Dalmatia – Dubrovnik (from Northern Greece)

We’ll have breakfast at the hotel and start our day with a visit to one of the oldest cities on the Adriatic (3,500 years old)—the picturesque Budva, known for its beautiful beaches and cosmopolitan lifestyle, a city with strong Greek, Roman, and Venetian influences. We’ll tour medieval Budva, getting an up-close look at one of the Adriatic’s gems on the Dalmatian coast. We’ll continue on to the walled city of Kotor, a monument to natural beauty and culture, a very old, well-preserved city—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—with strong Byzantine and Venetian influences. It is situated at the deepest point of one of the most beautiful bays along the Montenegrin coast, which some consider to be the largest, southernmost, and most beautiful fjord in the Adriatic. We’ll visit the 12th-century Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Tryphon, the Orthodox Church of St. Luke, and the imposing Prince’s Palace. We’ll continue on to Dubrovnik, where we’ll arrive and check into our hotel. In the afternoon, we’ll take a stroll through the city to get a first taste of the locals’ way of life.

We’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel and spend the day in Dubrovnik, often called “the jewel of the Adriatic.” A visit to the Old Town—surrounded by 10th-century walls—is a must; there, we’ll walk through the locations where scenes from *Game of Thrones* were filmed. In the historic city center, we’ll visit the Franciscan Monastery, the Cathedral of the Rectors, the Old Harbor, and the Church of St. Blaise, the city’s patron saint—sights that offer a rare travel experience. We’ll continue with a visit to the nearby islet of Lokrum, weather permitting. The city’s residents visit this “car-free island” because it offers a peaceful escape from the city. It features a beautiful setting with botanical gardens, exotic trees, flowers, rabbits, peacocks, and a medieval Benedictine monastery. Next, we’ll enjoy the magnificent view of the old town walls from the boat and return to Dubrovnik. The city center and the old town have a cheerful atmosphere. Enjoy a nice restaurant or a café with an unobstructed view. It’s also a good idea to visit the wine festival or the aquarium located within the walls of the medieval St. John’s Castle (St. Ivan). Another option is to take the cable car to the top of Srdj (www.dubrovnikcablecar.com), where the view of the entire old town, the Adriatic Sea, and its islands is magnificent. The ride is short, but well worth it. The cable car moves extremely slowly and close to the ground, so even if you’re afraid of heights, you’ll most likely have no problem at all. We’re leaving this day free of other visits, because it’s worth dedicating the entire day to getting to know the city better. Our guide will be there to provide you with all the necessary information so you can make the most of your time however you wish. Late in the afternoon, after we’ve spent plenty of time in the city, we’ll return to the hotel.

Today, enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel and spend a free day in Dubrovnik, or join us on a wonderful optional excursion to two famous cities along the Dalmatian coast.. After a fantastic drive along the lacy Dalmatian coastline, we’ll visit the first of these: medieval Trogir (a city-island-museum) and the former Greek colony of Tragourion, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The city is built on a small peninsula connected to the mainland by a small bridge, surrounded by a fortress—which, of course, did not prevent the Saracens, the Venetians, the Austro-Hungarian army, and the French from imposing their rule and leaving their cultural mark. The city’s cobblestone streets are lined with magnificent palaces, mansions, and churches, dominated by the stunning Cathedral of St. Lawrence with its incredibly beautiful Radovan Gate. In Trogir, you’ll experience a historical and iconic leap into the past—one from which you won’t want to return. Just 35 km away lies picturesque Split, the largest city in Dalmatia and the naval base of Yugoslavia. Split burst onto the historical scene in the 4th century B.C., when the Roman emperor Diocletian built his massive palace here to spend his twilight years in comfort and style. And he probably had a good instinct, because this tough guy, who was born in neighboring Solona, is the only emperor to have died of natural causes! We’ll also visit the Cathedral, the Gothic City Hall, and the Renaissance Clock Tower. We’ll have time on the city’s beautiful waterfront, the famous Riva, for coffee or a meal. Late in the afternoon, we’ll return to the hotel.

Today is our last day in this picturesque city. After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll head back home. We’ll travel west along the shores of Lake Ohrid, with its crystal-clear waters and rich wildlife, and head toward the Krystallopigi border crossing to return to our city this evening.

Notes: The order of the itinerary may vary depending on conditions, without any omissions.