ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Destination: CROATIA
Travel Style: Active/LUXURY
DATES: SEPTEMBER 3-10, 2022
PRICE: $2999 PP (Based on double occupancy)

Day 1: Arrival Dubrovnik

Day 2: Dubrovnik City Tour

Day 3: North Elaphite and South Mijet Island Tour

Day 4 Transfer from Dubrovnik to Split - Evening city tour

Day 5 Full Day Hvar and Pakleni Island Tour

Day 6 Plitvice Day Trip from Split

Day 7 Free Day with optional Krka or Canyoning Tour

Day 8 Departure from Split

DATES & PRICES

September 3-10, 2022| From $2999 pp (based on double occupancy) | All-inclusive package including accommodation, activities, and meals as listed below.

International and intra-country airfare and visa fees not included

Payment schedule:

• $1000 per person deposit due upon booking (Non-refundable 180 days prior to departure)

• Balance due 120 days prior to departure

Optional Add-ons:

• Hotel single supplement (contact for accurate pricing)

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ITINERARY

DAY 1: SEPTEMBER 3RD - ARRIVE INTO DUBROVNIK

After arriving into Dubrovnik. transfer to hotel, Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik. This will be your home for the next 3 nights.

GROUP WELCOME DINNER PLANNED FOR TONIGHT AT RESTAURANT Dubravka.

• Overnight: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

DAY 2: SEPTEMBER 4TH - DUBROVNIK OLD CITY TOUR

Today we will spend the day getting to know and learning about Dubrovnik.

The tour lasts for about four hours and it begins with a drive to Srdj mountain. This is a place from which you can see the entire city, along with its two-kilometer-long walls and, believe us, it is breathtaking. Srdj is a place of historical importance since, during wartime, that is where the military front was located. It also hosts the Homeland War Museum.

After Srdj, we will begin our descend into the heart of the Old Town where you will see all the most important locations. After that, we will climb the famous walls that encompass the Old Town. During the hour and a half we spend there, you will see the postcard view of Dubrovnik and all its terracotta roofs.

Afternoon at leisure.

• Overnight: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

DAY 3: SEPTEMBER 5TH - NORTH ELAPHITE AND SOUTH MIJET ISLAND TOUR

Private boat tour on the Phantom and Ferratti from Dubrovnik to North Elaphiti and South Mljet Islands .During north Elaphiti islands tour you will visit Island Sipan and it’s Sipanska Luka Bay. Sipanska Luka ( Port of Sipan) is the main port at Sipan, therefore is very popular destination for sailors being well protected harbour. There are numerous architectural monuments from the Middle Ages, vineyards, pine tree woods, crystal clear Adriatic sea.

North from Sipan towards the Island Mljet, we will cruise along uninhabited Islands Jakljan and Olipa. This is where you will discover beauty of the Adriatic and untouched nature. Hidden bays, wonderful rock formations, cliffs and woods. Due to it’s privacy and nature this area of Adriatic often attract Mega Yachts so you might see some celebrities there. After a swim in one of the bays, we will head towards Island Mljet and visit Prozurska Luka.

Prozurska Luka is a small bay on Southern Part of Island Mljet and attracts families and sailors for it’s tranquility. Another stop on your private boat tour is Limuni Beach. Peaceful sandy beach with shallow waters. On your way back, we will stop at the Blue Cave on Island, Kolocep, if you wish to swim inside the cave. Overall, North Elaphiti and South Mljet tour will take you to places where we can truly escape the ordinary.

Drinks, Towels, Snorkeling masks, and Stand up paddle boards included on the tour.

Lunch on your own (Recommend Konoba Tauris)

• Overnight: Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik

DAY 4: SEPTEMBER 6TH - PRIVATE TRANSFER FROM DUBROVNIK TO SPLIT

After breakfast, we will enjoy a private transfer to Split. The drive is absolutely gorgeous!

Upon arrival into Split, we will get settled into the hotel and then regroup for an afternoon walking and history tour of Split.

Our guided tour will be followed by a group dinner at a local restaurant where you could possibly try the local cuisine “Peka”.

• Overnight: Le Meridien Lav Split

DAY 5: SEPTEMBER 7TH - FULL DAY HVAR AND PAKLENI ISLAND TOUR

Today we will have a full private day boat tour of Hvar and surrounding Pakleni Islands.

Hvar – everyone knows about it – 1h boat ride from Split – you have all the time in the world to explore the old town. After free time for sightseeing, we’ll take you to Pakleni islands archipelago (“Hell islands”). Just 5-10 minutes from Hvar town – amazing archipelago consisting of 16 islands, with numerous bays, beaches, beach bars, etc. – approximately 2 hours of free time.

Drinks, Towels, and Snorkeling masks included on the tour.

Lunch on your own in Hvar

• Overnight: Le Meridien Lav Split

DAY 6: SEPTEMBER 8TH - PLITVICE DAY TRIP FROM SPLIT

Today we will head from Split to Plitvice National Park.

Lose yourself in the UNESCO-listed landscapes of the Plitvice Lakes National Park on this full-day tour from Split. Take a short hike around the magnificent tree-lined Upper Lakes (Gornja Jezera); stand in awe before Veliki Slap, Croatia’s biggest waterfall; and enjoy a thrilling cruise around the Lower Lakes (Donja Jezera).

• Explore the UNESCO-listed natural wonders of the Plitvice Lakes

• Hike around the magnificent Upper Lakes (Gornja Jezera)

• Soak up the scenery with a boat cruise around the Lower Lakes (Donja Jezera)

• Overnight: Le Meridien Lav Split

DAY 7: SEPTEMBER 9TH - FREE DAY WITH OPTIONAL KRKA OR CANYONING TOUR

Enjoy a day at leisure or opt to take a day trip to Krka National Park or Canyoning adventure.

Farewell group dinner.

• Overnight: Le Meridien Lav Split

DAY 8: SEPTEMBER 10TH - INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT HOME

Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel and then your transfer to Split airport is included.

End of Services

**International flights not included**

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Email me to reserve your spot today!

Disclaimer: This post contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

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LONDON AND PARIS ITINERARY

Recommended 7-day London and Paris itinerary:

London (3 nights)

Paris (3 nights)

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Total days: 7

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LONDON

DAY 1:

Upon arriving into LHR, grab a taxi, take the tube, or get in your scheduled car service and head to your hotel.

If you arrive early enough, then you have a full day to explore the city! Check into your hotel and drop your bags. If you arrive early enough, then make a reservation at The Gallery for high tea and lunch.

After lunch, check out the London Eye or just walk around and acclimate yourself with the city.

In the afternoon, you could do a Jack the Ripper Tour and learn more about London’s dark past.

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DAY 2:

Grab breakfast at Peggy Porschen and then meet for your tour of Westminster Abby.

Once your tour is complete, grab lunch at Seven Dials Market in Covent Garden.

We opted to see Harry Potter and The Cursed Child in theatre. You can get your tickets here. If you chose to see Harry Potter in theatre, then I would recommend either eating at the theatre or grabbing something quick during intermission between the two parts.

If you chose an alternate day 2 activity, then I would recommend making reservations at Little Georgia (Georgian food- get the hatchapuri!) or Dishoom (Indian food).

ALTERNATE DAY 2 IDEAS:

There are so many options for Day 2. You could do a full day city tour, take a day trip to see stonehenge, see a play at a local theatre (Hamilton or Harry Potter), tour Buckingham Palace and watch the changing of the guards, or do a Harry Potter themed tour.

Whatever you choose, it is sure to be an exhausting fun-filled day!

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DAY 3:

Breakfast at The Parlour before your Harry Potter walking tour. Harry Potter not for you, then, try a half day city tour or another option mentioned above.

Lunch and then you can do a World War II history tour if its up your ally before dinner or just chill and take in the city.

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PARIS

DAY 4:

Spend the morning exploring Notting Hill or chilling at a cafe for your last few hours in London.

Head to the airport to catch your flight to Paris. I find flying is usually cheaper and faster than taking the train. I like to check out low-cost air carriers like Ryan Air or Easyjet for intra-Europe flights.

After arriving and dropping your luggage, jump on with a tour to better acquaint yourself with Paris. We opted for the Hidden Gems of Paris tour. You can then grab lunch near the Effiel Tower and make that your next stop for exploring the city.

Alternatively, you could go to a local market and pick up some stuff for sandwiches and have a picnic lunch by the Effiel Tower instead.

Spend the afternoon exploring the city before having dinner at Juvenilles Wine Bar.

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day 5:

Grab breakfast at FTG Paris before heading to explore the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay. If you start the day early enough, then head to Montmartre for a tour of the area.

Lunch at the famous Pink Mamma.

In the afternoon, spend some time at the Moulin Rouge or catch a show before dinner at Septime.

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DAY 6:

Day trip to the Palace of Versailles.

End the evening with dinner on a Seine River Cruise. For the best view, book either the premier or privilege package.

alternate day 6:

Grab breakfast at HolyBelly before heading to see Notre-Dame and do some shopping in Le Marais. In the afternoon, tour the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.

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DAY 7:

Say goodbye to Paris and head to the airport for your flight home.

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WHERE TO STAY:

LONDON:

Raddison Blu

The Hoxton

The Strand

PARIS:

Les Bains

Charles V

Hyatt du Louvre

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This itinerary is action-packed! If you prefer a slower traveling pace or just like to get to a place and enjoy the vibe, then that is totally ok too! I usually only go to a place once so I like to hit everything possible in a short amount of time but it is anything but relaxing and I usually need a vacation from my vacation! HaHa!

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ABOUT ME:

I am currently a practicing Inpatient Pharmacist with a love for traveling. I love to get off the beaten path and go places/do things that are not the normal “tourist” thing to do. I love hiking and adventure travel!

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Follow me: @thatblondetravels

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We just returned from our 2 week babymoon to Croatia. What a wonderful country! From the people to the sites, to the food, it was all-around an amazing experience.

While traveling during normal times can have it’s challenges, traveling during a worldwide pandemic can especially be challenging.

Despite the extra hoops to jump through, my husband and I really wanted to travel somewhere before we welcome our new addition in January. This trip was planned and replanned probably 7 times at least. We started off originally going on safari in Kenya and then ending the trip in Oman. While Kenya reopened to tourists starting September 1, they omitted US citizens coming from Texas and California and a couple other states. Option 2 was Hawaii. I planned a full 2 week itinerary to Kauai as their quarantine was to be lifted on August 31st. Around mid-August, the governor instituted a mandatory inter-island quarantine for anyone traveling from Maui to Kauai. While we were not going to Maui and therefore did not need to quarantine, all the tour companies cancelled our excursions and restaurants began to close.

After planning several extensive itineraries, I began to get discouraged as it didn’t look as if any travel plans that I made were going to come to fruition. I told my husband ok so last ditch effort, we are going to Croatia! If that doesn’t work out, then we’re spending 2 weeks in Tulum in Mexico in a beach house haha. Putting together custom itineraries is a very time consuming process with all the research that goes into it, so as you can imagine, I was getting burnt out.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

I began to research the specifics on what we would need to get into Croatia and how we were going to get there. First off - COVID testing requirements. In order to enter Croatia, you can bypass the mandatory 14 day quarantine by getting a negative COVID PCR test within 48 hours of crossing the border OR you can enter the country with an “expired” negative result and retest on arrival. If you choose option 2, then you have to quarantine until the results are available.

This part isn’t super complicated unless you are leaving on a holiday (Labor Day) and all the labs are closed. Due to our flights, which I will talk about next, we had to take a test and have the results on the day of our flight, which was Labor Day. I had to find a place that offered COVID testing for people that are not experiencing symptoms that also had their own in house lab and that was open on a holiday. Are you overwhelmed yet? LOL. Anything is possible though when you really want to go somewhere!

FLIGHTS

With testing figured out, next up was our flights. Due to travel restrictions and lack of travelers, flights were getting cancelled left and right. There are no direct flights from Dallas to Croatia and all the ones with stops had a very long layover (I’m talking 30+ hours to get there) and were also very expensive. A travel hack that I’ve learned is to find a direct flight into a popular European hub (such as London or Paris) and then search for a flight on a local airline such as Easyjet or Ryan Air. Flights intra-Europe can be extremely cheap if you use this option. For example, our flight from Pula, Croatia to LHR was 8 euro! For a flight that was showing as more than 2k on google flights to fly from DFW to Dubrovnik, I got for 70k AA points (~700 dollars) plus an additional 80 dollars pp.

We had originally booked a British Airways flight from LHR to Dubrovnik on the same day (so arriving on September 8th) but the UK re-instituted their quarantine coming from Croatia for their citizens so BA ended up canceling all of their flights to/from Croatia. Luckily, I was able to get a flight on EasyJet that left on September 9th from Gatwick to Dubrovnik. This is why we had to get our COVID tests the day of our flight to London since we wouldn’t be arriving into Croatia until 2 days later.

Excited about our first flight since February!

With flights booked and COVID test appointments made, the next thing to figure out was if we could transfer airports in London and how to do it. As I said, we were landing into LHR and our flight to Croatia wasn’t until the next day out of Gatwick. Gatwick airport is located south of London and there are several ways to get there during normal situations. One reason that we chose to fly into London was that US citizens can actually enter the UK, whereas, places like France and Germany we cannot. This was a contingency plan in case our flights were cancelled or there was a missed connection. If there is one thing I’ve learned from this experience, it was to have a backup plan for your backup plan. In order to figure out if we could transfer airports, I did a ton of research on my own but eventually resorted to trip advisor for some locals input.

UK BORDER CROSSING

In order to enter the UK, you had to fill out a locator form that had where you would be spending your time quarantining and for how long you would be in the UK. We were just staying for 24 hours so I filled out the paperwork with all of our information and submitted electronically 48 hours prior to arrival. The UK’s quarantine rules stated that you shouldn’t use public transportation in order to get to your quarantine location. When we arrived into London, we checked out prices on taxis (150 pounds is the standard rate) and then I checked Uber which was half the price. We ended up taking an Uber from Heathrow to Gatwick once we landed.

We were very nervous about the whole landing process and going through border control and then taxi-ing to our hotel. Concerns were: how strict will they be? how will we get food? what if our flight is cancelled?. The list goes on as I’m sure you can imagine.

Being nervous about everything, I had made and looked into several options if anything did happen. When landing in LHR, the border crossing was so smooth. It was like pre-pandemic except with less people. All the border guards were super chill. They asked if we’d filled out our locator form and to see it. I showed it to them and they asked where we were headed. We told them Croatia and they got very excited and wished us well on our journey. Like I said super easy! We made it through the border, grabbed our luggage, grabbed a quick breakfast, and then hoped in our Uber to head to Gatwick airport.

Hotels, EasyJet flight, and Croatia border crossing, to be continued in Part 2!

Disclaimer: This post contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

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2020, the gift that keeps on giving. In all honesty, if it weren’t for the trip I planned over these 2 weeks getting cancelled no less than seven times, then I wouldn’t have looked into the sheer beauty and adventure that Croatia has to offer. What 2 weeks are these you ask? Well if you caught my Oman Itinerary, then you saw the original plan for our vacation. Once we found out that Oman was still closed to tourists and Kenya is not letting in Texans, we proceeded to option 2, Hawaii. Hawaii then extended its quarantine requirements. Long story short, here we are planning a fabulous trip to Croatia, which is currently open and accepting US tourists.

In order to go to Croatia, you must have a negative COVID PCR test within 48 hours of entering the country and fill out a form with the government detailing your trip (where you are staying and travel dates). Since I feel like things are changing on a daily basis, I would check the US Embassy’s website on travel to Croatia for the most up to date requirements.

Pro tip: When you are looking for flights into Croatia right now, you will see that the travel time is extraordinarily long. In order to get around that, book a direct flight into London and then take a European airline into Croatia. There are several starting points in Croatia so the destination is up to you!

Below I have outlined a rough itinerary for Croatia. I will follow up with more in-depth posts after we return!

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ULTIMATE CROATIA ITINERARY

Here’s our itinerary :

Dubrovnik (4 nights)

Split (4 nights)

Plitvinc National Park (1 night)

Istra (3 nights)

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Total days: 12

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ULTIMATE CROATIA ITINERARY

DAY 1:ARRIVAL INTO DUBROVNIK

When arriving into Dubrovnik, we booked a private transfer with Octopus Transfers to our nearby hotel. I like to have a set transfer lined up after arriving into a new destination.

Today is super chill after arriving. Head to your hotel and then grab a quick easy dinner nearby.

We booked four nights at Hotel Excelsior. Another hotel that we considered was Kompas. These are two higher end luxury hotels but you can find a range of hotel options for Dubrovnik here or Airbnbs here.

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DAY 2: DUBROVNIK

Spend the day exploring Old Town. If you’re into Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik was the filming location for King’s Landing so there are some great GOT walking tours.

Another option would be to chill at the hotel for day and get over your jet lag 😅.

For dinner tonight, make reservations at Panorama Restaurant and Bar for sunset views of Dubrovnik.

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DAY 3:DUBROVNIK

We booked a private boat tour with Explore Dubrovnik to the Elaphiti Islands for the full day. I am so looking forward to this and can’t wait to report back on our trip!

Dinner at Taj Mahal tonight for some traditional Bosnian cuisine. They have two locations - Old City and Hotel Lero. Their Old City location is currently closed for renovations so we will be checking out their Hotel Lero location.

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DAY 4:DUBROVNIK

Explore the Old City some more today or walk the walls of the city. Get lost on some side streets or shop for some local souvenirs. Whatever you choose, enjoy your last day in King’s Landing.

For the last night in Dubrovnik, make reservations at Above 5 Rooftop Restaurant for a special treat before heading off to Split.

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DAY 5:DUBROVNIK TO SPLIT

We booked an early morning private transfer with Octopus Transfers from Dubrovnik to Split. There are several ways to get to Split from Dubrovnik. We chose to do a private transfer as there is a border crossing with Bosnia on the way and at this moment if you’re driving your own car, then you will not be able to pass through with a US passport. Other options, besides driving, your own rental car and a private transfer, include a short flight or taking a ferry that stops along the way in Hvar. If you have extra time or want to spend a night in Hvar, then this would be the night to do it!

Once arriving into Split, drop your bags at the hotel and explore the city. If you have an extra day, then I would suggest a walking tour with Ivica.

We booked Hotel Park in Split for our stay but you can find other hotels here or Airbnbs here.

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DAY 6: HVAR AND BLUE CAVE DAY TOUR

Full day tour to Hvar and Blue Cave - I hope you’re well rested!

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DAY 7: krka national park

Today is a day trip to Krka National Park where you can currently swim. The Croatian government is talking about discontinuing this next year. Here is the tour we are doing that has a stop in Sibenik on the way to the national park.

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DAY 8: SPLIT TO PLITVINC NATIONAL PARK

Today we are heading to Plitvinc National Park from Split. We are picking up a rental car for the remainder of our time in Croatia. You could also do a day trip from Split to Plitvinc but it is about 3 hours away so that would make for a long day in my opinion.

On our way there, we are making stops in Trogir and Paklenica. We decided to stay right outside the park for an early entry but you could also stay in Zadar or Sibenik as well.

There are several options for places to stay but we choice the Ethno Houses Plitvica Selo Deluxe. You can check out other options here.

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day 9: plitvinc national park

Today we are starting off bright and early. Our park entrance tickets are for 7 am. This is so we can do a hike and then head out for Istra around noon.

We are planning to do the C Program on the lake routes. This starts at the north entrance and takes about 4-5 hours to complete. You can check out all the other routes here. Also, don’t forget to purchase your entry permit for the park as well.

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day 10-12: istra

On day 11, spend your time in the Pula are touring some ancient Roman ruins and then head to Cape Kamenjak for some cliff jumping.
Day 12, spend the full day in Rovinj touring the beautiful cobblestone streets and relaxing.

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If you need any help planning your own Croatia itinerary, then send me an email at lauren@thatblondetravels.com.

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Disclaimer: This post contains Affiliate Links for products I’m currently using. By using these links you won’t pay any additional fees, but support me to keep this site running!

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Let me just start off by saying that this is one of my most anticipated trips for 2020 (assuming that we get to go!). I recently stumbled upon the country of Oman while researching Bolivia. I know this seems super odd right?! Well, I was getting into a wormhole on youtube while watching different travel vloggers, when I stumbled upon Lost LeBlanc. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of him, but his videos are awesome quality! The only thing that I feel is lacking is a detailed itinerary to follow up on these epic trips that he takes. He does, however, have complete guides that you can purchase, which I’m sure are excellent, but unfortunately, nothing on Oman yet.

Anyways, so here I am researching Bolivia to potentially add onto our Peru trip was moved to August of next year, when I stumbled upon a video about Oman. I immediately was drawn to Oman because of the country’s diverse landscape and endless things to do. (Look it up, you will feel like you need more than a month to get everything in!)

Here’s the plan: We are (hopefully!) going on Safari in Kenya in September to see the great migration and then we plan to take a direct flight from NBO to DOH (Doha, Qatar). From there, we will take a short 1.5 hr flight from DOH to MCT (Muscat, Oman) to begin our 8 day journey in the northern part of Oman. I can’t wait for you guys to follow along with us!

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ULTIMATE 1 WEEK OMAN ITINERARY

Here’s what our Oman itinerary looks like:

Daymaniat islands (1 night)

Muscat (2 nights)

Desert Lodge (2 nights)

Jabal Akhdar (2 nights)

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Total days: 8

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ULTIMATE 1 WEEK OMAN ITINERARY

DAY 1:

Arrive into Muscat at 0635. We have a priority pass so I plan on accessing the amazing Primeclass Lounge that is inside the Muscat airport before heading out. They have showers and even beds that you can nap in!

Once we get freshened up, we are heading to the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. The Mosque is open to the public everyday from 8 to 11 am, except Fridays. It’s required for both men and women to wear long sleeve tops and long pants to the ankle. For women, bring a scarf to cover your hair. The mosque’s entrance is free but I will link some great tour options here.

After exploring the Mosque, it is time to grab a quick lunch. We are going to try Kargeen based on some recommendations found in other itineraries. It is well located in the middle of the city so perfect for right after a half day city tour of Muscat.

At 1300, we meet Blue Wave Oman at the All Mouj marina for an overnight camping trip to the secluded beaches of Daymaniat islands. While here, we will experience an Omani style BBQ, sunset, and snorkeling - cannot wait!

Image C/O Dive Worldwide

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DAY 2:

We will spend the morning snorkeling in the Daymaniat islands with Blue Wave Oman and they will return us back to Muscat around 2 pm.

Once arriving in Muscat, we are going to make our way to our hotel for the night, Al Bustan Palace. There were several hotels that looked amazing in Muscat, so it was very hard to choose just one. I will link the others under “My Favorite Hotels” down below.

After checking into the hotel and showering, the plan is to head over to Muttrah Soug (check out the guide attached by The Culture Trip), which is one of the local markets. We will explore for a little while and then grab dinner at Biat Al Luban for some traditional Omani food.

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DAY 3:

Today is a super early day as we are heading out to the Bimmah Sinkhole followed by Wadi Shab.

Bimmah Sinkhole is a 90 minute drive from Muscat on the way to Sur. You can do this on your own or you can book a tour here.

Image C/O Bucketlistly

In order to get to Wadi Shab on your own, I would recommend going first thing in the morning for shade and to beat the crowds. You can do this by staying in Sur the night before or leaving extra early from Muscat. I will create a post after our trip detailing how to hike the trail on your own.

In between the Bimmah Sinkhole and Wadi Shab, grab lunch in Sur. We are looking at Zaki but will probably ask the hotel if there is another place they recommend. If you have time, you can check out Sur, otherwise, head on to your desert camp hotel for the next couple nights. You can stop by Wadi Bani Khalid and go for a dip if you haven’t had your fill of swimming for the day!

We are staying at Desert Nights Camp for 2 nights. While you can get to the camp with a 4x4, you can also have transfers arranged by the camp that includes a sunset along with dune bashing while you’re on your way to the camp.

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DAY 4:

Enjoy your full day in the desert today. We plan to go sand boarding, camel riding, and have a dinner underneath the stars.

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DAY 5:

Today is a super early start! Get up and head back to Muscat to meet for a canyoning expedition! We are partnering with Twenty3Extreme for a canyoning adventure and also via Ferrata. They have several awesome canyoning adventures. It makes me want to stay in Oman for like 5 or 6 more days so I can do them all!

We are looking at doing their Snake Canyon 2.0 or their brand new Jungle Book adventure.

After a full day abseiling, jumping from cliffs, and swimming, make your way to the mountains where your accommodations for the next two nights await. We booked two nights at the Alila Jabal Akhdar Oman. This property is so gorgeous with amazing mountain views. We decided on the half board rate as I’m sure that there are not very many restaurants in such a remote location.

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DAY 6:

Another early morning today as we are heading to Jebal Shams for a hike. There are so many things to do here: via Ferrata, balcony walk, day hikes, canyoning, abseiling, etc. If you have an adventurous spirit, then the world is your oyster!

When you get back to the hotel, have a starlit dinner cliffside to help bring such a wonderful trip to an end.

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DAY 7:

This morning, we plan to either do another hike or sleep in and then head back into Muscat. Once arriving into Muscat, check into your last hotel and do some exploring of things that you missed around the city.

End the night with a sunset dinner cruise around the Omani shores. We will have an early night as our flights leaves at 4 am the next morning!

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MY FAVORITE HOTELS

MUSCAT HOTELS:

Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz Carlton Hotel

Kempinski Hotel Muscat

The Chedi Muscat

Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa

DESERT LODGES:

Desert Nights Camp

Thousand Nights Camp

JABAL AKHDAR HOTELS:

Alila Jabal Akhdar Oman

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Visiting Oman requires a Visa. You can get this on arrival at the airport or you can get one online via this website.

The only vaccine that is required is Yellow Fever and that is if you have traveled recently to countries where the disease is rampant. We will be coming from Nairobi so we plan to bring our vaccine information with us. We had to get one before traveling to Ecuador a few years back so we are covered!

If there are any other questions, be sure to check out the US State Department’s website regarding travel to Oman.

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Written by Lauren Bailey

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www.thatblondetravels.com

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When I was in Prague back in March, we went to one of the most interesting bars that I have ever been. While Prague has some very intriguing bars all around, I found that the Shrink’s Office was thought-provoking to say the least.

C/O Shrink’s Office

The Shrink’s Office has more of a speakeasy feel than a bar scene. When you enter from the street, you walk into a small bar area and then you walk straight back to the wall where there is a cage and a demon image on the wall. A little disturbing, but it was fine. We rang the doorbell and the wall opens. You are then led down a narrow staircase to a bar/lounge area that is almost pitch black.

Interestingly, the menus are Rorschach tests (Ink Blot Tests). They have no information on them and you order your drink based on the photo that you are most drawn to. (Don’t worry, if you are having trouble the server will definitely help!)

Of course, I would pick the most brightly colored one where the center resembles a pineapple. Ha! Once the drinks came out, they were all so different from what you would expect! Mine was the martini looking one, Wendi’s was the banana pudding looking one, Lauren’s was the spaceship, and Neena’s was the most normal of all of them resembling an Old Fashion.

If you’re heading to Prague anytime soon, then I highly recommend checking this place out!

C/O Shrink’s Office

AnonymouS Shrink's Office

Cocktail Therapy

Phone: +420 608 911 884 Booking

Location: Jungmannova 11, Prague 1

Website: AnonymouS Shrink’s Office

Hello! I am so excited to talk about my group trip that I am planning for this upcoming May. In partnership with Killa Expeditions, we are traveling to Peru on a small group trip (10-15 people). We will arrive into Cusco and acclimate for 3 days in order to get ready for the Ausangate Trek that starts on Day 4. This is the ultimate itinerary! It includes Rainbow Mountain and Machu Picchu (with optional Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain Hikes). You will stay in 4/5 star hotels while enjoying the amazing scenery that Peru has to offer.

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ITINERARY OVERVIEW

DAY 1: Arrive in Cusco

DAY 2: Sacred Valley Day Tour

DAY 3: Rainbow Mountain

DAY 4-8: Apu Ausangate Trek

DAY 9-10: Machu Picchu

DAY 11: Transfer back to Lima

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DAY 1:

After arriving into Cusco, transfer to hotel, Antigua Casona San Blas. This will be your home for the next 4 nights. Once settled, relax for awhile and then checkout Cusco city and nearby markets.

DAY 2: Sacred Valley Day Tour

You will be collected from your hotel in Cusco at 8:30am and driven via private transport to 4 local communities in the Sacred Valley. From Cusco it is just over one hour to our first stop, the local community called Pisac.

In Pisac, you will be guided through the ruins above the town and have a chance to explore the incredible Pisac Market (biggest on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays).

After Pisac, you will be driven for one more hour to Urubamba where you will have time for lunch at a restaurant of your choosing. Following lunch we depart again for 25 minutes to Ollantaytambo to explore the ruins there. We drive for another hour and twenty minutes to reach Chincheros where we will see the local colonial church and a little market. After we are finished exploring we return to Cusco via our private transport (one hour). You will be returned to your Cusco hotel at approximately 6:00pm.

DAY 3: RAINBOW MOUNTAIN

We will pick you up very early from your Cusco hotel (3:00am) and set out on a drive through the South Valley. The drive to the trailhead at Alqatari (4326m/14,189ft) is about 3.5-4 hours.

Once we reach the trailhead, we will have our box breakfast with hot drinks. After breakfast, we start on our day hike, following a lovely stream until we get to the checkpoint that is the trail entrance. You will pass by beautiful herds of alpacas and llamas and along the way we will have distant views of the Ausangate Mountain. We will hike through villages and see the local residents. If we are very lucky, we may see some chinchillas and vicuñas. Vicuñas are the only non-domesticated animal of the llama family in Peru and are very skittish. After a total uphill hike of approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, we reach the incredible Vinicunca Rainbow Mountain (5050m/16,568ft).

If we have time and weather permits, once we are done enjoying the scenery, having snacks, resting and taking pictures, we hike along the right side of the Rainbow Mountain to the Red Valley pass where you will see the beautiful, deep red hues located in this area. We take pictures here and then hike back down the way we came, taking approximately 1.5 hours to the trailhead where we started. Here we will have a hot buffet lunch and then we will take our private transport back to your hotel in Cusco (about a 3.5-4 hour drive).

DAY 4-8: APU AUSANGATE TREK:

The APU AUSANGATE TREK: The Apu Ausangate’s Trail or “Camino del Apu Ausangate” is a completely different route from the one commonly known as “Ausangate Trek,” offered by other agencies based in Cusco. The complete 5-day tour contained in our package starts at city of Cusco, with an interesting bus-ride along the Vilcanota Valley, on the paved main-road from Cusco to Puno (Lake Titicaca). After a stop at the town of Checacupe and a visit to its beautiful colonial church, we ascend the Japura Valley that leads to the communities of Osefina and Chillca, the final stop of the bus journey, where the groups are received by local people.

The actual trekking begins on the second day early in the morning after breakfast, and lasts until midday of day 5 when we reach the road halfway between Chillca and Checacupe. It ends with a picnic lunch, before boarding the bus back to Cusco, on the above mentioned road.

The hike itself is rather demanding, mostly due to the altitude, ranging from 14,000 to 16,700 ft / 4,300 to 5,100 m at the highest pass. There are also some significant changes of altitude during the course of the day. The distances on the trail vary from around 6 to 11 miles/10 to 16 km per day. The lodges are all within daily walking distances, easily reachable in six to seven hours, considering regular hiking-speed and plenty of stops for taking pictures and enjoying the landscapes.

Our exclusive circuit is located roughly 100 km (65 miles) south-east of Cusco. The access is from the small colonial city of Checacupe, on the main road from Cusco to Puno, in the fertile Vilcanota Valley. From there, a new unpaved sidebranch, turns east to the town of Pitumarca (capital of the district with the same name), the road then climbs up to the pastoral community of Osefina and finally ends at the hamlet of Chillca (4,300 m / 14,000 ft), about 3 km (2 miles) away from the first lodge (the Chillca Tambo).

DAY 9-10: MACHU PICCHU

2 DAY/1 NIGHT ITINERARY:
DAY 1: CUSCO – OLLANTAYTAMBO – AGUAS CALIENTES
Private transport will collect you from your hotel approximately 2.5 hours before your preferred train time and drive you through the Sacred Valley to the train station in Ollantaytambo. You will take the train to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu, which is a lovely scenic ride that takes you through part of the Sacred Valley with views of the river and glacial mountains. Depending on the time of train arrival you may have time to explore the town, visit the local handicraft market, and take a dip in the local hot-springs (around 25 soles, open until 9pm, bring a bathing suit, towel, sandals). Dinner will be provided around 7:00 or 7:30pm at a local restaurant. You will stay in a comfortable hotel in Aguas Calientes to rest up before tomorrow’s early exploration of Machu Picchu!

DAY 2: AGUAS CALIENTES – MACHU PICCHU – CUSCO:
Wake up call and breakfast is very early (Approx 4am) in order for us to take one of the first (5:30am, 25 min ride) buses directly to Machu Picchu (2,400 m/7,875 ft). Once we arrive at Machu Picchu you will show your entrance ticket and passport. If you are a student you must bring your ISIC card to the entrance or you will not be permitted entrance. From the entrance, it is a 15-minute walk to the famous views from the South Zone of the farming terraces at the end of the Inca trail. Enjoy watching the sun rise over the ruin site and the fascinating tour of Machu Picchu with your guide who will unfold the mysteries of this magical site, explaining the history and flora/fauna. Your guide will spend about 2 1/2 hours relating interesting and amazing stories, explaining temples and special sectors. Your tour of Machu Picchu will finish between 9 and 9:30am after which you will have a little free time to take photos and explore. The new rules for 2019 have split the entrance times into three slots per day. Our tour includes the first ticket (6-10am) so at 10am you would need to exit the ruin site unless you choose to purchase an extra time slot (or two). If you wish to do one of the extra hikes within Machu Picchu (Wayna Picchu or Machu Picchu Mountain) you would need to prepurchase a permit as well as an extra time slot in Machu Picchu (these new rules are dictated by the Peruvian government and we are sorry for the inconvenience). After you are done exploring the ruin site, either at 10am or later if you’ve booked more time, take one of the many, frequent buses down to Aguas Calientes. There are many restaurants to choose from and your guide can also help suggest a nice place to eat. After grabbing a bite to eat you will take the train back to Ollantaytambo where private transport will drive you back to your hotel in Cusco.

DAY 11: TRANSFER TO LIMA OR OPTIONAL DAY HIKE

This morning either take the early flight out to Lima and spend the day exploring the city or you can do an optional day hike to Lake Humantay. Overnight in Lima. (Hotel not included) Recommend Wyndham Hotel Costa del Sol.

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For full details on this trek, please take a look at my webpage, here.

In order to book this trip or for more information, please send me an email at lauren@thatblondetravels.com and I can reserve your spot!

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With endless amounts of tapas, an incredibly rich history, and one of the most famous destinations for flamenco, Seville is the perfect place to begin your adventure in Spain. While there’s so much to see and do when visiting, there are a few highlights that are must-see’s when you’re on a time crunch.

HERE’S HOW TO SPEND 48 HOURS IN SEVILLE, SPAIN!

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GETTING TO SEVILLE

BUS:

Seville Airport (SVQ) has a designated bus that travels between the city center (Plaza de Armas) and the airport, with many convenient stops. The bus departs every 30minutes and the fareis 4€ for a single ticket, which can be purchased on the bus when you board. The line is named Línea EA: Airport Special and will take around 30-35 minutes to reach the center in normal traffic.

BUS TIMETABLE

TAXI:

Taxi rides from Seville Airport (SQV) to the city center do not have a set price, but should cost between 20-25€ depending on where you are going in the center. The fare should be displayed clearly on a meter and the driver may only charge you what is displayed under law. Nevertheless, if you have a lot of luggage they may ask for extra. To avoid any issues, you can pre-book or ask for the approximate price of the driver before you take this method of transport.

There are two types of fares for the taxis:
Daytime rate: (Mon-Fri 7am – 9pm) the price ranges from 20-25€.
Night-time rate: (Weekends, holidays and evenings between 9pm – 7am) €25-27.
Be aware that Spanish Holy Days may incur an extra 25% on the night-time price.

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GETTING AROUND IN SEVILLE

The best way to get around in Seville is via walking. There are bikes and scooters available for rent or you can always take a taxi. The streets are very narrow which makes for fun exploring via foot.

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WHERE TO STAY IN SEVILLE

Hotel Rey Alfonso X

This hotel is within a 10 minute walk of the Cathedral. Hotel Rey Alfonso X is a nice hotel stay that won’t blow the budget.

Hotel Casa Del Poeta

If you want to stay somewhere that has everything within walking distance, then Hotel Casa Del Poeta should be your choice. It is located in the Old City within walking distance to many of the sights and a ton of yummy restaurants.

Hospes Las Casas Del Rey De Baeza

If you can stay at Hospes Las Casas Del Rey De Baeza, then this would be my top choice. Hospes brand in Spain is outstanding! Their breakfast and service are absolutely amazing. They go above and beyond to make your stay special and memorable.

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DAY 1

Breakfast at La Cacherreria

This little bar is found on the hip Calle Regina, just behind the Metropol Parasol in Seville. They offer a wide variety of breakfasts including toast, yogurt with muesli, and smoothies – along with great gluten free alternatives! It is small, so you might have to wait a bit for their delicious coffee and lovely atmosphere, but it will be worth it. [Devour Seville]

Address: Calle Regina, 14

Free Walking Tour: Monuments of Sevilla

Being short on time, take a free walking tour to catch the major sights in Seville. These tours are great because do you not only get to see the major monuments, but you also get to hear the history behind what you’re seeing. These are usually ran by local students that are passionate about their cities so you are bound to have a great experience. Check out this one that we did through Free Walking Tours Sevilla.

Alcazar of Seville

Don’t miss this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its stunning architecture and storied past. Definitely buy tickets beforehand so that you are not wasting precious time standing in line for tickets! You can either buy just a ticket or get a guided tour.

Casa de la Memoria Flamenco Show

We went to this Famenco show and it was so fun! The energy from the dancers and their passion was palpable throughout the room. This show is located in the Flamenco museum and only has seating for a small crowd. Get there early so that you can get a great seat! You can buy tickets here. There are also two shows a night. I would recommend the early show and then you can grab dinner.

Dinner at Eslava

This is seriously one of the best places that I ate while I was in Spain. If you have time, make a reservation at their Michelin Star restaurant and relax in the tapas bar while you wait for you table. If you’re not lucky enough to eat at the restaurant or just don’t have time, then I would highly recommend just getting full on their yummy tapas. You can check out my blog post all about Eslava here.

Address:  Calle Eslava, 3

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DAY 2

Explore Triana

Grab an early breakfast at your hotel and head to Triana across the river for the morning. It offers everything from Spanish made ceremic pottery to delicious tapas restaurants. I’d recommend checking out the local Market hall, Mercado de Triana (Calle San Jorge, 6), for lunch or just some awesome snacks.

Triana is a vibrant old quarter in Seville, formerly known as Seville’s gypsy neighborhood, and otherwise known as Puente de Triana. If you’re up for it, then you can also go on a tapas crawl with Devour Seville.

Check out the Metropol Parasol

This is a wooden structure located at La Encarnación square, in the old quarter of Seville, Spain. It was designed by the German architect Jürgen Mayer H.

Dinner at Torres Y Garcia or Mamarracha

Either option is sure to be yummy! Make sure to get your reservations beforehand!

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Overall

Seville is one of my favorite cities in Spain. It is so cute with so many great options for dinning and shopping.

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Do you have any tips for spending 48 hours in Seville? Let me know in the comments!

SHOP MY SEVILLE ESSENTIALS FOR FALL/WINTER!

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PIN FOR LATER!