M/V Arion
Arion is comfortable and friendly ship with only 162 cabins. She sails along Adriatic coast calling at enchanting ports and islands where larger ships can not. Built in 1965 and refurbished in 2000, sails under the Portugese flag. Cabins are comfortable with private facilities, telephone and adequate storage and wardrobe space. Cabins are nicely furnished and are all air-conditioned. The dining room has picture windows all around and provides good quality European style food. Service is attentive and friendly. The Lido lounge serves continental breakfasts and lunches and is a also cabaret lounge by night. The Main Lounge, which provides cabaret style entertainment, is on one level. Further entertainment is available in the piano bar. There is a small casino, a library and a beauty salon. All public rooms and cabins are air conditioned and smoking is restricted to designated areas in bar and lounge only.

Day 01:
Arrive in Venice or Ljubljana, Monday
Transfer to your hotel in Ljubljana. The rest of the day is free to relax. This evening, meet your fellow travellers for welcome orientation meeting including welcome drink. Overnight in Ljubljana.    

Day 02:
Postojna and Lipica, Tuesday
The day is reserved for the Karst region. Visit Postojna Cave and continue to Predjama medieval castle perched in the middle of a cliff. Drive to Slovenian coast. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Piran. (B,D)

Day 03:
Piran, Portoroz & Goriska Brda, Wednesday
Morning tour of Piran followed with the visit of Portoroz, popular tourist resort and then continue to Secovlje Salt -pans. We will turn inland and travel to Nova Gorica. Rest of the day at leisure or you can take a part in an optional tour to the vineyard region of Goriska Brda where you will have the possibility to taste local cuisine and wines. Overnight in Nova Gorica. (B)

Day 04:
Soca Valley, Thursday
Morning drive upstream the emerald green Soca river, through Kobarid (mentioned in Hemmingway’s Farewell to Arms) and visit of the FWW1 museum. After the visit you will travel to Bled and end the day in this peaceful town beautifully situated in the Alps. Overnight in Bled (B)

Day 05:
Bled, Friday
A sightseeing tour of Bled features the charming town with the lakeshore, and imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The rest of the day is at leisure or you can take an optional tour to Skofja Loka – the medieval town with castle that rises above the confluence of the two Sora rivers. Overnight in Bled. (B)

Day 06:
Bled and Bohinj, Saturday

Day at leisure in Bled. Possibility to join the optional tour to the other Alpine beauty – lake Bohinj. You will visit the Sheppard’s museum and taste the best Slovenian cheese. Return to Bled.Tonight enjoy dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Bled. (B,D)

Day 07:
Bled to Koper, Sunday
Breakfast. Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to Koper port for embarkation between 4 PM and 10 PM. Late evening departure towards Zadar (overnight sailing). (B,D)

Ocean Ports of Call Koper - Slovenia

Highlights: Quaint Old Town area, Postonja Caves
The industrial port of Koper (Slovenia) lies just 13 miles south of Trieste on the short Adriatic coast of Slovenia. Once an island the quaint Old Town area has a medieval flavour. Sights of interest include the Muda Gate (1516), City Tower (1480) and the 18th century Cathedral of St Nazarius behind which is the 12th century Romanesque baptistry Carmine Rotunda. The Loggia (1463) and the Venetian Brutti Palace (now a library) and the Fontico (a 14th century granary) are also worth a look.You can also visit the Postonja Caves, an immense subterranean network of galleries and chambers. A small train will take you through these well illuminated caverns with their colourful stalactites and stalagmites.

Day 08:
Zadar, Monday
Monday morning arrival in Zadar, the oldest Slavic city on the Adriatic, once famed cultural centre. Optional tour to Plitvice National Park with breathtaking scenery of 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation, also listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage list Optional tour of Zadar includes the ruins of the Roman Forum, the Romanesque Cathedral of St. Anastasia, the Church of St. Donat, the Church of St. Mary and Benedictine Convent. Depart Zadar at 8 PM sailing to Ploce. (B,L,D)

Day 09:
Ploce, Tuesday morning
Morning arrival in Ploce, a large commercial port located in Central Dalmatia. Optional tour to Mostar, a famous old city in Bosnia and Herzegovina) where you will see the reconstructed old bridge built by the occupying Turkish forces some 500 years ago. Depart Ploce at 2:30 PM sailing to Korcula. (B,L,D)

Day 09
Korcula, Tuesday afternoon
Arrive in Korcula, birth place of Marco Polo, on Tuesday afternoon. You can visit the main square and see the Cathedral Square and nearby Marco Polo’s family house.In the evening enjoy optional performance of Moreska, the island’s unique version of Morris Dance. Depart Korucla at 11 PM. (B,L,D)  

Day 10:
Kotor, Wednesday
Morning arrival in Kotor, Montenegro. The Bay of Kotor and the old town of Kotor are both on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Bay of Kotor is actually the largest European Fjord outside of Norway. Optional tour to the former capital city of Cetinje or Montenegro’s Grand Tour of the Riviera. Leave Kotor towards Albania at 10:30 PM (B,L,D)

Day 11 :
Durres, Thursday
Morning arrival in the port of Durres, the most important maritime gate of Albania, also well known for its nice Riviera.Optional tour to Tirana, the country’s capital city, only 40 kms away. Spend a full day discovering the city, including typical lunch in a local restaurant. At 10:00 start sailing towards Dubrovnik. (B,L,D)

Day 12:
Dubrovnik, Friday
Arrive Dubrovnik in the morning. Entering the gates of this over 1000 years old architectural marvel is like a step back in time. Optional tour: City tour includes the Rector’s Palace, Bell Tower clock, Orlando’s Column and the Sponza Palace. Also see the Dominican’s Monastery and Franciscan Monastery housing one of the oldest pharmacies in the world. Optional Folklore Performance. (B,L,D)

Day 13:
Split, Saturday
Morning arrival in Split. Optional tour of Split features the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO world heritage sight. See the remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle and the Cathedral. Optional tour to nearby Trogir, the centre of artistic activities. Scholars from around the world gather to study and paint here. In the afternoon sail to Koper. (B,L,D)

Day 14:
Disembark, Sunday
Disembark after breakfast (9 AM). Transfer to Venice or Ljubljana airport for your flight home.

First class hotels, rooms with private facilities
Service charges and hotel taxes
In hotels: breakfast daily and 2 dinners
Roundtrip airport transfers
Modern air-conditioned motor-coach
Professional English speaking Tour Director

7 nights cruise aboard m/v Arion in inside cabins Cat. 1; upgrades to categories 2 - 6 are available
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily onboard the ship

Sightseeing Tours Included:
Ljubljana, Postojna cave and Predjama castle, Piran, Secovlje, Goriska Brda,
Soca valley, Bled, Bohinj,

Hotels:
Ljubljana: Hotel Central
Piran: Hotel Piran
Nova Gorica: Hotel Park
Bled: Hotel Golf/Park

Rates include:
7 nights on board in an inside cabin with private shower/toilet
Breakfast and lunch on board,
starting with the Welcome
Dinner on Day 1 and ending
with breakfast on Day 8

Rates do not include:
Arrival and departure transfers,
rate to be advised upon request
Tourist tax + entrance fee to Mljet National Park – EUR 20.00 per person to be paid on board
Drinks on board, extra meals

Reservations
Contact Beyond Slovenia Team

Beyond Slovenia
PO BOX 230
Round Corner NSW 2158 Australia
Phone + 61 2 9651 3177
Fax + 61 2 9651 2363
Phone Australia Wide 1300 55 75 01

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