East of Europe and Venice

We’ll leave Vienna for a journey of great scenic beauty, traveling through the mountains to Slovenia. Our first stop will be in Maribor, where we’ll take a short stroll around the cathedral and castle. We’ll then continue to Croatia, arriving in Zagreb by lunchtime. In the afternoon, a local guide will take us on a panoramic tour, allowing us to admire the city’s two hills, the upper town, and the new districts of Croatia´s capital. Dinner will be included.

We’ll depart early in the morning to travel to Bosnia. Border formalities may take some time. As we drive through certain areas, we’ll be reminded of the tragic war of the 1990s. Our journey will take us through the majority-Serb territory of Bosnia, with our first stop in Banja Luka. Here, you’ll have time to explore the capital of the autonomous entity of Republika Srpska, the second largest city in Bosnia after Sarajevo, known for its fortress and Orthodox cathedral. There will be time for lunch. We’ll then continue to Jajce, arguably the most beautiful town in Bosnia, celebrated for its cultural diversity, mosque, fortress, and impressive waterfall (admission included). After some time to explore, we’ll proceed to Sarajevo, arriving in the evening. You’ll have the opportunity to stroll through the historic center and visit the charming Bazaar, an old Ottoman market renowned for its architecture, oriental ambiance, and traditional shops. Dinner will be included.

In the morning, we include a guided tour of SARAJEVO, a fascinating city known as the “Jerusalem of Europe” for its coexistence of different religions. Mosques, churches, and synagogues reflect this rich diversity. We will notice the strong Ottoman influence in its old town, with its more than 500-year-old mosque and beautiful fountain.After the visit, we continue our journey through an area of stunning natural beauty to MOSTAR, with its beautiful historic center and its iconic stone bridge that links the Orthodox, Muslim, and Catholic communities. Free time for lunch and to explore the city.We then continue on to CROATIA. Border formalities (which may be lengthy). Arrival in DUBROVNIK at the end of the day. Dinner included

We’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of Dubrovnik with a local guide in the morning. We will undoubtedly be in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, perched on a cliff, surrounded by walls and kissed by the Adriatic Sea. Its intact historic center is a jewel of world architectural heritage. We’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a stunning view of the city from a scenic viewpoint along the road. The tour includes tickets to the Franciscan Monastery, home to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, and the Assumption Cathedral. We’ll also take a boat trip to Lokrum, a small island just 15 minutes away that is home to the ruins of an eleventh-century Benedictine monastery, a popular setting for the series Game of Thrones. Afterward, you’ll have free time to explore at your leisure before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. Dinner will be included.Note: On some occasions, accommodation may be in Cavtat, a coastal town near Dubrovnik. From November to March, there is no boat service to Lokrum, so we will not visit the island during these months.

We’ll set off in the morning, traveling along the stunning Croatian coastline, which features breathtaking seascapes and islands. Our first stop will be in Ston, a picturesque town boasting one of the longest walls in the world. As we continue through beautiful landscapes, we’ll cross the impressive Pelješac Bridge over the sea. We’ll arrive in Split at midday and enjoy a tour with a local guide, including admission to Diocletian’s Palace. We’ll explore this vast Roman palace, with its labyrinthine streets and stunning sea views. Dinner will be included.

We’ll travel to the interior region of Croatia, passing through beautiful hilly landscapes until we arrive at Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you’ll be able to admire its lakes and waterfalls, walk along the scenic trails, or take a boat ride on the lakes´ waters. Tickets are included for either a boat ride or a train ride. After lunch, we’ll head back to the coast, traveling north. Upon reaching Opatija, you´ll have dinner (included) and settle into your accommodation in this charming resort town known for its great atmosphere.Note: Occasionally, due to weather conditions or high numbers of tourists, it may not be possible or advisable to use the train or boat in Plitvice.

Today we’ll travel to SLOVENIA. Our first stop will be Postojna Cave, one of the world’s largest caves, which we will partially tour by train. Next, we’ll head to BLED, a picturesque postcard-perfect town on the shore of Lake Bled. We’ll go on a boat trip to reach its island, where the monastery’s bell tower stands out at the foot of the medieval castle. Our journey will continue to Slovenia’s capital LJUBLJANA, where we’ll take a guided tour to learn more about this little Central European capital city. Dinner will be included.