DAY 01 (THURS): FLY USA /EUROPE
Overnight flights bound for Ljubljana, Slovenia's delightful baroque capital.
DAY 02 (FRI): LJUBLJANA - BLED , SLOVENIA
On arrival to Ljubljana, meet and greet your driver/guide and enjoy a leisurely transfer (1:30) to Bled, the Jewel of the Alps. This world renowned ski and summer resort is situated around Bled Lake in a picture perfect setting featuring Bled Castle on top of the mountain and the Cathedral located on an island in the middle of the lake giving it the appearance of floating on water. Check-in to your first class hotel and enjoy a stroll on your own prior to dinner and overnight. (D)
DAY 03 (SAT): LAKE BLED
After a buffet style breakfast, depart on your half day sightseeing tour that will include Bled Castle and the gorgeous surrounding area. Return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day exploring the lake side promenade, hike up the mountain or take a boat ride to the island Cathedral. Dinner is on your own to allow you to experience one of the local restaurants or dine in. (B)
DAY 04 (SUN): LAKE BLED - POSTOJNA - KOPER
EMBARKATION
Bid Bled goodbye as you depart after breakfast for Koper, Slovenia's largest port. On the way, stop to tour the magnificent Postojna Caves one of the world's largest underground grotto's. The cave system is so large that the tour is done by electric train and the largest cavern can accommodate up to 5,000 people. From here continue on to Koper where you will arrive to your floating hotel for embarkation after 4 pm. After check-in, settle into you cabin until the information meeting where you will meet your cruise directors followed by dinner. Set sail at approximately 11 pm. (B, D)
DAY 05 (MON): ZADAR, CROATIA
Your included walking tour will introduce you to this once dominant city on the Adriatic. A rival of Venice, Zadar has preserved much of its early Roman flavor. It also hosts a permanent collection of church art known as 'The Gold and Silver of Zadar.' Optional tours: visit to the renaissance city of Sibenik, or a day trip to the lovely Plitvice Lakes National Park with a picnic lunch are available. (B, L, D)
DAY 06 (TUE): PLOCE, BOSNIA and HERCEGOVINA - KORCULA, CROATIA
Ploce is a commercial port located in central Dalmatia. Spend the morning exploring the town or take an optional tour to the famous old city of Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina. There you will be able to see the Turkish House, the reconstructed 'old bridge' originally built over 500 years ago. In the afternoon sail on to Korcula, birthplace of Marco Polo. Your included sightseeing tour will meander through its narrow stone streets to hidden museums, coves and old merchant houses. (B, L, D)
DAY 07 (WED): KOTOR, MONTENEGRO
Be sure not to miss the magnificent vistas as you sail through the stunning Kotor Bay, the largest natural fjord outside of Norway. The town of Kotor has preserved a unique medieval atmosphere. Surrounded with twenty meter high walls that are up to fifteen meters thick and 4.5 km long, one stem of the wall begins at the harbor and the other at the River Skurda. They both end at the fort of Saint Ivan. At some points, Kotor's impressive fort reaches the height of over 250m. For those looking for a good workout, there are 1426 stairs leading up to the main tower! Spend the day exploring this wonderful city or purchase one of the optional tours offered. Choose from the Royal Palace in Cetinje; a 'Riviera tour' to the fishing village of Sveti Stefan and medieval city of Budva; or the 'Montenegro Grand Tour' that includes several picturesque villages, a visit to Skadar Lake and lunch at a typical fishermen's restaurant. (B, L, D)
DAY 08 (THU): DURRES, ALBANIA
Welcome to Albania! Durres, with its deep bay is one of Albania's major ports. You can choose to spend your day here or purchase an optional tour to Albania's nearby capital city, Tirana. In Tirana you will visit Skanderberg Square, Ethem Bey Mosque, the National Museum and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. (B, L, D)
DAY 09 (FRI): DUBROVNIK, CROATIA
The world renowned port city of Dubrovnik was once a powerful rival to Venice in the fight over sea rule. Resembling an 'open-air museum,' the city has astonishing architecture, cultural history and breathtaking charm. Highlights in the city include the Franciscan and the Dominican Monasteries, Dubrovnik's Cathedral, the Rector's Palace, the 'Stradun' pedestrian zone, the Grand City Walls, and St. Blaise's Church. Your included sightseeing tour will stop at the Franciscan Monastery, the Rector's Palace, and the Treasury of the Cathedral. The afternoon is free to continue exploring on your own. Tonight you may also purchase tickets to a Dalmatian folklore performance. (B, L, D)
DAY 10 (SAT): SPLIT, CROATIA
This morning, you arrive to Split, the second largest city in Croatia. Split gradually developed around the ancient palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian, which was built more than 1700 years ago. Your included sightseeing tour will take in Diocletian's cellars, the Cathedral of the Temple of Jupiter, the Golden Gate (Porta Aurea), the Peristyle, the lively Market (Pjaca), and the sunny sea promenade (Riva). Split certainly exemplifies a typical Mediterranean city. Spend the day exploring it! Various optional tours in and around Split will also be available for purchase. Tonight, prepare for the Captain's Gala Farewell Dinner as you sail on back to Slovenia. (B, L, D)
DAY 11 (SUN): KOPER - LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA
DISEMBARKATION
Say goodbye to your lovely ship and crew as you disembark after a final breakfast. But the fun is not over yet as you transfer to Ljubljana where you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of its lovely baroque center. Then check in to your first class hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure as you pack your memories away in preparation for your flights home. Dinner is on your own. (B)
DAY 12 (MON): LJUBLJANA - HOME
After a final breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport for flights home. (B) |
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