| 14 Days ~ Austria
~ Hungary ~ Croatia ~ Slovenia
Tour Pace
Well balanced tour with
exceptional three night stay in Cavtat, close by Dubrovnik, and two nights
in Budapest, Zagreb & Ljubljana. Wonderful scenic driving days with frequent
stops for refreshment & photo opportunities.
DAY 1 – SAT – VIENNA AT
LEISURE
Welcome to a tour that
showcases one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world! On arrival at
Vienna Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your hotel. Later,
meet your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Perhaps
start your tour with a special concert. Hotel: Crowne Plaza.
DAY 2 – SUN – VIENNA –
BUDAPEST
Take a leisurely drive through
farming country to the Hungarian border. Pass the eagle, overlooking the
town of Tatabanya, before arriving in Budapest. Enjoy a panoramic view
across the Danube from the lofty Citadel atop Gellert Hill, then marvel at
the murals in Matthias Church beside the Fisherman’s Bastion. View the
Royal Palace of Buda, then cross the Danube to the Pest district to visit
Heroes’ Square and drive along Andrassy Boulevard. As night falls, enjoy a
Highlight Dinner with traditional Gypsy entertainment. Hotel: Hilton West End.
(Buffet breakfast, Specialty Highlight Dinner)
DAY 3 – MON – BUDAPEST
AT LEISURE
The day is totally set aside
for you to explore this fascinating city on your own or perhaps shop for
bargains in fine porcelain and colourful embroideries. Or you might like
to take an optional excursion to explore the secrets of Szentendre, the
charming baroque town famous for its artists colony. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 4 – TUE – BUDAPEST
– ZAGREB
Take an enchanting drive
alongside tranquil Lake Balaton. Stop to admire the abbey of Tihany, perched
on a peninsula reaching out into the lake, then cross farmland to the
Croatian border and the capital of Zagreb. A guided tour takes you to
Roosevelt Square, Ban Josip Jelacic Square and the cathedral. Walk through
the medieval core of the Upper Town to see the Croatian Parliament, Stone
Gate, St Mark’s Church and the ancient Gric Tower. Hotel: Sheraton. (Buffet breakfast,
dinner)
DAY 5 – WED – ZAGREB
Spend the day at leisure
exploring the Croatian capital. Zagreb is renowned for its shopping, or
perhaps you prefer to take an excursion to the Zagorje region to learn about
local culture and traditions. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 6 – THU – ZAGREB –
SPLIT
Head south to the Adriatic
coast towards Split, visiting the ancient Roman port of Salona. Admire the
2nd century Amphitheatre, Roman Baths and Necropolis. More than 1700 years
ago in the historic port city of Split, the Roman Emperor, Diocletian, built
his palace. Today those very buildings make up the heart of the Old Town,
listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. On a guided walking tour, explore
the labyrinth of streets built within and without the walls of
Diocletian’s Palace, unique because it is still lived in. Hotel:
President. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – FRI – SPLIT –
CAVTAT
Spend the morning exploring
Split’s Old Town on your own before travelling on to Dubrovnik and your
resort hotel, which is beautifully situated on a peninsula overlooking the
Adriatic Sea and the picturesque city of Cavtat. Hotel: Croatia. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 8 – SAT – DUBROVNIK
SIGHTSEEING
If the Dalmatian Coast is the
zenith of the Mediterranean, then Dubrovnik is the jewel in the crown! A
guided sightseeing tour in the Old Town explores the stone-paved streets
inside the 16th century bastions. See Onofrio’s fountain and the
Rector’s Palace and the city walls, as well as the Franciscan and
Dominican monasteries. The afternoon is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – SUN – CAVTAT AT
LEISURE
The day is completely free to
shop for handicrafts in the bazaar, to sample local fish delicacies or to
follow the advice of George Bernard Shaw: “Those who seek Paradise on
earth should come to Dubrovnik.” (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 10 – MON – CAVTAT –
PLITVICE
A magnificent drive takes you
along the Dalmatian coast – a symphony of sparkling deep blue sea, studded
with rocky islands. Visit Trogir, founded by the Greeks in 400BC, and admire
its Romanesque cathedral and Renaissance Cipiko Palace. Head inland to one
of Europe’s finest natural wonders, Plitvice National Park. Hotel: Jezero.
(Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 11 – TUE – PLITVICE
– LJUBLJANA
Cruise the crystal blue-green
beauty of the Plitvice Lakes; a scenic wonderland of 16 interconnecting
lakes flanked by waterfalls and primeval forest. Visit Korana Canyon to see
the 230 foot high falls and Tomicevo Pogledalo for spectacular panoramic
views over the park. In the afternoon, drive through the unique region of
Lika, crossing into Slovenia and reaching the capital, Ljubljana, your home
for two nights. Hotel: Lev. (Buffet breakfast, dinner)
DAY 12 – WED –
LJUBLJANA SIGHTSEEING
A local guide shows you the
Baroque elegance of the ‘White City’. Its medieval castle sits atop a
hill as an ancient guardian; the City Hall and Cathedral of St Nicholas
testify to its historical importance; and the Triple Bridge spans the river
Ljubjanica, whose banks disappear under the colourful umbrellas of the
riverside cafes and restaurants. Spend the afternoon at leisure. (Buffet breakfast,
dinner)
DAY 13 – THU –
LJUBLJANA – VIENNA
It’s only a short drive back
across the Austrian border to the forested mountains of Styria. Pass by Graz,
Austria’s second largest city and the birthplace of Arnold Schwarzenegger,
to return to Vienna. Consider celebrating your final night on tour with a
farewell dinner. Hotel: Crowne Plaza. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 14 – FRI – VIENNA
The tour ends after breakfast
with transfers to the airport. (Buffet breakfast)
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