Zadar, Croatia - Athens, Greece 25 day trip

Rich with fascinating history, architectural diversity, great beaches, and a superb atmosphere, this city is a must for any traveler.

Trace the old city walls, visit the abundant market, or simply roam the streets of this center, full of fine buildings and lively cafes.

Iconic of the city and one of Croatia's most famous churches, this massive 9C pre-Romanesque gem boasts superb acoustics.

A remarkable 11C church adjacent to a monastery, featuring an exhibit of gold and silver artifacts and boasting a fascinating history.

Although near the city's center, feel like you've left civilization far behind at this relaxing rocky Croatian beach.

Croatia's largest national park is famous for its 16 lakes and an extremely diverse collection of flora and fauna.

This gorgeous bay is recognized as a nature preserve for its towering cliffs, diverse marine life, and breathtaking beauty.

With parts of the wall and four city gates still intact, the cit's former fortification system is symbolic of Zadar's history.

Dalmatia's largest church is this enormous Romanesque cathedral, dating to the 5C and featuring elegant interior.

If you wish to glimpse the true Croatia, head to the market, full of fresh local produce, including olive oil, fruits, herbs, and cheeses.

The Romanesque 12C church features nice frescoes, interesting architectural elements, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Dating as far back as the 1C, this ancient city features an ancient Roman villa, a 5C basilica, and the medieval Church of St. Martin.

Croatia's second-largest city is home to several remarkable historic landmarks, rich museums, diverse architecture, and nice beaches.

This enormous 4C palace was the retirement home of the famed Roman Emperor, Diocletian, and now comprises most of Split's center.

Get to know this amazing town center, rich with history, archaeological remnants, and a well-developed coffeehouse culture.

Dedicated to the life and works of the famed 20C Croatian sculptor, this museum hosts an array of his sculptures, artwork, and design.

Croatia is home to several incredible beaches. Spend the day relaxing in the Croatian sun on one of Split's stunning white beaches.

Hire a boat to visit this beautiful sea cave, famed for the gorgeous blue illumination flooding its waters several times a day.

Venture out of the town to explore one of Croatia's most popular islands, known for great beaches, nice hiking, and charming villages.

Founded in the 4C, this cathedral boasts Romanesque architecture and features an impressive collection of religious relics.

A part of the town located outside of the city walls, featuring beautiful old buildings and amazing views over the area.

Housed in a 16C fortified complex, this gallery hosts a striking collection of Ivan Mestrovic's wood reliefs depicting the life of Christ.

Full of ancient Roman and Prehistoric relics, the museum exhibits jewelry, mosaics, ceramics, sculptures, and other artifacts as well.

Hiking, boating, and swimming are all fun options along this winding river, whose course leads to Omis.

The capital and largest city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo is famed for its cultural diversity and many fine landmarks.

Explore the streets of this beautiful city center, admiring its varied architecture, green parks, and spectacular lookout spots.

A monument memorializing the soldiers and victims of WWII, this flame has continuously burned since its inauguration in 1946.

Housed in an example of Renaissance Revival architecture, this museum spans ethnography, natural history, archaeology, and other fields.

Sarajevo's largest and only functioning synagogue boasts wonderful Moorish Revival architecture, as well as a fine art collection.

A gorgeous public park resting at the feet of Mount Igman, riddled with streams and trails perfect for hiking or bicycle-riding.

Remote and quaintly archaic, this village has retained a magical atmosphere connected to the local legends of nearby dragon caves.

Once the main bazaar dating to the 15C, this historic neighborhood now boasts several remarkable historic buildings.

A branch of the municipal museum, this 18C wooden manor perfectly preserves the structure and interiors of an Ottoman dwelling.

Located in a beautiful old synagogue, this renowned museum is dedicated to the history of the former thriving Bosnian Jewish community.

A 16C mosque praised for its Ottoman architectural motifs, elaborate ornamentation, and great historical value.

The largest mountain lake in the country, Boracko offers perfectly-clear waters, lush green surrounding, and a wonderful climate.

The country's oldest national park is famed for its rich nature, including mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and a primeval forest.

Once a part of the city's fortifications, this bastion offers some of the best panoramic views of the city, and a great small cafe.

One of Sarajevo's most notable national monuments, the architecturally impressive former city hall is now a popular exhibit venue.

A twin-spired neo-Gothic cathedral, featuring a splendid marble altar, fine frescoes, and other beautiful ornamental details.

A fine museum set over the tunnels utilized during the 1993 siege on Sarajevo, exhibiting historical relics from the war period.

A 15C stronghold with a rich history, still retaining influences of Ottoman architecture from its Turkish occupation.

Although proven not to be an actual pyramid, this beautiful triangular hill is the site of the old town of medieval Visoki.

Herzegovina's cultural center is a bustling city with a rich history, varied architecture, and several thriving art establishments.

Take a walk down the narrow winding streets, where ancient buildings maintain an enchanting historical atmosphere.

Historically linked to goldsmiths and their craft, this bazaar offers a wealth of colorful souvenirs and a wonderful atmosphere.

Admire the interior or visit the lovely courtyard of this 17C mosque, and be sure to climb up the minaret for spectacular views.

One of Mostar's most notable historic buildings, this 16C Ottoman harem boasts well-preserved decor and a mellow ambiance.

A gorgeous public park resting at the feet of Mount Igman, riddled with streams and trails perfect for hiking or bicycle-riding.

Remote and quaintly archaic, this village has retained a magical atmosphere connected to the local legends of nearby dragon caves.

A municipal monument honoring the perished Yugoslav Partisans of the WWII, boasting a unique and memorable landscape design.

A fine example of superbly-preserved residential Ottoman architecture, home to a small museum with several fascinating items.

An important landmark symbolic of the country's heritage, this reconstructed 16C bridge is a superb example of Moorish architecture.

Dating to the 16C, this recently renovated mosque perfectly retains the elegant lines of classical Ottoman architecture.

The region's largest river is recognized not only for its varied ecosystem and natural beauty, but also for its cultural heritage.

The largest mountain lake in the country, Boracko offers perfectly-clear waters, lush green surrounding, and a wonderful climate.

With its dramatic scenery, a wealth of historic sites, quaint streets, and marvelous beaches, this vibrant city is a superb destination.

Stroll through the city center, rich in history and cultural relics, and enjoy the many landmarks dotting the ancient streets.

Trace the city's medieval fortifications in their circuit around the Old Town, enjoying incredible views and nearby landmarks.

Perched on a cliff jutting into the Adriatic Sea, this beautiful 11C stronghold serves as a theater during the annual Dubrovnik Festival.

Great for people-watching, this 15C ornate fountain once supplied water to the entire city and now serves a nice piece of local history.

Famed for its delicious oysters, this village features 15C fortifications that can be explored and boasts a lively small-town ambiance.

Hike through the island and its lush scenery, dive or kayak along its shores, laze about on the beach, or explore Croatian cuisine.

Hemmed with notable historic and cultural landmarks, including churches and palaces, this lively square is buzzing with energy.

The Renaissance palace houses a museum of historic and ethnographic artifacts, including a notable collection of coins and furnishing.

A bustling marketplace where you can buy fresh seasonal produce, nice souvenirs, and authentic local goods.

Hosting a 15C Gothic statue, this 18C Baroque church also features rich ornamentation and beautiful stained-glass windows.

Chilling to the bone, this exhibit displays photographs of the horrors of war and its victims, from Yugoslavia and other countries.

A 12C cathedral retaining elements of its 17C Baroque reconstruction, this church boasts a treasury rich with religious artifacts.

These gates boast fine 16C Renaissance architecture, and once served as a part of the city's more extensive fortifications.

Remarkable for its Renaissance and Romanesque architecture, the 14C monastery also hosts the world's oldest operating pharmacy.

Dedicated to the history of the local and merchant navies of Dubrovnik, the museum houses impressive models of a variety of ships.

Beautifully blending Gothic and Renaissance architectures, this 16C palace now houses the city's archives and many rare manuscripts.

The oldest Sephardic synagogue is still active, now housing a museum with a vast collection of Jewish artifacts, including a 14C Torah.

Situated in the very heart of the city center, this column bears the image of a 9C knight who symbolizes local independence.

Dating to 5C BC, this coastal town offers great beaches, a medieval fortress, and vibrant nightlife.

Once a fishing village, this islet features sandy beaches, charming ambiance, and an elegant hotel favored by the rich and famous.

A medieval fortress housing a small museum and a gallery, as well as providing great views of the area.

Spend your day catching rays on this lovely beach, known for its calm, surrounding beauty, and fine sandy shore dotted with cafes.

Enjoy the medieval charm permeating these winding cobbled streets, as you explore its citadel, churches, embrasures, and more.

Set on Montenegrin and Albanian territory surrounding Lake Skadar, this diverse park is favored by bird watchers.

An artificial islet in the Bay of Kotor, home to a 15C church with an impressive collection of art, a museum, and a gift shop.

Strikingly elegant, this statue overlooks the rocky shoreline, inspiring several romantic origin legends.

Budva's tallest structure is a 7C church, comprised of three separate buildings, including a belfry, a church, and a former palace.

Dating to the 15C, this reconstructed monastery is home to some interesting modern frescoes, and a rich history.

A nice museum containing a lapidarium, an archaeological collection dating to the 5C BC, and an ethnographic exhibit.

This 13C monastery is a great example of Raska architectural school, and home to several exceptional frescoes dating to 13C-16C.

Dotted with 18 glacial lakes, and home to the famous Tara River Canyon, this national park is a must visit for nature lovers.

A mountain range with glacial features and beautiful nature, full of great opportunities for hiking, climbing, and backpacking.

A national park preserving the ecosystem of Mount Lovcen, as well as the historical and cultural landmarks throughout its territory.

Visit the remnants of the 1C Illyrian settlement, later the capital of a Roman province, and the origin of the Montenegrin people.

The perfect place to relax and enjoy a day in the sun, this picturesque beach uniquely features red-hued sand and red pebbles,

Albania's modern capital city boasts colorful buildings, world-class museums, historic sites, and sprawling parks.

Explore Tirana's vibrant city center, admire the colorful former-Soviet buildings, and people-watch in one of the excellent cafes.

Albania's largest museum is home to a wide range of fascinating exhibits, dating from ancient Illyria up until modern times.

An excellent archaeological museum, home to an array of artifacts ranging from prehistoric and historic times up to Middle Ages.

Known as "one of the most relaxing places in the capital," kick back in the shade of the park's trees or go for a swim in the lake.

Covering over 2,000 ha of stunning nature, this wonderful park is home to the "Queen Mother" water source, known for its beauty.

Encompassing Albania's largest lagoon and the Ramsar Wetlands, this national park offers rare bird watching and great hiking trails.

Thought to be part of a 3C Roman House, the remains of the ancient colorful geometric mosaic is now displayed by the Byzantine church.

This fascinating museum excellently exhibits a wide collection of artifacts ranging from zoology, to botany, to geology.

Escape the bustle of the city in this large green park, home to cafes, restaurants, fountains, and even a bowling alley.

Climb up the 90 step winding staircase to the top of this 19C clock tower for the best views of the beautiful city.

Set on the slopes of the Lure mountain ridge, this national park boasts 12 glacial lakes, a wealth of rare fauna, and lush forests.

With peaks reaching as high as 2,200 m, this massive national park also features rivers, 14 glacial lakes, and rare flora and fauna.

Situated in the city's main square, this historic mosque was built during the 18C-19C and boasts rare and beautiful frescoes.

With over 5,000 pieces of art, this gallery features a renowned collection Socialist Realism art, as well as international artwork.

The main city square since before WWII, it is lined with historic and cultural sites including a palace, theater, museums, and more.

Completed in 2011 in honor of Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, this massive church is Europe's third-largest Orthodox church.

Overlooking the village of Preza, this charming 14C castle is known for its beautiful views of the Tirana plain below.

The largest city on the Ohrid lake is home to a variety of churches, several monasteries, and other historic landmarks.

One of the deepest and most ancient lakes in Europe, Ohrid is home to a variety of over 200 species of marine wildlife.

Walk through the cobbled streets, enjoying an array of historic buildings and small shops full of the local charm.

A medieval stronghold boasting 3km of wall and over a dozen towers, as well as offering superb views of the surrounding area.

An archaeological complex comprising an ancient monastery, a 9C church, a baptistery with ancient mosaics, and more.

Ruins of an ancient Greek city, home to Byzantine basilicas, an amphitheater, a necropolis, and several elaborate mosaics.

Macedonia's second-largest national park encompasses the Baba Mountain massif, and is home to diverse wildlife.

Escape the bustle of the city to visit the remains of a Hellenistic amphitheater dating to the 2C BC, offering great views of the lake.

Home to a collection of medieval artwork, this 9C Byzantine church is full of well-preserved frescoes and is surrounded by a garden.

Dating to the 13C, this church is covered with rare frescoes, representative of the country's rich Byzantine heritage.

A 19C building, home to a museum exhibiting archaeological findings, carvings, artwork, and items of an old local family.

Situated between Macedonia's two largest lakes, this national park is home to over 1,000 species of plant life.

Hike up the hill to this archaeological site, home to remains of a Roman Christian basilica and 13C towers that offer greats views.

Perched on a cliff over the Ohrid Lake, this 13C Armenian-style church features frescoes, murals of saints, and a wooden iconostasis.

An Orthodox stone church constructed in 1965, home to several paintings and a small collection of icons.

An authentic Greek destination visited by few tourists

Walk through the town center and get a feel for the local culture

Erected in the 19C and inspired by the myth of Achilles, this palace served the Austrian Empress, featuring lush gardens to this day.

Six monasteries built on sandstone pillars make up one of the most important complexes of the Greek Orthodox Church in Greece.

An authentic Greek destination visited by few tourists

Walk through the town center and get a feel for the local culture

Plucked out of ancient myths about nymphs, this breathtaking cave is nestled on the Kefalonia Island among lush natural beauty.

This cave on Kefalonia is over 150 million years old and features some incredible formations of stalactites and stalagmites.

Nestled amidst gorgeous scenery and facing the Ionian Sea, this remarkable pebbled beach is the perfect hotspot for your summer.

A cave on the island of Kefalonia with no top, which allows the sunlight to stream in and light up the crystal blue water.

The Mycenaean Period of Greek history is named for what is now this archaeological site of a center of Ancient Greek civilization.

A limestone mountain that overlooks Delphi and offers beautiful views of the surrounding olive groves and countryside.

An authentic Greek destination visited by few tourists

Walk through the town center and get a feel for the local culture

Transport yourself to the Middle Ages in the medieval town of Mystras,which features churches, cobbled streets, and breathtaking views.

Guarding the strategic bay is this 13C castle, perched at the top of a 200m rock formation.

The Mycenaean Period of Greek history is named for what is now this archaeological site of a center of Ancient Greek civilization.

Mentioned as far back as the "Odyssey," this peak is visible throughout the city. With planning, it can be hiked or climbed, too.

An impressive archaeological site, Epidaurus is home to one of the best preserved and most beautiful ancient Greek theaters.

Also known as Amarynthos, Vatheia is fun and relaxing. Its abandoned old town is stunning, with towers rising from a lone peak.

Considered the birthplace of Western Civilization, Athens' 3,500 year history is alive today in politics, culture, and philosophy.

Explore this awe inspiring citadel, home to numerous historic buildings, including the Parthenon. Its myths are equally phenomenal.

Explore the ancient lanes north of the Acropolis. It wasn't until the 19C that Athens really expanded beyond his historic center.

Home to all artifacts found at the Acropolis and its environs, this archaeological museum is comprehensive and inspirational.

Built in the 5C BC, this pure Ionic temple was restored in 1834 with many of its original stones and carvings.

Situated high above the Aegean, this 5C BC temple is a great fortress to explore, as are the beach and cafes at the base of its headland.

With a a rare 12C double Byzantine church built into the rock, this fascinating cave is enveloped in rumors of paranormal activity.

One of the world's most important museums, the collections span all of Greek civilization, with over 11,000 artifacts.

This unique museum houses an exquisite collection of art from the ancient cultures of the Greeks, Cypriots, and Cyclades.

Displaying Greek life from antiquity to today, this museum holds 40,000 artifacts, including icons, gems, paintings, and heirlooms.

Home to over 25,000 objects, this world class museum boasts 3C-20C religious artifacts from all over the Greek world.

Learn about the Persian's defeat at this green mound in 490 BC by the vastly outnumbered Athenians.

The Mycenaean Period of Greek history is named for what is now this archaeological site of a center of Ancient Greek civilization.

At 900 ft, this summit offers unparalleled views of Athens. Walking is rewarding but not the only way to the top.

In the middle of the busy city stands Athens' oldest church. Its Byzantine dome casts a mesmerizing interior light.

One of the most vibrant neighborhoods in Athens features churches, historic houses, museums, ancient sites, and great nightlife.

Transport yourself to Ancient Greece when visiting this 5C BC temple, which held some of Greece's holiest relics.

An impressive archaeological site, Epidaurus is home to one of the best preserved and most beautiful ancient Greek theaters.

Climb to the top of the highest point on the island of Hydra for stunning panoramic views of the island and the sea.

Covering 38 acres, robust and exotic flora are punctuated by water features, a small zoo, and even ancient ruins in this 19C park.

Critical preservation, restoration, and research projects are displayed in this museum, adding deeper insights into the Acropolis.

This quiet museum exhibits an excellent decorative arts collection, ranging from prehistory to modern times.

Costumes, rural life scenes, frescoes, and more are beautifully and meaningfully displayed in this excellent museum.

A limestone mountain that overlooks Delphi and offers beautiful views of the surrounding olive groves and countryside.

Nafplion welcomes visitors with its warm beaches, relaxing atmosphere, and well-preserved history.