Croatia and Dalmatian Coast 2007

Croatia has opened up its attractions to the world again. Today, more and more visitors are vacationing in this friendly, picturesque country along the Adriatic coast. It has much to offer – good food, good wine, beautiful beaches, clean water and gorgeous scenery, as well as historic cities, charming villages, striking archi-tecture, Roman ruins and well-preserved antiquities. Jews were in this land now known as Croatia before the Croats themselves. The Croats arrived in the 7th century, while the Jews some centuries before with the Romans; there are remains of a 3rd century Jewish cemetery in Solin (near Split).

ITINERARY:

WEDNESDAY, DAY 1- EN ROUTE
Depart New York on your flight to Dubrovnik.

THURSDAY, DAY 2- DUBROVNIK
Morning arrival; meeting and transfer to your hotel. Tonight, our Welcome Dinner celebrates your arrival. D

FRIDAY, DAY 3- DUBROVNIK
Morning guided walking tour of old Dubrovnik. Visit some of the highlights of this beautifully preserved European walled city. Stroll Sudioska Street, “Street of the Jews”. for a visit to the Jewish Museum and the adjoining Dubrovnik Synagogue , the 2nd oldest in Europe, for a briefing on local Jewry. Since there are just about 30 Jews in the city, tourists help to make up the minyan in the Synagogue on Friday night and High Holy Days. Shabbat Dinner at your hotel. BD

SATURDAY – DAY 3- DUBROVNIK
Shabbat at leisure to explore at your own pace. B

SUNDAY, DAY 4- DUBROVNIK-SPLIT
Depart Dubrovnik by motorcoach, driving north along the spectacular Adriatic coast past fishing villages to Split. This afternoon’s touring highlights this city’s Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures and contemporary attractions. Dinner. BD

MONDAY, DAY 5- SPLIT
Morning visit of the city’s Jewish cemetery and synagogue, one of the few in Yugoslavia to have survived the wartime occupation. The Jewish community here numbers about 200. Balance of the day at leisure to browse on your own. B

TUESDAY, DAY 6- SPLIT – PLITVICE LAKES
Continue northward along the coat to Trogir, center of artistic activities. On to Zadar, the oldest Slavic city on the Adriatic. Stop for an orientation tour of the area, including the ancient Roman Forum, Cathedral and St. Donat Church. Drive on to Plitvice Lakes for dinner and overnight. BD

WEDNESDAY, DAY 7- PLITVICE LAKES
Morning guided walking tour of the lower lakes. Remainder of the day is at leisure to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder of 16 terraced lakes, surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. Evening at leisure. B

THURSDAY, DAY 8- PLITVICE LAKES-BLED
Drive along the coastal road to the Bay of Kvarner; see the popular resort of Opatija, then continue north to Postojna, home of the largest caves in Europe; tour this famous subterranean world by miniature electric train. Continue to Bled, situated in the scenic Julian Alps in time for dinner and overnight. BD

FRIDAY, DAY 9- BLED-LJUBLJANA-ZAGREB
Depart for Ljubljana, visit an open-air market, City Hall, the Three Bridges and the Parliament in this capital city of Slovenia. On to Zagreb, capital city of Croatia, in time for to attend services (optional) at the Community building followed by Shabbat Dinner. BD

SATURDAY, DAY 10- ZAGREB
Leisure day to spend as you might at home. B

SUNDAY, DAY 11- ZAGREB
Today’s orientation visit of the city includes the Jewish Community building. Before the war, Zagreb had 11,000 Jews, today there are just about 1500, but they remain very active in Jewish communal life. See the Central Synagogue on Praska street. There is a plaque on the spot of this pre-war synagogue. At the Mirogoj Cemetery there is an impressive monument honoring the Jewish victims of World War II. Visit the National Museum,where the Sarajeva Haggadah, created in the 14th century in Spain and considered one of the most precious Jewish illuminated manuscripts in the world is currently being restored. It is expected to again be placed on display at this museum.
Tonight’s Farewell Dinner celebrates an absorbing and fascinating visit. BD

MONDAY, DAY 12- EN ROUTE
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the U.S. arriving later the same day. B

This is a sample itinerary – distribution of sites and leisure time is subject to change. Meal Conditions: Buffet breakfast daily- 7 dinners

Accommodations:
CITY.................#NIGHTS........HOTEL
DUBROVNIK.............3...................EXCELSIOR HOTEL
SPLIT......................2..................HOTEL PRESIDENT
PLITVICE LAKES.......2..................JEZERO HOTEL
BLED......................2..................GOLF HOTEL/PARK HOTEL
ZAGREB..................3..................REGENT ESPLANADE/WESTIN