The Mediterranean Spirit I

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 - Lim fjord - Rovinj - Brioni islands - Pula - Lošinj - Kornati archipelago - Split

The interesting part of the Istrian peninsula begins with the so-called Lim fjord, which is really a bay with brackish water forming conditions for cultivating oysters and mussels. Further on is Rovinj, a town of compressed stone houses and narrow alleys on a peninsula surrounded by numerous islands. The same scenery is emphasized with Brioni islands, once a State Residence are today a National Park and open to public. The indented shoreline continues to Pula, a popular holiday resort with a colossal Roman amphitheatre where summer festivals are held. Crossing Cres-Losinj archipelago... Unije a small island with numerous sand and pebbly beaches; Losinj, favored for its mild climate and evergreen vegetation, has a shipbuilding history; continue your flight from one island to another all the way to Split. The most fascinating amongst them are, without comparison, Kornati, an archipelago of over a hundred islands, islets and reefs. Except for two all are uninhabited and therefore paradise for adventurers.

Split is the second largest city in Croatia with a very busy port. The merchant and passenger ships of the Split shipyards may be encountered in almost all the seas of the world.

The Roman Emperor Diocletian had his fortified palace built on a Greek site in the 4th century AD. Through centuries Split grew within these walls and molded the personality of down town Split. Diocletian's Palace is one of the most unique architectural and cultural constructs in Europe.

Day 3: Split - Hvar - Korčula - Pelješac - Dubrovnik

Fly over Brač is breathtaking with the diversity of landscape and its peninsula Zlatni Rat is undisputably the most beautiful beach in the Adriatic. Hvar with Pakleni otoci are a picturesque chain of islets covered in green shrub amid the deep blue sea, Korcula, an island of legends and historical facts well blended and the nearby Pelješac, a peninsula famous for its wine and fish, as well the Elafite islands, a series of reefs and islets before reaching Dubrovnik, a pearl of the Adriatic.

Day 4: Dubrovnik ... A day at 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, whiet 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.

Walk the Stradun, the main street, dip your fingers into Onofrio's Fountain, visit one of world's oldest pharmacies and the fascinating cloister within Franciscan Monastry. 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...

OR ...

take an optional trip to Mostar flying over the great and fertile delta of Neretva, along River Neretva to Mostar. The town was an example of diversity of cultures particularly known for the Ottoman stone bridge over the Neretva and old Turkish houses that were destroyed during the conflict in 1990. Today these have been reconstructed with the UNESCO funds and are worth the visit.

Day 5: Dubrovnik - Boka Kotorska - Ulcinj - Tirana

Less than 30km from Dubrovnik is the border of Montenegro, a small country with numerous natural attractions. One such is Boka Kotorska (Kotor Bay), a winding bay that indents deep inland and has therefore, been a perfect harbour for centuries. Above the rough shoreline with alluring beaches rise impressive mountains.

The rugged coast continues into Albania. Till quite recently the country has been tightly isolated. It is unexplored and fascinating. By opening to the world there has been a boost in the development of Albania. The capital is Tirana and we’ll land at the country’s only civilian airport there. Expect surprizing combinations of underdevelopment and modern sophistication, anything goes!

Day 6: Tirana - Vlore - Korfu - Kefalonia

Fly over Vlore to the Greek Ionian islands. Vlore is the second largest Albanian port. It is probably the most entrancing mainly due to the many beautiful beaches. The Ioninan islands lie west off the coast of Greek mainland. These are Corfu, Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaki, Kefallonia and Zakynthos. The jewel is Corfu or Kerkyra (Greek). The myth says that the island got the name from a nymph that Poseidon (god of the sea) fell in love with.

Kefalonia is the largest amongst Ionian islands. The small bays, lovely beaches, pits, caves, lakes and picturesque villages attract tourists, but the island got its fame for the majestic black fir trees that grow on Mt. Enos. The capital is Argostoli, which was rebuilt after the earthquake in 1953 on the site of the old town. An afternoon tour of the island.

Day 7: Kefalonia - Meteora - Kastoria

The destination of the day is Meteora, centre of monastic life on rocks comprising a series of Orthodox Monasteries in the Pindus mountains, six of which still operate. An impressive geological phenomena challenged the monks to build monasteries on top of these awesome bare rocks.

An aerial view of the awe-inspiring region... Holy Monastery of Grand Meteoron, today a museum with exceptional Byzantine wall-paintings and relics of the Monastery, Monastery of St. Stephen, today a nunnery, Monastery for men of the Holy Trinity is nearly 700 years old and keeps a rich collection of old textiles, tools and manuscripts.

On a peninsula surrounded by lake Orestiada lies Kastoria named after the European beaver kastoras. The region is renown for trading in animal fur even today. True, the beaver is extinct, so mink prevails. Kastoria is also an important religious centre for the Greek Orthodox and has over 50 Byzantine and medieval churches. Their stone bridges are no less impressive. They are true masterpieces of traditional architecture and an integral part of the landscape of Kastoria.

Day 8: Kastoria - over Albania and Otranto - Lecce

Flight over Albania and across the 100 km wide Strait of Otranto that divides the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Land in Lecce, Italy.

Lecce is a historical town famous for the soft, malleable limestone that sculptors use for their works of art. Being an agricultural centre, Lecce is also renown for its olives and wine.

Before dinner with wine tasting, a guided tour of the historical centre with some lovely Renaissance and rich Baroque architectural splendor, the amphitheatre and Park Tower, the medieval symbols of Lecce.

Day 9: Lecce - Capri - Salerno - Rome (Urbe)

Fly over the Gulf of Taranto to Salerno in the Gulf of Salerno. Salerno is not a big city, but it can boast with the oldest University of Medicine in the world!

A drive to Pompei (30km) an acient Roman town that was burried under the volcanic ashes of Vesuvius nearly 2000 years ago. The excavated town offers a detail picture of Roman life in the 1st century; the forum, the baths and the house, all unexpectedly well preserved.

A guided tour of Pompei and a flight to Rome for overnight.

Day 10: Rome - A no Flying Day

The Eternal City offers the Ancient Roman Architecture (Forum Romanum and the Colosseum), the Early Christian Catacombs, Vatican - a state within a city and holds priceless relics and the modern Rome where the historical monuments blend with new districts. It's your choice......see the optional excursions offered.

Day 11: Rome - Island Elba - Bastia

On leaving Rome fly over the Tyrrhenian Sea to Elba. Elba is an island in Tuscany only 20km from the main land and lies between the Tyrrhenian and Ligurian Sea.

Corsica is a French island separated from the main land by the Ligurian Sea. It is the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France. Although Ajaccio is the capital, Bastia is the principal port and commercial centre of Corsica. Bastia is the gateway to Corsica, a dynamic coastal resort, the centre of gastronomy and wine.

Day 12: Ghisonnacia - Propriano - Ajaccio - Elba - Pisa - Lucca

A flight around the island of Corsica. Visit the capital Ajaccio, an attractive town with a lively port and bayside restaurants. A stroll through the old town and down the Citadel pier, perhaps visit the birthplace of Napoeleon Bonaparte...

Continue your flight via Elba and Pisa to Lucca, Tuscany.

Lucca has preserved its historical town centre due to the intact 16^th and 17^th century city walls. When these were no longer required for protection they were transformed into beautiful parks and are used as city's pedestrian pathways. Lucca is a wealthy and colorful town often mentioned as Tuscany's best kept secret. Piazza of the Amphiteatre built on the site of a Roman amphitheatre is also a must-see along with Guinigi Tower the only remaining example of home of Gothic nobility, and National Museum of Palazzo Mansi, which exhibits some lovely 16^th – 18^th century paintings.

Day 13: Lucca - Florence - Rimini - San Marino - Venice/Lido - Grado - Portorož

From Lucca fly by Florence, a historic city on the banks of River Arno, a city of great minds (Galileo Galilei, Leonardo da Vinci, Amerigo Vespucci, Lorenzo di Medici.....) and world's best artists (Dante Alighieri. Boccaccio, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Rafaelo,....). Continue over Rimini's endless sandy beaches and the independent state of San Marino, passing Venice and Grado to Portoroz.