Balkans Supreme - Italy, Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro 17 Days
Flying into Marco Polo airport at Venice International VCE we'll commence the first leg of this journey in Italy, specifically the Veneto region.
We'll head east to Trieste, a beautiful Adriatic port city well known for its literary and cultural heritage with a spectacular visit at the Hapsburg Castle of Miramare slightly north of the city. With a stay at a luxurious boutique hotel with sea views to settle in on the first night. We wake up refreshed for day two by exploring the Slovenian seaside town of Koper (Capodistria) and then its over to the wonderful mountainous inland area of Buzet in Croatia known for its truffles and fantastic old historic town perched on the top of a mountain with spectacular views. You can wak the walls in a nearby village here if you want, it takes 40 minutes and offers spectacular views in all directions.
We'll spend three nights in Opatija, the Jewel of the Adriatic with a fantastic seaside promenade and enjoy the luxury and opulence of this Habsburg-influenced town with its 19th century Viennese architecture. The town was developed with no expense spared, offering Adriatic rest and relaxation for the upper classes of Austria two hundred years ago. Today it's known for its many little fishing villages, a romantic promenade and many musuems and art galleries. Always a firm favourite, many people find it the most beautiful place on the trip. We'll continue down the coast spending a couple of nights in Dalmatia enjoying the Venetian and Roman heritage, overnighting in the fantastically cultural cities of Zadar and Split.
In this area, we'll visit a Roman Amphitheature, historic churches, Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace and the UNESCO World Heritage town of Trogir on the coast. On the last leg of the journey we'll drive through a sunkissed valley known for its production or oranges and arrive at the wonderful southern Dalmatian coastal city of Dubrovnik, also a UNESCO World Heritage site, made recently famous as King's Landing in the HBO drama Game of Thrones. The old city is quite spectacular, as are the views from the cable car ride up the mountain above the town. With a couple of nights in Dubrovnik, we'll leave Hradska Republica (Croatian Republic) for the interesting Balkan country of Montenegro (Black Mountain).
Montenegro is one of the world's most beautful countries and is known for its beautiful landscapes, mountains, lakes and high quality of living. We head to Podgorica, the capital, where our journey ends and we have a chance to compare and contrast the three Balkan countries we have visited. Enjoy the sunshine, history, culture and deep historical discussions about the Balkans War, Yugloslavia, the Ottoman Empire, local cuisine, local traditions, language, architecture and just a great time enjoying all the delights of the Adriatic.
The Balkans is the most underestimated part of Europe, for that reason it's one of our favourites. Eat better than in Italy whilst in Croatia, see more spectacular landscapes in Montenegro than in France and enjoy the company of the well-educated and cultured peoples of south-east Europe. We absolutely love the Balkans and you will too!
Itinerary and Specifics
Highlights:
- Enjoy some of Europe's best Cuisine - a combination of Italian, Adriatic and Balkan. We can't think of a better way to enjoy life. As the Italians say "Eating is the first pleasure."
- Explore areas you know next to nothing about but were always curious about. What really happened in the Balkans War?
- Why do people go crazy for Croatia? What is it all about? Understand the history, the high quality of seaside living, the great food and great people.
- Understand the geo-political factions that have been operating in the Balkans for many centuries: the Russians, the Austrians, the Austro-Hungarians, the Polish, the Ottomans, the Greeks. Understand that "Slavic" means different things to different countries.
- Understand why different interests for Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Islam have created so many factions and fighting over the years. Understand Bosnia, Kosovo, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia.
- See some of the finest Art-Nouveau architecture in the world
- Enjoy the beauties of Slovenia - castles, seaside towns and the capital.
- Experience a side to Italy you didn't know - the Veneto east of Venice is a fanastic region.
- Explore Montenegro and head back in time to a more simple way of life where it was humankind enjoying nature, great views and the culture of their ancestors.
- Dispel all the myths and stereotypes that might be in your head - south eastern Europeans have a much higher quality of living than anyone in Northern Europe - sun, the best food in the world, surrounded by seasisde, beautiful lakes and clean air. Couple this with rapid economic development and you'll see what we're talking about.
Included:
- 4 Star Accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast Basis
- Meet and Greet at Airport
- Transfers to and from hotel
- Expert driver/guide
- Comfortable touring vehicle
- Local knowledge, recommendations and help with any bookings you want to make
- Porterage - 1 piece per person in and out of hotels
Not included
- Flights - purchase your own flights in and out of destination
- Gratuities minimum recommended $20 per person per day
- Lunches and Dinners - we like our guests to be able to choose their own dining options
- Any entrances to museums, attractions and concerts - most of what you're looking for will be free entrance anyway.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive in Venice Marco Polo Airport VCE, Meet and Greet, Transfer to your hotel in Central Venice for two nights. Might the guide for a walking tour of your area and see the main attractions here.
Day 2
Today the guide comes back to the lobby in the morning and takes you on a more detailed walking tour (there are no vehicles allowed in the central area of Venice for pollution and navigability reasons). Visit Piazza San Marco, see the Doge's Palace, enjoy the many Cathedrals, art galleries and museums here as well as enjoying the choice of many cafes. Italy has some of the finest cafes and restaurants in the world and we'll make sure you're not going to to the touristy ones, the locals eat way better.
Day 3
Today we'll head east to Trieste and explore the famous Adriatic Port City. See the statue of James Joyce and learn how he came here to write and teach English at the Berlitz school. This city has always been a place of mix between the Venetian Republic, Hapsburgs of Central Europe, Balkans and further afield. We start to get more of an Orientalist feeling here for the first time. Much trading was once done with Turkey and the Ottomans. Visit Castello Miramare, enjoy the gardens and see views of this wonderful Hapsburg mansion. Stay in a luxurious boutique Italian hotel with excellent food and sea views tonight.
Day 4
For the first time, you're in Slovenia, a country that some people are now considering the "little Switzerland" of the Balkans. With stunning beauty and very rapid economic growth since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 90s, Slovenia now has one of the best standards of living in Europe. We'll visit Koper, the seaside city well worth seeing and then we're on to Pula in Croatia where we'll spend two nights.
Day 5
Explore Pula and see the famous Roman Amphitheatre, the town is a true Gem. Enjoy the amazing seafood, views and warm weather.
Day 6
Today we'll drive inland toward Buzet and a few more beautiful villages in our favourite mountainous area of Istria, one of five Croatian regions. Tonight we're down to Opatija for three nights on a lovely drive through the hills and mountains of the area.
Day 7
Explore the most beautiful small city on the Adriatic with the local guide. You'll get a chance to explore why it's the centre of the Croatian tourism industry, reaching back to the days of the railroad's arrival from Vienna and explore all the musuems and galleries near your hotel.
Day 8
We'll take a private boat journey along the coast to admire the region from the water. Blessed with good weather, you'll see why they call Opatija the Pearl of the Adriatic. Tonight we can organise a truly excellent meal - we've never eaten as well as at this great establishment.
Day 9
Today is yours in Opatija to walk the famous romantic foreshore path that twists and winds for miles - do as much or as little as you want and stop off for a snack and coffee if you want. We love it here, it's about getting away from the busy lives we all lead and enjoying the sounds of the waves and the gentle breeze with sea views always at your side. Enjoy the rest of the time today to rest or see more of the famous cultural offerings of the town.
Day 10
Today we head for Zadar and spend one night in this Dalmatian city. Meet a local guide for a walking city tour and explore the walled Old City.
Day 11
Tonight we'll be in Split for two nights. Heading south, we'll visit a couple of highlights including Trogir and Solin where you'll see the UNESCO World Heritage Town on the water and then all the Roman remains by the Roman Road from Constantinople, along which armies marched and goods travelled across the Ancient Classic World. Check-in and meet the local guide for a walking tour.
Day 12
Today we'll have a specialist guide for Diocletian's Palace - a Retirement Complex built by the former Roman Emperor right in the heart of Split. This is a fascinating demonstration of beautiful architecutre and history, as well as symbolism and show of power. It's UNESCO World Heritage Protected. Enjoy the rest of the day to explore the highlights the guides have spoken about and showed you. There's excellent seafood and other offerings here, it's a foodie paradise. We like spending time on the Riva (foreshore lined with cafes and restaurants and great people watching).
Day 13
Today we leave Split and head for Dubrovnik, one of the world's most beautiful cities, defended by thick and beautiful city walls. As a trading port, you'll learn the history of the city from our local guide. There's almost too much history and cultural explanations to speak of here, we've had guides who for three hours were able to talk about the signifcance of Dubrovnik, Saints, Castle Building, Empires, Venetians, Romans and so much more. Of course, many people are now coming to see the place known as King's Landing in the HBO series Game of Thrones. Tonight enjoy excellent dining and explore the gems of the Walled Old Town at your own leisure.
Day 14
We'll head up the new cable car to the mountain above Dubrovnik. Explore the military musuem or enjoy a coffee and enjoy the spectacular views down over the city and the turquoise waters of the Adriatic.
Day 15
Today we drive into Montenegro for the last two days of the trip. Enjoy some spectacular views, lakes and walks in the national park. We'll get to Podgorica, the capital city and check into the hotel.
Day 16
Today you'll have a top guide in Montenegro for a walking tour to learn the very deep history of the city of Podgorica, the country and the region. You'll see the cultural highlights and enjoy the last night on the journey.
Day 17
We'll head to the airport, you bid farewell to your driver/guide and fly home or onto the next Global Dream Travel adventure. We hope you'll embrace the region as much as us, it's a true gem of great weather, countless layers of heritage and history, great dining and perfect weather.