8-Nights Croatia & Albania Escape - Escapes

Croatia & Albania Escape

Day 1: ARRIVE IN ZAGREB, CROATIA Welcome to Zagreb! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)



Day 2: ZAGREBA City Split into Two This morning, get acquainted with Croatia’s capital city when you join your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour that includes sights of the Parliament, Stone Gate the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Cathedral. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to explore more and try some local specialties. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & MYSTERY Explore the ancient city of Zagreb where Central Europe, the Mediterranean, and Southeast Europe meet with a magnetic culture amid medieval architecture and offbeat cafes and bars to enjoy. See the historic Croatian Parliament building – its first session recorded in 1273. In the Upper Town of Zagreb, admire the historic Croatian Parliament building and see the Stone Gate, the only fortification entrance that is still standing, and now home to the city’s most important shrine.



Day 3: ZAGREB–ZADAR Sea Sounds and Sunsets Relax as you travel through Croatia to Zadar, join a guided walking tour through the Old Town, see the People’s Square and the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun monument. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. (B,D)
177 mi/ 285 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE Designed by architect Nikola Basic and opened in April 2005, the Sea Organ captures the movement of the waves and transforms it into music--or something like it. Next to it the Greeting to the Sun was built. a 22-meter diameter circle with photovoltaic solar modules underneath. The solar-powered cells under the glass start generating electricity around dawn, which allows the disc to glow and light the shoreline.



Day 4: ZADAR–KRKA–SPLITNatural Wonders This morning, enter [LF] the Krka National Park, an exceptional expanse of natural beauty and importance. Follow your Local Guide on a walking tour through the park, admire the natural waterfalls and learn about the flora and fauna. Afterwards, [LF] enjoy a light lunch with local specialties. Arrive in Split and take advantage of an evening at leisure to start discovering this charming city. (B,L)
121 mi/ 195 km

LOCAL FAVORITE
NATURAL GEM Explore this natural wonder that features awe- inspiring waterfalls and a huge range of natural flora and fauna. Take a look at the Jaruga, the second oldest hydroelectric power plant in the entire world, having opened only two days after the world`s first- Tesla` hydroelectric power plant on Niagara Falls.



Day 5: SPLIT–DUBROVNIKLucky Sculpture and The Black Sphynx Start your day with a guided walking tour of Split. Your Local Guide will lead you on a discovery through the labyrinth of medieval streets located within part of the Old Town better known as the Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. Later, travel south and arrive in stunning Dubrovnik. Enjoy free time this evening to start exploring. (B) 149 mi / 240 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITIONS Stroll through the maze of streets within the famed Palace that is more like a city in and of itself! Also, it resembles a fortress with 220 buildings and more than 3.000 people living inside its walls. For 10 years of good luck, don’t forget to rub the toe of the giant sculpture of Grgur Ninski located in from of the Golden Gate!



Day 6: DUBROVNIKTime Stands Still Follow your Local Guide for a walking tour of Dubrovnik which includes sights of the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries, and the impressive ramparts, erected during the Crusades to protect the town against land attacks. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the town at your own pace. (B)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS Apart from the obvious things, like electricity and WIFI, Dubrovnik's old city is a time warp. When you enter the city walls you could be entering a time zone from a mere 50 to a huge 500 years ago. Dubrovnik is a living, breathing museum that hides real gems like the Old Pharmacy, inside the Franciscan Monastery, the third oldest in Europe and the oldest pharmacy still in use on the continent today.



Day 7: DUBROVNIK–KOTOR, MONTENEGRO–TIRANA, ALBANIAJewel of the Mediterranean Today your journey takes you to three countries; leave Croatia behind as you cross the border into Montenegro. Hop on a ferry and reach picture-perfect Kotor, the coastal town located on Europe’s southernmost fjord. Spend free time exploring its UNESCO-listed Old Town with its cobblestone streets and charming squares. Later, continue into Albania and drive to Tirana, the capital city. (B,D)
183 mi / 295 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Kotor is a beautiful, walled medieval city of twisting, pink-paved streets, markets, and architecture reflecting Byzantine to Venetian influences. One of the squares contains the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, a monument of Roman culture and one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.



Day 8: TIRANAGood Bye, Tirana Tirana is allegedly one of the sunniest cities in Europe! Join your Local Guide for a walking tour to discover its intriguing culture and history. See many of the main landmarks and visit the Bunk’Art Museum, once a top-secret nuclear bunker, now a historical and art center. Spend an afternoon at leisure exploring more. This evening, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner. (B,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE The architecture of this city has aspects of all periods of time. From the Tirana mosaic (Ancient Roman) to the Clock Tower (Kulla e Sahatit), a symbol of ottoman architecture, Italian buildings, and the style of construction during the dictatorship tell a vibrant story of this city.



Day 9: TIRANASafe Travels Until We Meet Again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)