Dubrovnik To Lake Bled

Arrive in Dubrovnik. Our hotel is about 30 minutes drive from the airport. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6 pm for the welcome meeting and afterwards there is the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers and break the ice over dinner. Nestled amongst the imposing stone buildings of Dubrovnik's Old Town, we visit a local bar which provides Croatia's take on a tapas-style experience, offering up the chance to try several cheeses, bread and oils. Locally grown olives and freshly baked baguettes are paired with red and white wines, that have all been produced along the Dalmatian Coast. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Dubrovnik Airport (DBV). Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

Like many Croatian cities, Dubrovnik has seen its share of conquerors and settlers, each adding their own contributions to the city we see today. Extensive renovations in the 1990s and 2000s means the city has been excellently preserved, and its ancient walls and intricately carved stone buildings give the illusion of stepping back in time. This morning we make our way by public bus to the cable car station at the foot of Mount Srd. We take the short cable car ride to the hilltop, which offers fantastic views over Dubrovnik and the bay it sits within. We then make our way back down the hill on foot, snaking down the hillside and then following the ancient city walls back into the Old Town of Dubrovnik. From here we go on to discover this incredible city on foot. Starting from Pile Square on the eastern side of Dubrovnik, we snake our way through the maze of narrow streets and lively piazzas to take in the Sponza Palace, housing the city's archives, and the expertly carved baroque church of St Blaise. Continuing through the main thoroughfare of Stradun we walk down the Jesuit Staircase, also known as the 'Steps of the Great Sept of Bailor' used for the 'Walk of Shame' scene in Game of Thrones. Finally, we end at the magnificent Rector's Palace, another GOT filming location but an incredible example of Gothic Architecture in its own right. This afternoon has been left free for further exploration, visiting one of the nearby beaches or perhaps just sitting in one of the many cafes and taking in the scenery. Later in the afternoon there is the option for sea kayaking around the city walls. We climb into our kayaks in Kolorina bay, just outside the Old Town, and we begin paddling our way along the coastline, gazing up at the dramatic city walls as they plunge down into the rocks and then the sea. This experience offers an entirely different perspective of the city, especially as the sun starts to dip into the Adriatic and the city lights start to twinkle and glow. The kayaking lasts for approximately two hours and is dependent on local sea conditions at the time. No previous experience is required and a full safety briefing is given.

We set off this morning by bus, shortly crossing the border into neighbouring Bosnia and Herzegovina, passing rolling countryside on our drive to the UNESCO-listed city of Mostar. Set on the banks of the Neretva River, Mostar is the epitome of modern-day Bosnia, one lying at the crossroads of Europe, but also at the crossroads of cultures, of shared histories and religions. The city itself is cut in half by the Neretva, with Croat communities on one side and Bosnian Muslims on the other, reflecting this rich cultural heritage. The town and the Stari Most - its famous 16th century Ottoman bridge - suffered badly during the 1990s Balkan conflict. The bridge and much of the old city, the former capital of Herzegovina, was painstakingly rebuilt after the war and has been restored to its former glory. The five year-long programme of reconstruction went a long way to restoring peace to this shattered region, with international and ethnic cooperation helping to rebuild bridges both literally and figuratively. Today, we walk the city's old cobbled streets with an expert local guide who will paint a picture of both ancient and more recent history as we take in the buildings, the old Bazaar and the iconic Turkish House. We end our walk at the Stari Most Bridge, which as well as bringing together communities, also serves as a venue for bridge jumping competitions during the summer months. The rest of the day is free for further exploration and to soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant city.