RMC Travel and the Easthampton Trails Preservation Society Present …
Croatia & The Dalmation Coast
May 19-31, 2009
The Dalmatian Adriatic Coast in Croatia is considered one of the four most beautiful coastlines in the world, along with Italy’s Amalfi Drive, California’s US Highway #1 and the Peninsula Road in Hong Kong. This special two-week journey will not only incorporate the best of the magnificent scenic route, but also visit places off the coastline with unparalleled beauty. We will be combining the Adriatic, the Alps, monasteries and mosques, relics of ancient Greece and Rome along with colorful folklore traditions in an astonishing diversity of landscapes, peoples and life-styles. PLUS some of the most scenic walks in all of Europe. Highlights include Lake Bled, a most beautiful Alpine hideaway in the Julian Alps bordering Austria and Italy; the Opatija Riviera, known as “The Riviera of Yesterday,” and favorite among 19th century Europeans; Postojna, with its 12 miles of underground caves; the Plitvice Lakes, considered one of Europe’s most beautiful National Parks with its 16 cascading lakes; Split, built around the Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian; Hvar, a lovely old town and the sunniest spot in Croatia; Dubrovnik, built on a rock jutting out into the clear turquoise Adriatic, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval Cities.
Your Hotels (or similar)
In Bled: The Glof/Park Hotel
In Opatija: The Grand
In Plitvice Lakes: Jezero
In Splt: The Hotel President
In Hvar: The Palace Hotel
In Dubrovnik: The Argosy or Tirena
Tour Includes:
•Round-trip air transportation
•Round-trip transportation to JFK
•Round-trip transfers between airport and hotels
•Accommodations
•Airline and hotel taxes
•Service charges at the hotel
•Portage
•Daily breakfast
•Additional meals as indicated
•Sightseeing tour as per itinerary including
•Sightseeing entrance fees
•Two Coastal ferry rides
•Welcome Dinner
•Special Farewell Dinner
•Wonderful walks and easy hikes
Special Features
•8 walks and gentle hikes
•Visit to Postjna with its 12 miels of underground caves
•Walk the historic fortress walls of Dubrovnik
•Visit to Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO
World Natural Heritage Site
•Adriatic ferry ride to Dubrovnik
Our Itinerary
(B=Breakfast, L=Linch, D=Dinner)
Day 1: Tuesday, May 19 – DEPART
Depart from Montauk or Easthampton to JFK for our connecting flights to Europe.
Day 2: Wednesday, May 20 – Arrive Ljubljana and on to LAKE BLED (D)
Early morning arrival in Ljubljana. Meeting and assistance upon arrival. Then board our private coach as we travel into Slovenia to our reserved accommodations in Bled, a most beautiful Alpine hideaway with its breathtaking scenery, nestled in a valley around a lake that separates the Julian Alps. It is considered one of the most beautiful spots in Croatia. This evening, we have our “welcome” dinner at the hotel.
Day 3: Thursday, May 21 – At LAKE BLED (B)
We start our day with a tour of Lake Bled and its 1 4 t h - c e n t u r y castle perched on a cliff high above the lake with its beautiful view of the lake and the mountains including a 11⁄2 hour walk up the famous castle overlooking the city. The afternoon is free to take a pleasant walk around the lake. Dinner on our own.
Day 4: Friday, May 22 – To OPATIJA RIVIERA (B/L)
Today, we depart for Postojna to view the largest caves in Europe. The subterranean interior extends for 12 miles of incredible cave formations in variable shapes and colors. Then a special “local” lunch at the famous Restaurant Jamska. Continue to Lipca for a viewing of the world-famous Lipizzaner horses. Continue to our reserved accommodations in Opatija, a resort that has been visited by European aristocracy for centuries. Dinner on our own.
Day 5: Saturday, May 23 – In OPATIJA (B)
After breakfast, we depart on a morning 3-hour hike through the nearby picturesque villages of Ika, Icici and Lovran. The balance of the afternoon free to walk and explore the coastal promenade in a resort with one of the most favorable climates on the Coast. Dinner on our own at one of the many charming restaurants.
Day 6: Sunday, May 24 – To PLITVICE LAKES (B/D)
To Plitvice National Park, Croatia’s scenic wonderland and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site where 16 lakes cascade into 92 waterfalls — a truly unique and spectacular sight. In the afternoon, we have an introductory walking tour (about 1 hour) of this natural wonder of extraordinary beauty. The lakes, each on a different plateau, cascade one into the other forming waterfalls hundreds of feet high. Then on to our delightful hotel to relax and have dinner.
Day 7: Monday, May 25 – To SPLIT (B/D)
An early 2 – 2 1⁄2 hour walk around the lower part of the lake at one of Europe’s most spectacular settings. Depart to the Bay of Sibenik, where the town rises on the slopes of the bay. First, stop in Zadar, the oldest Slavic town on the coast with its medieval Cathedral of St. Donat, before continuing along the coast to Trogir, an artistic center, and then to Split, with its Roman heritage and Gothic architecture. Dinner at our hotel.
Day 8: Tuesday, May 26 – To HVAR (B)
We first enjoy a morning tour of Split including a visit to the remarkable remains of the great Imperial Palace of Emperor Diocletian, built in the 3rd century AD. We also visit what is believed to be the oldest church in the world regularly used for services. Then we move on to Stari Grad to board our ferry as we travel to the island of Hvar. Here we check into our hotel overlooking the yacht harbor. Dinner on our own.
Day 9: Wednesday, May 27 – In HVAR (B)
A morning walk shows us this delightful small city, once part of the Venetian empire. Highlight will be a walk up to the top of the city and its castle. The afternoon walk (about 2 hours) will take us along the shoreline before returning to our hotel. Dinner on our own.
Day 10: Thursday, May 28 – To DUBROVNIK (B/L)
Back to Stari Grad and continue by ferry to Dubrovnik. Lunch onboard our ferry. Soon we arrive in Dubrovnik, the old walled city that has changed little since the 13th century. Within the massive ramparts is a miniature goldmine of Renaissance buildings, white stone streets and terraced steps leading to age old houses. The balance of the afternoon is free for independent activities and dinner on our own.
Day 11: Friday, May 29 – In DUBROVNIK (B)
After breakfast, we have a morning tour of the town as we explore the intricacies of Dubrovnik, stopping in museums, fortifications and marker squares, all bringing us closer to the distinctive cultural heritage of the city. In the afternoon, it’s a most unusual walk as we walk on the top of the town walls as we circumvent most of the town from a “different view.”
Day 12: Saturday, May 30 – In DUBROVNIK (B/D)
A full day at leisure to explore the medieval ramparts of the Old Town that are encircled by the red roofed fine period buildings. Then, in the evening, it’s our special “farewell dinner.”
Day 13: Sunday, May 31 – To USA (B)
Transfer to the airport for our connecting flights back to JFK and on to Montauk.
Note: Itinerary is correct at time of printing and is subject to changes beyond our control.
