AAA Traveler - Fall 2019 - 9

Dubrovnik

or savvy travelers familiar with iconic
European destinations, discovering a road
less traveled brings adventure and
authenticity to the vacation experience. For
those seeking a destination not overrun with tourists that
offers interesting local culture, history, gastronomy and
natural beauty, Croatia and neighboring Slovenia tick all
the boxes. Add the value that local currency brings to the
table, and these Trafalgar journeys offered by AAA
Vacations deliver a lifetime of memories.
To get your bearings on the map, imagine the boot of
Italy. Just across the Adriatic Sea to the east, wide at the top
and narrowing to a sliver of land at the bottom, is Croatia,
within ferrying distance from Italy's coast. Croatia has been
a coveted strategic region for centuries, fought over by the
Romans, Venetians, Hungarians, Turks and French. The
country, a former Yugoslav republic, is newly minted,
achieving its independence in 1991.
It's only been in the past few years that Croatia has
emerged as one of the hottest destinations in Europe,
attracting visitors to its storied 3,000-plus miles of azure
coastline, medieval villages and captivating culture. With
the dark Croatian War of Independence in its recent past
- waged from 1991 to 1995, Croatia needed time to
recover and rebuild its tourism infrastructure. It's done that
and is more than ready for its close up. And because
Croatia is still an emerging destination for Americans and a
less traveled European Riviera, expect to rub elbows with
experienced travelers eager for new adventures.

B E S T O F C R O AT I A A N D S L O V E N I A
Connect with local culture on this 11-day adventure,
which takes a deep dive into local customs, flavors and
geography in Croatia and neighboring Slovenia. Informed
always by local guides, this well-paced vacation takes you from
the storybook castle on Lake Bled's crystal waters in Slovenia
to a sojourn along the picture-perfect Dalmatian coast. Travel
past seaside villages to the ancient city of Dubrovnik, with
storied terracotta rooftops, fortified walls and white limestone
facades that seem to tumble into the Adriatic.
On the third day of your trip, visit a fifth-generationowned family farm in Bled, where you'll take a walk with
Monika and Gregor and meet their family and resident
animals. A home cooked meal of local specialties - like
favorite dishes pumpkin soup and buckwheat zganci
- caps off an amazing day. Foodies will also swoon over
Istrian white truffles, a regional specialty in the bit of
Croatia closest to Italy.
On the way to the World Heritage site of Dubrovnik,
don't miss the walled city of Ston, home to the longest
stone wall in mainland Europe that conjures up visions of
China's Great Wall. Extending from the sea into the
mountainside, Ston is home to stunning views and pristine
seafood. Throughout your vacation, whether exploring
Plitvice National Park, Diocletian's Palace in Split or
Europe's oldest salt pans in Ston, the wonders keep
coming. With plenty of time to relax and explore on your
own, this tour offers the very best of all worlds.

TRAVELER FALL 2019

AAA Traveler - Fall 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AAA Traveler - Fall 2019