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)
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