Keep Calm and Call Your Travel Agent

(A little piece of my history and how I got into the business everyone thought was dead)

When I decided to open up my own agency, people couldn’t believe it. Travel agent is a thing of the past, everyone books online, people were shocked. I was the first one that booked online and with the amount of travel I was Expedia Elite Plus. And everything is fine as long as things go smoothly, but one thing you can predict in travel is that it’s unpredictable, things will happen and if you can’t go with the flow, you better have someone in your corner. 

So I booked a trip for 6 in 2 suites in Roatan Honduras 4 adults 2 little kids. My little girl was 3. When we came into the hotel, it just didn’t look kept up. They gave us our rooms where the air-conditioning was leaking, and the glass door for the shower was broken and had jagged glass. How fun was that  for a 3 year old! So I asked for a different room, it took hours but I got another room, with non broken shower door. However, the mattress was full of sand fleas, we looked like we had chicken P-O-X and when I turned on the water in the tub some green sludge started coming out instead of water. That was it! I was not staying there. Expedia Elite Plus has a special customer service number - as a matter of fact here it is:1-702-939-2635 you call internationally. 40 minutes on hold (with the charges per minute from the hotel (no cell signal) that ended up being a $78 phone call (never reimbursed). I was told there is nothing they can do because they can’t get a hold of the hotel management, they are closed. I told them I’m not staying there it’s not safe, they told me they can’t put me somewhere else until they hear from the management. So in the morning my husband took a taxi and found a great place we paid $2800 for the 2 suites and decided to deal with the Expedia later. I tried calling them twice more to let them know I checked out after 1 night (less than 24 hours) and I expect a reimbursement for the 6 remaining nights, they said I checked out on my own and they are not sure what can be done.

this is a photo of my little girl once we moved into the other hotel but you can tell a major bite mark on her chin by all the bugs in the other place 

(by the way I wear OFF-Deep Woods as my Caribbean perfume because there are just bugs, this was infestation)

This is my baby sleeping in a clean bed, free of  fleas

I decided to enjoy myself, stop wasting $$ on the phone calls that won’t result and to deal with it when I get back. To this day Expedia offers the same hotel in it’s inventory and my incident happened a 4 years ago. (I will name names if you comment or message me.)

When I got back it took 27 phone calls average call lasting about 90 minutes, I didn’t think I was out of line asking for the 6 nights back I was perfectly willing to pay for the one night I was there even if I didn’t spend 24 hours there. I received a partial refund after 8 months. Of course they offered it in Expedia credits which I refused and that delayed the refund another month for the corporate approvals. There was also some threaths on my side as I had a producer friend on the local news that wanted to do a story.

So after my little adventure, I decided I can do this better. I have opened several businesses before, did very well and decided to apply my know how to my passion. So my Cosmopolitan Travels, Inc. was conceived and born in 2010. 

this was the smile I wanted to see on my customer's faces, not bug bites and cries and misery

I decided to specialize in what I love: Caribbean, South Pacific, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe and definitely cruises and the newest most popular form of travel river cruises. I am also a romance travel specialist and can arrange destination weddings. I’m about to start including South Africa as my area of expertise soon, as well, because bucket list travel is getting more and more popular. 

I take about 6 business trips a year to inspect the countries, hotels on my agenda and to become one with them, because once I see it and get a vibe I can match it to the perfect consumer. The hotel in Roatan was not for me and not a family place, even though at that time (not now) Expedia had ‘family’ listed on it. I was lucky to have a credit card that I can just charge a whole another $2800, but what if the family that saved and sacrificed ended up in that hotel? And couldn’t afford to pay for a whole another vacation? I used to take a minimum of 2 vacations a year, so my tolerance was higher. Can you imagine the disappointment and devastation if a family is on the nightmare holiday and have no idea when and if there will be another vacation next year. That family was the reason I got into this business, as I’m determined to do right by them. Of course I have favorite suppliers, hotels, but I’m not paid by any of them to promote them as my top pick and push the product. I don’t have 10,000 people clicking on my website daily, my customer is personal and I want him/her back. It’s a relationship like you have with your dentist, insurance agent, lawyer, doctor - except mine comes with a lot of fun attached. Trust is important to me.

Contrary to popular belief Travel Agents do not charge a fee. We are paid by the supplier, the same way an internet booking site is paid. Chances are we will cost about the same. I have been able to even be lower. And one of the very cool things hotels cruise lines love to work with us, as we are the ally, we will help if there is a problem. If we have close relationships they will even upgrade our clients for free, because they want more happy people. Chances are if I sent them I picked the right property and with a happy traveller we are all happy. 

So now that the summer is over what should you do? Several very exciting news are on the horizon for our LA area. Princess Cruises is finally back in our port and has sailings to Mexico 3, 4, and 7 days. It has a 15 day sailing to Hawaii visiting all the islands, and I even have a family Spring Break Group on the Crown Princess sailing to Mexican Riviera Puerto Vallarta and Cabo April 12-19, 2014.  

Mexico is another destination people ask me. “Is is safe? I’m afraid to go.” This year alone I was in Mazatlan in January, Puerto Vallarta June, I just returned from Cancun and Riviera Maya, going to Cozumel end of August and again to Puerto Vallarta in October. 2 of those trips I am accompanied by my little girl and I feel perfectly safe. If I can put it in the plain English - any country has dangerous areas. I know I’m living in LA now for 25 years, but I really haven’t been visiting South Central a lot and some places in the Valley I have reservation crossing Sepulveda. 

Mazatlan, Mexico January 2013

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico June 2013

getting ready for a sunrise swim Cancun, Mexico July 30, 2013

Riviera Maya, Mexico August 3, 2013

and how great was this a world class chef Julio Gomez-Fraile and a world class sommelier Paul Sykes personally cooking for you at a Culinary Theater Experience at El Dorado Royale less than a week ago August 2013

I was walking the streets of Jamaica with my 6 year old and felt perfectly safe. Jamaica has changed a lot in the last 5 years, the roads are better and if you just saw it as a stop on a cruise ship you haven’t seen anything yet. Of course, I know I have no business in Kingston, and I would be as reluctant to visit Kingston as South Central. So I stay where I’m supposed to stay. I don't just check in the resort and don’t leave, I want to go and see the stuff around me. I love street food (but as I have a weak stomach I try to eat it just the last day - just in case).

my little girl in Jamaica April 2013 in a hummingbird sanctuary 

What do you do when you are thinking of a vacation next year? My best advice is book early! A year in advance is nothing. Deposits are small and refundable in full for a long time. You can make payments if booking with an agent, I even have bridal registry for honeymoons, and I can take payments for your reserved trip from your friends and send them gift certificates to present to you as birthday, anniversary, holiday gifts. Wouldn’t you rather have that then someone adopting a star in your name?

And most of all - SAY NO TO STAYCATION (when you take time off work and clean your garage or just stay home). This is the only life you have and it goes as a blink of an eye. I’m about to loose my father to Parkinsons and cancer. My heart is full that I took him to San Francisco (his favorite city in the world), Grand Canyon, Greece and Turkey even when maybe my money could have been better invested, because for the last 4 years he couldn't travel - now, when I’m in the position to show him the world. 

my father at his last trip with his one and only granddaughter 2009 Antalya, Turkey. Priceless. 

(Do you really want to clean your garage and mow your lawn during your vacation time?)

I will never regret taking him everywhere even when I couldn’t really afford it because I know that is what he will remember forever and so will I.

How can I make your dream come true? 

www.cosmopolitantravels.com

800-303-7901

310-490-1893 cell (txt OK)

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Jade Mountain - if you want the very best of everything

Just getting to the Jade Mountain is interesting to put it mildly. You can take a helicopter from UVF (Hewanorra Int’l St. Lucia) Airport, which is really the best way as you’ll get there really fast 10 minutes, and you’ll be able to see the Pitons from the air. If you decide to drive the last 5 miles are unpaved narrow up the hill road, and obviously it was raining cats and dogs when I was getting there. 

I was in front of one of the most remarkable sites of St. Lucia and it wouldn't even photograph because of the weather. 

Let's not even go through the fact that I had to treck throgh half of the country to see this resort as I was staying at Castries and Jade Mountain is in Soufreire. (UVF airport is the point Vieux Fort - FYI)

 But I made it. Ahhhh....

I was just sorry not to have fantastic photos in the full sunlight, but then later on St. Lucian weather (that was always kind to me) gave me some excellent sunshine.

When you first see the structure in front of you it is remarkable! Picture really doesn’t do it justice. Same thing like when you see the pyramids of Giza up-close and personal, you feel how awesome they are. 

To say that the structure is spectacular is just the beginning. The whole wonderful idea of the genius owner and architect Nick Troubetzkoy was to marry the concept of elements (earth, air, fire, water) into his building. They built it green before green was 'in', just because it achieved the perfect hamony between structure and nature. It opened in 2006.

When you walk into one of the rooms there is no blast of air-conditioning. Instead you are hugged by the cool breezes from the Caribbean Sea. 

Everything is open the bathrooms are just steps above the living areas designed for you to look out while you are taking a shower or a jacuzzi. And every room has it’s own infinity plunge pool, what else could there be?

No TVs in the room, but for technology addicted - free wi-fi. 

The dining is the concept as unique as the resort, here is the menu:

http://www.jademountain.com/images/JadeMountain_Club_Menu.pdf

The most important decision of the trip that will take you to this slice of heaven, will be who to bring because once you bond with a person in an environment like Jade Mountain you will never forget it and it will stay with you for a lifetime. So make it a good one.

The beach is a black sand beach. Black sand is very therapeutic for rheumatism, etc. Ancient Egyptians used to bury themselves in the black sand for various therapies. And being so rich in minerals the coral reef right outside the Anse Chastanet is spectacular for divers and snorkelers. You can snorkel and dive straight of the beach. And this comes to you from a PADI certified diver - I was just dying that I was in front of that reef and didn't dive it. (Excellent reason to come back)

(this is my new screen saver)

I’m still so very much in love with this resort, I’m definitely coming back for my own vacation.

And as a last note, Travel + Leisure Magazine just announced yesterday their World’s best hotels and I’m very happy to say that Nick Troubetzkoy’s Jade Mountain claimed the top Caribbean prize as well as making #14 of the top 50.  

Their Caribbean-styled sister-resort on the same property Nick Troubetzkoy’s Anse Chastanet claimed #21 of the worlds top 50 hotels. 

I absolutely adored Anse Chastanet, especially when I saw how they built a bathroom around the tree in order not to cut it down.

This one is for the bucket list!

Happy Travels!

for rates and diving, wedding, honeymoon packages call me 800-303-7901 or email me dc@cosmopolitantravels.com

My feet have been everywhere!

This is just something that started developing about a year ago. I travel a great deal for work, of course, but I do get some leisure time, as I should experience some things my clients do.

One of my favorite activities is having a drink in a lounge chair on the beach/by the pool. I am a professional, if I say it is an activity - it is. So then I rented a private cabana last year in May in Jamaica and snapped a photo of my feet overlooking the ocean.

This one:

I loved it so much that it became my FaceBook cover page. It truly represents a saying 'picture is worth a thousand words", because you can feel how fluffy were those terry sheets covering the beach mattress, the breeze from the ocean and you can almost smell salty air.  It was several months later that I took similar photo.

This was Turks & Caicos in November 2012.
In the meantime I was in Mexico Cancun August 2012, Turks & Caicos end of August, back to Runaway Bay, Jamaica September 2012, but it didn't occur to me to take 'the feet photo'.

Then I started thinking that feet were not enough. There was always a tropical cocktail in my hand.

and I decided to instagram it. (Drink there is Yellow Bird, one of my favorites). And still the whole idea of every-view with feet and a drink didn't quite crystallize in my mind, so the trip to Mazatlan in January - there was no feet photo.

Then came Hawaii in January, and I took this photo. Our beach was too cold for my blood, so we did the pool, and a friend commented on this photo: how you can totally get the feeling of relaxation, and that is when it became a thing.

I even took a photo by the pool at my Country Club, when I was with my daughter and a friend with her little girl.

Then came Jamaica April 2013, when I took my little girl with me and this one was again with the yellow bird.

and the blue drink after a spa appointment in my robe.

and a waterfall pool view with a yellow bird, also Jamaica.

same thing with my daughter on a floaty on Instagram.

Puerto Vallarta, Secrets pool with a colorful drink. I asked them for something that will photograph well (but it was delicious).

and a best pina colada ever (same pool).

and a swim up bar with a view to the beach (also Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) beginning of June 2013.

this was last week in St. Lucia, couldn't decide on a drink.

and one of my favorites - St. Lucia Sandals Grande beach, sand-covered toes next to the yellow bird.

This thing just got serious. 

I'm off to Cancun next month - look for more feet, drinks, beaches and pools from me. 

Find your own thing. Look at something that interests you. You'll be surprised how much you'll like it when it becomes a collection. 

As travels are the bookmarks of my life, these photos are so precious to me. 

Happy Travels!

Truffles and Wines of Istria

10-day/9-night Value Packed Culinary Extravaganza - Deluxe Tour of Istria, Croatia

$2,345 per person (8 persons minimum required)

What will you see: 

Zagreb-Ljubljana-Postojna-Motovun-Livade-Porec-Rovinj-Pula-Opatija-Krk-Zagreb

Designed for serious foodies and those who appreciate quality wines and good things in life.

BOUNTIFUL ISTRIA says old Roman sign inserted in wall of local high school in city of Rovinj in Istria, Croatia. That simple sign truly describes this Croatian peninsula-province, in northern part of the Adriatic at Croatia’s border with Slovenia.

If god created a perfect destination, a perfect place to live or visit, than it got to be Istria. And old Romans, they knew it, they cherished it and they immortalized it. During the mighty Roman Empire Istria was one of the main food baskets and old Romans food supply regions.

Three sides of the Istrian peninsula are surrounded by beautiful, clear and azure waters of the Adriatic. Numerous islands doted around present natural sanctuary and breading grounds for rich sea life creating an enormous base for the fishing industry. Daily fresh catch is brought to local markets, restaurants and hotels. For sea lovers this is the ultimate paradise.

Central Istria resembles very much like Tuscany. Imagine little medieval towns perched on the top of the hills surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. And the red fertile earth produces some of the best wines and olives found anywhere. In relatively small territory, there are more than 110 wineries, most of them small, family owned boutique wineries producing some incredible wines. There are numerous marked wine routes, some on dirt roads where you can hit number of these wineries in just a few hours. Olive oils are also produced using natural process in small stone mills and all of them are 100% virgin, no mix of olives, no preservatives added. "If you liked Tuscany, you’ll love Istria", said M. Robertson, one of our past clients. Add to this the region’s production of organically grown vegetables and crops, small farm and family production of the best prosciutto and home-made cheeses found anywhere in Europe.

Not until 1995 did residents of Istria realize that they were sitting on another gold mine. In late autumn that year a young man by the name of Giancarlo Zigante, discovered the biggest white truffle ever found. After alerting the media, he soon became recognized as the record holder for discovering the largest truffle ever found, weighing about 2.5 lbs. His finding was subsequently registered in the Guinness Book of World Records. From that point on, Istria became new truffles capital of the world. According to experts, Istrian truffles are of superior quality to any other truffles in the world. Following Zigante’s discovery, the buzz about truffles broke out internationally, attracting flocks of visitors to Istria from all over the world. Not only did they enjoy savoring the unique flavor of truffles, they also discovered Istria’s
excellent wines, high quality olive oils and arguably the best prosciutto in the world. Numerous small boutique wineries have sprouted throughout the region in the last 15 years. Skipping forward to the present, Mr. Zigante is a prosperous businessman and the proud owner of the beautiful B & B Zigante Inn and Zigante Restaurant, serving exceptional dishes with the precious truffles as the featured ingredient. He also owns a truffle-processing factory and a chain of retail stores featuring a range of exceptional gourmet items from Istrian truffles to olive oils to wines and more.

Incidently, Indy car driver Mario Andretti was born in Motovun.

Our specially designed tour will take you to the heart of this “gold mine.” You will stay at one of boutique hotels including the Zigante Inn, try its famous restaurant, and visit the location where truffles are harvested with experienced truffle hunters and their truffle-sniffing dogs. We will take you to many of the Boutique wineries in the region, where you will not only sample a range of local wines, you will also have the opportunity to taste and assess Istrian prosciutto and olive oils. Complementary to this delicious sensory experience, you will see one of the most picturesque towns in the whole of Europe; we’ll take you to the natural spa, Istarske Toplice, for a revitalizing spa treatment with natural springs minerals and much more.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Saturday
ZAGREB – Arrival (D)

Welcome to Croatia!
Upon arrival at Zagreb Airport, transfer to your hotel, where you’ll meet your tour guide, have dinner and a restful overnight stay at the 5* Esplanade Hotel (formerly the Regent Hotel).

Day 2 Sunday

ZAGREB–LJUBLJANA - POSTOJNA CAVES - MOTOVUN (approx. 3.5 h. drive) (B, L, D)
The Longest Day
Your morning city tour of Croatia’s impressive capital, Zagreb, will include old section of the Upper Town, the city's historical center, St. Mark's Church with its multicolored roof, the Cathedral, the Croatian National Theatre, among other sites. After lunch we’ll depart for Istria and will make a stop in Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia for brief sightseeing. On to Postojna Caves, the largest underground cave in Europe with its own railroad 140 ft under. After sightseeing and resting in Postojna Caves, we will proceed to Istria and town of Motovun/Livade, Croatia’s “Tuscany country” and the new truffles capital of the world. This is where the largest white truffle was discovered in 1999 and recorded in the Guinness’ Book of World Records. Accommodation and dinner at hotel Kastel in Motovun.

Before dinner we will treat you with a massage/spa treatment at hotel’s spa. Dinner will be also at hotel’s restaurant and here you will have a chance for the first time to try delicious Istrian prosciutto, olive oils, excellent wines and exquisite dishes made with local truffles. Dinner will also include some local Istrian wines.

Day 3 Monday

MOTOVUN – OPATIJA – ISLAND OF KRK – MOTOVUN (B, L)
Full Day Excursion by private car
In the morning after leisurely breakfast we’ll depart for Opatija, one of the oldest and most elegant tourist resorts in all of Europe. Opatija, nestled on the Croatian side of the Adriatic, was in the 18th and 19th centuries the summer
playground of European nobility. Kings, and queens, princes and princesses, dukes and duchesses gathered here for some fun and a good time. Many hotels and mansions built at that time serve today as wonderful accommodations updated with a touch of modern technology. We will stop for brief break and lunch at Plavi Podrum (Blue Cellar) one of 10 top restaurants in Croatia.

After lunch short ride (30 min.) to island of Krk, connected to mainland by several elegant bridges. After touring the island and High Tea at one of the local restaurants, we will return in late afternoon to Motovun. Evening is free for you to explore local cuisine or do fun stuff on your own. Our car and driver will be at your disposal.

NOTE: Don’t forget submit your order and consult chef for special diner for tomorrow!

Day 4 Tuesday
MOTOVUN-WINE ROUTES-POREC-MOTOVUN (B, L, D)
Full Day Excursion by private car

After breakfast we will explore some more of Istria and show you some highlights of this beautiful part of Croatia. We will take a ride to the historical town of Porec, where the Euphrasian Basilica Complex is located, one of six Croatian monuments under UNESCO’s World Heritage Monuments protection. On the way to Porec, we will stop at Baredine Caves (Jama Baredine) and see several small pretty towns along the way. Porec is also very important tourist resort town and many hotels and villas are in demand during the summer season, in particular by Europeans. After sightseeing of city and Basilica, we will stop at country restaurant for a typical Istrian meal. Needles to say, tasting of local wines will accompany the lunch.

After lunch we will stop at Zigante’s Truffle Processing plant where you will see the entire process of canning this precious ingredient. After this stop we will hit several wine routes. You will have a chance to sample and buy some incredibly good local wines. All wine tastings are included. Return to Motovun in late afternoon.
Tonight’s dinner will be at hotel Kastel and chef Ivan will personally prepare your order which you made a day before. Anything on the menu or you might want take chef’s suggestion and test his creativity (suggested). n

Day 5 Wednesday
MOTOVUN-PULA-BRIONI-ROVINJ-MOTOVUN (B, L, D)
Full Day Excursion by Private Car
After leisurely breakfast we will take a short ride to Pula, the largest Istrian city.
No, it’s not Rome! Romans built about 50 coliseums around the Mediterranean, but Pula is the best preserved anywhere. Remarkably so with just a few of the original stones missing from its walls. The structure is used today for various community and public events, including Croatia’s annual Film Festival

We will visit this colossal monument, as well as other key attractions in the area. We will also take a short boat ride to the neighboring islands of Brioni, where former Yugoslav president Tito used to spend his summers. Ironically, just a stone-throw away from this beautiful island is island of Goli Otok (Denuded Island), the infamous prison for Tito’s opposition. Before continuing to the picturesque town of Rovinj. We will have a cozy lunch on island of Briuni.

Rovinj (pronounced: ro-veen). For centuries, this sleepy little fishermen’s village has attracted international artists. It was recently featured in National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine (National Geographic Traveler magazine Best of the World 2012 –Istria) as one of 10 places to visit in 2012. The entire town, a haven for creative inspiration, could be seen as one enormous studio, with every building, every winding street, every corner an inspiration for creativity. Its narrow cobble stone streets weave like a spider web through the town and up the hillside, where the Santa Euphemia cathedral stands tall as a loyal guardian and protector of the entire region. Galleries, bistros, cafes, restaurants and boutiques lace these colorful streets decorated with hanging laundry on clotheslines spanning between old houses and dwellings inhabited by the locals. Visitors love this charming town, which is featured in Mediterra’s Croatia deluxe tour programs. We’ll take a city walking tour, climb narrow crooked streets to the top of the hill and Sta. Euphemia Cathedral. Afterwards, we will embark on a small sightseeing boat and visit several islands dotted around this town.
We will stay for dinner at a cozy seafood restaurant in Rovinj. You may choose anything on the menu and bottle of wine for 2 will be included as well.
Evening return to Motovun (30 min. ride) for overnight.

Day 6 Thursday
MOTOVUN-ISTARSKE TOPLICE-MOTOVUN (B, D)
Dinner at Zigante

Morning is free-Lunch on your own.
After lunch we will hit a few more wine routes and leisurely explore Istria. The highlight will be afternoon High Tea and spa treatment at real, natural spa and hot water springs at Istarske Toplice (Istrian Spas). Both High Tea and spa treatment is our compliments. Return to hotel late afternoon.

Tonight we will introduce you to superb truffle culinary achievements, a sensory experience to satisfy your palate. You’ll be served a full dinner at Zigante Restaurant, complemented by fine local wine. We will see also if Mr. Zigante could join us for dinner so you can hear from horse’s mouth the entire” Truffle Story.”

Day 7 Friday
LIVADE-MOTOVUN
Truffle hunt I
Pre-dawn rise and off we go “truffle hunting.” A professional truffle hunter will pick you up at your hotel and take you on your first truffle safari. You will meet his dogs, the truffle finders (on some occasions pigs are used). With their
exquisite sense of smell for the special aroma truffles emit, they start digging in the precise spot where truffles are buried deep in the damp soil, at which time the hunter guide takes over. With his hand, he will dig about 2-6 inches until he unearths the prized nuggets known as truffles. Your guide will explain everything you want to know about truffles, including the difference between white and black truffles, season of harvest and conditions for growth.
Return to hotel in time for breakfast and rest. The balance of the morning is free. Lunch suggestion: at a nearby restaurant specializing in truffle dishes.

An afternoon visit to the historical hilltop town, Motovun. You will swear you are in Tuscany. Actually, if you liked Tuscany, we guarantee, you will love Motovun and this entire area.

Day 8 Saturday
LIVADE-ISTARSKE TOPLICE-LIVADE
Truffle hunt II-Finders-keepers!

Another pre-dawn early get-up and off for another truffle hunt. Our experienced truffle diggers will take you on another truffle safari. This time, all of the truffles you find will be processed and sealed so that you can take them home with you (processing extra). Return to the hotel in time for breakfast. Balance of morning free.
After lunch we will take wine route No. 6 and visit a number of small boutique wineries. In the late afternoon, we will stop for a treat at Istarske Toplice, one of the best local natural spas. Our compliments! We will treat you to spa baths and a massage, readying you for a farewell dinner at the Castle Hotel on the hilltop of Motovun citadel.

Day 9 Sunday
MOTOVUN/LIVADE-ZAGREB (B)
Beginning of the end!
Your entire morning is reserved for leisure, shopping and relaxation. Our car and driver will be at your disposal should you wish to explore anything on your own. Late afternoon departure to Zagreb. Dinner at “Vinodol” Restaurant, one of the best Croatian restaurants and last chance to try some of Croatian interior wines. Overnight at 5-star Hotel Esplanade (formerly the Regent Hotel).

Day 10 Monday
ZAGREB
Return home
After an early breakfast, we’ll transfer to Zagreb airport for your return flight home.

HOTELS:
ZAGREB: Esplanade (formerly the Regent) 5*
MOTOVUN/LIVADE: Kastel Hotel or Zigante Inn 5*

INCLUDED IN TOUR PRICE

• RT transfer in Zagreb upon arrival and departure
• 2 night accommodation at 5-star hotel Esplanade in Zagreb in DBL rooms
• Daily breakfast in all hotels on tour
• English-speaking guides locally hosted
• Wine cellars and winery visits in Istria (cost of wine tasting not included unless specified)
• 3 Lunches and 3 dinners
• Air-conditioned modern mini-bus or sedan car throughout tour
• All government taxes and fees

NOT INCLUDED:

• Air to/from Croatia
• Meals other than those specified in Itinerary
• Travel Cancelation or Travel Interruption (for whatever reason) insurance-highly recommended
• Medical and personal injury insurance
• Admission fees to attractions, National Parks, museums and galleries other than those specified
• Items of personal nature ordered in hotels
• Tips to service personnel

OPTIONAL:

• OW Transfers from/to Venice to/from Zagreb or Motovun $195 per person
• OW Transfers from/to Trieste to/from Zagreb or Motovun $125 per person
• One hour spa treatment and massage at hotel Kastel $125
• Excursion to Istarske Toplice Spa including 2 hour spa treatment $250
• Full day Excursion to Trieste, Italy (by car, van or motor coach) $250
• Full day excursion to Venice, Italy by hydrofoil (summer months only) or private car) $298
• Dinner at typical Istrian village restaurant where all organic food prepared on open fire pit with bottle of wine for two $175
• Opera/Concert evening in Zagreb National Theater (subject to scheduling) $125
• Dinner at typical Croatian restaurant in Zagreb (includes bottle of wine for two) $125
• “Open Dining” is another Mediterra signature service. All lunches and all dinners throughout the tour will be included in the best local restaurants, where you may choose anything on the menu (a la carte).
• Travelex travel cancellation & interruption of trip Insurance - highly recommended.
• Medical Emergency and Evacuation Insurance (Mediterra signature service).
• Complete 8-day (7-night) Adriatic islands cruise on a small ship from $995

What an amazing itinerary!

Grab your favorite foodie friend and let's go to Istria!

(800) 303-7901 dc@cosmopolitantravels.com