Hungary & Southern Europe – Adriatic & Balkans

14 Nights / 15 Days

3N Budapest / 2N Vienna / 2N Ljubljana / 1N Zagreb / 3N Split / 3N Dubrovnik

 

ITINERARY

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN BUDAPEST

Arrive in Budapest. You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Day at Leisure.

Overnight in Budapest.

DAY 2 – BUDAPEST

After breakfast, do a Budapest SIC (Seat-In-Coach) city tour including visit of the Parliament. The highlights of this tour are the Opera House, Heroes’ Square, the city centre, the Chain Bridge and the Parliament. From the Citadel, you will see the fantastic panorama as the city lies before you. After the Grand City Tour, your guide will introduce you to the Hungarian Parliament’s building from outside, which is famous not only because as the symbol of Hungary, but also as one of the most beautiful and largest Parliament in the world. Then, you take a guided tour through the magnificent Neo-Gothic chambers and staircases of the House. The tour ends at the Parliament. Afternoon is free at leisure. Dinner and cruise on the river Danube in the evening.

Overnight in Budapest.

DAY 3: DANUBE BEND TOUR

After breakfast, depart towards Esztergom which is a historical town where Istvan, the very first King got baptised. Esztergom Basilica is one of the largest basilicas in the world and the tallest building in Hungary. You can take the best photos from the other side of the Danube, so you will be taken over the Maria-Valeria Bridge. Going across the bridge, you will be taken for a short while into Slovakia. Visegrad is the next stop, the heart of the Danube Bend. This village was the home of the Hungarian kings in the 14th century. The Royal Residence is on the top of the hill with a breathtaking panorama on the Danube valley. Continue the journey to Szentendre, where you can have a pleasant walk around the artist’ village with its Mediterranean atmosphere. Transfer back to Budapest.

Overnight in Budapest.

 DAY 4: BUDAPEST – VIENNA

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the train station. Board the train to Vienna. Upon arrival in Vienna, transfer to the hotel and check-in. Day at Leisure.
In the afternoon, go for a City Tour of Vienna with Panoramic drive passing by the major sites: Ringstrasse with its numerous magnificent buildings, such as the MAK, the State Opera House, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum, the cultural district – the Museums Quartier, the former Habsburg winter residence – the Hofburg, the Parliament, the City Hall and the Burgtheater. Belvedere Palace and also the Schonbrunn Palace.

Overnight in Vienna.

DAY 5: VIENNA – BRATISLAVA – VIENNA

After Breakfast today we will leave Vienna in the direction of Slovakia. After arrival you will get a walking city tour through the wonderful old town of Bratislava including a visit of the castle. Afterwards you will have free time for taking lunch in one of the romantic restaurants, or for shopping and a stroll.

Overnight in Vienna.

 DAY 6: VIENNA – LJUBLJANA

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the train station. Board the train to Ljubljana. Upon arrival in Ljubljana, you will be transferred to the hotel. In the evening, enjoy time at leisure.

Overnight in Ljubljana.

 DAY 7: LJUBLJANA

After breakfast, the day is dedicated to discover Ljubljana which is the capital and largest city of Slovenia. It lies on the river Ljubljanica and was built in the Roman settlement Emona in 15 year AD. After the earthquake that destroyed the city in the 16th century, Ljubljana was rebuilt in Renaissance style and after a catastrophic earthquake in the 19th century in neo-classical and art nouveau style. Strolling along the Ljubljanica River and the Old Town, hear all about its fascinating history. In the afternoon, continue to the Alpine region, where on the banks of the mountain lake, beneath the peaks of Julian Alps a charming little town of Bled is situated. The pearl of Slovenia and the whole Alpine region, with a tiny island and St. Mary’s Church in the middle of the Lake and an old medieval Castle up on the cliff that offers you amazing views is definitely something you will be enchanted with. Ascend the old castle perched on top of a steep cliff above the glacial Lake Bled. Castle terraces offer spectacular views of the lake and its tiny island in the middle. Return back to Ljubljana.

Overnight in Ljubljana.

DAY 8: LJUBLJANA – ZAGREB

After breakfast, take a stunning panoramic drive through Slovenia to Postojna Cave. The most visited site in Slovenia, Postojna Cave is an underground kingdom of tunnels, galleries and chambers crowned in sparkling stalactites and stalagmites, which you can observe from the only two track underground railway in the World. Upon arrival, marvel at the wondrous underground landscapes of the Postojna Caves on a guide tour. After visiting the caves, you will get to explore the Predjama castle, a 700 years old castle looming over a vertical cliff in nearby Predjama village. Drive to Zagreb.

Overnight in Zagreb.

DAY 9: ZAGREB – PLITVICE LAKES – ZADAR – SPLIT

After breakfast, depart Zagreb in the morning and drive to Croatia’s most famous national park, the Plitvice Lakes. Spend the morning on a walking tour of the national park including a lake boat ride. Situated in the mountainous Gorski Kotar region, the National Park covers almost 115 square miles of wooded area including 16 lakes. The cascading lakes are divided into 12 Upper and 4 Lower Lakes, all encircled with walking paths that lead through the woods, along the lakes, caves and mesmerizing seemingly never ending array of waterfalls that culminate with the Great Waterfall. Depart Plitvice Lakes and enjoy mountainous landscapes giving way to Adriatic vistas on a drive to Zadar. Coastal Zadar offers an intriguing mix of ancient history and modern spectacles like the Sea Organ and Sun Salutation installations. Upon arrival, you will delve into the history of this unique coastal town on a guided walking tour among its ancient Roman sites, vibrant narrow alleys, and stunning coastal front before proceeding to Split.

Overnight in Split.

DAY 10: SPLIT

After breakfast, spend the day exploring Croatia’s second largest city, the beautiful coastal Split. You will get to walk among the ancient monuments in the historic city core on a guided walking tour of the city that grew around the Diocletian’s Palace, one of the most imposing remains of Roman architecture in Croatia. A walk through the narrow streets and alleys unveils a vibrant mix of historic buildings and trendy coffee bars, restaurants and shops. Join the local patrons taking their time sipping coffee on the famous waterfront, Riva and watch the boats go in and out of the harbour. At leisure, discover the ancient Split on your own. Stroll through the historic city center, get a taste of the local cuisine on the city market, rub Grugur Ninski statue’s big toe for good luck or just relax on a beach.

Overnight in Split.

DAY 11: HVAR ISLAND TOUR

After breakfast, take a catamaran ride to Hvar Island. Spend the day and enjoy a guided walking tour of the island’s capital, Hvar Town The intricately carved Venetian architecture and wide, welcoming seaside promenade of Hvar Town has helped make Hvar Island the chicest and most visited of southern Dalmatian islands. It’s a top sight in Croatia and one of the country’s most romantic spots. Visit the main square and the Cathedral. It’s the largest square in Dalmatia and it was here that official announcements were made when Hvar was under Venetian rule. This 16th century cathedral lays the head of the superb Renaissance Square of the same name that sprawls over 4500. See how one of the oldest theatre in Europe looks like before taking some free time to explore the town on your own. Make sure you bring your swim suits as Hvar offers nice beaches for a refreshing dip. Return back to Split.

Overnight in Split.

DAY 12: SPLIT – MOSTAR – DUBROVNIK

After breakfast, in the morning, depart Split and drive to one of the most famous sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mostar. Home to Balkan’s most famous bridge; Mostar takes its visitors by surprise with charming alleys, Ottoman architecture and its astonishingly diverse historic heritage. You will discover the layers of history of this spectacular city and a UNESCO site on a guided walking tour. The city boasts rows of picturesque, old Turkish houses, the bazaar, mosque, churches and synagogues representing a varied cultural heritage. The famous Old Bridge in Mostar was originally made out of wood, later replaced by a stone structure in 1557. The stone arch bridge proudly connected the banks of the Neretva River for 427 years, until it was destroyed in the 1990’s war. Today, the bridge has been completely renovated and stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Afterwards, depart Mostar and drive to the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik.

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

DAY 13: DUBROVNIK

After breakfast, step into centuries of history among the cobbled streets of the Old Town on a guided walking tour of the city. A great way to scoop out the layout of the city is to take the electric cart up to the summit of Mount Srdj, which looks out across the city to Adriatic and back over the mountains of Herzegovina. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

DAY 14: DAY AT LEISURE

After breakfast, spend the day at leisure and discover your favourite spots around Dubrovnik on your own. Visit the 14th century Franciscan monastery and it’s Old Pharmacy Museum, one of the oldest in the world. Climb the steps up and take your time to walk along the City Walls, to enjoy the unparalleled views of the Old Town and the sea. Find the opening in the wall and sip on a cold drink in the unique Buza bar, set on the outside rocks of the city walls. Those wishing for experience more of Dubrovnik’s surroundings can join the recommended Optional one day tour to Kotor, Montenegro.

Overnight in Dubrovnik.

DAY 15: DEPARTURE DAY

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport. (B)

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