EUROPE
EUROPE
EUROPE Istanbul Bled
ITALY
LJUBLJANA
Montemaggiore
ANKARA
SLOVENIA
TURKEY Cappadocia
Zagreb
Izmir
Motovun Venice Rovinj
Ephesus
CROATIA
Goçek
Antalya Land/Sea Travel Air Travel
Land/Sea Travel
Activities Touring, hiking, small boat cruising
Activities Touring, cruising, hiking, swimming, kayaking
Trip Level Easy
Trip Level Easy
Lodging Hotels, lodges
Lodging Hotels, gulet yacht
9-Day Trip Departs Jun, Jul, Sep
14-Day Trip Departs May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Land Cost From $4,595
CROATIA, ITALY, SLOVENIA
Istria to Venice—A Culinary Route • Focusing on an emerging gourmet destination, this trip is designed to tickle the palates of food lovers • Experience the best sites of three countries in one comprehensive tour • Enjoy active walking tours through orchards and vineyards by day, sampling delights along the way, and sumptuous meals in the evening Food lovers, beware! Traveling with MTS on this unique itinerary might just raise your taste buds to the next level. Our culinary and cultural voyage traces Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, Slovenia’s Julian Alps, and Italy’s Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region. In addition to seeing some of the best sites in these three countries, you’ll also experience their spectacular landscapes on moderate hikes. This is the Mediterranean as you’ve never seen it before, far from the crowds but in the thick of rich historical sites, national parks, and delicious regional delicacies. You’ll go wine tasting, learn how to hunt for truffles, and taste olive oil. With luxurious hotels waiting for you at the end of the day, what more could you ask for? FOR FULL ITINERARY: Enter Trip Code ISV in the Search Box on www.mtsobek.com
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Land Cost From $6,495
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
Photo ©SIME/eStockPhoto
TURKEY
Day 1: Arrive in Zagreb, Croatia. Transfer to the medieval village of Bale on the beautiful Istrian Peninsula. After check-in we’ll explore Rovinj and its cobblestone alleys.
Day 6: Today’s hike is into the Blejski Vintgar Gorge, walking on bridges above its whirlpools. Swim in Triglav National Park’s Bohinj Lake before returning to the hotel.
Day 2: We’re off to the coastal village of Fazana for a ferry to the Brioni Islands, where we’ll taste olive oil, the regional specialty, with a local producer before returning to Bale.
Day 7: Our journey through the Julian Alps continues to the emerald Soca River Valley, where we’ll climb Vrsic Pas and descend into a flower-laden valley. We’ll finish the day visiting a WWI museum in Kobarid.
Day 3: We’ll board a boat today, passing small inlets and secluded bays, as we enter Lim Fjord. Next, we’ll visit Porec, known for its mussels, before heading to Motovun, famous for its truffles. Day 4: Today’s hike follows the truffle route, where we’ll learn how to spot these elusive mushrooms and taste them with the local red wine! We’ll finish by visiting the Renaissance city of Groznjan. Day 5: Our journey continues to Slovenia, where we’ll explore the subterranean Skocjan Caves. We’ll explore the capital city, Ljubljana, and end the day at alpine Lake Bled.
Day 8: The best chef in Slovenia will be cooking our breakfast, after which we’ll move on into the Italian province of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. Climb to Montemaggiore for outstanding views, and then enjoy a regional wine tasting. Day 9: The Grand Finale: the historic triangle of Castelfranco, Vicenza, and Venice. We’ll explore Venice’s famous canals before departing to the airport for our flights home.
Treasures of Turkey • Our most comprehensive Turkey itinerary includes a six-day cruise aboard a luxury gulet along the celebrated Turquoise Coast • Journey through history as you explore the ancient sites of Ephesus, Myra, Xanthos, Cappadocia, Istanbul, and the Mediterranean • Experience the epitome of East meets West in Turkey’s culture, cuisine, color, textiles, markets, and mosaics Experience the best of Turkey both by land and by sea on this fabulous journey through the past! At the cultural and historical crossroads between Europe and Asia, Turkey’s ancient ruins offer an in-depth glimpse of history. Our MTS guides have degrees in art history and archaeology and are the ideal travel companions to guide you! Our adventure kicks off with a two-day exploration of Istanbul’s greatest attractions—Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the spice market. We’ll then have the opportunity to live aboard a traditional Turkish gulet that will cruise us down the coast to visit the ancient cities of Ephesus, Myra, and Xanthos. See all that Turkey has to offer in style!
More In This Region Hiking Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands Explore Croatia’s sun-drenched Dalmatian Islands on foot to Dubrovnik! Call for details.
FOR FULL ITINERARY: Enter Trip Code TUH in the Search Box on www.mtsobek.com
Call about Private Departures & Custom Trips!
ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS
Photo ©Jon Borzicchi/Fotolia
Day 1: Arrive in Istanbul, Turkey. You’ll have time to explore the Old City before meeting your guide for a traditional welcome dinner.
Day 8: We’ll go ashore to visit the ruins of Myra, then sail to ancient Simena and on to Kas for a walk around town.
Day 2: A ferry ride on the Bosphorus brings us past ornate Ottoman palaces to the Old City, where we’ll visit the famous spice market and mosque of Rustem Pasha.
Day 9: A short cruise brings us to the village of Kalkan. We’ll then drive to Xanthos to explore its many ruins.
Day 3: We’ll visit Istanbul’s ancient monuments today, including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Blue Mosque. Day 4: Our morning flight takes us to beautiful and unusual Cappadocia. Later, we’ll hike up to Uchisar Castle. Day 5: Visit the Göreme Valley and its reconstructed Dark Church. After lunch we’ll visit a ceramics workshop. Day 6: Transfer to historical Konya, where we’ll enjoy a private performance of Whirling Dervishes. Day 7: Today we drive to the coastal city of Antalya, visit the Aspendos Theatre, and continue to Demre to board our Turkish gulet.
Day 10: Hike through a forest to visit the Levissi ghost town, and take a small hike on Ship Island. Day 11: This morning the gulet takes us to Lydae, where we’ll hike to the Bay of Goçek, a special spot to Antony and Cleopatra. Day 12: We’ll disembark our gulet in Goçek and transfer to Kusadasi, stopping at the Temple of Artemis. Day 13: Explore Ephesus before flying back to Istanbul in the afternoon. Day 14: “Güle güle” (Go happily) as you leave for the airport for flights home.
Short On Time? Opt for our 6-day Turkey Adventure Week. Call for details.
FOR DETAILS, ITINERARIES, AND MORE VISIT WWW.MTSOBEK.COM
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