Insight > The Eastern Discovery

The Eastern Discovery
16 Days starting from $3,350

Countries Visited:
Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey

 

Length: 16 Days
Type: First Class Tour
Category: Dalmatia, The Balkans and The Black Sea
Operator: Insight
Tour Code: E972
   
 
About This Tour


This tour has a well balanced itinerary with two nights in Vienna at the beginning, a relaxing two-night stay in Dubrovnik in the middle and two in Sofia and Istanbul at the end.

 
  • What's Included
  • Itinerary
  • Dates & Prices
  • Sightseeing Highlights
  • SPECIALS

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map bookjournal and information pack
  • Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 16

Quality Dining

  • Highlight Dinner with traditional entertainment in Istanbul (HD)
  • 14 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 6 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

16 Days ~ Austria ~ Slovenia ~ Croatia ~ Montenegro
Albania ~ Macedonia ~ Bulgaria ~ Turkey

Tour Pace
This tour has a well balanced itinerary with two nights in Vienna at the beginning, a relaxing two-night stay in Dubrovnik in the middle and two in Sofia and Istanbul at the end. The other one-night stays are comfortably reached in a day’s drive.

DAY 1 – SAT – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Vienna.

DAY 2 – SUN – VIENNA AT LEISURE
Welcome to Vienna! Complimentary transfers depart from Vienna Airport to your tour hotel. Why not take a stroll through the Stadtpark to see the golden statue of Strauss. Meet your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink.
Hotel: Hilton.

DAY 3 – MON – VIENNA SIGHTSEEING
A sightseeing highlight this morning is a guided visit to the magnificent Schönbrunn Palace and gardens. Sightseeing continues past St Charles’ Church and tours the ‘ring’, seeing the Opera House, the magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence and Parliament Building. Consider spending time in Prater Park and riding its famous ferris wheel. (BB)

DAY 4 – TUE – VIENNA – ZAGREB
Head south through Styria’s forested mountains, past Graz and over the Slovenian border to the 700-year-old university town of Maribor. Follow the Drava River to Croatia and its capital, Zagreb. On your guided tour see Roosevelt Square, the attractive facades of Ban Josip Jelacic Square, the Cathedral, and, in the medieval Upper Town, the Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St Marks Church and Pope’s Tower.
Hotel: Sheraton. (BB)

DAY 5 – WED – ZAGREB – PLITVICE REGION
Time is at leisure this morning. Maybe take an optional excursion to the home of the late Marshall Tito in Kumrovec, before departing for one of Europe’s natural wonders, Plitvice National Park.
Hotel: Jezero. (BB,D)

DAY 6 – THU – PLITVICE REGION – ZADAR
Tour the Plitvice Lakes, a wonderland of 16 lakes flanked by thundering waterfalls and primeval forest. Visit Korana Canyon’s 230 foot high falls and Tomicevo Pogledalo for views over the park. A delightful drive brings you to the Dalmatian coast’s sparkling deep blue seas and rocky islands.
Hotel: Kolovare. (BB,D)

DAY 7 – FRI – ZADAR – SPLIT
Head down the coast to visit Trogir. Founded by the Greeks in 400BC but now renowned for its fine cathedral and Renaissance Cipiko Palace. Continue to the ancient port of Salona to admire the Roman Baths, Necropolis and Amphitheatre. Stay tonight in Split where, 1700 years ago, the Roman Emperor Diocletian built his palace. Explore the labyrinth of streets and historic buildings within that same palace.
Hotel: Dalmina. (BB)

DAY 8 – SAT – SPLIT – DUBROVNIK
Travel through charming fishing villages to Dubrovnik. A guided sightseeing tour in the Old Town explores the stone-paved streets inside the 16th century bastions. See Onofrio’s fountain and the Rector’s Palace, the city walls, as well as the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries. Your hotel is beautifully situated overlooking Lapad Bay.
Hotel: Grand Hotel Park. (BB,D)

DAY 9 – SUN – DUBROVNIK AT LEISURE
Today is at leisure. Perhaps relax in one of Dubrovnik’s cafés or take a lovely walk around the Lapad peninsula. Why not join a sunset cruise tonight? (BB)

DAY 10 – MON – DUBROVNIK – TIRANA
Over the border in Montenegro, visit the Old Town of Kotor, perched beside the only European fjord outside Norway. Continue to Albania and stop in the town of Shkodra before continuing to the Albanian capital, Tirana.
Hotel: Sheraton Hotel & Towers. (BB,D)

DAY 11 – TUE – TIRANA – OHRID
Take a guided sightseeing tour of Tirana before heading to the Albanian border and crossing into Macedonia. Reach Lake Ohrid to stay in the resort town of the same name.
Hotel: Flamenco Donco. (BB,D)

DAY 12 – WED – OHRID – SOFIA
First stop is in the Macedonian capital city of Skopje to see the main square, the mosques and old Turkish buildings. Cross the north of the country to reach the Bulgarian border, and make your way to the capital, Sofia, for dinner at your hotel.
Hotel: Kempinski. (BB,D)

DAY 13 – THU – SOFIA SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing takes in the St Sofia Church across the square from the golden domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the archeological complex, dominated by St George’s Church. Explore on your own or perhaps take an optional excursion to the magnificent Rila Monastery, the largest and most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. (BB)

DAY 14 – FRI – SOFIA – ISTANBUL
Head east, joining the road to Turkey taken by the Romans, the Crusaders and others over the centuries. Once over the border, continue to Istanbul, uniquely located on two continents.
Hotel: Conrad. (BB)

DAY 15 – SAT – ISTANBUL SIGHTSEEING
Tour the highlights of Istanbul, including St Sophia and a visit to the famous Blue Mosque. Visit Topkapi Palace, former seat of the Ottoman Emperors, to admire the treasures of the Sultans, before finishing the tour at the 4,000 shops, tea houses and cafés of the Grand Bazaar. Celebrate your amazing journey with a Highlight Dinner, complete with traditional entertainment. (BB,HD)

DAY 16 – SUN – RETURN TO USA
The tour ends with a transfer to the airport for our homeward flight. Or why not combine this tour with our Wonders of Turkey tour (BB)


To speak to one of our live, experienced travel consultants, Call us now at 1-800-942-3301.

Airfare Disclaimer
A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link.

Documents
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

         
Touring Date
Land Only
Land + Air
Single
(Land Only)
Single
(Land + Air)
5/3/2008 - 5/18/2008
$3,350
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
5/10/2008 - 5/25/2008
$3,350
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
5/24/2008 - 6/8/2008
$3,350
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/7/2008 - 6/22/2008
$3,399
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
6/14/2008 - 6/29/2008
$3,399
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
7/19/2008 - 8/3/2008
$3,499
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/2/2008 - 8/17/2008
$3,499
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/9/2008 - 8/24/2008
$3,499
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/16/2008 - 8/31/2008
$3,499
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/23/2008 - 9/7/2008
$3,499
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
8/30/2008 - 9/14/2008
$3,450
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/6/2008 - 9/21/2008
$3,450
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
9/13/2008 - 9/28/2008
$3,450
Call Us
Call Us
Call Us
         

Hotels
The predominantly modern hotels on this tour include the refurbished Vienna Hilton; the centrally located elegant Sheraton hotel in the capital city of Zagreb; the Jezero in the magnificent Plitvice National Park and the Flamenco Donco in Ohrid.

Fellow Passengers
A newly designed tour for Insight passengers who are looking for something a little different. Those with a sense of adventure are attracted by the chance to retrace the ancient trade routes to Asia. This tour can also link up with Insight’s Turkish tours

Highlights
There are many contrasting highlights, including the stately elegance of Vienna – epitomised by Schonbrunn Palace, the scenic wonderland of the Plitvice National Park with its lakes and waterfalls, and the discovery of lesser known cities like Skopje and Sofia.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

  • Tour the ring road of Vienna past the Imperial Palace, Parliament and Opera House
  • Visit the Slovenian town of Maribor - reflecting its medieval, baroque & Soviet past!
  • See Zagreb’s Ban Josip Jelacic Square & Cathedral and tour the Upper Town
  • See the Cipiko Palace & Romanesque Cathedral in Trogir
  • Explore Split’s historical buildings built within the walls of Diocletian’s Palace
  • See the Amphitheatre, Roman Baths and Necropolis in Salona
  • See Onofrio’s Fountain, Rector’s Palace and the awesome city walls of Dubrovnik
  • Admire the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries in Dubrovnik Old Town
  • Visit the old town of Kotor situated on its fjord
  • Visit the cobbled streets, small shops and cafes of the pretty lakeside resort of Ohrid
  • See the churches, mosques and old Turkish buildings in Skopje
  • See the golden dome cathedral, centuries old churches, and Soviet-era buildings of Sofia
  • See all the sights of Istanbul including the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Topkapi Palace - and haggle in the Grand Bazaar!
  • Scenic drives - Plitvice region & Dalmatian coast

Guided City Tours

  • In-depth sightseeing tours in Vienna, Zagreb, Plitvice, Zadar, Split, Salona, Dubrovnik, Tirana, Sofia, Istanbul
  • Orientation tour in Skopje

Insight's First Class Services

  • Escorted by a professional Tour Director
  • Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
  • First-class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
  • Insight Traveler document wallet, map bookjournal and information pack
  • Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 16

Quality Dining

  • Highlight Dinner with traditional entertainment in Istanbul (HD)
  • 14 Buffet Breakfasts (BB) and 6 three-course table d’hôte Dinners, or Buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

CURRENT SPECIALS:

Great Savings and Discounts

EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNTS

SAVE UP TO 10%: Insight sells its tours in many countries worldwide so the most popular tours fill very quickly. Don’t be disappointed, book early! You’ll be assured of the tours you want, andthe earlier you pay, the more you SAVE!

Here’s how...

Pay 4 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 2.5%

Pay 7 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 5%

Pay 10 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 7.5%

Pay 12 months prior to tour departure date to SAVE 10%

Tours must be paid in full for this discount to apply. Discounts apply to the land-only portion of your tour. Tour prices may change in future brochures. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

FAMILY SAVINGS

YOUNG TRAVELLERS SAVE 10% AGED 5-17 YEARS :Travel broadens the mind and enhances those special relationships. Insight offers you the opportunity of

sharing your happy holiday memories with your children or grandchildren. This discount applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. Young Travellers must be under the age of 18 years old on the tour departure date, and MUST be accompanied by an adult (limit of one Young Traveller Discount per room). On all escorted tours, children under 5 years old are NOT accepted. The Young Traveller must be the specified age at the time of travel to be eligible for this discount. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.

GROUP DISCOUNTS

5 OR MORE – SAVE 5%: If a group of 5 to 8 people travel together a discount of 5% per person applies to the Land Only portion of your tour. So it pays to get together with your family and friends!

SAVE $$$ FOR 9 OR MORE : If you have a group of 9 or more people travelling together on the same scheduled tour, then you automatically qualify for big savings! Your savings will be determined by the number of people travelling so ask call for details. You may also reserve a tour departure exclusively for your group! Some restrictions apply. Please contact our Groups Department 1-866-475-7023.

These discounts cannot be combined with Frequent Traveller, Family Savings or Triple Room Discounts. To qualify, names of all passengers travelling must be advised to Insight at the time of booking. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension,

and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises.  

SINGLE TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE UP TO $2850 PER PERSON with Insight’s Room Mate Matching service Insight believes travelling solo should not cost you more! That’s why for people travelling alone on an Insight coach tour, we'll match you with someone of the same gender, so you don't have to pay the single room supplement. If we fail to match you, we'll provide a single room at no extra cost. Please note there is a no-smoking policy in all shared rooms. Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise. 2. Does not apply to tours with River Cruises. 3. Does not apply to Irish Elegance.

TRIPLE ROOM DISCOUNTS: When three people travel together and share one room,

each of the three enjoys a discount off the tour price. See the Triple Room Reductions on the itinerary of your choice. This discount only applies to tours featuring the “Share a Triple Room” reduction on the itinerary pages. Note the third bed will, on occasions, be a foldaway.

FREQUENT TRAVELLER SAVING

SAVE 5% OFF YOUR NEXT TOUR: Most first-time travellers go on vacation with Insight again and again. In recognition of our loyal customers, Insight now extends to all clients automatic membership into our Premier Plus Club, as well as a 5% Discount off the Land portion of their next Insight trip. Insight’s Premier Plus Club & 5% Discount is not available retroactively. Only one voucher is available per person, per tour, per year and only one voucher can be redeemed against each further tour

booking. This discount cannot be combined with our Groups Discount.  Exceptions: 1. Does not apply to additional accommodation, airfares or flight supplements, Easy Pace London & Countryside, Easy Pace London & Paris, Easy Pace London, Paris & Rome, Egypt tours, Israel tours, Jordan tours, the 3 Night Greek Island Cruise & Athens Extension, and Greek tours which include a Mediterranean cruise.

EXTRA TOUR DISCOUNTS

SAVE $$$ON YOUR 2ND TOUR: Book two Insight vacations, each 7 days or longer and you will receive a reduction of 5%off the cheaper of the two tours. Both tours must be booked at the same time. This discount is per person.

COMPLIMENTARY TRANSFERS: Save up to $135 per couple on LONDON taxi fares

FREE LONDON RETURN : Passengers taking the 'Land only' option on our Discovery

tours may return to London by Insight motorcoach at NO EXTRA CHARGE, instead of departing from Paris. Offer applies to the final day of the following Discovery tours:  E920, E910, E933, E914, E912, E913, E916 & G916. Accommodations will be

required, as arrival in London is late afternoon/early evening.

SMALL GROUPS ADVANTAGE : Many tour operators fill their tours with up to 53 passengers. This means more congestion and less leg room on the coach as seats are configured more closely. At Insight we have a

maximum of only 40 guests per tour.

INSIGHT'S GUARANTEES

PRICE GUARANTEE: With Insight, you don’t need to worry about currency fluctuations. Once we receive your full deposit, your land tour price is guaranteed and protected against any increases. (Excludes pre-registration for tours in future brochures and any imposed fuel surcharges or Government Taxes.

TOUR GUARANTEE FOR LAND TRAVEL: To assist you when booking our airline offers and taking our great early payment savings, Insight has designated a large number of tours which we guarantee will operate on the scheduled date, unless circumstances occur beyond our control. Look for Tour Guarantee (TG symbol) on the itinerary of your choice indicating applicable dates. All other featured departures are planned to operate however, for operational reasons, may be subject to re- scheduling with at least 50 days notice (between May 1st & September 30th).


   
Send This Tour to a Friend:
   
Your Name: Required.
Your E-Mail Address: Required.Invalid format.
   
Your Friend's Name: Required.
Your Friend's E-Mail Address: Required.Invalid format.
   
Comments:  
Required.