EASTERN DISCOVERY

Your itinerary

15 Days ~ Austria ~ Slovenia ~ Croatia ~ Montenegro ~ Albania ~ Macedonia ~ Bulgaria ~ Turkey

Tour Pace

This tour has a well-balanced itinerary with two nights in Vienna at the beginning, a relaxing two-night stay in Dubrovnik in the middle and two in Sofia and Istanbul at the end. The other one-night stays are comfortably reached in a day’s drive.

DAY 1 – SUN – UK - VIENNA

Welcome to Austria’s elegant capital of Vienna! After your scheduled arrival at Vienna Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your hotel at 09.00, 12.00 & 15.00 hours. Relax at a Viennese café or stroll through the Stadtpark to see the golden statue of Strauss. Meet your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Hilton/Crowne Plaza.

DAY 2 – MON – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING

A sightseeing highlight this morning is a guided visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and gardens. Sightseeing continues past St Charles’ Church and tours the ‘ring’, seeing the Opera House, the magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament Building. Consider spending time in Prater Park and riding its famous ferris wheel. (BB)

DAY 3 – TUE – VIENNA – ZAGREB

Head south through Styria’s forested mountains, past Graz and over the Slovenian border to the 700-year-old university town of Maribor. Follow the Drava River to Croatia and its capital, Zagreb. On your guided tour see Roosevelt Square, the attractive facades of Ban Josip Jelacic Square, the Cathedral, and, in the medieval Upper Town, the Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St Marks Church and Pope’s Tower. Hotel: Sheraton/Westin. (BB)

DAY 4 – WED – ZAGREB – PLITVICE REGION

Time is at leisure this morning. Maybe take an optional excursion to the home of the late Marshall Tito in Kumrovec, before departing for one of Europe’s natural wonders, Plitvice National Park. Hotel: Jezero. (BB,D)

DAY 5 – THU – PLITVICE REGION – ZADAR

Tour the Plitvice Lakes, a wonderland of 16 lakes flanked by thundering waterfalls and primeval forest. Visit Korana Canyon’s 230 foot high falls and Tomicevo Pogledalo for views over the park. A delightful drive brings you to the Dalmatian coast’s sparkling deep blue seas and rocky islands. Hotel: Kolovare. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – FRI – ZADAR – SPLIT

Head down the coast to visit Trogir. Founded by the Greeks in 400BC but now renowned for its fine cathedral and Renaissance Cipiko Palace. Continue to the ancient port of Salona to admire the Roman Baths, Necropolis and Amphitheatre. Stay tonight in Split where, 1700 years ago, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace. Explore the labyrinth of streets and historic buildings within that same palace. Hotel: San Antonio. (BB)

DAY 7 – SAT – SPLIT – DUBROVNIK

Travel through charming fishing villages to Dubrovnik. A guided sightseeing tour in the Old Town explores the stone-paved streets inside the 16th century bastions. See Onofrio’s fountain and the Rector’s Palace, the city walls, as well as the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. Your hotel is beautifully situated overlooking Lapad Bay. Hotel: Grand Hotel Park. (BB,D)

DAY 8 – SUN – DUBROVNIK AT LEISURE

Today is at leisure. Perhaps relax in one of Dubrovnik’s cafés or take a lovely walk around the Lapad peninsula. Why not join a sunset cruise tonight? (BB)

DAY 9 – MON – DUBROVNIK – TIRANA

Over the border in Montenegro, visit the Old Town of Kotor, perched beside the only European fjord outside Norway. Continue to Albania and stop in the town of Shkodra before continuing to the Albanian capital, Tirana. Hotel: Sheraton Hotel & Towers. (BB,D)

DAY 10 – TUE – TIRANA – OHRID

Take a guided sightseeing tour of Tirana before heading to the Albanian border and crossing into Macedonia. Reach Lake Ohrid to stay in the resort town of the same name. Hotel: Flamenco Donco. (BB,D)

DAY 11 – WED – OHRID – SOFIA

First stop is in the Macedonian capital city of Skopje to see the main square, the mosques and old Turkish buildings. Cross the north of the country to reach the Bulgarian border, and make your way to the capital, Sofia, for dinner at your hotel. Hotel: Kempinski. (BB,D)

DAY 12 – THU – SOFIA SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing takes in the St Sofia Church across the square from the golden domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archeological complex, dominated by St George’s Church. Explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion to the magnificent Rila Monastery, the largest and most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. (BB)

DAY 13 – FRI – SOFIA – ISTANBUL

Head east, joining the road to Turkey taken by the Romans, the Crusaders and others over the centuries. Once over the border, continue to Istanbul, uniquely located on two continents. Hotel: Conrad. (BB)

DAY 14 – SAT – ISTANBUL SIGHTSEEING

Tour the highlights of Istanbul, including St Sophiaand a visit to the famous Blue Mosque. Visit Topkapi Palace, former seat of the Ottoman Emperors, to admire the treasures of the Sultans, before finishing the tour at the 4,000 shops, tea houses and cafés of the Grand Bazaar. Celebrate your amazing journey with a Highlight Dinner, complete with traditional entertainment. (BB,HD)

DAY 15 – SUN – ISTANBUL - UK

The tour ends with a transfer to the airport for our homeward flight. Or why not combine this tour with our Wonders of Turkey tour ? (BB)

Note: Visas are required for many countries on these tours - please check with your Travel Agent.

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