Friday 16 May (B) Today we have a bus transfer to the railway station for our train to Drniš. (The h

Come with us to Croatia, the newest viking river cruise tourist star on a European sky. The 'Mediterranean As It Once Was' the motto of Croatia's tourist board is not exaggerated. With its rocky, indented nearly 2000 km-long shore and more than a thousand islands, Croatia boasts viking river cruise one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline that Europe viking river cruise has to offer. In addition, many of Croatia's coastal towns and cities have a fascinating history and are filled with the historical viking river cruise remains of Roman and Venetian times. But the country is not only blue Croatia s inland natural beauty might be completely viking river cruise different to its coastal attractions, but it has a lot to offer. The main appeal lies in its contrasting landscapes. It's here that the mountain chains that run from the Alps down to the Adriatic meet the Pannonian plain, which stretches all the way from Zagreb to eastern Hungary. It has the range of national parks, beautiful lakes and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Croatia definitely is a dream destination viking river cruise and on this tour you will see the best it can offer! In eleven days you will discover major highlights of this amazing country. Stunning architecture, great nature, scenic viking river cruise rail journeys, delicious food, charming hotels, friendly people and a multitude viking river cruise of history and culture.
Sunday 11 May (D) Direct flights Gatwick and Heathrow or indirect flights from other UK airports. viking river cruise We will be met at the airport for our transfer to Hotel Astoria in the centre viking river cruise of Zagreb, right beside the railway station, viking river cruise where we will be staying for 3 nights. The rest of the day is free to explore the Croatian capital; a little treasure trove of European culture and civilization, located on the southern slopes of the Medvednica Mountain along the banks of the Sava River. We meet up at 8pm for our Welcome Dinner in a traditional local restaurant just a short walk from the hotel.
Monday 12 May (B,L) Today we visit the branch line north from Zagreb to the town of Varaždin, also known as Little Vienna. The town served as the Croatian viking river cruise capital for 20 years in the 18th century, and today it's the cultural centre of Northern Croatia. The Old Town of Varaždin, with its castle, has a symbolic status for the locals, and the baroque atmosphere of its surroundings invites you to roam through viking river cruise the streets in search of the past. The town has one of the most beautiful horticultural viking river cruise cemeteries in Europe. viking river cruise Created in the early 20 th century by the planting of thuja, cut and formed into screens and arcades like the French park of Versailles, the famous Varaždin Cemetery is a magnificent monument of garden architecture. After exploring the city we will enjoy a tasteful lunch in a pleasant restaurant. We later return by train to Zagreb.
viking river cruise Tuesday 13 May (B) Today we will have a panoramic bus tour of the dazzling city of Zagreb. This very old and traditional European viking river cruise city, with its numerous historical monuments and long cultural history viking river cruise reminds us of times gone by. We then continue viking river cruise to explore the main sights on foot. The shortest cable car in the world (it has maintained its original look and construction from 1890) will take us to the Upper town , which is cozy, intimate viking river cruise and distinctly medieval in ambience. We will visit St. Stephens Cathedral, the only surviving original town Stone Gate that dates from the 13th century and Trg bana Jelačica , Zagreb s central square viking river cruise and meeting place, which is dominated by a statue of the Croat hero Josip Jelacic. The afternoon is free for your own exploration.
Wednesday 14 May (B) A few minutes walk will take us to the Croatian Railway viking river cruise Museum, which has been temporarily located in the southern part of the railway vehicles factory. Therefore only a part of its exhibits are on display to be found outdoors within a technical park. There are 20 railway vehicles (including steam locomotives series MÁV 377, JŽ 62, 116, 11, 51, 33, electrical locomotive JŽ 361, and DEL HŽ 2061). Later we take our train to Split. This is a superb scenic railway journey, especially between Ogulin and Split, also known as the Lička pruga (the Lika line, named after the Lika field). Our luggage will be transferred from Zagreb to Split so we will not be encumbered. For the next three nights we will be in the 4-star Hotel Park in Split.
Thursday 15 May (B) Today we have a guided viking river cruise walk of Split. The central part of the city is a whirl of narrow stone streets, ancient monuments and medieval buildings. viking river cruise The main monument is the Diocletian palace, built by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in 295AD, the core upon which the city grew. The Palace is not only a historical discovery but it also contains Split s most interesting shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. At the heart of the Palace is the cathedral (which houses the Diocletian mausoleum) and an assortment of Roman monuments. The afternoon is free to explore even more or just enjoy the waterfront where you will feel the friendly viking river cruise and cozy atmosphere of this vibrant city.
Friday 16 May (B) Today we have a bus transfer to the railway station for our train to Drniš. (The homeland viking river cruise of Ivan Mestrović, the Croatian Michelangelo ). It is also a town of the best Croatian smoked ham, wine and homemade viking river cruise food that we will sample before continuing by bus to Krka National Park. With its travertine waterfalls a total drop of 242 m, the Krka River is a natural karst phenomenon. We will be met by our local guide for our visit of this fascinating National Park. Afterwards you will have some free time before returning by bus to Hotel Park, Split. (There are no train connections).
Saturday 17 May (B) Today we have another nice railway journey. First we will re-trace part of our Zagreb viking river cruise – Split route, to Knin, where we change trains for the fine stretch of railway line to Zadar, the ancient capital of Dalmatia, an old Croatian town with a rich Roman history dating back from the 6 century BC. Zadar was bombed many times during World War II and therefore is unlike so many Adriatic Towns. It has a muddle of architectural styles including Romanesque churches and Corinthian Columns. It also boasts a university, established by Dominican monks in 1396, which is claimed to be the oldest in Croatia. Our luggage will be transferred to Zadar for us. After checking into our hotel (Hotel Kolovare for 2 nights) we will start our city tour of Zadar.
Sunday 18 May (B,L) Our day will start with a transfer to the port for a full day boat excursion to the Kornati National Park. In the central part of the Croatian Adriatic, where a group of islands, called Kornati, are situated. Komati was declared a National Park in 1980. Today NP "Kornati" occupies an area of about 220 km2 and it includes 89 islands, islets and cliffs, altogether with a coastline about 238 km long. Despite this relatively large number of islands the continental part of the park forms only 1 percent of the total area, while everything else belongs to the marine ecosystem. On our trip we can admire the islands, have a break on one of the islands and do some sightseeing. Overnight in Zadar.
Monday 19 May (B) There is no direct rail route from Croatia to Dubrovnik. Therefore we will be traveling by bus, but we promise you it will be fascinating! The winding coastal road between Split and Dubrovnik is just wonderful! Along the way, we will have views of the sea, the Croatian Islands and lots of villages. We will stop in Ston, a small town, located at the south of the peninsula Pelješac, which is particularly fascinating since it has some spectacular walls (the second longest defensive walls in the world, second only to the Great Chinese wall) and ancient salt pans still in use plus the best oysters maybe in the world. After oysters and wine tasting (the most famous Pelješac viking river cruise wine is called Dingač), we will resume our scenic ride towards Dubrovnik. Arriving in the evening. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Tuesday 20 May (B) The whole day is reserved for exploring and enjoying the old town Dubrovnik. The great George Bernard Shaw wrote: "Those who seek paradise on Earth must come to Dubrovnik . We will be met by our local guide for our city tour first by bus to get a great view and then by foot. After our walking tour we have free time for our own exploration.