Croatia and Bosnia Small Group Tour Sarajavo to Porec 12nts (Max. 14 people)

Activity Level: 1
Comfort: 5
Departs From: Sarajevo
Location: Bosnia, Dubrovnik, Split, Plitvice Lakes, Rovinj
Duration: 13 Days
Availability: MONDAYS 2023: 25Sep2023 only
CLICK FOR PRICING / DEPARTURES

Activity Level: 1
Comfort: 5
Departs From: Sarajevo
Location: Bosnia, Dubrovnik, Split, Plitvice Lakes, Rovinj
Duration: 13 Days
Availability: MONDAYS 2023: 25Sep2023 only
CLICK FOR PRICING / DEPARTURES

Highlights

City walking tours with local guides in: Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Korcula, Split, Zadar, Porec and Pula
War Tunnel Museum Sarajevo
Turkish House Mostar
Dubrovnik Walls Walk
Rector’s Palace Museum Dubrovnik
The Great Wall of Croatia at Ston
Mali Ston Oyster Boat Trip
Korcula visit
Dinner at a Pelješac winery
Diocletian’s Palace Split
Plitvice Lakes National Park
Basilica Euphrasian Porec
Istrian winery visit
Amphitheater in Pula

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13 days Guided Tour from Sarajevo, Bosnia to Rovinj, Croatia (transfer to Trieste/Pula)

Enjoy two days in fascinating Sarajevo to begin this amazing journey. Then we travel the whole length of the Adriatic coastline of Croatia, beginning with the magnificent Dubrovnik.

From there, an oyster farm boat ride with lunch and wines on the way to charming maritime Orebic and the medieval island of Korcula. Dinner at a Pelješac winery. Guided visit to the 3rd century Diocletian’s Palace at Split. A morning walk along the trails of the splendid Plitvice Lakes National Park, home to a thousand waterfalls, then to Istria

MONDAYS 2023: 25Sep2023 only

Itinerary

13 days Guided Tour from Sarajevo to Porec (Trieste)

Open age Small Group Tour (maximum 19 people). Double bed or twin bed rooms available. Most triple rooms are a double bed with a single bed. Solo travellers must book a double/twin for solo use with a solo use supplement.

Enjoy two days in fascinating Sarajevo to begin this amazing journey. Then we travel the whole length of the Adriatic coastline of Croatia, beginning with the magnificent Dubrovnik. From there, an oyster farm boat ride with lunch and wines on the way to charming maritime Orebic and the medieval island of Korcula. Dinner at a Pelješac winery. Guided visit to the 3rd century Diocletian’s Palace at Split. A morning walk along the trails of the splendid Plitvice Lakes National Park, home to a thousand waterfalls, then to Istria.

MONDAYS 2023: 25Sep2023 only

Similar tour: https://discovercroatia.com.au/details/11511/323/bosnia-and-croatia-small-group-tour-12nts/

INCLUDED:
• Pickup Sarajevo airport
• 12 nights’ 4 and 5 star hotel accommodations
• Tourist accommodation tax
• All ground transportation and porterage Days 2-12
• All breakfasts, 7 dinners and 1 lunch, beverages included
• All activities and admissions listed in Highlights
• Full time professional Tour Manager
• Drop-off Pula airport; Trieste airport, city center & train station
• All activities and admissions listed under Highlights

Highlights:
• City walking tours with local guides in: Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Korčula, Split, Zadar, Poreč and Pula
• War Tunnel Museum Sarajevo
• Turkish House Mostar
• Dubrovnik Walls Walk
• Rector’s Palace Museum Dubrovnik
• The Great Wall of Croatia at Ston
• Mali Ston Oyster Boat Trip
• Korčula visit
• Dinner at a Pelješac winery
• Diocletian’s Palace Split
• Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Basilica Euphrasian Poreč
• Istrian winery visit
• Amphitheater in Pula

HOTELS:
Sarajevo: Hotel President 4star
Dubrovnik: Hotel Dubrovnik Palace 5star
Orebic: Hotel Indijan 4star
Split: Hotel Luxe 4star
Plitvice Lakes: Hotel Degenija 4star
Rovinj: Grand Hotel Park 5star

NOT INCLUDED:
• Tips and gratuities
• Meals/drinks not listed

Getting there:
This tour can be done back to back with our Friuli/Slovenia tour via a one hour flight from Ljubljana to Sarajevo.
How to get there: Book a multi-city ticket into Sarajevo and out from Pula or Trieste Airports
Pre tour: We recommend arriving one day early. You will be met by our driver at the airport and transferred to the first hotel on tour
Suggestions: Make a one or two night stay in Trieste post tour. You can catch a ferry from Porec to Venice, fly out from Pula, or train from Trieste.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 Sarajevo (D)
Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a meeting point of East and West, multi-cultural and multi religious. It’s a colorful town full of coffee houses, restaurants and shops, a gracious and congenial people that defy expectations.
Afternoon welcome meeting at hotel and an orientation walk through the historic district and Welcome Dinner.

Day 2 Sarajevo (B)
During the Bosnian war of independence Sarajevo was blockaded for three and a half years (1991-1995) the longest siege of a capital city in modern history. Morning guided visit of the old town followed by a trip to the Tunnel of Hope, a half-mile underground passage constructed during the siege that was the only link to the outside world and a conduit for people, food, medical supplies and weapons. Afternoon and evening on your own

Day 3 Mostar to Dubrovnik (B,D)
Mostar is the main city of the southern part of Bosnia-Herzegovina, on the banks of the Neretva river. Under the Ottoman Empire, Mostar became an important trading hub, where Jews, Christians and Muslims traded and lived side by side. The result was that Mostar became a melting pot of cultures and nationalities. The centerpiece of Mostar is the Old Bridge, commissioned by the Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century. Destroyed during the war in 1993 the bridge was rebuilt using the original materials and reopened in 2004.
Time for lunch on your own at one of the many riverside restaurants after which we’ll cross the border into Croatia and transfer to fabulous Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic, where we’ll spend two nights. Included dinner inside the walled city.

Day 4 Dubrovnik (B)
The magnificent Republic of Dubrovnik (also called Ragusa) was founded in the 7th century by Greco-Roman refugees. Initially subject to Byzantium, the city was later under Venetian control. Then it effectively became an independent city-state under the kingdom of Hungary and later the Ottoman Empire. It was one of the most powerful economic centers in the Adriatic. Dubrovnik’s magnificent walls were constructed from the 12th to the 17th centuries. Our morning begins with a walk along these walls, followed by a local guide tour of the city and a visit to the Rector’s Palace. Evening on your own.

Day 5 Ston to Orebic (B)
Departure for the village of Ston. The Great Wall of Croatia, the longest fortress system in Europe, was built from the 15th to the 17th centuries to protect its (still functioning) salt flats, a precious commodity in those times. The wall is 5 km long, has 3 forts, 7 bastions and 41 towers and for those willing we’ll walk the walls that encompass the town. Boat excursion on the bay of Mali Ston where we’ll visit an oyster farm, harvest some oysters and enjoy them as an antipasto to our included lunch and wines on board. Transfer to lovely Orebić on the Pelješac Peninsula waterfront where we’ll stay two nights. Evening on your own to wander this small seaside village and enjoy dining at one of the boutique restaurants.

Day 6 Orebic – Korcula Excursion (B,D)
In the 19th century Orebić was renowned for shipbuilding and boasted 90 large sailing ships of its own that plied the world’s oceans. We’ll begin this morning at the Maritime museum. A short ferry ride will take us to Korčula, one of the best preserved medieval towns of the Mediterranean. It’s long past includes Illyrians, Greeks, Romans and Venetians. After our guided tour you’ll have time to explore the narrow lanes and visit the house of Marco Polo. Early evening visit to a local Pelješac winery for a taste of their Plavac Mali wines and enjoy an included dinner.

Day 7 Makarska to Split (B,D)
Croatia offers one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines, 3,900 miles in all with 1,234 islands. Mid morning stop in the sunny coastal town of Makarska where we’ll explore its picturesque harbor. Transfer to the city of Split on the Adriatic Sea. We’ll be staying two nights, just a few minutes walk to the historic district. Included dinner at one of our favorite restaurants.

Day 8 Split (B)
Diocletian was emperor of Rome from 284 – 305 AD. The only emperor to voluntarily abdicate, he had constructed a massive retirement palace covering 10 acres in his homeland of Dalmatia. Having survived centuries of refugees and squatters, core elements of the palace are still prominent today, including all of the ground floor rooms and corridors. We’ll begin the day with a fascinating guided tour of the palace and the historic center of Split. Evening free to have an aperitif or dinner inside the splendidly illuminated remains of Diocletian’s Palace.

Day 9 Zadar to Plitvice Lakes (B,D)
Zadar is one of the Adriatic’s most interesting historical (and beautiful) towns, dating back some 3,000 years. Lying on a peninsula, it rose to prominence in Antiquity with a seafaring and merchant people known as Liburnians and then as a Roman province from the time of Augustus. After the Fall power changed hands numerous times over 1600 years with the longest periods of domination by Byzantines, Venetians and Austrians. The urban grid of Zadar was laid out by the Romans but its aspect remains decidedly medieval. Our local guide will illuminate all and you’ll have time for your own explorations afterwards. Transfer to the Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s most popular attraction, where we’ll be staying just outside the National Park. Included dinner.

Day 10 Plitvice Lakes to Rovinj (B,D)
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a phenomenon of Karst hydrography comprised of beautiful lakes, magnificent waterfalls, caves, virgin forests of beech and fir and hosting numerous species of orchids, butterflies, birds and bats as well as bears, boar, wolves and owls.
Our visit will include a train ride to the upper lakes, an hour and a half walk down to the middle lakes, a boat ride across the biggest lake, lunch, then another walk to the lower lakes and the Great Waterfall which tumbles down 256 feet into the Sastavci Hollow.
Transfer to Rovinj, on the Istrian Peninsula. Rovinj has a lovely waterfront setting, a charming old town with cobblestone streets and an attractive marina. We’ll spend our last three nights on tour. Included dinner.

Day 11 Rovinj – Porec Excursion (B)
Morning free in Rovinj. The historical highlight of Poreč, the 6th Century Basilica of Euphrasius, beautifully ornamented with Byzantine mosaics, is the first stop on our afternoon guided visit today. Late afternoon we will have an ample taste of Istrian wines shared by a local vintner. Dinner on your own in Rovinj.

Day 12 Rovinj – Pula Excursion (B,D)
Pula‘s scenic location is at the southern end of the Istrian peninsula. The abundance of ancient Roman architecture, the main feature being the well-preserved and dominating Roman amphitheater right in the middle of the city, set against a sparkling sea makes a spectacular backdrop for our final day excursion. Afternoon free in Rovinj. Farewell dinner in the historic center.

Day 13 Departure to Trieste or Pula (B)
09:00 transfer to Trieste city center. Trieste and Pula airports on request.

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

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Inclusions

INCLUDED:
• Pickup Sarajevo airport
• 12 nights’ 4 and 5 star hotel accommodations
• Tourist accommodation tax
• All ground transportation and porterage Days 2-12
• All breakfasts, 7 dinners and 1 lunch, beverages included
• All activities and admissions listed in Highlights
• Full time professional Tour Manager
• Drop-off Pula airport; Trieste airport, city center & train station
• All activities and admissions listed under Highlights
Highlights:
• City walking tours with local guides in: Sarajevo, Mostar, Dubrovnik, Korčula, Split, Zadar, Poreč and Pula
• War Tunnel Museum Sarajevo
• Turkish House Mostar
• Dubrovnik Walls Walk
• Rector’s Palace Museum Dubrovnik
• The Great Wall of Croatia at Ston
• Mali Ston Oyster Boat Trip
• Korčula visit
• Dinner at a Pelješac winery
• Diocletian’s Palace Split
• Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Basilica Euphrasian Poreč
• Istrian winery visit
• Amphitheater in Pula
HOTELS:
Sarajevo: Hotel President 4star
Dubrovnik: Hotel Dubrovnik Palace 5star
Orebic: Hotel Indijan 4star
Split: Hotel Luxe 4star
Plitvice Lakes: Hotel Degenija 4star
Rovinj: Grand Hotel Park 5star

Exclusions

NOT INCLUDED: • Tips and gratuities • Meals/drinks not listed

Restrictions

Most of the walking on this tour is not difficult but you will find some of it to be uphill. Be prepared to spend a few hours a day on your feet. Age is not important as long as you are reasonably fit and a good walker. Our tours are not suited for anyone who has problems with knees, back, heart or obesity. The 5 hour visit to Plitvice Lakes is in two parts: the Upper Lakes walk is relatively easy but the Lower Lakes requires walking up 200 steps. Those electing not to walk the second part can exit the park and wait at the nearby hotel restaurant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Check out our specific FAQ pages here:

Before You Go - General Croatia Info (general info for all travellers)

Before Your Cruise - General Cruise Info (for all small ship Croatia cruises)

Before Your Island Hopping Tour - General Info (packages combining hotels, ferries and transfers)

Before Your Private Charter - General Yacht and Gulet Charter Info (private charters)

Click here to see how the booking process works: https://www.discovercroatia.com.au/booking-process-how-to-book/

How far in advance do I need to book?

Cruises: For our weekly small ship cruises with guaranteed departures we suggest you book as soon as your plans are in motion. All cruises are extremely popular especially during peak season, which is June, July, August, September and these dates can be booked out up to a year in advance, especially September. One-way cruises are particularly sought-after and tend to sell out first, so please speak to us first to ensure your cruise choice is available before booking any flight arrangements.

Escorted Tours: Escorted Group Tours with guaranteed departures are also best booked as early as possible to ensure your place on the tour, as spaces are limited to a set number of passengers. Once the tour is full that departure is closed for new bookings.

Island Hopping, Self-Drive, Self-Guided Cycling/Hiking and Independent or Private Tours: Independent tours are available most days of the week at any time of year, so if you're booking late these are a great option. They can also start or finish on any day of the week, so can be a great alternative to the cruises (that mostly depart only on Saturdays). You can check out our Island Hopper Tours and our active tours for some examples. If you can't find what you are looking for please make an enquiry on any of our tours and let us know what you need. We love creating custom tours with our clients.

What do the different ship categories mean?

Please see our Ship Descriptions page here, for all the information on Ship Categories, Deck and Cabin Descriptions.

What is half-board? What meals are included?

Half-board (HB): This means that 2 meals a day are usually provided, mostly it will be breakfast and lunch on cruises, and breakfast and dinner on escorted tours. Each cruise or tour will have meals listed on the daily itinerary, so that you will know exactly which meals are included. Some lunches or dinners are swapped occasionally, so that you may enjoy a wonderful gourmet experience with your fellow travellers, such as a Captain's Dinner on a cruise, or a wine-tasting and lunch on an escorted tour. For the remainder of your meals you will be able to dine anywhere you choose and you will be responsible for the cost of those meals. Your Cruise or Tour Director will be happy to recommend a good value and trusted eatery nearby at every location, or you can explore on your own.

Bed and Breakfast (BB): This means that only breakfast is included in your holiday. Most of our Independent Tours include breakfast only, so that you are not beholden to going back to your hotel for lunch or dinner as you are going to be exploring on your own. We think that flexibility with lunch and dinner gives you the best option for exploring Croatia and experiencing the local culture and cuisine.

Full-board (FB) is occasionally offered on cruises as an optional extra, but we do not recommend you take the full-board option unless you are really sure about it. A lot of the joy of the cruise and tour experiences is to dine in local restaurants, 'konobas' (traditional pubs) and bars, so that you can meet the people who live and work there. Why come all the way to Croatia only to eat on-board for every meal? There are so many fabulous (and even some famous!) eateries. Get out there and taste them!

What type of transport is used on the Island Hopper Tours? Local ferries and vehicle transfers

Local ferries: Local ferries are used between the mainland and the islands where possible. Most of these ferries are fast ferries (high speed catamarans). Our Island Hopper Tours include all ferry tickets, as well as delivery of the ferry tickets to your hotel, when we come to pick you up to take you to the ferry port. In some towns, where some hotels are in the pedestrian zone close to the ferry port (like Hvar), then you will be met at the ferry and directed to your hotel, with luggage assistance if required. If your hotel is outside the pedestrian zone you will be met at the ferry and taken to your transfer vehicle, with luggage assistance if required.

Transfers: Most Island Hoppers have private airport transfers included, and private transfers to/from the ferry ports on the islands. Some transfers will be shared transfers if there are others going to the exact same hotel at the same time and it is a short distance.

How fit do I need to be for my holiday?

Relaxation/cultural cruises and tours: On-board your cruise ship, you will need to be able to negotiate gangways and stairs and be able to step from ship to ship as the cruise ships are moored next to each other sideways and sometimes you need to step across to the next ship. You will be walking mostly on the cobblestone streets through the iconic cities and towns of the region. The excursions are best-suited to those who are capable of walking on uneven surfaces as many old cities and towns have limited totally flat surfaces that can accommodate wheelchairs or walking-frames. Please contact us to ask about your specific circumstances, as we are happy to help plan for your needs as best we can. Assistance will be provided on cruise ships to help you navigate getting on and off, but there are a few limitations. Please ask.

Cycling tours: Although almost completely flat this cycle tour is graded easy to moderate as the daily distance ranges between approximately 15-50 km. You will be biking mostly on the dedicated cycle paths alongside canals, rivers and through the iconic cities and towns of the region. This tour is well-suited to those who have never taken a cycling holiday before as it is flat and predominantly traffic-free and you also have the option of skipping the cycling and relaxing on board.

What happens if I can't attend an excursion?

It is possible to relax at your hotel, on the tour bus or on the boat at any time.

What happens if I can't cycle or hike a stage on an active holiday?

For cycling cruises: If you don't want to cycle it is possible to relax on the boat as it moves to the next port of call.

For cycling and hiking tours: If you don't want to (or can't due to illness or injury) cycle, hike or walk a stage, then we will make arrangements to have you transferred to the next stop on your itinerary so that you can continue with your holiday. Prices for transfers vary widely, so pricing will be provided on an 'as needed' basis only.

What equipment do I need?

Relaxation/excursion cruises and tours: You will need comfortable walking shoes, clothes for relaxing, your swimming costume, and a sunhat. Most cruises are fairly relaxed and casual clothing is fine for all meals, though you may want to take one nice outfit depending on where you wish to dine onshore.

Cycling cruises and tours: You will need comfortable sports shoes, comfortable clothes for cycling, waterproof jacket and trousers, a helmet and a sunhat. We supply a detailed packing list with your information pack.

If you have any questions, just give us a call or email:

Call us or WhatsApp: +612-9212-1507
Email us: [email protected]