21 day Balkan Highlights with Greek Island Cruise

Day 1 - HOME/DUBAI

This afternoon we board our Emirates airways flight bound for Dubai.

Meals - As per fight

Day 2 - DUBAI/VENICE

Early this morning, our first flight takes us to Dubai and after a few hours transit, we reboard our flight to Venice. Upon arrival, your trusty tour manager will be on board to meet and greet the group and after such a long flight, we will head back to hotel for check in and rest. Dinner at hotel or nearby restaurant.

Meals - As per flight / Dinner

Accommodation - Aqua Palace hotel Venice or similar

Day 3 - VENICE/LAKE BLED/LJUBLIANA

After a much needed rest, this morning we cross the border to Slovenia as we drive to Lake Bled – a "must see" if you are in Slovenia. When we arrive, take a on pletna traditional boat made by locals to explore the little island and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding area. We will then enter Bled Castle—which offers the finest views of the island, the town of Bled and the wider countryside of the Gorenjska region. If time permits, we will stroll through the old town of Radovlijica. Overnight in Ljubliana.

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Accommodation - Radisson Hotel or similar

Day 4 - LJUBLIANA/ZAGREB

After breakfast, we tour Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. It is located on the banks of the emerald green river Ljubljanica, Here we visit the Ljubljana castle, The Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge and Hradecky Bridge which connect the two banks of Ljubljanica. Afterwards we drive to Zabreb, the capital city of Croatia.

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Accommodation - Hotel International Zagreb or similar

Day 5 - ZAGREB/PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK/BIHAC

After breakfast, off to a city tour of Zabreb which includes the fortified mediaeval upper town, the Stone gate, St. Mark’s Church, and the Cathedral of St. Stephen, Lotrscak Tower, The University and the Croatian National Theatre. Afterwards, we visit the Plitvice Lakes which is the largest national park in Croatia and was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. It is breath-taking beauty is comprised of 16 lakes linked by waterfalls and surrounded by forests. This place will take you almost 4 hours to explore, including taking the national park trolley bus transfer and also by electric boat. A must visit national park when visiting Croatia! Overnight in Bihac area.

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Accommodation - Hotel Safir Bihać or similar

Day 6 - BIHAC/ SARAJEVO

Leaving Bihac, we head to Jajce - which is perhaps the most beautiful town in Bosnia, with its cultural mix, its mosque, its fortress and its impressive waterfall. Lunch en-route and then continue to the capital of Bosnia. Upon arrival, we will have time in the historic center, during which you can stroll through the charming Bazaar, an old Ottoman market famous for its architecture, oriental atmosphere and traditional shops. Dinner included.

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Accommodation - Hotel Hills Sarajevo or similar

Day 7 - SARAJEVO / MOSTAR

After the breakfast we will have a sightseeing tour with a local guide in Sarajevo. First witness the tunnel of Salvation which is a symbol of courage, survival and hope. Then a walking tour through this fascinating city also known as "Jerusalem of Europe" due to the coexistence of several religions. We will observe the great Ottoman influence in its old town, with its great mosque of more than 500 years old and its beautiful fountain. After lunch, head towards Mostar which is nestled in the valley of the river Neretva and it was an Ottoman Empire frontier trading post in the 15th century. Our guide will show us the Turkish quarter, famous for its ancient Turkish houses to understand how people lived during the Ottoman period. Not to be missed is Mostar 16th century Old Bridge with its oriental appearance. Overnight in Mostar.

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Accommodation - Kriva Cuprija Hotel or similar

Day 8 - MOSTAR/MALI STON/DUBROVNIK

Enjoy your breakfast before we depart for Croatia as we weave in and out of Bosnia & Herzegovina. First stop is Mali Ston, offering an unique environment - the history of this Medieval little town reaches back as far as the 14th century. Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by one of Mali Ston’s farmers and also a delicious lobster lunch. We then take a boat ride out to the oyster farms which also provides stunning panoramic views of the bay. After an insight to southern Croatia, we continue along the coastal route; confronted by the breath-taking blue waters and clear skies all the way till our final destination on the Dalmatian coast.

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Accommodation - Hotel Croatia Cavtat or similar

Day 9 - DUBROVNIK

Dubrovnik is one of the best preserved medieval cities in the Dalmatian coast and is a UNESCO world heritage site. The best way to discover her charm is to take a morning walking sightseeing tour with our guide and explore the old quarters. Visit the Rector’s palace, the city walls, Franciscan monastery with one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, the Cathedral, Orlando’s Column and bell tower clock. In the afternoon you will have some time to relax and explore by your own.

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Accommodation - Hotel Croatia Cavtat or similar

Day 10 - DUBROVNIK/KOTO/BUDVA

We’ll drive along the beautiful and rugged Bay of Kotor, the longest and deepest fjord in southern Europe. Enjoy a boat ride from the town of Perast to Our Lady of the Rocks, one of the two islets off the coast, home to a church and museum. The bay is also dotted with many charming little villages and towns such as Risan and Kotor, which are well-preserved towns typical of The Middle Ages. We’ll discover some of the Old Town with a local guide and then have some free time to explore further before driving to Budva for the night.

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Accommodation - Hotel Tara Budva or similar

Day 11 - BUDVA/TIRANA/LAKE OHRID

Crossing the border we will head to the capital of Albania. Tour of Tirana cantered around Skanderbeg Square, with its mosques, the clock tower, the ministries. Our local guide will tell us about this small country. Arrival at Ohrid later this afternoon, a town with a very strong Ottoman influence, declared World Heritage. Time to see the centre of the town, after which we will go to our hotel located in the outskirts of the town by the lake.

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Accommodation - Hotel Aleksandrija Ohrid or similar

Day 12 - LAKE OHRID/SKOPJE

This morning we make our way to Skopje - City tour covering the Triumphal Gate, the giant statue of Alexander the Great and the old stone bridge, the cultural offering is simply immense.

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Accommodation - Ibis Hotel Skopje or similar

Day 13 - SKOPJE/ THESSALONIKI

After breakfast we drive towards the Greek city of Thessaloniki. After lunch, enjoy a walking tour covering Galerious Arch, Rotunda, Archaelogical Museum, St Demetrius Church, Bey Haman Baths, The Church of the Holly Wisdom, Museum of Byzantine, White Tower.

Meals - Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Accommodation - Holiday Inn Thessaloniki or similar

Day 14 - THESSALONIKI/CELESTYAL CRUISE

Relaxing morning at the hotel and at scheduled time drive to port in Thessaloniki to board the Celestyal Journey cruiseship. Following an extensive, €20 million refurbishment and technical maintenance overhaul, the cruiseship will surely not disappoint!

Once you have boarded the cruise and checked into our rooms, we invite you to explore the Celestyal cruiseship. Tonight the cruise will depart and make it's way to Kusadasi (Turkey).

Meals - Breakfast / As per cruise (Premium drinks package included)

Accommodation - Celestyal Journey (Oceanview exterior stateroom)

Day 15 - KUSADASI

The dynamic beach resort of Kusadasi welcomes you with it's warm and friendly ambience!

We have an included shore excursion for Kusadasi - Ancient Ephesus through the ages tour.

Meals - As per cruise (Premium drinks package included)

Accommodation - Celestyal Journey (Oceanview exterior stateroom)

Day 16 - CRETE (HERAKLION)

The island of Crete may be best known for being one of Greece’s most popular tourist destinations but look a little deeper and you will find something a little fascinating. In the evening, we depart for our next destination, beautiful Santorini.

Meals - As per cruise (Premium drinks package included)

Accommodation - Celestyal Journey (Oceanview exterior stateroom)

Day 17 - SANTORINI

We dock into wonderful Santorini this morning and the whole day is for you to explore this amazing sunny island. A few hours after midnight, we make our way to Mykonos.

Meals - As per cruise (Premium drinks package included)

Accommodation - Celestyal Journey (Oceanview exterior stateroom)

Day 18 - MYKONOS

The Celestyal cruise will arrive into the sun drenched island of Mykonos this morning. This island is affectionately known as the "Island of the Winds" and marvelled for the vibrant Mykonos town landscape.

Meals - As per cruise (Premium drinks package included)

Accommodation - Celestyal Journey (Oceanview exterior stateroom)

Day 19 - MILOS

The volcanic origins of the beautiful Greek Island of Milos are clearly evident in it's complex and bewitching landscape.

We have an included shore excursion - Step back in time in which the excursion takes you around the picturesque highlights of this island. In the evening the cruise will continue it's final journey to Athens.

Meals - Breakfast / As per cruise (Premium drinks package included)

Accommodation - Celestyal Journey (Oceanview exterior stateroom)

Day 20- ATHENS/DUBAI

This afternoon, we disembark our Celestyal cruiseship and make our way to the airport for our flight home with Emirates (via Dubai).

Before flying off, we will have a visit to Acropolis Archaeological site and also spend a bit of free time in the main shopping square.

Meals - B / Own arrangements

Day 21 - DUBAI/HOME

Our overnight flight arrives back home today and we hope you had a wonderful journey.

Meals - As per flight