Flight:
Saturday 4th June, 2016
Depart Melbourne 9.25pm
14 hours flight
Melbourne to Dubai ... Arrive Dubai 5.30am
Dubai 5.30am to 9.10am at airport
Dubai to Rome ... Arrive Rome 1.25pm
6.15 hour flight
Rome 1.25pm to 6pm at the airport
Rome to Split ... Arrive Split Sunday 7.10pm
1.10 hour flight.

Sunday 5th June to Thursday 9th June in Split ... 4 nights.

ALBATROSS TOUR:

Day 1: Trogir Thursday 9th June.
Your tour commences this evening with a welcome drink at your hotel and then we walk to the nearby old town, to enjoy a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. This is an ideal chance to meet, and get to know, your Tour Manager and fellow travellers.

Hotel:
Trogir Palace

Day 2: Trogir Friday 10th June.
First stop of the day will be in the beautiful Krka National Park. At Roški Slap we enjoy a walk across the Krka Gorge, following a route that has been there since Roman times. At this point the gorge is about 450 metres wide and our pathway winds across a series of incredibly scenic cascades (known locally as necklaces), interspaced with islands and pristine clear rock pools. At the far side a boat takes us up close to the dramatic 15 metre lower falls before heading down stream to the town of Skradin. Later we stop in Šibenik, the oldest native Croatian town on the Adriatic. Here we are joined by a local guide who takes us into the UNESCO World Heritage listed Cathedral of St James. Your evening is at leisure in Trogir.


Day 3: Trogir Saturday 11th June.
This morning enjoy an orientation tour of this remarkably preserved town. Heavily influenced by the Greek, Roman and Venetian Empires the core of Trogir is a mass of tiny alleys and charming squares, filled with shops and restaurants. In the afternoon we are joined by a local guide as we drive up into the rugged hills behind Split to visit the ruined castle of Klis. This is the most famous fortress in all of Croatia with a remarkable history spanning a thousand years, and the views down across Split and the Adriatic are astounding. Continuing to the port of Split our guide will take us on a walking tour through the vast 4th century Diocletian Palace complex, the Cathedral and pedestrian friendly town centre. Later you will enjoy free time to explore the beautiful old town which is littered with numerous alfresco cafes, and where the shopping is rumoured to be the best in Croatia. Later we enjoy a local restaurant dinner before returning to Trogir.


Day 4: Hvar Sunday 12th June.
Mid morning we return to Split to catch a ferry over to the famous Adriatic island of Hvar. Cruising out between the islands of Brac and Solta we arrive at the oldest port on the island, Starigrad. Time to enjoy a break and stroll through the town before crossing the island to the delightful harbour of Hvar town, where we stay the next three nights.

Hotel:
Amfora Hotel, Hvar

Day 5: Hvar Monday 13th June.
Your day is completely at leisure to do as much or as little as you choose! Hvar port is regarded as perhaps the most beautiful within the Dalmatian Islands. The cobbled alleys which wind up from the big, open main square are littered with restaurants, cafes and shops. For the more active, you can go on boat trips to the nearby islands, or perhaps take an energetic walk up to Castle Spanjola. From here, there are breathtaking views across the islands and down onto the picturesque harbour - teeming with expensive cruisers and yachts.

Day 6 : Hvar Tuesday 14th June.
A day to explore the island! First stop of the day will be on the other side of the island in the little village of Vrboska, set on the World Heritage listed Stari Grad Plain. Later we will visit a local winery to enjoy a light lunch accompanied by a tasting of the excellent local wines. Afterwards we will spend time exploring the pretty port of Jelsa. We return to Hvar along a spectacular ridge that forms the spine of the island. This incredibly scenic old mountain road is called the ‘lavender road’ and the steep mountainsides are covered with stone enclosed fields of lavender (lavender blooms on Hvar throughout the month of June). Your evening is at leisure in the delightful port of Hvar.

Day 7: Mostar Wednesday 15th June.
After a leisurely start we enjoy the drive down the entire length of Hvar Island to the port of Sucuraj, where we board a ferry and cross back to the mainland at Drvenik. We continue to Mostar in the country of Bosnia-Herzegovina. On arrival we will meet a local guide for a walking tour of this amazing town. Ravaged and smashed in the Balkans War, Mostar has now been lovingly rebuilt and the locals are intensely proud of their Stari Most (Old Bridge) – a curious humped back pedestrian bridge spanning the River Neretva - a reconstruction of the original 16th century Ottoman bridge. A place where adherents of Islam, Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Judaism have coexisted for centuries, this cultural melting pot makes a fascinating visit. Mosques and churches stand side by side with charming riverside terraced cafes and the occasional, bomb damaged, bullet pockmarked ruin. We stay here two nights. This evening we enjoy a wine tasting and dinner in a local restaurant.

Hotel:
Bevanda Hotel

Day 8 : Mostar Thursday 16th June.

This morning we visit the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the amazing city of Sarajevo - nominated as the European Capital of Culture for 2014. Once the site of the 1984 Winter Olympics, Sarajevo suffered the longest siege of a city in the history of modern warfare (1992 -1996) during the Balkans Conflict. To the locals it was the ‘Bosnian War for Independence’. Since then Sarajevo’s re-building programme has galvanised the city and here we are joined by a local guide. Highlight of the morning will be your visit to the Sarajevo War Tunnel Museum – built to supply humanitarian aid to the city during the siege. The remainder of your afternoon and evening will be free back in Mostar. A perfect time to find your own riverside terrace restaurant.

Day 9: Dubrovnik Friday 17th June.

Returning to the Dalmatian Coast we visit the remarkable twin towns of Veliki Ston and Mali Ston. Famous for having the longest complete city walls of any city in Europe, you will be struck by the giant fortifications extending completely over the wild mountain side linking these two small towns. Scenically, the tiny bay is wonderful however, we are here for the oysters of Mali Ston, which are reputed to be the finest in the world. On arrival we will board a small boat to visit the Oyster beds and sample fresh oysters, washed down with a glass of wine. Back ashore, it is time for a lazy lunch in the famous Bota Sari restaurant which is built into the ancient castle walls. Delightful! Later this afternoon we arrive at the famous city of Dubrovnik. Our hotel for the next four nights is superbly located within easy walking distance to Dubrovnik’s old town. On arrival, join us for a welcome drink on the beach terrace overlooking the sea and Dubrovnik city.

Hotel:
5 star Grand Villa Argentina



Day 10: Dubrovnik Saturday 18th June.

In the 15th and 16th centuries Dubrovnik became the heart of a maritime empire to rival Venice. This morning we are joined by a local guide who will breathe life into this extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage listed, walled city - from the finely carved facades of the renaissance palaces, lining the broad pedestrian walkways and squares, to the churches and the baroque Cathedral. First impressions are so important so to begin our tour we catch the cable car up to the scenic lookout on top of Mount Srd. What a fantastic way to introduce you to the city! We have also included entrance to the old Franciscan Monastery and Apothecary. The rest of your day is at leisure. Later this afternoon, when the heat has gone from the day, and the crowded cruise ships have departed, make sure you enjoy a peaceful walk along the top of the city walls. Running almost two kilometres around the entire city, and flanked by turrets and towers, a walk along the ramparts is a wonderful experience.

Dubrovnik, Croatia
First impressions are so important. That is why we have included a cable car ride to the top of Mount Srd which looms high over Dubrovnik city! From the lookout platforms beside the café and the symbolic fortress you will have sweeping views inland across the Dinara Mountain range, and up and down the dramatic Dalmatian Coast. But it is the view down on Dubrovnik itself which will captivate you. The historic, 500 year old city walls entirely frame this ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. Outside is the deep blue sea, and inside you will watch over a maze of narrow alleys, squares and churches that litter the old town. Incredible!


Day 11: Dubrovnik Sunday 19th June.
Today we will enjoy a full day excursion to the country of Montenegro. Reaching the dramatic fjord like Bay of Kotor we will make a stop at the little village of Perast. Here we will enjoy a boat ride out and around the twin islands of St. George and Gospa od Škrpjela (Our Lady of the Rock). Lunchtime will be in the beautifully preserved walled city of Kotor. Returning to our superb hotel, the rest of the day and evening is at leisure to relax in your hotel or explore Dubrovnik town.

Day 12: Dubrovnik Monday 20th June.
Your day is at leisure. Maybe relax in your delightful hotel located directly beside the deep blue Adriatic, or walk into town to explore the narrow alleys, squares and churches that litter the old town. Time to shop or sit and enjoy a leisurely lunch in this city which is aptly named the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. Late afternoon we board a traditional Dalmatian boat to cruise south along the coast to the picturesque port of Cavtat where we enjoy our farewell dinner in the excellent family owned ‘Restaurant Leut’. We return to our hotel by coach.

Day 13: Dubrovnik Tuesday 21st June.
Sadly your tour ends this morning after breakfast.

Oh. Oh.
I totally forgot that I will be staying in Split for 4 nights.
In the Jupiter Heritage Hotel in the Diocletian Palace in Split, no less.
Jupiter Luxury Hotel is a beautiful hotel in a newly restored building that preserves original details and is located inside the UNESCO-protected Diocletian Palace, near the Temple of Jupiter.

Split, a town on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, is known for its beaches and the fortresslike complex at its center, Diocletian's Palace, erected by the Roman emperor in the 4th century. Once home to thousands, its sprawling remains include more than 200 buildings. Within its white stone walls and under its courtyards and galleries are shops, bars, cafes, cathedrals, hotels and several houses.

I am going to enjoy this.

Found out what the Tower is ....

The Cathedral of Saint Domnius, consecrated at the turn of the 7th century AD, is regarded as the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world that remains in use in its original structure, without near-complete renovation at a later date (though the bell tower dates from the 12th century). The structure itself, built in AD 305 as the Mausoleum of Diocletian, is the second oldest structure used by any Christian Cathedral.

Wow.

Yep, really going to enjoy this!