Treasures of the Mediterranean

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Rome early this morning to transfer to the beautiful city of Florence. To break up this journey, stop in Orvieto, a quaint town especially known for its renowned Duomo, European Gothic architecture and the San Patrizio Well, a masterpiece of hydraulic engineering in which you can immerse yourself, descending into the bowels of the earth. Next, take a break in Assisi, a majestic hilltop town known for its medieval architecture and the Basilica of St. Francis, a huge 2-level church. In the early evening, arrive in Florence, the heart of the Italian Renaissance, and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the city and the Italian cuisine in this gourmet paradise. Overnight stay in Florence.

Important note: Upon arrival at Orvieto you'll need to take a funicular to reach the hilltop meeting point as it's not accessible by bus. We advise you to take cash to pay for your ticket upon arrival at the station.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today head to the Historic Centre for a guided walking tour of Florence and discover the hidden secrets of the Tuscan capital. Start discovering the up-market Piazza Repubblica, before heading to Loggia del Mercato Nuovo, a building within which a local market takes place.

Keep exploring the streets of Florence before arriving at the beautiful and well-known Ponte Vecchio, the most iconic bridge in the city and one of its main symbols. You will then walk through the Piazza della Signoria, the heart of Medieval Florence with the imposing Palazzo Vecchio. End the tour admiring Piazza San Giovanni, home to the impressive Florence Cathedral, with its iconic Brunelleschi cupola and the famous Giotto Belltower.

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure to continue exploring the captivating sights of Florence. Why not explore the city in more depth with one of our optional excursion to either the Uffizi* or the Leaning Tower**? Overnight stay in Florence.

*Optional excursion to The Uffizi: The Uffizi Gallery, designed in the mid-sixteenth century by Giorgio Vasari, consists of 90 museum rooms that host the most important and famous paintings in the history of art: works by Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli, in addition to numerous paintings by Flemish and Dutch painters exhibited in chronological order. A visit to this museum is a real journey through time by means of art.

Please note that this activity can de purchased up to 30 days before departure of your trip. This optional activity is not available on Mondays.

**Optional Half-Day Tour to Pisa & The Leaning Tower: No trip to Italy is complete without a photo at the iconic leaning tower, so don't miss your chance to take a day trip to Pisa! Enjoy a guided walking tour of Piazza dei Miracoli and its monuments before spending time at the legendary Leaning Tower of Pisa, learning all about the history of this University city along the way.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today leave Florence early this morning to transfer you head to the city of Venice. During the journey, stop in Bologna and discover this lively, historic capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, free time before continuing with your journey. Make another stop in Padova, a city rich in beauty, which retains traces of its glorious past, and one of the most important cultural capitals during the fourteenth century.

Finish the day in the historic and enchanting Venice Mestre, the mainland town connected to Venice by rail and road bridges over the lagoon. Spend the night at your leisure and embrace the convenience of numerous transportation options, such as the frequent trains/buses to Venice center. The train station/bus stop is at walking distance from your hotel and it will take you to the iconic Venice center.

Venice built across more than 100 small islands, Venice is a pleasure to explore on foot as you get lost in the labyrinthine streets, stumbling across hidden cafes and cultural gems along the way. Get out and discover the plentiful delights of this eternal city, such as the immense Piazza San Marco. Overnight stay in Venice Mestre.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, embark on a walking tour of Venice to discover all the beauty this city has to offer. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the City of Canals to learn about the history, culture and artistic heritage. Stroll through the most emblematic neighborhoods, see Venice's famous markets and pay a visit to the iconic Rialto Bridge.

The rest of the day is at your disposal to continue discovering this unique city at your own pace. Alternatively, we recommend taking part in one or both of the following optional activities: first, you can enjoy a quintessentially Venetian gondola ride* and then you can take part in an excursion to Murano and Burano islands**. Overnight stay in Venice Mestre.

*Optional Gondola Ride Experience excursion: One of the most well-known characteristics of Venice are its historic gondolas. You can be a part of this legacy! Experience an unforgettable gondola ride through the charming waterways of Venice including the iconic Grand Canal. The quintessential Venetian experience! Note: Please note that it is a shared gondola (up to five people for each one) so you might have to share it with other people.

**Optional Half-Day Murano and Burano excursion: Discover the most beautiful islands in Venice, enjoying the enchanting scenery of the Venetian lagoon. The tour includes two stops to visit Murano and Burano and discover their typical artisan products: the centuries-old glass processing in Murano, the fine lace in Burano. Enjoy the original colorful buildings as you tour this enchanting area.

Why not upgrade your trip with our Must Sees of Italy package of 2 excursions, available in the next step of the booking process!

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, transfer by road from Venice Mestre to the airport to catch your flight to the beautiful city of Dubrovnik. Touch down and transfer to your hotel. Situated in southern Croatia overlooking the glistening waters of the Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik is well-known for its incredible old town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stunning architecture and a vibrant cultural and foodie scene. Once settled at the hotel, spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, exploring Dubrovnik's atmospheric alleyways and taking in the sweeping sea views. You may even recognise parts of the old town from the popular television series Game of Thrones! Dinner and overnight stay in Dubrovnik.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off on a sightseeing tour of the old town. Completed in the thirteenth century, the ancient city of Dubrovnik remains largely unchanged. Its medieval ramparts encircle the Old Town, which can be entered through one of two historic gates. After crossing an impressive stone bridge under the watchful gaze of the city’s patron Saint Blaise, explore the broad, stone-paved promenade known as Stradun. Some of the most prominent sights in the city include St. Blaise Church, the Renaissance-era Sponza Palace and the Gothic Rector’s Palace. After the tour, take some free time to explore the city at your own pace. Overnight stay in Dubrovnik.

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave Dubrovnik behind as you set off for Split this morning. The third-largest city in the country, Split sits on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and is spread over a central peninsula and its surroundings. In fact, Split is one of the most sought-after coastal destinations in Croatia. Once settled at the hotel, get out and enjoy a walking tour of Split Old Town, including a visit to the remains of the Diocletian Palace, built by the emperor of the same name in the 4th century. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure. Overnight stay in Split.

Estimated transfer distance 146miles / 235km.

Breakfast at the hotel. Your journey of discovery through Croatia continues today with a visit to the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place of exquisite natural beauty. Home to 16 lakes, this coveted natural environment invites you to explore some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Accompanied by an expert guide, take a walk through the ancient woodlands before following the path across Gornja Jezera (Upper Lakes). Visit the Lower Lakes before exploring the different trails and sections of the park on a 3-4 hour visit. Afterwards, continue to Opatija, a coastal town known for its Habsburg-era villas and beautiful beaches, where you'll spend the evening at your leisure. Dinner and overnight stay in Opatija.

Estimated transfer distance from Split to Plitvice Lakes 150miles / 240km.

Estimated transfer distance from Plitvice Lakes to Opatija 103miles / 165km.

Breakfast at the hotel. Take a city tour of Opatija to discover its rich history and aristocratic legacy! Situated on the picturesque Kvarner Bay, it was once a favourite spa resort of the Habsburgs and other European aristocrats, such as Mahler, Chekhov and Isadora Duncan. Walking through the colourful Angiolina Park, home to exotic plants, and along the Lungomare promenade surrounded by charming Austro-Hungarian villas and residences, you can still feel the unique appeal of charming Opatija. After the walking tour, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure, perhaps enjoying the city's beaches or doing some souvenir shopping. Overnight stay in Opatija.

Breakfast at the hotel. Spend a relaxing day in Opatija at your leisure, perhaps exploring the Croatian Museum of Tourism or enjoying the delicious Mediterranean cuisine on offer here. Alternatively, we recommend an optional excursion to the Istrian Peninsula and the Pula Colosseum.* Overnight stay in Opatija.

*Optional Excursion to Istrian Peninsula & Pula Colosseum: Discover the charms of the Istrian Peninsula and visit the spectacular 2000-year-old Colosseum in Pula. Afterwards, spend some time at your leisure in Rovinj before truffle-tasting in Motovun.

Please note this optional requires a minimum of 6 participants in order for it to operate. If there are not enough participants, the optional excursion will be cancelled and you will be refunded for it when you return from your trip.

Breakfast at the hotel. It's time to head to the Croatian capital of Zagreb, home to an abundance of culture and history. Arrive in Zagreb and set off on a walking tour to explore the most emblematic sights in the city. In the medieval-era Upper Town pay a visit to St. Mark's Church, famous for its tiled roof, as well as the Parliament Building, Government Palace and countless other historical buildings. The remainder of the day is free to get a taste of the Croatian capital at your leisure. Be sure to stroll along Tkalčićeva Street, lined with outdoor cafes and the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Overnight stay in Zagreb.

Estimated transfer distance 112miles / 180km.