Extension: Croatia’s Capital and Beautiful Lakes
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At a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Absorb Plitvice Lakes National Park’s 16 lakes and cascading waterfalls.
- Discover Zagreb on an expert-led excursion and independently.
- Visit historic villages and idyllic forests.
General Notes
Activity note: Today’s activities include walking up to 1 mile. The drive from Split to Smiljan is approximately 2.5 hours, it is another 1 hour to Plitvice. Please note that the second floor of the Nikola Tesla museum shows some of Tesla’s inventions, which when in operation, may be dangerous to people with electronic medical devices (e.g. pacemakers).
Morning: We will depart Split and begin our drive toward Smiljan, the birthplace of inventor, engineer, and scientist Nikola Tesla. While here on site, we will explore the recently established Nikola Tesla Museum and Memorial Center and learn from museum staff about the rivalry between Tesla and Edison as they vied over which electrical system would provide the best power: AC or DC. We’ll also discover many more inventions by this engineer, scientist, futurist, and physicist as we explore on site.
Lunch: Simple lunch en route to Plitvice National Park.
Afternoon: Upon arrival, we will check-in to our hotel. Enjoy some free time to relax and settle into your rooms before dinner.
Dinner: At a local restaurant, we’ll have plated meals with coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Today’s activities include walking up to 5 miles around Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are long steep inclines and various steps without railings to get to/from lakes. Many narrow wooden boardwalks over water without railings. Good walking shoes and walking sticks are recommended. The drive from Plitvice to Zagreb is approximately 2.5 hours long.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room, we’ll enjoy a European style buffet breakfast with milk, juice, coffee, tea, water.
Morning: We will head out to explore Plivitce Lakes in the morning on a field trip led our Group Leader. Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s first National Park, was established in 1979 and is spread out over nearly 300 square kilometers of breathtaking natural splendor. The park features a grand collection of waterfalls, lakes, forests and diverse wildlife. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colors, ranging from azure blue to emerald green, grey to turquoise. The colors change constantly, depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight.
Lunch: On you own in Plitvice National Park.
Afternoon: Continue your exploration of Plitvice National Park. Later in the afternoon, we will transfer by motorcoach to the city of Zagreb. Upon arrival, we will check-in to our hotel. Take some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner: On your own. This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to explore local fare. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Today’s activities include walking up to 3 miles, with up to 2 hours of standing. There are some inclines without railings.
Breakfast: In the hotel dining room.
Morning: Led by our local expert, we will explore the historic city of Zagreb, which dates back to the medieval era. What is now Zagreb grew from what was initially two neighboring settlements, Kaptol and Gradec. Each was surrounded by high city walls that served defensively for years but, as time drew on and more people moved to the area, eventually the lowlands between the two hill communities were settled also. After years of the borders blurring, these settlements finally were combined into the city of Zagreb in 1850. We’ll walk through Zagreb to the funicular and ride it up to where we can get a good view of the city.
Lunch: On your own to explore local flavors.
Afternoon: Free time. This time has been set aside for you to see and do whatever interests you most in Zagreb.
Dinner: At a local restaurant, enjoy a plated and served Farewell Dinner indulging in local flavors. Choice of one beverage included, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: We’ll then return to the hotel where the remainder of the evening will be at leisure. Be sure to prepare for check-out tomorrow.
Activity note: Check-out time is 11:00 AM.
Breakfast: In hotel dining room.