Slovenia, Croatia & Montenegro: The Adriatic Coast

 Your adventure to three culturally rich countries on the Adriatic Coast begins today as you arrive in Munich, Germany. A historic city in the heart of Bavaria, Munich is one of Germany's best-loved cities and is located within sight of the Alps. Make your way to our centrally located four-star hotel, just a short distance from Munich's main train station, and check in for the night.

There is some time to get to know your new surroundings, perhaps while wandering through one of the local parks. The Alter Botanischer Garten on Lenbachplatz is within walking distance and, in addition to featuring 200-year-old gardens and a beautiful Neptune fountain, boasts an authentic Bavarian beer garden.

Return to the hotel this evening to meet the Tour Manager and your travel group, and then together, we sit down to our first dinner together in the hotel restaurant. Overnight Munich.

• Dinner

 With free time to explore Munich this morning, you could admire the Bavarian city's main square, Marienplatz, home to the neo-Gothic Town Hall and the famous glockenspiel. Near the square is the Church of St. Peter, Munich's oldest parish church, known locally as "Alter Peter" (Older Peter), with its eight clocks decorating the exterior.   

Later this morning, we walk from the hotel to the station to board the First Class service through the Alps to Slovenia. In Austria's Salzach Valley, impressive ravines open onto scenery of lush meadows and rolling hills. Crossing into Slovenia, we are greeted by an idyllic rural landscape of chalets and forests before arriving in Bled.     

A short coach transfer takes us to our four-star hotel overlooking the serene waters of Lake Bled, where we check in for three nights. With a wellness center and thermal pools, our hotel is the perfect place to unwind and absorb the views. This evening, we have dinner together at the hotel. Overnight Bled.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Today is a free day to get acquainted with Slovenia at your own pace. Lake Bled looks across to the overlapping forested slopes of the Julian Alps, though its focus is its delightful island. You might like to take a Pletna boat ride to visit the Baroque Church of the Assumption of Maria. Inside are remarkable frescoes, a gold altar and a "wishing bell" that you can ring to ask for your dream to come true.   

Perched high above the lake is the resplendent 11th-century castle, which resembles a fairytale medieval fortress with its white walls and terracotta towers. The onsite museum houses a collection of artifacts from the area's history, including armor and weapons. There is also a three-mile circular walk around the lake that provides a gentle way of soaking in the castle and island scenery. Alternatively, hop aboard the small tourist train.   

  You are free to dine independently tonight. Local cuisine blends central European, Italian and southern European influences, with seafood, pasta, polenta and spicy Balkan sausages being among the most popular dishes. Overnight Bled.

• Breakfast

 Although it's one of Europe's smallest capitals, Ljubljana doesn't lack charm or beauty. After breakfast, we travel by coach to this enchanting destination, where an expert guide introduces us to Slovenia's capital.   

One of the most popular attractions is the Triple Bridge - three pretty, arched walkways spanning the gentle river. Nearby is the Dragon Bridge, which features numerous decorative statues of mythical beasts. From here, we head to the hilltop medieval fortress. Ljubljana Castle has stood here since the 11th century and is now a symbol of the city and Slovenia itself.     

There is time to explore over lunch before we travel by coach to the subterranean wonderland of the Postojna Caves, where the world's first cave railway was installed in 1872. We ride on a train through more than two miles of this jaw-dropping underground landscape, followed by a guided tour of the cave system and its stalactites and stalagmites.     

We return to our Bled hotel in the early evening and enjoy dinner together. Overnight Bled.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Enjoy a free morning to continue to soak up the splendors of Lake Bled before we continue to our next destination: Zagreb. After leaving our serene setting, we visit a local beekeeper in a nearby village. In a region abuzz with all things bee-related, we learn more about the native Carniolan bee and how its honey is used in various ways, from insomnia cures to massage oils. We also enjoy a tasting of the sweet produce along with a glass of honey liqueur.   

Afterward, we travel to the railway station to join a train bound for Croatia and its capital, Zagreb. This city nestled below Medvednica Mountain is our base tonight. Wonderfully compact, the city's old center is split into the Lower Town, filled with splendid architecture and peaceful parks, and the Upper Town, an area of attractive streets.     

Our five-star hotel is located near the train station and is a short distance from Old Town. We check in early this evening before dining in the hotel restaurant. Overnight Zagreb.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 We get to know Zagreb better on a guided tour this morning, taking in the timeless beauty of the Upper Town. Exploring the cobblestone streets and elegant buildings, we uncover the history of the Old Town, including 13th-century St. Mark's Church. With its colorful tiled roof displaying the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia, as well as the city of Zagreb, the church sits in the middle of St. Mark's Square next to Croatia's parliament building. 

  There is free time to find lunch independently. Extending northwards from Ban Jelačić Square is Tkalčića Street, a historic, winding lane full of restaurants, cafés and bars.

This afternoon, we travel by coach through Croatia's rural landscapes to our four-star hotel near the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Located in the small village of Čatrnja*, our four-star hotel provides a relaxing retreat amidst the verdant countryside. We check in for an overnight stay and dine together in the hotel's restaurant this evening. Overnight Čatrnja.

*Please note: April 23 departures will instead stay in the village of Grabovac. >

• Breakfast, Dinner

 A highlight of any trip to Croatia awaits today as we embark on a guided tour of the famous Plitvice Lakes, the country's most popular tourist destination. This UNESCO-listed Eden of 16 crystalline turquoise lakes is interconnected with plunging waterfalls and surrounded by 116 square miles of forest. Veliki Slap waterfall is stunning, as tumbling streams flow down 200 feet, creating a primeval and majestic landscape. 

  It is also home to bears, deer, wolves and wild boar, and there are 1,267 varieties of plants, including 55 types of orchid and rare plants. Further, you can admire fir and beech trees believed to be up to 700 years old.   

Afterward, we visit a local restaurant for a three-course lunch of traditional Croatian food before a coach transfers us to Split, arriving early this evening. Croatia's second city lies on a peninsula jutting into the Adriatic Sea, and our four-star hotel is just outside the center. With fantastic sea views from its rooftop pool, it is an ideal place to relax and explore during our three-night stay in Split. You are free to find dinner locally this evening. Overnight Split.

• Breakfast, Lunch

 The Old Town of Split is like a living museum with well-preserved Roman buildings appearing around almost every corner. This is due in part to the sprawling Diocletian's Palace - a 4th-century structure that still forms the beating heart of Split.   

On a guided tour after breakfast, we explore this vast city-palace built by Diocletian, Rome's emperor, between 284 and 305 AD. Born a few miles north of Split, Diocletian sought to retire near his Dalmatian home and ordered the construction of a palatial residence. Today, the remains of this massive fortress make up about half of the Old Town. Wandering through the labyrinthine alleys and attractive courtyards, we learn more about this incredible complex and enter the Basement Halls. "Game of Thrones" fans will recognize the subterranean vaults as the dungeons where the dragons are kept.     

With the rest of the day at leisure, you could relax beside the Adriatic's blue waters or climb up the Cathedral of St. Dominus' Romanesque tower. This evening, you dine independently and could opt for a restaurant overlooking the coast. Overnight Split.

• Breakfast

 After breakfast, a coach transfer takes us to the shoreline, where we cruise to the island of Hvar. Sailing through the Dalmatian archipelago, passing the islands of Šolta and Brač, we arrive on Hvar for an hour-long guided tour. This charming old port is a feast for the senses, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields.   

We explore the town of Venetian-style buildings on the picturesque harbor. Away from the shoreline, rustic stone houses reflect a time of grandeur and importance, while a fortress with a storied history clings to the hillside. There is free time after the tour to stroll through narrow lanes at your own pace or visit one of its many restaurants for a lunch of local delicacies, such as grilled seafood or black risotto, with a chilled glass of the local wine, Prč.

We sail back to Split for an afternoon at leisure. One time-honored tradition is rubbing the foot of the large bronze statue of Gregory of Nin, which bestows good luck and assures your return to Split. Return to the hotel this evening in time for dinner with the group. Overnight Split.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 Leaving Split after breakfast, we travel by coach down the Dalmatian coast to Makarska, dominated by the mountains behind it. The craggy karst rocks of the Biokovo range run along this coast, and the highest peak, Sveti Jure, is nearby. Makarska blends its ancient Illyrian port with a thriving beach resort and has been ruled by the Romans, Venetians, Ottomans and French, creating a unique environment to explore. With free time here, you could visit the 17th-century Franciscan monastery or dine at a waterfront bistro.   

Continuing down the coast, we arrive in historic Dubrovnik later today. As one of the Adriatic's most beautiful cities, Dubrovnik has long attracted tourists to its well-preserved Old Town and the shimmering coast. In recent years, it has set the backdrop in the TV series "Game of Thrones." 

  After checking in for a three-night stay in our four-star hotel overlooking the harbor, there is a free evening to get acquainted with our new base. Dubrovnik is famed for its seafood, and you could find a local restaurant serving tuna, swordfish, cuttlefish or octopus for dinner. Overnight Dubrovnik. 

• Breakfast

With an early start this morning, we take a coach into Montenegro, a country with relatively few tourists but no shortage of natural beauty. Our destination is Perast, a small coastal town beneath the hill of St Ilija. With a guide, we take a short tour of this picturesque town, passing palaces, churches and boutiques.

From Perast, we set off on a cruise around the Bay of Kotor, the blue waters contrasting with the green and grey elemental Balkan crags. As we sail, look out for Our Lady of the Rocks, a legendary islet with a beautiful Catholic church.

Mooring in Kotor, we enjoy a guided tour of this medieval fortified town. Walking along well-trod tiled pathways and narrow lanes, we encounter the Cathedral of St Tryphon with its twin towers rising high against the mountains. After our tour, you have free time to look around Kotor at your own pace before returning to Dubrovnik for an evening at leisure.

• Breakfast

 Our day begins with breakfast and a short journey to Dubrovnik's Pile Gate, where an expert local guide leads us on an informative tour of the breathtaking Renaissance port dubbed the "Pearl of the Adriatic." The city's Old Town is UNESCO-listed, and you may recognize the terracotta streets and buildings from the many movies and TV shows filmed here.   

There's a rich array of picturesque buildings, from the world's oldest arboretum to one of Europe's first pharmacies, dating to the 14th century. Entry is included to the 14th-century Franciscan church and monastery, in addition to the Baroque cathedral that includes artworks by Titian.   

  You can continue your afternoon at your own pace, and you might like to stroll along the ancient walls or take the ferry across to the forested island of Lokrum, where you can visit the Benedictine monastery and botanical gardens.  

This evening, we gather at a local restaurant for our final dinner on the Adriatic. Overnight Dubrovnik.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After nearly two weeks of exploration, creating unforgettable experiences in three countries, your journey through Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro comes to a close today.

The delights of Lake Bled, Ljubljana's city center and the Postojna Caves showed the variety and beauty of Slovenia. We uncovered Croatia's charms on tours of its cities, beside the UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes and while cruising to Hvar. Looking at Croatia's past, we admired the Diocletian's Palace in Split and the walled city of Dubrovnik, which revealed the history of the Dalmatian Coast. With Montenegro's breathtaking landscapes and ancient towns around the Bay of Kotor rounding out the adventure, we have seen many sides of this part of the world.

Upon checking out of the hotel this morning, you can begin your journey home at leisure.

• Breakfast