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ITINERARY Insight Vacations - The Eastern Discovery
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 – VIENNA AT LEISURE
On arrival at Vienna Airport, there are complimentary transfers to your hotel. Relax at a Viennese café or stroll through the Stadtpark to see the golden statue of Strauss? Later, meet your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Hotel: Vienna Hilton.
DAY 2 – MON – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
A sightseeing highlight this morning is a guided visit tothe magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and gardens. Then our sightseeing continues as we see St Charles' Church and tour the 'ring', passing the Opera House, the magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament Building. This afternoon maybe spend time in Prater Park for a ride on the famous ferris wheel? (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 3 – TUE – VIENNA – ZAGREB
Our route takes us southwards through Styria's forested mountains, past Graz, and over the Slovenian border to the 700 year old university town of Maribor. Later, we follow the Drava River to Croatia and continue to the capital, Zagreb. Hotel: Sheraton. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 4 – WED – ZAGREB – PLITVICE REGION
On our guided tour of Zagreb, we see Roosevelt Square, the attractive facades of Ban Josip Jelacic Square and the nearby Cathedral. Now to the medieval Upper Town, including the Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St Marks Church and the Pope's Tower. Maybe take an excursion to the home of the late Marshall Tito, Kumrovec, before we depart for one of Europe's natural wonders – Plitvice National Park. Hotel: Jezero. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 5 – THU – PLITVICE REGION – ZADAR
Today we tour the Plitvice Lakes; a scenic wonderland of 16 inter-connecting lakes flanked by thundering waterfalls and primeval forest. We visit Korana Canyon to see the 230 feet high falls and Tomicevo Pogledalo for panoramic views over the park. Then a delightful drive brings us to the Dalmatian coast - sparkling deep blue seas, studded with rocky islands. Hotel: Kolovare. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 6 – FRI – ZADAR – SPLIT
After breakfast we head down the coast to visit Trogir, founded by the Greeks in 400BC. We admire the cathedral and Renaissance Cipiko Palace before continuing to the historic port of Split. 1700 years ago the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace here and today we explore the labyrinth of streets and historical buildings within that same palace. Hotel: Marjan. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 7 – SAT – SPLIT – DUBROVNIK
Today we visit the ancient Roman port of Salona. Here we admire the 2nd century Amphitheatre, Roman Baths and Necropolis. Then we travel through charming fishing villages to Dubrovnik and our hotel, beautifully situated on a nearby peninsula with beautiful views overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Hotel: President. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 8 – SUN – DUBROVNIK SIGHTSEEING
Our guided sightseeing tour in the old town this morning explores the stone paved streets inside the 16th century bastions. We see Onofrio's fountain and the Rector's Palace, the city walls, as well as the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. This afternoon is at leisure. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 9 – MON – DUBROVNIK – TIRANA
Just over the border we visit the old town of Kotor perched beside the only European fjord outside of Norway. We continue through Montenegro to Albania and stop in the town of Shkodra where we have views of the Rozafa Castle. We stay in the warm hearted Albanian capital of Tirana tonight. Hotel: Sheraton. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 10 – TUE – TIRANA – OHRID
This morning we have a guided sightseeing tour of Tirana before we head to the Albanian border and cross into Macedonia to reach Lake Ohrid where we stay in the resort town of the same name. Hotel: Flamenco Donco. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 11 – WED – OHRID – SOFIA
This morning our first stop is in the Macedonian capital city of Skopje where we see the main square, the mosques and old Turkish buildings. Then we cross the north of the country to reach the Bulgarian border and make our way to the capital city of Sofia where we have dinner tonight at our hotel. Hotel: Hilton. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 12 – THU – SOFIA SIGHTSEEING
Our sightseeing this morning shows us 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. Then time to 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. (Buffet breakfast, Three or four course table d'hote or buffet style dinner)
DAY 13 – FRI – SOFIA – ISTANBUL
We head east, joining the road to Turkey taken by the Romans, the Crusaders and others over the centuries. Once over the border we continue to Istanbul, uniquely located on two continents. Hotel: Conrad. (Buffet breakfast)
DAY 14 – SAT – ISTANBUL SIGHTSEEING
We tour the highlights of Istanbul today includingSt Sophia and a visit to the famous Blue Mosque.We also visit Topkapi Palace, former seat of the Ottoman Emperors, where we admire the treasures of the Sultans. We finish at the 4,000 shops, tea houses and cafés of the Grand Bazaar! Tonight we celebrate our amazing journey with a Highlight Dinner complete with traditional entertainment! (Buffet breakfast, Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 15 – SUN – ISTANBUL
We transfer to the airport for our homeward flight. (Buffet breakfast)
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