DAY 1

Welcome to Dubrovnik

Tour begins: 5:30 PM, Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik. A transfer is included upon your arrival from Dubrovnik Airport to Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik – a historic hotel overlooking the Adriatic Sea, just steps the medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meet a lecturer this evening who shares expert insights, past and present, about the country formerly known as Yugoslavia and the places you'll explore on this trip, before joining him for an intimate welcome dinner at a popular restaurant, accompanied by a private performance of traditional Croatian a capella "klapa" singing.

Dinner

DAY 2

Old Town Dubrovnik by land & sea

Rise and shine this morning for a day of cultural delights. Ride a cable car to the top of Srd Hill for dazzling views of Dubrovnik and the surrounding landscapes. Get a closer perspective when you descend for a walking tour through Old Town and visit the Main Square. Dubrovnik's Old Town is completely surrounded by enormous stone walls that date back to the 10th century; view them from the outside on a boat ride along the walls. Wine tasting is on the menu this afternoon during a visit to a winery where you sample wines made from ancient grapes known as "Malvazija" with the guidance of a renowned viniculture engineer. En route back to your hotel, stop in the village of Gruda to meet an "academic artist" who serves as the keeper of local traditions. During your visit, she will present a step-by-step tutorial on silk making as you are treated to homemade juice and cake typical of this region.

Breakfast

DAY 3

Kotor & Montenegro

Cross the border into neighboring Montenegro and drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor for a walking tour of this historic city (also known today for its large population of cats, a contemporary symbol of the city), and a visit to the Maritime Museum. Continue to the tiny bay-front village of Perast, built by wealthy sea captains during the 17th and 18th centuries. Walk past the town's stone houses to the pier for a sail to the man-made islet of Our Lady of the Rocks, topped by a lone church and steeped in legends. Back on shore, enjoy views of Montenegro's coast on your return trip to Dubrovnik for dinner at your hotel.

Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4

Orašac Village, Mostar & Split

Depart for Split this morning, driving through Dalmatian landscapes of seaside villages and farmland to the village of Orašac, founded in 1040. A family-hosted visit to a private farm reveals the time-honored steps of producing olive oil the old-fashioned way and includes a morning snack of fresh cow cheese, home-grown vegetables, warm-from-the-oven bread and wine. Drive to Bosnia for a visit to Mostar, known for its old Turkish houses and Old Bridge, Stari Most, after which it is named. Damaged during the 1990s conflict, the Old Bridge, built by the Ottomans in the 16th century and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has been rebuilt, as have many of the edifices in the Old Town. A guided walking tour ends with an opportunity for free time to spend as you please (if you wish, visit an old, traditional Turkish house); early afternoon, visit the Museum of Herzegovina, where a resident who lived through the bombings of the 1991-1995 war shares personal stories of survival. Late afternoon, drive to Split for a two-night stay.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5

Meštrovíc's art & Diocletian's Palace in Split

See the acclaimed collection of works by Croatia's premier modern sculptor, Ivan Meštrovíc, at the gallery he built as his private residence. Drive to Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Roman emperor Diocletian as his retirement home between the late 3rd and the early 4th centuries using local limestone and Brac marble; the city of Split later grew up around the palace. A walking tour of the vast palace complex includes the palace cellars. Your explorations continue on a ferry ride to Brac Island where you will enjoy a family-style lunch in Donji Humac overlooking the bay. Visit Jaksíc gallery after lunch, going behind the scenes to see the artist's studio and myriad works of art. A late afternoon ferry brings you back to Split for time at leisure.

Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6

Krka National Park & fly to Zagreb

Take a scenic drive to Krka National Park to see its spectacular waterfalls and inherent natural beauty. From there, board a boat and sail to Skradin for a visit to ROCA, the House of Dalmatian Smoked Ham, a talk with a farmer and a wedding-style lunch featuring traditional culinary specialties and entertainment. Fly to Zagreb this afternoon for a two-night stay in Croatia's capital city.

Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7

Discover Zagreb & meet Croatia's former Tourism Minister

Strategically located at the crossroads where western and eastern Europe meet, Croatia's capital city of Zagreb is a blend of old and new, informed by wars and steeped in culture. Start off your day by meeting Croatia's former Minister of Tourism for a discussion on current affairs before setting out to explore Zagreb on foot, the best way to experience this fascinating city. Join our local guides for a walking tour that includes the neo-Gothic Cathedral, a cheese tasting at the fresh market, the main square and a funicular ride to the Upper Town, where you will have lunch at a local restaurant. The rest of the day is free to spend as you please; enjoy dinner at your leisure at your hotel tonight.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8

Trakošćan Castle & Ljubljana

One of the most impressive castles in Croatia, Trakošćan Castle dates back to the 13th century and reflects myriad architectural styles and restorations over its 800+-year history. Costumed knights and ladies-in-waiting welcome you to the castle for a tour and lunch inside the Knights' Hall, open exclusively for Tauck guests only. Your final destination today is Ljubljana, Slovenia, where your high-rise city-center hotel overlooks the heart of the city. Take a walking tour of Slovenia's capital before enjoying a taste of local culture during dinner at a popular local restaurant.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9

Ljubljana Castle and Bled Castle

Ride a funicular up to Ljubljana Castle this morning; savor panoramic city views and tastings of local cookies, teran liqueur and honey. Drive next to a gingerbread-making workshop in a country village to see how these beloved decorated pastries have been made for centuries, with a tasting of course! Lunch is followed by a visit to 1,000 year-old Bled Castle that includes a live printing demonstration, a talk with the cellar master about the castle's famous wines and entrance to the upper courtyard museum to learn about the history of Bled. Return to Ljubljana to spend the rest of the day and evening as you wish.

Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 10

Postojna Caves, a truffle farm & an olive oil tasting

We've arranged an exclusive early morning visit to a subterranean world of caverns, halls and passages some two million years in the making when you explore the surprise-filled Postojna Caves from aboard a private electric train and on a guided walk. Head off for another Tauck Exclusive experience at a family-owned truffle farm, where you'll learn about the truffle-hunting process, meet the dogs who sniff out this underground delicacy, and enjoy a tasting followed by a light lunch. En route from Slovenia back into Croatia, stop at a family-run olive oil farm in Vodnjan, renowned for producing one of the top 15 olive oils in the world, for a tasting tour. Arrive early evening in Rovijn on the west coast of the Istrian Peninsula for a two-night stay.

Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11

Pula and dinner at a local tavern

Arrive in Pula, at the southern tip of the Istrian peninsula, for a visit its great amphitheatre, constructed between 27 BC – 68 AD, much of it still standing and still used today. Enjoy lunch at your leisure in the fishing village of Rovinj. Late afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the House of Batana, dedicated to the flat-bottomed fishing boat (batana) that symbolizes the town's enduring seafaring traditions. Board a boat for a cruise along the Old Town peninsula to a local tavern for dinner with entertainment.

Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12

Explore Venice & the Doge's Palace

Travel from Croatia to Venice, Italy, today, arriving in the "City of Canals" midday for a walking tour and a visit to the Doge's Palace. We invite you to join us this evening for a farewell dinner at your historic hotel, just steps away from Piazza San Marco.

Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 13

Journey home from Venice

Tour ends: Venice. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Hotel Metropole to Venice's Marco Polo Airport. Allow a minimum of three hours for flight check-in.

Breakfast

Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik

Hotel Park

Esplanade Zagreb Hotel

InterContinental Ljubljana

Grand Park Hotel Rovinj

Hotel Metropole