Cruise/Tour Combo: Delightful Balkan Tour & Cruise (Dubrovnik return Cruise) - 14nts (Sundays)

Itinerary and Inclusions:

Open-age cruise/tour combo, though usually clients are mature couples or solo travellers or small groups ranging from 35-75yrs. Double/twin cabins on Main and Lower Deck. Most triple cabins are a queen bed and single bed and most are on the Lower Deck. Solo travellers must book a double/twin for solo use with a solo use supplement.

SHIP INFO AND PHOTOS:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/ships/princess-aloha/

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INCLUSIONS AND FULL ITINERARY:
15 days from Dubrovnik, Budva, Shkodra, Tirana, Ohrid, Skopje, Kolasin, Cetinje, Kotor PLUS a 7 night cruise from Dubrovnik, Korčula, Pucisca, Split, Hvar Town, Stari Grad (tour), Mljet National Park and back to Dubrovnik

INCLUDED:
• Arrival shared transfer from Dubrovnik Airport to hotel and departure shared transfer from Dubrovnik harbor to Dubrovnik Airport on the first and the last days of the tour
• Shared transfer from the hotel to Dubrovnik harbor
• 7-night accommodation in 4star hotels on half board basis
• Air-conditioned motorcoach throughout
• English/Spanish-speaking Tour Escort throughout for land portion
• 7-night accommodation on board in a cabin with private bathroom, A/C and LCD TV
• Daily buffet breakfast
• 6 lunches all with 3 courses and salad bar during cruise
• Welcome Dinner and Captain’s Dinner during cruise
• Water dispenser during cruise
• Complimentary fresh fruits available daily during cruise
• Professional English-speaking Cruise Manager throughout
• Daily cabin servicing, fresh bed linen and towels midweek during cruise
• Free Wi-Fi on board

Sightseeing tours included:
• Local guides for sightseeing tours of Dubrovnik, Tirana, Ohrid, Skopje, Kotor (English and Spanish), Korčula, Split and Hvar (English only)
• Entrance fees to Franciscan Monastery and Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik; National Museum in Tirana; St. Sofia, St. Clement and St. Naum in Ohrid; Church of Holy Savior and Monastery of St. Panteleimon in Skopje; Residence of King Nikola I Petrović in Cetinje; St. Triphun Cathedral in Kotor

# Optional Supplements:
• Entrance to Mljet National Park: ~25 EUR pp – to be paid at entrance.

NOT INCLUDED:
• All other entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
• Port tax € 60 per person - obligatory (pay onboard)
• Drinks
• Meals not listed on the itinerary
• Tips/gratuities

ITINERARY:
Check-in to your room from 14.00hrs. Passengers who arrive earlier can leave their bags at Reception until their room is ready. Dinner and first overnight in hotel, so late arrivals are possible.

Day 1 Dubrovnik – arrival, Sunday
Upon arrival at Dubrovnik Airport, transfer to hotel. Meet the tour guide, dinner and overnight.

Day 2 Dubrovnik – Budva/Montenegro – Shkodra/Albania – Tirana, Monday
Morning sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik, included in the UNESCO’s List of World Cultural Heritage. You will visit Franciscan Monastery with Europe’s third oldest pharmacy, the Rector’s Palace and the Cathedral. Departure for Tirana; we drive inland via Budva, crossing the Albanian border at Shkodra, once the capital of the Illyrian Kingdom (3rd century B.C.). Dinner and overnight in Tirana.

Day 3 Tirana – Ohrid/North Macedonia, Tuesday
Morning sightseeing tour of Tirana, the capital of Albania, including Skender Bey Square, the Mosque of Ethem Bey and a visit to the National Museum representing the flow of Albanian history and housing the finds from archeological sites across the country. Afternoon departure for Ohrid, driving via Elbasan and crossing the North Macedonian border at Cafasan. Dinner and overnight in Ohrid.

Day 4 Ohrid, Wednesday
Full day in the lakeside resort of Ohrid, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site. Through the activity of St. Clement and St. Naum of Ohrid, the first pan-Slavic University in Europe, the famous “Ohrid Literary School” was founded here. Morning sightseeing tour includes the church of St. Sofia (11th century=, the most eminent mediaeval monument in North Macedonia with magnificent Byzantine fresco paintings and St. Clement Church with its icon of Annunciation. In the afternoon a short drive to visit St. Naum Monastery built on the shores of Ohrid Lake in 900 A.D. and dedicated to the Slavic missionary and educator St. Naum of Ohrid. Dinner in a local restaurant. Return to hotel for overnight.

Day 5 Ohrid – Skopje, Thursday
Morning departure for Skopje. Sightseeing tour of Skopje, including the Kale Fortress, the Church of the Holy Savior with its iconostas, one of the finest samples of traditional walnut woodcarving, Old Bazaar and Stone Bridge. We drive to the slopes of the Vodno Mountain where we visit the Monastery of St. Pateleimon with its 12th century iconostas and frescoes ranking among the highest achievements of Byzantine art of this period. Dinner and overnight in Skopje.

Day 6 Skopje – Kolašin/Montenegro, Friday
Morning departure for Kolašin, driving via Peć and Berane and along the impressive Morača River Canyon. Afternoon arrival at Kolašin, spreading on the left bank of the river Tara, situated at the altitude of 954m. The whole are is surrounded by the thick pine forest of the Bjelasica Mountain and is a popular skiing and air spa resort. Dinner and overnight in Kolašin.

Day 7 Kolašin – Cetinje – Kotor – Dubrovnik, Saturday
Morning departure for Cetinje where we visit King Nikola’s Museum, once the residence of the Montenegrin King Nikola I Petrović. Continuation to Kotor, classified as UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site, where we visit its Romanesque Cathedral dedicated to St. Triphun, the city’s patron saint. We continue to Dubrovnik driving along the picturesque Bay of Kotor. Dinner and overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 8 Dubrovnik – embarkation, Sunday
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Gruž harbor and embarkation. Meet your fellow travelers and your Cruise Manager during the Welcome reception followed by dinner.

Day 9 Dubrovnik – Korčula, Monday
Early in the morning we set sail for the island of Korčula, with swimming stop, if weather permits, in one of pristine bays, time to relax and lunch on board. Continue towards Korčula, the most preserved medieval town, thought to be the birthplace of the famous explorer Marco Polo. We will spend the night here. Take a walking tour of Korčula which takes you through its narrow, cobbled streets full of history. Evening is free to explore the town on your own.

Day 10 Korčula – Pučišća, Tuesday
Our journey then continues towards Pučišća, situated on the island of Brač, village of the stone sculpture, where you can visit amazing stonemason school (optional). Lunch on board before arrival in Pučišća, enjoy a swim in one of Brač’s many lovely coves and bays, if weather permits. Enjoy Captain’s dinner on board and overnight in Pučišća.

Day 11 Pučišća –Split, Wednesday
After breakfast we set sail to Split with a stop along the way to swim and relax, if weather permits, with lunch on board. In the late afternoon we arrive at Split to spend the night. Arriving in Split, join a guided tour of the city, visit the seafront promenade and Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. The historical center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your evening is free in Split.

Day 12 Split – Stari Grad, Thursday
Morning sail towards Stari Grad, swimming stop and lunch on board. Stari Grad is one of the oldest towns in Europe with many friendly and affordable konobas and restaurants in the backstreets of the old town. The Stari Grad Plain and the old town centre of Stari Grad have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2008. Your evening is free to explore Stari Grad on your own.

Day 13 Stari Grad – Hvar – Mljet, Friday
Departing from Stari Grad in the morning, we sail to Hvar for a sightseeing tour. Hvar town shows you the first public theatre in Europe (older than Shakespeare’s theatre in the UK) and many more historical sites. Afterwards come back for lunch on board and sail towards Mljet. Croatian “Greenest Island” will hypnotize you with its beautiful, untouched nature and its cultural heritage. We arrive in the heart of Mljet National Park which encompasses five types of forests, many species of birds and two deep lakes. If you want to visit Mljet National Park, walk to the entrance where you can purchase the ticket to walk around the Veliko Jezero (Big Lake) and the Malo Jezero (Small Lake) and join the boat ride to St. Mary Island. Spend the night in Mljet.

Day 14 Mljet – Dubrovnik, Saturday
In the morning we continue our adventure by sailing back to Dubrovnik with lunch on board with stop for swimming. Upon arrival in Dubrovnik, you will enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent Old Town with a panoramic bus ride above the Old Town. After the panoramic view, we will arrive at the historical centre of Dubrovnik, walk through STRADUN – both a street and a square, the most famous place inside the town walls, the famous city enlisted as UNESCO’s World Heritage site, where your guide will show you the most interesting sights of Dubrovnik. After city tour, you will be left on your own to explore the city, visit City Walls, the Franciscan Monastery with Europe's second oldest pharmacy, the Rector's Palace and the Cathedral, take a boat ride to Lokrum island or take the cable car to the top of the Mount Srđ. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Day 15 Dubrovnik – departure, Sunday
After breakfast it’s time to disembark. You will be transferred to Dubrovnik Airport or your Dubrovnik hotel.

B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
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