17 Days Exploring Balkan - K0807 - 17DZAGATH
Sightseeing Tours: Zagreb, Bled, Plitvice, Split, Dubrovnik, Tivat, Tirana, Ohrid, Kalambaka, Athens
Day 1, Sunday
Croatia, Zagreb - Arrival Day
On arrival you will be met by an IBMT representative and transferred to your hotel in Zagreb. The rest of the day is free. You can meet your fellow travelers tonight at the welcome dinner. (D)
Day 2, Monday
Zagreb
This morning you will 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. (B)
Day 3, Tuesday
Slovenia, Ljubljana - Bled
Today we head to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. You will 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. We continue to Bled. (B, D)
Day 4, Wednesday
Slovenia, Bled
An Alpine Lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travelers in the middle of the 19th century. A sightseeing tour features the charming town and the lakeshore, and visits 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 enjoy the enchanting scenery. (B)
Day 5, Thursday
Postojna to Croatia, Opatija - Plitvice
Our journey continues to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterward we continue to the coast and 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. (B, D)
Day 6, Friday
Plitvice Lakes - Split
After breakfast have your camera ready as you will 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. (B, D)
Day 7, Saturday
Split
In the morning, you will enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Then you will 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 at leisure to stroll through the beautiful streets of Split, enjoy at the beach or join us on an Optional Excursion to Jet Set spot of rich and famous – Island of Hvar. (B)
Day 8, Sunday
Split - Dubrovnik
After breakfast, our journey takes us to Dubrovnik. Take the rest of the afternoon at leisure. (B, D)
Day 9, Monday
Dubrovnik
After breakfast, you will have 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. The rest of the day is free or join us for an Optional Excursion: Home hosted Dubelj with dinner. (B)
Day 10, Tuesday
Montenegro, Tivat
After breakfast we leave Dubrovnik and head towards Montenegro, viewing Kotor Bay, the only South European fiord and tour of old town Kotor, a UNESCO Heritage Site. Continue to Tivat for an overnight. (B, D)
Day 11, Wednesday
Albania, Tirana
After breakfast we leave Tivat and drive via Budva and Bar towards town of Shkodra, nowadays a major Albanian cultural center. Shkodra was the center of the Illyrian tribe Labeat and was taken by the Romans in the year 168 B.C. We will see the Rozafa Castle, magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city. Continue drive to Tirana. (B, D)
Day 12, Thursday
Tirana
On a Morning sightseeing tour, you will see Sheshi Skenderbej (Skanderbeg Square) the Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower, and the statue of G.K. Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero; the Palace of Culture, built with Soviet assistance, and the National History Museum with a mosaic on its façade portraying Albanian history. Your afternoon is free to continue exploring on your own, shop, or simply just relax. (B)
Day 13, Friday
The Republic of North Macedonia, Ohrid
Drive to the lakeside resort of Ohrid is an important cultural and spiritual center, classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. You will start your morning sightseeing with a walk through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century. (B, D)
Day 14, Saturday
Greece, Kalambaka
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 of Great Meteoro*. On to Kalambaka for dinner and overnight. (B, D)
Day 15, Sunday
Kalamba - Athens
Your first stop this morning is Delphi, where the famous Oracle once foretold the destiny of men. The temple of Apollo in which the Oracle functioned, was built in the 6th century B.C. Also see the Sacred Way, the Stadium and the Castilian 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”, before continuing to Athens. (B)
Day 16, Monday
Athens
After breakfast we will go in a sightseeing tour of the Highlights of Athens. This cosmopolitan and bustling capital city is set amid reminders of a long and a glorious past: graceful temples, centuries – old monasteries and ornate Byzantine churches. Visit the immortal Acropolis, the Parthenon, said to be the most perfectly proportioned building of all time, you will also see the Erectheion 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. Your afternoon and evening are free. Join us for a farewell Taverna dinner in the Plaka beside the Acropolis. (B, D)
Day 17, Tuesday
Depart Athens
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport in Athens for your departure flight. Thank you for choosing IBMT Tours. (B)
Services Included:
- First class hotels
- Arrival transfer Athens’ airport to the hotel on day 1
- Departure transfer hotel to Zagreb airport on day 17
- Daily Breakfast
- 10 dinners included
- Touring by modern air-conditioned motor coach
- Professional Tour Director throughout
- Licensed local guides
- Luggage handling (1 pc per person)
- Whisper technology enhanced touring
- Service charges and hotel taxes
NOTE: Because of the narrow and cobbled streets, walking is the primary way of getting around. Please make sure you pack comfortable walking shoes.
Services Not Included:
- Airfare & Departure taxes
- Tips to guide/driver & hotel staff
- Travel Insurance
- Personal extras and meals not mentioned above