Journeys: Discover the Balkans
12 days, Zagreb to Dubrovnik
Itinerary
Day 1Zagreb
Arrive at any time.
Please make your own way to the joining hotel.
Zagreb is the capital of Croatia and has a very charming old city, complete with cobblestone streets and medieval buildings. Be sure to sample some of the delicious local food and drink. There are also a number of museums to explore focusing on art, history, and archaeology.
After the meeting, opt to head out for a meal in a local restaurant to get to know your CEO and travelling companions.
Hotel check-in time is approximately 3:00pm. If you'd like to explore this city, consider booking a night or two of accommodations before the tour begins.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Zagreb/Plitvice Lakes National Park
Enjoy an excursion to Plitviče Lakes National Park with a local guide and learn about the diverse wildlife and unique bird population. This evening, enjoy a traditional peka (baked vegetable and meat dish) dinner cooked on hot coals.
Entrance to the park is included and there are many opportunities for walking and relaxing in one of Croatia's most famed wonders.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy time on your own.
Plitviče Lakes National Park Walk
Enjoy a morning walk in the National Park, admiring the stunning karst rock formations and cascading waterfalls. Enjoy the fresh air and stunning views that make the park a must-see for visitors.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3Plitvice Lakes National Park/Split
Continue on to Split. In the early evening, take a guided walk around the Diocletian Palace, one of the most imposing Roman ruins in Europe.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Diocletian's Palace Guided Walk
Take a guided walk around Diocletian's Palace, one of the most imposing Roman ruins in Europe. It took over 10 years to construct and is built of white stone imported from the island of Brač. Visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site is a perfect way to learn more about the history of Split.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Split
Enjoy free time to explore this charming seaside town.
Opt to visit the local market and gobble up some Croatian delicacies. For a little more activity, visit Marjan's peak, with gorgeous views over the city, or hit up some of the hiking and biking trails in the area.
Free Time
Opt to visit the Archaeology Museum or take an excursion to Trogir.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Archaeology Museum
FreeThe Archaeological Museum is the oldest museum in Croatia, built in 1820. It showcases a wide range of artifacts, from prehistoric times through Greek colonization and the Roman, early Christian, and medieval ages.The collections include stone epitaphs from Salona, Greek Hellenistic ceramics, Roman glass, clay lamps, antique and medieval coins, and a variety of artifacts made of bone, metal, and gems.
St Duje Cathedral Visit
15-40HRK per personThe Cathedral of St Duje is said to be the oldest cathedral in the world, built around 305 AD. Climb up the bell tower for excellent views of Split and the surrounding port area.
Trogir Excursion
15-41EUR per personTake an excursion to the historic city of Trogir, where the Old City core is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Found in the centre of Dalmatia on the eastern coastline of Adriatic sea, this pretty seaside town is a great place to walk and explore.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Split/Sarajevo
Travel to Mostar. Walk in the ancient town, visiting the famed Stari Most (Old Bridge), then continue to Sarajevo for the evening.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Border Crossing (Croatia - Bosnia)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Stari Most (Old Bridge) Visit
Visit the city's symbol; a beautiful, reconstructed Ottoman-style bridge. The bridge was constructed in the 1600s and was meticulously rebuilt after its destruction during the war. It's a reminder of the tenacity of the Bosnians and is a gorgeous sight to behold. Wait at the bottom for daredevils to dive into the icy river below.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Sarajevo
Learn about the Siege of Sarajevo from a local expert who lived through it. Visit the Tunnel of Hope and Trebević Mountain, and gain insight into how the people of this city moved beyond conflict. After, visit a market and enjoy a local lunch with your CEO.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Siege of Sarajevo Tour
At nearly four years (1992-96) the Siege of Sarajevo is the longest siege of a capital city in modern warfare. Learn about this devastating period from a local expert who lived through the Bosnian War and is willing to share personal stories of this time. Visit the Tunnel of Hope and War Tunnel Museum, and gain perspective on what it was like to live in a 20th century city under siege. Then visit Trebević Mountain, the site of several battles, to view bunkers, minefields, and trenches. One of the most interesting parts about this experience is the opportunity it gives viewers to learn how a city and its people can move beyond serious conflict and once more find peace living together.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 7Sarajevo
Enjoy a free day to explore at your leisure.
Walk around the cobblestone streets of the Old Town (Stari Grad) while taking in the architecture of diverse places of worship. This is also a great place to shop and visit markets. The Latin Bridge is worth a visit as it played an important role in the history of this area. This is the site where the Archduke of the Austro Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated, leading to the beginning of World War I.
Free Time
Explore this fascinating city at your own pace.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Latin Bridge Visit
FreeThe Latin Bridge is worth a visit as it is a direct link to history. This is the sight where the Archduke of the Austro Hungarian Empire, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated, leading to the beginning of World War I.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Sarajevo/Kotor
Cross over to Montenegro for two days on the Bay of Kotor. Opt to visit the Roman mosaics in Risan, take a leisurely stroll in Perast and the islands, or go sea kayaking in the spectacular bay.
Continue to Montenegro and travel to the Bay of Kotor, a region that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Border Crossing (Bosnia - Montenegro)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Free Time
Enjoy some time to explore this evening.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Kotor
Enjoy a free day to explore.
Opt to visit the Risan Roman mosaics and take a leisurely stroll in Perast and the islands, or go sea kayaking. If relaxing is more your style, the beaches of Herceg Novi offer a great escape. There are also local mud therapy spas nearby to test the natural healing properties of the area's sand.
Free Time
The day is yours to do as much or as little as you choose.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Kotor City Exploration
FreeTake some time to explore this picturesque town surrounded by a walled fortress built by the Republic of Venice. Kotor has a Mediterranean feel to it and the bay offers a stunning backdrop for photographs.
Risan town and Roman Mosaics Visit
10EUR per personRisan, once the capital of Kotor Bay, is a lovely town. Its most famous characteristic is the archaeological site is known as the Roman Mosaics. The mosaics are found in what remains of an ancient Roman villa, built sometime between the 2nd and 3rd century BC.
Sea Kayaking
20EUR per personHead out by sea kayak to fully appreciate this gorgeous area. Start just outside the Old Town walls and explore the coast. Stop at a beach bar for a break or a swim.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Kotor/Dubrovnik
Visit a family-run agroturizam villa surrounded by Mediterranean gardens and sweeping views of the Adriatic. Meet our local host then enjoy a traditional lunch of local ham, cheeses, and wine. Continue to Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic," and walk the old city walls.
Cross into Croatia and travel to Dubrovnik, known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic." Set on the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik has been an important maritime town in the region for centuries. Surrounded by medieval walls, it is rich in history and is a beautiful city to explore, filled with stunning architecture, museums, and fountains.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Border Crossing (Montenegro - Croatia)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Konavle Valley Agorturizam Walk and Lunch
With its lush, scenic landscapes, Croatia’s Konavle Valley is a must for any visitor to the region. Visit a family-run agroturizam villa surrounded by Mediterranean gardens and sweeping views of the Adriatic Sea. Meet our local hosts (who’ll greet us with homemade liqueur) and walk through their beautiful property to learn about the history and culture of the valley. Explore the lush gardens and pick fresh fruits and vegetables before enjoying a baking demonstration. Then, sit down for a traditional lunch of local hams, cheeses, breads, and wines. Yum.
Dubrovnik City Wall Walk
Opt to take a walking tour or head out on your own to explore the city's ancient walls. A trip to Dubrovnik isn't complete without doing this 2km (1.1 mi) walk. See highlights along the way that include Fort Minceta, Fort St. John, Fort Lawrence, Fort Revelin, and St. Luke’s Tower. There are three main entrances to the city walls, the principal one located by the Inner Pile Gates.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 11Dubrovnik
Enjoy a free day to explore the old town fortifications or take a boat trip to one of the nearby islands. The red roofs of the old city make for spectacular photos, and the seaside cafés serve up delicious seafood.
Free Time
Opt to visit museums, take a day trip to Lopud Island, or go sea kayaking.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Lopud Island Visit
Escape the city on a ferry ride to Lopud Island, part of the Elafiti Islands and home to one of Croatia's most stunning beaches, Plaza Sunj.
Sea Kayaking
36EUR per personHead offshore by sea kayak to gain a different perspective of Dubrovnik and fully appreciate this gorgeous area. Tour around the city walls and take a loop around Lokrum.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 12Dubrovnik
Depart at any time.
We recommend staying an extra day or two to fully experience all this lively city has to offer.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.