12 Day Albania, Montenegro, Croatia & Slovenia

DAY 1, Monday – Depart for Albania

Depart for Albania

DAY 2, Tuesday – Arrive in Tirana

Arrive in Tirana, capital of Albania and center of the political, economic and cultural life of the country. The balance of the day is at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by a light dinner. We recommend you select flights that arrive no later than 4 PM
Overnight: Tirana
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Wednesday – Tirana City Tour

Today, discover the city of Tirana. Morning sightseeing begins at Skanderbeg Square, bustling heart of the city, named for Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero; his equestrian statue dominates the center of the plaza. View Et’hem Bey Mosque, serving as a symbol of the rebirth of religious freedom in Albania. Continue to the soviet built Palace of Culture with its first stone symbolically placed by Nikita Khrushchev. End the tour with a visit to Bunk’Art 2, an ex-nuclear bunker that is now a museum, providing a unique insight into Albania’s history during the Cold War. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city on your own or, join the optional tour to Kruje. The visit will take you back in time and give you a wonderful cultural experience. Walk through the old bazaar, visit the Ethnographic museum and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant
Optional: Kruje Tour & Dinner (PM)
Overnight: Tirana
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Thursday – Shkodra, Wine Tasting, Podgorica

Depart Tirana to Shkodra, an important cultural center and one of Albania’s oldest cities, on the east side of Shkodra Lake. Drive by the ruins of mythical Rozafa Castle, one of the largest and most famous castles in Albania, with its fascinating history dating back to the early Bronze Age. Then, cross the border into Montenegro, the jewel of the Mediterranean, nestled on the beautiful Adriatic coast with its lovely beaches and crystal-clear lakes. Visit Plantaze Vineyards and learn about winemaking. Conclude with a tasting of local Vranac wine. Afterward, head to Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. On arrival take a panoramic tour of the city. It’s a relative new city, since most of the area was destroyed during World War II. Later check into the hotel. Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant
Overnight: Podgorica
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Friday – Tara Canyon, Biogradsko Lake, Moraca Monastery

This morning, head to Tara River Canyon, one of the largest and deepest gorges in Europe. Continue to Biogradsko, a picturesque lake in the Balkan Peninsula with its serene and natural beauty. After lunch, visit the impressive Moraca Monastery with its huge stone walls, the largest medieval Orthodox monument in Montenegro, built in 1252. Later, return to the hotel, and spend time at leisure
Overnight: Podgorica
Meals:Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Saturday – Cetinje en route to Dubrovnik

Travel to Cetinje at the foot of Mount Lovcen, a treasure of Montenegrin cultural and historical heritage, with its colorful architecture dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit King Nikola Museum, a historical complex with four sections: history, art, ethnographic and archaeological. Then, drive along a steep road down to the fjord-like Bay of Kotor. Along the way, see the spectacular scenery of the Dalmatian coast and town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive in the spectacular walled city of Dubrovnik, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”. Dinner is at the hotel
Overnight: Dubrovnik
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7, Sunday – Walking Tour of Dubrovnik

Begin the day with a tour of Dubrovnik and view the monumental Sponza Palace preserved in its original form. Under the City Bell Tower on Luza Square, view Orlando Column, dedicated to the legendary knight that saved the city in the 9th century. Then, view the Dominican Monastery and visit the Franciscan Monastery, and its 14th century pharmacy, one of the oldest still-functioning pharmacies in Europe. The rest of the day is yours to explore independently. Tonight, perhaps attend the optional Traditional Croatian Dinner. Take a short drive from Dubrovnik through the Croatian countryside to a lovely homestead, where you will be welcomed with tasty samplings such as local cheese and Dalmatian prosciutto. Take in the lush surroundings while savoring a traditional meal consisting of time-honored dishes, carefully prepared with fresh ingredients from the farm, paired with wine and brandy
Optional: Traditional Croatian Dinner (PM)
Overnight: Dubrovnik
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8, Monday – Ston Saltworks, Split Walking Tour

Depart Dubrovnik and travel north along the Dalmatian coast to the UNESCO, protected seaside town of Split. Along the way, stop at the fishing town of Ston and visit the famous saltworks, dating back to the 14th century. Afterward, continue to Split. Take a walking tour along the cobbled streets of the Old Town featuring the historic inner city with its dominating Roman influence, built around the 4th century Palace of Diocletian. This spectacular palace is the largest and best-preserved building of the Roman era on the Adriatic coast. See the remains of the Roman Peristyle, the unusual Cathedral of St. Domnius built in the Middle Ages, and the Temple of Jupiter, with its headless black sphinx guarding the entrance. Spend the remainder of the day discovering the town independently. Tonight, enjoy your time at leisure or join the optional Croatian Dinner at Epetium. Travel this evening to Stobrec, just outside of Split. Here, savor a delicious three-course meal at the family-run Epetium restaurant, while listening to live Dalmatian music
Optional: Croatian Dinner at Epetium (PM)
Overnight: Split
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 9, Tuesday – Plitvice Lakes National Park

Morning drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a magnificent wonderland of 16 interconnecting lakes, flanked by thundering waterfalls and a huge primeval forest. This area, known as a geological phenomenon, is celebrated as one of the most beautiful natural sights in Europe, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. After enjoying the beauty of the park, travel to the town of Plitvice for dinner and overnight
*The walk down to Plitvice Lakes requires good walking shoes
Overnight: Plitvice
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10, Wednesday – Travel to Zagreb, Ljubljana

Spend the morning traveling inland through wooded mountains and lush vegetation to Zagreb, capital of Croatia. Upon arrival, stroll through the parks of downtown promenade. Next, head to the historic Upper Town. View busy Kaptol Square, and the monumental Zagreb Cathedral, with its soaring twin spires. Walk along Kravi Most, to St. Mark’s Square, dominated by St. Mark’s Church with its brightly colored roof and the Parliament building. Continue past the 17th century Jesuit Church of St. Catherine and conclude the tour at Ban Jelacic, the main square with free time to explore. Afterward, head to the flourishing capital, Ljubljana. On arrival in late afternoon, check into your hotel and spend time at leisure
Overnight: Ljubljana
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Thursday – Tour Ljubljana Resort City of Bled

Begin the day with a tour of Ljubljana. A local expert will lead you on a sightseeing tour of the city and its monuments. View the lively open-air market, City Hall, Robba Fountain, the Three Bridges, and the Parliament. In the afternoon, travel to the resort town of Bled, located in the foothills of the Julian Alps. Take a walking tour through this charming town along the shores of the lake. Ascend to the imposing 11th century Bled Castle, perched on a steep cliff high above the lake, creating a dramatic backdrop to the city. This medieval fortress, with huge towers, ramparts, moats and a terrace offers breathtaking views. Afterward, head to Radovljica. Following an orientation tour, free time to explore the town on your own before dinner. Later, return to Ljubljana
Overnight: Ljubljana
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Friday – Depart Slovenia

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast