Overview
Croatia & Albania Escape
Discover a world of beauty, history, and rich tradition on your escorted tour of Croatia, Montenegro and Albania without the higher prices and crowded sites of the busy travel season. Escape for nine days in the affordable and less crowded off season to explore these countries rich in proud tradition.Begin your vacation in Croatia to explore the sights of capital Zagreb— a guided tour of this extraordinary city. Take a scenic drive along the stunning coast to Zadar, where you’ll enjoy the magical sounds and lights of the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun installations. Take breathtaking views of the lake and waterfalls in Krka National Park. Another highlight is a special lunch at a local restaurant. You’ll travel through the ruggedly beautiful countryside on your way to Split, Croatia—ancient Spalato—to tour the Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, and see the Mausoleum, the Cathedral of St. Domnius, and the incredible Temple of Jupiter. You’ll visit the dramatic setting of Dubrovnik; an ancient maritime republic poised above the Adriatic Sea. Explore the impressive ramparts of the walled city, see its Franciscan and Dominican monasteries.Travel to Montenegro and explore Kotor, the “Jewel of the Mediterranean” before continuing to Albania. Explore Albania’s capital city- Tirana and visit the Bunk’Art and enjoy a farewell dinner to celebrate your Balkans Escape.
Highlights of Croatia & Albania Escape
City Highlights
Related Tours
UNESCO Sites
Historic Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian|Natural and Cultureo-Historical Region of Kotor|Old city of Dubrovnik
Private Touring
6 guests in a party: $2,320*18 guests in a party: $631*
Product Group
Croatia & Albania Escape
Travelers Notes
Special Features Included in this Tour: • Guided sightseeing in Zagreb includes sights of the historic Parliament and Stone Gate• Guided walking tour in Zadar• Guided walking tour in the Krka National Park • Split guided walking tour includes Diocletian’s Palace • Guided walking tour in Dubrovnik• Visit to Kotor• Guided walking tour in Tirana includes a visit to Bunk’Art
Meals
8 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 4 Dinner
Itineraries
Day 1
ARRIVE IN ZAGREB, CROATIA Welcome to Zagreb! At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at the hotel. (D)
Day 2
ZAGREB A City Split into Two This morning, get acquainted with Croatia’s capital city when you join your Local Guide for a sightseeing tour that includes sights of the Parliament, Stone Gate the Archbishop’s Palace, and the Cathedral. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening to explore more and try some local specialties. (B)TOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORY & MYSTERY Explore the ancient city of Zagreb where Central Europe, the Mediterranean, and Southeast Europe meet with a magnetic culture amid medieval architecture and offbeat cafes and bars to enjoy. See the historic Croatian Parliament building – its first session recorded in 1273. In the Upper Town of Zagreb, admire the historic Croatian Parliament building and see the Stone Gate, the only fortification entrance that is still standing, and now home to the city’s most important shrine.
Day 3
ZAGREB–ZADAR Sea Sounds and Sunsets Relax as you travel through Croatia to Zadar, join a guided walking tour through the Old Town, see the People’s Square and the Sea Organ and Greeting to the Sun monument. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. (B,D) 177 mi/ 285 km TOUR HIGHLIGHTART & ARCHITECTURE Designed by architect Nikola Basic and opened in April 2005, the Sea Organ captures the movement of the waves and transforms it into music--or something like it. Next to it the Greeting to the Sun was built. a 22-meter diameter circle with photovoltaic solar modules underneath. The solar-powered cells under the glass start generating electricity around dawn, which allows the disc to glow and light the shoreline.
Day 4
ZADAR–KRKA–SPLIT Natural Wonders This morning, enter [LF] the Krka National Park, an exceptional expanse of natural beauty and importance. Follow your Local Guide on a walking tour through the park, admire the natural waterfalls and learn about the flora and fauna. Afterwards, [LF] enjoy a light lunch with local specialties. Arrive in Split and take advantage of an evening at leisure to start discovering this charming city. (B,L) 121 mi/ 195 kmLOCAL FAVORITE NATURAL GEM Explore this natural wonder that features awe- inspiring waterfalls and a huge range of natural flora and fauna. Take a look at the Jaruga, the second oldest hydroelectric power plant in the entire world, having opened only two days after the world`s first- Tesla` hydroelectric power plant on Niagara Falls.
Day 5
SPLIT–DUBROVNIK Lucky Sculpture and The Black Sphynx Start your day with a guided walking tour of Split. Your Local Guide will lead you on a discovery through the labyrinth of medieval streets located within part of the Old Town better known as the Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. Later, travel south and arrive in stunning Dubrovnik. Enjoy free time this evening to start exploring. (B) 149 mi / 240 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTCULTURE & TRADITIONS Stroll through the maze of streets within the famed Palace that is more like a city in and of itself! Also, it resembles a fortress with 220 buildings and more than 3.000 people living inside its walls. For 10 years of good luck, don’t forget to rub the toe of the giant sculpture of Grgur Ninski located in from of the Golden Gate!
Day 6
DUBROVNIK Time Stands Still Follow your Local Guide for a walking tour of Dubrovnik which includes sights of the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries, and the impressive ramparts, erected during the Crusades to protect the town against land attacks. Spend the afternoon and evening exploring the town at your own pace. (B) TOUR HIGHLIGHT HISTORIC SPOTS Apart from the obvious things, like electricity and WIFI, Dubrovnik's old city is a time warp. When you enter the city walls you could be entering a time zone from a mere 50 to a huge 500 years ago. Dubrovnik is a living, breathing museum that hides real gems like the Old Pharmacy, inside the Franciscan Monastery, the third oldest in Europe and the oldest pharmacy still in use on the continent today.
Day 7
DUBROVNIK–KOTOR, MONTENEGRO–TIRANA, ALBANIA Jewel of the Mediterranean Today your journey takes you to three countries; leave Croatia behind as you cross the border into Montenegro. Hop on a ferry and reach picture-perfect Kotor, the coastal town located on Europe’s southernmost fjord. Spend free time exploring its UNESCO-listed Old Town with its cobblestone streets and charming squares. Later, continue into Albania and drive to Tirana, the capital city. (B,D) 183 mi / 295 kmTOUR HIGHLIGHTHISTORIC 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 8
TIRANA Good Bye, Tirana Tirana is allegedly one of the sunniest cities in Europe! Join your Local Guide for a walking tour to discover its intriguing culture and history. See many of the main landmarks and visit the Bunk’Art Museum, once a top-secret nuclear bunker, now a historical and art center. Spend an afternoon at leisure exploring more. This evening, join your travel companions for a farewell dinner. (B,D) 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.
Day 9
TIRANA Safe Travels Until We Meet Again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Departures
Hotels
| # | Name | Description | City | Address | Rating |
| 1 | The Westin Zagreb | Within walking distance to the center, cafes, and adjacent to a commercial center. The comfortable rooms have a minibar and coffeemaker. There's an elegant bar/lounge, a café, and upscale restaurant. Other amenities include an indoor pool, a fitness room, sauna, and various wellness treatments. Free internet access is available throughout. | Zagreb | Krsnjavoga 1 | Superior First-Class |
| 2 | Kolovare | Three-story Seaside Hotel situated in town center, 500 meters from train station. | Zadar | Boze Pericica 14 | First-Class |
| 3 | Falkensteiner Club Funimation Borik | An 258-room upscale resort in a bayfront location with a sandy beach featuring both outdoor and indoor heated swimming pools, a 8202 ft² award-winning wellness center with massage, sauna, hot tub and solarium facilities. Water sports facilities, tennis and beach volleyball courts can also be found on site. All air conditioned guest rooms have natural wood floors, a mini-bar, safe and Free Wi-Fi access is provided throughout. | Zadar | Majstora Radovana 7 | First-Class |
| 4 | AC by Marriott Split | Strategically positioned in Split's urban heart, just a 10-minute walk away from the lively city center, this sophisticated high-rise 214-room hotel boasts incredible views of the cityscape as well as awe-inspiring vistas of the Adriatic Sea. Each air-conditioned guest room is a haven of functionality and contemporary design, equipped with coffee/tea-making facilities, in-room safe, ironing facilites and Free Wi-Fi access. Amenities include a 17th-floor fitness centre and SPA, an international restaurant and sleek bar. | Split | Domovinskog Rata 61A | First-Class |
| 5 | Lapad | This former Grand Hotel is set in a historic building surrounded by a large outdoor pool and palm trees, overlooking the famous Dubrovnik's Gruz Harbour. Clear lines are combined with luxurious fabrics in the modern guestrooms, all of which are air-conditioned and feature flat-screen satellite TV, minibar, tea and coffee making facilities, and bathrooms with shower, hairdryer, and free toiletries. Free Wi-Fi internet connection is available throughout the entire hotel. | Dubrovnik | Lapadska obala 37 | Superior First-Class |
| 6 | Hilton Garden Inn Tirana | This trendy 143-room hotel is perfectly positioned for discovering the secrets of Albania's capital city. The spacious guest rooms are equipped with amenities to maximise comfort, including air conditioning, toiletries and cable TV. Guests can enjoy a unique dining experience at the on-site restaurant that serves high-quality international cuisine, There is also a fitness center and Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the property. | Tirana | 146 Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta | First-Class |
