The tightly arranged, ceramic-roofed buildings and homes of Dubrovnik epitomize the Croatian capital’s refined and close-knit urban culture. On your 12-day tour, learn about this beautiful nation’s unique and epic history. Explore Zagreb, the Croatian capital, Split, a countryside town and Dubrovnik, a bustling city.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Dubrovnik

Fly overnight to Dubrovnik.

Day 2 - Dubrovnik

Arrive in Dubrovnik, where a Go Ahead representative greets you and escorts you to your hotel. Meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s Welcome Dinner. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Dubrovnik

Set on a peninsula in the Adriatic, the former maritime republic of Dubrovnik has a spellbinding atmosphere and is one of Europe's most attractive cities. Built between the 15th and 16th centuries, the city walls are 20 feet thick in places. This morning, you'll enter the walled city through one of four gates and visit its 13th-century Franciscan monastery, which sits on a rocky island and boasts the most extensive library in the region. Later, visit the impressive Rector’s Palace before entering the city’s ornate cathedral. Tonight, enjoy Croatian food and wine at our optional Village Evening Party. (B)

$75 USD

Village Evening Party Immerse yourself in Croatia’s culture when you join us for an evening of traditional food, wine and music. As you savor the Croatian specialties, local musicians will add to the atmosphere of the evening with their traditional songs.

Day 4 - Dubrovnik

Today, revel in all of Dubrovnik’s coastal wonders on your own or join an optional excursion to the independent Republic of Montenegro. You’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor, where, between steep rocky hills and the sea, you’ll explore medieval walls and churches. Soak in the beautiful peaks and valleys surrounding the villages of Njegusi and Cetinje and visit the King Nicholas museum. Back to the seaside, you’ll end your day at Budva, an inviting resort known for good beaches and a dramatic medieval old town. (B)

$69 USD

Montenegro This full-day excursion of Montenegro brings you to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor, the villages of Njegusi and Cetinje, the King Nicholas Museum and Budva.

Day 5 - Split

Take in the Croatian countryside as you transfer to Split, designated by UNESCO as a cultural treasure. Upon arrival, discover why it is known as one of the sunniest places in Europe and why it’s considered a premier resort city. (B)

Day 6 - Split

Today's guided tour of Split features a visit to Emperor Diocletian’s huge 3rd-century palace, one of the last built by the Romans. View the monuments to the city’s varied cultural influences, including Gothic churches, Renaissance palaces, Venetian fortifications and even an Egyptian sphinx. Later, at the Mestrovic Museum, examine bronze, wood, marble and stone sculptures, as well as drawings and paintings, by the Croatian-American expressionist artist Ivan Mestrovic. (B)

Day 7 - Split

Enjoy a free day in Split today or take an optional guided tour of Hvar, a quiet island of rustic fishing villages, Venetian-style piazzas and old city walls. Birthplace of some of Croatia’s earliest secular literature, Hvar is also home to the monumental St. Stjepan’s cathedral. You'll also visit a Franciscan monastery and stop in at the old local theater before ferrying back to the mainland. (B)

$135 USD

Hvar Take a full-day guided tour of lovely, culturally rich Hvar, a quiet island of rustic fishing villages, Venetian piazzas and old city walls.

Day 8 - Plitvice

Leave Split for the hanging lakes of Plitvice today. En route, stop in Trogir, a gem of medieval Venetian architecture set on a tiny island just off the mainland. Your tour director leads a tour of this quaint town. Cross a stone bridge to the Old Town, located on a small island. Take in the ancient beauty as you wander past Radovan's Portal and the Kairos Relief. Then a local guide leads you on a sightseeing tour fo Zadar, an ancient seaside market town. You'll see the intermingling of classical and Christian culture in the town's streets and churches. Arrive in Plitvice in time for an included dinner. (B, D)

Day 9 - Plitvice

One of the most beautiful national parks in Europe, Plitvice National Park offers a stunning setting of lush, forested mountains and 16 levels of lakes nestled between Mount Mala Kapela and Mount Pljesevica. Over thousands of years, water flowed over limestone and chalk, depositing travertine barriers and creating dams that resulted in the beautiful blue-green hanging lakes. Your tour director leads you on two walks around the upper lakes, surrounded by thick forests and waterfalls. You may also catch a glimpse of the 20 caves that dot the area. (B)

Day 10 - Ljubljana

Travel to Zagreb this morning, where a local guide introduces you to the best of Croatia’s capital on today’s tour. Zagreb has been the capital city of Croatia since 1557, and much of its original medieval architecture still exists. Highlights include the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with its twin neo-Gothic spires, the Lotrscak Tower, the Museum Mimara with its neo-Renaissance facade and the lovely Mirogoj cemetery. Then cross into Slovenia as you travel to the capital city of Ljubljana, a charming, beautful city known for its love of the arts. (B)

Day 11 - Ljubljana

Embark on a guided tour of Ljubljana today. Take note of the city’s numerous theaters, museums and galleries. See the medieval castle perched high atop a bluff and admire the grapevine-covered slopes. Tonight, join your group for a Farewell Dinner. (B, D) 

Day 12 - Ljubljana

Board your return flight home or extend your stay in Ljubljana and Lake Bled. (B)