Slovenia, Guided Tour Countries of Freedom and Ecology 8 Days / 7 Nights

Croatia – is ideally situated at the crossroads of and the Mediterranean. The Croatian coast line and the mainland area, islands and islets make Croatia an attractive country to visit. The country’s natural treasures which include crystal-clear seas, remote islands, unspools fishing villages, beaches, vineyards, Roman ruins and medieval walled cities. An abundance of natural harbors lures yachters, and naturists have their own beaches. There’s an island for every taste. Along the Adriatic coast you will find remains of palaces, temples and amphitheaters from the Roman Empire as well as Forts, fortified towns built during the Venetian Rule. Each of the Rulers had left its strong imprint on the architecture of the interior, particularly in the baroque cities that flourished in the 17th and the 18th centuries. Religion in the form of Roman Catholic Church has been essential to the Croatian identity since the 9th century. That’s the reason we can find

Mail: [email protected]

many churches and Cathedrals since the very early 9th century all over Croatia in different kind of architecture, monasteries and convents most of them preserved till actual time side by side to the Castles, the fortified walls towns, Museums and Galleries all over the country. Croatia is an ecologic country, preserving the Fauna and Flora, the important Natural Reserves and Natural Parks declared by UNESCO as World Heritage such as Plitvice Natural Park, one of the seven natural treasures of the country as well as towns and cities. The Croatian reflects he cultures that have influenced the country over the of its history. On the coast you will find Italian style cuisine and the Hungarian, Viennese and Turkish style cuisine in the interior. Each region has its own specialty. Israelis like touring Croatia.

.Slovenia is a small country such as Israel but mostly green, the evergreen after Finland. Slovenia became a new European state on 25th June 1991. After the collapse of the Austro- Hungarian Empire in 1918, the country was included as part of monarchist, and later communist, . As in other European countries, Slovenia is established by constitution as a democratic republic. Slovenia boasts in the region of 6500 caves and karstic sinkholes, 20 of which are open t the public. The Postojna Cave system is both the largest, and the most renowned. The most magnificent Škocjan Caves are the only natural phenomenon in Slovenia to have been placed on the UNESCO list of World Natural Heritage Sites. There are several ells and natural springs at the eastern edge of the Pannonian fault-line which are sources of thermal and mineral water, sixteen of these have been developed as health spas and resorts. Mineral water is bottled at Radenci and Rogaška Slatina, whilst Terme Čatež has developed into the largest thermal spa. Ljubljana, the Slovenian Capital City is also the cultural and financial centre of the country. Slovenia stands at an important traffic crossroads. The shortest routes linkin Southwestern and Central Europe with the Pannonian Plains, the Balkans and the Eastern Mediterranean pass through the country.

Traveling through both countries Croatia and Slovenia you will enjoy beautiful landscape, adrenaline activities and good cuisine.

Mail: [email protected]

 Slovenia :

o Bohinj lake

o Vintgar Gorge

o Bled Castle

o Bled town and lake

o Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle

o The Slovenian Riviera towns – Piran and Portorož

o Ljubljana

o Otočec

 Croatia :

o - The Kaptol and Gradec, Sv. Stefan Cathedral, Dolac, the Stone Gate, the Sabor Parliament, the St. Mark’s Church, the Meštrović Studio, , the Funicular Railway, the lotršćak Tower, Jelačić Trg.

o Slunj, Rastoke village

o Plitvice National Park

o Zadar, Primošten, Trogir

o Split

o Omiš, Ploče, Neum (Bosnia)

o , City Walls and guided walking tour

o Lopud, Lokrum

o Cavtat, Ethnographic Villages

Mail: [email protected]

Tel-Aviv - Bled

We shall meet at BGN Airport, flying over to Slovenia. After landing in Brnik International Airport, Ljubljana, Slovenia we will start our trip driving over to north region, to Bled. We shall arrive first to the Triglav Natural Reserve, starting from Bohinj Lake. The name Bohinj applies to the Sava Bohinjka basin west of Soteska. In a broader sense, the entire southeastern end of the Julian Alps is also part of the Bohinj district. Lake Bohinj lies at 525m above sea level and at 3.18kskm, is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia. The development of tourism in Bohinj began after 1906 with the completion of the Bohinj railway line linking Jesenice and Gorica. Among the few buildings which have been allowed to remain are those of greater cultural significance, such as the Church of St. John the Baptist from 1300 and the ancient stone bridge we will see. We will climb up to the Vogel Mountain nearby Bohinj, from the Terrace we shall have a beautiful landscape of the lake surrounded by the mountains and forests, the whole picture looks like a postcard.

After a short break for , we will continue to the Vintgar Gorge passing through Bled where to we will return later. The Vintgar Gorge is carved by the Radvona Valley. The stream has created many erosive features such as pools and rapids, terminating in the picturesque Šum Falls, the largest river waterfall in Slovenia. We will explore Vintgar along the wooden walkways. From here we continue to the beautiful Castle.

The Bled Castle located atop a solitary rock above the lake is one of the older historic monuments in Slovenia. From the terrace we shall see the Bled Island, the Bled lake and the nice panoramic landscape.

Mail: [email protected]

It was a long day. We will check-in to our hotel in Bled for dinner and overnight. After dinner we can walk over to taste the traditional and original cake of Park Hotel, the delicious cream shnitt.

Bled – Piran – Portorož – Postojna – Predjama - Ljubljana

After we shall leave the beautiful Bled and drive over to the Slovenian Riviera, passing through picturesque villages, Capodistria, Koper the industrial Old City town that is the center of the Italian ethnic community of Slovenia and Italian is widely

spoken here. We will stop for a visit at the two most interesting towns, Piran, the ancient and tightly packed town that has retained its medieval shape and character. Typical medieval Mediterranean town with closely packed ranks of houses separated by narrow winding streets and the big Tartini square surrounded by colorful buildings, to cafes, and restaurants, churches, Maritime Museum, the Marine Aquarium, and the Old port. From here we continue to Portorož, which is the largest seaside resort, tucked in its own bay. Due to its sheltered position, with the Mediterranian climate and lush vegetation has attracted tourists for many centuries. After breaktime we will continue our trip among caves, castles. Postojna is known worldwide for its wonderful cave, which lies under the slopes of a karstic plateau at the eastern edge of the Postojna Basin. Due to its central location between Ljubljana, Trieste, Gorizia and , Postojna has been the administrative and economic center since ancient times. Due to the cave it has also developed as one of the more important centers of Tourism in Slovenia. The whole town of Postojna is concerned one way or the

Mail: [email protected]

other to tourism activities. In the Cave we shall travel by the cave train then walk through the different Halls. From here we continue to Predjama Castle that stands like an eagle’s nest stocked at the rock. We will hear the legend about Erasmus take a picture and continue to the Slovenian Capital City, Ljubljana.

End of the excursion, drive to hotel for dinner and overnight at Ljubljana

.

Ljubljana - - Otočec - Zagreb

After breakfast we shall start a new day excursion driving to Ljubljana’s City Center. Ljubljana, is the Capital of Slovenia and the most popular city. Its nice Ljubljanica River, with interesting bridges. Ljubljana is also the Nation’s political, economic & cultural capital.

As such, virtually everything of national importance begins, ends or is taking place in the very center of Ljubljana which is named the Saloon, the local meeting point for the citizens not just for tourists, on the Triple Bridge, on Prešernov Trg. near Prešeren’s Monument to the national Poet, surrounded by the Franciscan Church, the Neo- Renaissance and Baroque buildings, we shall walks through the city and feel the city life, passing by the Kongresni Trg., the Musical Academy, the University, from here we will see the Ljubljanski Grad on top of the hill, the Ursuline Church, continue to the ancient Jewish line that became bohemian artist street, crossing the Shoemaker Bridge, to the medieval town, cobblestoned streets to the Robba Fountain, the Magistrat Town Hall, the Stolna Cerkev Sv. Nikolaja, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the Bishop Palace, the Plečnik

Mail: [email protected]

Colonnade which forms the city’s Central Market, the Dragons Bridge etc. After free time we will meet again and travel to next destination, Otočec. Otočec Castle lies on a tiny island in the middle of the Krka River and one of the loveliest fortresses in Slovenia. The Grad Otočec is one of the most attractive and luxurious hotels in Slovenia, but we shall make a tour around then continue to the Croatian Capital Zagreb. Zagreb the Croatian Capital City, and the largest city in Croatia. Starting by sight- seeing tour over the city, passing through the Oasis of Park, the long and large avenues, most of the buildings had been renovated, continue to the upper town Kaptol and Gradec, that had developed around the Cathedral of St. Stefan with its two spires rising to the sky, here remains the most important people of the Croatian State, continue walking through the open market and colorful, Dolac, to the Stone Gate, the Sabor (Parliament), the impressive St. Mark’s Church on St. Mark’s square, the Meštrović Studio, the Banski Dvori, the Lotršćak and taking the funicular to go down to the lower town, the heart of Zagreb, walking to Ban Jelačić large square surrounded with the central Train Station, interesting monuments and baroque buildings from the 17th century, shops, restaurants, cafés, etc.,

End of first day, drive to Hotel in Zagreb.

Mail: [email protected]

Zagreb – Slunj – Rastoke – Plitvice Jezero

Today we are traveling to one of the most beautiful Natural Parks in Europe. We shall start first from Slunj or Rastoke, the village built on the waterfalls. You will like the magical place where nature and human have worked hand in hand to create beautiful scenery. Rastoke is small watermill village. If it will be possible we will enter to one of the houses. Thanks to the watermills the people here are using them as hydroelectric stations, to light the village and all the surround here. After finishing our tour over the village, we continue to Plitvice Reserve. Plitvice Lakes National Park lies midway between Zagreb and Zadar in . The wooded hills enclose 16 turquoise lakes which are linked by a series of waterfalls and cascades. Wooden foot bridges follow the lakes and streams over, under and across the rumbling water. In 1979, the Plitvice Lakes were proclaimed a World Heritage site by UNESCO, and the lakes and the forests are carefully regulated to ensure their continuing preservation. Plitvice Natural Park is open all over the year with some restrictions during the hard weather, when all is frozen. It’s an amazing spectacle even while it’s not possible to reach all the upper lakes. The colors of the lakes are changing constantly from azure to bright green thanks to the minerals or organisms and the interaction of water, rock and plant life since the last Ice Age. Here we shall have in one of the restaurants in the park then continue our excursion among the wood-foot bridges.

Mail: [email protected]

It’s been a wonderful excursion day which won’t completely end, we shall overnight in one of the Plitvice National Park hotels.

Plivice – Zadar – Primošten – Trogir - Split

After breakfast we will leave Plitvice and drive over to south Croatia, to Dalmatia. We will drive over the coastal area. The Velebit range is the largest in Croatia and the longest in the Dinara massif. Although these mountains do not initially impress by their height, by the power of their appearance and length, they have made a deep impression on the psychological culture of the Croatians, their history, literature, trade and sciences. Like Olympus to the Greeks, Triglav to the Slovenes, Lovčen to the Montenegrins and so on. We will stop on a Belvedere to take a landscape picture and continue south passing by the Paklenica National Park, one of the seven Natural Parks in Croatia. On our way we shall see on the the island of , the World famous for its lace and decorative items made of linen thread. It can be compared to Brussels or Venice Lace. Arriving to Zadar we shall start our walking tour with our local guide that will lead us across the Roman Fortified City.

Zadar - Arriving to Zadar we shall start our walking tour with our local guide that will lead us across the Roman Fortified City. We shall hear about the local history since

Mail: [email protected]

Roman Era, the migrations of the Nations, the time of the Croatian Counts and kings, the conflicts under the different rulers, the Venetians, the Austrians, the World War, the Balkan War and today. We will enter from the Mainland Gate, walking through the picturesque Roman streets and lines, stopping at the Forum Romanum, the Church of St. Donat, the Romanesque Cathedral of St. Anastasia, enter to the Church of St. Simeon, early Christian Church, continue to Narodni Trg (the People’s Square), the City Clock and bell tower, the City loggia, the open market, and after a break for coffee we will continue to the other part of the city to see the Veliki Arsenal (the Great Arsenal). The Croatians are Catholic Roman Christians, using the church for pray and hear concerts. We will end tour at the impressive place. The Architect Nikola Bašić is the one who created the incredible nature-based instrument, the Sea Organ. Tired of his war-torn city of Zadar being rebuilt with drab concrete structures, Nikola decided to bring music back to the area. From here we continue to the coastal road, passing by the Pašman Archipelago, Biograd, Pakošten, Vodice, Šibenik and make a stop at Primošten, for a short walking tour, continue to Trogir, the historical city for a guided tour through the city walls and gates, the loggia, the fortress, St. Mark’s Tower, the city square, the Cathedral and after short break time we will continue to our last target for today, to Split.

Mail: [email protected]

After arrival to Split we will drive to our hotel in the Roman City for dinner and overnight.

Split – Omiš – Ploče – Neum (Bosnia) – Dubrovnik

This morning we shall explore the Ancient Roman City, Split. Split is the second biggest city in Croatia. Walking for a guided tour with the local , we shall hear about the prehistory through the Greek and Roman eras, the migrations of the nations, the Croatian Counts and Kings, the Old City is an open museum attracting all over the year visitors. We will start by Nardoni Trg, the market, the Spa Building, enter to the walled city, part of the Diocletian’s Palace, the eastern and western walls, the southern façade, the Peristyle, the Palace Cellars exhibition rooms and to the promenade. After free time leisure we shall continue our way passing by Omiš surrounded by the Dinaric range, on the Adriatic Sea, the islands of Hvar, Brač, Ploče. We will stop for lunch at one of the towns. From here we continue over to Dubrovnik crossing the border of Neum (Bosnia), there we shall make a short break then continue to the coastal route, passing by Korčula, Marko Polo’s birth town, Ston, the Neretva Delta. We are reaching Dubrovnik named The Pearl of the Adriatic.

Arriving late evening we shall drive straight to our hotel in Dubrovnik for dinner and overnight.

Mail: [email protected]

Dubrovnik – City Walls – Lokrum Island

After breakfast we will drive to the Old City of Dubrovnik for a walking guided tour. We will hear the interesting and rich history of the City from the Ancient times till today. The fact that Old Dubrovnik has been preserved as a living and organic entity is largely thanks to the sturdiness of its city walls, a system of fortifications which is a direct expression of the city’s history. Old Dubrovnik named the Adriatic Pearl was proclaimed World Heritage by UNESCO. We will start from Pile Gate, passing by a stone bridge over the moat and a wooden draw-bridge to the stairs leading to the main entrance to the Old City, landing on the Stradun, the Main street of the city, starting by Velika Onofrijeva Česma (the big fountain), to Muzej Franjevačkog Samostana Mala braća (the Franciscan Monastery Museum), the cloister, the Monastery apothecary’s founded on 1317, continue to the Sponza Palace, the dogana, the City Bell-Tower, the Old Sephardic founded by the Spanish and the Portuguese emigrants since end 14th century, the St. Blaise Church, the Palace of the Great, the Arsenal, the Roland’s Column, the Rector’s Palace, the Cathedral, the Maritime Museum. We continue to the Ploče Gate (the port gate), Dubrovnik’s is one of the most important in the Country, here we can see Cruises Ship, Yachts and many fisher boats of all kinds. After a short break we will continue our walking tour climbing the city walls stopping from time to time to take a look on the panoramic landscape, our target is reaching the Minčeta fortress. After leisure time break we shall take one of the ships and ride over to Lokrum

Mail: [email protected]

Island, one of the most popular islands here.

By the evening we will return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Dubrovnik – Cavtat - Tel Aviv

Today we are leaving Dubrovnik, traveling to Cavtat, one of the most beautiful small towns on the Eastern Adriatic Coast. It lies on the Rat peninsula, in between two bays, two natural harbors southeast of Dubrovnik. It’s present name derives from the Latin word Civitas, the ancient name was Epidaurus since 47BC. The inhabitants of Cavtat were those who founded Dubrovnik in the 7th century. We will make a walking guided tour over the small and important town, passing by the Rector’s Palace, St. Nicholas’ Church rebuilt in Baroque style, the western harbor, the Franciscan Monastery with the Church of Our Lady of Cavtat, the nice promenade hosting cafés and restaurants. We will have great time here.

All depends of the flight schedule, it will be decided on spot, but if possible, we shall continue another nice village around to watch a folklore performance and try the local cuisine.

It´s been nice to have you here for a great tour, thanks for visiting Slovenia, Bosnia and Croatia. Have a safe flight home.

Mail: [email protected]