Discovery of Croatia and Slovenia 2024

Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Welcome to Dubrovnik, commonly known as ‘the Pearl of the Adriatic’. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by a representative of Mayflower Cruises and Tours and transferred to your hotel. Flights should arrive by 3:30pm. Enjoy time at leisure to familiarize yourself with your new surroundings. This evening, meet your Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Meal: D

Begin discovering this beautiful country with a tour of this historic city. As one of Europe’s best preserved medieval cities, ramparts, watchtowers, and the incredible crystal- clear water of the Adriatic Sea create the charms of its perfect location. Stroll through the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town with the local guide as a treasure trove of history is unveiled. Admire the Rector’s Palace and visit the Franciscan Monastery, home to a 14th-century pharmacy. After the tour, the remainder of the day is at leisure for independent exploration.Meal: B

Travel by coach to Montenegro, Europe’s youngest nation and the ‘Jewel of the Mediterranean’. At the mouth of the Bay of Kotor, admire the beauty of this longest and deepest fjord in southern Europe. Visit the charming town of Kotor where a local guide accompanies you on a walking tour as you wander through the winding streets. View the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, Maritime Museum, numerous palaces, and the Old Square where the atmosphere of this medieval town is truly felt. Continue to Budva, a unique walled city on the sea, for a tour with a local guide before the short ferry crossing along the Bay of Kotor and return to Dubrovnik. Meal: B

Today’s adventure discovers the island of Korčula, birthplace of the legendary explorer Marco Polo. Reach the island by boat departing from Orebic on the Peljesac peninsula. One of the greenest islands in the Adriatic Sea, the name comes from the Greeks, meaning ‘Black Corfu’, for its dark, densely wooded appearance. Explore the town on a guided walking tour, passing its typical medieval architecture, including towers and clusters of red-roofed houses. En-route back to Dubrovnik, stop in a cozy village to visit a winery and taste the local product. One final stop in Ston, a medieval gothic town surrounded by fortified walls, completes the return journey. Dinner is included tonight at the hotel. Meals: B, D

Departing Dubrovnik, travel to the town of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The small, historic center of this medieval town resembles an outdoor museum, and the streets boast magnificent Romanesque churches and beautiful examples of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Discover these sights with a local guide during a walking tour. Continue by coach to Split, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and Croatia’s grand 1,700-year-old city. During the guided walking tour, marvel at its rich culture and Renaissance and Gothic architecture. At the heart of the waterfront is Diocletian’s Palace, the 3rd-century ‘retirement home’ intended for the Roman Emperor of the same name. Admire its lovely peristyle courtyard, Cathedral of St. Dominus, ancient columns, and Roman belfries. Meal: B

Natural beauty awaits as you visit Krka National Park. Walk through the park with a local guide and witness magnificent waterfalls, including the famous Skradinski Buk Falls – one of Croatia’s most famous sights. As Europe’s largest waterfall, it consists of a chain of cascades, islands and lakes. The park is rich with a variety of flora and fauna, including sixty species and sub-species of plant life. Departing the national park, continue to Šibenik, one of the oldest towns on the Adriatic Coast. This charming town boasts impressive monuments dating back to Venetian times, particularly the marble Cathedral of St. James – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They all await your discovery as you enjoy a walking tour with a local guide. Return to Split for dinner at a local restaurant. Meals: B, D

After breakfast, depart by coach for the breathtaking scenery of Plitvice Lakes National Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Have your camera ready as you take a walk around several of the lower lakes in the park. The scenery of this natural wonder is spectacular, with 16-terraced lakes, descending 300 feet in 4 miles, surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. After free time to explore, continue to the hotel for check in and dinner. Meals: B, D

It’s time to leave Croatia and cross the border into Slovenia, home to the world’s most captivating cave. Tour Postojna Cave, a fantastic subterranean world on an unforgettable miniature electric train ride followed by a walk with the local guide. Shaped by tiny droplets of water over millions of years, the caves are an underground paradise with magnificent formations and diverse fauna. After the visit, a stop is made at Predjama Castle for a photo opportunity before arriving in Ljubliana for the next 2 nights’ accommodations and dinner at a typical local restaurant. Meals: B, D

Today’s adventure is the visit to Bled, situated on the pristine shores of Lake Bled in the spectacular Julian Alps. Explore Bled Castle, perched on a cliff overlooking the lake, with the local expert. Continue to the delightful town of Radovljica for lunch in a local restaurant before returning to Ljubljana for a tour of this capital city. View its open-air market, the Baroque Venetian inspired City Hall, Triple Bridge which connects the old and new city, and Robba Fountain – inspired by Bernini’s Four Rivers Fountain in Rome. Meals: B, L

Ljubljana – Maribor – Graz, Austria – Vienna: Depart Slovenia with sightseeing enroute to the final destination of Vienna, Austria’s capital city. Visit Maribor, one of the most important cultural centers of Slovenia. A local guide will point out the highlights and you’ll see its historic castle which has remained practically unchanged since the 15th century. In the center of town, see the Old Vine, the oldest vine in the world. With an age spanning 400 years, it’s in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest noble vine in the world still bearing grapes! After a wine-tasting, travel to Austria and enjoy a stop in Graz, whose historic center is one of the best-preserved in Central Europe. Discover the city with a local guide, and ride on the Schlossbergbahn funicular that takes you up the steep incline of Schlossberg Hill in 1.5 minutes for a wonderful panoramic view. Continue to Vienna for an evening at leisure. Meal: B

The final day begins with a tour of this historic city. A panoramic drive around the Ringstrasse showcases some of the architectural highlights as your guide explains the regal history. During a guided walking tour, stroll through the city center, passing the Hofburg Palace (the former principal imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty) and St. Stephens Cathedral. The afternoon is free for independent exploration before meeting for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Meals: B, D

Bid a fond farewell to these historic and scenic countries as you transfer to the Vienna airport and return home with wonderful memories to last a lifetime. Meal: B