THE CROATIAN 14 DAYS FROM $3,119 US Details below or
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This romantic vacation takes you from Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, through scenic Semmering Pass, Styria, and Carinthian lakes and resorts, and via the Alps to Ljubljana in Slovenia, where sightseeing features a visit to magnificent St. Nicholas Cathedral. Enter Croatia, where you will stay for a week, exploring the Dalmatian coast and Split, featuring an included visit to the 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace. Travel through Bosnia-Herzegovina and arrive in Dubrovnik for a 3-night stay. Admire the impressive ramparts, erected during the Crusades, the 15th-century Rector’s Palace, and an entire day at leisure before continuing to Plitvice National Park, famous for its lakes, waterfalls, and forests. In Zagreb, capital of Croatia, guided sightseeing features all the major sights. Leave Croatia and enter Hungary for two nights in Budapest, Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan city. Admire St. Mattias Coronation Church, take pictures from Fishermen’s Bastion, and celebrate the success of your vacation at an included farewell dinner.
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Day 1 Arrive in Vienna, Austria Time to rest or to explore the city, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (Dinner)
Day 2 Vienna Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide starts with vistas of Prater Park with its giant Ferris wheel and the United Nations City on the banks of the Danube River. Then, drive along Ring Boulevard, pass the State Opera House and the Jewish quarter, and stop at the Hofburg Palace, winter residence of the Austrian Imperial family. Marvel at the impressive courtyards and famous Heldenplatz, and visit ST. STEPHEN’S CATHEDRAL. An optional excursion to Schönbrunn Palace and an evening out to one of Vienna’s concert halls can be arranged. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Vienna–Ljubljana, Slovenia
Scenic Semmering Pass, stately Styrian crossroads towns, and Carinthian lakes and resorts provide the ever-changing Alpine backdrop to today’s journey through the loveliest parts of Austria to Slovenia and its elegant capital, Ljubljana. Sightseeing with a Local Guide features the medieval castle, the impressive City Hall, and a visit to magnificent ST. NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 4 At Leisure in Ljubljana
Enjoy a full day at leisure. There is plenty of time to explore at your own pace, and to stroll along the Ljubljanica River or through the many attractive parks. An optional excursion to Lake Bled is available. (Breakfast)
Day 5 Ljubljana–Split, Croatia
Enter Croatia and travel south to the Dalmatian Coast and Split, the ancient Spalato. During your guided walking tour, learn about the history of this captivating resort and visit the labyrinth of 4th-century DIOCLETIAN’S PALACE, a well-preserved fortress and a living part of the Old Town. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6 Split–Bosnia-Herzegovina–Dubrovnik, Croatia
This morning, cross the Bosnia-Herzegovina border and admire stunning seascapes as you drive along the Dalmatian Coast to Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 7 Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, beautifully situated on a promontory jutting into the Adriatic Sea, was once an independent maritime republic rivaling Venice. Enjoy a walking tour with a Local Guide and see the impressive ramparts, erected during the Crusades to protect the town against land attacks, and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. You will also visit the 15th-century RECTOR’S PALACE. Afternoon and evening at leisure. (Breakfast)
Day 8 At Leisure in Dubrovnik
A full day on your own to just relax. You may wish to join an optional boat cruise. (Breakfast)
Day 9 Dubrovnik–Plitvice
Enjoy a pleasant drive north through the Croatian countryside to Plitvice for your overnight stay. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 10 Plitvice–Zagreb
Time to soak in the pure beauty of the NATIONAL PARK, famous for its lakes, waterfalls, and forests. Then, head for Zagreb, capital of Croatia. Meet your Local Guide and start your afternoon sightseeing, which features all important landmarks of the Lower and medieval Upper Town, such as the Parliament, Stone Gate, the Archbishop’s Palace, and more, plus a visit to the majestic CATHEDRAL. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 11 At Leisure in Zagreb
A whole day to explore the city on your own: wander through the main center and browse through the shops or visit one of the excellent museums and art galleries. Your Tour Director has suggestions for exciting optional activities. Tonight is your chance to try out traditional dishes in one of Zagreb’s fine restaurants. (Breakfast)
Day 12 Zagreb–Budapest, Hungary
Today, leave Croatia and enter Hungary. Drive along Lake Balaton and stop to take pictures of the beautifully situated Abbey of Tihany before arriving in Budapest, Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan city. Tonight, perhaps join an optional dinner outing. (Breakfast)
Day 13 Budapest
Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide features elegant Andrassy Avenue, the Thermal Baths, and the world’s second-largest Jewish synagogue. From the lacy lookout towers of Fishermen’s Bastion, enjoy a panoramic view of the sprawling city. Then, visit the 13th-century MATTHIAS CORONATION CHURCH and Heroes’ Square. The afternoon is at leisure, and tonight a farewell dinner has been prepared at the hotel to celebrate the success of your Eastern European vacation. (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 14 Budapest
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)
INCLUDED FEATURES
Headsets throughout the tour
Vienna:
Welcome dinner; guided sightseeing, visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral
Ljubljana:
Guided sightseeing, visit St. Nicholas Cathedral
Note:
Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Note that this tour passes twice through Bosnia-Herzegovina.
INSIDE VISITS
Inside visits and special features are shown in the description, including admission charges when applicable.
MEALS
Full buffet breakfast; 7 three-course dinners, including a welcome dinner in Vienna and a farewell dinner in Budapest.
SUPERIOR HOTELS - (D) Deluxe (SF) Superior First-Class (F) First-Class
Vienna Mercure Grand Hotel Biedermeier (F), Ljubljana Austria Trend Ljubljana (F), Split President (SF), Dubrovnik Valamar Lacroma Resort (F), Plitvice Jezero (F), Zagreb The Westin Zagreb (SF), Budapest Radisson Blu Beke (SF)
Optional Excursions
Important Note:
the following list of optional excursions are examples only for this vacation as they are the excursions that are being offered for this vacation in the current travel year. These optional excursions might or might not be offered next year, as well as new optional excursions might be offered. Information about what optional excursions will be offered for your vacation will be available later this year into next year. If no example excursions are listed, please check back later.
Here's a list of optional excursions you can enjoy during your vacation. Whether it's a special dinner, a local show or a special behind-the-scenes glimpse into an historical site, optional excursions are a wonderful way to enrich your vacation even further. Plus, they give you flexibility. We include the must-see sites and experiences, and we also understand that people take interest in different activities and may want to craft a more personal vacation by hand-picking optional excursions that appeal to them.
Availability is subject to sufficient participation, weather conditions, seasonal suitability, days of operation, group interests, and general feasibility for your vacation. The approximate value listed gives you a good, general idea of what you can expect to pay but may vary once you are on your vacation. Some information provided might be in a foreign currency.
CITY: Budapest
Danube Cruise
An ideal complement to your Budapest visit. Board a private boat for an afternoon cruise on the Danube and enjoy spectacular river views of the city's main sights. Note: this cruise can be operated in the evening including a tasty three-course dinner with drinks served on board, for EUR 66.00 per person.
Approximate value: EUR €49 per person
Hungarian Dinner
In a typical Hungarian restaurant, dine on a three-course dinner with drinks and coffee; try the goulash or select a dish from the international menu.
Approximate value: EUR €50 per person
Hungarian Folklore Evening
Dancers dressed in Hungarian costumes enliven your evening with a colorful folklore performance.
Approximate value: EUR €33 per person
Illumination drive
Enjoy an marvelous illumination tour of the city's historic center including the splendid panorama from Gellert Hill.
Approximate value: EUR €24 per person
Parliament Building and Crown Jewels
Guided visit of the impressive neo-gothic HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT building, one of Budapest's most decorative structures and a dominant sight and symbol of the capital. The crown of St. Stephen, the patron of Hungary, is displayed here
Approximate value: EUR €33 per person
CITY: Dubrovnik
Adriatic Sunset Cruise & Dinner
Board your private boat for a 2½-hour cruise along the Adriatic coast and enjoy a Captain's dinner (drinks included). Later, return to Dubrovnik and stroll through its captivating historical center.
Approximate value: EUR €57 per person
Full Day Excursion to the Republic of Montenegro
A guided visit of the well-preserved medieval town of Kotor, protected by UNESCO World Heritage, will certainly give you an insight into Montenegrin life. Then, drive along the scenic Bay of Kotor to Budva, a village built on the ruins of a Greek settlement, where you will enjoy a tasty lunch.
Approximate value: EUR €68 per person
CITY: Ljubljana
Postojna Caves
Part of UNESCO's World Heritage, discover the magnificent underground world of these famous caves. During a 90-minute guided tour, ride the electric mini-bus through the amazing corridors and see the impressive limestone formations.
Approximate value: EUR €40 per person
Alpine Bled with dinner
Drive to Slovenia's picture postcard and renowned Bled. Situated on its own lake, surrounded by the Julian Alps and the Triglav National Park the village affords unforgettable scenery. Stroll around its narrow streets and later stop in Radovljica where you will be served a typical 3-course Slovenian dinner including drinks.
Approximate value: EUR €56 per person
Excursion to Trieste
Drive south to Trieste, where your Local Guide will tell fascinating stories about its glorious past, urbanism, and architecture. Drive through the Borgo Teresiano, built under the empire of Marie-Theresa of Austria (best known as Princess Sissi), and up the hill of San Giusto with its panoramic views. Continue with inside visits of the CATHEDRAL and the ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE, then enjoy an espresso in an authentic Old Town Café.
Approximate value: EUR €44 per person
CITY: Vienna
Classical Austrian Dinner
This famous restaurant, in former Austrian imperial hunting country, has hosted many illustrious people. Enjoy a fine four-course dinner with drinks.
Approximate value: EUR €51 per person
Heurigen Dinner
Visit one of the picturesque villages in this wine-growing area nestled among the Vienna Woods for traditional Wiener Schnitzel, Apfelstrudel and Heurigen (wine from the last grape harvest). Musicians create a merry atmosphere.
Approximate value: EUR €49 per person
Schönbrunn Palace
Commissioned in the 17th century by Leopold I and extended by Habsburg Empress Maria Theresia, this magnificent Imperial summer residence is certainly one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Visit the dazzling staterooms and the impressive baroque gardens with an expert guide.
Approximate value: EUR €41 per person
Best of Mozart & Strauss
Attend a concert in one of the most beautiful Viennese concert halls. The costumed Orchestra performs well-known arias composed by Mozart and famous pieces like "The Bleu Danube Waltz" and "The Radetzky March" composed by Strauss. Opera singers and a soloist will also add to the ambiance of the evening.
Approximate value: EUR €57 per person
Excursion to Bratislava
Drive to Bratislava, the economic and political centre of the Slovakian Republic. Enjoy the beautiful panoramic view from the Castle and, with a local expert, walk through the streets of the medieval Old Town. The visit of the gothic ST. MARTIN'S CATHEDRAL or the PRIMATE'S PALACE is also included. Later, time at leisure to shop on the main square
Approximate value: EUR €42 per person
CITY: Zagreb
Kumrovec & Dinner or Lunch in Zagorje Hills
A short scenic drive takes you to Kumrovec, situated on the banks of the Sutla River and birthplace of Marshal Tito, former president of Yugoslavia. Visit the ETHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM STARO SELO, exhibiting well-preserved original houses from the 19th and 20th centuries. Later, drive through the Zagorje Hills to a farmhouse where you will enjoy an authentic meal of regional specialties and magnificent views of Veliki Tabor Castle.
Approximate value: EUR €59 per person
DEPARTURE DATES
April - September
PRICES
From approx $3,119 US
per person double occupancy
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This romantic vacation takes you from Vienna, once the center of the mighty Habsburg Empire, through scenic Semmering Pass, Styria, and Carinthian lakes and resorts, and via the Alps to Ljubljana in Slovenia, where sightseeing features a visit to magnificent St. Nicholas Cathedral. Enter Croatia, where you will stay for a week, exploring the Dalmatian coast and Split, featuring an included visit to the 4th-century Diocletian’s Palace. Travel through Bosnia-Herzegovina and arrive in Dubrovnik for a 3-night stay. Admire the impressive ramparts, erected during the Crusades, the 15th-century Rector’s Palace, and an entire day at leisure before continuing to Plitvice National Park, famous for its lakes, waterfalls, and forests. In Zagreb, capital of Croatia, guided sightseeing features all the major sights. Leave Croatia and enter Hungary for two nights in Budapest, Eastern Europe’s most cosmopolitan city. Admire St. Mattias Coronation Church, take pictures from Fishermen’s Bastion, and celebrate the success of your vacation at an included farewell dinner.
