After a connecting flight in Europe, we arrive in Zagreb and transfer to our hotel. As guests’ arrival times may vary greatly, we have no group activities or meals planned for today.

This morning’s tour of the Croatian capital by coach and on foot reveals a gracious city of culture and hospitality. We stroll through Old Town with a visit to the Croatian Museum of Naïve Art, showcasing the work of naïve artists of the 20^th century; and taste traditional Štrukle pastry. After calling on the colorful Dolac open-air market, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner.

This morning, we set off for Bled, Slovenia’s popular resort town whose namesake lake is the stuff of fairytales. Nestled in the foothills of the Julian Alps with a medieval castle perched above its emerald-green waters, Lake Bled draws visitors and locals alike. We tour the castle then enjoy a leisurely boat ride around the placid mile-wide lake. After this relaxing interlude, we travel on to Ljubljana, capital city and cultural center of Slovenia, where we dine tonight at a local restaurant.

We embark on a morning walking tour that reveals the charming heart of this friendly, mid-sized city. We see ornate façades, romantic bridges, the historic city center, and abundant parkland, all presided over by 11^th-century Ljubljana Castle. Then the remainder of the day is free to enjoy Ljubljana as we wish, with lunch and dinner on our own.

En route to Opatija today, we stop to explore Postojna Cave, the almost 15-mile-long karst cave system where an electric train takes us deeper than is possible in any other cave in the world. Then after free time here for lunch on our own, we continue on to Opatija, the seaside resort where Habsburg princes once vacationed. Upon arrival, we explore the “Opatija Riviera” on a walking tour of this modern-day resort town nestled between green forested hills and the cobalt Adriatic. We dine together tonight.

Today’s tour of the Istrian Peninsula reveals the multicultural roots of this alluring spit of land jutting into the Adriatic. At various times a vassal of Venice, the first Austro-Hungarian Empire, Fascist Italy, the Yugoslav Federation, and finally, Croatia, Istra, as it is known, boasts an interesting history, mild Mediterranean climate, lovely scenery, and good wines. Our first stop is in the port of Pula, where we visit the well-preserved remains of a Roman amphitheater (c. 177 BCE). Next is Rovinj, a charming old Venetian port where we are free to explore on our own and perhaps enjoy lunch at an outdoor café. After returning to Opatija late this afternoon, we dine together tonight at a local restaurant.

Today we visit nearby Moščenička Draga, a one-time fishing village that now draws visitors to its tranquil port and beautiful pebble beaches. After lunch together, we return to Opatija where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

We travel south this morning for an excursion to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Famed for its string of 16 turquoise-colored lakes connected by a series of waterfalls and cascades, separated by distinctive travertine deposits, and surrounded by dense forests, Plitvice counts as one of UNESCO’s first natural sites and Croatia’s largest national park. Late afternoon we depart for Trogir, arriving early this evening in time for dinner at our hotel.

This morning we travel to Split, the main city of the central Dalmatian Coast and home of 3^rd-century Diocletian’s Palace. As we see on our guided tour, the palace, and eventually its ruins, formed the historic heart of picturesque Split. After time for lunch on our own, we board a ferry for the two-hour cruise to Hvar, “queen” of the Dalmatian islands. Upon arrival we travel by coach to lively Hvar Town, where we spend the next two nights. We dine tonight at a local restaurant just a short walk from our hotel.

With captivating natural beauty and a strategic Adriatic location, Hvar has prospered since antiquity. We discover some of its charms this morning, first with a walking tour of Venetian-tinged Hvar Town then with a walking tour of nearby Stari Grad, one of Croatia’s oldest cities and where we also have time to wander on our own. Then we visit a local winery for a tasting and lunch.

We continue our journey south today, leaving Hvar for the mainland then traveling along the scenic Dalmatian coast to popular and beloved Dubrovnik. We stop along the way for lunch before reaching our hotel late this afternoon. Tonight we enjoy dinner together.

Our morning walking tour of this historic city begins in the Old Town, a UNESCO site, where we visit the stately Baroque Cathedral (c. 1672). We also see the Treasury, whose gilded shelves and historic relics sit behind locked wooden doors; and the Franciscan monastery with a 14^th-century pharmacy. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore as we wish, with lunch and dinner on our own. Dubrovnik offers discoveries aplenty to fill the remainder of our day, including the tiny synagogue dating to the 15^th century, historic Sponza Palace, the Maritime Museum, Luza Square, and the Rector’s Palace.

Today is at leisure to enjoy Dubrovnik as we wish, perhaps to explore the city’s ancient walls that have withstood time and tide for hundreds of years (tickets will be provided by our tour director). The original ramparts and bastions, which completely encircled the city, date to the 12^th and 13^th centuries; Dubrovnik itself was founded in the 7^th century. Late this afternoon, we set out on a small group highlight: a farewell dinner with a local family whose home overlooks Dubrovnik. Our menu features produce from their garden, homemade olive oil, and local wine.

This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flights to the U.S.