Eastern Capitals & The Dalmatian Riviera

On arrival at Vienna airport, your transfer will leave for your hotel. Join your travel director for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.

Join a local expert for a private tour of Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace and explore its formal gardens at your pace. Then get your camera ready for a drive around the famous Ring Road. Built along the lines of the old city walls, it showcases many of the capital's architectural highlights, including the Opera House, Hofburg Imperial Residence, the Austrian Parliament Building and Karlskirche. The rest of the day is at your leisure to continuing exploring.

In the morning, cross the border into Slovenia and journey to its second largest city, Maribor. After spending time in this charming location, head to the beloved city of Ljubljana.

Your local expert will reveal the Baroque elegance of the Slovenian capital. The medieval castle stands as an ancient guardian, the City Hall and Cathedral of St. Nicholas testify to its historical importance, while the Triple Bridge spans the river adorned with cafes and restaurants. Spend time in the glorious Central Market, rich with the heady aromas of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat and spices. Your local expert will share insights into some of the Slovenian delicacies on display and treats you to a tasting. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps join an optional experience to Postojna Caves. In the evening, choose from a hand-picked selection of local restaurants for your dine-around dvening.

Spend the morning in Slovenia before journeying into Croatia, where on arrival in Zagreb, you meet your local expert for an exploration of this capital. Take a walk to see the art Pavillion, the academy of Sciences and Art and pass Zrinjevac Park. We then board the city's funicular to St. Mark's Church and the Lotrscak Tower, take a walk back down through the Stone gate and back to the Square.

A free day to relax and enjoy a city that is bursting with culture. Perhaps spend time exploring one of the many museums or browsing the shops in Donji Grad. Maybe try the local cuisine in one of Zagreb's interesting restaurants or cafes or join an optional experience to the charming village of Kumrovec and meet a local to hear their perspective on the region's history.

Journey south to visit one of Europe's great natural wonders. Explore Plitvice. Choose between two MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences: Join a local expert to explore Plitvice National Park and learn how the site actively carries out research to monitor the natural habitat of species. Alternatively meet the industrious women of the Tara Community Center, who produce handicrafts, enabling employment and engagement in the community.

Continue through the labyrinthine streets and arcaded squares to see St. Duje's- originally Diocletian's Mausoleum, and the Temple of Jupiter, which today is a baptistery, as well as the Golden Gate. Your exploration then continues underground as you are guided through the cellars. In the evening, don't miss the opportunity to dine like a true local at a traditional Konoba.

Always buzzing, this lively city has just the right balance of tradition and modernity. See Dalmatian life as it's really lived with a full day free to explore Split and its surroundings. Join an optional experience to discover the beautiful Dalmatian island, Hvar. Explore the historic Old Town with your local expert before having free time to relax by the seafront or admire the stunning views from the hilltop fortress.

Continue to Sarajevo, a town with a turbulent past - in 1914 it was the site of the assassination that sparked World War I and more recently, it endured the longest siege in modern military history. Follow the scenic route to Sarajevo for a unique and rewarding insight into the local way of life as you are invited into a Sarajevan family home for a dinner with drinks. Savor the warm hospitality and authentic cuisine as you hear inspirational stories about their culture and experience the local culture.

Morning sightseeing with a local expert introduces you to the Sarajevo War Tunnels Museum, housing part of the secret tunnel that was the city's lifeline during the Bosnian war. Talk to one of the survivors, for whom the siege of Sarajevo remains a defining moment in their life. You will also see the Latin Bridge where Austrian Crown Prince, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated. Continue to Bascarsija, the cobbled old town market where Sarajevo was founded by the Ottomans in the 15th century. In the afternoon, enjoy time at your leisure.

In the morning, travel south to stop at the small town of Medjugorje, made famous by six children who claim to have seen visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Cross the border back into Croatia and journey to the walled town of Dubrovnik. On arrival, join your local expert to explore the stone-paved streets inside the 16th century bastions of the old town. See Onofrio's Fountain and the Rector's Palace and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries.

In the morning, perhaps visit Montenegro. This optional experience travels to Kotor, where your camera can capture one of the most beautiful parts of the bay as you learn the history of the area, before returning to Dubrovnik with a short cruise. As the sun begins to set, and should the weather permit, join your fellow travel companions as you sit back and enjoy a relaxing cruise around the fabled bay of Dubrovnik. Later, enjoy a celebration dinner of typical Dalmatian Coast cuisine, accompanied by local wines.

Your travels draw to a close after breakfast. You will depart from Dubrovnik airport.