On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The balance of the day is free.  Meet your fellow travelers tonight at Welcome Taverna Dinner in the Plaka beside the Acropolis

.

(D)

See the highlights of Athens this morning on a sightseeing tour. This cosmopolitan and bustling capital city is set amid reminders of a long and glorious past: graceful temples, centuries-old monasteries, and ornate Byzantine churches. Visit the immortal

Acropolis

, the Parthenon, said to be the most perfectly proportioned building of all time, Also, see the Erectheion with the Porch of the Maidens, the Temple of Athena Nike, and the Wingless Victory. Below the Acropolis lies the Ancient Agora and the Theaters of Dionysus and Herodus Atticus. Your afternoon and evening are free.

(B)

Your first stop this morning is Delphi, where the famous Oracle once foretold the destiny of men.

The temple of Apollo

in which the Oracle functioned, was built in the 6

th

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 to Kalambaka

. (B, D)

After breakfast, admire the fantastic landscapes of Meteora, known as “the rocks that fell from the sky”, where monks built their rock – top monasteries far away from civilization. Out of the 13 large and 20 small monasteries and hermit’s cells, only four are now active. The most important is Megalo

of Great Meteoro,

of peculiar architecture with its tall and intricate dome, twelve sides and fine frescoes. Continue across the border to the Republic of North Macedonia, and on to Ohrid.

(B, D)

The lakeside resort of Ohrid is an important cultural and spiritual center, classified as UNESCO’s World Heritage site. Start morning sightseeing 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. This afternoon we travel to Tirana, the capital of Albania.

(B, D)

On a Morning sightseeing tour, see Sheshi Skenderbej (Skanderbeg Square) the Mosque of Ethem 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 façade portraying Albanian history.  Your afternoon is free to continue exploring on your own, shop, or simply just relax.

(B)

After breakfast, we leave Tirana towards the town of Shkodra, nowadays a major cultural center. Shkodra was the center of the Illyrian tribe Labeat and was taken by the Romans in the year 168 B.C. We will see the

Rozafa Castle,

magnificently situated on a rocky outcrop of limestone high above the city before we cross the border to Montenegro and drive to Tivat. Dinner upon arrival

. (B, D)

After breakfast, our journey takes us to Dubrovnik. On the way, you will see Kotor Bay, the only South European fiord and we stop for an orientation tour of the old town Kotor, a UNESCO heritage Site. Continue to Dubrovnik.

(B, D)

After breakfast, a walking tour of Old Dubrovnik visit the

Rector's Palace

, and see the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando's Column, Sponza Palace, the Dominican Monastery, and Franciscan Monastery with its

Pharmacy

, one of the oldest in the world. The rest of the day is free.

(B)

Optional Excursion: home hosted Dubelj with dinner.

Travel north along the spectacular Adriatic coast, past old fishing villages and new resorts, to the city of Split.

(B, D)

In the morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor

Diocletian's Palace

, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Then see the remnants of Split's Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter's Temple, the Peristyle, and the Cathedral. The rest of the day is at leisure to stroll through the beautiful streets of Split, enjoy the beach, or join us on an Optional Excursion to the Jet Set spot of the rich and famous – Island of Hvar.

(B)

After breakfast, head to Trogir, the center of artistic activities. Scholars from around the world gather here to study and paint. Then, turn inland and travel to spectacular

Plitvice Lakes National Park

. Have your camera ready as you take a walking tour around the lower lakes. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder of sixteen terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation.

(B, D)

Return to the coast and travel along the beautiful bay of Kvarner to its popular resort, Opatija. After a bit of free time, the journey continues north to Postojna, home to one of the largest

caves

in Europe. Tour this fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Afterward, continue to Bled, beautifully set in the Julian Alps. (B, D)

An Alpine Lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travelers in the middle of the 19

th

century. A sightseeing tour features the charming town and the lakeshore and visits the imposing

Bled Castle

, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The balance of the day is at leisure. Perhaps join an optional excursion by visiting the small island in the middle of the lake, browsing through the shops and boutiques, or simply enjoying the enchanting scenery.

(B)

Leave the mountains and head to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. See the most significant sights of the old city center on a walking tour. Highlights include the picturesque open-air Central Market, the Three Bridges, Baroque Town Hall, and Robba's Fountain. Then, continue to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city.

(B, D)

This morning, enjoy a city tour featuring the historic Upper Town, St. Mark’s Church, St. Catherine’s Church, the

Cathedral

, Parliament, and Government Palace. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the winding streets of the old town or take an optional excursion to see the countryside.

(B)

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

(B)