Albania, Montenegro, Croatia & Slovenia
12 Days Tour
Tirana, Kolasin, Dubrovnik, Split, Plitvice Lakes, Bled
From $1499 (Land only) or $2619 (Air & Land)
Highlights
• View the National History Museum, adorned with a gigantic mosaic mural known as “The Albanians”, Tirana
• Visit Moraca Monastery, the largest medieval Orthodox monument in Montenegro, Kolasin
• Tour Durmitor National Park, formed by glaciers and traversed by rivers and underground streams, Montenegro
• View Cetinje, at the foot of Mt Lovcen with its colorful architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries
• Visit King Nikola Museum, a former palace, Cetinje
• View the spectacular fjord like Bay of Kotor
• Rector's Palace, an outstanding blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture & Franciscan Monastery, Dubrovnik
• Walk the cobbled streets to the 4th century Palace of Diocletian, Split
• Tour magnificent Plitvice Lakes National Park, a network of 16 terraced basins, Plitvice
• Postojna Caves, a network of passages, galleries and chambers, Postojna
• Bled Castle, the oldest in Slovenia, perched on a steep cliff high above the lake, Bled
Itinerary
DAY 1 - Depart for Albania
Depart for Albania
DAY 2 - Arrive in Tirana
Arrive in Tirana, capital of Albania and center of the political, economic and cultural life of the country. Meeting and transfer to your hotel. Tonight, dinner with your Tour Manager and fellow travelers celebrates your arrival in Albania
Overnight: Tirana
Meals: Dinner
DAY 3 - Tirana City Tour
Today, discover the city of Tirana. Morning sightseeing begins at Skanderbeg Square, bustling heart of the city, named for Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero; his equestrian statue dominates the center of the plaza. On to the Et'hem Bey Mosque closed under communist rule but reopened in 1991, serving as a symbol of the rebirth of religious freedom in Albania. Continue to the soviet built Palace of Culture with its first stone symbolically placed by Nikita Khrushchev. End the tour at the National History Museum, adorned with the stirring gigantic mosaic mural known as “The Albanians”. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city on your own or, join the optional tour to Kruje. The visit will take you back in time and give you a wonderful cultural experience. Walk through the old bazaar, visit the Ethnographic museum and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
Optional: Kruje Tour & Dinner
Overnight: Tirana
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4 - Shkodra on the Way to Kolasin
Depart Tirana to Shkodra, an important cultural center and one of Albania's oldest cities, on the east side of Shkodra Lake. Drive by the ruins of mythical Rozafa Castle, one of the largest and most famous castles in Albania, with its fascinating history dating back to the early Bronze Age. Then, cross the border into Montenegro, the jewel of the Mediterranean, nestled on the beautiful Adriatic coast with its lovely beaches and crystal-clear lakes. Enjoy a visit to the impressive Moraca Monastery with its huge stone walls, the largest medieval Orthodox monument in Montenegro, built in 1252. Arrive in the spa town of Kolasin, situated in the thick pine forest of the Bjelasica Mountains; an ideal location with expansive vistas of the surrounding Bjelasica, Sinjajevina, and Komovi peaks. Tonight, enjoy dinner together at the hotel
Overnight: Kolasin
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5 - Durmitor National Park
After breakfast, depart the hotel to breathtaking Durmitor National Park, formed by glaciers and traversed by rivers and underground streams, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the Tara river canyon, which has the deepest gorges in Europe, the dense pine forests are interspersed with clear lakes and harbour a wide range of endemic flora. Stop at Biogradsko, considered the most picturesque lake in the Balkan Peninsula with its serene and natural beauty. Return to the hotel, with time to enjoy some of the resort's delightful amenities. Dinner is at the hotel
Overnight: Kolasin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 - Podgorica & Cetinje on the Way to Dubrovnik
Travel to Podgorica, cultural center of Montenegro, built amongst five rivers. As most of the city was destroyed during WW II, Podgorica is now completely rebuilt with modern buildings and many open green spaces. Continue to Cetinje at the foot of Mount Lovcen, a treasure of Montenegrin cultural and historical heritage, with its colorful architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit the Cetinje Museum, a historical complex with four sections: history, art, ethnographic and archaeological. Then, drive along a steep road down to the fjord-like Bay of Kotor - the view is unforgettable. Along the way, see the spectacular scenery of the Dalmatian coast and jewel-like town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive in the spectacular walled city of Dubrovnik; see the astonishing views of the city known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic". Enjoy your evening at leisure
Overnight: Dubrovnik
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7 - Walking Tour of Dubrovnik
Enjoy the many delights of Dubrovnik today. The splendid medieval ramparts are considered to be one of the most grandiose fortification monuments in Europe, and its magnificent Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to its wealth of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque churches, monasteries, and palaces. The walking tour of Old Dubrovnik highlights the city's treasures within the 800-year-old walls including the Rector's Palace, an outstanding blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. See the monumental Sponza Palace, one of the most beautiful palaces in the city, preserved in its original form. Under the City Bell Tower on Luza Square stands Orlando’s Column, dedicated to the knight that saved the city in the 9th century. Then on to view the Dominican Monastery and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is yours. Spend the time strolling along the impressive ramparts overlooking the shimmering Adriatic Sea, or visit the Maritime Museum in St. John's Castle. Be sure to watch the beautiful sunset tonight and walk along the cobbled streets, with its buildings glowing and the fortifications accented against the night sky. Don't miss the optional cruise and dinner tour of ST. Jakov (St. James) beach in Dubrovnik one of the most beautiful beaches. A motor boat ride will take you around the Old City walls to St. Jakov Beach, where you will enjoy a three-course dinner and Dalmatian wine. Afterward, return to the Old City Port
Optional: Cruise & Dinner
Overnight: Dubrovnik
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8 - Split Walking Tour
Depart Dubrovnik and travel north along the dramatic Adriatic coast, past charming old fishing villages and brand-new resorts, to the UNESCO, protected the seaside town of Split, the second largest city in Croatia. Upon arrival, begin a walking tour along the cobbled streets of the Old Town featuring the historic inner city with its dominating Roman influence, built around the 4th century Palace of Diocletian. This spectacular palace is the largest and best-preserved building of the Roman era on the Adriatic coast. Built for Emperor Diocletian, it represents a precious example of Roman architecture. See the remains of the Roman Peristyle, the unusual Cathedral of St. Domnius built in the Middle Ages, and the Temple of Jupiter, with its headless black sphinx guarding the entrance. Spend the remainder of the day discovering the town independently, or taking a leisurely stroll along the scenic waterfront promenade. Evening is at leisure
Overnight: Split
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9 - Trogir Visit and Drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park
Morning drive to historic Trogir, founded by the Greeks in 400 BC. Here, admire the three-naved 13th century Venetian Cathedral of St. Lovro, one of the finest architectural works in Croatia and the stunning Cipiko Palace. Continue to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a magnificent wonderland of 16 interconnecting lakes, flanked by thundering waterfalls and a huge primeval forest. This area, known as a geological phenomenon, is celebrated as one of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. After enjoying the beauty of the park, travel to the town of Plitvice for dinner and overnight
Overnight: Plitvice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10 - Opatija & Postojna Caves on the Way to Bled
Today, you return to the coast and travel along the striking Bay of Kvarner to the remarkable seaside resort of Opatija, a gem of Croatia's Adriatic coast, with its rich history, picturesque surroundings, and gorgeous beaches. Time to enjoy the pleasures of this area before journeying north to the Postojna Caves in Slovenia, a network of passages, galleries, and chambers. This is the largest and the most visited show cave in Europe. Travel aboard the specially designed cave train with electric lighting that allows you to observe the splendor of the underground world, where the geological past is recorded in a unique manner. You'll be dazzled by the stalactites and stalagmites in a variety of shapes and colors. Afterward, on to the lovely city of Bled, exquisitely set amidst the Julian Alps. The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Tonight, join your fellow travelers for an optional dinner at a traditional Country Inn in the tiny medieval town of Radovljica that includes choices of Slovenian favorites along with wine
Optional: Tour of Radovljica with dinner
Overnight: Bled
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11 - Bled City Tour
Bled, with its rich natural beauty ranks among the world's most beautiful alpine resorts, also renowned for its mild, healing climate and its thermal lake water. With its emerald-green lake, picture-postcard church on an islet, a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps, Bled is Slovenia's most popular resort. The tour begins at the imposing 11th century Bled Castle, the oldest in Slovenia, perched on a steep cliff high above the lake, creating a dramatic backdrop to the city. This is a medieval fortress, with huge towers, ramparts, moats and a terrace offering breathtaking views. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Bled independently, or, join the optional tour to lake Bled and lake Bohinj. Enjoy a scenic ride on a unique small rowing boat called a "Pletna," to the island in the middle of the lake. After disembarking the boat, visit the island's old church housing an impressive art collection. You'll have some free time to enjoy the magnificent views from the island. Later, the boat will bring you back ashore and you will continue by motor coach to another Alpine lake resort - Bohinj, beautifully incorporated amidst the dense woods and spectacular mountains. The journey will take you through some very old typical Slovenian villages with gorgeous landscape. This evening, celebrate your last night in Slovenia with your travel companions at a Farewell Reception
Optional: Lake Bled & Lake Bohinj
Overnight: Bled
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 12 - Depart Slovenia
Morning transfer to Venice Airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast