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FROM
GREECE & MACEDONIA TO BLED VIA THE DALMATIAN COAST
Countries
visited: Greece, Macedonia, Albania, Croatia & Slovenia |
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A spectacular journey
that takes us into Europe - it’s history, archaeology, incredible architecture
and vivid culture. This is a journey that covers that part
of Europe that can best lay claim to, “where it all
began….” Enjoying also the spectacular urban
and rural scenery, we go into bygone days dating back to
the times of Alexander to medieval Europe and to the Balkans
where history has always been in the making.
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Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Depart North America |
|
02
|
Arrive Athens |
| 03 |
Athens |
|
04
|
Athens / Delphi and Kalambaka |
|
05
|
Kalambaka / Ohrid |
|
06
|
Ohrid / Tirana |
|
07
|
Tirana |
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08
|
Tirana / Dubrovnik |
|
09
|
Dubrovnik |
|
10
|
Dubrovnik |
| 11 |
Dubrovnik / Split |
| 12 |
Split / Trogir and Plitvice Lakes |
| 13 |
Plitvice Lakes / Opatija |
| 14 |
Bled |
| 15 |
Bled / Ljubjlana and Zagreb |
| 16 |
Zagreb |
| 17 |
Zagreb / Depart |
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
| World
Heritage Sites in: Greece, Macedonia, Albania, Croatia & Slovenia covered
in this tour |
| Acropolis, Athens (1987) |
Illustrating the civilizations,
myths and religions that flourished in Greece over a period
of more than 1,000
years, the Acropolis, the site of four of the greatest masterpieces
of classical Greek art – the Parthenon, the Propylaea,
the Erechtheum and the Temple of Athena Nike – can be
seen as symbolizing the idea of world heritage. |
| Temple
of Apollo, Delphi (1986) |
This famous temple to the god of healing and
the sun was built towards the middle of the 5th century B.C.
in the lonely heights of the Arcadian mountains. The temple,
which has the oldest Corinthian capital yet found, combines
the Archaic style and the serenity of the Doric style with
some daring architectural features. |
| Meteora,
Kalambaka (1988) |
In a region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, monks
settled on these 'columns of the sky' from the 11th century
onwards. Twenty-four of these monasteries were built, despite
incredible difficulties, at the time of the great revival of
the eremetic ideal in the 15th century. Their 16th-century
frescoes mark a key stage in the development of post-Byzantine
painting. |
| Lakeside resort
of Ohrid |
Ohrid , Ochrida, or Okhrida , town (1981 est. pop, 64,200),
in Macedonia, on a rock above Lake Ohrid, on the Albanian border.
Macedonia's chief resort, it is a tourist and commercial center,
as well as a railroad terminus. Fishing and farming are the
chief occupations. Ohrid stands on or near the site of the
Greek colony of Lychnidos, founded in the 3d cent. BC It was
captured by the Romans in AD 168 and became a major trade center
and an early episcopal see. In the 9th cent. Ohrid was incorporated
into the first Bulgarian empire, and in the 10th cent. it became
the seat of the Bulgarian patriarchate and flourished as the
political and cultural center of Bulgaria. Traditionally a
Slavic cultural center, Ohrid served as a conduit of Christianity
into other Slav-inhabited areas. After Ohrid's reconquest in
1018 by the Byzantine Empire, the patriarchate was abolished;
but the town remained a metropolitan see. Ohrid was captured
by the Serbs in 1334 and fell to the Turks in 1394. It was
briefly reconquered by the Albanian hero Scanderbeg in the
15th cent. During World War I, Ohrid was taken by Serbian troops;
after the war, it was joined to Yugoslavia. Bulgarian forces
held the town during World War II, but it was then restored
to Yugoslavia and incorporated into the constituent republic
of Macedonia. Ohrid's numerous ancient churches and other historical
relics include the cathedrals of St. Sophia (9th cent.) and
St. Clement (1299), both with medieval frescoes; two 14th-century
churches; and the walls and towers of the former Turkish citadel.
The town is also noted for its museums, galleries, fishing
institute, and other educational facilities. |
| Old city of Dubrovnik (1979, 1994) |
The 'Pearl of the Adriatic', situated on the Dalmatian coast,
became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century
onwards. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667,
Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance
and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. Damaged
again in the 1990s by armed conflict, it is now the focus of
a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO. |
| Historic complex of Split
with Diocletian’s
Palace (1979) |
The ruins of Diocletian's Palace, built between the late
3rd and the early 4th centuries A.D., can be found throughout
the city. The cathedral was built in the Middle Ages, reusing
materials from the ancient mausoleum. Twelfth- and 13th-century
Romanesque churches, medieval fortifications, 15th-century
Gothic palaces and other palaces in Renaissance and Baroque
style make up the rest of the protected area. |
| Plitvice Lakes National Park (1979,
2000) |
The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over
thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating
natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful
lakes, caves and waterfalls. These geological processes continue
today. The forests in the park are home to bears, wolves and
many rare bird species. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
|
Day 01 Fri: Depart
North America
Our 17-day journey starts today as we take our flight to
Athens.
Day 02 Sat: Arrive Athens
Welcome to Athens the capital of Greece. We are warmly received
and transferred to our hotel. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome
dinner in a traditional Greek tavern in Plaka, the old part
of Athens.
Overnight: Divani Palace Acropolis, Athens (2 days)
(D)
Day 03 Sun: Athens
Our morning’s sightseeing takes us across Athen’s
highlights. This cosmopolitan and bustling capital city is
set amidst reminders of a long and glorious past: graceful
temples, centuries-old monasteries, and ornate Byzantine
churches. Later we visit the immortal Acropolis, the Parthenon,
and the
Erectheion with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena
Nike and the Wingless Victory. Below the Acropolis lie the
ancient Agora and the Theaters of Dionysus and Herodus Atticus.
(B)
Day
04 Mon: Athens / Delphi and Kalambaka
Our first stop this morning is Delphi, where the famous
oracle foretold the destiny of men. The Temple of Apollo,
in which
the oracle functioned, was built in the 6th century B.C.
Also see the Sacred Way, the Stadium and the Castilian
Fountain, where pilgrims cleansed themselves in preparation
for consulting
the oracle. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Delphi,
which contains an impressive collection of finds from
the site,
including
the beautiful "Bronze Charioteer," before continuing
on to Kalambaka.
Overnight: Hotel Divani, Kalambaka (1 night) (B, D)
Day 05 Tue: Kalambaka / Ohrid
After breakfast, admire the fantastic landscapes of Meteora,
known as "the rocks that fell from the sky." Here
monks built their rock-top monasteries, far away from civilization.
Of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit’s
cells, only 4 are now active. The most important is Megalo
or Great Meteoro, of peculiar architecture with its tall
and intricate dome, 12 sides and fine frescoes. Continue
across
the border to Macedonia, and on to Ohrid.
Overnight: Hotel
Metropol, Ohrid (1 night) (B, D)
Day 06 Wed: Ohrid / Tirana
The lakeside resort of Ohrid is an important cultural and
spiritual center, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage
site. Start our
morning sightseeing tour with a walk through the cobblestone
streets of the old town. Visit the Cathedral of St. Sofia,
containing some magnificent frescoes from the 10th century.
In the early afternoon, travel to Tirana, the capital of
Albania.
Overnight: Hotel Sheraton, Tirana (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 07 Thu: Tirana
On a morning sightseeing tour, see the Skanderbeg Square,
the Mosque of Et’hem Bey, the Clock Tower, and the statue
of G.K. Skanderbeg, Albania’s national hero; the Palace
of Culture, built with Soviet assistance; and the National
History Museum, with a mosaic on its facade portraying Albanian
history. Our afternoon is free to continue exploring on your
own, shop, or just relax. (B)
Day 08 Fri: Tirana / Dubrovnik
After breakfast, depart Tirana and travel to the town of
Shkodra, a cultural center and one of Albania’s oldest
cities. See the ruins of Rozafa Castle, set on a hill high
above the
city, then cross the border into Montenegro and on to Croatia
and beautiful Dubrovnik. Overnight: Hotel Tirena or Argosy,
Dubrovnik (3 nights) (B, D)
Day 09 Sat: Dubrovnik
There is a walking tour of "Old Dubrovnik" this
morning; the Rector's Palace, Bell Tower Clock, Orlando's
Column and
the Sponza Palace.
You will also see the Dominican Monastery and Franciscan
Monastery with its Pharmacy, one of the oldest in the world.
Balance
of the day is free to enjoy in the resort city of Dubrovnik. (B)
Day 10 Sun: Dubrovnik
Today, full day is at leisure to relax, shop or explore
on our own.
(B)
Day 11 Mon: Dubrovnik / Split
We travel north along the spectacular Adriatic coast, past
old fishing villages and new resorts, to Split. Enjoy a
city tour featuring the historic inner city,
built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural
Heritage site. See the remnants of Split's Roman heritage,
its Renaissance and Gothic
structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle and the Cathedral.
Overnight: Hotel President, Split (1 night) (B, D)
Day 12 Tue: Split / Trogir and Plitvice Lakes
After breakfast, head to Trogir, the center of artistic activities. Scholars
from around the world gather to study and paint here. Then, turn inland and
travel to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Upon arrival we take a walking tour
around several
of the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder
of 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation.
Overnight: Hotel Jezero, Plitvice (1 night) (B, D)
Day 13 Wed: Plitvice Lakes / Opatija, Postonja & Bled
Return to the coast and travel along the beautiful bay of Kvarner to its popular
resort, Opatija. After some free time, journey north to Postonja, home to one
of the largest caves in Europe. Tour the fantastic subterranean World by miniature
electric train. Afterwards, continue to Bled, beautifully set amidst the Julian
Alps
Overnight: Hotel Park or Golf, Bled (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 14 Thu: Bled
A sightseeing tour of Bled features the charming town with the lakeshore, and
imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The balance of
the day is at leisure for optional activities, such as visiting the small island
in the middle of the lake. (B)
Day 15 Fri: Bled / Ljubjlana and Zagreb
Our day starts with a walking tour of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Visit
the most significant sights of the old city centre: the picturesque Central
open-air Market and the Three Bridges, both designed by famous architect Joze
Plecnik, Baroque Town Hall and Robba's Fountain. Then, continue to Zagreb,
the capital city of Croatia.
Overnight: Hotel Regent Esplanada, Zagreb (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 16 Sat: Zagreb
This morning, enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St. Mark’s
Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the Cathedral, the Parliament and the
Government Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the winding
streets of the old town or to take an optional excursion with dinner into the
surrounding countryside. (B)
Day 17 depart Zagreb, Sunday
After an interesting journey through Greece, Macedonia, Albania, Croatia and
Slovenia - 5 Balkan countries we bid farewell as we are transferred to the
airport for our departure flight. (B)
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|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
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Departure Dates |
|
2008
May
16, Jun 13* & 27*,
Jul 11*, Aug 22*, Sep
05 & 19,
Oct 03
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| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ / CA$ |
Single
Sup US$ / CA$ |
| 2008 |
3780 |
825 |
* High season surcharge add $155.
** For West Coast departures add $ 165 on the
low season and high season surcharge, if applicable. |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
- Airfares
from Eastern gateway cities of USA & Canada
- Accommodation as mentioned or similar
- Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast, D=Dinner)
- All transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary
- Services of local English speaking guides
- Entrance fees to sites
|
- Airport taxes
- Travel Insurances
- Visa Fees
- Tips
/ Gratuities
|
| Estimated
International Airfare( INCLUDED in tour price ) |
| East
Coast |
US $ / CA $
N/A |
| West
Coast |
US $ / CA $
N/A |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of 20
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated April 04, 2008
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