The Great Balkan Adventure: Zagreb to Athens

Welcome to Croatia! On arrival at Zagreb airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure until you gather with your Tour Director and fellow travelers for a Welcome Dinner.

This morning, enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St. Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, Parliament, and Government Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the winding streets of the old town or take an optional excursion to see the countryside.

After breakfast head towards Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. See the most significant sights of the old city center on a walking tour. Highlights include the picturesque open-air Central Market, the Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, and Robba's Fountain. Then, continue to Bled.

An Alpine Lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travelers in the middle of the 19th century. Since then, a small town of hotels, villas, and restaurants has developed around the lake, turning Bled into a lively, all-seasons resort. A sightseeing tour features the charming town and the lakeshore and visits the imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps join an optional excursion visiting the small island in the middle of the lake, browse through the shops and boutiques, or simply relax and enjoy the enchanting scenery.

The journey continues to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterward, continue to the coast, and have a stop in Opatija. Enjoy the walking tour of this fashionable resort in the 19th century, dotted with Habsburg-era villas. After some free time, continue towards Plitvice Lakes.

After breakfast, have your camera ready as you take a walking tour around the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder of sixteen terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. After the tour, head to Split. Overnight in Split.

In the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Then see the remnants of Split's Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle, and the Cathedral. The rest of the day is at leisure to stroll through the beautiful streets of Split, enjoy the beach, or join an optional excursion to the hot spots of the rich and famous – Island of Hvar.

After breakfast travel to Dubrovnik. Upon arrival, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast, enjoy a walking tour of Old Dubrovnik visit the Rector's Palace, and see the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando's Column, Sponza Palace, the Dominican Monastery, and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. Because of the narrow and historic roads in Dubrovnik, walking is the primary way of getting around. Walking shoes are strongly recommended. The rest of the day is free or join an optional excursion home-hosted Dubelj with dinner.

After breakfast, our journey takes us to Montenegro, with a view of Kotor Bay – the only South European fiord. Take a tour of the old town of Kotor, a UNESCO heritage Site. Continue to Tivat, Montenegro for the night.

After breakfast, drive through Budva and Bar towards the town of Shkodra – a major Albanian cultural center. Shkodra was the center of the Illyrian tribe Labeat and was taken by the Romans in 168 B.C. View the Rozafa Castle, magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city. Continue the drive to Tirana, Albania.

On a morning sightseeing tour, see Sheshi Skenderbej (Skanderbeg Square), the Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower, and the statue of G.K. Skanderbeg – Albania’s national hero. Visit the Palace of Culture, built with Soviet assistance, and the National History Museum with a mosaic on its facade portraying Albanian history. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring. Visit local shops, and restaurants, or simply relax.

Drive to the lakeside resort of Ohrid, Macedonia – an important cultural and spiritual center classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Enjoy a sightseeing tour through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century.

After breakfast, admire the fantastic landscapes of Meteora – known as the rocks that fell from the sky, where monks built their rock-top monasteries far away from civilization. Out of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit’s cells, only four are now active. We will visit either Roussanou or the Great Meteoro. Continue to Kalambaka, Greece for dinner and an overnight stay.

Your first stop is Delphi – where the famous Oracle once foretold the destiny of men. Visit the temple of Apollo which was built in the 6th century. Visit the Sacred Way, the Stadium, and the Castalian Fountain – where pilgrims cleansed themselves in preparation for consulting the Oracle. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi, which contains an impressive collection of finds from the site, including the beautiful Bronze Charioteer. Continue our journey to Athens.

Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of the highlights of Athens, Greece. Visit the Acropolis, the Parthenon – said to be the most perfectly proportioned building of all time. Next, visit the Election with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Wingless Victory. Below the Acropolis lies the Ancient Agora and the Theaters of Dionysus and Herodus Atticus. The rest of the day is free to continue exploring on your own. In the evening, join us for a Farewell Taverna Dinner in the Plaka – located beside the Acropolis.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and transfer to the Athens airport for your departure.