Highlights of Slovenia (Land)

DURATION: 8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS ESCORTED
• Ljubljana • Piran • Nova Gorica • Bled

Sunday Day 1 LJUBLJANA
Arrival in Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia. You will be met and transferred to the GRAND HOTEL UNION GARNI for your two night stay. Once you have checked in, the balance of the day is free. Dinner is on your own.

Monday Day 2 LJUBLJANA
Morning at leisure. You will be joined by your tour director and start your  sightseeing tour of Ljubljana as you walk through the old town located between the Ljubljanica River and the Castle Hill. Dinner this evening will be a local restaurant.  (B/D)

Tuesday Day 3 LJUBLJANA/ POSTOJNA CAVES/
LIPICA STUD FARM/PIRAN
Leaving Ljubljana we focus on the Karst Region. Arrival in Postojna, the home of the largest caves in Europe where you will tour the fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train. Here in the towering chambers of limestone, the dripping water has formed mysterious shapes in stalactites and stalagmites. Afterwards continue your drive to the Predjama Castle hidden deep in the Slovenian mountains to see a mediaeval fortress built into a cave. This particular cave was utilized by a robber baron from centuries ago as a stronghold. Its white walls, roofs, turrets and chimneys which jut out from the mountainside make it the most picturesque fortress in Europe. The castle seems to hang in mid air. A hidden tunnel leads from the castle to the other side of the mountain so Erazem Lueger, the most famous “owner” had a constant supply of food. We now head towards the Lipica Stud Farm located in Slovenia’s Karst region. In 1580 Archduke Karl (the son of the Austro-Hungarian Emperor, Ferdinand I) founded the Lipica Stud Farm to breed horses for the Spanish Riding School in Vienna and the Royal Court stables. It was the property of the Austrian Court until 1918. Even before the Lipica Stud Farm was established, Karst mares were bred on the Lipica estate and mated which resulted in the Lipizzaner horses. Today there are about 400 horses roaming the estate. Continuing to the Slovenian coast we arrive in the ancient coastal town of Piran. HOTEL PIRAN 1 night. Dinner at local restaurant.   (B/D)

Wednesday Day 4 PIRAN/POROTOZ/GORISKI BRDA/NOVA GORICA
Morning tour of Piran with its partly preserved town wall and seven mighty towers is a symbol of the past power and pride of the city. In the center of the town is Tartini’s Square with a bronze monument of the famous violinist and composer Giuseppi Tartini. Pass the Church of St. George with its famous bell tower, a copy of St. Mark’s campanile in Venice. Next to the church is the eight cornered Baroque Baptistry which still retains the old stone font and a Roman sarcophagi which once served as the baptismal font. Next is the popular resort of Portoroz meaning “Port of Roses”. We now continue to the Secovlje Salt Pans which still produce salt using the traditional methods. The Slovenian coast was scattered with salt pans as early as the beginning of the 20th century.

In addition to this, the botanical significance of the Slovenian coastal salt pans is illustrated by the fact that as many as 45 species from the Slovenian Endangered Plant Species Red List grow in the area. On occasion, more than 200 different bird species live in the salt pans. The salt pans are one of the most threatened wetlands in the Mediterranean. The Secovlje Salt Pans are famous for their exceptional ecological and landscape value. We now turn inland to the vineyard region of Goriska Brda located on the west side of Slovenia where there is a beautiful wine growing region. White churches on top of the hills is a common characteristic of the area. You will have the possibility of tasting local cuisine and wines. The largest share of vineyards is planted with the Rebula variety followed by Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignonasse. Our drive today ends in Nova Gorica located on the Italian border. Overnight at the HOTEL PARK. (B/D)

Thursday Day 5 SOCA VALLEY/BLED
This morning our drive takes us upstream via the emerald green Soca River through the small town of Kobarid known for the famous Battle of Caporetto documented by Ernest Hemingway in his novel “A Farewell to Arms”. The battle is well documented in the Museum in the center of the city. We now travel to the peaceful town of Bled which sits in a valley surrounded by the snow capped Julian Alps. Dinner in a local restaurant. PARK HOTEL/GOLF HOTEL 2 nights. (B/D)

Friday Day 6 BLED
Your morning sightseeing tour features the charming town with the lakeshore and the imposing Bled Castle situated on a cliff high above the lake offering a magnificent view.  There is the possibility of taking a boatride to a small island in the middle of the lake to visit the Baroque church. This afternoon we drive to one of the oldest town in Slovenia Skofja Loka. The core of the mediaeval town rises above its mediaeval castle almost totally demolished in the earthquake of 1511 but restored by Bishop Filip. Return to Bled for dinner in a local restaurant. (B/D)

Saturday Day 7 BLED
Today focuses on Lake Bohinj located in the Julian Alps not far from Bled. The routing will take you to Stara Fuzina to visit the Sheppard’s Museum where you will have the opportunity to taste the best Slovenian cheese. Afterwards return to Bled for the balance of the day at leisure. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B/D)

Sunday Day 8 BLED/LJUBLJANA
After breakfast transfer to the airport in Ljubljana for departure. (B)

NOTE: Additional nights in Ljubljana at the beginning or end of the tour can be arranged on request.

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Highlights of Slovenia (Land) K301
Depart	Return	Price (CDN)*
August 16, 2009	August 23, 2009	$2,518.00
September 06, 2009	September 13, 2009	$2,518.00
September 20, 2009	September 27, 2009	$2,518.00
October 11, 2009	October 18, 2009	$2,518.00

* Price in Cdn per person & double occupancy.
Single Supplement $889.00 Cdn.

Booking Information and Conditions

YOUR TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

• Arrival and departure transfers
• Luggage handling in hotels based on one normal sized suitcase per person
• Services of a professional English speaking escort guide throughout
• Touring by modern van/motorcoach
• 7 nights four star hotel accommodation with private facilities based on 2 nights Ljubljana, 1 night Piran, 1 night in Nova Gorica and 3 nights Bled
• 7 breakfasts and 6 dinners
• Sightseeing tours in Ljubljana, Postojna Caves, Predjama Castle, Lipica Stud Farm, Piran, Secovlje Salt Pans, Goriska Brda, Soca River Valley, Bled and Lake Bohinj
• Service charges and hotel taxes

YOUR TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Airfare to and from Ljubljana
• Departure taxes
• Documentation including passport fees and travel insurance
• Luggage handling at airports
• Meals and beverages not mentioned, Dinner on Sun. Day 1 not included
• Optional tours
• Gratuities for individual services
• Tips to tour director, driver and local guides
  E. & O.E.

DEPOSIT & PAYMENT
A deposit in the amount of $600.00 Cdn. per person together with the single supplement and insurance premium (if needed) is required at the time of booking. Written confirmation will be issued only after the deposit has been received. Should this deposit not reach us within 10 days of the booking, we will assume that you no longer wish to travel and will release any arrangements being held. The balance of payment is due 9 weeks prior to departure. Reservation received within 9 weeks prior to departure must be accompanied by full payment. Failure to comply with these provisions could result in cancellation of the reservation by Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. without notice.

CANCELLATION CONDITIONS
All cancellations, changes or refund requests must be received in writing at the offices of Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. and shall be considered in effect as of the date received. Cancellation or changes made up to 90 days prior to departure will be subject to a penalty of $300.00 Cdn. per person. Those made between 89 and 60 days prior to departure will be subject to a penalty of $425.00 Cdn. per person. Between 59 and 30 days prior to departure, a penalty of 50% per person. Between 29 days and departure day, no refunds will be granted thereafter. Should a participant be unable to join the tour on the day of departure or leave the tour prior to its completion, no refunds will be granted for unused services. For those participants making their own connecting flights to coincide with the program, we suggest that ample time be allowed between flights. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. does not accept any responsibility for additional charges or expenses that result from a change of flight times or misconnections and no refunds will be issued for services not provided. No claim or refund will be considered unless submitted in writing and received by CTA within 30 days of the termination of the tour. Any substitution of a passenger(s) will be considered a cancellation of the original reservation and the applicable cancellation charges will apply. If you cancel your trip after receiving final documents, please note that the complete set of final documents must be returned to Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. before we can process your request.

CANCELLATION BY CANADIAN TRAVEL ABROAD LTD.
We reserve the right to cancel a departure and offer an alternative departure should there be an insufficient number of participants to make the tour viable. Should the participant(s) elect not to travel on an alternative date, a full refund will be made. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. is not to be held responsible for any other individual arrangements affected by our tour cancellation.

ACCOMMODATION
Rooms with private facilities in selected hotels as indicated in the itinerary are assigned by local agencies. Should it become necessary, accommodation in similar categories may be substituted.

CHANGES
Once a booking has been confirmed, should a participant wish to change to an alternative departure or make changes to the reservation, a handling fee of $125.00 Cdn. per person would apply.

NOTE: Changes or adjustments to a reservation will not be accepted within 28 days prior to departure. Should cancellation by one or more passengers change the room requirements of the remaining participant, the passenger must pay the applicable rate for the accommodation to be required.

INSURANCE
Comprehensive trip cancellation insurance (to protect against loss of monies incurred through cancellation due to illness, etc.) as well as personal travel insurance for baggage and accident coverage is available through Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. and must be taken out at the time of booking with the premium and remitted with the deposit. Once paid, the premium is non refundable. A signed waiver will be required if insurance is declined.

BAGGAGE INSURANCE
Care will be taken to protect your baggage, however, Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. cannot be held responsible for damage to the baggage. It is recommended that each participant purchase baggage insurance to protect their belongings. NOTE – Porterage at the hotels and on transfers is limited to one piece per person.

INSURANCE WAIVER
Insurance affords protection against penalties caused by cancellation of your trip due to injury, illness or death of a tour participant or a member of a participant’s immediate family. This insurance is underwritten by RBC.

COSTS
All costs quoted herein in Canadian dollars are per person and are based on tariffs, exchange rates and airfares in effect as of December 08, 2008 and are subject to change without prior notice.

INDIVIDUAL ARRANGEMENTS IN CONJUNCTION WITH A TOUR
For individual arrangements in conjunction with a tour, a non refundable booking fee of $50.00 Cdn. per person will apply.

GRATUITIES
While gratuities for services provided are customary including the end of tour gratuity for the tour escort and driver, the gratuities are not included in the cost of the tour and are based upon your satisfaction of the arrangements provided.

HOLIDAYS CHANGES
During national or local holidays abroad, certain facilities such as museums and sightseeing tours may be limited. Where possible, slight itinerary adjustments may be made.

ITINERARY CHANGES
Your itinerary has been planned with the utmost care to ensure a pleasant trip. However, circumstances may arise whereby a slight change in the itinerary may be required due to business hours at a certain site. There will be no refund granted for any changes to the program.

MEALS
As specified in the itinerary. B= Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner. Meals are provided from a group menu with beverages being included when part of the group meals. Any additional beverages or refills may be purchased at additional cost.

BEVERAGES
Not included with specified dinners.

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
Any physical disability requiring special attention or treatment must be reported when reservations are made. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd./and or their agents reserve the right to accept or retain any participant who may, in their sole judgement, require care and attention beyond that which can be provided. Please bring any health or mobility issues to our attention at the time of booking.

PORTERAGE
Each participant will be responsible for carrying their own luggage through customs. Since porters and/or luggage carts are not always readily available, you should be comfortable carrying your own luggage.

PRE OR POST TOUR ARRANGEMENTS
Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd would be happy to assist should you wish to add additional arrangements to your tour program.

REFUNDS
There will not be any refunds granted on any unused portion of the tour not taken.

SIGHTSEEING
As indicated, including entrance fees to places of interest as well as the services of fully qualified local English speaking guides. The sequence of tours and the cities visited is subject to change where necessary.

SINGLE ROOMS
A limited number of single rooms may be available for an additional charge. In Europe, single rooms are generally much smaller than a double room. Single rooms are never guaranteed and are subject to availability.

SPECIAL REQUESTS
Must be placed in sufficient time and although Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. will do their utmost to accommodate these special requests, we cannot be held responsible if such requests are not fulfilled.

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION
As indicated.

TAXES
All local taxes and standard service charges on accommodation and meals included in you’re your price.

TOUR DOCUMENT DELIVERY
Travel documents are usually issued within 21 days prior to departure provided that full payment has been received. In the event that late payment results in the late delivery of documents, Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. will not accept any responsibility for the consequences thereof and reserves the right to charge for courier expenses. Documents will be sent first class mail, however, should you prefer to have your documents sent by overnight courier, you will be advised of the additional charges which must be included with your final payment.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION
All participants must be in possession of a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months after the duration of the tour and should have sufficient blank pages for visas and immigration stamps. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. cannot be held responsible should you be denied entry to any country due to non compliance of these arrangements. Instructions regarding the securing of visas (where required) will be provided once the tour has been booked and the deposit paid. A copy of your valid passport is required to confirm any air reservations (if required). Due to increased security measures, passport information and emergency contact information is required for all passengers prior to the release of final documents.

VISAS
For participants holding passports other than Canadian, please check with your local travel agent regarding entry requirements for the country visited. Updated Visa Fees: Russia $75.00 Cdn., Turkish $60.00 U.S. payable in cash on arrival in Turkey.

The above visa fees as charged by the respective consulates and are subject to change without prior notice. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. will be happy to secure visas for Canadian passport holders for a fee of CA $20.00 per person, per visa to cover handling and courier charges. Prices shown are per person, per visa and are valid at the time of printing and all visa fees are non-refundable.

TRAVELLING ALONE BUT WISHING TO SHARE
Tour participants traveling alone but wishing to share accommodation with a suitable roommate must pay the single supplement until such time as a roommate is found. The single supplement would then be refunded with the final documentation. Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. cannot assume any responsibility should such an arrangement not be available or suitable.

AIRFARES
Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. would be happy to assist with securing airfares in conjunction with the above tour(s).

SPECIAL NOTE: The right is reserved to change or cancel the pre-arranged itineraries including designated hotels if reasons beyond our control arise. Pursuant to the Travel Industry Act Regulations if price changes cause an increase over 7% of the confirmed price (except for government taxes) or there is a change in the standard of accommodation or a delay of over 24 hours in transport arrangements of which we become aware prior to departure, you will be notified and given 48 hours to advise us of your desire to cancel the tour with a full refund. Otherwise, you will be considered to have accepted the change(s).

OPERATORS RESPONSIBILITY
All arrangements for land accommodation, transportation and sightseeing are made by Canadian Travel Abroad Ltd. and/or their appointed representatives, who act only as agents in obtaining transportation, accommodation and other services for the tour members. They shall not be liable or held responsible directly or indirectly for any delay, injury, (including death) loss of damage to any person, company or association providing accommodation, transportation or other services in connection with the tour. The right is reserved to withdraw all or part of the tour should conditions warrant and to make such alterations in the itinerary as may be found desirable for the convenience of the tour members and proper execution of the tour. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person(s) as member(s) of the tour in which case equitable refund will be made at the discretion of the operators.

THE ABOVE INFORMATION WAS CURRENT AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION, HOWEVER, THE CONTENTS \ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

E. & O.E.

VALIDITY: March 20, 2009 – November 18, 2009.

In accordance with the Ontario Travel Act, CTA is registered
(1040985 & 1039982).

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