CROATIAN ADVENTURE

Departures

Adriatic Coast (Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split, Zadar, Opatija), Venice and Oberammergau

Itinerary

Day 1, Friday: DEPART CANADA
Tour members from across Canada gather in Toronto for the overnight flights to Dubrovnik.

Day 2, Saturday: FRANKFURT/ DUBROVNIK
Arrive in Frankfurt around noon, we transfer to a nearby restaurant in the Taunus hills to enjoy a typical German lunch. After some free time, we will return to the Frankfurt airport for our connecting flight to Dubrovnik. On arrival in Dubrovnik late this evening we are met by our tour manager and transferred to Hotel Blu Radisson Resort & Spa our home for the first 3 nights.

Note: Due to a long layover in Frankfurt and late arrival in Dubrovnik a lunch will be provided instead of dinner this evening.
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Day 3, Sunday: DUBROVNIK
Rejuvenated by a good night's sleep, enjoy a morning walking tour of the walled city including entrances to four of its most famous attractions: the 14th-century Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries, Rector's Palace, and Sponza Palace. The Franciscan Monastery houses Europe's oldest pharmacy, dating to 1317. Sponza Palace, dating from the 15th century, contains a beautiful 30 metre bell tower. Today it functions as a history museum, containing a memorial to Croatians who perished during the civil war. The balance of the afternoon will be free to enjoy in Dubrovnik (it is a delightful city for walking) or at our hotel. This evening we will have dinner at a local restaurant.
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Day 4, Monday: KOTOR / CAVTAT
Enjoy a morning excursion south along the coast to Kotor, set on one of Montenegro’s most beautiful bays. Dating from the 12th to 14th Centuries, this UNESCO “World Historical Heritage Site” is noted for its medieval architecture, narrow streets and picturesque squares. We shall have an hour long guided walk followed by free time for lunch. (The planned visit to Sveti Stefan is no longer possible – the complete private resort is now closed to the public.) En route back to Dubrovnik, we will stop in the resort village of Cavtat for some leisure time. Set on a protected bay, it is best known for its cultural festival in the summer. There is a delightful walk and a few pretty art galleries to explore. We will then take a cruise up the coast, disembarking in Dubrovnik’s picturesque harbour.
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Day 5, Tuesday: HVAR / SPLIT
Departing Dubrovnik, we head north along the Dalmatian Coast to the village of Drvenik where we catch a ferry to Hvar Island, one of the most beautiful islands of the whole Dalmatian Archipelago. We shall drive around the island following close to the coast to enjoy the magnificent scenery - mountains, quaint villages and wonderful seascapes, stopping for a stroll and time for lunch in the village of Hvar, noted for its fine harbour and extensive marble clad central square which is dominated by the cathedral. Late this afternoon we catch another ferry back to the mainland and continue to Split. Hotel Radisson Blu Resort (2 nights)
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Day 6, Wednesday: SPLIT
Vestiges of Split's ancient history will be explored during our morning tour. Chief among the Roman sites is the Palace of Diocletian, built as the Emperor's retirement home. Diocletian had a special hatred for Christians and tried to stamp out the religion throughout the Roman Empire. It is interesting to speculate whether he would have abdicated in 305 AD if he had known that his successor, Constantine, would embrace Christianity! Split's cathedral, consecrated in the 7th century, was originally Diocletian's mausoleum. The church is richly decorated, and among its many treasures are the relics of martyrs killed on the orders of Diocletian. This evening enjoy a pleasant stroll along the city’s beautiful streets which fortunately were spared the ravages of the recent war.
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Day 7, Thursday: ZADAR
This morning enjoy the coastal drive from Split to Zadar, with many beautiful islands floating on the Adriatic Sea on our left. Like many Adriatic ports, Zadar has historically been dominated by strong neighbours including the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Venetians (who wanted to hold off the Ottoman Turks). In more recent times the city was invaded by the German army during World War II. As a result Zadar presents a rich architectural and cultural history to the visitor. Enjoy a city tour including the churches of St. Donat and St. Anastasia. St. Donat is an extraordinary church in the pre-Romanesque style. The nave is high and round, with three semi-circular apses attached. Also visit Zadar's fascinating new "sea-organ," which has won design awards. The lapping waves enter tunnels and produce harmonic tones that must be experienced in person. You can sit on the waterfront, enjoy the sea views, and listen to soothing sounds emanating from all around you. Hotel Falkensteiner (1 night)
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Day 8, Friday: KRK / OPATIJA
Today we visit Krk, the largest island in the Adriatic but accessible by bridge. By now we have been spoiled by the picturesque Adriatic scenery, offering commanding views from seafront promontories and beautiful fishing villages that seem to transport us back in time to another era. On Krk we shall explore some of these quaint villages, stop to enjoy some local crafts and markets and admire the contrasts of sea and land. This evening we will be in Opatija, a delightful seaside resort developed in the late 19th century to compete with resorts in the Italian and French Riviera. The beautiful waterfront promenade has been compared to Cannes and Nice. Hotel Bristol(1 night)
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Day 9, Saturday: PADOVA / ABANO TERME
This morning we cross into Italy, passing the industrial centre of Trieste en route to the Venice area. Late this morning we will spend some time in Padova, a wonderful city noted for its historic centre, arcaded walkways and narrow streets. Highlights of our walking tour include the Basilica of St. Anthony and the Scrovegni Chapel, which houses an amazing group of frescoes by Giotto, the 14th-century master who also decorated the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. Continue to the spa town of Abano Terme. Hotel Alexander Palace (2 nights)
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Day 10, Sunday: VENICE
This morning we travel by private boat through the canals and waterways of old Venice to the Piazza San Marco, one of the grandest squares in Europe. Here a local guide will take us on a walking tour featuring visits to the magnificent Doge's Palace and the San Marco Basilica. Enjoy lunch in a local Venetian restaurant followed by free time to wander on our own throughout Venice. Getting lost in the maze of narrow passages is no problem, as you will soon emerge in front of a grand church or perhaps by the majestic Grand Canal. Optionally you can join a cruise excursion across the Venice Lagoon to Murano and Lugano (famous for the production of artisan glass and lace, respectively).
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Day 11, Monday: INNSBRUCK / OBERAMMERGAU
Heading north today we drive up and over the Brenner Pass into Austria. By early afternoon we will be in the beautiful Tyrolean city of Innsbruck. A local guide will introduce us to the delights of this alpine centre on a walking tour that will feature Innsbruck's old town including the Hofkirche with its royal tombs and still functional wooden organ (installed in 1560). We then come to Oberammergau and the play that we have long anticipated. Hotel Alte Post (2 nights)
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Day 12, Tuesday: The PASSION PLAY
We will have the morning free, to enjoy the colourful paintings in the village and to do a little shopping. Following lunch, the highlight of the trip, the Passion Play in Oberammergau begins! The Play was instituted in fulfillment of a vow made in 1633, when the town was stricken by plague. It was performed for the first time in 1634 and since then has been played every ten years. It’s just a short walk from the hotel to the theatre, which was built in 1930 and has seating for 4,800 spectators. While the seats are covered, the stage is open to the elements, using the natural grandeur of the region as a back-drop.
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Day 13, Wednesday: MUNICH
This morning enjoy some final alpine vistas as we head north to Munich. On arrival a local guide will introduce us to the sights of Bavaria's capital, the Nymphenburg Palace, Marienplatz, Frauenkirche and the Olympic Stadium. This evening, we celebrate our journey, sharing stories and memories at our Farewell Dinner. Park Inn Munich Ost (1 night)
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Day 14, Thursday: HOMEWARD BOUND
All too soon our adventure draws to a close as we transfer to Munich airport and catch our flight to Toronto with connections to our homes across Canada.
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Tour Costs (CDN$/person)

Prices from other cities on request - please call our office. Tour cost is per person based on sharing a twin bedded room. Single rooms are extremely limited.

Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure.

Inclusive Features

To enroll on this tour simply complete our online enrollment form or alternatively complete the enrollment form found at the back of our brochure and return it with your deposit of $1500 per person to Craig Travel's office.