Austria Croatia & Hungary
Day 1 - Depart USA Overnight flight to Vienna.
Day 2 - Arrive Vienna (2 nights) On arrival at Vienna airport you're met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon why not relax in a café and indulge in some Viennese pastries and coffee" This evening, we meet with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions for a Welcome Dinner and drink in a tavern in to the centre of the city. (Welcome Dinner).
Day 3 - Vienna sightseeing & at leisure This morning we drive along the Imperial Boulevards, with views of the Opera House, Parliament and St. Stephen's Cathedral, as well as the mighty Hofburg Palace which all form part of our sightseeing tour with a local guide. Our walking tour takes us into the oldest parts of the city near "Am Hof". Then time is your own to perhaps visit the summer palace of the Hapsburgs at Schönbrunn, or to take a ride on the wheel in the Prater Park. Tonight, why not try out some of the local wines in a 'heurige' tavern in the Vienna Woods (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 4 - Vienna — Graz — Lake Bled (2 nights) Today we leave the Vienna plains and head south towards the Semmering Pass and the Alps. We stop at Graz, to admire its galleried courtyards, famous clock tower and Renaissance 'Landhaus'. There's time to spend in the delightful shops or sample some 'strudel' at a café. Later, we make our way via the town of Klagenfurt on the Austrian Riviera crossing through the Karawanken Mountains and the Slovenian border. Soon we reach Lake Bled, an earthly paradise at the foot of the Julian Alps, for our two-night stay! (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 5 - Lake Bled at leisure This morning we will enjoy an orientation tour of this beautiful resort. Afterwards with time at leisure perhaps take an optional excursion to the famous caves at Postojna or delight in a cruise on the glassy lake. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 6 - Lake Bled — Ljubljana — Rijeka — Plitvice Lakes After breakfast it's only a short drive to Roman founded Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital. On our arrival a sightseeing tour with a local guide shows us the Opera house, Cathedral, National Museum and Castle, as well as the numerous parks. From here we drive down to the Dalamatian coast to the resort of Rijeka and follow the limpid waters of the Adriatic to Senj. We continue up into the forested National park of Plitvice., where we stop to see the waterfalls and lakes of the National Park. We spend the night here and will enjoy dinner in our hotel this evening (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 7 - Plitvice Lakes — Split (3 nights) Our morning drive takes us through the Croatian countryside to Split, the largest city in Dalmatia. It was Emperor Diocletian's decision in AD 305 to build a palace for his retirement and as the palace grew so did the city. We will stay three nights in this exciting city.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Days 8 & 9 - Split sightseeing & Excursion to Hvar With a local guide we will enjoy an in-depth sightseeing tour of this gracious city by the sea. We will visit the Roman Palace of Diocletian — a well preserved fortress which was once encircled by 750-foot walls. Highlights include remains of the original palace, a colonnaded square and the Temple of Jupiter. Then free time to while away the hours exploring the maze of streets in the old town, or wander down to the port. On one day we will enjoy a full day excursion to one of the islands in the Adriatic — Hvar, where we will see the 16th century Cathedral and Loggia built by the Venetian architect Sanmicheli. The balance of your time here is at leisure to sightsee further or to enjoy some time on one of the other islands. This evening, we will enjoy a local dinner of Croatian specialities in the old town. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner) (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 10 - Split — Dubrovnik (3 nights) Today we will follow the amazingly beautiful coast to Dubrovnik — Pearl of the Adriatic — for our three night stay. (Buffet Breakfast)
Days 11 & 12 - Dubrovnik sightseeing & at leisure We enjoy two full days in this impeccably medieval city. On our first morning a walking tour with a guide includes a walk along the city ramparts and a visit of the traffic free old city, revealing this city's great history. We'll see the Rector's Palace, the City Walls, Onofrio's fountain and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. An UNESCO World Heritage site, Dubrovnik and its five bastions are sure to cast a spell on you! The remainder of your stay is at leisure. You may choose to explore the lively market, enjoy lunch in a seaside restaurant or simply relax in the atmosphere of this resort. Alternatively, why not take an excursion into Montenegro to see the only Fjord in southern Europe and the 2,500 year old town of Budva" Your Tour Director will be happy to advise how best to use your free time. This evening, we will enjoy a dinner of local specialities at a characteristic restaurant. (Buffet Breakfast / Highlight Dinner) (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 13 - Dubrovnik — Zagreb (2 nights) Back along the coast, we join the motorway to continue our Croatian adventure up to the capital Zagreb, where we spend the next couple of nights. Tonight dinner is included at our hotel. (Buffet Breakfast / Dinner)
Day 14 - Zagreb sightseeing and at leisure This morning our sightseeing tour with a local guide will show us all the highlights of the city, including the Upper and Lower town, the majestic Cathedral, Archbishops Palace, St Marks Church, and the Opera House. Then we are free to perhaps take an excursion into the surrounding countryside or simply explore the winding streets of the old town. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 15 - Zagreb — Lake Balaton — Budapest (2 nights) This morning we leave Croatia and approach the border with Hungary and drive through a landscape dotted with storks' nests and old farmhouses. We skirt Lake Balaton — Hungary's largest and most popular holiday resort before arriving in the Danube Valley and the twin cities which straddle it — Buda and Pest! (Buffet Breakfast/ Dinner)
Day 16 - Budapest sightseeing & at leisure After breakfast our morning sightseeing tour with a local guide includes a walking tour of Old Buda featuring the Fishermen's Bastion with its views over the Danube and gothic Parliament building. We also view the Great Synagogue and visit Heroes' Square. Then free time perhaps to shop and explore further. (Buffet Breakfast)
Day 17 - Budapest — USA Bid farewell to new-found friends at the end of a varied and exciting tour. Your Trafalgar Tour Director organises your transfer to Budapest Airport arriving at approximately 07.00am for your return flight to America. For passengers who wish to be transferred to Vienna, we will transfer you to the Trafalgar extra night hotel in Vienna with arrival around 3.00pm.(Buffet Breakfast)
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