Croatia July 21 to 31, 2017 In partnership with Master of Liberal Arts Stanford University HE EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRY OF CROATIA IS A COUNTRY OF DIVERSITY. PAST T rulers and civilizations have left their mark here with beautifully preserved, centuries- old architecture ranging from ruined Roman amphitheaters, Byzantine beauty and even a little Communist concrete. City destinations such as Dubrovnik and Pula offer Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian monuments set amidst a rich, cultural heritage. The mountainous Dinarc Alps provide a dramatic backdrop to the deep-blue, Dalmatian seascape that stretches along the Adriatic Sea and includes over a thousand islands. An abundant number of inland lakes provide excellent hiking opportunities and a chance to enjoy the bucolic beauty of Croatia’s interior. Despite a population of only 4.2 million, Croatia is big on tourist attractions, being the 18th most popular tourist destination in the world. With its abundant combination of historical heritage and natural beauty, it’s hard not to be attracted to la dolce vita of Eastern Europe. STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY 650 725 1093 [email protected] Faculty Leader Ivan Lupić, a native of Croatia, is an assistant professor of English at Stanford University. He is a Shakespearean scholar with research interests in European Renaissance; literature and political thought; book history, theater history, and the cultural history of the Ragusan Republic. During our program, his lectures will focus on the history, culture and literature of Croatia. Ivan earned his PhD in English and comparative literature from Columbia University, as well as a PhD in the theory and history of literature from the University of Zagreb. Previous to this he received his MA in comparative literature from the University of Zagreb, and a BA in Croatian language and literature, also from the University of Zagreb. Itinerary Friday & Saturday, July 21 & 22 Depart U.S. / Zagreb, Croatia Depart from your home city on independently booked, overnight flights to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city. Upon arrival on Saturday, transfer to our hotel, a grand property that was originally designed to accommodate guests traveling through Zagreb on the Orient Express train. The remainder of the day is at leisure to recover from the long flight. On Saturday evening, gather with fellow travelers for a welcome reception in the hotel to toast the start of our journey. HOTEL ESPLANADE Sunday, July 23 Zagreb This morning head out for a guided walking tour of Zagreb. Located on the banks of the Sava River, Zagreb is a vibrant city that dates back to medieval times with a picturesque old town, an open-air market, stunning architecture and a baroque upper town with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. Lunch is on your own, and the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. This evening, savor a welcome dinner of Croatian specialties at a local restaurant. HOTEL ESPLANADE (B,D) Monday, July 24 Zagreb / Krk Island / Opatija After breakfast, check out of our hotel and board our bus for the region of Istria. En route to Opatija, enjoy some free time in the island town of Krk before lunch in a local restaurant. The island of Krk is Croatia’s largest island, located on Kvarner Bay. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, Krk offers varied landscapes and charming towns. Continue to Opatija to check into our elegant hotel. Opatija is the gateway to the Istrian Peninsula and an elegant destination with the longest tradition of tourism in Croatia, once favored by the Habsburgs. This evening enjoy dinner in one of Opatija’s fine local restaurants. DESIGN HOTEL NAVIS (B,L,D) STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY 650 725 1093 [email protected] Tuesday, July 25 Rovinj / Pula / Opatija Spend a full day exploring the bucolic peninsula of Istria. The town of Rovinj is one of the Adriatic’s last authentic fishing ports, with its steep cobbled streets and medieval piazzas. After visiting the fishing port of Rovinj, continue to the larger town of Pula and enjoy a typical Istrian lunch in a seaside restaurant. Pula is the largest town on the Istrian peninsula with a rich, 3,000-year-old history and wealth of Roman ruins including the remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheater in the heart of the city. Return to Opatija in the late afternoon. Dinner and the rest of the evening are at leisure. DESIGN HOTEL NAVIS (B,L) Wednesday, July 26 Opatija / Plitvice Lakes / Split After breakfast, depart Opatija and head south to the country’s oldest and most famous national park, Plitvice Lakes. The park’s network of 16 crystal-clear lakes is interconnected by a series of waterfalls, all set in a woodland of spruce, beech and fir trees. The lakes’ unique mineral content contributes to the spectacular blue and green colors, which change depending on the sunlight and cloud cover. We’ll spend the morning on a guided tour exploring the park’s network of 16 interconnected lakes, and enjoying a packed lunch within the park. We’ll then continue to the coastal city of Split, where we check into our hotel, located steps away from the central old town. Dinner this evening is on your own. HOTEL CORNARO (B,L) Thursday, July 27 Krka National Park / Split This morning we’ll explore the centuries’-old cultural heritage of Split on a guided walking tour. The cultural heritage of Split includes Diocletian’s Palace, originally built as the walled summer palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian at the end of the 3rd century. This sprawling edifice developed organically over the ensuing years into a lively city with many architectural styles, full of artisans, craftsmen and shopkeepers, a tradition that continues today. After a light lunch, we’ll head north to the stunning Krka National Park, with its seven waterfalls, where we’ll take a guided tour. Krka National Park is a water wonder with multiple waterfalls, concluding at the impressive Skradinski Buk Fall, where it is possible to take a swim! Some of the first hydroelectric plants in Europe were built using the power of the falls. Return to Split in the late afternoon where the remainder of the day and evening are at leisure. HOTEL CORNARO (B,L) Friday, July 28 Hvar Island / Split This morning board private motor boats and set off for a cruise to nearby Hvar Island and the town of Hvar, famed for its sunshine and lavender fields. Visitors to Hvar Island are often surprised by the depth and cultural heritage found in this small island. The town of Hvar is home to the largest square in Dalmatia and the oldest public theater in Europe, dating to the early 1600s. We’ll then travel to Stari Grad Plain, an 80-hectare agricultural colony founded by the ancient Greeks in 384 BC and the oldest continuously cultivated agricultural field in the world. Stop at a small winery and enjoy a traditional lunch at a local family’s olive groves with views overlooking Stari Grad. Return to Split by boat in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner on your own. HOTEL CORNARO (B,L) Saturday, July 29 Split / Mali Ston Bay / Dubrovnik Check out of our hotel and depart Split, heading south along the Dalmatian coast to Dubrovnik. Along the way, we’ll board a local boat to a private island in Mali Ston Bay, where we’ll enjoy fresh oyster tasting and a seafood lunch accompanied by the island’s local wine. The town of Ston is famous for its majestic city walls, which date back to the 14th century and for its long tradition of harvesting oysters. Continue on to Dubrovnik, and check into our hotel overlooking Lapad Beach. After settling in, enjoy some free time exploring the local area with dinner on your own. HOTEL KOMPAS (B,L) STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY 650 725 1093 [email protected] Sunday, July 30 Dubrovnik After breakfast, head for the old town of Dubrovnik for a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Dubrovnik is considered the crown jewel of the Adriatic as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its magnificent walls, marble streets, and stunning baroque architecture speaks to a rich artistic history. Enjoy lunch and an afternoon shopping and exploring on your own, followed by a festive farewell dinner with traditional Croatian entertainment to celebrate the end of our journey together. HOTEL KOMPAS (B,D) Monday, July 31 Dubrovnik / U.S. After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Dubrovnik Airport and check in for international flights back to the U.S. (B) What to Expect We consider this to be a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy. Daily excursions involve up to two miles of walking, often over rough terrain, with tours lasting as long as three hours. You will be required to walk along ancient city streets, which can be uneven, cobblestoned or slippery; at archaeological sites over uneven, rocky ground; and at castles, where guided tours require climbing up and down several flights of stairs that may not have handrails. Many historic sites and buildings do not have elevators and do not allow buses to pull up directly in front, thus requiring a walk of several minutes to reach the entrance. During our trip, we will travel between cities and to many sites by bus, sometimes on narrow, winding roads. Participants should be physically fit, in good health and able to keep up with an active group of travelers. We recommend travelers 15 years of age and older on this program. STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY 650 725 1093 [email protected] Information Dates July 21 to 31, 2017 (11 days) Size This program can accommodate 30 participants.