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 of Croatia and Slovenia, 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)

Protect your investment with affordable travel protection

Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!

TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:

• Trip cancellation & interruption protection
• Medical & accident protection
• Baggage & property protection

TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.

Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.

What’s unique about these protection plans?

• Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
• Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
• Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
• Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
• In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
• The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
  • Medical & Accident: $70 USD
  • Baggage & Property: $60 USD

Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).

For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Croatia (and Slovenia, if you are traveling on the extension), U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Health

There are no major health risks when traveling to Croatia. Especially during the summer months, take proper care for sun exposure.

While no vaccinations are required for entry into Croatia, it is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel recommendations.

Transportation / Walking on tour

Round-trip flights arrive in Zagreb and depart from Dubrovnik. All other transportation is by private motorcoach. While most destinations on your tour are accessible on foot, some cities may require some use of public transportation—which is adequate. Buses serve most cities and surroundings. Taxis are also available, but make sure that the meter is running and always ask for a cab number and receipt.

Clothing & Packing Tips

Due to the temperate climate, light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing.

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

Currency

The Croatian kuna is the currency you’ll be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually found in Croatia than in the United States. We advise using a combination of small amounts of cash (for arrival and emergencies), as well as ATM/debit cards and credit cards, both of which are accepted in Croatia.

We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend $2USD per person per day for your driver and $4USD to $6USD per person per day for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend $1USD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current currency rates in mind when tipping.