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Croatia: Adriatic Adventures

Dates: May 1- May 10

Number of participants: 16 minimum

Registration Deadline: October 15, 2019

Travel arrangements through Milne Educational Tours

(Itinerary subject to change)

SPLIT – TROGIR – ISLAND OF HVAR – KORCULA – STON – DUBROVNIK

Bask in the Mediterranean, European, and Balkan influences that have formed ancient heritage

throughout its pastoral countryside. Feast your eyes on the sapphire waters in the shade of ancient

walled towns.

Start your adventures in Split, the heart of Dalmatia, with ruins dating back to the Roman Empire, a

bustling waterfront, and fresh seafood. Explore the perfectly preserved, Venetian-styled architecture

and the sandy coves of the medieval island of Hvar, Croatia’s sunniest island, amidst rolling

lavender fields and pine-carpeted hills. Enjoy the charming island of Trogir, with finely carved

facades, a wide seaside promenade, elegant churches and palaces, mazelike marble streets, and

Renaissance gates that reflect Dalmatian art and architecture at its best. Next stop? Korcula Island.

Travel through landscapes of lush pine forests, scattered with stone walls, vineyards and olive

groves. Visit organic bee and oil farm and taste popular Croatian wines from grapes grown on the

island. Spend time in the salt-producing town of Ston, home of second largest town wall in the world

after the Great Wall of China, and its famous oyster beds! Venture to Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the

Adriatic”. 16th-century city walls, sparkling red roof tiles, limestone streets, baroque buildings and

the endless shimmer of the Adriatic. Enjoy a delicious lunch in a small village in the Konavle

region, a hidden nook between the Bosnian and Montenegrin borders, the mountainous backdrop and

fertile agricultural region. Set on a small peninsula embraced by two harbours, the ancient town of

Cavtat (pronounced tsav-tat) has a pretty waterfront promenade peppered with restaurants, pebbly

beaches and an interesting assortment of artsy attractions.

Travel through powerful mountain ranges that have carved legacies in their midst while fairytale

castles and walled seaside villages stand as a testimony to its tumultuous past.

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DAY 1 MAY 2, 2020 SPLIT ARRIVAL

The second-largest city in Croatia, Split (Spalato in Italian) is a great place to see Dalmatian life. Always

buzzing, this exuberant city has just the right balance of tradition and modernity. Step inside Diocletian’s

Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments) and

you’ll see dozens of bars, restaurants and shops thriving amid the atmospheric old walls where Split life has

been going on for thousands of years.

Time

(approx.) Itinerary Service

TBA

Arrival at the Split airport.

Welcome to Croatia!

Meet your tour leader and driver at the airport and head to

your hotel.

Upon arrival, check in and spend the rest of the day at

leisure.

Have an orientation session with the tour guide.

Dinner at the hotel restaurant.

(D) Overnight, Split.

Meet & Greet at the

airport by English-

speaking tour leader

Private transfer Split

airport – hotel

Porterages as per

itinerary

TIPS for tour leader,

driver, local guides and

restaurant

Headphones during city

tours

Dinner at the hotel

restaurant

Accommodation at Hotel

Dioklecijan 4* in Split

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DAY 2 MAY 3, 2020 SPLIT

Take in the Olive groves, indigenous aromatic plants, the white stone against the verdant vegetation and the

towering mountain massif of Biokovo whose spurs reach all the way to the sea. In this place, during the year

305, the Roman Emperor Diocletian, ruled the entire world at that time, and decided to build his leisure abode

- in which he intended to spend the rest of his life – in the Adriatic town of Split.

Time

(approx.) Itinerary Service

9 AM

12 PM

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meet your driver and head for Split town.

Meet the guide and start private guided walking tour of Split.

Your tour will cover the Diocletian's Palace and the

surrounding medieval highlights. Walk inside Diocletian’s

Palace, once the summer residence of the Roman emperor

Diocletian and you’ll see bars, restaurants and shops thriving

amidst the ancient walls where Split life has been going on

since the 4th century. Split has risen on the foundation of the

palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian built in 305 AD.

Various cultural monuments are located inside and outside

the Diocletian’s Palace walls, as Renaissance Prokurative

Square, noble family’s palaces, churches, galleries and

museums.

After the tour, lunch will be served at local restaurant.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure to further explore Split.

We recommend visiting the Split Archaeological Museum.

The oldest museum institution in Croatia was founded in 1820

by the decree of the Dalmatian government in Zadar. The

incentive for the establishment of the Museum was provided

by the visit of Emperor Francis I to Dalmatia in 1818, which

Private transfer hotel –

town – hotel

Private guided walking

tour of Split

Diocletian’s palace

entrance tickets

Cathedral tickets Split

Lunch at local

restaurant

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also included visits to Split and Solin. The original museum

building was erected in 1821 next to the eastern walls of

Diocletian's Palace, but soon became too small to house the

growing number of monuments.

When you tire of the city bustle, there’s Marjan, hill symbol

over the city, with its forest, jogging trails, mountain climbing

and biking, recreational terrains, but also the ancient

churches where the late citizens of Split sought spiritual

peace. Also very unusual to find in a city the size of Split, are

the numerous beaches with extraordinarily clean sea, from the

well known Bacvice to the stone secluded oases’ all around

Marjan.

(B, L) Overnight, Split.

Accommodation at

Hotel Dioklecijan 4* in

Split

DAY 3 MAY 4, 2020 SPLIT – KLIS – TROGIR – SPLIT

In the old Dalmatian village discover the old way of life through the magic of Mediterranean architecture

and Dalmatian delicacies. Take a tour through the Mediterranean garden and ecological olive grove up to

the ethno village where past and present create the most beautiful scenery.

Time

(approx.) Itinerary Service

9 PM

10 AM

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meet your driver and head towards Trogir.

Upon arrival, explore Trogir with your guide. The tour will help

you get to know the tiny and unique town of Trogir – beautifully

set within medieval walls, its streets knotted and maze-like. It’s

fronted by a wide seaside promenade lined with bars and cafes,

and yachts in the summer. Trogir is unique among Dalmatian

towns for its profuse collection of Romanesque and Renaissance

architecture along with its magnificent cathedral, earned a

UNESCO World Heritage status in 1997.

Private transfer Split

– Klis – Trogir –

Split

Private guided

walking tour of

Trogir

Cathedral tickets

Trogir

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12 PM

12:30 PM

3:30 PM

After the tour, meet your driver and head to Klis Fortress from

where you can take some beautiful panorama pictures of Split.

The Klis Fortress is situated on the eponymous hill near the town

of Split and dates back to the 7th century and it was a very

important defense point in the history of Croatia.

Visit Old Dalmatian village Stella Croatica, a family owned

estate which produces traditional Dalmatian delicacies. All their

products are based on traditional recipes with authentic

ingredients. You will have a chance to learn about Dalmatian

cultural heritage through their ethno village and collections of

authentic furniture, objects and utensils. Taste Dalmatian

history through their homemade delicacies and bring some home

with you! Have a traditional Dalmatian lunch followed by a

lecture from local expert / historian!

Meet your driver and transfer back to Split.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

(B, L) Overnight, Split.

Kliss fortress tickets

Stella Croatica estate

guidance and

traditional lunch

Lecture from local

expert / historian

Accommodation at

Hotel Dioklecijan 4*

in Split

DAY 4 MAY 5, 2020 SPLIT – ISLAND OF HVAR – SPLIT

Conde Nast's signature travel magazine described this lavender island as "one of the best 10 islands in the

world”. Hvar is the number-one holder of Croatia’s superlatives: it is the most luxurious island, the sunniest

place in the country (2724 sunny hours each year) and, along with Dubrovnik, the most popular tourist

destination.

Time

(approx) Itinerary Service

6

9:30 AM

11 AM

1 PM

5:30 PM

6:20 PM

Breakfast at the hotel.

Head to Hvar pier and embark the catamaran to Hvar

island.

Upon arrival, meet your guide and have a private guided

walking tour of Hvar town.

Encompassing all the major sights and landmarks of

historic Hvar, this tour offers truly the best and the most

complete perspective of what was once the most important

Venetian harbour in the Adriatic sea.

Hvar is a visual feast for lovers of architecture and it looks

like "an open air gallery" for every style which is waiting

to be discovered. You will surely enjoy the charm of the

Old Town called Groda, the Piazza, the Arsenal and the

first public theatre in Europe, the Cathedral of St.

Stephen, the Franciscan Monastery, the Renaissance

Palaces and many others.

After the tour have some time at leisure for lunch and to

further enjoy Hvar town.

Later, embark the catamaran back to Split.

Upon arrival, dinner will be served at the hotel.

Spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

(B, D) Overnight Split.

Private transfer hotel – pier –

hotel

Catamaran tickets Split –

Hvar – Split

Private guided walking tour

of Hvar

Dinner at the hotel

Accommodation at Hotel

Dioklecijan 4* in Split area

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DAY 5 MAY 6, 2020 SPLIT – KORCULA

The island of Korcula is one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic Sea, with abundant vineyards and olive

groves. The dense woods led the original Greek settlers to call the island Korkyra Melaina (Black Korcula).

The main city of the island Korcula has the same name. Ringed by imposing defenses, this coastal citadel is

dripping in history, with marble streets rich in Renaissance and Gothic architecture.

Time (approx.) Itinerary Service

7:40 AM

10 AM

2 PM

4 PM

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Head towards Split pier where you will embark

catamaran to Korcula.

Upon arrival, head to your hotel, leave your luggage

and relax.

Later, meet your local guide and explore this romantic

Dalmatian town in private tour.

Your guide will share with you all the secrets of this

medieval town. Most of Korcula was built in the 15th

century when locals were renowned throughout the

Adriatic for their stone-carving skills. The center of

the town is dominated by the splendid St Mark's

Cathedral. The Gothic-Renaissance style is superb

and the interior features the Pietà by Ivan Mestrovic,

Croatia's most famous sculptor. Walk along the

ancient walls that surround the city and pay a visit to

the birthplace of the famed traveller Marco Polo.

After the tour, spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Dinner at the hotel.

(B, D) Overnight, Korcula.

Private transfer hotel – pier

Catamaran tickets Split -

Korcula

Private transfer pier – hotel

Private guide of Korcula

Dinner at the hotel

Accommodation at Port 9

Hotel 4* in Korcula

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DAY 6 MAY 7, 2020 KORCULA – STON – DUBROVNIK

Set in the centre of the Old Town, Korčula's cathedral is one of the finest examples of Dalmatian church

architecture. Taking three centuries to build, it features several styles, including Gothic, Romanesque and

Baroque. The luminous sandy-yellow stone of the bell-tower and facade was finally revealed in full glory in

late 2013 after spending the previous two years hidden behind restoration workers' scaffolding.

Time

(approx.) Itinerary Service

9 AM

3:15 PM

3:25 PM

4:30 PM

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Meet your driver and guide and start your private tour of island

Korcula.

Visit organic bee & oil farm that dates from 2008. They make its own,

homemade but also recognized and established ecological products of

the island of Korcula. It is the result of love, lust and good will

towards keeping the old ways of our grandfathers with a twist of

modern technology, the best available to us today. Experience,

knowledge and wisdom of the old combined with up to date technology

resulted in a palette of top produce, handmade on the organic farm,

all of which are awarded an ecological certificate.

Have a delicious lunch and wine tasting at family estate (agro –

tourism). Taste Dalmatia cheese and prosciutto, homemade pasta

(“Korcula macaroni”) in sauce. Taste famous red wine “Plavac

mali” and white wines “Grk” and “Bire” as well as local liqueurs.

We continue our drive through other picturesque places in the central

part of the island, Zrnovo, Pupnat, Cara, Smokvica, each unique in its

own way.

After the tour embark the ferry to Orebic.

Upon arrival head to Ston village, famous for its magnificent city

walls fortification complex dating back to the 14th century.

Private transfer

Korcula – Ston

Dubrovnik

Visit and tasting of

organic honey & oil

farm

Lunch with local

delicacies and wine

tasting at family estate

in Lumbarda

Ston oysters experience

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5:30 PM

6:30 PM

There, you will have a spectacular gourmet tour where you will have

a chance to learn about the production of these world-famous

delicacies. Your host will take you on a boat ride to an oyster farm on

the sea where you will get a chance to learn about oyster production.

Taste the oysters fresh out of the sea or try to open one on the spot.

Drizzle a little lemon juice on them and have a taste of the sea.

Continue towards Dubrovnik which is an hour drive away.

Upon arrival, check in at the hotel

(B, L) Overnight Dubrovnik.

(NOTE: Possibility of

the boat ride depends

on the weather

condition)

Accommodation at

Hotel Valamar club 3*

or Tirena 3* in

Dubrovnik

DAY 7 MAY 8, 2020 DUBROVNIK

Dubrovnik is a medieval city on the Croatian side of the Adriatic coastline and a treasure trove of cultural, historical

monuments that were created throughout its thousand-year existence. In the past, it was a City-Republic, and alongside Venice one of the most famous cultural-economic centres on the Mediterranean. In more recent times, it has become the

centre of modern cultural and tourist events: a city of summer festivals, a city of museums and galleries. These values

have turned Dubrovnik into a place that offers a rich selection of various experiences and excitement, but also a complete holiday in a quiet and calming, mild Mediterranean ambience and wonderful seaside landscapes.

Time

(approx.) Itinerary Service

9 am

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meet your driver and head to the Old town for private

walking tour.

Meet your guide and head for a private exclusive tour of

Dubrovnik Old Town. Regardless of whether you are

visiting Dubrovnik for the first time or the hundredth, the

sense of awe never fails to descend when you set eyes on

the beauty of the old town. Indeed, it’s hard to imagine

anyone becoming jaded by the city’s marble streets,

baroque buildings and the endless shimmer of the Adriatic.

Private transfer Dubrovnik

hotel – Pile Gate – hotel

Private guided walking tour

of Dubrovnik

City walls entrance tickets

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12 pm

Be inspired by a walk along the UNESCO landmark -

ancient city walls that have protected a civilized,

sophisticated republic for centuries. System of white ston

walls constructed by forts, bastions, casemates, towers and

detached forts 1.940 meter long.

After the tour, have a rest of the day at leisure to explore

Dubrovnik on your own.

Meet the driver and return to the hotel.

Dinner at the hotel.

(B, D) Overnight Dubrovnik.

Take optional cable car ride up to Mt Srđ – on your own; marvel

at the Mediterranean lifestyle and the interplay of light and

stone; trace the rise and fall of Dubrovnik in museums replete

with art and artefacts; exhaust yourself retracing history. Be

amazed with the breathtaking views of the Old City of

Dubrovnik, the crystal clear Adriatic Sea and the numerous

islands.

After Dinner, take an optional taxi or shuttle to public Linđo

Folklore presentation (show) in old city of Dubrovnik.

(Additional 20-25 Euro per person depending on seats begins at

9:30pm). Established in Dubrovnik in 1964, the Linđo Folklore

Ensemble is a cultural institution under the auspices of the City

of Dubrovnik. It was named after the favorite and best known

folk dance in the areas of Dubrovačko Primorje, Župa and

Konavle. In addition to the Festival of St Blaise, the Dubrovnik

dialect, the art of Konavle embroidery, the klapa singing, the

Silent Circle Dance of Dalmatinska Zagora, the Bećarac dance,

the Međimurska Popevka folk songs of Croatia, and many other

Croatian cultural assets, the Linđo circle dance is included in

the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The Linđo

Folklore Ensemble pays special attention to these traditional

culture phenomena as specific symbols of identity, thus fulfilling

its goal: the collecting, artistic interpretation and performance

of the finest examples of Croatia's rich music and dance

heritage. In each of these segments, the ensemble makes every

effort to remain as faithful as possible to the authentic folk

expression. It is particularly devoted to the klapa multipart

singing, the nowadays most widespread form of traditional

singing in the south of Croatia, and its littoral and island

regions. In December 2012, UNESCO included the klapa

singing in its Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The Linđo

Folklore Ensemble has won a large number of accolades and

awards. From 1967, it has performed on a regular basis at the

Dinner at the hotel

restaurant

Accommodation at Hotel

Valamar club 3* or Tirena

3* in Dubrovnik

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Dubrovnik Summer Festival. Appearing extensively at home and

abroad, the ensemble has been a successful promoter of

Dubrovnik and Croatia.

DAY 8 MAY 9, 2020 DUBROVNIK – KONAVLE REGION – CAVTAT – DUBROVNIK

Cavtat is built on the site of the Roman colony Epidaurum that was destroyed in the 7th-century Slav and Avar

invasions. The beauty of its nature, lush vegetation, beaches and ancient monuments attract numerous visitors.

Without Cavtat, there would be no Dubrovnik, as it was refugees from the original Cavtat who established the

city of Dubrovnik in 614. However, Cavtat is interesting in itself. A lot more ‘local’ than Dubrovnik it has its

own charm. Wrapped around a very pretty harbor bordered by beaches and backed by a curtain of imposing

hills, the setting is breathtaking.

Time

(approx.) Itinerary Service

9:30 AM

10 AM

11 AM

12 PM

2:30 PM

Breakfast at the hotel.

Meet your driver and transfer to the picturesque region of

Konavle, home to around 30 picturesque villages that have

settled among the verdant natural beauty.

First stop in Cavtat and meet the local guide to have

sightseeing.

The beauty of its nature, green lush vegetation, beaches and

interesting monuments attract numerous visitors. At the

cemetery of Saint Roch, do not miss to visit the mausoleum of

the Racic family, a masterpiece of art designed by the most

famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic

After the tour, have some free time at leisure.

Continue towards village Lovorno, where you will have

delicious lunch at estate owned by a local family who have

preserved its traditional way of life as it once was.

After lunch, transfer back to Dubrovnik.

Spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

(B, L) Overnight Dubrovnik.

Private transfer

Dubrovnik – Cavtat –

Konavle – Dubrovnik

Guided tour of Cavtat

Lunch at family estate

Accommodation at Hotel

Valamar club 3* or

Tirena 3* in Dubrovnik

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DAY 9 MAY 10, 2020 DUBROVNIK DEPARTURE

Time

(approx.) Itinerary Service

TBA Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Meet your driver at the hotel lobby for a private

transfer to Dubrovnik airport to catch your flight

home.

End of services! (B)

Meet & Greet to the airport by

English-speaking tour leader

All OLLI Travel participants must be OLLI members.

Price of Trip: $3,695 per person, double occupancy; $555 single supplement.

Note: If you are a single person who would like to request a roommate to avoid the single supplement,

please choose that option on the registration form. We will do our best to fulfill this request but cannot

guarantee it.

**Round-trip group air travel will be arranged through Milne Travel after group minimum is met. Group

trip insurance (highly recommended for all travelers) will be provided by Milne Travel along with the group

air reservation. Current group air rates start from $1,500 per person.

Program includes:

VAT TAX INCLUDED

24 hour concierge service

Meet & Greet at the airport by English-speaking tour leader

Private transfers as per program in air conditioned vehicles

English-speaking tour leader for whole program

Porterages as per itinerary

Headphones during city tours

TIPS for tour leader, driver, local guides and restaurant

One glass of wine with included group dinners

Dinner at the hotel restaurant

May 2 – May 6, 4 night' accommodation at Hotel Dioklecijan 4* in Split

Private transfer hotel – town – hotel

Private guided walking tour of Split Diocletian’s palace entrance tickets

Cathedral tickets Split

Lunch at local restaurant

Private transfer Split – Trogir – Klis – Split

Private guided walking tour of Trogir Cathedral tickets Trogir

Kliss fortress tickets

Stella Croatica estate guidance and traditional lunch

Lecture from local expert / historian

Private transfer hotel – pier – hotel

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Catamaran tickets Split – Hvar – Split

Private guided walking tour of Hvar

Dinner at the hotel

Private transfer hotel – port

Catamaran tickets Split - Korcula

Private transfer pier – hotel

Private guide of Korcula

Dinner at the hotel

May 6 – May 7, 1 night accommodation at Port 9 Hotel 4* in Korcula

Private transfer Korcula – Ston – Dubrovnik

Visit and tasting of organic honey & oil farm

Lunch with local delicacies and wine tasting at family estate in Lumbarda

Ston oysters experience (NOTE: Possibility of the boat ride depends on the weather condition)

May 7 – May 19, 3 nights' accommodation at Hotel Valamar club 3* or Tirena 3* in

Dubrovnik

Private transfer Dubrovnik hotel – Pile Gate – hotel

Private guided walking tour of Dubrovnik City walls entrance tickets

Dinner at the hotel restaurant

Private transfer Dubrovnik – Cavtat – Konavle – Dubrovnik

Guided tour of Cavtat Lunch at family estate

Meet & Greet to the airport by English-speaking tour leader

Program does not include:

Meals and drinks not listed in itinerary

International Airfare

Trip Insurance

Optional tours and excursions

Personal Expenses (e.g. telephone calls, bar bills/room service, laundry etc.)

No Bathroom on the motorcoach; this is not traditional in Croatia. Transfers are not long and frequent

bathroom breaks will be made.