Scenic Slovenia, Coastal Croatia & Unspoilt Albania

Ljubjana, Bled, Zagreb, Plitvice, Split, Dubronivik, Tirana10 days

About

Take this magical 10-day tour through three coastal East European countries that are as diverse as they are close, with their old-fashioned authenticity and cultural treasures, beaches and sunshine, and ancient architecture and time-tested folk traditions. Travel through scenic beauty, diverse landscapes, glamorous sea resorts, peaceful hideaways, pristine beachscapes, and captivating capitals.

You should experience it because...

You will see some of the most beautiful coastal stretches and beaches in the world from the Venice inspired coastline of Slovenia and the secluded coves and remote islets of Croatia to the white crescent-shaped beaches and azure waters of Albania - a country that still has a culture that is all its own.

Beautiful beaches and captivating capitals

Walk over Ljubljana’s Dragon Bridge and marvel at the four fire-breathing winged dragons that crown the corners.

Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride in Bled that takes you around the emerald-green lake with the picturesque Julian Alps in the background.

Experience the glamour of coastal hotspot Dubrovnik’s nightlife where celebrity spotting is the norm and fancy yachts dock in droves.

Admire Tirana’s grand boulevards that are lined with fascinating relics of its Ottoman, Italian and communist past.

Places covered 10 Days

Day 1 Ljubljana, Slovenia sightseeing and attractions
Day 2 Bled, Slovenia sightseeing and attractions
Day 3 Bled to Zagreb, Croatia - Plitvice Lakes & Park
Day 4 Plitvice Lakes & Park, Croatia
Day 5 Plitvice - Split, Croatia
Day 6 Split, Croatia sightseeing and attractions
Day 7 Split - Dubrovnik, Croatia
Day 8 Dubrovnik, sightseeing and attractions
Day 9 Dubrovnik –Tirana, Albania
Day 10 Tirana, sightseeing and attractions
Day 11 Depart

Days Details
1 Ljubljana, Slovenia sightseeing and attractions The small city of Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, is small in size, and yet has a wealth of culture, sights and activities to see and do. Everything is within easy reach and a stroll away. The city is full of little bridges that cross the Ljubljanica River and has a buzzing student community.Walk up to Ljubljana Castle or take the 70m long funicular that leaves from the Old Town. The Castle dates back to Celtic times and the oldest structures that remain date from around the 16thcentury. Stand in the middle of the Presernov Trg, the city’s main square, and marvel at the wonderful architecture that is dominated by a monument to the national poet France Preseren. The Cathedral of St. Nicholas has stood since the 13thcentury. Inside it is a vision of pink marble, white stucco and gilt. And the City Museum focuses on Ljubljana’s history, culture and politics. Krizanke, the French Revolution Square, was for centuries the headquarters of the Teutonic Knights of the Cross, and was transformed into the Krizanke monastery complex in 1714. The Ilrija column in the centre of the square is dedicated to Napoleon. If time, explore Slovenia’s food and culture on a 3-hour sightseeing walking tour – visit five of the city’s favourite bars and cafes, hear about Slovenia’s history, and see some of the city’s sights.
2 Bled, Slovenia sightseeing and attractions Travel to Bled, a picture postcard town, set close to an emerald-green lake, with a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff and with backdrops of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke Mountains. Perched on top of a steep cliff is Bled Castle – a superb medieval fortress with towers, ramparts, moats and a terrace offering magnificent views. Ride in vintage carriages on the Old Timer Train that travels 13km through the mountainous landscape. Be paddled in a gondola from Bled to the tiny island in the middle of the lake, and climb the south staircase up to the church and small museum. Bled’s baroque Church of the Assumption dates from the 17th century and is worth a look inside to see its large gold altar and fresco fragments from the 14th century. Walk to the Vintgar Gorge, an easy walk of 4km from Bled, and cross by the 1600m long wooden walkway that criss-crosses the swirling Radnovna River. Get active and rent a boat to paddle out on to the crystal blue-green lake, or take a plunge if you visit in the summer.
3 Bled to Zagreb, Croatia - Plitvice Lakes& Park Travel by bus or train from Bled to Zagreb through some spectacular Croatian scenery. Zagreb combines the best of Eastern and Western Europe and still retains a good deal of old-world graciousness. Take a walk through the town centre and look up at the sober Austro-Hungarian buildings that are now home to elegant restaurants and fashionable boutiques. There are lots of green spaces in the city – Maksimir Park is popular for bikers, strollers and joggers, and nearby Jarun Lake is popular for swimmers and paddlers. If time, a 10 minute bus ride north of the city centre takes you to the Mirogoj, one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the Europe, at the base of Mount Medvednica. Sample some local dishes of homemade sausages, bean stews and strukli (dumplings filled with cottage cheese) and the city centre eastern European restaurants. The Ivica I Marica restaurant is based on the Brothers Grimm story of Hansel & Gretel and is made to look like a gingerbread house with waiters clad in traditional costumers. On to the Plitvice Lakes & National Park – a beautiful pocket of wooded hills in this World Heritage site with 16 sparkling turquoise lakes that are connected by waterfalls and cascades.
4 Plitvice Lakes & Park, Croatia Spend a day wandering across the pretty wooden foot bridges that follow the mineral-rich waters of the lakes and cascades. Spot some of the animal life in the park that includes bears, wolves, deer, boar, rabbits, foxes and badgers. There are over 120 species of bird such as owls, cuckoos, thrushes, starlings and kingfishers. This is nature at its very best there is one restaurant in the Park that serves delicious lamb, local sausages and duvec (stew of rice, carrots, tomatoes, peppers and onions).
5 Plitvice - Split, Croatia Travel by bus or hire a car from Plitvice to Split on the Croatian coast, via pleasant windy mountain routes and through the beautiful scenery of the Lika region. Split is the second-largest city in Croatia with a beautiful backdrop of coastal mountains against the sparkling waters of the Adriatic Sea. It is a lively city, and a visit to the Diocletian’s Palace – a Unesco World Heritage site and one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments – is a must.
6 Split, Croatia sightseeing and attractions Take a cultural walking tour and explore the Diocletian Palace with an expert local guide. The 2-hour tour covers all the must-visit sites, such as the underground cellars, Peristyle Square, Cathedral of St. Duje, and the Temple of St. Jupiter. Gaze in admiration at the town’s Romanesque churches, complemented by Venetian renaissance and baroque buildings. Bacvice is the most popular beach in Split, or for a quieter beach, head for Kasjuni Cove. Take a ferry journey to and from the city and admire the beautiful city from the open sea.
7 Split - Dubrovnik, Croatia Take the coastal route from Split down to Dubrovnik - the scenery is breathtaking. Dubrovnik is an awe-inspiring city of marble streets and baroque buildings with the endless shimmer of the Adriatic Sea to keep it company. Walk around the ancient city walls – they have been protecting the country for five centuries. Take the revamped cable car up to Mount Srd and marvel at the Mediterranean views and the interplay of light and stone. Trace the rise and fall of Dubrovnik in museums, replete with art and artifacts, and, once you are replete with the city’s history, plunge into the warm azure sea.
8 Dubrovnik, sightseeing and attractions Enjoy a 3-hour Dubrovnik shore excursion. Ride on the cable car up Mount Srd and, once you have admired the panoramic vistas of the city, head back down for a walking tour through the Unesco World Heritage-listed Old Town. The tour takes you around the narrow streets, starting at Pile Gate where you will see the circular Onofrio’s Fountain. Then past the Franciscan Monastery that contains a restored sculpture of the Pieta and a gorgeous cloister dating back to the 14thcentury. Other highlights on the tour include Orlando’s Column, the City Bell Tower, the Rector’s Palace, and the Church of St. Blaise. For water lovers, set out into the clear blue sea on a small-group kayak trip for an unforgettable view of the city. Paddle along the city walls until you reach Betina, a cave beach, where you can snorkel and explore the marine world. There are so many city restaurants to choose from that offer delicious traditional dishes such as prawns with honey and sage, fresh fish and shell-fish, traditional patisseries, and ‘dzingis kan’ – dried beef, beef sausage, peppers and spring onions with curdled milk.
9 Dubrovnik –Tirana, Albania Take the coastal route from Dubrovnik to Tirana, travelling through Herzegovina – capital of Montenegro, and on to Albania. Arrive at lively Tirana – the beating heart of Albania– it has undergone a transformation since the early 1990s and is full of buildings painted in horizontal primary colours and public squares and pedestrianised streets that are a pleasure to wander.
10 Tirana, sightseeing and attractions Visit the National History Museum – the largest museum in Albania – that holds most of the country’s archaelogical treasures and a replica of Skanderbeg’s massive sword. Climb to the top of Rr. Elbasanit – the views over the city and surrounding mountains are excellent. Visit the Martyr’s Cemetery while you are here where some 900 partisans who died in WWII are buried. Skanderbeg Square is the best place to start witnessing Tirana’s daily life. And behind the National Art Gallery you will pass the 6m high walls of the Fortress of Justinian, the last remnants of a Byzantine-era castle.
11 Depart

€ 2,000 per person	(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
Price Per Person in Twin Sharing Accomodation
(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
All rates mentioned are an approximate price per person on a twin-sharing basis, and are based on a minimum of 4-6 adults travelling together. Rates are subject to change based on the number of passengers and the time of year. (Flights, visas, travel insurance, lunches & dinners, personal expenses not included. There may be some itinerary activities not included also – please ask). Inclusions : - Traditional ,Boutique or Heritage accommodation where possible or Quality accommodation (on a twin-sharing basis) in centrally located 4*Hotels . -Meals – breakfast in all destinations - Internal Travel by rail - ferries - coach as applicable -Guided sightseeing excursions as per the itinerary -First arrival and last departure transfers Most Holidays are based on Independent Travel . Holidays could be Customised to your requirements and you could choose to upgrade to Selfdrive or Exclusively Private basis .

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Capture summer magic in the lakes and mountains of Austria & Italy or take an iconic spring rail tour for a combination city and culture break. Walk in Slovenia’s Tatras mountains in the summer, and enjoy Slovakia’s rich medieval culture & charming rural landscapes from May to August. Not forgetting the stunning winter skiing in the Carpathian mountains as well as the magnificent Swiss & Austrian Alps. Add to this city breaks galore in Germany, Hungary & Poland, with spring Rhine cruises, year-round Budapest spas, and summer Polish cultural tours - central Europe is a must-visit destination all year-round.

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About Us

Freedom Holidays is passionate about creating inspirational tailor-made travel to Europe and beyond. Our business is your pleasure and our expert and dedicated team is here to listen to your travel needs down to the ‘nth’ degree, leaving you ‘free’ to enjoy your holiday of a lifetime with no gimmicks, no hassle, and no stress. What makes us different? With 14 years experience of providing quality tailor-made customised holidays with an ‘off-the beaten-track’ themed approach, we take you to well-known destinations as well as far flung locations (or a mixture of both), leaving you safe in the knowledge that you will be looked after every step of the way.

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