Hi guys! I actually get this question a ton as Italy is one of my top selling destinations. I figured I would highlight some of my most requested itineraries below to help you get a jump start on figuring out where you want to go on your next trip to Italy. There are so many amazing places in Italy that it can be very hard to narrow down where you want to go but hopefully these will give you a good starting point. If you are ready to start planning your Italy vacation, please feel out my contact form and we can get started! Happy planning!

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ITALY ITINERARIES

Recommended 10-Night Northern Italy Itinerary:

Arrive Venice (2 nights)

Portovenere (1 night)

Florence (4 nights)

Rome (3 nights)

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Total nights: 10

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Recommended 12-Night Northern Italy Itinerary:

Arrive Venice (2 nights)

Lake Como (4 nights)

Portovenere (1 night)

Florence (3 nights)

Rome (2 nights)

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Total nights: 12

**If this one feels too rushed, I would recommend adding a night to Rome and one to Florence if you can.

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Recommended 12-Night Highlights of Italy:

Arrive Venice (2 nights)

Florence (3 nights)

Amalfi Coast (5 nights)

Rome (2 nights)

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Total nights: 12

**If this one feels too rushed, I would recommend adding a night to Rome and one to Florence if you can.

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So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable Italian adventure! Contact me to get started today!

Disclaimer: This post contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

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SWITZERLAND ITINERARY: GENEVA, INTERLAKEN &JUNGFRAU, BERN & LUCERNE, Zurich & Engleberg

Recommended 9-Day Switzerland Itinerary:

Geneva (1 night)

Interlaken (2 nights)

Bern (2 nights)

Lucerne (1 night)

Zurich (2 nights)

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Total days: 9

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Switzerland is known as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and it’s no wonder why. From breathtaking mountains to crystal clear lakes, there are endless activities and sights to see while exploring this stunning country. If you’re planning your first trip to Switzerland, here is a 9 day itinerary that will help you make the most of your visit!

Day 1: Geneva

Start off your 9 day Swiss adventure by exploring Geneva, the second largest city in Switzerland. Take the opportunity to wander through its quaint cobblestone streets and admire its stunning architecture. There are also plenty of museums and galleries to explore if culture is more your thing. For example, take a tour of The United Nations Palace or immerse yourself in history at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. There’s also plenty of outdoor activities like kayaking on Lake Geneva or taking a boat ride on some of its many canals. No matter what type of activity you’re interested in, there’s something for everyone in Geneva!

Day 2-3: Interlaken & Jungfrau Region

Next up on the itinerary is Interlaken, which is nestled between two glacial lakes - Thunersee and Brienzersee - making it an ideal spot for outdoor adventures such as paragliding, hiking or skiing during winter months. Be sure to take a cable car ride up to Jungfraujoch – Top Of Europe where you can experience breathtaking views from 11,333 feet above sea level. You can also explore some of the nearby glaciers including Aletsch Glacier and Eiger Glacier for an even more spectacular view! For dinner, try out Hotel Alpenruh’s restaurant which serves some amazing Swiss dishes with local ingredients. Afterwards, enjoy an evening walk around Lake Brienz before heading back to your accommodation.

Day 4-6: Bern & Lucerne

Following two days in Interlaken, it's time to move onto Bern – Switzerland’s capital city - where you can explore its well-preserved medieval Old Town with its picturesque cobbled streets and 15th century fountains. Don't miss out on visiting The Zytglogge – a clock tower built over 800 years ago which still rings out every hour!

After spending three days in Bern head over to Lucerne; its charming old town with its colorful buildings along Lake Lucerne will make for some incredible photo opportunities! Spend a morning exploring Lucerne's Old Town area where you'll find landmarks such as Chapel Bridge and Water Tower as well as boutique shops selling handmade Swiss items like watches or chocolates. One afternoon, take a boat ride around Lake Lucerne for some lovely views of Mt Pilatus and Mt Rigi in the distance before grabbing dinner at Restaurant Weinstube Höfli which serves delicious Swiss-German cuisine with Italian influences.

Day 7-9: Zurich & Engleberg

Before ending your holiday make sure you spend three days exploring Zurich - Switzerland's largest city - where you'll be spoiled for choice with things to do such as visiting museums or taking part in some fun outdoor activities! And don't forget about Engleberg - located just outside Zurich - this ski resort has some incredible slopes perfect for winter sports enthusiasts or those wanting to simply marvel at their beauty from afar. No matter what type of activity you choose here, it's sure to be an unforgettable experience! For dinner, try some traditional Swiss cuisine at Restaurant Kronenhalle.

With so much beauty waiting around every corner it's no surprise why people come back again and again when they visit Switzerland! Whether it's exploring Geneva's cobblestone streets or admiring views from atop Jungfraujoch – Top Of Europe there are endless memorable moments awaiting travelers who embark on this incredible 10 day journey through this stunning country!

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So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable Swiss adventure! Contact me to get started today!

I just returned from a 8 day stay in Costa Rica. We split our time between four resorts. The first of which was Nayara Tented Camp in La Fortuna. This property is about 3.5 hours from San Jose or 3 hours from Liberia airports depending on traffic.

The tented camp is on the same property as the Springs (adults only) and the Gardens(family friendly). The tented camp is the newer property located at the top of the resort. Each tent has a hot spring feed floating pool on its balcony facing the volcano. The view is gorgeous!

La Fortuna is one of the main bases for excursions so when planning a trip to Costa Rica, I highly recommend a split stay between the beach and the La Fortuna area so that you are not spending 4 hours in the car every time you want to do one of the awesome excursions Costa Rica has to offer.

When I book your stay at this property, I can get you added amenities like included breakfast, $100 food and beverage credit, and a welcome amenity through my affiliations with the hotel. I can also book your restaurants and excursions for you as well.

Costa Rica is one of my favorite destinations. Contact me at lauren@thatblondetravels.com to book your stay today!

EATING AT HOTEL XCARET ARTE: RESTAURANT CHINO POBLANO

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate Links for products I’m currently using, by using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

My husband and I just finished an amazing stay at the brand new adults-only all inclusive Hotel Xcaret Arte. It was seriously one of the most amazing all inclusive experiences that I have ever had! (and that’s saying something as I have been to a ton of all inclusive resorts haha!) This post is just about their amazing Chinese-Mexican fusion restaurant, Chino Poblano.

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Chino Poblano

We experienced an 8 course tasting menu developed by Chef Jonatan Gomez Luna that was so amazing and unique. It was such an awesome experience and the food presentation, wow!

To start, the welcome drink, Chinchin (lichi margarita), reminded me of a mango lassi, it was so good! The shot was a Green tea Tepache with rice wine and green tea powder.

courses 1, 2, and 3

Edamame with macha and roasted onion oil. Walnut foie with walnut sauce praline and soya caramel. And candy balls with mezcal that almost killed me haha!

COURSE 4

Ceviche marinated in a sweet and sour sauce. This was topped with chicharrón (a dish generally consisting of fried pork belly) like a tortilla.

COURSE 5

Grilled bao topped with a duck and almond mole stuffed with pork. The almond mole was so flavorful - my mouth is watering as I type this!

This was probably my favorite course along with the ramen!

course 6

Grilled marrow roasted with five spices on a bed of smoked chileatole and escamole (chileatole - thick soup made of corn masa or corn kernels, which is cooked with corn chunks, epazote, salt, and a sauce made of chili peppers and pumpkin leaves.)

COURSE 7

Guata Ramen: huatepe broth with lamb from Cuetzalan

COURSE 8

Peking duck with mole poblano and plum sauce, accompanied by fresh corn tortillas, Chinese crepes and chives. Garnishments were Bok Choy with pumpkin sprouts, sesame praline and corn smut and a Potato froth with Pao Kai, crispy potato and onion ash.

DESSERT

For dessert we had a lemon (Yin Yang) filled with bitter chocolate with soya, sesame seeds, eggnog and caramel. The five EL PARIÁN CANDIES were Borrachito jellybean, Brittle soya bar, Coconut candy, Eggnog marshmallow, and Xcaret fortune cookie.

Did I mention how beautiful this resort is??

If you are contemplating a trip to the new Hotel Xcaret Arte, then DO IT ASAP! You will NOT regret it! You can find a link to the full menu for Chino Poblano. They also have a separate menu for dining for an additional charge. You can find that here.

I do recommend using a travel agent when booking as you are supporting a small business and secondly, the resort is very confusing during the booking process. Also, there are so many added things that you are unaware of when booking yourself, so save a headache and let someone else do all the work for you!

If you have been to Xcaret Arte, what was your favorite restaurant? You can also find my full review here as well as my post on the restaurant Arenal here.

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HOTEL XCARET ARTE REVIEW

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate Links for products I’m currently using, by using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

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To start I just want to say how AMAZING this hotel was and I CANNOT wait to return! Also, I was not paid for this review nor was the hotel for free. We actually used credit card points for this booking.

My husband and I just finished our stay at the brand new adults-only all-inclusive Hotel Xcaret Arte. We booked the Jr Suite Ocean Front Adultos Room in Casa Artistas. Our room was number 2615.

I definitely recommend to use a travel advisor when booking this property! Seriously, there is so much that is included and so much to know about this property that a travel advisor will be super helpful to you! (And you’re supporting a small business, win-win!)

Hotel Xcaret Arte: Jr Suite Ocean Front Suite in Casa Artistas

Hotel Xcaret Arte: Jr Suite Ocean Front Suite in Casa Artistas

Hotel Xcaret Arte: Jr Suite Ocean Front Suite in Casa Artistas

Hotel Xcaret Arte: Jr Suite Ocean Front Suite in Casa Artistas

We arrived at the airport in Cancun and met with the Xcaret hotel representatives that were waiting outside the terminal for us. Transportation is included with your stay at both Xcaret Arte and Xcaret Mexico. If you book in Casa Artistas, then you receive a private transfer for your stay that is in a Mercedes mini-van. The ride was super comfy! From the moment we arrived, to the moment that we were in the van and on our way, it was probably 5 minutes. We were also offered refreshments for the journey! (It would be nice if they had some beer, but alas, they did not!) The transfer from the Cancun airport is about a 45 minute drive depending on traffic.

Upon arrival at Xcaret Arte, we were greeted by the bell boys that took our luggage. Next, we were escorted by a personal concierge that welcomed us. She took us to grab a freshly made popsicle and then showed us to our room where we were greeted by our two butlers, Roberto and Jose. Roberto and Jose welcomed us and privately checked us into our room (inside of our room). We were then given a room tour and shown where everything was and how to work everything. The amenities that were offered in our suite were great. Our luggage was delivered to our room immediately after checking in. Roberto and Jose, our butlers, were amazing throughout our stay and were so helpful with every request that we had! The very first night, they walked us to our first dinner reservation at Tah-Xido as we had just arrived and had no clue how to get around the resort. They were awesome!

Pro-tip: email the hotel to make your restaurant and park reservations 30 days before your stay! (If you are using a travel advisor, then they can do that for you!)

The first night, we had dinner at Tah-Xido. We chose to do the hibachi, but I would love to go back and try just their normal menu. The hibachi was so delicious and my husband even liked it (he doesn’t care for hibachi)! It was probably the best hibachi that I’ve had at a resort!

The next day we chose to relax at the rooftop exclusive pool that is just for guests of the Artist building. They had so many pool servers it was crazy! The bartender made me a delicious drink, a cucumber spritz, and Jazmin and Maria were amazing at constantly keeping us hydrated and fed. The Artist pool has a menu of poolside snacks that you can order. The chicken tacos were delicious and so was the guacamole!

We didn’t experience any of the parks unfortunately (they are all included in your stay with the hotel as well as transfers) because we have a newborn at home so we used this time alone to recuperate. Xcaret has 8 adventure parks that are included with your stay. The thing to know is that some of these can be reserved by emailing the concierge 30 days before your stay while others do not require a reservation. Xcaret, Xplor, and Xplor Fuego do not require a reservation while the other parks do. Also, Xcaret and Xel Ha parks have optional extras that are not included in the ticket price of admission. These optional excursions have to be booked and reserved for a specific time at the park.

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RESTAURANTS

The other restaurants that we ate at were Arenal, Encanta, Kibi-Kibi, Cayuko, and Chino Poblano. (you can see my blog post here on Arenal). Arenal was seriously amazing (we ate there twicelol!). Feel free to see what we ate and my thoughts in full detail in the blog post. Arenal had just opened a week before we arrived so the service was a little slower than I would’ve like (it took us 2 hours to eat) during our first visit. Also, this restaurant was outside and there was no breeze because the wind was blocked by the lagoon. I also got eaten up by mosquitos, but the hostess had bug spray so it was all good!

Encanda and Chino Poblano are both tasting menus. They are super accommodating with food allergies and specific diets (e.g. vegetarian). Chino Poblano was my favorite as it was a Chinese Mexican fusion that melded into such amazing flavors (the mole sauce – omg yum!). Encanta was an 11 course tasting menu that was also fantastic! I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that I was eating like this at an all-inclusive resort!

We had breakfast at Kibi-Kibi, Mercado San Juan, and Cayuko.

Kibi-Kibi is such a unique experience and exclusive to the guests that are staying in Casa Artista. The chilaquiles were so fresh and flavorful and the almond pancakes were amazing! Mercado San Juan is so beautifully decorated and has a ton of options to choose from. We loved it here! Cayuko was our least favorite. It was just a buffet by the main pool and they didn’t have a ton of breakfast options available. Also, it felt as if there were not enough servers.

Restaurant Kibi-Kibi

Additionally, another really cool thing is that this resort has a speakeasy! They have nightly entertainment and the area is huge! It was a really fun adventure to try and find the speakeasy too.

Lastly, check out was a breeze and made super simple by our butlers! They had the bell boys come to our room and grab our luggage and then they escorted us to checkout from our building. We were then taken to the front of the hotel and placed into our private transfer for the return trip to the airport. We were so sad to leave the resort and we cannot wait to go back!

If you made it to the end of this review, congrats, haha! Check back soon for my guide to this resort!

Again, I cannot recommend enough to use a travel advisor when booking this property. As you can tell there are a ton of things to know! If you don’t have one, you can reach out to me and I would be happy to help you book. My email is lauren@thatblondetravels.com!

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EATING AT HOTEL XCARET ARTE: RESTAURANT ARENAL

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate Links for products I’m currently using, by using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

My husband and I just finished an amazing stay at the brand new adults-only all inclusive Hotel Xcaret Arte. It was seriously one of the most amazing all inclusive experiences that I have ever had! (and that’s saying something as I have been to a ton of all inclusive resorts haha!) This post is just about their comfort food restaurant, Arenal, but a full review post on the resort will follow shortly!

ARENAL

This was some of the best food that I’ve ever eaten in my life. (Seriously!) The burger was so good that I had it again the very next day!

Every restaurant had a special welcome drink and Arenal was no different. They brought out a special watermelon spritzer that was so refreshing and not too sweet or too watermelon-y. My husband actually enjoyed it and he hates watermelon!

For starters, the chef prepares a special sample that is different everyday. Ours was a fresh shrimp mixed in a spicy sauce, layered with a piece of dragon fruit on top, and placed on a piece of jícama.

It is also important to mention that this resort does an amazing job of dealing with food preferences. They have a vegan restaurant and have alternatives for the tasting menus that don’t involve meat! I thought this was so awesome!

Appetizers that we ordered:

Black Cocktail - Chiapas shrimp with cocktail sauce and avocado. This was so yummy! The cocktail sauce was a mix of like a spicy mole sauce. I really enjoyed the unexpected twist on a traditional cocktail sauce that normally comes with shrimp cocktail.

Yellowfin Tuna - this was a yellowfin sashimi served in a lime emulsion sauce and topped with pickled green papaya and pumpkin seeds

Tubers - vegetables sautéed with a pumpkin seed and coriander and served topped with pine nuts on a bed of honey ricotta pesto. Magnifique!

Grilled corn - fresh grilled corn that was topped with a dry chili mayonnaise and fresh cheese. They had this precut into shareable portions that made eating this very easy!

MAIN COURSE

My husband ordered the roasted chicken with white recado and the French fries. The fries reminded me of those potato sticks in a jar from when I was little lol. The herb infused olive-oil on the side was my favorite over the gravy. I ordered the burger (two days in a row!) that was topped with caramelized onions and mozzarella cheese. The sauce that was on the burger was so smoky in flavor that the onions and cheese just all blended so deliciously together. It was divine. The fresh potato wedges were like the super yummy ones that you get at a gas station, but make it fancy! I really enjoyed dipping them into the olive oil that was a little spicy in flavor.

DESSERT

My favorite dessert by far was the Maria cookies with soft toffee! This was served with a homemade popsicle. The other desert was a corn sponge cake with salty caramel sauce and Dutch cheese ice cream. I didn’t care for this one as it was a little salty and I was not a fan of the texture.

If you are contemplating a trip to the new Hotel Xcaret Arte, then DO IT ASAP! You will NOT regret it! You can find a link to the full menu for Arenal here.

I do recommend using a travel agent when booking as you are supporting a small business and secondly, the resort is very confusing during the booking process. Also, there are so many added things that you are unaware of when booking yourself, so save a headache and let someone else do all the work for you!

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TOP LUXURY HOTELS IN GREECE

Disclaimer: This Luxury Greece Hotels List contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

ATHENS

ATHENS CAPITAL CENTER HOTEL

HOTEL GRANDE BRETAGNE

FOUR SEASONS ASIR PALACE

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CRETE

BLUE PALACE ELOUNDA RESORT AND SPA

SANTORINI

CANAVES OIA EPITOME

MYSTIQUE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL

PAROS

PARILIO

MYKONOS

MYKONOS GRAND HOTEL AND RESORT

MYKONIAN UTOPIA RESORT

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Contact me to plan your Greece getaway today!

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ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Destination: CROATIA
Travel Style: Active/LUXURY
DATES: SEPTEMBER 3-10, 2022
PRICE: $2999 PP (Based on double occupancy)

Day 1: Arrival Dubrovnik

Day 2: Dubrovnik City Tour

Day 3: North Elaphite and South Mijet Island Tour

Day 4 Transfer from Dubrovnik to Split - Evening city tour

Day 5 Full Day Hvar and Pakleni Island Tour

Day 6 Plitvice Day Trip from Split

Day 7 Free Day with optional Krka or Canyoning Tour

Day 8 Departure from Split

DATES & PRICES

September 3-10, 2022| From $2999 pp (based on double occupancy) | All-inclusive package including accommodation, activities, and meals as listed below.

International and intra-country airfare and visa fees not included

Payment schedule:

• $1000 per person deposit due upon booking (Non-refundable 180 days prior to departure)

• Balance due 120 days prior to departure

Optional Add-ons:

• Hotel single supplement (contact for accurate pricing)

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ITINERARY

DAY 1: SEPTEMBER 3RD - ARRIVE INTO DUBROVNIK

After arriving into Dubrovnik. transfer to hotel, Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik. This will be your home for the next 3 nights.

GROUP WELCOME DINNER PLANNED FOR TONIGHT AT RESTAURANT Dubravka.

• Overnight: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

DAY 2: SEPTEMBER 4TH - DUBROVNIK OLD CITY TOUR

Today we will spend the day getting to know and learning about Dubrovnik.

The tour lasts for about four hours and it begins with a drive to Srdj mountain. This is a place from which you can see the entire city, along with its two-kilometer-long walls and, believe us, it is breathtaking. Srdj is a place of historical importance since, during wartime, that is where the military front was located. It also hosts the Homeland War Museum.

After Srdj, we will begin our descend into the heart of the Old Town where you will see all the most important locations. After that, we will climb the famous walls that encompass the Old Town. During the hour and a half we spend there, you will see the postcard view of Dubrovnik and all its terracotta roofs.

Afternoon at leisure.

• Overnight: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

DAY 3: SEPTEMBER 5TH - NORTH ELAPHITE AND SOUTH MIJET ISLAND TOUR

Private boat tour on the Phantom and Ferratti from Dubrovnik to North Elaphiti and South Mljet Islands .During north Elaphiti islands tour you will visit Island Sipan and it’s Sipanska Luka Bay. Sipanska Luka ( Port of Sipan) is the main port at Sipan, therefore is very popular destination for sailors being well protected harbour. There are numerous architectural monuments from the Middle Ages, vineyards, pine tree woods, crystal clear Adriatic sea.

North from Sipan towards the Island Mljet, we will cruise along uninhabited Islands Jakljan and Olipa. This is where you will discover beauty of the Adriatic and untouched nature. Hidden bays, wonderful rock formations, cliffs and woods. Due to it’s privacy and nature this area of Adriatic often attract Mega Yachts so you might see some celebrities there. After a swim in one of the bays, we will head towards Island Mljet and visit Prozurska Luka.

Prozurska Luka is a small bay on Southern Part of Island Mljet and attracts families and sailors for it’s tranquility. Another stop on your private boat tour is Limuni Beach. Peaceful sandy beach with shallow waters. On your way back, we will stop at the Blue Cave on Island, Kolocep, if you wish to swim inside the cave. Overall, North Elaphiti and South Mljet tour will take you to places where we can truly escape the ordinary.

Drinks, Towels, Snorkeling masks, and Stand up paddle boards included on the tour.

Lunch on your own (Recommend Konoba Tauris)

• Overnight: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

DAY 4: SEPTEMBER 6TH - PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM DUBROVNIK TO SPLIT

After breakfast, we will enjoy a private transfer to Split. The drive is absolutely gorgeous!

Upon arrival into Split, we will get settled into the hotel and then regroup for an afternoon walking and history tour of Split.

Our guided tour will be followed by a group dinner at a local restaurant where you could possibly try the local cuisine “Peka”.

• Overnight: Le Meridien Lav Split

DAY 5: SEPTEMBER 7TH - FULL DAY HVAR AND PAKLENI ISLAND TOUR

Today we will have a full private day boat tour of Hvar and surrounding Pakleni Islands.

Hvar – everyone knows about it – 1h boat ride from Split – you have all the time in the world to explore the old town. After free time for sightseeing, we’ll take you to Pakleni islands archipelago (“Hell islands”). Just 5-10 minutes from Hvar town – amazing archipelago consisting of 16 islands, with numerous bays, beaches, beach bars, etc. – approximately 2 hours of free time.

Drinks, Towels, and Snorkeling masks included on the tour.

Lunch on your own in Hvar

• Overnight: Le Meridien Lav Split

DAY 6: SEPTEMBER 8TH - PLITVICE DAY TRIP FROM SPLIT

Today we will head from Split to Plitvice National Park.

Lose yourself in the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Plitvice Lakes National Park on this full-day tour from Split. Take a short hike around the magnificent tree-lined Upper Lakes (Gornja Jezera); stand in awe before Veliki Slap, Croatia’s biggest waterfall; and enjoy a thrilling cruise around the Lower Lakes (Donja Jezera).

• Explore the UNESCO-listed natural wonders of the Plitvice Lakes

• Hike around the magnificent Upper Lakes (Gornja Jezera)

• Soak up the scenery with a boat cruise around the Lower Lakes (Donja Jezera)

• Overnight: Le Meridien Lav Split

DAY 7: SEPTEMBER 9TH - FREE DAY WITH OPTIONAL KRKA OR CANYONING TOUR

Enjoy a day at leisure or opt to take a day trip to Krka National Park or Canyoning adventure.

Farewell group dinner.

• Overnight: Le Meridien Lav Split

DAY 8: SEPTEMBER 10TH - INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT HOME

Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel and then your transfer to Split airport is included.

End of Services

**International flights not included**

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Email me to reserve your spot today!