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18 Days Along the Adriatic Tour Package
When we picture Rome, we instantly think of all the artistic renditions that have hung on walls or lain between the pages of textbooks, but now it's our chance to become part of that scenery we know so well. Just picture sitting at an outdoor cafe with the Fountain of Four Rivers, with its elaborate design, flowing in the background. This tour gives us so many once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that we will have a hard timed keeping up with the stories to tell those back home. Tell others that you compare the size of the massive Campidoglio, which held the Roman Senate, to the Colosseum that can hold 55, 000 spectators. Rural Italy and Croatia are both at the mercy of our desires for exploration. A village atop of a hill that looks over the shores of the Adriatic Sea and the Baroque architecture that still stands in an excellent state of restoration are sights that allow us to make an artistic masterpiece with every photograph we take. Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrive in Rome Today we arrive in Rome and transfer to our hotel. Few cities in the world are as beautiful as Rome, and few are as glamorous. The Eternal City's ancient monuments and spectacular galleries over the centuries a major draw on the international tourism map are looking more magnificent than ever after an extensive restoration programme. Overnight in Rome. Dinner if required. Day 2 Rome: City Tour We begin our guided tour of Rome at the 2,000 year old colosseum. Built to seat 55,000 spectators, this arena staged Rome's most brutal gladitorial combats. Next we walk throught the Roman Forum where we will see the Curia, the Rostra, the Temple of Vesta, the Basilica of Constantine, and the Arch of Titus. Continuing onwards and upwards we reach the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill), seat of the Roman Senate since the 12th century and the original citadel of the city. This beautiful square was redesigned by Michelangelo in the 16th century. Our lunch break is spent close to Largo Argentina, the site of the assasination of Julius Caesar. After lunch we continue our tour focusing on Baroque Rome. In Piazza Navona we can admire the impressive Fountain of the Four Rivers, with detailed figures representing the Nile, Ganges, Danube and Palata rivers. We will also visit the famous Trevi Fountain, designed by Nicholas Salvi in 1732. It's water was supplied by one of Rome's earliest aquaducts. Throwing a coin into the fountain ensures your safe return back to Rome. We pass the temple-turned church called the Pantheon, and have the opportunity to admire its perfect proportions on our way to the Spanish steps, where we finish our tour. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Rome. Breakfast and dinner. Day 3 Rome - Salerno This morning we depart by road to Salerno, a town in Campania, south-western Italy, and the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the gulf of the same name on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The main town of the Costiera Amalfitana (the part of the "Amalfi Coast on the Tyrrhenian") is mostly known in recent history for having hosted the king of Italy, who escaped from Rome in 1943 after Italy negotiated a peace with the Allies in World War II. A brief so-called "Government of the South" was then established in the town. Some of the Allied landings during Operation Avalanche (the invasion of Italy) occurred near Salerno. The renewal of the historical centre has been directed towards the rediscovery of the artistic and cultural treasures of an exceptional region. In Salerno's historic centre, it is possible to admire both the traces of its ancient history and the fervour of artisan shops and cultural events. Overnight in Salerno. Breakfast and dinner. Day 4 Salerno - Matera - Taranto We continue by road to Matera, a World Heritage Site, located in Italy's Basilicata region. This was the subject of Carlo Levi's "Christ Stopped at Eboli" and the backdrop for Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ". Matera's 'Sassi' are the best surviving and most complete examples of rock-cut settlement in the Mediterranean region. Nature has provided this location with a belt of soft tufa, with two natural depressions. The caves here have been used since prehistoric times. Population pressure drove people out of the city of Matera, into these Sassi. The Sassi were evacuated by law in 1952 and 15,000 people, living in extremely poor hygienic circumstances, had to be resettled to new quarters. We continue to Taranto and have a tour of the center of the Old Town (Citta Vecchia) and the Cathedral of San Cataldo, originally built in the 11th century; rebuilt in the 18th century, with the exception of the dome and campanile, on the site of the ancient acropolis. The dome shows Byzantine influences. The interior contains columns with ancient and early medieval capitals. To the right of the choir is the richly decorated Baroque chapel of San Cataldo, with the tomb of the town's patron saint. The crypt has Byzantine frescoes. We also enjoy a tour of the archaeological museum. Overnight in Taranto. Breakfast and dinner. Day 5 Taranto - Nardo - Gallipoli - Lecce We continue our journey to Nardo, a busy little town with a long and turbulent history of sackings, rebellions and occupations. Despite that, the centre of town, based around Piazza Antonio Salandra and Piazza San Domenico, retains some fine buildings in a more or less preserved state. There's an odd amalgam of ornately sculpted palazzi and bold facades, a fortified town hall and an eighteenth-century guglia, or obelisk. By way of contrast, our first impressions of Gallipoli (not to be confused with the World War I battlefield in Turkey) are fairly uninspiring. However, once over the bridge things get more interesting: the old town itself is a maze of meandering and twisting whitewashed streets, often with tiny tomatoes hanging on the walls to dry, providing a sudden blaze of colour alongside the fishing nets. Only the familiar Aragonese castle, squatting in one corner of the island, serves as a reminder that this is still Italy. Departure for Lecce, known as "the Florence of the south". Time permitting either today or tomorrow morning, we will tour the Roman amphitheater, the 15th century castle, the cathedral, the Palazzo del Seminario, and Basilica of Santa Croce. Overnight in Lecce. Breakfast and dinner. Day 6 Lecce - Ostuni - Alberobello - Bari The stunning hilltop village of Ostuni is the first stop on today's journey. Our approach is along a quiet valley lined with orchards, vineyards and stone 'trullis,' unique dwellings with cone-shaped roofs for which Puglia is renowned. As we round a bend in the road, the whitewashed walls and tiled roofs of Ostuni greet our eyes as they radiate light in the afternoon sun. We continue to Alberobello, a town renowned for its trulli; there are thousands in Alberobello, some of which house restaurants, shops, and museums. Alberobello was recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. After a break for lunch we will explore the village and walk amongst the trullis. Our destination today is Bari, formerly the domain of smugglers and brigands. Bari's quaint and atmospheric historic center has been revitalized during the past ten years. Cafes, wine bars and trattorias are found around every corner of the labyrinthine medieval streets, all of which eventually lead to the remarkable Romanesque architecture of the 12th-century Basilica di San Nicola. Overnight in Bari. Breakfast and dinner. Day 7 Bari: City Tour - Overnight Ferry Today we have a tour of Bari, one of southern Italys most compelling cities. Its rich, sultry mixture of cultures--Norman, Arabic, Roman--is evident in its beautiful Old Town which is peppered with antiquities and some fine restaurants and bars. Bari's Old Town and New Town are separated by a wide boulevard, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, containing the Piccinni Theatre, named after a distinguished Barese composer; the piazza Prefettura, with its rococo red-bricked government palace; and the Fizzarotti palace, which boasts a delightful Venetian Gothic facade. On balmy evenings, couples young and old take their passeggiata (strolls) here, heading down to Corso Cavour and the fashionable shopping area of via Sparano. The Old Town, flanked on three sides by the Adriatic, has at its centre, on Piazza San Nicola, the Basilica of St Nicholas--the first and greatest of the many Norman churches in Puglia. It was founded in 1087 to house the remains of the saint, stolen from Lycia by Barese sailors. We pay a visit to the imposing Castello Svevo, the massive Swabian castle built by the all-conquering crusader Frederick II. This quadrangular structure hosted the courts of two medieval queens Isabella of Aragona and Bona Sforza, Queen of Poland. The union of Church and State is expressed in the close proximity of the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral, concealed in the Old Town's labyrinth of lanes, courtyards and arches. Later tonight we board our overnight ferry to Dubrovnik (comfortable sleeper cabins). Overnight ferry. Breakfast and dinner. Day 8 Arrival in Dubrovnik, Croatia This morning we arrive in Dubrovnik, ancient Ragusa. Ragusa's history begins in the 7th century when it was under the protection of the Byzantine Empire. In the 12th century Ragusa, formerly an island, merged with mainland settlements and the channel between was filled in with carted in material. After shaking off the yoke of Venice in 1385 Ragusa became an independent Republic. It remained one of the most powerful maritime powers in the Mediterranean for over four centuries (until 1808). During the "Golden Age" of Ragusa in the 16th century, she had the 3rd largest merchant fleet in the worlds, and consulates in over 50 countries. After changing hands a number of times, the city was finally ceded to Croatia (former Yugoslavia) and in 1918 the Slavic name of Dubrovnik was officially adopted. Today's walking tour of Dubrovnik's historic center will begin outside the Pile Gate as all motorized vehicles are banned within the city walls. Dubrovnik has been called "Croatian Athens" and the "Pearl of the Mediterranean" for its astounding beauty, sophisticated history and culture, and prosperity. We will visit the Franciscan Monastery, housing Europe's first pharmacy; the Rector's Palace, the Cathedral and Sponza Palace. En route we will see many famous landmarks including Onofrio's fountain, the Clock Tower, Roland's Column and the Church of St. Blaise, the patron saint of Dubrovnik. Overnight in Dubrovnik (just outside Old Town). Breakfast and dinner. Day 9 Dubrovnik - Montenegro - Dubrovnik Our encounter with one of Europe's newest countries begins in Boka Kotorska, the only fjord in the Mediterranean, a bay of 32 km / 20 miles cut deep into the stone tissue of the Orjen and Lovcen mountains. We will drive along the coast to Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cetinje, the former capital and cultural centre of Montenegro, will be our next stop. Our last stop will be the small town of Budva, presumed to have been founded by the Phoenicians, and today the main tourist centre on the Montenegrin coast. Return to Dubrovnik in the late afternoon. Remember your passports for today's excursion!! Border delays are possible and are taken into account when planning the content and pacing of today's programme. Overnight in Dubrovnik. Breakfast and dinner. Day 10 Dubrovnik - Hvar This morning we board our day ferry for Stari Grad on the island of Hvar. This is a pleasant all day journey that probably stops briefly at Korcula en route. Overnight in Hvar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 11 Hvar: Walking Tour This morning we have a walking tour through narrow streets to the 15th century Franciscan Monastery, visit the Renaissance cloister, the old rectory that today houses a collection of lace, manuscripts and books; and the church with its remarkable collection of paintings. We visit St Stephen's Cathedral, the Arsenal, a thick walled fortress overlooking the harbour. Europe's oldest community theater, opened in 1612, is located inside the Arsenal. The afternoon is free for independent exploration on this beautiful island. For those interested, there is an excellent hike up to the Venetian castle above town. Overnight in Hvar. Breakfast and dinner. Day 12 Hvar - Split Today we travel by ferry (+/- 2 hours) to Split, the second largest city of Croatia. The historic city center actually lies in the walls of the enormous retirement Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, built between AD 295-305. The palace served as a palace, military fortress, and later, a fortified town. The city is enclosed by huge walls, pierced by 4 main gates, one on each side of the rectangular plan. You may wish to walk the promenade along the harbour when it comes alive with locals taking an evening stroll or relaxing in the seaside cafes outside the ancient palace walls. Overnight in Split. Breakfast and dinner. Day 13 Split: Walking Tour This morning we have a walking tour through the heart of ancient Split. We will visit the cryptoporticus (underground vaults) of the Palace, the Mausoleum and Church of St. Donatus, the Peristyle court, and explore the ancient narrow streets still paved with the lustrous white stone of Brac Island. We will also exit the Golden Gate of the palace to see the huge bronze statue of St. Gregory of Nin made by Ivan Mestrovic, the most celebrated sculptor of modern Croatia. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Split. Breakfast and dinner. Day 14 Split - Overnight Ferry We have most of the day at leisure to enjoy Split. You might join your Tour Leader on an optional excursion by local bus to the medieval town of Trogir, one of the most beautiful and popular towns of the Dalmatian Coast. The heart of this Venetian walled town is Narodni Trg with its white stone paved square, Cathedral, Communal Palace and Loggia. You can visit the Cathedral of St. Lawrence, built between the 13th and 15th centuries by Slavic masters. The entire town has been preserved as yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Later this evening we board our overnight ferry to Rijeka (comfortable cabins). Croatia's coastline is characterized by crystal-clear seas, more than 1,100 islands, countless beaches and harbour, and Roman ruins. Both the Romans and Venetians left a Latin influence on the coast that is still evident today as we cruise our way northward. Overnight ferry. Breakfast and dinner. Day 15 Arrival in Rijeka - Istrian Peninsula - Rijeka Early this morning we arrive in Rijeka, a lively town and Croatia's largest port. Rijeka has always been an important center of maritime trade and shipbuilding. Today's tour of the Istrian Peninsula reveals the multi-cultural roots of this alluring spit of land jutting into the Adriatic, at various times a vassal of Venice, the first Austro-Hungarian Empire, Fascist Italy, the Yugoslav Federation, and finally, Croatia. Istra, as it's known, boasts an interesting history, mild Mediterranean climate, lovely scenery, and good wines. Our first stop is in the port of Pula, called Pola by the first Illyrian settlers and Polensium by the Romans. One of the most impressive sites of the town is the amphitheater located near the harbour, said to be the 6th largest in the Roman world. Built entirely of local limestone, the amphitheater was designed to host gladiatorial contests and could accommodate up to 22,000 spectators. From here we have a walking tour of the old town, following the street Ulica Sergijevaca which winds around the citadel. Along the way we will visit the ancient Roman forum with its twin temples, the Arch of Sergius built in 27 BC, the monument of James Joyce, recalling the time he spent here in 1904 to teach English. We continue on to Rovinj, a charming old Venetian port. The population of the this beautiful fishing town still speaks Italian as well as Croatian. Shops lining the streets of the old town sell Istrian specialties, including wines, olive oils, and truffles. We visit the church of St. Euphemia, the largest Baroque building in Istria, and walk through the picturesque vegetable and fruit market at the base of the citadel. Today we include lunch at a local farmhouse where all the food is home-produced and where you can admore their "prizewinning bull." This is a 3-course lunch with a glass of local wine. We return to Rijeka. This evening you may stroll down the Korzo (or Corso in Italian), the main pedestrian street lined on both sides with magnificent Hungarian architecture, boutiques and sidewalk cafes. Overnight in Rijeka. Breakfast and lunch (dinner on your own tonight). Day 16 Rijeka - Karlovac - Zagreb Today we travel inland to the capital, Zagreb, via Karlovac, known for its interesting architecture and old town, Dubovac. The old town of Dubovac is situated on an artificial hillock above Karlovac. The town's name witnesses that long time ago it was covered in oak (dub) wood. Nearby there are remains of the first Dubovac parish, consecrated to Saint Michael, and on a slope near the town, the castle. The Turkish invasion of Croatia concentrated on Dubovac, especially in 1511, 1522, and 1540. It devastated settlements but the stone structure managed to hold on. The last large attack happened in 1578, right before the Karlovac fortress was build. We continue to Zagreb. Overnight in Zagreb. Breakfast and dinner. Day 17 Zagreb: City Tour Today we have a sightseeing tour of Zagreb, including Governor Jelacic Square, undoubtedly the very heart of the capital of Croatia. Located in Zagreb's center, the Square is dominated by the Statue of Josip Jelacic, who became the Imperial governor of the triple Kingdom of Dalmatia, Croatia, and Slavonia on the 23rd of March, 1848. We continue to Tkalciceva Street. In the District of Graced, we take a funicular from the Lower town to the Upper, which has connected, for centuries, the old part of town with Ilica Street, the main shopping area. We will then stroll back down to Kaptol, St Catherine's Cathedral, Church of St Mark, St. Stephen's Church, and Burglar's Tower. We continue our stroll along the promenade on the side of the tower to enjoy a view of the city. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Zagreb. Breakfast and dinner. Day 18 Departure Departure from Zagreb. Breakfast. SRETAN PUT! Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Italy vacation specialist. Contact : Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252 9/09 |
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