Dr. Wheeler Style Tour with Robert Byrdto

The Adriatic Coast of Northern Italy & CroatiaSaturday, April 14, 2018, to Sunday, April 29, 2018.

I am very excited to offer the following itinerary for a two week tour featuring the magnificent Adriatic Coast of northernItaly and Croatia, with a special detour to the beautiful Lake Bled in northern Slovenia. We have booked two nights in eachof seven picturesque and unique towns which will allow us to experience and absorb the history, culture and beauty of theAdriatic region. Our overnight stops include Venice, the canal based capital of northern Italy, as well as Ravenna, which fora time replaced Rome as the Capital of the entire Roman Empire. In Croatia we will travel the Adriatic coast from Opatijain the North to Dubrovnik in the South. Along the way we will visit many other diverse locations. At sixteen days, this islonger than my 21 previous European tours, however, there is much to see here and one can not rush our visit to theseamazing places. In spite of the longer length of the trip and air fares which are higher than recent tours, I have been able tokeep the costs within our customary price range. I do hope you will be able to join us for this fantastic European adventure.

Day 1, Saturday, April 14, 2018: Travel to Venice

We commence our adventure to the Adriatic Sea region with a flight from New Orleans to Philadelphia, then anovernight flight on to Venice, Italy. Other departure cities can be arranged upon request.

Day 2, Sunday, April 15, 2018: Ravenna, Italy

After arriving in Venice, we will be met by our usual driver and good friend,Markus Gassner. Markus will drive us to our first tour destination, the townof Ravenna. Ravenna was the capital city of the Roman Empire from 402 ADuntil that empire collapsed in 476 AD. It then served as the capital of theOstrogothic Kingdom for sixty-four years until it was re-conquered by theEastern Roman Empire. In 751 AD it was conquered by the Lombards, afterwhich it became the seat of the Kingdom of the Lombards. Over time theharbor of Ravenna silted up, so it is now connected to the Adriatic Sea by acanal. Ravenna is currently home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, so there will be no shortage of places tovisit. After arriving in Ravenna you will have some time to explore on your own before dinner at our hotel.

Overnight: Ravenna, Italy (Dinner)_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Day 3, Monday, April 16, 2018: Ravenna, Italy

After a good night’s sleep and breakfast you should be ready for a great day out and about in Ravenna. We will startoff with a guided tour of the town. Our guide will show us the highlights of this ancient city in the morning and thisafternoon and evening you will be free to explore additional sites on your own. Ravenna is known for its collection ofearly Christian sites, which are now World Heritage Sites. These include the Arian Baptistery, the Basilica of St.Vitalus, the New Basilica of St. Apollinarus, the Basilica of St. Apollinare in Classe, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia,the Mausoleum of Theoderic, the Neonian Baptistry and the Archbishop’s Chapel

Overnight: Ravenna, Italy (Breakfast)

Day 4, Tuesday, April 17, 2018: Venice, Italy

This morning we depart Ravenna and drive to the amazing city of Venice. Markus will deliver us to the Tronchettoparking facility, where we will trade his coach for a boat which will take us along Venice’s incredible canals to ourhotel, in the center of the city. This afternoon we will enjoy a walking tour of Venice with our local guide. The tourwill take us to the Piazza San Marco, and by St. Mark’s Basilica, Venice’s most famous church and its greatestexample of Byzantine architecture. Since the 11th century St. Mark’s has been known by the nickname Chiesa d'Oro(Church of Gold) as a result of its gilded Byzantine mosaics and status as a symbol of Venice’s wealth and power. Ourtour will end with a visit to the 12th century Doge’s Palace. Afterwards, we have dinner at our hotel.

Overnight: Venice, Italy (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 5, Wednesday, April 18, 2018: Venice, Italy

Today we will have a free day to visit museums, take a Gondola ridealong the canals, shop or to do any other activity which you wouldlike. Others may wish to visit the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute,construction on which was begun in 1631 as an offering ofthanksgiving to God for the deliverance of Venice from the blackdeath in 1630. Still others may opt for an excursion to the islands ofMurano, Burano or Torcello, which can easily be reached by takingone of the local water buses. Whatever you choose, I know you willhave a great time in this incredible city. While exploring be on thelookout for a restaurant as tonight you will be free to enjoy dinner onyour own at one of the many fantastic Venetian establishments.

Overnight: Venice, Italy (Breakfast)

Day 6, Thursday, April 19, 2018: Postajna Cave Park, Slovenia

Today we depart the metropolis of Venice and travel along the north coast of the Adriatic across the Italian border andthrough the beautiful foothills of the Julian Alps to the lakeside city of Bled. Along the way we will stop for a guidedvisit at the Postajna Cave Park, one of the regions most popular sites. The cave follows the River Pivka as it winds itsway under the surface of the earth for several miles, and exhibits a wonderful underground world of passages, halls andgalleries abundant with spectacular cave formations and wildlife. Those of you who “experienced” our walking tour ofWieliczka Caves in Krakow four years ago will be happy to note that we will explore most of the 3 miles of PostajnaCave, which are open to the public, by electric train. After touring the cave we continue to our hotel in Bled for dinner.

Overnight: Bled, Slovenia (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 7, Friday, April 20, 2018: Bled, Slovenia

After breakfast at our hotel we depart for a full day guided tour of Bledand the surrounding area. Bled is set along the shore of Lake Bled,which was formed by a melting glacier long ago. The 11th-centuryBled Castle is perched on top of a cliff overlooking the town and lake. It houses a museum, chapel and printing press. On a small island inthe lake's center is the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria,which features a bell tower. Our guide will conduct us on a tour ofBled Castle, then across the lake by boat to the island where we will also visit the Pilgrimage Church. After our tourwe will return to Bled and you will be free to enjoy dinner on your own at one of the local restaurants.

Overnight: Bled, Slovenia (Breakfast)

Day 8, Saturday, April 21, 2018: Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Departing Bled after breakfast we turn our sights back south to the Adriatic Sea, and ourdestination for the next two nights, Zadar, Croatia. However, before reaching Zadar wewill stop to visit Plitvice Lakes National Park. At the entrance to the park we will bejoined by a local guide who will show us the spectacular scenes of this, one of the oldest

national parks in Southeast Europe and the largest national park in Croatia. PlitviceLakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its 16 lakesarranged in cascades along a natural water system formed by mountain streams whichconnect all of the lakes. The lakes are known for their distinctive colors, which rangefrom azure to green, grey or blue. The colors change constantly depending on thequantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight at any giventime. After exploring the National Park we continue to the seaside town of Zadar.Overnight: Zadar, Croatia (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 9, Sunday, April 22, 2018: Zadar, Croatia

This morning we will begin with a guided tour of Zadar, which is located on theAdriatic and is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia. The site of Zadarwas first occupied during the Stone Age and the modern city traces its origins to the4th century BC. Our guide will show us the many highlights of this ancient andfascinating city. After our tour you will have the afternoon free to continue yourexplorations on your own. In the evening we will return to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Zadar, Croatia (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 10, Monday, April 23, 2018: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Today we travel from Zadar to one of my favorite Adriatic cities, Dubrovnik. The entire old city of Dubrovnik is aUNESCO World Heritage Site and is surrounded by stone walls, some of which date back to the founding of the cityprior to the 7th century as a fortified Byzantine military post. This afternoon we will have a local guide who will showus many of Dubrovink’s impressive sites, including the city’s many monasteries, palaces and churches. I promise youwill quickly fall in love with this beautiful town perched between the Adriatic on its West and mountains on the East. After our tour we will continue to our hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Dubrovnik, Croatia (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 11, Tuesday, April 24, 2018: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Today will be a nice relaxing day as you will have it free to explore andenjoy all of the historic and picturesque places you discovered duringour guided tour yesterday, or knowing many of you as well as I do, anentire day to spend shopping. Whatever you chose to do, you willquickly come to realize why Dubrovnik is now one of the top touristdestinations in the entire Mediterranean region. However, be sure tokeep track of the time as you will want to join the rest of the group fordinner back at our hotel tonight.

Overnight: Dubrovnik, Croatia (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 12, Wednesday, April 25, 2018: Trogir, Croatia

From Dubrovnik, the southern most point of our trip, we now turnback north to begin working our way up that portion of Croatia’sshore known as the Dalmatian Coast. Our destination for theevening is the town of Split, however, before reaching it we willvisit the town of Trogir. Trogir, one of the jewels of the DalmatianCoast, covers a small island in the edge of the Adriatic, which isseparated from the mainland by a narrow band of water. We willhave free time to explore this old town on our own, but do notworry, there is no way to get lost on this small island. After visitingTrogir we will continue to Split in time for dinner at our hotel.

Overnight: Split, Croatia (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 13, Thursday, April 26, 2018: Split, Croatia

Today we explore the city of Split, the largest town on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. It was founded as a Greek colonyaround the year 200 BC, and after the rise of the Roman Empire continued as one of it’s principal cities on the easternshore of the Adriatic. Many reminders of Roman occupation remain, including Diocletian’s Palace. This massivecomplex is located in Split’s old town. It was constructed as a retirement villa for the famous Roman Emperor prior tohis retirement on May 1, 305 AD. Our guide will spend the morning conducting us on a tour of this historic part ofSplit, which of course is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After the city tour you will have free time for lunchand individual exploration. This evening we will again enjoy dinner at our hotel.

Overnight: Split, Croatia (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 14, Friday, April 27, 2018: Opatija, Croatia

This morning we depart Split and travel to the beautiful city of Opatija. Like many of the other places we have visited,the settlement of Opatija predates the Romans. The town is located on the Istrian peninsula and is situated along arocky picturesque coast line with pristine forests. After arriving in Opatija you will have free time this afternoon toexplore the beautiful setting around the nearby seaside. We have again included dinner with the group at our hotel.

Overnight: Opatija, Croatia (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 15, Saturday, April 28, 2018: Istrian Peninsula, Croatia

Today, on the last full day of our tour, and perhaps our best yet, we will meet our localguide after breakfast and board Markus’s coach for a full day excursion to some of themajor sites of Istria. Istria is the largest peninsula along the Adriatic Sea. Parts of Istria arelocated in Italy and Slovenia, however, the majority of the peninsula is in Croatia, and it isthis part which we will be visiting today. Along the way we will tour the towns of Porec,Rovinj, and Pula, all located on Istria’s beautiful west coast. After touring Istria, we willreturn to Opatija for our farewell dinner with the group.

Overnight: Opatija, Croatia (Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 16, Sunday, April 29, 2018: Return home

Unfortunately this morning our itinerary is at an end and we must depart Opatija and the Istrian Peninsula for our drive back tothe airport in Venice and our flights home. Nevertheless, memories of the spectacular Adriatic and the other beautiful places wehave visited will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

Base Price Per Person: $4,800.00 All prices are per person based on Double occupancy.Also conditioned upon sufficient participation to obtain quoted group rate.

Payment Terms:Initial Deposit, due upon making reservation: $1,000.00Second Deposit, due by December 15, 2017: $1,000.00Final Payment, due by February 1, 2018: Balance Owed

Optional Expenses:Single Room Supplement: $790.00

Alternate Airport Supplement: Available Upon Request

Travel Insurance: I strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. One reliable site iswww.travelinsured.com. If you would like me to assist in procuringyour individual policy I will be happy to do so.

Included in the price of the tour:Airfare: New Orleans to Venice and return to New Orleans. (Other cities can be arranged.)

Meals: Breakfast each morning and dinner all but three nights. (Dinner beverages not included.)

Lodging: Hotel accommodations for 14 nights.Porterage: One piece of luggage per person at each hotel.Transport: Luxury touring motorcoach and professional driver.Guides: Professional local guides at each town as listed above.Admittance: Entrance fees to each site listed to be visited in the itinerary.Fees/Taxes: All Airline, Hotel & Government Taxes, Charges and Fees. (Airline taxes may increase prior to departure.)

Send payments to: Robert Byrd Global, Inc.PO Box 1227McComb, MS 39649

Cell: (601) 248-1554Email: travel@msda14.us

If you have not previously sent me a copy of the photo page of your current valid passport for one of our earlier tours,please include a copy with your deposit or email it to me at the above address.

Other Upcoming Tours: Ireland: June 23 - July 7, 2018Scandinavia: August 25 - September 8, 2018 (Tentative Dates)

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