Saturday 26th. June 2010: Fly from Adelaide

Sunday 27th. June 2010: Arrive Venice

Welcome to Venice! You may arrive at anytime today as there are no activities planned. You will meet the rest of the group and your tour leader on the morning of Day 2 so the day and the evening are yours to explore this beautiful city. Whilst at your discretion,we recommend arriving and departing by train where possible within Europe due to this method of transports minimal carbon emissions. There are two train stations in Venice. Venice-Mestre is the second last stop before arriving at Venice central station. If your train terminates at this destination you will need to change trains here in order to continue your journey to Venice – Santa Lucia which is the central train station for Venice. From Santa Lucia station you can access the rest of the city by public water transport, from the water bus stop called Ferrovia. Venice Marco Polo Airport is approximately 13 Km from Venice City Centre and San Giuseppe Airport is approximately 19 miles from Venice, both airports connect to the city by waterbus, water taxi, bus and road taxi. We recommend arriving early to make the most of your time here. You may choose to take a boat tour or a gondola ride on the Grand Canal, pass under the Rialto Bridge and admire some of the city's many monuments from the water. We also recommend a walking tour to discover the highlights of the city, some of which are hidden away in the silent backstreets. The iconic Venetian experience is to walk around St. Mark’s Square and visit the wonderful St Mark's Basilica, with its incredible undulating floor. Nearby are the Doges' Palace, Accademia Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. There are numerous museums to visit such as the Accademia, which is the main repository for famous Venetian artists such as Titian and Tintoretto, and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, which houses her lifelong collection of mainly 20th Century art, which include works by Picasso, Chagall and Pollock. You can also take an elevator to the top of the Campanile (Bell Tower), where you are greeted with panoramic views of the island and the entire Venetian Lagoon. Venice is also all about mysterious, quiet alleys and sleepy canals, and you should not be afraid to lose yourself on your walks of discovery. With so much to do, you may even decide to arrive a few days earlier to make the most of this great city which is like no other in the world.

Monday 28th. June 2010:  Rovinj - Pula

We meet our tour leader and the fellow travellers this morning at approximately 9.30am for a pre-departure meeting at the hotel. We then farewell Venice and drive to the romantic Croatian town of Rovinj - the recipient of the Blue Flower Award 2006, for the best kept town on Adriatic Coast. Among its qualities is the beautiful, architecturally intact old town centre, with a relaxed Mediterranean feel. Jules Verne, the father of science fiction, in search of unique places for his novels, chose Rovinj as a setting for some chapters of his novel 'Mathias Sandorf'. Just as he was, many a writer has through the centuries been equally enchanted by Rovinj and its beauties. We pay a visit to St. Euphemia church and enjoy some free time for lunch before driving an hour to Pula. Pula represents a fine combination of the old and modern city where many famous writers and composers have found inspiration for their masterpieces. Many cultural and historical monuments dominate its panorama and today it represents the unique setting of various cultural and artistic events. We take a walking tour of the city and see the famous Roman amphitheatre (Arena) and Roman Golden Gate, the Twin Gates and the Augustus temple. We will then transfer to our hotel and settle in with the rest of the afternoon at leisure This evening we regroup for a dinner together at the hotel.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Tuesday 29th. June 2010:  Ljubljana

After an early breakfast we drive to Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital. We arrive at around midday with some free time for lunch before embarking on a sightseeing tour of Ljubljana old city centre with a local guide. The pedestrianised Stari trg is packed with small cafes and restaurants, with plenty of options for you to choose from for your lunch break. Ljubljana’s Old Town consists of three main squares: Mestni trg, Stari trg and Gornji trg. The Town Hall is located at Mestni trg. It was built in 1584, then rebuilt in 1718. Ljubljana’s old city centre is renowned for its unique architectural appearance and most houses in the Old Town are from the Baroque era. On our tour, we will visit the Ljubljana Castle, the Town Hall and Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the Dragon Bridge,. We'll also pay a visit to the open market under the arcade. We have the rest of the day and evening is at leisure to further enjoy this enchanting city.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Wednesday 30th June 2010: Lake Bohinj - Lake Bled - Ljubljana

This morning we drive to beautiful Bohinj lake and have some free time to enjoy the amazing area. Bohinj lake is the largest permanent and natural lake in Slovenia. It is 4350m long and 1250m (N-S) wide, the deepest part of the lake is 45m. The lake was formed by a glacier and today its main feeder is the lake of Savica. Along the northern part of the lake are several underwater springs - the most well known is the karst spring Govic. We take a cable car to the top of Mt Vogel where we are greeted by magnificent views of the entire region. Its then on to Bled. With immense natural beauty, Bled, together with its surroundings, ranks among the most beautiful alpine resorts. It is renowned for its mild, healing climate and thermal lake water. On arrival we'll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then embark on some sightseeing including a visit to the Old Bled Castle with a pletna boat ride to the island on Lake Bled where we can visit St Mary's Church. Later in the afternoon, we take a short drive back to Ljubljana were the evening is at leisure.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Thursday 1st. July 2010:  Plitvice National Park

Today we will visit one of Croatia's most beautiful sites - Plitvice Lakes National Park. This spectacular national park lies halfway between Zagreb and Zadar. The park was given UNESCO World Heritage status 20 years ago and comprises of 19 hectares of wood hills that surround 16 stunning turquoise lakes, all connected by a series of waterfalls. The area is populated by deer, bears, wolves, boars and some rare bird species and the thick forest vegetation of beech trees, fir spruce and white pine adds another element to the park's beauty. We have free time for exploration and lunch. All trails in National park are well marked so it's difficult to get lost but please follow the national park rules which your guide will outline to you. In the late afternoon we transfer to our hotel located in the Plitvice Lakes area.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Friday 2nd. July 2010:  Zadar

After breakfast, we drive to the walled city of Zadar. For centuries Zadar was the capital city of Dalmatia and today the main city of northern Dalmatia. A city with a rich heritage of world importance, visible at every step. We take an afternoon sightseeing tour of this splendid walled city and see the Roman Forum built in the 1st-Century and St. Donatus’ Church which dates back to the 9th-Century is the most famous medieval basilica and trademark of the city. We will also see the reconstructed Romanesque St. Grisigono's Church from the 12th-Century and the St. Mary's bell tower from the year 1105; the St. Anastasia's Cathedral from the 13th-Century; the People's Square with the City's Lodge and Guardhouse from the 16th-Century, as well as the mighty fortification walls with first class Sea(farer's) and the Land gates from the 16th-Century followed by the Three and Five Wells Squares. There is also an opportunity to visit the Gold and Silver Museum. We then transfer to our hotel on the outskirts of Zadar and the remainder of the day is free.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Saturday 3rd. July 2010:  Zadar - Free Day

Today is a free day in Zadar. There is so much to see and do in this harbour city, the hard thing is deciding what to choose. There are a number of excellent museums to visit including the Museum of Church Art, the Archeological Museum and the National Museum. Your tour leader will be able to offer you suggestions.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Sunday 4th. July 2010: Sibenik - Salona - Split

After breakfast, we drive to Split and en route we will take a few interesting stops. Our first stop is at the town of Sibenik where we visit the St Jacob's cathedral. We have some free time for lunch before travelling on to the city of Salona (or Solin) where we explore the sites of this ancient city. We finally come to the great city of Split, Croatia's second largest city, located in the heart of the Dalmatian coast. We settle into our hotel and then enjoy a group dinner together.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Monday 5th. July 2010: Brac - Split

After breakfast we are transferred to the port in Split where we board a ferry to Supetar on the island of Brac. Brac is the largest Dalmatian island and a popular spot for travellers because of its natural beauty. Brac is also famous for its white stone, which has been quarried and exported through the centuries. Stones from here were used for construction of Diocletian's Palace in Split and the White House in Washington DC. Upon arrival on Brac we transfer to Vidova Gora (780m), the highest peak of the island. We take an uphill walk to the summit from where we can enjoy magnificent views of the entire island as well as some nearby islands. On a very clear day we may even be able to see all the way across to Italy. After hour walk, we transfer to a local restaurant where we have lunch. After lunch, we transfer to the town of Bol where we take in the sights of the town and then have some free time to relax on the beautiful Zlatni Rat beach. Later in the afternoon we board a one-hour ferry in the early evening for our return to Split. The remainder of the evening is free.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Tuesday 6th. July 2010: Hvar - Split

We have an early start this morning. After breakfast we transfer to the Split port for our early ferry to Stari Grad (old town) on Hvar island. Hvar is an incredibly green island, resplendent with fields of lavender, heather and rosemary. Stari Grad means 'Old Town' and sometimes goes by its old Greek names, 'Pharos' or 'Faros'. Upon arrival in Stari Grad we transfer to the town of Jelsa and enjoy a walking tour through this archetypical Dalmatian village. Jelsa is surrounded by pine forest and wonderful beaches. It was once one of the most important maritime centres of the Adriatic with a large shipbuilding industry. We walk inland from Jelsa, through a picturesque landscape of olive groves, vineyards and lavender fields to the town of Vrboska. From Vrboska, we transfer by vehicle to Hvar town where we have some free time for lunch before we embark on a walking tour through this charming town. Hvar is a historic icon with palatial Gothic buildings and evocative marbled streets that hark back to a different age. We return to Stari Grad where we do some sightseeing before boarding the ferry for our return journey to Split. In the late afternoon we transfer back to Stari Grad where we board our return ferry to Split. On arrival in Split the rest of the evening is at your leisure.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

Wednesday 7th. July 2010: Split - Mljet

After breakfast, we take a drive to the town of Trogir and enjoy some sightseeing of the town. Trogir with its condensed contours situated on a small island seems to be a castle on the water with the prisms of its towers and crystal of its bell-towers. We visit the cathedral where we can see the famous monument, a Portal of Dalmatian masonry made in the 13th-century. We then drive back to Split where we explore the old city. Split dates back 1,800 years to the time when the Roman emperor Diocletian built a monumental imperial residence for his retirement years. Within this palace grew a city, which UNESCO has proclaimed a World Heritage Site. Today the fortified camp is an intriguing warren of narrow cobblestone streets, where pre-Romanesque churches exist alongside Gothic chapels and a multitude of historical museums. We enjoy a half-day walking tour exploring Diocletian's Palace, which was built in 295 AD and constitutes the heart of the city. Very much a living monument, it is framed by four gates - the most famous of which is the Golden Gate. In front of it stands a statue of 10th-century bishop Grgur Ninski, who once opposed the pope and introduced the Croatian language into his services. Sculpted by another of Croatia's favourite sons, Ivan Meštroviæ, this statue is considered a symbol of Split. Peristil Square is where Diocletian used to deliver his speeches and the nearby mausoleum of the Roman emperor was transformed into the Cathedral of St. Domnius, famous for its bell tower. After visiting the cathedral we have some free time for lunch. You can choose from one of the many little restaurants off the city's charming piazzas. In the mid afternoon we farewell Split and transfer to Ston, where we enjoy a short stop, before driving along the Peljesac peninsula to Prapratno where we take our evening ferry to Mljet Island. On arrival in Mljet we transfer to our 'feature stay' hotel located in an idyllic location nestled on the shores of Pomena harbour. Tonight we enjoy a late dinner together. This scenic spot is our base for the next two nights.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Thursday 8th. July 2010: Mljet National park

Mljet is one of the most beautiful and natural islands in the Adriatic. Over 72% of the island is forested and half of it has been declared a national park. Today we enjoy a day of activity including cycling, walking and canoeing. In the morning, we take a short walk to the spot where we pick up our bikes. We ride around the natural salt water lake of Veliko Jezero, the bigger of the two lakes of Mljet. We transfer across to the islet of St Mary (Sveta Marija) where we enjoy lunch and then have some time for our own discoveries. The island is home to a 12-century Benedictine monastery, which you may wish to explore. Returning o the mainland, we cycle to the smaller lake of the island Majo Jezero, where we have the opportunity to canoe and swim on the lake. After our full day we walk back to our hotel on Pomena where we have a relaxing evening and enjoy the fabulous scenic location of our hotel with perhaps a refreshing drink before dinner (Cycling: approx 15km).
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Friday 9th. July 2010: Dubrovnik

We take an early morning ferry back to Dubrovnik city and transfer to our hotel. Once settled we embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of the amazing Stari Grad (Dubrovnik's compact Old Town) with our local guide. This walled treasure is often referred to as the pearl of the Adriatic and is surprisingly tiny in size - encompassing less than 400 metres north to south and 600 metres across within its protective walls. Stari Grad dates back to the 7th Century AD when residents in the area fleeing invaders, found the rocky promontory a safe haven. At one point in time Dubrovnik became a great maritime power in the Adriatic, rivalled only by Venice. Despite some damage inflicted during the conflicts in 1991 the city has now been restored to its former glory. On our tour we visit the Franciscan monastery, Rector’s Palace and take a walk on the City Walls. The remainder of the afternoon and evening is free to wander around at leisure, but there is so much to see here that it is easy to just wander around the streets at your own pace. This evening why not dine alfresco at one of the enticing terrace cafes or foreshore restaurants and watch the sunset behind the old city walls.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Saturday 10th. July 2010: Lokrum - Dubrovnik

This morning we travel by boat to the island of Lokrum, which is situated off the coast of Dubrovnik's old town. Famed as a quasi 'botanical garden,' with a collection of exotic and Mediterranean plants which are awaiting our discovery. Lokrum is also strewn with many golden sand beaches popular with the locals. We also visit the ruins of an old Benedictine monastery and enjoy great views looking back across to Dubrovnik as well as Napoleon’s fortress. We return by boat to Dubrovnik at around lunchtime. The afternoon is at leisure and tonight we enjoy a final night out on the town with a farewell dinner.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Sunday 11th. July 2010: Dubrovnik - Frankfurt

Our trip ends after breakfast this morning. Those wanting to extend their stay can arrange additional nights' accommodation at the time of booking. Fly from Dubrovnik to Frankfurt.