The romance of Italy comes to life. Explore a local farm and indulge in a

cheese and wine tasting. Explore the rugged coast and remote fishing

villages of the Cinque Terre. Spend four relaxing nights in a Tuscan villa.

Choose the way you discover the charming town of Lucca: on foot or by

bicycle. Get to know Florence with a walking tour of the city’s treasures

and monuments, including the Piazza del Duomo. Experience medieval

life at the Palazzo Davanzati. Venture to rose-hued Siena. Then carry

onto Croatia to discover Medieval architecture, tranquil lakes, local vil-

lages. This tour features Dubrovnik, Lake Bled, Ljubljana, and the pearls

of the stunning Dalmatian coast. Begin your exploration with two nights

in Opatija, the “Riviera of Croatia” and an Istrian gem. Explore Plitvice

National Park by foot and by boat, a place where waterfalls cascade

down sheer cliffs connecting 16 pristine lakes. Connect with the local

people during a home-hosted dinner. Explore the white stone buildings,

winding alleys, and

massive city walls of

the ancient harbour

town, Dubrovnik.

Italy’s Treasures & Discover Croatia

23 Days ● 36 Meals ● Prices from $11,999* *Per person, twin share, includes land & air ex Launceston.

Book now with Andrew Jones Travel Launceston and

receive $550 off per person!

Experience the Best of Italy and Croatia with Andrew Jones Travel and Collette

Experience Collette!

Enjoy the best value in four-star touring,

with more inclusions, perfectly located

hotels and the

best tour

managers.

For more information contact Andrew Jones Travel Launceston Ph: 03 6331 1214

Italy’s Treasures and Discover Croatia Departing September 12– October 04, 2017

Day 1: Tuesday, September 12, 2017 Stresa, Italy - Tour Begins Begin in Stresa, on the shore of Lago Maggiore. Visit a wine shop and enjoy a cocktail party, tasting some local specialities. A boat transports you to your welcome dinner on Isola dei Pescatori,* the most picturesque of the Borromean Islands. (D)

Day 2: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 Stresa Today, visit an ancient village nestled in the moun-tains where you’ll stop at a local farm to sample their artisanally produced cheeses paired with the region’s delicious wines. Relax in the afternoon on a cruise on this scenic lake and take in the breath-taking surroundings. (B)

Day 3: Thursday, September 14, 2017 Stresa - Orta - Italian Riviera Ease your way into the local culture as your Tour Manager teaches you a few key phrases of the native language. Depart the Italian Lakes region for Sestri Levante on the Ligurian coast. Stop at Lake Orta and take a boat to Isola di San Giulio. Walk the grounds of this c harming island with its working convent. Experi-ence the outdoor cafés and shops of this lakeside resort. Continue on to the Italian Riviera. (B, D)

Day 4: Friday, September 15, 2017 Italian Rivi-era - Cinque Terre Spend your day discover ing the colourful Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel by rail through the medieval villages of the Cinque Terre, perched on the edge of the sea. Traverse the rugged coastal area dotted with terraced vineyards, arriving at this nearly inaccessible string of fishing villages tucked between the mountains and the Mediterranean. Feel like you have stepped back in time. Spend an afternoon independently exploring this magical place. Your Tour Manager will be on hand to help you plan your adventure. (B)

Day 5: Saturday, September 16, 2017 Italian Riviera - Lucca - Tuscan Villa Drive to the medieval city of Lucca, encircled by 16th-century Renaissance walls. Then you’ll choose the way you discover Lucca: on foot or by bicycle. Either way, you’ll visit the Cathedral of San Martino, the Piazza Napoleone and the Piazza dell'Anfiteatro. Then, set off to get a taste of the region by sampling some seasonal, local delicacies at speciality food shops. End the day in a historic Tuscan villa and begin a relaxing 4-night stay. (B, D)

Day 6: Sunday, September 17, 2017 Florence Get to know Florence with a walking tour of the city’s treasures and monuments, including the Piazza del Duomo, the centre of religious life in medieval Florence, and the Piazza della Signoria. Visit the Museo della Casa Fiorentina Antica, housed in the 14th-century Palazzo Davanzati. Explore independently before returning to your villa. (B)

Day 7: Monday, September 18, 2017 Siena Travel to Siena for an expert-led walking tour. Visit the town’s dramatic cathedral, a stunning example of Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Stroll through narrow medieval streets as you experience life in this historic cultural centre. Return to your villa for a relaxing afternoon. (B, D)

Day 8: Tuesday, September 19, 2017 Tuscan Countryside Visit a winery in the hear t of Tuscany that showcases the wine cellar, family estate, vineyards and olive groves. Participate in a Tuscan cooking lesson given by the winery’s own chef. Enjoy an authentic Tuscan lunch expertly paired with wines produced on-site. Return to the

villa for some leisure time. At dinner, continue your sampling of Tuscan cuisine in one of Tuscany’s traditional restaurants. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Wednesday, September 20, 2017 Tuscany - Bologna - Venice Depar t for Venice. En route, stop in Bologna where we take a guided walking tour of the centre, virtually unchanged since the Renaissance. We’ll also sample local delicacies at speciality food shops. Later, arrive in romantic Venice for your 2-night stay. (B)

Day 10: Thursday, September 21, 2017 Venice Enjoy a boat trip to Murano Island for a fascinating glass-blowing demonstration. Return to St. Mark’s Square for a locally guided walking tour featuring the Clock Tower, St. Mark’s Basilica, the Bridge of Sighs, and a visit to the Doge’s Palace. Later you will embark on a serenaded gondola cruise. (B, D)

Day 11: Friday, September 22, 2017 Venice Enjoy a day of leisure. (B)

Day 12: Saturday, September 23, 2017 Venice Enjoy a day of leisure. (B)

Day 13: Sunday, September 24, 2017 Opatija, Croatia Your tour continues in the seaside re-sort of Opatija. Opatija, known as “Croatia’s Rivi-era,” was once the summer retreat for Roman Cae-sars and Hapsburg Monarchs This evening, you will enjoy a special dinner to kick off your Discover Croatia tour. (B,D)

Day 14: Monday, September 25, 2017 Opatija . Today you out to explore the beautiful, culturally-rich Istrian Peninsula. Travel south to the historic coastal city of Pula, located at the very tip. The city dates to the 10th century B.C. and has been the home of Romans, Greeks, Venetians and many more! A walking tour highlights the imposing and well-preserved first-century amphitheater and the city’s many artifacts from its time as a Roman colo-ny. Next, visit a charming local restaurant for a presentation of the local produce and specialties of the region followed by a multi-course lunch includ-ing wine. (B, L)

Day 15: Tuesday, September 26, 2017 Opatija - Plitvice Lakes After breakfast, travel to Croa-tia’s most beautiful national park, Plitvice Lakes. This UNESCO World Heritage site promises inspiring scenery as you travel among its 16 ter-raced lakes and dense forests. A series of waterfalls and free flowing cascades connects each lake to the other. Complete the experience with a short cruise that takes you into the heart of this natural wonder. (B, D)

Day 16: Wednesday, September 27, 2017 Plitvice Lakes - Dubrovnik This morning, continue south through the heart of Croatia, towards the medieval city of Dubrovnik. Along the way, enjoy magnificent views of the sparkling blue waters of the Adriatic Sea. (B, D)

Day 17: Thursday, September 28, 2017 Dubrov-nik Join an exper t local guide on a tour of “Old Dubrovnik,” a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Franciscan Monastery, where Europe’s oldest pharmacy lies, and see Rector’s Palace, the City Walls, and many more historical sites. Later embark on a cruise around the Elaphiti Islands, stopping along the way at a local fishing village to get a taste of island life. The name of these islands comes from the ancient Greek word for deer, which used to inhabit the islands in large numbers. Roman author Pliny the Elder was the first to mention the islands

by name in his work, Naturalis Historia, published in the 1st century. Today, they remain an oasis of traditional Croatian coastal living just off the bustling coast. (B)

Day 18: Friday, September 29, 2017 Dubrovnik Head out on an excursion to Montenegro, cross the border to Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor (or “the Bo-ka”). Once known as Europe’s southernmost fjord, it is in fact a ria (a long, narrow inlet). Your guide will introduce you to the deep history of the region and will share stories of the many cultures and empires that have left their marks here. Enjoy some free time before returning to Dubrovnik. This even-ing, travel to the culturally-rich Konavle region to Cilipi for a family-style dinner in a locally-owned restaurant. Whilst visiting with the local family you’ll learn about life in the Croatian heartland and sample regional wines. At dinner, servers introduce you to a culinary feast, prepared in the way of their ancestors. (B, D)

Day 19: Saturday, September 30, 2017 Dubrov-nik - Split Today, savour stunning sea views as you travel up the winding coastal road, hugging the sheer cliffs that drop into the aquamarine Adriatic Sea. Enjoy a stop in a quaint village in the Croatian countryside. You will have time to taste the local specialities and perhaps walk through the village square. Upon arrival in Split, set out on a walking tour featuring the impressive Diocletian's Palace, one of the most significant late-Roman historical monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage site. In addition, see the peristyle of the palace and the Temple of Jupiter. Then, continue to your hotel located in the centre of Split. (B)

Day 20: Sunday, October 1, 2017 Split - Ljublja-na, Slovenia Your adventure continues as you travel up the coast, into Slovenia, and on to today’s destination – the quaint capital of Ljubljana. During the drive, take in the spectacular scenery. Arriving in Ljubljana, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to relax. This evening, soak up the stunning views of the city as you ride a funicular to Ljubljana Castle where you will savour a dinner of local specialities within the castle walls. (B, D)

Day 21: Monday, October 2, 2017 Ljubljana - Lake Bled - Ljubljana This morning you will be met by a local expert who will introduce you to this lovely town nestled along the banks of the river. Your tour includes the impressive City Hall and a visit to the magnificent Cathedral of St. Nicholas. After free time for lunch, drive a short distance to tranquil Lake Bled. Experience the old-world charm that comes with taking a “pletna” boat to the pictur-esque island in the centre of Lake Bled. Spend time exploring the 17th-century cathedral, St. Mary’s Church, and the “wishing bell.” Enjoy some time to stroll the quiet paths of this lakeside community at your own pace. (B)

Day 22: Tuesday, October 3, 2017 Ljubljana - Zagreb, Croatia Today you travel to Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, and embark on a fascinating tour. Continue your exploration your way with free time this afternoon. Tonight, celebrate the end of an unforgettable trip with dinner in one of Zagreb’s most famous restaurants. (B, D)

Day 23: Wednesday, October 4, 2017 Zagreb - Tour Ends Your tour comes to a close in Zagreb this morning. (B)