TOUR HIGHL IGHTS :

Soak in the view of Lake Ohrid, from the cobbled streets of the old town to admiring the spectacular setting of the St Naum Monastery on the edge of the lake

Spend time in Dubrovnik, with its distinctive old town overlooking the endless shimmer of the Adriatic sea - it never

• Take a ferry journey from Split to the Isle of Chiovo and admire its Venetian Architecture

• Explore the intricate cave system of the Matka Canyon in Macedonia

Mix with the locals in Zagreb at the Dolac Bazaar markets that separate the upper and lower towns, full of local produce from all over the country

Take a boat ride to the magical tear-shaped Bled Island located on one of Slovenia’s most beautiful lakes

Spend the day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park, renowned for its dramatic waterfalls, glittering lakes, and lush forested cliffs.

ACTIVITY RATING

This tour requires an adequate level of

fitness and mobility to participate.

It is essential that all passengers are able to: •Walk 2 km at any one time unaided •Get in and out of Safari vehicles unassisted •Manage your own luggage •Long travel days may be on rough, bumpy roads

22 Day Croatia & The Balkans

THE ESCORTED ESCAPES INCLUSIONS

AIRFARES INCLUDED*

FULLY ESCORTED HOLIDAYS*

VISAS, TRANSFERS & TIPPING INCLUDED*

SMALL GROUPS*

INCLUSIVE SIGHTSEEING*

AIRFARES INCLUDED

Economy class airfares are included from most Australian capital cities (Brisbane, Sydney,

Melbourne or Adelaide) plus all internal flights as per the group itinerary. We fly with Emirates

Airways Internationally Your Escorted Escapes host will travel from Brisbane on the proposed

flights* below:

DAY FLIGHT NO DEPARTS TIME ARRIVES TIME

DAY 1 EK435 Brisbane 21:00 Dubai 05:10#

DAY 2 EK129 Dubai 8:15 Zagreb 12:20

DAY 20 OU663 Dubrovnik 12:35 Zagreb 13:40

DAY 20 EK130 Zagreb 15:35 Dubai 23:05

DAY 21 EK434 Dubai 10:35 Brisbane 06:25#

*These are proposed flight times only and may change depending on your tour departure date

and airline schedules. # arrives into destination the next calendar day

You have three options available to join your host and group:

1. Travel with your host from Brisbane

2. Meet your host in Zagreb*

3. Meet your host en-route in Dubai

Upgrades and extensions are available on request please contact your travel agent for further

information and availability.

FULLY ESCORTED HOLIDAYS

Your Escorted Escape is personally hosted from Australia by an experienced travel professional.

Our hosts have travelled extensively themselves and have a passion for exploring our wonderful

world. We are there to liaise with the local operators to ensure you relax and enjoy your holiday

while we take care of the details.

VISAS, TRANSFERS & TIPPING

P a s s p o r t s

All information provided regarding passports and visas is based on Australian Passport holders only

– please advise your travel consultant or Escorted Escapes as soon as possible if you will be

travelling on a different passport. Australian passport holders must have a minimum of 6 months

validity on their passport from the date they return home, and a minimum of four (4) blank pages.

V i s a s

Croatia – Visas are not required for Australian Passport Holders

Slovenia –Visas are not required for Australian Passport Holders

Albania - Visas are not required for Australian Passport Holders

Bosnia and Herzegovina – Visas are not required for Australian Passport Holders

Serbia – Visas are not required for Australian Passport Holders

Macedonia - Visas are not required for Australian Passport Holders

Montenegro – Visas are not required for Australian Passport Holders

T r a n s f e r s

We believe travel should be simple and easy for you, which is why we include transfers from your

home to the airport to the value of $100 per person. Your transfers will be arranged by your

travel agent to ensure the best available option for your needs. Should your transfer s exceed

$100 per person, you may choose to pay the difference, or alternatively, if you wish to make your

own way to the airport your agent can deduct the transfer value from the total cost of your trip.

T i p p i n g

Our Escorted Escapes are designed to make travel easier for you, so we take care of tipping for all

of our group activities and meals, as well as for your tour leader, local guides and drivers.

You will be responsible for tipping any services or meals outside of the group inclusions, including

during your free time.

SMALL GROUPS We offer a small-group experience on all of our tours. We believe travelling in smaller groups will

ensure a more personalised and comfortable group travel experience for everyone.

This tour will run with a minimum of 12 Passengers and a maximum of 20 (plus your tour host).

INCLUSIVE SIGHTSEEING

At Escorted Escapes we pride ourselves on including the very best sightseeing on offer in each

location. Our sightseeing highlights on this trip include:

Spend the day exploring Zagreb’s main sights including the famed markets of Dolac

Bazaar, St Marks Church, Stone Gate, Pope’s tower and the cemetery of Mirogoj

Visit the medieval Bled Castle in the beautiful town of Bled

Take a boat ride on the glacial Lake Bled and visit the Assumption of Mary Church where

according to legend, every wish can come true by ringing the church bell 3 times

Discover the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana on a panoramic tour including the Medieval

Castle, City Hall, Cathedra of St Nicholas and Triple Bridge.

Experience a fascinating subterranean paradise at the Postojna Caves, with 24kms of

underground passages, galleries and halls

Visit the world renowned Plitvice Lakes National Park, boasting 16 cascading lakes,

breathtaking canyons, and Croatia's tallest waterfall

Explore Sarajevo, the historic capital of Bosnia and Herzigovina , some of the city highlights

include the Begova Mosque, the Cathedral of the Sacred Jesus Heart, the Eternal Flame

memorial and the ancient Turkish Old Bazaar.

Pay a visit to the Sarajevo War Tunnel “Tunnel of Hope” – an underground tunnel located

under the Airport area constructed in 1993 during the Siege of Sarajevo.

Wander through National Park Vrelo Bosna, a peaceful and relaxing park at the foothills of

Mt Igman

Travel to second-largest Serbian city Novi Sad, where we’ll tour the main city sights,

including the Petrovaradin Fortress. Towering over the river on a 40m high rocky cliff, it is

considered Europe’s second largest fortress, and one of the best-preserved.

Enjoy a panoramic city tour of the Macedonian capital, Skopje; known for its cultural and

historical monuments and archaeological sites we will view landmarks including the Square

of Macedonia, Stone Bridge, and the Castle of Skopje.

Spend the day at Matka Canyon, an outdoor attraction covering 5000 hectares of

breathtaking scenery, the beautiful Lake Matka, steep mountain slopes and picturesque

medieval monasteries and exciting caves including Vrelo Cave, listed as one of the top 77

natural sites in the world in the New 7 Wonders of Nature project.

Discover Ohrid, a small resort city on the hilly shores of Lake Ohrid. We’ll take in the stunning

lakeside scenery and main sights of the city on a walking tour. There will also be time for

some shopping in the Ottoman Bazaar.

Witness the beuatiful UNESCO-listed landscapes of Lake Ohrid , including the St Naum

Monastery – an imposing sight on a bluff on the shores of the lake and one of the most

popular tourist destinations in Macedonia. Relax on a boat ride on the picturesque lake.

Tour the Albanian capital of Tirana and see the city’s major landmarks, including the main

city plaza Skanderbeg Square as well as the Et’hem Bey Mosque, Opera building and

Ministries building.

Catch a boat from Budva to Kotor, and explore the fortified coastal city, characterized by

winding streets and squares and medieval old town.

Experience the UNESCO world heritage site of Dubrovnik, overlooking the calm blue

Adriatic. It’s one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities dating back to the 16th

century. We will tour the city with highlights including the Old Town, Stradun Square, The

Palace of Rector and the Time Tower.

Spend a full-day, in Mostar, known for its iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a reconstructed

medieval arched bridge spanning 29 metres and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage

Site. Ascend to the Koski Mehmet-Pasha Mosque, which offers striking striking views of the

river & surrounding town.

Enjoy a wine tasting tour and lunch at the Mali Ston Oyster Farm. The bay of Mali Ston has

been famous for seashell cultivation since the days of the Roman Empire

Visit the town of Trogir, situated on a small island between the Croatian mainland and the

island of Ciovo, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Venetian architecture

Discover the city of Split, one of the Adriatic's most vibrant port cities, stunningly located

between mountains and sea. Our tour includes Diocletian's Palace, Jupiter’s Temple and

the St Duje Cathedral

ACCOMMODATION

We use a range of quality accommodation, throughout our tour. All of our accommodation

includes private en-suite facilities.

Hotel Ora, Split Hotel Adria, Dubrovnik

Destination Accommodation

Zagreb Double Tree by Hilton

Ljubljana Hotel Radisson Blu Plaza

Bihac Hotel Kostelski Buk

Sarajevo Novotel Sarajevo

Belgrade Hotel Falkeisteiner

Skopje Hotel City Park

Ohrid Hotel City Palace

Budva Hotel Adria Budva

Dubrovnik Hotel Adria Dubrovnik

Split Hotel Ora

Please note all accommodation will be confirmed to the best of our ability, should a property be unavailable for any of our

tours we will provide you with a property of an equal standard.

LUGGAGE

Our Escorted Escapes baggage recommendation is one suitcase with a maximum size of 76 x 53 x

28cm (30 x 21 x 11 inches) and a maximum weight of 20kg. You may also carry a small backpack

or overnight bag as carry on luggage - Escorted Escapes provide you with a suitably sized

daypack ideal for use as carry on luggage and throughout the trip.

Individual airlines also have their own limits, please call us or ask your travel agent for more info.

Please keep in mind you will be required to manage your own luggage at times throughout the

tour, so we recommend bringing luggage that is of a size and weight that you can comfortably

handle.

Liquids in carry on luggage – You are allowed to bring ONE plastic zip lock bag containing

liquids, aerosols, gels, creams or pastes (e.g. lipstick) in your carry-on bag and through security

checkpoints. These are limited to travel-sized containers that have a maximum size of 100mL or

less per item. At certain airports these may need to be removed from your hand luggage to be

screened, so we recommend keeping them close at hand.

Effective 30 June 2018, we also saw the introduction of a restriction on the carriage of powders on

international services. Generally the restrictions are applying to inorganic powders such as

cosmetics, talcum powder, detergents etc. Organic powders such as flour, powdered baby

formula, spices and the like will have to be checked but generally will be exempt from the weight

restriction. Individual inorganic items cannot exceed 350 grams or 12 ounces in your carry-on

luggage. Please note: The average weight of a loose cosmetic powder is around 30g and a

compact powder averages around 12g.

CLIMATE & SEASONAL INFORMATION

We will be travelling in two seasons during the tour – the end of Summer and beginning of Autumn

The weather will vary during the day however you should still expect temperatures in their high

20’s throughout the tour.

Temperature Averages – Minimum to Maximum

Destination August September

Zagreb 15° to 28° 11° to 22°

Ljubljana 16° to 27° 12° to 22°

Sarajevo 14° to 28° 11° to 22°

Belgrade 19° to 30° 15° to 24°

Skopje 16° to 32° 12° to 27°

Ohrid 14° to 29° 11° to 24°

Budva 21° to 33° 16° to 27°

Dubrovnik 20° to 30° 17° to 25°

Split 23° to 31° 19° to 26°

PACKING TIPS

The weather at this time of the year can vary substantially so it is suggested that you pack a

variety of clothing. It can bee cooler in the mornings and evenings than throughout the day.

Make sure to pack a warm jumper, as well as comfortable and casual clothing. Comfortable,

warm walking shoes are a must.

Recommended

Waterproof/windproof jacket is a good idea in case of wet days, as well early morning or

evening activities when it can be cool and/or windy

Clothes for warmer weather, t shirts and shorts.

Pashmina shawl or wrap, this can keep you warm once the sun goes down and can also

be used when visiting any churches where headscarves are required.

Personal medical kit. We recommend you carry items such as electrolytes and band aids,

as well as your own prescribed medication.

A good book, journal or music playing device for the longer drives.

A copy of your travel insurance policy and vaccination documents (if required).

Personal prescriptions, travel documents, and emergency numbers.

Sunscreen and sunglasses.

Comfortable, warm walking shoes.

CURRENCY & MONEY MATTERS

Croatia : Croation Kuna (HRK)

Slovenia: Euro (EUR)

Albania : Albanian Lek (ALL)

Bosnia and Herzegovina : Bosnian Convertible Mark (BAM)

Serbia : Serbian Dinar (RSD)

Macedonia : Macedonian Denar (MKD)

Montenegro: Euro (Eur)

Before you depart - ensure you notify your bank that you will be travelling overseas. You will need

to advise each country you will be travelling to.

In this case it will be Croatia, Slovenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia and

Montenegro.

Croatia - ATMs are readily available in all towns and cities in Croatia, in banks, supermarkets,

airports and elsewhere. This really is one of the easiest ways of obtaining money in Croatia. You will

find that you can pay for some items – private accommodation, taxis, some small restaurants – in

Euros. Do note that this is entirely on an unofficial basis; Although Croatia is part of the EU the Euro

is NOT an official currency and NO business/individual is required to accept them as payment.

Slovenia - ATMs are widely available or you can exchange money at banks. Credit and debit

cards are accepted by most businesses throughout the country.

Albania - The lek (plural lekë) is the official currency of Albania, though the euro is widely

accepted; you'll get a better deal for things in general if you use lek but you will only be visiting

Albania on a day tour so we would advise just using Euro or credit card for any purchases. ATMs

are widely available in most towns. Acceptance of credit cards is normally confined to upper-end

hotels, restaurants and shops

Bosnia and Herzegovina - ATMs are widely available in major cities or you can exchange money

at banks. Credit and debit cards are accepted by most businesses throughout the country. Some

stores may accept Euro as payment.

Serbia - ATMs are found in all main and mid-sized towns; all major credit cards are accepted.

ATMs are widespread and cards are accepted by established businesses. There's an exchange

office (menjačnica) on every street corner.

Macedonia – ATMs are widespread in major towns, but surprisingly hard to find around Lake Ohrid

except in Ohrid town itself. Credit cards can often be used in larger cities (especially in

restaurants), but you can't really rely on them outside Skopje as most tourist businesses, accept

cash only. Carrying some euros can be handy for larger bills, but note that it usually works out

better if you pay for smaller costs in denars. Macedonian exchange offices work commission-free.

Montenegro – ATMs are widely available. Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels but aren't

widely accepted elsewhere. Though they're not in the EU, Montenegro uses the Euro and they

quote all prices in that currency, unless otherwise stated. Don’t rely on restaurants or smaller shops

accepting credit cards.

T i p p i n g

Our Escorted Escapes are designed to make travel easier for you, so we take care of tipping for all

of our group activities and meals, as well as for your tour leader, local guides and drivers.

You will be responsible for tipping any services or meals outside of the group inclusions, including

during your free time.

Restaurants - Up to 10% in upmarket restaurants, but only if you're completely satisfied with the

service.

Bars & Cafes - Not required but it's normal to round up the bill and possibly add a bit extra.

WI-FI

Internet is widely available in the region, apart from National Parks. You will also find Wi-Fi in typical

places like hotels, bars.

Language and Communication

Like in many other European countries you are fine with English in hotel and with tour operators –

often also basic English is spoken by Locals, most likely in touristic hot spots. In smaller locations it is

possible that the locals may not speak English.

In general people in the Balkans are very welcoming, friendly and will help you getting around if

you are running into problems. People often used gestures and hand signs to communicate and

have been quite successful with it. As the Locals are very hospitable they sometimes even invite

you for drinks or dinner after you met them!

TIME ZONES

All countries we visit on this trip are on Central European Summer Time which is 2 hours ahead of

Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), and 8 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

POWER OUTLETS

Escorted Escapes supply you with a universal adapter - this also has 2 USB ports for charging

electronic items.

Voltage: For the four countries visited on this tour, the electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50 HZ.

Most plugs are 5 amp 2-prong, with round pins (type C and F).

SAFETY

We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-

keeping of your passport, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home -

you won't need it while travelling. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.

Your host and Tour Leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip

you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your

leisure. Please use your own good judgement when selecting your free time activities and exercise

due caution when you are out and about exploring. Ensure you carry your host’s phone number

and ideally the address and phone number of your hotel as well.

Please also note that your Tour Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip

itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns.

FOOD & DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Please advise us if you have any specific dietary requirements upon booking your tour. This

information can be provided on our standard booking form.

Given the number of different cultures in such a small area you can expect to have a big

selection of various food to try on your trip. One thing all countries have in common: they

love meat and hearty food. Nevertheless you shouldn't miss the local food, also Vegetarians will

find good options as the Balkans are also well known for their fresh salads.

The most common dishes are: stews, salads, cevapcici, grilled meat (preferably pork) and

Ottoman influenced cuisine such as börek, köfte and baklava.

Meals not included:

For meals not included, a budget of USD10 to USD15 per meal (lunch) and USD12 to USD25

(dinner/main course) should be sufficient for most, of course these are indicative prices and will

vary depending on your personal budget and preferences. Local “street” food may be less

expensive, on the other hand if you want to try the finest food at the finest restaurants, you can

expect meals to cost as much as in western countries.

Cheap meal or takeaway: €2–8

Meal at a decent restaurant: €7–25

Dinner at a leading restaurant: €25–50

Water and Ice:

The tap water throughout the itinerary is generally suitable for drinking.

MEDICAL & HEALTH

We suggest that you consult with your own physician prior to your trip to ensure your routine

immunizations, such as tetanus, are up-to-date before travelling. Older travellers in particular may

wish to consider preventive measures against influenza and pneumonia.

We also recommend consulting your local doctor, travel medical service or specialist vaccination

clinic to ensure you are aware of any health requirements and recommended precautions

relevant to your trip. Ensure you carry all necessary vaccination documents (e.g. proof of Yellow

Fever vaccination, if required) on your trip.

It is advised to carry any personal medication in its original container and it should have a clearly

printed label. Prescription and controlled medication must be accompanied by a prescription

from the prescribing physician on letterhead stationery and include the medication's generic

name.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is a condition of travelling with Escorted Escapes that you have a valid, fully comprehensive

travel insurance policy for the whole duration of your travel arrangements.

It’s important that you protect yourself in case of natural disasters, lost or delayed baggage and

unforeseen medical expenses. We strongly recommend that the policy covers personal liability,

cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please make sure you bring a

copy of your policy with you on tour.

If you lose any of your belongings while on tour you may be required to obtain a police report.

Make sure you keep any receipts for anything you may wish to claim for on your return – i.e.

medical receipts etc.

GROUP TOUR ETIQUETTE

We endeavour to make group travel with Escorted Escapes a truly enjoyable experience and

showing respect to everyone we encounter will help ensure that the group travel memories you

bring home are happy ones.

We ask you to remember that patience with your fellow travellers is sometimes required for the

benefit of everyone's travel experience.

Rules of tradition, superstitions and religion play a large role in day-to-day life in Africa, we ask that

you listen and respect the tour leader and host when they address the group.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why does this tour require an adequate level of fitness?

Our tour is designed to be a leisurely pace and the majority of our sightseeing uses a

private coach for your convenience, however the coach may not be accessible to all

locations. In some instances you will be required to walk continuously without sitting due to

limited seating availability.

Are there laundry facilities?

Most of the hotels will be able to organise for washing to be done for a low fee. We suggest

this be done where we have 2 or 3 night stays.

What are the toilets in the region like?

Most of the time there are western style toilets available although occasionally squat toilets

might be found in bus or train stations, as well as some smaller local restaurants.

All of our accommodations provide private en-suites with western style toilet facilities.

How much spending money will I need?

When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know

your spending habits better than we do so please budget a sensible amount for things like

meals that are not included, drinks, shopping and optional activities. Don't forget to allow

enough to treat yourself to a special meal and buy some souvenirs!