8 Days Air Holiday
Departing May - Oct 2010
from £599 pp*
*Price shown: 03 May 2010 - Gatwick

 

Discover the turquoise waters of the lakes at Plitvice, historic Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina, peerless Dubrovnik, the vibrant cities of Split and Zadar on the island-specked coast of Dalmatia, as well as the jewels of the Istrian Peninsula.
 

Day One

Fly to Croatia. Upon arrival, you'll meet your guide and transfer to your overnight hotel in the Lovran/Opatija area. Check-in, then relax before dinner is served.

Day Two

Today's included excursion begins early, as we drive to the stunning lakes of Plitvice National Park - justifiably Croatia's most visited natural attraction. Sixteen bodies of water, backed by breathtaking scenery, are linked by waterfalls and rapids, which tumble down the time-weathered terraces.

After a wonderful day, which will include the option of a boat-trip on one of the lakes, you'll continue to the beautiful Markarska Riviera region of the Dalmatian coast - your base for the next three nights.

Day Three

Journeying across the border to Bosnia-Herzegovina, today we'll visit historic Mostar. In this city East meets West, and the famous UNESCO-listed Stari Most (Old Bridge) vies with the colourful Kujundziluk market for the crown of greatest attraction.

This afternoon you'll return to Croatia, stopping to take in the beautiful delta of the River Neretva, now one of the most fertile areas in the country and a wetland paradise for nesting birds, including several rare marshland species. Take a boat trip (payable locally) to explore the network of channels before we return to the hotel.

Day Four

Rising up out of the blue sea, the walls of Dubrovnik, 'Pearl of the Adriatic' enclose a maze of red-roofed houses and historic buildings. Enjoy an included guided tour, and discover Baroque St Blaise's Church and the Rector's Palace, the marble-paved and pedestrianised Placa or Stradun main street and the grid of narrow streets that stretch off to either side.

Day Five

Today we head north once more. Enjoy a guided tour of vibrant Split, its wondrous old town an extraordinary hotchpotch of architectural styles springing up from its Roman layout. We'll also visit exquisite, walled Trogir, and take a guided tour of Sibenik - its Gothic/Renaissance St James's Cathedral one of the most striking monuments on the whole of the coast, before heading to bustling Zadar for our next overnight hotel.

Day Six

Today begins with a guided tour of Zadar's medieval old town, centred on the remains of the Roman Forum. From here we'll head to Pula and our hotel, stopping en route in elegant Opatija, where great hotels and casinos once welcomed nineteenth-century Viennese visitors to the Austro-Hungarian equivalent of the Cote d'Azur.

Day Seven

On today's final tour you'll see the very best of Istria: the provincial capital, Pula, famed for its vast Roman amphitheatre; Rovinj, rising Venice-like out of the water, her narrow streets leading up towards the Baroque church of St Euphemia; and Porec, its ancient streets surrounding its striking Venetian bell-tower and UNESCO-listed Basilica of Euphrasius.

Day Eight

Transfer back to the airport for check-in and your flight home.

Wining and dining

As you might expect from countries lying between the Adriatic and the Alps, the local cuisine varies from seafood and Italian-influenced pastas to hearty meat-dishes. In the majority of hotels, you will enjoy on-the-spot 'show-cooking', as chefs prepare dishes in front of you. Don't miss any opportunity to try pr sut, local home-cured ham.

The region's wines - especially those produced in Slovenia - are very pleasant, and several local breweries provide an endless supply of good beers.

Subject to availability