Tour overview
Departure date(s) –
9 April 2023, 16 April 2023 & 7 May 2023
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Included
- Accommodation - Based on specified hotel in itinerary or similar class
- International economy flights with Emirates (in the case of unforeseen circumstances we will notify passengers if we need to change to an equivalent airline for international flights)
- Celstyal Cruise - Oceanview cabin (min XB Category) - Classic Drink package and 2 shore excusions included
- Gratuities - Included (land)
- Meals - Daily breakfast including meals as mentioned. 1 bottle of drinking water provided daily (land tour portion)
- Transfers - Private and pubic transfers as specified in itinerary
- Admission Fees - As mentioned in itinerary
- Guides / Tour leader - English speaking guides throughout tour and 1 tour leader escort for the group
- Luggage - Porterage included at hotels strictly only when it is available (limit 1 suitcase per tour participant)
Not Included
- Travel Insurance - Not included. We strongly recommend taking out insurance cover which includes adequate cover for medical COVID-19
Day 1 - MELBOURNE/DUBAI
Tonight, we board our flight with Emirates bound for Budapest (via Dubai)
Meals - As per fight
Day 2 - DUBAI/BUDAPEST
Our flight arrives into Budapest (Hungary) in the afternoon and we will check into our hotel. Welcome dinner tonight to kickstart this incredible journey!
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - As per flight / D
Day 3 - BUDAPEST
For our first day in Budapest, visit the Hero’s Square, a major square of Budapest with two important buildings—The Museum of Fine Arts and The Palace of Art. Then a stop at Millennium Memorial where there are statues of the leaders of the seven tribes that founded Hungary. After we cross Elizabeth bridge which offers a peerless panorama of the entire city. Nearby is the Matthias Church, one of the most interesting churches in the country located close to the Royal Palace and the Fisherman’s bastion, After this comprehensive orientation, we settle down in our hotel for a good rest. This evening, a night out to enjoy a lively folklore dinner with performance to entertain.
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B/L/D
Day 4 - BUDAPEST
We take you to the picturesque Artist’s Village, called Szentendre. We wander around the baroque settlement, built on medieval ruins and walk along the narrow streets. Then you will have the opportunity to go shopping or visit the Margit Kovács Ceramic Museum or the Confectionery Museum (marzipan figures). After a hearty dinner, one of the main highlights of your tour will be a beautiful night cruise on the Danube river.
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B/L/D
Day 5 - BUDAPEST/ZAGREB
A few hours drive from Budapest will land you into Croatia today as we make our way to Zagreb. After lunch, enjoy 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, and some of the city popular squares.
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B/L/D
Day 6 - ZAGREB/LJUBLJANA/LAKE BED/ZAGREB
Depart Zagreb in the morning and head to the capital city of Slovenia to take a guided tour of the old city center of Ljubljana. Continue to the Alpine resort of Bled and go to the old castle perched on top of a steep cliff above the lake. Take in the spectacular views of the surroundings from the terraces and then board a traditional boat to reach the only true island in Slovenia. Ring the fortune bell and soak up the sun and fresh mountain air before driving back to Zagreb.
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B/L/D
Day 7 - ZAGREB/PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK
This morning 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!
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B/L/D
Day 8 - PLITVICE/SARAJEVO
After breakfast depart for Bosnia & Herzegovina border and continue to the capital, Sarajevo. The city is surrounded by Dinaric Alps and bisected by the Mijacka River, with buildings and market that is of Turkish influence. A guided sightseeing walking tour of Sarajevo takes you to the old town to see the old Mosques, medresad (schools) and the Bazaars (markets). You will witness the War tunnel of salvation which representative of a symbol of courage and survival. For lunch we include a local meal for you to taste the Sarajevo dishes.
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B/L/D
Day 9 - SARAJEVO/MOSTAR
Today after breakfast, we head towards Mostar which is nested 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. At the Old Bridge area, you can see the contrast of the buildings with eastern Ottoman Mediterranean features on one side, and Western European architectural on the other that illustrate Mostar multicultural urban settlement. Overnight in Mostar.
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B/L/D
Day 10 - MOSTAR/MALI STON/DUBROVNIK
Enjoy your breakfast before we depart for Croatia as we weave in and out of Bosnia & Herzegovina. First stop is Ston, offering an unique environment - History of this Medieval little town reaches back as far as the 14th century. See also how the world’s most expensive salt are created and try out unique shell fish and lobster menu for mid day meal. 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.
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B/L/D
Day 11 - 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.
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B/L/D
Day 12 -DUBROVNIK/KOTO/PODGORICA
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 Podgorica for the night.
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B/L/D
Day 13 - PODGORICA/SKOPJE
This morning we make our way to Skopje which will be a long drive. After lunch we should arrive. City tour covering the Triumphal Gate, the giant statue of Alexander the Great and the old stone bridge, the cultural offering is simply immense.
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B / L / D
Day 14 - 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.
Accommodation - TBC
Meals - B/L/D
Day 15 - THESSALONIKI/CELESTYAL CRUISE
Relaxing morning at the hotel and at scheduled time drive to port in Thessaloniki for Celestyal cruise. 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 - B / As per cruise
Day 16 - KUSADASI
The dynamic beach resort of Kusadasi welcomes you with it's warm and friendly ambience!
Included shore excursion - Ancient Ephesus through the ages.
Accommodation - Celestyal Cruise
Meals - As per cruise
Day 17 - RHODES
The picturesque island of Rhodes is well known for it's beautiful beaches, majestic fortified ruins and glorious year round sunshine.
Included shore excursion - Medieval Tour - Acropolis of Lindos and the citadel of the Knights.
Accommodation - Celestyal Cruise
Meals - As per cruise
Day 18 - CRETE/SANTORINI
Today you will visit two more islands - Crete in the morning for a few hours and then dock into wonderful Santorini in the afternoon.
Accommodation - Celestyal Cruise
Meals - As per cruise
Day 19 - MYKONOS
The Celstyal 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.
Accommodation - Celestyal Cruise
Meals - As per cruise
Day 20 - MILOS
The volcanic origins of the beautiful Greek Island of Milos are clearly evident in it's complex and bewitching landscape. Here you have the opportunity to explore the surreal and incredible landscape. In the evening the cruise will continue it's final journey to Athens.
Day 21 - ATHENS/DUBAI
We will disembark in Athens this morning. If time permits, we will have a quick panoramic bus tour of the bustling city of Athens before making our way to Athens airport for our Emirates flight home (via Dubai)
Accommodation - N/A
Meals - B / Own arrangements
Day 22 - DUBAI/MELBOURNE
Our overnight flight arrives back into Melbourne today and we hope you had a wonderful journey.
Meals - As per flight
