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Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018
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Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018

October - November 2018
12 day Motorcoach tour of Croatia / Slovenia with additional day in Venice. Multiple excursions, notably Montenegro Read more
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  • Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018

    Croatia - Slovenia Trip Itinerary

    August 13, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Here's our trip itinerary. We've signed up for all the optional excursions, so we shall see how this goes. Our earlier trip to Greece with Gate 1 was a great trip, so we're hoping for good things again. Heading out in late October.

    DAY 1, Sunday - Depart for Italy
    Depart for Italy

    DAY 2, Monday - Arrive in Venice and Transfer to Opatija
    Arrive in Venice and transfer to your hotel in the seaside town of Opatija. A gem on Croatia's Adriatic coast, nestled along the striking Gulf of Kvarner. Afternoon is at leisure to explore the town on your own. Perhaps take a stroll along the "Lungo Mare" seafront and enjoy beautiful views of the Gulf, sheltered by soaring mountains. Tonight, Welcome Drink and Dinner with your fellow travelers, followed by an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager on the journey that awaits you in Croatia and Slovenia
    Overnight: Opatija
    Meals: Dinner

    DAY 3, Tuesday - Full Day in Opatija
    Enjoy a full day at leisure in the seaside town of Opatija, with its rich history, picturesque surroundings and gorgeous beaches, once a gathering spot for the Austro-Hungarian nobility. Alternatively, join the optional tour to the Istrian Peninsula that begins in Pula, a strategic port since the times of the ancient Romans. Afterwards, the tour continues to the resort town of Rovinj. Tonight, return to Opatija and explore the charming town with its wealth of fine seafood restaurants
    Optional: Full Day Istrian Peninsula (AM)
    Overnight: Opatija
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 4, Wednesday - Zadar City Tour en Route to Split
    Depart today for a long drive along the dramatic Adriatic coast to Split. En route stop at the historic old town of Zadar; highlighted by ruins of a Roman forum, medieval churches, cosmopolitan cafes and museums. This city is a wonderful combination of beautiful Roman architecture, Habsburg elegance, and a picture-perfect seafront. View the Cathedral and St. Donat Church before driving to the UNESCO protected seaside town of Split, the second largest city in Croatia. Upon arrival, in the early evening, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the scenic waterfront promenade
    Overnight: Split
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 5, Thursday - Depart Split, Arrive in Dubrovnik
    Walk along the cobbled streets of the Old Town featuring the historic inner city with its dominating Roman influence, built around the astonishing 4th century Palace of Diocletian. This spectacular palace is the largest and best preserved Roman palace in the world, built for the Emperor Diocletian, representing a precious example of Roman architecture. See the remains of the Roman Peristyle, the unusual Cathedral of St. Domnius built in the Middle Ages, and the Temple of Jupiter, with its headless black sphinx guarding the entrance. Spend time discovering the town independently before continuing along the coast to the spectacular walled city of Dubrovnik where you will have the opportunity to see the amazing views of this city known as the "Pearl of the Adriatic". Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel
    Overnight: Dubrovnik
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    DAY 6, Friday - Dubrovnik City Tour
    Enjoy the many delights of Dubrovnik today. The city's splendid medieval ramparts are considered to be one of the most grandiose fortification monuments in Europe, and its magnificent Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walking tour of "Old Dubrovnik" highlights the city's treasures within the 800-year-old walls including the Rector's Palace, an outstanding blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture and the monumental Sponza Palace, preserved with its original beauty. Under the City Bell Tower on Luza Square stands Orlando's Tower, dedicated to the knight that saved the city in the 9th century. Continue to the Dominican Monastery, whose museum is a major treasury of culture and to the Franciscan Monastery with exhibits from the world's third oldest functioning pharmacy. The rest of the day is yours. Perhaps, spend time strolling along the impressive ramparts overlooking the shimmering Adriatic Sea
    Overnight: Dubrovnik
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 7, Saturday - Full Day in Dubrovnik
    A full day at leisure to explore Dubrovnik independently. Perhaps visit the Maritime Museum in St. John's Castle, linger in the historic Old City, or, people-watch at a charming cafe. Alternatively, join the optional full day tour to Montenegro, the "Jewel of the Mediterranean" nestled on the gorgeous Adriatic coast. Drive towards the stunning Bay of Kotor, the longest and deepest fjord in southern Europe. On to the charming coastal town of Perast where a short boat ride takes you to the 15th century "Our Lady of the Rocks" Church perched on an islet in the bay. Once there, visit the Roman Catholic Church whose interior is decorated with 68 paintings by Tripo Kokolja, a famous 17th century painter from Perast. Proceed to the charming city of Kotor for a guided walking tour. View the Cathedral of St. Tryphon, Maritime Museum, numerous Palaces and Old Square and get to feel the atmosphere of this unique medieval town.* Leisure time to walk the winding cobblestone lanes of the Old City before returning along the Dalmatian Coast to Dubrovnik. Tonight, enjoy a walk along Dubrovnik's cobbled streets; see the glowing buildings and the fortifications accented against the night sky
    *Due to the new EU regulations, expect significant delays during border crossings between Croatia and Montenegro.
    Optional: Full Day Montenegro Tour (AM)
    Overnight: Dubrovnik
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 8, Sunday - Krka National Park, Vodice
    This morning, drive north towards breathtaking Krka National Park. Admire the lake and waterways at one of Croatia's most famous sights, including Skradinski Buk Falls, Arrive this evening in Vodice, a small resort town known for its vibrancy, diversity and friendly people. Dinner tonight is at your hotel
    Overnight: Vodice
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    DAY 9, Monday - Zagreb City Tour, Arrive in Bled
    Spend the morning traveling inland through wooded mountains and lush vegetation to Zagreb, capital of Croatia. Upon arrival, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Zagreb. View Ban Josip Jelacic square and the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Continue to the medieval section of the Upper Town with its Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St. Mark’s church and the Pope's tower. After lunch on your own, depart for the lovely city of Bled, exquisitely set amidst the Julian Alps. Bled, with its rich natural beauty ranks among the world's most beautiful alpine resorts and is also renowned for its mild, healing climate and its thermal lake waters. With its emerald-green lake, picture-postcard church on an islet, a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps, Bled is Slovenia's most popular resort. Tonight, an optional dinner at a charming and popular country inn in the tiny medieval town of Radovljica, highlighted by a selection of traditional Slovenian dishes and wine
    Optional: Tour of Radovljica with dinner (PM)
    Overnight: Bled
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 10, Tuesday - Tour Ljubljana, Return to Bled
    This morning drive to Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia for a city tour that includes views of the open-air market, City Hall, Robba Fountain, the Three Bridges, and the Parliament. After some time at leisure, return to Bled for a sightseeing tour, including a visit to Bled Castle, located on a cliff high above the lake. This beautiful resort lies in the heart of the Julian Alps. Tonight, enjoy a Farewell Reception at your hotel with your fellow travelers
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 11, Wednesday - Travel to Venice
    Depart Bled this morning to magical Venice. There is time today to begin your exploration of this astonishing city on your own, with its gorgeous palaces, winding canals, fabulous museums and galleries. Walk the cobblestone streets and cross the endless Venetian bridges to discover this city's intimate elements. Pamper yourself tonight at one of the city's fine restaurants, or just sit at an outdoor café and sip a cappuccino or a lovely glass of Italian wine
    Overnight: Venice
    Meals: Breakfast

    DAY 12, Thursday - Depart Italy
    Transfer to the Venice airport for your departure flight
    Meals: Breakfast    Read more

  • Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018

    Tiles of Dubrovnik

    August 23, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 61 °F

    Heading for Croatia reminded Janet and I of a roof tile we had purchased probably 20 years ago to help with the restoration of the rooftops of Dubrovnik. Somewhere on some rooftop in Dubrovnik sits our tile with our name on it! So we will have to crawl over all the rooftops in the city till we find it! See ya in about 20 years! Here's an article about this story -https://www.total-croatia-news.com/dubrovnik-bl…Read more

  • Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018

    1 Day and Counting to Departure

    October 27, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Our trip has finally arrived! Trying to do last minute things before heading out of GSO tomorrow for IAD (Dulles), BRU (Brussels) and finally VCE (Venice) where we catch a bus to Croatia. Gonna be a long day! Fortunately don't fly out of GSO till around 3pm. Went online and scanned our passports into United's app and got our boarding passes on their app as well as in Apple's Wallet. I have boarding passes in that Wallet from all my previous trips - makes for a good bit of history. Printed copies of the boarding passes just in case our phones bite the dust. Also made copies of our passports and notified our credit card companies.

    I consider myself lucky to even be heading out on this one. Got bit by a spider a month or so ago and had to be tested twice for lyme, because it looked like lyme. (fortunately negative),Then walked into a bedpost barefooted and almost broke my toe. Irritated a nerve that still isn't right, but hope to make it through moderate walks anyway. . Then brought on a crazy case of tinnitus due to giving Apple's new AirPods a try - sent those back after a few short moments - head is still buzzing over a month later. Not good (but getting slightly better or I just have gotten used to hearing a Harley buzz through my skull).

    Filled out all of our destination details in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program - search the App Store for it). in case the world explodes while we're gone and the govt needs to find us (important people that we are, of course!). Back later with more riveting details!    Read more

  • Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018
    Day 1

    GSO AIRPORT

    October 28, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F

    Left home 12:30 arrived at terminal 1:15pm Have TSA pre-check for the entire trip which is sweet. Probably due to being United Mileage Plus members. At Gate at 1:24 - a whopping 9 minutes to walk through the terminal entrance doors, go through TSA and walk to our gate. Tripit Pro (which I upgraded to for free for the next 30 days has alerted me to our flight coming in from IAD which will arrive 25 mins ahead of schedule - that’s a nice little feature)

    Pic is of our little puddle jumper to IAD (Dulles)
    Boarded at 2:45. Looks like will blast off on time. Carry on bags had to go under the plane. This plane is ultra dinky with very narrow overhead space. ( Canadaair Bombadier CL-65) or something similar ) 1hr 15 min flight    Read more

  • Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018
    Day 1

    IAD - Dulles Airport - DC

    October 28, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F

    Left GSO at 3:06 Touched down at 4pm. Taxied for about 10 minutes. Then walked and walked, rode escalators, caught trains and finally ended up in terminal C. Stopped at an au bon Pain and had two excellent hot sandwiches. Flight to Brussels is scheduled for 6:55pm. 3880 mile flight. Scheduled to land at BRU at 7:15 am their time.

    Looks like a madhouse at the far reaches of Terminal C. Not enough places to sit and general confusion seems to be the norm    Read more

  • Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018
    Day 1

    Enroute to Brussels

    October 28, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F

    Boarded at 6:35pm. Seats are 3-3-3. Screen in seat back is small. I demand a 55” flat screen! Oh, whoops, this isn’t Emirates.

    9pm. Eating some sort of tasty chicken orzo dish. List of ingredients about 1000 miles long.
    Lovin’ those additives! Rather sad looking salad and one of those ubiquitous dinner rolls, followed by some salted caramel gelato. Diabetic coma to follow shortly

    Entered into interesting conversation with the guy sitting next to me. He was heading for a 5 yr stint in the Peace Corp in Uganda. Has about an 8 hr flight out of Brussels to get there . Don’t envy him that!

    Pretty good turbulence heading past New York City but has calmed down quite a bit Got a 60 mph tail wind so that should help a bit. -55 degrees up here at 37000 ft

    Reading a Kindle book by Daniel Silva , “The Kill Artist” (Gabriel Allon Series - Book1) - spies.murder, Israelis,Arabs, assassins, art dealers , Europe. All the good stuff :)

    Ok, it’s one in the morning and they’re serving croissants and strawberry yoghurt to us - I guess it’s breakfast time. My eyeballs feel like a sandstorm just blew across them. About 6 am local- passing over southern England.

    Landed at 6:45 am    Read more

  • Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018
    Day 2

    Brussels Airport

    October 29, 2018 in Belgium ⋅ ⛅ 36 °F

    Landed about 1/2 hr early. Got about 3 hrs before next flight. About 2:30 in the morning back in N Carolina. Lot of Belgian chocolate and beer going on here!

    Still not announcing our gate. Going to pass through customs and hope we are in right concourse. Says A but no gate #. Board says to “relax” and they will announce it a 9:05 am
    Just announced it at 9:05. Had to walk forever and now held up at gate at 9:15 as some woman is having an issue and the attendants don’t know what to do apparently. Now more confusion as we wait for a bus perhaps? to take us to the plane.    Read more

  • Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018
    Day 2

    Venice airport

    October 29, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 63 °F

    Landed at noon. Waiting with other Gate 1 folks to catch the bus. Some folks a few minutes late from London. Heading out at 1 PM for our 3 1/2 hr bus ride to Hotel Bristol in Opatija Croatia. Our bus driver is a likable guy named JanRead more

  • Croatia / Slovenia - Fall 2018
    Day 2

    Hotel Bristol - Opatija, Croatia

    October 29, 2018 in Croatia ⋅ 🌧 70 °F

    Leaving Venice, drove through small villages and some interstate. Roads were pretty narrow through some of these towns - didn’t faze Jan, our bus driver. We were rocking and rolling the whole way. Of course, a super blustery day with heavy storm clouds contributed to the van shaking around just a bit. We did almost run head into another vehicle at an intersection on a curve - that was a close one! Some of the group is staying at one hotel and we are staying at an older historic hotel in the city center, built in 1906. Gate1 has a lot of trips running out of here, as they seem to have everywhere.

    Got to the hotel about 5 and have about 2 1/2 hours before meeting with the other members of the group. Tried to take a nap, but too wired. Janet got an email from the guy on the plane who worked for the CDC and was now heading for Uganda for the next 3-5 years. Janet had given him her business card and later he gave us one of his - really nice of him to touch base. That rarely happens with a seat mate on a plane. Have only been up for about 30+ hours now. Meeting and then we’re getting dinner as well and then we should be totally wiped out!

    Seems like a good group - director went over the program. Met a couple of nice ladies (Sara and Mignon). Went upstairs for a big buffet which was quite good actually and had dinner with a nice couple from Kansas City who had traveled extensively. We decided to go out for a stroll in super windy, rainy conditions, although the temps were around 65. A few pictures are attached. Wish we had more time. Tomorrow we are off for Istrian Peninsula and Pula and Rovinj.

    A short blurb from Rick Steves on Opatija:

     And just outside of the peninsula is Opatija (oh-PAH-tee-yah). It's on the water, but it's not your typical Croatian beach town. In the late-19th-century golden age of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this unassuming village was transformed into the Eastern Riviera, one of the swankiest resorts on the Mediterranean. While the French, British, and German aristocracy sunbathed on France's Côte d'Azur, the wealthy elite from the eastern half of Europe — the Habsburg Empire and Russia — partied in Opatija.
    While the Habsburgs and Russians are long gone, Opatija retains the trappings of its genteel past. Most of Croatia evokes a more ancient Mediterranean, but Opatija whispers "belle époque." With its welcoming and elegant promenade, it may be the classiest resort town in Croatia, with more taste and less fixation on postcards and seashells. ©Rick Steves

    And on Rovinj:

     While the Istrian Peninsula has many tacky and forgettable resort towns, the seafront port of Rovinj — like a little Venice on a hill — is one of my favorite small towns on the Mediterranean.

    Rising dramatically from the Adriatic as though being pulled up to heaven by its grand bell tower, there's something particularly romantic about Rovinj (roh-VEEN). Some locals credit the especially strong Venetian influence here — it's the most Italian town in Croatia's most Italian region. Rovinj's streets are delightfully twisty, its ancient houses are characteristically crumbling, and its harbor still hosts a real fishing industry. ©Rick Steves    Read more

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