TOP HIGHLIGHTS
- Sail Lake Bled by traditional pletna beneath the Julian Alps.
- Journey through Postojna Cave aboard its legendary underground train.
- Follow Plitvice’s turquoise lakes, waterfalls, and forest boardwalks.
- Explore Split’s Roman palace and Dubrovnik’s medieval walls.
- Cruise the Bay of Kotor to Our Lady of the Rocks.
- Trace Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian heritage through Mostar and Sarajevo.
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
- Round-trip international airfare from Los Angeles on KLM.
- Accommodations throughout the 16-day escorted journey.
- Included meals, featuring Croatian folklore dinner and traditional Peka lunch.
- Sightseeing admissions, boat rides, railways, tastings, and cruises as stated.
- Gratuities for local tour escorts and drivers.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1–2 | JUN 2–JUN 3 | LOS ANGELES–AMSTERDAM–LJUBLJANA | OVERNIGHT FLIGHT & ARRIVAL | (D)
Depart Los Angeles for Ljubljana via Amsterdam and spend the night aboard. On arrival in Slovenia’s welcoming capital, meet your Air & Sea Travel representative and transfer to the hotel. Settle in before dinner at the hotel.
DAY 3 | JUN 4 | LJUBLJANA–BLED–LJUBLJANA | LAKE BLED & CASTLE | (B/D)
Travel to Bled for a guided Old Town walk and views of St. Martin Church. Visit cliff-top Bled Castle, then cross the emerald lake by traditional pletna boat to Bled Island and the Church of St. Mary of the Assumption. Return to Ljubljana for free time and dinner.
DAY 4 | JUN 5 | LJUBLJANA–POSTOJNA–ZAGREB | CASTLE & CAVE | (B/D)
Begin with Ljubljana’s Old Town, Triple Bridge, Dragon Bridge, Preseren Square, and Central Market. Ride the funicular to Ljubljana Castle, then continue to Postojna Cave for an underground train journey past chambers and limestone formations. Travel to Zagreb for a traditional dinner with Croatian folklore and live music.
DAY 5 | JUN 6 | ZAGREB–PLITVICE | HISTORIC ZAGREB | (B/D)
Walk Zagreb’s districts, passing the cathedral, Parliament Building, St. Mark’s Church, and Ban Jelacic Square. Later, travel to UNESCO-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park, check in, and enjoy dinner at the hotel.
DAY 6 | JUN 7 | PLITVICE NATIONAL PARK | LAKES & WATERFALLS | (B/D)
Explore Plitvice’s 16 turquoise lakes, cascading waterfalls, forest trails, and wooden pathways. An electric boat reveals the landscape of this UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Return to the hotel for dinner.
DAY 7 | JUN 8 | PLITVICE–PAKOVO SELO–SPLIT | DALMATIAN CULTURE | (B/L)
Continue to Pakovo Selo and Etnoland Dalmati for a welcome drink and introduction to Dalmatian traditions. Tour Grandfather’s House, the ethnographic collection, garden, and threshing floor; taste prosciutto and cheese; then enjoy a Peka lunch. Travel onward to Split with free time in the city center.
DAY 8 | JUN 9 | SPLIT–KLIS–SPLIT | ROMAN HERITAGE & OLIVE OIL | (B/D)
Tour Split’s UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace and visit St. Domnius Cathedral, then explore Riva Promenade. This afternoon, discover mountain-top Klis Fortress and its Adriatic views. Continue to Stella Croatica’s Olive Museum for a guided olive-oil tasting before returning to Split for dinner.
DAY 9 | JUN 10 | SPLIT–STON–DUBROVNIK | STON WALLS & SUNSET CRUISE | (B/D)
Follow the Dalmatian coast to Ston, where an orientation walk includes its center and preserved medieval walls. Continue to Dubrovnik for free time near the Old Town. After dinner, admire the illuminated city walls from the sea on a panoramic sunset cruise, then check in.
DAY 10 | JUN 11 | DUBROVNIK–KOTOR–PERAST–DUBROVNIK | BAY OF KOTOR | (B/D)
Cross into Montenegro for a guided tour of Kotor’s medieval Old Town, main square, and St. Tryphon Cathedral. Continue to Perast and cruise to the island of Our Lady of the Rocks, visiting its church and learning its maritime legends. Return to Dubrovnik for a buffet dinner.
DAY 11 | JUN 12 | DUBROVNIK–MOSTAR | WALLED CITY | (B/L/D)
Walk Dubrovnik’s City Walls for views across terracotta rooftops and the Adriatic. Visit the Franciscan Monastery and its pharmacy, plus Rector’s Palace, followed by an Old Town photo stop and lunch. Travel through Neum and Stolac to Mostar, then transfer to the hotel for buffet dinner.
DAY 12 | JUN 13 | MOSTAR–SARAJEVO | OLD BRIDGE & BLAGAJ | (B/D)
Begin at Blagaj Tekke, a Dervish monastery beside the Buna River spring. In Mostar, walk through the UNESCO-listed Old Town to the Old Bridge, Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque, Kujundžiluk Bazaar, and Neretva River. Continue to Sarajevo, with free time before dinner.
DAY 13 | JUN 14 | SARAJEVO–VISOKO–SARAJEVO | CITY HERITAGE & RAVNE LABYRINTH | (B)
Ride a cable car to Trebevic Mountain, then explore Bascarsija and view Latin Bridge, City Hall, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque, Sebilj Fountain, Sarajevo Cathedral, and Avaz Twist Tower. This afternoon, visit Visoko’s Ravne Underground Labyrinth and learn about the area’s attractions. Return to Sarajevo for a free evening.
DAY 14 | JUN 15 | SARAJEVO–BELGRADE | KALEMEGDAN FORTRESS | (B/D)
Travel to Serbia’s capital, Belgrade. On arrival, visit Kalemegdan Fortress, commanding views where the Sava and Danube Rivers meet. Enjoy dinner before checking in to the hotel.
DAY 15 | JUN 16 | BELGRADE | CITY TOUR & DANUBE CRUISE | (B/D)
Discover Belgrade’s Old Town and fortress, stroll Knez Mihailova Street, and pause at Republic Square. Visit monumental St. Sava Church and the Nikola Tesla Museum, celebrating the Serbian-American inventor. Later, cruise the Danube River, enjoy free time, and return to the hotel for dinner.
DAY 16 | JUN 17 | BELGRADE–AMSTERDAM–LOS ANGELES | RETURN FLIGHT | (B)
Transfer to Belgrade Airport and fly to Los Angeles via Amsterdam, concluding your Western Balkans journey with cultural encounters and Adriatic scenery.
PHYSICAL RATING: LEVEL 2 -3 | MODERATE TO ACTIVE
Frequent guided walks, museums, fortresses, city walls, cave paths, and Plitvice boardwalks include stairs and uneven surfaces, balanced by scenic drives and cruises.