We begin this Adriatic tour in Venice, Italy, once a mighty republic, Europe's gateway for trade from the Orient and queen of the eastern Mediterranean, often dubbed 'La Serenissima,' or the 'Most Serene.' Times may have changed, but Venice has remained as serene as ever and we take full advantage of the plethora of attractions on offer as we spend a couple of days in this gem of a destination.
After a comprehensive tour of grand palaces, intricately designed churches and the canals that make Venice a city like no other, we cross the border into Slovenia, past glacial lakes, lush green valleys and majestic mountain ranges, and venture through culturally fascinating small towns bustling cities and quaint hamlets brimming with historic sites of interest. We enjoy a easy-paced walking tour of the capital, Ljubljana, a city that reminds one of Vienna and Prague, before heading into Croatia and exploring the Istrian Peninsula, a region rife with ancient Roman and Illyrian relics and monuments.
With the convergence of 16 lakes in a series of cascading waterfalls, the Plitvice Lakes is a destination of unique natural beauty and one that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and from here, we travel along the Dalmatian coast, taking in the centuries-old cathedrals, monasteries and fortresses that dot the Croatian countryside. We venture into Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, where we bear witness to, among many other fabulous sights, a blend of Mediterranean and Oriental architecture in the former and the UNESCO-protected city of Kotor, as well as the Montenegrin cultural capital in the latter.
After a memorable drive along the breathtaking Adriatic coast, we make for Tirana, Albania, and expose ourselves to the intriguing contemporary culture of this destination that lays claim to a fabulous collection of wondrous mosques as well as innumerable archaeological artefacts that detail almost 3,000 years of history. We travel farther afield from the capital, stopping in at various towns and cities along the Albanian Riviera and beyond to appreciate Roman amphitheaters, ancient bridges, Franciscan churches and glorious panoramas. Crossing into Macedonia, we have the chance to spend time exploring the World Heritage Site of Ohrid, to take a boat trip across the multi-hued, blue waters of the lake of the same name and to learn about the country's fascinating history with trips to 11th-century fortresses, centuries-old Byzantine churches and cathedrals and the ever-popular monastery at Sveti Naum. We return to Albania to catch our flight home.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Breakfast and dinner (mostly local restaurants) daily.
- All sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary.
- Gratuities for local guides, drivers, restaurant staff, porters.
- Airport transfers for Land / air customers arriving / departing on tour dates.
Price Excludes:
- Lunches,
- Tour Leader gratuities, drinks, personal items (phone, laundry, etc), air taxes (if applicable), and excursions referenced as 'optional'.
- Airport transfers for early / late arrivals / departures or Land Only customers.
- Our post-reservation trip notes offer further guidance on optional meal costs and shopping.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Albania
Macedonia
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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