Adria, Alps & The Glorious Empire

This is our entry level tour. We will make a tour along the greater part of the Adriatic coast, fly on the edge of the Alps and visit some of the most interesting places in the region. The whole tour is on the territory of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire that used to unite all this area under one Emperor (the "Kaiser"). while our tour today will visit 6 countries.

Day 1: Prologue Day

Each tour has a prologue day to compensate for skewed arrivals and to check the tour logistics. There are several options for flying on the prologue day and they are described at The Prologue.

Day 2: Portorož - Soča Valley - Bovec - Julian Alps - Predil Pass - Bled

Between the coast and Julian Alps flows the river Soča (known as Isonzo in Italian), the clear, greenish blue river that carved its way into the white limestone of the magnificent Julian Alps forming a valley of lavish colours.

One cannot imagine this fairy-tale valley was the scene of the bloodiest battles during the First World War, also described by Ernest Hemingway in A Farewell to Arms when he served here as a volunteer ambulance driver.

Stop for rafting and a snack in Bovec.

In the afternoon, continue over the Predil Pass into Italy only to return again to Slovenia within minutes. Pass by the world's highest ski jump and over Kranjska Gora ski resort where the Men's Alpine Skiing World Cup is held every year. Continue along into the Triglav National Park, a region of numerous valleys and plateaux covered by green forests and meadows and high mountain peaks rising above them.

In the vicinity is Slovenia's pearl, Bled, a tourist resort next to a lake of tectonic origin. In the middle of the lake is a small island with a Pilgrimage Church and on top of a 130-metre cliff overlooking Lake Bled lies an 11th century fortified castle. You will be taken to the island on the lake in a traditional wooden row boat, the Pletna.

Day 3: Bled - Along Karavanke Alps - Slovenj Gradec - Graz - Wiener Neustadt (Vienna)

Together with Savinja Alps, the Karavanke (Karawanken) mountain chain forms a natural border between Slovenia and Austria. The Karavanke range with a total of 120 km across is the longest mountain range in Europe.

Cross into Austria near Slovenj Gradec, home of the Princes of Windisch Graetz, and continue over the wine growing region south of Graz, also known as the Styrian Tuscany. The route is outstandingly picturesque, as the province of Styria alone has six natural parks: everything from Alpine glaciers and lakes, dense forests and orchards, to the wine country and rich pastures.

Land in Wiener Neustadt (Viennese Newtown). The town was built 800 years ago to defend Vienna and the construction was financed with the ransom paid for the English king Richard the Lionheart.

One of the gems of Wiener Neustadt is the Aviaticum (flight museum) that displays several very old sailplanes and some WW II airplane engines. It is also the homebase of the Diamond Aircraft Company producing Katanas, DA-40 and DA-42 turbodiesel-powered twin aircrafts.

Day 4: Vienna ... A day of leisure

Vienna with a choice of 70 theatres, four operas, two stages for musicals and a hundred museums offers something for every taste ... a classic tour of the city or just a tour of the Art Nouveau. Plan ahead and book a cultural event to your liking or sit in the restaurant of the Danube Tower and enjoy the view along with a local speciality.

Day 5: Vienna - Neusiedler See - Budapest (Hungary)

From Wiener Neustadt, fly over Lake Neusiedl, one of the largest steppe lakes (closed drainage lake) in Europe. The lake is halfway between Vienna and Budapest and is a natural border between Austria and Hungary.

Continue to the Danube Bend or the Danube Knee, a charming section of the Danube where the river winds its way through Visegrád mountains and then turns sharply south to Budapest.

Budapest became one city occupying both banks of the Danube River in 1873, with the unification of two cities, Buda and Pest. Until then, Buda was on the right bank of the river with its Castle and the Citadel, while Pest with the Hungarian Parliament Building occupied the left bank.

Late afternoon cruise on the Danube followed by a dinner.

Day 6: Budapest - Along Danube - Osijek (Croatia) - Sarajevo (Bosnia & Herzegovina)

The River Danube, known to history as one of the long-standing frontiers of the Roman Empire, originates in the Schwarzwald (Black Forest), Germany and flows eastward nearly 3000 km, passing through four European capitals before reaching the Black Sea. It is a natural border between Croatia–Serbia and Romania–Bulgaria. The Danube has always been an important transport route, and by opening the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, the river finally connected Black Sea with the industrial centers of Western Europe all the way to Rotterdam.

On its way the Danube forms and shapes a variety of scenic, today protected areas. One such is the Danube–Drava National Park, just before crossing into Croatia, and the next is in Croatia: the Kopački Rit National Park.

Sarajevo is located on the banks of river Miljacka in the Sarajevo valley and is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps. It is renowned for the coexistence of traditional religious diversity (Islam, Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Judaism) through centuries.

The heart and soul of Sarajevo is Baščarsija (the central market), the striking reminder of its Ottoman past. Each street in the Bascarcija is dedicated to a different craft, the most interesting being the traditional metalwork, jewellery and pottery shops.

Sarajevo has attracted international attention several times through history: In 1914 it was the site of an assassination that triggered the First World War. In 1984, it was the host city of the Winter Olympics, and more recently Sarajevo underwent the longest siege in modern military history. The reasons for this conflict go back to the Second World War. During the siege, a tunnel was built linking the besieged city to the free zone beyond the airport, thus forming a supply line.

Day 7: Sarajevo - Mostar - Počitelj - Neretva delta - Dubrovnik

The Neretva Valley is an area where tribes and nations have fought for dominance since the beginning of time. The trade routes have gone through Neretva Valley and those who controlled the routes also controlled the trade. The river Neretva flows through canyons and hollows, forces its way through the Dinaric Alps and then spreads over a vast fertile valley forming a large delta before flowing into the Adriatic.

Fly over the Neretva valley, cross the delta and along the picturesque, impressive Adriatic coast to Dubrovnik. Spend the afternoon on board a fishing boat enjoying fish and wine.

Day 8: Dubrovnik ... Day of leisure

Dubrovnik is a jewel in the Adriatic, a town of unique beauty and harmony. The fortified old town nests on a mighty rock foundation, while the later and more recent buildings spread along the shoreline of high, steep rocks that drop into the dark blue sea, and off the shore are numerous small islands as if guarding this jewel.

Stroll the Stradun, the main street, dip your fingers into Onofrio's Fountain, visit one of world's oldest pharmacies and the fascinating cloister within the Franciscan Monastery. Pass by Orlando's Column and Sponza Palace to the Old Port and finally up the city's ramparts. Only then decide what your really want to do ... take a boat to Lokrum or Mljet islands, lie on one of the many attractive beaches or just sit at the Old Port with a glass of fine local wine in hand ...

Optional excursion to Korčula, Marco Polo's Island or to the island of Mljet.

Day 9: Dubrovnik - Along the Adriatic Coast - Island Brač - Kornati islands - Unije - Lošinj

The highlights of the tour, an unforgettable flight over the Adriatic passing the hundreds of islands one by one: Korčula, Hvar, Brač, Kornati National Park, Lošinj, Unije.

Korčula with its dark and densely wooded appearance is an idyllic oasis of peace and beauty. Hvar, a long and narrow island is filled with the fragrances of lavender, rosemary and laurel. Brač, the largest of them is breathtaking with the diversity of landscape; Zlatni Rat indisputably the most beautiful beach in the Adriatic, Mt. Vidov the highest peak in the Adriatic and the many small towns scattered along the coast partly hidden in the black and Aleppo pine forests.

The Kornati archipelago is the most indented island group in the Mediterranean. It includes over 100 uninhabited islands, islets and reefs. The islands are noted for their varied remarkable forms and structure, particularly the high cliffs plunging into the dark blue sea.

Unije is a small island in the Cres–Lošinj archipelago. It has many inlets with delightful pebbly beaches and the high island plateau is overgrown with laurel, lavender, rosemary, thyme ... There is a grass strip on the island where we will land to enjoy a light lunch with local cheese and prosciutto and unwind before flying to Lošinj for the night.

The island of Lošinj is favoured for its mild climate and lush Mediterranean vegetation. It is surrounded by many small uninhabited islands, a delight for the eye.

Day 10: Lošinj - Pula - Brioni islands - Rovinj - Lim fjord - Novigrad - Umag - Grado - Jesolo - Venice Lido - Portorož

On leaving the Cres–Lošinj archipelago, fly over the tip of the Istrian peninsula and the Kamenjak National Park, a paradise for windsurfing and sailing, and continue along the indented shores of Pula, famed for the well-preserved Roman amphitheater. Pass over the Brioni islands, a former residence of President Tito closed to public, but today admired for its lush Mediterranean flora and fauna. Continue along the Adriatic shoreline to Venice - Lido.

A taxi boat tour along the Canal Grande and down some less visited canals to see Venice from a different perspective. Return via Caorle and Grado to Portorož for a farewell dinner.