Dubrovnik

Visit this UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its ancient walls and old town. Your guide will reveal the varied and colourful history of this magical city as you pass such sights as St Blaise’s Church with its baroque facade, the Onophrian Fountains and Sponza Palace.

Included during your stay at the Hotel Astarea

Half day

Trsteno Botanical Gardens

Trsteno lies north of Dubrovnik and, with its typical stone houses and square, is also home to the Trsteno Gardens and  Arboretum. Famed for the two huge and ancient Asian plane trees that stand at the entrance to the gardens, take time to marvel at their staggering circumference (15 metres!) before exploring the arboretum and gardens which surround the former the summer residence of a noble family. In addition to the Arboretum, the gardens also include an aquaduct, fountain, pavilion and mill.

Included during your stay at the Hotel Astarea

Half day

Tivat

Montenegro’s answer to Monaco, Tivat has an elegant marina lined with high-class restaurants, glamorous bars and glitzy apartments.

Included during your stay at the Hotel Palas

Half day

The Old Town of Budva

Enjoy a guided walking tour around Budva’s picturesque Old Town, dating back in parts to the 4th century AD. Religion has always played a prominent role in the area, which is why you'll see so many churches and monasteries here.

Included during your stay at the Hotel Palas

Half day

Mostar

Drive along the coast to the historic city of Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina, best known for its Old Bridge (‘Stari Most’). Although the old bridge was destroyed in 1993, it was rebuilt and placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Your guided tour will show you city highlights such as the old bazaar, the mosque and a typical Turkish house. Return via Poèitelj where you will have the opportunity to see an old Turkish village.

Available from the Hotel Astarea

Full Day

Fish picnic

Cruise from Dubrovnik to the beautiful Elaphite Islands encircled by reefs, rocks and islets. You’ll have time to stroll the evergreen isle of Kolocep, characterised by its pine and carob trees, citrus gardens and  olive groves. You then travel to the lush island of Lopud, where you pause for a fish picnic lunch. Your final stop is Sipan, the largest of the settled islands with its many aristocratic manors.

Available from the Hotel Astarea

Full Day

Clipi Folklore

The picturesque village of Cilipi in the Konavle Valley is the folklore capital of the district. Dancers in traditional red-capped black and white costumes will perform in the village square. There'll be free time to admire ancient stone houses, visit a market selling local embroidery and attend Mass if you wish.

Available from the Hotel Astarea

Half Day

Village party

Experience life in the villages in the hinterland of Dubrovnik. After a warm welcome from your hosts – and the offer of grape brandy and dried figs – there'll be a folklore dance on the terrace (no, you don't have to partake!). Afterwards, relax and enjoy traditional rustic surroundings, local wine and authentic home-made snacks.

Available from the Hotel Astarea

Half day

Soko Grad and Old Mills on the River Ljuta

Enjoy a tour of Soko Grad, the biggest fort in Konavle. Afterwards, you’ll have an opportunity to explore the water and ‘stamp’ mills (which pound rather than grind) that lie in the protected natural landscape of the River Ljuta.

Available from the Hotel Astarea

Half Day

Konvale Mountain View

Enjoy a journey into the Konavle hills, where you can admire the beautiful countryside from two viewpoints.

Available from the Hotel Astarea

Half Day

Riviera Cruise

Starting at Mlini, step aboard your boat for a cruise to the beautiful island of Lokrum. Lokrum is not only a protected nature reserve but home to a Benedictine monastery, founded in 1023.

Available from the Hotel Astarea

Half Day

Dubrovnik city tour

Enjoy a scenic drive across the border to Croatia where you will visit the magnificent city of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site enclosed within 15th-century walls. Your walking tour will take you through Pile Gate to the Old Town's main street, the Stradun (or Placa). Lined with shops, it's about 300 metres long with a limestone pavement that runs all the way to the Ploce gate. City highlights include such sights as St Blaise’s Church, the Onophrian Fountains and Sponza Palace. After your walking tour, enjoy free time for shopping or sightseeing on your own.

Please bring your passport on this excursion.

Available from the Hotel Palas

Full day

Montenegro Panoramic

Head out into the Montenegrin countryside to discover beautiful yet unforgiving landscapes dotted with simple villages. On this scenic drive you can discover the more rustic side of this lesser-known country and perhaps gain a greater insight into its unpretentious heritage.

Available from the Hotel Palas

Full Day

Albania

Albania was out of bounds for half a century during the Cold War era: seize this opportunity to visit a country with a fascinating heritage that has been influenced by the Italians, Greeks, Romans and Turks. In some ways, despite the obvious poverty, its greatest lure is its unspoilt nature and wild, untamed landscapes.

Please bring your passport on this excursion.

Available from the Hotel Palas

Full day

Skadar Lake

At 44 kilometres long and 14 kilometres wide, this is the Balkan's largest lake and one that's shared between Montenegro and Albania. It's peppered with pretty islands and is exceptionally photogenic. It is also one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, with over 270 different species including the rare curly pelican. Take a boat trip across the lake and afterwards visit a small bird museum to learn a bit more about the region's natural history. 

Available from the Hotel Palas

Full day