Depart for Croatia

Arrive in Zagreb and transfer to the hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure. (D)

Begin the day in Kaptol Square in Upper Town, dominated by the monumental Zagreb Cathedral, with its soaring twin spires. Then, head into Zagreb's medieval Upper Town with its cobblestone streets and red-tile-roofed buildings. Walk along Kravi Most, to St. Mark's Church with its brightly colored roof and the 17th century Jesuit Church of St. Catherine. After a stop at the Parliament building, enjoy free time to explore. (B, D)

Depart Zagreb for the Marian Shrine of Marija Bistrica and celebrate Mass there. Continue to Medjugorje. Check in at the hotel for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Your guide will arrange a meeting with one of the visionaries (subject to their schedule) to experience first-hand their unique experiences with Our Lady. Later, we will see from a distance and then climb Krizevac Mountain where in 1933, the villagers built a 30-foot cross on the anniversary of Jesus’ Crucifixion. Lining the path up the hill are wooden crosses and bronze images representing the Stations of the Cross. (B, D)

The next two days are yours to explore, pray and meditate. You may will climb The Apparition Hill where the visionaries first encountered our Lady in 1981. (B, D)

You may touch and pray before the Cross commemorating the spot where Mary first appeared to the visionaries. Mass at St. James Church. (B, D)

Following breakfast, travel to Dubrovnik and enjoy a walking tour of the Old City. It will begin at St. Blasius Church, which is dedicated to the Patron Saint of Dubrovnik. This Baroque styled church was constructed by Venetian architect, Marino Gropelli in 1715; it was styled after the Venetian Church, St. Mauritius. You will know that you have reached this masterpiece by its large staircase leading to the ornamented main portal and the large dome that decorates the roof. Continue to the Gothic and Renaissance styled Rector's Palace, home to the History Department of the Museum of Dubrovnik. Next, you will stroll by the iconic Bell Tower Clock and Orlando's Column. To the left of this column, you will see the Sponza Palace. In the sixteenth century, members of the Academia dei Concordi met on the palace's first floor hall to discuss literature. As a result, the palace is the most important cultural institution of Dubrovnik. Lastly, you will visit the Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries. The location of the Dominican Monastery is strategically placed at the most sensitive point of Dubrovnik's defense barriers. While at the Franciscan Monastery, you will have the opportunity to visit the Pharmacy, the founding of which was collaborative, as it served both as the public pharmacy and for the needs of the monks. This afternoon, you will enjoy lunch on your own at one of the many small, family-owned restaurants along the narrow streets. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. This evening, enjoy dinner and an overnight in Dubrovnik. (B, D)

Following breakfast, you will depart for Split. Along the way, you will stop at the Little Lourdes Shrine in Veprice. The Shrine was founded in 1908, and is situated in a natural cave surrounded by hills, just as the Grotto of Massabielle is in Lourdes. Your group will take an additional break in Makarska, before continuing to Sinj. While here, you will visit one of Croatia’s oldest spiritual centers, the Shrine of Our Lady of Sinj; it is home to the eighteenth-century miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. In 1715, the people of Cetina and the Franciscan monks prayed before a picture of the Mother of Grace during a Turkish attack. However, through much prayer to Our Lady, the Turkish army inexplicably fled after three hours, and since then, it has been a miraculous site for many Pilgrims. Lastly, your journey will culminate upon arrival in Split where you will eat dinner and enjoy an overnight in Split. (B, D)

Today, you will enjoy a city tour of Split, the second largest city in Croatia. The historic inner city of Split was built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. While exploring, you will have the opportunity to see remnants of Split’s Roman heritage such as, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle of Diocletian’s Palace and the Cathedral of St. Domnius. The Temple of Jupiter was built around the third century and is dedicated to the highest Roman god, the god of the sky, and the god of thunder. The Diocletian’s Palace had two purposes; half was used for the Diocletian’s personal use, and the other half was used as a military garrison. Lastly, you will visit the Cathedral of St. Dominus that is encircled by twenty-four columns. The oldest monuments in this Holy place are those depicting the life of Christ, which can be found on the entrance doors of the Church. This evening, you will enjoy dinner at a local Konoba (restaurant in the coastal area of Croatia). Following dinner, you will continue to your hotel where you will have a restful overnight. (B, D)

After an early breakfast and heartfelt farewells, you will transfer to the Split airport for return flights home.