The Highlights of Greece, Serbia, and Croatia

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Athens, Private Transfer from Airport to Hotel

  Welcome to Athens. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to explore this time-honored and vibrant city.

  • Athens

• Day 2: Athens, City Tour with Acropolis

  The city tour will start from Constitution Square, which has witnessed countless monumental moments of Greece. You will see the House of Parliament and the Memorial to the Unknown Soldier that is ceremoniously guarded by Evzones in recognizable uniforms who change the guard every hour. For many visitors to Athens, the ceremony of changing the guard is unmissable. Nearby the square, you will also see the Presidential Palace and the National Library.

  Next, visit the Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the Panathenaic Stadium, which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. Then, explore the Acropolis including the Parthenon that is regarded as an enduring symbol of western civilization. Finally, complete today's tour with a visit to the Museum of Acropolis.

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  • Athens

• Day 3: Athens - Delphi - Kalabaka, Temple of Apollos

  Today's Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town, surrounded by superb landscape. The archaeological site of Delphi is known throughout the ancient Greek World as the sanctuary of Apollo, the shrine of his oracle, and the center of the world.

  Today you will discover the archaeological sites including the Temple of Apollos, the navel of the earth (Omphalos), and the Delphi Museum. Late on, visit a traditional Greek village named Arachova for a glimpse into the local life and then continue with a three-hour drive through central Greece to Kalabaka, the gateway to Meteora.

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  • Kalabaka

• Day 4: Kalabaka - Meteora - Athens, Guided Tour to Meteora

  Meteora is famous for its picturesque precipitous rock formations and the monasteries incredibly built on some of the hardest-reached rocks. This morning, you will have a guided tour to Meteora, visiting two of the six Byzantine Monasteries atop huge rocks and hosting some historical and religious treasures. The first monastery in this area was built by a monk from Athos in the 14th century. In old times, the monks use long ladders and baskets to transport themselves and necessities.

  In the afternoon, return to Athens with a brief stop at Leonidas Monument to visit the battlefield of the Battle of Thermopylae, one of the most important battlegrounds in European and western history, and pay respect to Leonidas - the great leader of Sparta and the 300 Spartans.

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  • Athens

• Day 5: Athens - Belgrade, City Tour with Belgrade Fortress

  Be transferred to the airport for the early morning flight to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. On arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the city for a city tour starting from Belgrade Fortress strategically standing on the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. Built between the 3rd and the 18th centuries, this fortress has witnessed countless battles and the whole history of Belgrade. Enjoy stunning panoramic views of the rivers and the city from the fortress, watch people walking or chatting in the park and children playing on the surrounding green space, and then continue to explore the Slavija and Republic Squares, Knez Mihailova Street, Saint Sava Temple, and the Memorial to the late Marshal Tito.

  After the tour, check into your hotel and rest.

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  • Belgrade

• Day 6: Belgrade, Day Tour to Sremski Karlovci and Novi Sad

  Head north toward the province of Vojvodina. After an hour's drive through the pristine Pannonian plain, you will reach Fruska Gora, the only mountain in this area that shelters 16 medieval Orthodox monasteries. Visit one of the monasteries and then proceed to Sremski Karlovci, Serbia's spiritual and cultural center rich in well-preserved baroque and neoclassical buildings, a variety of restaurants, and cafés. You will visit the main monuments in the town and taste the famous Bermet wine and Kuglof cakes.

  Later on, a short drive will take you to Petrovaradin Fortress, which played a significant role in defending the Middle European countries from Ottoman attacks. You will take a walking tour through the fortress, visit some interesting places, such as the City Museum, the Military Barrack, and the Clock Tower, and catch the panorama of Novi Sad and the Danube. Novi Sad, Serbia's second-largest city, is with a typical Middle European appearance and proud history. Here you will see the Neo-Romantic Serbian Orthodox Bishop's Palace, Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. George, and some other landmarks of the city.

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  • Belgrade

• Day 7: Belgrade - Zagreb, Walking Tour in the Old Town of Zagreb

  Depart for Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, this morning. After arrival, be welcomed and guided to explore the old town of Zagreb by walking, visiting Jelacic Square, St. Mark's Church, Dolac Market, and some other main sites in Zagreb.

  Afterward, settle into your hotel and relax.

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  • Zagreb

• Day 8: Zagreb - Plitvice, Plitvice Lakes National Park

  About 130 kilometers southwest of Zagreb is Plitvice Lakes National Park, the oldest and largest national park in Croatia. In the park, there are 16 lakes some of which are separated by natural dams, and some are connected by cascading waterfalls. Surrounding these lakes and waterfalls, are dense forests inhabited by colorful creatures, including thousands of plant species, over 300 species of butterflies, more than 60 species of birds, and some rare animals such as grizzly bears.

  This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for Plitvice. After arrival, follow a knowledgeable guide to explore the park.

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  • Plitvice

• Day 9: Plitvice - Split, the Old Town of Split with Diocletian's Palace

  Today's destination is the historical and coastal Split, about 200 km to Plitvice. After check-in，have a guided tour to explore the old town of Split and then check into your hotel.

  The old town of Split is dominated by the Diocletian's Palace built in the 4th century as the retirement residence of Roman emperor Diocletian. After countless historical changes in 1,700 years, the original regular Roman palace has been disrupted by various architectures of different periods. Walking in the old town, you will see Catholic cathedrals built based on Roman mausoleums, Romanesque churches built between the 12th and 13th centuries, medieval fortifications, the Gothic palace of the 15th century, Renaissance and Baroque buildings… It seems you are walking from one civilization to another civilization.

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  • Split

• Day 10: Split - Dubrovnik, Guided Tour of Dubrovnik

  Many people get known about Dubrovnik because of the American television series Game of Thrones. In fact, the history of the city can be dated back to the 7th century and the fortress - the King's Landing in the film - was built in the 9th century. With a glorious history that has never been breached and stunning views overlooking the sea, it has been a popular travel destination since a long time ago. No wonder why George Bernard Shaw said: Those who are looking for paradise on earth should come and see Dubrovnik.

  Today, you will head to Dubrovnik. After arrival, meet your local guide to explore the city including Stradun Square, St. John's Fortress, and the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola. At the end of the tour, the guide will leave you at Dubrovnik Funicular by which you get to the top of Mt. Srd easily for the amazing panorama of the entire city, the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, and the numerous islands.

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  • Dubrovnik

• Day 11: Dubrovnik, Leisure Day Rich with Options

  Today is a leisure day for you to discover the beauty of Dubrovnik on your own. A walking tour along impressive Dubrovnik city walls with fortresses, a cruise along the city walls, the Game of Thrones tour, Dubrovnik ghosts and mystery, skydiving, or sea kayaking… Dubrovnik always has much to offer.

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  • Dubrovnik

• Day 12: Dubrovnik, Departure

  Your Europe tour comes to an end today.

  When you are ready, the driver will pick you up and transfer you to the airport for your flight departing from Dubrovnik.

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