International Tours - Croatia Lights
Dates
September 13 - 27, 2006
Itinerary
Wednesday, September 13
Overnight flight to Zagreb
Thursday, September 14
Arrive at the airport and greet coach and tour director. Transfer to Zagreb hotel for check-in and a leisurely afternoon getting settled and ready for the tours! That evening, we'll all meet up for a welcome dinner at hotel. Overnight in Zagreb.
Friday, September 15
After a full buffet breakfast at hotel, we'll begin with a panoramic tour of the Lower and Upper Towns of Zagreb. Highlights include St. Stephen's Cathedral; St. Mark's Church, a symbol of Zagreb; the 13th century Lotrš?ak Tower and the Stone Gate. The tour ends at hotel. You'll have a free afternoon to explore the local sites, and then we'll gather for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Zagreb.
Saturday, September 16
After a full buffet breakfast at hotel, we'll depart for the Istrian Peninsula, located near the Italian border, to explore the many ways in which the historical Slavic, Romantic and Germanic cultures have left their marks. From there, we'll transfer to Umag where we'll visit the Savudrija Lighthouse. We'll have lunch at the beautiful Umag town center and then travel to Novigrad where we'll tour the Rt Zub Lighthouse. Afterward, we'll transfer to the resort town of Pula for check-in and dinner at hotel. Overnight in Pula
Sunday, September 17
After breakfast, we'll set off by boat to the Island of Porer to visit the Porer Lighthouse. We'll have a picnic lunch on the island before returning to an afternoon guided tour of the town, including a visit to its 1st century AD Roman arena, one of the best-preserved amphitheaters in the Roman world. Dinner will be at one of the many wonderful local restaurants. Overnight in Pula.
Monday, September 18
After a full buffet breakfast at hotel, we'll travel to Rovinj where we'll board a boat to visit St. Ivan Lighthouse. Afterward, we'll return to the mainland and transfer to Opatija, once the resort of choice for the Habsburgs, for lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we'll visit the Opatija Lighthouse in the harbor and then transfer to Rijeka for check-in at hotel. You'll have the evening to yourself to dine in one of the fine local restaurants. Overnight in Rijeka.
Tuesday, September 19
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll make a morning visit to the Mlaka Lighthouse in the port of Rijeka. We'll then transfer to the Borik Marina outside Zadar where we'll have lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward, we'll visit the Ostri Rat Lighthouse and then transfer to Zadar, a capital of Slavic culture, for a guided panoramic tour. Highlights include the Roman Forum and the 9th century church of St. Donatus. We'll then transfer to hotel for check-in. Dinner will be at your leisure. Overnight in Zadar.
Wednesday, September 20
After a full buffet breakfast at hotel, we'll depart for Split, visiting lighthouses along the way (TBA) and stopping in Trogir, a picturesque medieval town, for a visit to the Cathedral of St. Lawrence with its magnificent Romanesque portal. We'll then head back to Split, the largest city in Dalmatia, for check-in and dinner at hotel. Overnight in Split.
Thursday, September 21
After a full buffet breakfast at hotel, we'll greet a local guide for a half-day tour of Diocletian's 3rd century palace. Highlights include remains of the original palace, a colonnaded square and the Temple of Jupiter. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Vojnopomorski Muzej Ratne Mornarice (Maritime Museum), dedicated to the Maritime History of the Adriatic Sea. If time permits, we'll also visit with Plovput, a state-owned enterprise based in Split, Croatia. The organization maintains aids to navigation and maritime radio-traffic in the Croatian part of the Adriatic, and is responsible for renting lighthouses for tourist purposes. We'll have dinner together at a local restaurant. Overnight in Split.
Friday, September 22
After breakfast, we'll take a morning ferry to Supetar on the Island of Brac to visit the lighthouses at Splitska, Postira and Sutevan. Then we'll make an afternoon visit to Vidova Gora (Sutvid Sanctus Vitus), the highest point of the island of Brac, followed by lunch at a typical Dalmatian "konoba" or wine-cellar. We'll then transfer to the hotel for check-in. You'll have the evening to explore the island and have dinner at your leisure. Overnight Supetar.
Saturday, September 23
After a full buffet breakfast at the hotel, you'll have the morning to yourself to sleep in or explore the island of Brac. By midday, we'll leave for Sumartin to visit the lighthouse. Afterward, we'll transfer to the harbor and board the afternoon ferry to Makarska. Once we arrive at Markarska harbor, we'll transfer to hotel for check-in and gather for dinner. Overnight in Makarska.
Sunday, September 24
After breakfast at the hotel, we'll visit the St. Petar Lighthouse on Makarska's waterfront. Afterward, we'll begin a scenic drive along the Makarska Riviera viewing lighthouses along the way. By the day's end, we'll arrive in Dubrovnik for check in and dinner. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Monday, September 25
After a full buffet breakfast at hotel, we'll join a local guide for a half-day panoramic tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town. Highlights include the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries, Rector`s Palace and the cathedral. In the afternoon, we'll visit the Maritime Museum, located in the Fort of St. John. That evening, we'll gather for dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Tuesday, September 26
After a full buffet breakfast at hotel, we'll depart for a full-day excursion to Mostar, Bosnia, a unique mixture of the Orient and West. We'll arrive for a half-day guided panoramic tour highlighting the old Bazaar, the Mosque, a typical Turkish house, and the "Old Bridge," now fully reconstructed following the 1993 war in Bosnia and Hercegovina. Afterward, we'll return to Dubrovnik for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Wednesday, September 27
After a full buffet breakfast at hotel, we'll transfer to Dubrovnik Airport for flights home.