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NEW ZEALAND – SINGAPORE (one night Singapore)
Day 1: We depart New Zealand today, bound for the mystique of Croatia, Dalmatia, Istria and Slovenia. Arriving late afternoon in Singapore we will be met and taken directly to our hotel.
SINGAPORE – FRANKFURT – DUBROVNIK
Day 2: Singapore has long been a favoured stopover for New Zealanders en-route to the UK and Europe. The geographical location conveniently breaks the journey and the ease of movement, cleanliness and abundance of activities in the city adds to the appeal. The day is yours to do as you please and we’ll be on hand to assist with any sightseeing or shopping plans you have. Our flight departs late evening, and our route takes us via Frankfurt, with a short transit before reaching our destination,
Dubrovnik! DUBROVNIK (three nights Dubrovnik)
Day 3: On our arrival in Dubrovnik we will be met by our local guide and driver and taken directly to our hotel conveniently located in one of the most charming areas of Dubrovnik known as Lapad, with the tepid Adriatic at our feet! Day 4: Our excursion today takes us to one of the southernmost points of Croatia. Cavtat was an important Roman colony in this region and the second most important seaport. Today it’s a tourist town full of cultural and historical monuments, and a fine example of the breathtaking Mediterranean beauty of this region.
Day 5: We begin our day with a walking tour through the old fortified town, including a walk atop the wall itself. Of particular note are the Bell Tower clock, the 15th century Orlando’s Column, Sponza Palace and the Dominican and Franciscan Monastery. The afternoon is yours to do as you please. You may like to stay a while longer in the old town and soak up the atmosphere, or perhaps return to our hotel and do some ‘soaking’ of a different kind in either the hotel pool or the warm clear waters of the Adriatic.
DUBROVNIK – SPLIT (three nights Split)
Day 6: Leaving the acclaimed ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ this morning we head north along the coastline, destined for the captivating city of Split. Stopping for photo opportunities en-route and lunch at the charming little town of Makarska, we arrive early afternoon, in plenty of time to enjoy the vibrant evening activity.
Day 7: Split was established around the remarkable palace built for the Roman Emperor Diocletian in his retirement. Many Roman and Gothic structures lie within the walls of the palace including the Temple of Jupiter and the Cathedral. After a leisurely stroll viewing the highlights of Split, the afternoon is yours to do as you please. You may like to go down to the esplanade and partake in some ‘people watching’ or possibly make your way up the steps at Marjun to a spectacular city vista from the top.
Day 8: This morning we’re off to the Medieval town of Trogir, its rich culture a combination of Greek, Roman and Venetian influences over a history of 2,300 years. The pretty town also boasts one of the best open-air markets in Croatia.
SPLIT – PLITVICE LAKES – OPATIJA (two nights Opatija)
Day 9: Making our way north east today with a number of comfort stops en-route, our aim is to provide maximum time to enjoy the incredible natural beauty of World Heritage listed Plitvice Lakes, consisting of 16 lakes and numerous waterfalls connected by kilometres of paths and wooden walkways amongst breathtaking scenery. Following lunch at the Lakes we continue Northwest to the Istrian town of Opatija. One of the most colourfully painted towns you are ever likely to see, and our hotel within easy reach of the waterfront, linked by a wonderful promenade that spans the length of the shoreline.
Day 10: A day at leisure to enjoy the many shops, cafes and bars along the waterfront, or perhaps a refreshing swim in the warm waters of the Kvarmer Gulf. Opatija is the perfect place to put your feet up, relax and take it all in.
OPATIJA – PULA – ROVINJ (three nights Rovinj)
Day 11: With batteries fully charged we depart Opatija today, making our way first to Pula, best known for its incredibly well preserved Roman amphitheatre, occupying a prominent position near the harbour and dating back to the 1st Century. Continuing around the Istrian Peninsular our next stop is the charming seaside town of Rovinj.
Days 12-13: The following two days are yours to do as you please. Rovinj’s quaint cobbled streets are lined with artists lairs and shops containing all manner of curios. A casual wander along the streets and alleyways will inevitably lead you up to the Cathedral which punctuates this small town and offers an impressive view over the peninsular and beyond. There may also be an opportunity for a day’s excursion to Venice!
ROVINJ – POSTONJA – LAKE BLED (two nights Lake Bled)
Day 14: We head north again today and enter Slovenia for the first time making a stop at the incredible caves at Postonja, Europe’s biggest and one of the most spectacular caves in the world. Our tour here will include a ride in the miniature train 2 kms inside the caves before we continue by foot with a local guide telling us more of the fascinating history of the caves and pointing out the differing forms of stalactites and stalagmites. We continue later in the afternoon, to the very beautiful Lake Bled, our restful home for the next two nights. Lake Bled was formed from the recession of the Bohinj glacier. 2.1km long and up to 1.4km wide, the lake has a maximum depth of 30.6m. After the last Ice Age, the Bohinj glacier deepened the natural hollow giving shape to its present form. The basin was filled with water when the ice melted, and is punctuated by the small island toward the west side of the lake.
Day 15: We start the day with a drive up to Castle Bled, perched in a most imposing position high above the Lake and seeming virtually impenetrable by any potential invading foe. The Castle is now home to a very informative, modern museum. After this visit take time to enjoy the unspoilt beauty of Lake Bled at your leisure. You can circumnavigate the Lake by foot or cycle, or maybe you’d prefer to be rowed out to the small island on a ‘pletna’, whence upon you might like to ring the bell to bestow good luck upon yourself!
LAKE BLED – LJUBLJANA – ZAGREB (three nights Zagreb)
Day 16: Our journey today includes some of the most picturesque scenery of our tour to date. Leaving the ‘fairytale like’ Lake Bled behind us, we proceed to Ljubljana, where on arrival we will see the magnificent city hall, three bridges and other local sights. Following lunch we drive to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. On arrival we will make our way to the hotel where some may choose to relax, and others may want to take a short walk to some of the prominent and historic buildings in the general vicinity.
Day 17: We begin the day with a walking tour of Zagreb’s historic old town. Zagreb is effectively divided into three sections. The Upper town, which houses the multitude of museums, galleries and the Croatian Parliament on cobbled streets illuminated by gas lamps. Of particular note is the magnificent St Marks Church and its ornate roof resplendently covered with colourful ceramic tiles. Then there’s the lower town with its shops, restaurants, cafés, theatre and parks, and finally ‘new Zagreb’ notable for its high rise buildings, corporate climate and not a tourist trap by any account.
Day 18: Today we take a short drive just outside of Zagreb to one of the finest examples of a restored castle at Trakoscan. Rooms have been lovingly restored and maintain the authenticity of the period. There’s an incredible room dedicated solely to weaponry and views from the towers to the surrounding countryside are stunning. After this we will drive on to the charming little town of Varazdin, where we will have lunch in a local restaurant and a wander at your leisure before we make our way back to Zagreb.
ZAGREB – FRANKFURT – SINGAPORE (one night Singapore)
Day 19: A last chance for shopping or sightseeing today before we are taken by coach to the airport in the afternoon to begin our journey to Singapore.
Days 20-21: We spend a night and day in Singapore before being transferred to the airport.
SINGAPORE – CHRISTCHURCH
Day 22: We land in New Zealand filled with fond memories of an incredible journey together and experiences that we will treasure forever.
