From Istanbul to Venice Tour

Your Adriatic Vacation Includes
Croatia – Venice – Istanbul – Bosnia and Slovenia

A Grand 17 day tour
from Istanbul, Zagreb, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Split
Plitvice Lakes and Ljubljana to Venice

This is a Group Tour

Sebilj fountain in the center of Baš?aršija square, Sarajevo.
Photo by Daniel Wabyick, San Francisco, via Wikimedia Commons.

DAY 1: ISTANBUL – Tour starts Weekly In Istanbul – Thursday ( May – Oct)
Our local rep. will meet your flight or cruise line (Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Crystal Cruises or other Mediterranean cruises), and escort you to your hotel in Istanbul: Crystal Hotel or similar (First class 4-star).

DAY 2: ISTANBUL – Friday (BLD)
We dive right into this fascinating city with visits to its top sights: Topkapi, the palace of the Sultans for centuries; Hagia Sophia, the greatest church in Christendom for a thousand years; the Blue Mosque, with its exquisite blue tiles; the Byzantine Hippodrome, scene of chariot races and gladiator combat and the eerie Sunken Palace cistern beneath it. Then we will go on a shopping spree at the labyrinth of the Grand Bazaar. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Grand Bazaar in Instanbul

Day 3: Istanbul / Zagreb – Saturday (BD)
Our local rep. will escort you to the Istanbul airport for your flight to Zagreb (Istanbul / Zagreb air fare is included in economy class with taxes). Breakfast is included, of course, at your hotel in Istanbul. Upon arrival in Zagreb, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The the remainder of the day is at leisure. Evening welcome dinner at the hotel in Zagreb (D = Dinner).

Day 4: Zagreb – Sunday
A morning sightseeing tour will take you along the historic Upper Town. See St. Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, the Parliament and the Government Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the winding streets of the old town or take an optional excursion to the countryside. (B = Continental or buffet breakfast)

Day 5: Zagreb to Sarajevo – Monday
Journey south out of Croatia to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After checking in at the hotel, relax and enjoy dinner. (B, D)

Day 6: Sarajevo to Dubrovnik – Tuesday
Sarajevo has been influenced by a number of cultures and civilizations. On your city tour visit the picturesque Turkish bazaar “Bas Carsija”, the Husref Bay’s Mosque, Olympic Stadium and Sarajevo Gavrilo Princip Museum. Then continue your trip through the mountains and along the gorge of the Neretva River to Mostar. Here you will  see the remains of the Turkish quarter and the reconstruction efforts to the 16th century stone bridge. Travel on to Dubrovnik. (B, D)

Video by yurmovies

Day 7: Dubrovnik – Wednesday
There is a walking tour of “Old Dubrovnik” this morning: the Rector’s Palace, Bell Tower Clock, Orlando’s Column and the Sponza Palace. You will also see the Dominican Monastery and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)

Day 8: Dubrovnik, excursion to Montenegro – Thursday
Travel to the Republic of Montenegro. Head towards the mouth of the beautiful Bay of Kotor, the longest and deepest fjord in Southern Europe. See the little towns of Risan and Kotor. Then proceed to Cetinje, once the seat of Montenegrin rulers, today a city-museum. After the sightseeing in Cetinje, travel to the coast for a short stop in the villages of Sveti Stefan and Budva before returning to Dubrovnik.(B)

Day 9: Dubrovnik to Split – Friday
Depart Dubrovnik and travel north along the spectacular Adriatic coast, past old fishing villages and new resorts, to Split. Enjoy a city tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. See the remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle and the Cathedral. (B, D)

Day 10: Split to Trogir and Plitvice Lakes – Saturday
After breakfast, head to Trogir, the center of artistic activities. Scholars from around the world gather to study and paint here. Then turn inland and journey to Plitvice Lakes National Park. (B, D)

Day 11: Plitvice Lakes – Sunday
A full day to enjoy Plitvice National Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Have your camera ready and take a walking tour around several of the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder with 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B, D)

Day 12: Plitvice Lakes to Opatija, Postojna to Ljubljana – Monday
Return to the coast to the beautiful bay of Kvarner and its popular resort, Opatia. An orientation tour of Opatia will present the highlights of this former Imperial resort city. After your visit here, drive across the border into Slovenia to Postojna Caves, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Tour the fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterwards, continue to Ljubljana for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

Day 13: Ljubljana – Bled Castle – Tuesday
Morning tour of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Here, view the Central open-air Market, Baroque Town Hall, Robba’s Fountain, the Three Bridges and the Parliament. Followed by the sightseeing tour of Lake Bled features the charming town with the lakeshore, and imposing Bled Castle perched on a cliff high above the lake. Return to Ljubljana in the evening. (B)

Day 14: Ljubljana, Trieste to Venice, Italy – Wednesday
Leave Ljubljana, driving south to Trieste, Italy for orientation tour and visit to Miramare Castle and its park. The Castle was built by the Hapsburg Monarchy and is situated on the cliff overlooking Adriatic Sea. Then continue on to the marvelous city of Venice. (B)

Day 15: Venice, Italy – Thursday
Today begins with a walking tour of Venice featuring the major highlights: St. Mark’s Square, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Bell Tower and the Bridge of Sighs. The tour ends with a visit to a glass blowing factory where you may see the demonstration of a traditional Venetian glass blowing. Balance of the day is at leisure. In the afternoon enjoy Venice at your own pace — shop or join an optional gondola ride. Farewell dinner at local restaurant. (B, D)

Day 16: Venice – Friday
After breakfast enjoy Venice on your own as you wish. Full day at leisure to explore Venice or the neighboring islands on your own. (B)

Day 17: Departure – Venice – Saturday
After breakfast we drive to Venice airport for your flight home, Bon Voyage! (B)

Capanile Tower Venice

Sample Hotels – or similar:

• Dubrovnik: Lapad (F)
• Split: Atrium (F)
• Plitvice: Jezero (F)
• Zagreb: Westin (DLX) / Regent Esplanade (DLX = Deluxe)
• Sarajevo: Hotel Europa (F)
• Bled: Park (F) / Golf Hotel (SF)
• Ljubljana: Union (F)
• Venice: Bauer “Palladio Hotel & Spa” (DLX)

Rate includes:

• Air fare between Istanbul and Zagreb, economy class with taxes. Ticket issued and delivered in Istanbul.
• Local guided sightseeing as per itinerary including all entrance fees.
• All airport transfers.
• All listed touring, always using deluxe air-conditioned motor coach.
• Accommodations with breakfast (B) as indicated, or at comparable properties, according to availability: First class hotels, rooms with private facilities, with service charges and hotel taxes
• Breakfast (B) daily and listed pre-set menu dinners (D).
• Professional Tour Director throughout.
• Luggage handling

Not Included:

• International air transportation from/ to your country
• Any meal not specifically mentioned
• Beverages, and personal expenses
• Gratuities for local personnel
• Travel insurance
• Airport taxes
• Any visa fee when /if required