Eastern Capitals & the Dalmatian Riviera - Small Group

Tour Overview

From Vienna to Ljubljana and onto Dubrovnik, this grand tour takes in the natural wonders of Plitvice National Park, the historic wartime Sarajevo Tunnel of Hope and the ancient town of Trogir—founded by the Greek Empire over 2000 years ago. Beginning the journey in royal style, a Schonbrunn Palace tour in Vienna brings the dynasty of the Habsburgs to life as a Local Expert guides you through the palatial ballrooms, and stately grounds. In the Slovenian capital, the intoxicating aromas of Ljubljanan’s Central Market are food for the soul, while the Croatian capital of Zagreb showcases the architectural grandeur of its twin towns. A tour of the Dalmatian Riviera serves up the 1700-year-old cellars of Split and the pearl of the Adriatic—Dubrovnik.

Choice Highlights

• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Plitvice Lakes National Park: Join a Local Expert to explore Plitvice National Park. Learn about the studies taking place to monitor and protect the natural habitat, and education initiatives on the marine environment and best practices for a low-impact experience. The site participates in habitat restoration and is constantly working to protect the parks natural ecosystems and animal population. The staff educate their visitors about local traditions and share their personal story of the village with great passion from personal knowledge and experience.  This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life On Land. Alternatively, meet the industrious women of the Tara Community Center.
• Plitvice Lakes National Park: Through its income the Tara Center has built a small community Center that is used by the Tara Citizens’ Association, a collective of mostly older women, many of whom were refugees. There the women produce handicrafts which have giving them a much-needed financial and psychological boost. The staff educate their visitors about local traditions and share their personal story of the village with great passion from personal knowledge and experience.  The Tara Center advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality. Alternatively, join a Local Expert to explore Plitvice National Park.

Top Rated Highlights

• Vienna: A guided exploration of Schonbrunn Palace will have all your senses tingling. Stand beneath frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded Rococo frames where Mozart performed as a child prodigy.
• Vienna: During your orientation led by your Travel Director, travel along the Ring Road to see the Hofburg Imperial Residence, Opera House, Parliament Building and Karlskirche.
• Maribor: Led by your Travel Director, explore this charming city, the second largest in Slovenia. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of old and new architecture.
• Ljubljana: Spend time with your Local Expert in the glorious Central Market and learn about some of the Slovenian delicacies on display and relish in a tasting.
• Ljubljana: Explore this elegant capital with your Local Expert, to see the castle City Hall, Cathedral of St Nicholas and Triple Bridge.
• Zagreb: Your Local Expert guides you this two-tiered capital. Explore Donji Grad, the Lower Town, and see the Mimara Art Museum in Roosevelt Square, Ban Josip Jelacic Square and the cathedral.
• Zagreb: Ride the funicular to Gornji Grad, the medieval Upper Town, to view the former Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St. Mark's Church and the Lotršcak Tower.
• Trogir: See the cathedral and Renaissance Cipiko Palace during an orientation with your Travel Director.
• Split: Join a Local Expert and discover Diocletian’s Palace as you walk through its well-preserved Cellars. See the Temple of Jupiter, St Duje’s Bell Tower and the Golden Gate. Continue through the labyrinthine streets and arcaded squares of the Old Town.
• Split: Explore above and below the Roman Emperor Diocletian's palace. A Local Expert guides you through labyrinthine streets to see St. Duje's, the Temple of Jupiter, the Golden Gate and the Cellars.
• Mostar: Learn the history and symbolic significance of Stari Most and explore the old town with your Local Expert.
• Sarajevo: A Local Expert will show you the cobbled old town market where Sarajevo was founded by the Ottomans, known as Bašcaršija. You will also see the Latin Bridge where Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated.
• Sarajevo: Meet an expert of the Bosnian War for a visit to Sarajevo's Tunnel of Hope and hear a first-hand account of when the city was under siege for 44 months.
• Dubrovnik: Explore the Pearl of the Adriatic with your Local Expert. Walk the stone-paved streets of the Old Town to see Onofrio's Fountain, Rector's Palace and the medieval city walls. Admire the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries.
• Dubrovnik: As the sun descends and should the weather be favourable, enjoy a relaxing cruise around the fabled bay of Dubrovnik.

Make Travel Matter

Plitvice Lakes National Park: Join a Local Expert to explore Plitvice National Park. Learn about the studies taking place to monitor and protect the natural habitat, and education initiatives on the marine environment and best practices for a low-impact experience. The site participates in habitat restoration and is constantly working to protect the parks natural ecosystems and animal population. The staff educate their visitors about local traditions and share their personal story of the village with great passion from personal knowledge and experience.  This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life On Land. Alternatively, meet the industrious women of the Tara Community Center.

Plitvice Lakes National Park: Through its income the Tara Center has built a small community Center that is used by the Tara Citizens’ Association, a collective of mostly older women, many of whom were refugees. There the women produce handicrafts which have giving them a much-needed financial and psychological boost. The staff educate their visitors about local traditions and share their personal story of the village with great passion from personal knowledge and experience.  The Tara Center advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality. Alternatively, join a Local Expert to explore Plitvice National Park.

Sarajevo: You are invited into a Sarajevan family home for a dinner and drinks. Savor the warm hospitality and authentic cuisine as you hear inspirational stories about their culture. This experience advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 & 11: Reduced Inequalities & Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Authentic Dining

Vienna: Join your Travel Director and fellow travelers for a drink, followed by a pleasant dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Ljubljana: Your Travel Director offers you a varied selection of charming restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening - a culinary experience not to be missed.

Dubrovnik: Toast the culmination of your journey with a typical Dalmatian dinner.