The Great Balkan Tour: Zagreb to Athens

On arrival at ZAG airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is free.  Meet your fellow travelers tonight at Welcome Dinner (D)

A morning sightseeing tour includes views of 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 more of the city, browse through the shops, or take an or take an optional excursion to see the countryside.  (B)

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. (B, D)

An Alpine Lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travelers in the middle of the 19^th 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 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. (B)

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, have a stop in Opatija.  Enjoy the walking tour of this fashionable resort in the 19^th century, dotted with Habsburg era villas. After some free time, continue towards Plitvice Lakes.  (B, D)

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 (B, D)

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 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)

After breakfast travel to Dubrovnik. Day at leisure (B, D)

After the breakfast, 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 Optional Excursion home hosted Dubelj with dinner. (B)

After the breakfast, continue to Tivat. On the way you will see Kotor Bay, the only South European fiord. Walking tour of town Kotor.  (B, D)

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 have views of the Rozafa Castle, magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city. Continue drive to Tirana (B, D)

A morning sightseeing tour shows you Skanderbeg Square; the Mosque of Et’hem Bey; the Clock Tower; 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 facade portraying Albanian history. Your afternoon is free to discover the city at your own pace, shop, or simply relax (B)

The lakeside resort of Ohrid is an important cultural and spiritual center, classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Enjoy sightseeing tour will take you strolling through the cobblestone streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia, containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century. (B,D)

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. The most important is Megalo of Great Meteoro, of peculiar architecture with its tall and intricate dome, twelve sides and fine frescoes. (B, D)

Your first stop 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 6^th 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)

See the highlights of Athens this morning on a sightseeing tour. 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, 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 Farewell Taverna Dinner in the Plaka beside the Acropolis. (B,D)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport ATH for your departure flight. (B)