Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast

Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast

Croatia’s stunning Dalmatian and Istrian Coast and the crystal blue waters of the Adriatic provide the perfect backdrop to this tour, which also visits neighbouring Montenegro. Beautiful coastlines, dotted with unspoilt towns and fishing villages steeped in history and tradition, combine with mountainous inland terrain, home to many breathtaking national parks.

14 days from £995

Holiday Highlights
• Dubrovnik – described as ‘paradise on earth’ by George Bernard Shaw
• Montenegro – ‘the most beautiful encounter between land and sea’
• Korcula – island of Marco Polo
• Split – old Roman port
• Zadar – stunning location and architecture
• Plitvice Lakes National Park – endless waterfalls and dense forests

Your holiday at a glance
Day 1 Local departure by coach then onwards to northern France for an overnight stay.
Day 2 Continue south through France and Italy to our hotel in the Milan/Lake Como area. B,D
Day 3 Travel across Italy, past Parma and Bologna to reach the port of Ancona. From here we board the overnight ferry for
the crossing to Split in Croatia. Accommodation in 2-berth cabins. B,D
Day 4 Arrive Split and visit Mostar enroute to Dubrovnik for a four-night stay. B,D
Day 5 Dubrovnik. B,D
Day 6 Korcula. B,D
Day 7 Montenegro. B,D
Day 8 Split and Trogir. Overnight in the Sibenik region. B,D
Day 9 Sibenik, Krka National Park, Zadar. Overnight in the Zadar region. B,D
Day 10 Plitvice Lakes National Park, en route to the Opatija area for two nights. B,D
Day 11 Free day to relax. B,D
Day 12 Travel through Slovenia and into Austria for an overnight stay. B,D
Day 13 Travel through Germany and into Belgium for an overnight stay. B
Day 14 To Calais, then return home. B
Included Meals: B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

Excursions and visits
Mostar with Guided City Tour (included). We disembark in Split this morning and head south to Mostar, situated on the Neretva River. During Turkish occupation a bridge (Stari Most) was built across the river, which became a symbol of the city. However the bridge was totally destroyed during the Croatia-Bosnia conflict in the early 1990’s. Since the end of the war, the bridge has been painstakingly rebuilt. Our included guided sightseeing tour includes entrance to the Turkish House and Muslim Mosque.
Dubrovnik and Guided City Tour (included). Enjoy a day at leisure in the place described as ‘Paradise on Earth’, and a ‘Jewel in the Crown of the Adriatic’. Dubrovnik has been called the most perfectly preserved medieval town in the world and is a city, which for centuries rivalled Venice as a major sea trading port. It has now been fully restored to its former glory with the huge walls, built between the 11th and 17th centuries still intact. Take a walk along the stone ramparts of the city for the best views, before venturing inside to experience the many treasures. Our included guided city tour will show the main highlights including the Cathedral, Knezev Palace and Franciscan Monastery.
Korcula (optional). Today, we enjoy an optional excursion by coach and boat to the island of Korcula. The island is rich in fascinating historical influences, including the Greeks, Venetians and Turks. The sixth largest Croatian island, it is 20 miles long and only between 4 and 5 miles wide. Local legend says that Prince Antenor of Troy founded the Korcula settlement. You will have the opportunity to shop for some of the island’s most famous exports, including olive oil and red wine. Later, enjoy winetasting on the island of nearby Peljesac.
Montenegro (optional). We offer a full day optional excursion to neighbouring Montenegro. From Lepatane we cross the only fjord in the Mediterranean to Kamenari and reach the well-preserved city of Kotor. The entire  city is criss-crossed with narrow streets and squares. Lord Byron judged this part of the coast as ‘the most beautiful encounter between land and sea’. An optional city sightseeing tour will also be available.
Split Guided Tour (included); Trogir Guided Tour (included). We leave Dubrovnik and head north along the coast to reach Split. We include a guided city tour of the city, exploring the charming old town, which was originally built around Emperor Diocletian’s huge Roman palace. We continue to Trogir, one of the jewels of the Dalmatian coast, which enjoys a lovely setting on a small island just off the mainland, but connected by a bridge.
Sibenik Guided Tour, Krka National Park and Zadar Guided Tour (included). We begin our day with a guided tour of Sibenik, an old fortified town. Its influences can be seen in the beautiful Baroque and Renaissance architecture. We continue to Krka National Park, where deep tree-covered canyons plunge into plateaus, with impressive waterfall cascades. Our journey north continues to Zadar, built on a narrow peninsula, extending into the Zadar Channel. We include a guided city tour of Zabar.
Plitvice Lakes National Park (included). We leave Zadar and enjoy a full day excursion to Plitvice the most beautiful and best known of Croatia’s national parks. The sixteen small lakes within the park are interconnected by waterfalls, dense  forests of beech, fir and spruce trees and is home to many species of animal including the brown bear.

Your hotels
In Croatia you will stay for four nights in Dubrovnik at a minimum 3-star hotel such as the Tirena, Argosy or Valamar Club President on the Babin Kuk peninsula. You will then stay one night at the 3-star Hotel Solaris or similar in Sibenik, followed by one night at the 3-star Hotel Porto or similar in the Zadar region. Two nights will then be spent at the 4-star Hotel Agava or similar in the Opatija area.

Overnight stays in northern France, northern Italy and Belgium will be in city-style hotels. Your hotel in Austria
will be 3-star standard.

What's Included?
• FREE local joining points
• Travel by Silver Service luxury coach
• 13 nights’ accommodation with breakfast & 11 evening meals
• Overnight ferry from Ancona to Split (accommodation in two-berth cabins)
• Guided city tours in: Mostar, including entrances to Turkish House & Muslim Mosque; Dubrovnik, including entrances to
the Cathedral, Knezev Palace and Franciscan Monastery; Split; Trogir; Sibenik; Zadar
• Entrance to Krka National Park and Plitvice Lakes National Park

Prices are per person based on two sharing
Extras • Optional excursions