Included Features

• 14 nights in first class hotels, rooms with private facilities
• Service charges and hotel taxes
• Breakfast (mainly buffet) daily, 8 dinners and 1 lunch
• Arrival and departure transfers
• Touring by modern air-conditioned motorcoach
• Professional Tour Director throughout
• Luggage handling

Itinerary

• Day 1, arrive Dubrovnik, Monday

  You will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure.

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• Day 2, in Dubrovnik, Tuesday

  There is a walking tour of "Old Dubrovnik" this morning; the Rector's Palace, Bell Tower Clock, Orlando's Column and the Sponza Palace. You will also see the Dominican Monastery and Franciscan Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is at leisure.

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• Day 3, in Dubrovnik, Wednesday

  Today, full day is at leisure to relax, shop or explore on your own.

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• Day 4, to Split, Thursday

  Depart Dubrovnik and travel north along the spectacular Adriatic coast, past old fishing villages and new resorts, to Split. Enjoy a city tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. See the remnants of Split's Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle and the Cathedral. 227 km

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• Day 5, to Trogir and Plitvice Lakes, Friday

  After breakfast, head to Trogir, the center of artistic activities. Scholars from around the world gather to study and paint here. Then, turn inland and travel to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Upon arrival, have your camera ready and take a walking tour around several of the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder with 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. 317 km

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• Day 6, to Zagreb and Ljubljana, Saturday

  This morning, depart to Zagreb, capital of Croatia. Enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St. Mark's Church, St. Catherine's Church, the Cathedral, the Parliament and the Government Palace. Afterwards, journey to Ljubljana, the thriving capital of Slovenia. Enjoy a relaxing dinner at a local restaurant. 280 km

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• Day 7, in Ljubljana, Sunday

  During our walking tour in the morning, visit the most significant sights of the old city centre: the picturesque Central open-air Market and the Three Bridges, both designed by famous architect Joze Plecnik, Baroque Town Hall and Robba's Fountain. Balance of the day is at leisure for optional activities, such as a visit to the beautiful Alpine lake resort Bled. Overnight in Ljubljana.

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• Day 8, to Venice, Monday

  Leave Ljubljana, driving to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Then, continue on to the marvelous city of Venice. 255 km

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• Day 9, Venice, Tuesday

  Today begins with a walking tour of Venice featuring the major highlights: St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Bell Tower and the Bridge of Sighs. The tour ends with a visit to a glass blowing factory where you may see the demonstration of a traditional Venetian glass blowing. Balance of the day is at leisure. In the afternoon, enjoy Venice at your own pace, shop or join an optional gondola ride.

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• Day 10, Venice, Ferrara, Pisa to Florence, Wednesday

  Drive to Ferrara, a Renaissance gem in the Emilia-Romagna region standing on the banks of the Po River. Orientation tour with your Tour Director. Continue to Pisa to view the famous Piazza del Miracoli with its Leaning Tower, the Baptistery and Duomo. End your day in Florence with dinner in your hotel. 450 km

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• Day 11, in Florence, Thursday

  Today's morning city tour begins at the majestic Piazza del Duomo to see the Cathedral crowned by Brunelleschi's Dome, the Giotto's Bell Tower, and the Baptistery with Ghiberti's bronze "Gate of Paradise". Then, visit the Academy of Fine Arts, where Michelangelo's David is displayed. Tour ends at the Piazzale Michelangelo with the most spectacular view over Florence. Remainder of the day is at leisure to independently savor the Renaissance splendor of the Tuscan capital.

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• Day 12, Florence-Siena-Assisi to Rome, Friday

  Traveling towards Rome through the stunning panorama of Tuscany, stop in the beautiful city of Siena for a stroll to the Piazza del Campo and St. Dominic's Church. Afterwards, travel through Umbria to Assisi for a walking tour of the main square and a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis. Continue to Rome for dinner and overnight. 400 km

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• Day 13, in Rome, Saturday

  A full day sightseeing tour shows you all the highlights of the Eternal city. Visit the Vatican Museums with Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Then, continue on to visit the Colosseum, ancient Palatine Hill overlooking the Circus Maximus and the Imperial Palace, and the Roman Forum. In the evening, take a walking tour with your tour director to see the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps.

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• Day 14, in Rome, Sunday

  A full day free in spectacular Rome. You might want to visit some of the wonderful shops, galleries and museums, or relax in a sidewalk café. An optional excursion to Pompeii is available. Once a prosperous port city, it was buried under volcanic ash when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in late August of 79 A.D. Your excursion will bring to life the sights and history of this fascinating town. Tonight, a farewell dinner in a local restaurant, complete with wine and music, is the perfect way to end your stay in the enchanting city of Rome.

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• Day 15, depart Rome, Monday

  After breakfast, transfer to Rome airport for your departure flight.

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