Gems of the Balkans with coastal cruise (RIE)

14 Day Tour from Zagreb to Split

2024 Tour Details

Time travel on this 7-day escorted tour of the beautiful Balkans from Tirana to Dubrovnik and discover how the past stands still and the future is in full play. From the seemingly unchanged villages and natural landscapes to the languid lakes and legendary seascapes of Albania and Croatia, you’ll find the vibrant life of artisans, ancient architecture, and fortresses that hold the secrets of wars past, and freedom won. Capture the beauty of the Balkans on the pink-paved streets and markets mixed with the Byzantine and Venetian architecture of Kotor, Montenegro; the legends of sea stories in Perast; and the massive fortress walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia. On a clear day, you can see forever with a ride on the Dubrovnik Cable Car, as well as the most beautiful panoramic views from the Srd mountain. Take in the red rooftops below that glow in the sun beside the glittering Adriatic Sea. Board your Adriatic cruise in Croatia along the islands of the Dubrovnik Riviera and onward to Split!

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 DESTINATIONS & SIGHTSEEING

Sightseeing:

14 Day Tour from Zagreb to Split

Notes:

Time travel on this 7-day escorted tour of the beautiful Balkans from Tirana to Dubrovnik and discover how the past stands still and the future is in full play. From the seemingly unchanged villages and natural landscapes to the languid lakes and legendary seascapes of Albania and Croatia, you’ll find the vibrant life of artisans, ancient architecture, and fortresses that hold the secrets of wars past, and freedom won. Capture the beauty of the Balkans on the pink-paved streets and markets mixed with the Byzantine and Venetian architecture of Kotor, Montenegro; the legends of sea stories in Perast; and the massive fortress walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia. On a clear day, you can see forever with a ride on the Dubrovnik Cable Car, as well as the most beautiful panoramic views from the Srd mountain. Take in the red rooftops below that glow in the sun beside the glittering Adriatic Sea. Board your Adriatic cruise in Croatia along the islands of the Dubrovnik Riviera and onward to Split!

Transportation:

Time travel on this 7-day escorted tour of the beautiful Balkans from Tirana to Dubrovnik and discover how the past stands still and the future is in full play. From the seemingly unchanged villages and natural landscapes to the languid lakes and legendary seascapes of Albania and Croatia, you’ll find the vibrant life of artisans, ancient architecture, and fortresses that hold the secrets of wars past, and freedom won. Capture the beauty of the Balkans on the pink-paved streets and markets mixed with the Byzantine and Venetian architecture of Kotor, Montenegro; the legends of sea stories in Perast; and the massive fortress walls of Dubrovnik, Croatia. On a clear day, you can see forever with a ride on the Dubrovnik Cable Car, as well as the most beautiful panoramic views from the Srd mountain. Take in the red rooftops below that glow in the sun beside the glittering Adriatic Sea. Board your Adriatic cruise in Croatia along the islands of the Dubrovnik Riviera and onward to Split!

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN TIRANA, ALBANIA Welcome to Tirana! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Dinner Dinner

Day 2

TIRANA Art Covers Rock TIRANA Guided walking tour of the city features a visit to the Bunk’Art
Breakfast Breakfast

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. Visit the site of Bunk’Art. Once serving as the fallout shelter of communist dictator Enver Hoxha, this sprawling stone bunker is now a history museum and contemporary art gallery.

Day 3

TIRANA–VIRPAZAR, MONTENEGRO–BUDVA A Shore Thing VIRPAZAR Guided boat trip on Skadar Lake.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
137 mi / 220 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Skadar lake is the largest lake in the Balkans, surrounded by karst mountains and rocky shores. When it formed millions of years ago it was just a bay off the Adriatic. However, with erosion and changes to the landscape, the former bay transformed into a lake which offers a variety of wildlife and different habitats.

Day 4

BUDVA EXCURSION TO CETINJE AND KOTOR Former Capitals & Coastal Towns CETINJE Guided tour of the town includes visit to King Nicola's Museum. Free time for lunch.
KOTOR Guided visit of the old town.
BUDVA Dinner at local restaurant (B, D)
106mi / 170 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 5

BUDVA–PERAST–DUBROVNIK, CROATIA Jewel of the Mediterranean PERAST Visit "Our Lady of the Rocks" Church perched on an man-made tiny Island on the way to Kotor city for a guided walking tour that includes all the famous sights of this little town. Free time for lunch.
Breakfast Breakfast
71 mi / 115km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGEND & FAITH The legend has it that on a summery evening in July 1452, two fishermen discovered an image of the Virgin Mary on the sea- cliff. They brought it home with them but the following morning it was gone and appeared back on the same sea- cliff. The same thing happened over and over so they understood this as a Virgin's wish to stay there forever so they build a church. A small island was then made by people from Perast who were throwing rocks and stones around the cliff.

Day 6

DUBROVNIK–KONAVLE–DUBROVNIK A King’s Landing DUBROVNIK Walking tour with a Local Guide.
KONAVLE Walking tour and farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner
37 mi / 60 km

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
ART & ARCHITECTURE It isn’t hard to see why the city of Dubrovnik is known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” The old town surrounded by its remarkable city walls is protected by UNESCO. Over the centuries this breathtaking city has been an inspiration to many artists. Game of Thrones fans may recognize this formidable setting and the Rector’s Palace as a film location for the epic TV series.

Day 7

DUBROVNIK (EMBARKATION) Above the Gates DUBROVNIK Embark on your coastal cruise. Transfer to the city gate and take the cable car from the Old Town to the Srd mountain to enjoy scenic views of the Elaphiti Islands. return transfer to the vessel to meet the crew and enjoy cocktails and dinner onboard
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PICTURE PERFECT Built back in 1969 the Dubrovnik Cable Car is still enthusiastically used by millions of visitors who wants to enjoy the most beautiful panoramic views from the Srd mountain. On a clear day, you can see up to 60 km (37 miles). From the top, the Old Town looks postcard-perfect — its iconic red roofs illuminated by the sun, while the Adriatic Sea glitters into the horizon.

Day 8

CRUISING: DUBROVNIK–SLANO Safe Harbor Cruise around Dubrovnik city walls, then continue to one of the Elaphiti islands for a swimming stop.
SLANO Explore the town’s long medieval ramparts, then learn more about oysters which made this village famous for and taste this delicacy. Free time before returning to the vessel.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch Dinner Dinner

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & GEMS Slano is one of the most picturesque places of the Dubrovnik Riviera, situated in a gentle bay 2 km long, a fine beach,with thick pine and olive groves, a long cultural tradition, and numerous historic monuments. This safe harbor has been providing a reliable protection against the elements for many centuries.

Day 9

CRUISING: SLANO–MIJET Myths & Marvels MIJET Stroll to the famous salt lakes in the Mljet National Park and enjoy the boat ride to St Mary Isle to visit an ancient Benedictine monastery.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOTS The legend has it that the Greek hero Odysseus spent 7 years on the island of Mijet when the nymph Calypso charmed him which led to a shipwreck and him having to seek shelter in the cave for seven years before the Gods released him

Day 10

CRUISING: MIJET–KORCULA Marco Polo Found KORCULA Guided walking tour of this enchanting town surrounded by walls.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & LEGENDS Rumor has it that the island of Korcula is the birthplace of Marco Polo, and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean. Fishbone street pattern was used in the design of Korcula Old Town for a natural cooling effect that provides shelter in the long, hot summery days.

Day 11

CRUISING: KORCULA–VIS On the Waterfront VIS: Free time to explore the island.
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
FREE TIME TIP In the 4th-century B.C., The island of Vis was one of the main Greek coloniesand ultimately used as a Yugoslavian army base–until 1991. As a result, the culture and architecture are extremely well preserved. Rosemary, capers, and sage grow wild around the island. Spend some time tasting some exquisite local wines or visiting the remains of the Roman thermal baths, City Museum, or by simply take a walk enjoying the views of the beautiful Villae Rusticae along the waterfront

Day 12

CRUISING: VIS–BISEVO–HVAR Island Beauties BISEV Visit the Blue Cave (weather permitting)
HVAR Guided tour of the island includes visit of the Renaissance Cathedral and the oldest community theater in Europe
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SPECTACULAR SIGHTS Hvar is the longest and sunniest island in the Adriatic and is known for glorious lavender fields and breath-taking beauty. Climb to the town fort overlooking the harbor for lovely scenic views of the vessel and the Paklinski Islands.

Day 13

CRUISING: HVAR–BOL–SPLIT Blue Heaven BOL Stop for a swim in one of the most famous beaches in Dalmatia- Zlatni Rat
SPLIT Guided tour of the city
Breakfast Breakfast Lunch Lunch

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS Zlatni rat beach in Croatia is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, and thanks to its unique shape, it is also one of the most exceptional beaches in the world. It is surrounded by the crystal-clear sea that goes from turquoise blue to dark blue in just 10 to 20 meters, and it is bordered by decades-old pine trees planted by the locals to create some natural shade. The beach changes its shape and position depending on the wind, tide, and the current, and sometimes, the tip of the beach rotates so significantly that it forms a small pool.

Day 14

SPLIT (DISEMBARKATION) Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast Breakfast

 Tour Director

With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

MARTINA SELJAK

Escorting tours for more than 15 years

"See the most vibrant part of Europe and let me show you the "other side" of the Old Continent-where the borders are still shifting, where history has been rewritten, and the "bad boys" turned good overnight after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain."

Tour Director -  MARTINA SELJAK

 Accommodations

TIRANA

HILTON GARDEN INN TIRANA

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

BUDVA

HOTEL BUDVA

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

DUBROVNIK

LAPAD

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Globus).