For the traveler who wishes to see it all: this is the perfect vacation to explore Eastern Europe from Vienna all the way to Istanbul, with the chance to add a Greek cruise. Travel from Vienna to Croatia, where you will stop in Kumrovec, to visit the Stare Selo Ethnological Museum and have an early dinner with regional specialties. Next is Zagreb, the capital, to see the Lower and medieval Upper Town. Stop at the Plitvice National Park on your way to the Adriatic Coast and stay overnight in Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik. In Bosnia-Herzegovina visit Mostar and Sarajevo, where you will experience the Sarajevo Tunnel, built between 1992 and 1995 during the Bosnian War. Also visit Kotor and Budva in Montenegro. Enter Albania, and stay in its capital, Tirana. In Macedonia, visit the Old Town of Ohrid, where you will taste the traditional Boza, and in Skopje, the capital, admire the Alexander the Great statue on Macedonia Square, before arriving in Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia. End in Istanbul, Turkey, founded by the Greeks more than 2,500 years ago as Byzantium. In 330 AD it changed to Constantinople, capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, before finally becoming Istanbul after the Ottoman conquest in the 15th century. Visit Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Roman Hippodrome, and the Hagia Sophia. End your vacation in style during a farewell dinner with wine and belly dancers at a local restaurant. Embark on a six-night cruise from Istanbul, visiting Kusadasi, Santorini (weather permitting), Crete, Rhodes, Symi, Chios and Mykonos, before disembarking in Lavrion for a final overnight in Athens.
City Highlights
VIENNA Welcome dinner with Heurigen wine at a local restaurant in Grinzing; guided sightseeing, visit the Strauss HouseKUMROVEC [LF] Visit the Stare Selo Ethnological Museum and enjoy a special dinner at a local restaurantZAGREB Guided sightseeing, visit the cathedralPLITVICE NATIONAL PARK Walking tourZADAR Guided sightseeingSPLIT Guided walking tour, visit Diocletian’s Palace; special dinner with wine at a local restaurantMOSTAR Take pictures of the famous Mostar BridgeSARAJEVO Guided sightseeing, [LF] visit the Sarajevo tunnelDUBROVNIK Guided walking tour, visit Rector’s PalaceKOTOR Guided walking tourTIRANA Guided sightseeingOHRID Guided walking tour of the Old Town; [LF] taste a glass of BozaSKOPJE Guided sightseeing, see the statue of Alexander the GreatSOFIA Guided sightseeing, visit Holy Sofia ChurchISTANBUL Guided sightseeing, including visits to Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Roman Hippodrome, Hagia Sophia; [LF] a special farewell dinner with wine and belly dancers at a local restaurantCRUISING Six-night cruise to Istanbul, Kusadasi, Santorini, Crete, Rhodes, Symi, Chios, MykonosATHENSGuided sightseeing, visit the AcropolisHeadsets throughout the tour
Hotels
VIENNA Lindner am Belvedere (F)ZAGREB The Westin Zagreb (SF)ZADAR Kolovare (F)SPLIT President (SF)SARAJEVO Europe (F)DUBROVNIK Valamar Lacroma Resort (SF)TIRANA Sheraton Tirana (SF)OHRID Inex Gorica (F)SOFIA Hilton Sofia (SF)ISTANBUL Hilton Garden Inn Istanbul Golden Horn (F)GREEK CRUISE Louis Cruise LineATHENS Ledra Marriott (D)
Meals
Full buffet breakfast (B) daily; 6 lunches; 17 three-course dinners (D), including special dinners in Vienna, Split, and Istanbul.
Notes
NOTE:Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
Transportation
Motorcoach with free Wi-Fi; cruise ship
PRODUCT_LINE: GLOBUS-REL-2014
