral where you can see Portal of Dalmatian masonry.
Overnight: Hotel Le Meridian Lav
Meal Plan: B,L
Split - Hvar
Today you will board a ferry service for a cruise along the stunning Dalmatian coastline. Your guide will point out the highlights along the route to the island of Hvar. Upon arrival in Hvar you will visit Stari Grad. Stari Grad is the oldest town on the island dating back to the 4th century BC when it was inhabited by Greeks who named it Pharos. At this time, it was protected by a 9km wall that surrounded the town from invaders. Its rich history is visible today in the many historic monuments, such as the large mosaic in Srednja ulica, part-covered by pavement, which dates back to the Roman and Early Christian period. After visiting Stari Grad, proceed to one of the local historic wineries to sample wines from the Mali Plavac grape, originating from the southern hills of Hvar.
Overnight: Hotel Adriana
Meal Plan: B
Hvar
This morning meet your expert local guide who will escort you on a private sightseeing tour of Hvar Town. You will visit the old theatre built in 1612, the Arsenal, and the old patrician palaces from the 15th Century. Hvar Town is best known for its medieval buildings which are the legacy of Venetian rule. The town is the site of the oldest municipal theatre in Europe which opened in 1612. Perched high on a hill overlooking the town, the gleaming white limestone walls of the medieval Spanjol Fortress afford breathtaking views for those that climb to their summit.
Enjoy this afternoon at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel Adriana
Meal Plan: B
Hvar - Pakleni Islands - Hvar
Today meet your local guide in the lobby of the hotel. Spend a perfect day on the Hvar Riviera which comprises a cluster of offshore islets that are among the best the Adriatic has to offer. Taking its name from 'Paklina', a resin once used to coat ships, the Pakleni Islands offer small, secluded beaches, deserted coves and sun-drenched hills.
Legend has it that the Pakleni Islands came into existence as a result of a secret love between the sea god Poseidon and a nymph. Spend a day away from the popular beaches of the mainland and enjoy the sunshine in the serenity of hidden coves, swimming in clear-blue sea and relaxing in the untouched nature of the Pakleni Islands. The sights, sounds, and scents of this spectacular trip will be truly memorable. Your boat cruise will include lunch in Palmizana and refreshments on board.
Overnight: Hotel Adriana
Meal Plan: B,L
Hvar - Mostar - Ston - Dubrovnik
You will transfer from Hvar to Dubrovnik by private vehicle, stopping en route for a sightseeing tour of Mostar. Mostar is a picturesque town famed for its ‘Stari Most’ (old bridge) which spans the turquoise waters of the Neretva River which flows some 21 metres below. The single arch bridge was originally designed and completed in 1566 by Hajrudin, a student of the great Ottoman architect Sinan. The bridge is a UNESCO World Heritage site and as you cross the bridge from the west bank you will also be crossing the ancient point where East and West symbolically met.
After a traditional lunch at a restaurant named ‘Kuluk’ overlooking the Stari Most, you will be taken for a sightseeing tour to include the Old Bazaar “Kujundziluk”, named after the goldsmiths who crafted their wares on this street. Here you will find many artisans selling their traditionally hand crafted goods including beautiful carpets, paintings, copper and brassware and jewellery. Your guide will take you to visit the oldest mosque in Mostar, the Cejvan Cehaj Mosque which was built in 1552, and the Koski Mehmed pasa Mosque built in 1617 where it is possible to climb the spiral stairs of the minaret for a spectacular view of the town.
Later today travel along the coast to Dubrovnik, stopping en route in the small fishing town of Ston. There will be a short boat ride around the bay of Mali Ston where oysters have been cultivated for centuries. During the boat ride, taste oysters and locally produced wine followed by an early evening dinner with regional wines at a typical Dalmatian restaurant owned by a local family. From here, continue to Dubrovnik and check in to your hotel.
The luggage will be transferred to the hotel by separate luggage transfer and the luggage will already be waiting in the rooms upon arrival to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Excelsior
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Dubrovnik
This morning meet your professional guide and driver for a half day sightseeing tour. The 7th century walled city of Dubrovnik is an UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with medieval charm. Take a walk through the centuries-old stone-paved city promenade called Stradun, and visit the 14th century Franciscan Monastery whose cloister ranks among the most inspiring sights of the city. Continue to the Dominican Monastery, one of Dubrovnik's most important architectural complexes. The Dominicans established their monastery in 1225 and the church is one of the largest Gothic buildings on the east Adriatic coast. You will also visit Rector's Palace, which was the residence of the Dubrovnik's Republic Rector. The Palace was built in a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles. In the Palace you will be welcomed by the Rector himself, who will invite you for refreshments and tell stories about Dubrovnik's past. Close to the Rector's Palace you will see Dubrovnik Cathedral, which was first built from the 12th to 14th centuries in Romanesque style. The Cathedral's rich treasury contains a line of paintings by top masters.
This afternoon is at leisure for your own exploration.
Overnight: Hotel Excelsior
Meal Plan: B,L
Dubrovnik - Montenegro - Dubrovnik
Today you will be met and escorted by your guide for a full day private sightseeing tour to the Independent State of Montenegro. You will travel through the region of Herceg Novi and along the coast of Europe's most southerly fjord, the Gulf of Kotor (Bokarska Kotor) to the historic city of Kotor, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Kotor is surrounded by impressive medieval bulwarks which extend above the town to the fortress of Sveti Ivan. Between 1420 and 1797 Kotor was under the rule of the Republic of Venice and the Venetian influence on the architecture is strong. Your visit to the town will include the Watch Tower (Sat Kula), the 12th Century Cathedral of St Triphon, the Church of St Luc and the 17th Century Prince's Palace.
After time at leisure you will drive over the Lovčen Mountain (known as the Black Mountain, this gives Montenegro its name 'Crna Gora') to Cetinje which is the former capital of Montenegro and home of Njegoš, Montenegro's greatest poet and king whose mausoleum rests above the city on the summit of Mount Lovčen. On your way to Cetinje you will stop in the village of Njegusi for a traditional lunch in one of the local restaurants. You will visit the National Museum of Montenegro, located in King Nikola I's former residence, and the Monastery whose fence was made out of the barrels of captured enemy rifles in 1450.
You will also visit Budva which is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Sea dating back to the 5th Century BC. During the Middle Ages when Budva was under Venetian rule, the town was fortified by powerful Venetian walls to protect against the Ottoman conquests. Today the walls encompass a lively town with many small shops, restaurants and cafes.
Overnight: Hotel Excelsior
Meal Plan: B,L
Dubrovnik
This evening join the whole group for a farewell dinner which will be catered in one of the historical venues of the old town of Dubrovnik, accompanied by a performance of a typical Dalmatian band.
Overnight: Hotel Excelsior
Meal Plan: B,D