Day One: (D) ARRIVE IN: ZAGREBWhen you arrive in the morning at the Zagreb airport your guide will meet you and take you to check in at your 4* Hotel Majestic Plaza, Hotel Dubrovnik (or comparable).After you have had time to clean up and relax, your guide will meet you for a walking tour of the cities historical and cultural landmarks. Zagreb is divided into two parts the “upper town” and the “lower town”. The upper town includes the Kaptol area and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with its’ soaring twin towers and Renaissance walls, St. Marks church and square, The Stone Gate with the pilgrimage chapel of the Virgin Mary, St Catherines’ church and Jesuit square, The Gradic area –bell tower, Dolec market and Tkalcicena street with its’ famous cafes.The tour of the lower town includes the Green Horseshoe Promenade, Ban Jelacic Square with the shops and markets, King Tomislav, Strossmayer and Zrinjevac squares their history and famous buildings, the “Old Lady of Zagreb” and a ride on the Funicular that takes you from the upper to the lower town.Upon completion of this walking tour your guide will take you to dinner at a great local restaurant and then back to your hotel for a good night rest. (D)

Day Two: (B) Today after breakfast you will check out of your hotel and with your guide begin the journey to the Istra peninsula, a miniature heart- shaped world. The Istra, where seven millennia can be touched, scented and absorbed, dates back to the 3rd century B.C. and was influenced historically by the Roman, Slavic, and Germanic civilizations. This blackboard of history showcases:

• Christian churches, Gothic Cathedrals, and Romanesque bascilicas
• Roman Amphitheaters, arches, and pre-historic forts
• Medieval towns, towers and walls, Austro-Hungarian fortifications
• Magnificent Architecture, frescoes, and Baroque Palaces

On your way to the coast you will travel through the continental part of the Istra, “The Queen Oasis”, dotted with many vineyards and hilltop medieval towns, a landscape similar to Provence and Tuscany. Your first stop will be in Hum the “smallest town in the world”, here you will see “Glagolitic wall writings” one of the oldest examples of Croatian middle age literary culture. This hilltop village was an early example of urban planning and development in that all the buildings are located within its’ fortified walls. Your next stop will be in Motovun “the mistress” resting on a hilltop above the Mirna valley, with the upper part of the town still encircled by the original 13th century walls. This is one of the most beautiful towns in the Istra, and is known for magnificent views, walls and towers, communal palace and loggia, the church of St Stephen, and steep small streets. On many of the buildings you can still see the stone coat of arms from many of the towns’ original noble families. Your guide will then take you on to Rovinj, one of the most romantic coastal towns in Croatia, where you will check in at your 4* Hotel Villa Tuttorotto, Villa Valdibora or comparable. Later you can walk along the waterfront, stroll the streets and observe the Baroque and Renaissance buildings, or perhaps visit St. Euphemia Cathedral located high on the hilltop above the town. Tonight dinner is on your own. (B)

Day Three:(B) After breakfast you will check out and begin the drive across Opatija-“The Queen of the Adriatic” this scenic route takes you down the rugged coastline of the Northern Adriatic. The first stop today will be at Senj, a town known for Uskoks, valiant, fierce and resourceful frontier guerilla fighters, and the strong winter winds-Bura. The symbol of this town, dating back to 1000 B.C., is the fortress Nehaj. Using this town as their base the Uskosks, carried by the wind, went into battle against Turkish and Venetian invaders and protected the Habsburg borders. You will then leave the coastline and travel inland to Plitlice Lakes National Park. En route to the lakes you will stop in the Gacka valley, with its’ winding, pristine and calm river. This valley is famous for springs”-vrila”, old saw and flour mills, bird habitats, and trout fishing. Traveling on you arrive at Plitlice Lakes National park and check in to your 4* Hotel Degenija or comparable. Tonight dinner is on your own. (D)

Day Four: (BL) After breakfast you will check out of the hotel and have a guided tour of the park. The park with its’ unspoiled lakes, cascading waterfalls and lush vegetation, is one of the most beautiful nature parks in all of Europe. After this tour you will continue your journey to the south and back to the coast. Your first stop is at Sibinik with its’ fortress walls and famous 15th century “Katedrala Jakova”-Cathedral of St. James. This unique (UNESCO) monument of sacral architecture, adorned with 72 stone chiseled portraits of local citizens, is the most significant Renaissance architectural creation in Croatia. Your tour then travels on to Trogir, famous for its’ Romantic and Gothic old town, and for the Cathedral St. John. Your guide will treat you to lunch featuring local specialties. Walking through the village streets and gazing at the stone walls and towers, takes you back to the time of the Grecian, Roman and Venetian cultures that founded and built this city. You then travel a short distance to Split to check in at your new 4* Hotel Luxe, Hotel Marmont or comparable. You are then free to wander the streets and have dinner on your own. (BL)

Day Five: (B) After breakfast your guide will take you on a walking tour of Split, Croatias’ largest Adriatic coast city. This city, founded as a Greek colony in the 4th century B.C., still functions as a major port and gateway to the islands. The Roman emperor Diocletian built his palace here and the architecture of the settlements’ buildings was influenced by the Byzantines, Venetians, Austrians, and Italians. The main monument, the palace, was built in the 4th century and is one of the largest and best preserved from the Roman world. The palace grounds include fine preserved gates, courtyards, museums, a temple, and the cathedral of St. Domnius with its’ Romanesque bell tower, black granite sphinx, Corinthian columns, and frescoes. After your guided tour you will have the rest of the day to wander through the small streets of the Veli Varas, visit the museums and smaller churches, or just stroll along the Riva-waterfront and soak in the cozy and friendly atmosphere of this vibrant city. Dinner tonight is own your own. (B)

Day Six: (BL) After breakfast and checking out of your hotel your group and your guide will head down the south part of the Dalmatian coast to Dubrovnik-“The pearl of the Adriatic”. On the way you will stop at the village of Ston, located at the beginning of the Peljesac Peninsula. Here you will see the wonder of the three miles of 14th century walls that were named the “EuropeanWall of China”. The long walls with their towers and fortresses, were built to defend both the peninsula and the salt pans from attack from the mainland. The walls climb from the heart of the town to St.Michael’s Mount and then descend back down to Mali Ston. The bastions, towers, and forts make this one of the largest and most interesting defensive structures in the world. The Ston area, originally called Stagnum because of its’ shallow waters, is also known for great seafood especially oysters. You will have a chance to taste these delights with your guide at lunch before you continue south to Dubrovnik. Upon arrival you will check in to your new 4* Hotel Lapad, Hotel More (or comparable). Tonight you will be free to have dinner on your own. (BL)

Day Seven: (BL) The great Bernard Shaw wrote “Those that seek paradise on earth, must come to Dubrovnik”. After breakfast your guide will take you on a walking tour that showcases the beauty and history of this old town, one of the ten best medieval walled cities in the world. Like Split, this town dates back to the era B.C. and showcases its’ Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Venetian history. The beauty of this cities monuments, and walls with their fortresses and bastions built in the 10th and 13th centuries, is bewitching. You can walk around this city atop the walls, the symbol of Dubrovnik, just as the guards did in ancient times. After this tour your guide will take you to lunch, and then you will be free for the balance of the day. Wander down the Stradum (Placa) from the big fountain of Onofrio to the Square of the Loggia, or down the small and quieter cobblestone side street and alleys, visit one of the many churches and museums, or ride the cable car to Mt. Srd for that expansive view, every experience will be par excellence. Your guide, and by now your friend, will give you dining suggestions and you will be free to continue to roam the city and find that perfect place for dinner on your own. (BL)

Day Eight: (B) Today, after check out, your eight beautiful and richly filled days, will come to an end. Your guide will accompany you to the airport to board your flight home or to continue your travels. (B) END of Tour