Day
1, Arrive in Venice or Ljubljana, Sunday
Transfer
from the airport to the port of Koper, for embarkation
between 4 PM and 10 PM. Late evening departure
towards Zadar (overnight sailing). (D)
Day
2, Zadar, Monday
Monday
morning arrival in Zadar, the oldest Slavic city
on the Adriatic, once famed cultural center. Optional
tour to Plitvice National Park with breathtaking
scenery of 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly
wooded mountains and lush vegetation, also listed
in UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Optional
tour of Zadar includes the ruins of the Roman
Forum, the Romanesque Cathedral of St. Anastasia,
the Church of St. Donat, the Church of St. Mary
and Benedictine Convent.Depart Zadar at 8 PM sailing
to Ploce. (B, L, D)
Day
3, Ploce, Tuesday morning
Morning
arrival in Ploce, a large commercial port located
in Central Dalmatia. Optional tour to Mostar,
a famous old city in Bosnia and Herzegovina where
you will see the reconstructed old bridge built
by the occupying Turkish forces some 500 years
ago.Depart Ploce at 2:30 PM sailing to Korcula.
(B, L, D)
Day
3 (continued), Korcula, Tuesday afternoon
Arrive
in Korcula, birth place of Marco Polo, on Tuesday
afternoon. You can visit the main square and see
the Cathedral Square and nearby Marco Polo’s
family house. In the evening enjoy optional performance
of Moreska, the island’s unique version
of Morris Dance. Depart Korucla at 11 PM. (B,
L, D)
Day
4, Kotor, Wednesday
Morning
arrival in Kotor, Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor
and the old town of Kotor are both on UNESCO’s
World Heritage List. Bay of Kotor is actually
the largest European Fjord outside of Norway.
Optional tour to the former capital city of Cetinje
or Montenegro’s Grand Tour of the Riviera.Leave
Kotor towards Albania at 10:30 PM. (B, L, D)
Day
5, Durres, Thursday
Morning
arrival in the port of Durres, the most important
maritime gate of Albania, also well known for
its nice Riviera. Optional tour to Tirana, the
country’s capital city, only 40 kilometers
away. Spend a full day discovering the city, including
typical lunch in a local restaurant.At 10:00 start
sailing towards Dubrovnik. (B, L, D)
Day
6, Dubrovnik, Friday
Arrive
Dubrovnik in the morning. Entering the gates of
this over 1000 years old architectural marvel
is like a step back in time. Optional tour: City
tour includes the Rector’s Palace, Bell
Tower clock, Orlando’s Column and the Sponza
Palace. Also see the Dominican’s Monastery
and Franciscan Monastery housing one of the oldest
pharmacies in the world.Optional Folklore Performance.
(B, L, D)
Day
7, Split, Saturday
Morning
arrival in Split. Optional tour of Split features
the historic inner city, built around the Roman
Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO world
heritage sight. See the remnants of Split’s
Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures,
Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle and the
Cathedral. Optional tour to nearby Trogir, the
center of artistic activities. Scholars from around
the world gather to study and paint here. In the
afternoon sail back to Koper. (B, L, D)
Day
8, Koper to Venice, Sunday
Disembark
after breakfast (after 9 AM). Transfer to your
hotel in Venice. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Meet your fellow travelers for orientation meeting
with the tour director, followed by a welcome
dinner. (D)
Day
9, in Venice, Monday
Today
begins with a sightseeing tour Venice. Start your
walking tour in St. Mark’s Square, visit
St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge's Palace
and view the Bell Tower and Bridge of Sighs. Also
visit a glass blowing factory where you will see
the demonstration of a traditional Venetian glass
blowing.Balance of the day is at leisure. Enjoy
Venice at your own pace, shop or join an optional
gondola ride.(B)
Day
10, to Florence, Tuesday
Drive
to Ferrara, a renaissance gem in the Emilia-Romagna
region standing on the banks of the Po River.
Orientation tour with your Tour Director. Continue
to Pisa to view the famous Piazza del Miracoli
with its Leaning Tower, the Baptistery and Duomo.
End your day in Florence with dinner in your hotel.(B,
D)
Day
11, in Florence, Wednesday
Today’s
morning city tour begins at the majestic Piazza
del Duomo to see the Cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi’s
Dome, the Giotto’s Bell Tower, and the Baptistery
with Ghiberti’s bronze “Gate of Paradise”.
Then, visit the Academy of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo's
David is displayed. Tour ends at the Piazzale
Michelangelo with the most spectacular view over
Florence. Remainder of the day is at leisure to
independently savor the renaissance splendor of
the Tuscan capital. (B)
Day
12, to Rome, Thursday
Traveling
towards Rome through the stunning panorama of
Tuscany, and afterwards, travel through Umbria
to Assisi for a walking tour of the main square
and a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis. Continue
to Rome for dinner and overnight.(B, D)
Day
13, in Rome, Friday
A
full day sightseeing tour shows you all the highlights
of the Eternal city. Visit the Vatican M useums
with Sistin Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica.
Then continue on to visit the Colosseum, ancient
Palatine Hill overlooking the Circus Maximus and
the Imperial Palace, and the Roman Forum. Overnight.
(B, L)
Day
14, in Rome, Saturday
A
full day free in spectacular Rome. Y our Tour
Director will have suggestions on how to spend
your time. You might want to visit some of the
wonderful shops, galleries and museums, or relax
in a sidewalk cafe. An optional excursion to Pompei
is available. Once a prosperous port city, it
was buried under volcanic ash when Mt. Vesuvius
erupted in late August of 79 A.D. Your excursion
will bring to life the sights and history of this
fascinating town. Tonight, a farewell dinner in
a local restaurant, complete with wine and music,
is the perfect way to celebrate your glimpse of
Italy. (B, D)
Day
15, departing Rome, Sunday
Morning
transfer to Rome airport. Your homebound flight
arrives the same day. (B) |
