HIGHLIGHTS
- Ljubljana, Slovenia: A guided walk through the Baroque Old Town, then the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for views over the “City of Dragons”.
- Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj: A Pletna boat to the island church on Lake Bled, then on to Lake Bohinj in the Julian Alps.
- Postojna Cave: An underground train ride deep into Slovenia’s largest and most famous cave, with a local guide.
- Opatija and Istria: Three nights in an elegant seaside resort, with a guided day to Rovinj and Rijeka and a winery lunch with wine tasting.
- Plitvice Lakes National Park: A half-day guided walk among sixteen interconnected lakes and waterfalls in this UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
- Zadar and Šibenik: The 9th-century Church of St. Donatus and the Sea Organ in Zadar, then the UNESCO-listed St. James Cathedral in Šibenik.
- Split: A guided visit to Diocletian’s Palace, including the palace cellars, and time in the living city within its walls.
- Hvar: A ferry to the island, then a guided walk through Hvar Town’s medieval core and the 16th-century Fortica Fortress.
- Ston: A guided stop in this historic town, enclosed by one of Europe’s longest medieval walls and known for its oysters.
- Dubrovnik: A guided walk around the medieval town and city walls, plus dinner in a local family home.
- Kotor, Montenegro: Two nights on the Bay of Kotor, with a boat to the Lady of the Rocks and a guided walk through the UNESCO-listed walled city.
PRE TOUR STAY: VENICE
Consider arriving a day before the tour starts or staying on after it ends. It gives you time to relax after your flight, and a buffer in case of unexpected flight delays. The cost of additional nights applies. Ask our travel team about this option and the added costs.
Make the most of a pre-stay by exploring Venice, known for its canals, historic bridges and architecture.
DAY 1
Arrive Venice
Welcome to Venice, Italy. Arrive on your chosen flight and check in to the hotel in the afternoon. At the end of the day, we meet our group and tour guide for a welcome meeting, followed by a group welcome dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Welcome meeting with your group and tour guide
- Welcome group dinner
Special Note:
Our hotel is on Tronchetto, a small island at the edge of Venice, not in the historic centre. The People Mover, a short ride from the hotel, connects us to Piazzale Roma and Venice Island, so it’s easy to head in and explore at leisure.
DAY 2
Venice to Ljubljana by road
We set off for Slovenia this morning. Small in size, Slovenia is known for its natural beauty, from Lake Bled to the Julian Alps, along with sites like the Postojna Caves.
Our first stop is the capital, Ljubljana, where a local guide joins us for a half-day walking tour of the city centre. We ride the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for views over the “City of Dragons”, then explore the Old Town, known for its Baroque architecture and lively atmosphere. There is free time to soak up the charm before we come together for a group dinner at a local restaurant this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Travel by private group vehicle from Venice to Ljubljana
- Half-day walking tour of Ljubljana with a local guide
- Funicular ride to Ljubljana Castle
- Group dinner at a local restaurant
DAY 3
Ljubljana to Bled by road
Bled is an alpine resort known for its mild climate and the thermal waters of its lake.
After breakfast, it’s an easy drive to Bled, where a local guide joins us for a half-day exploration of this corner of Slovenia. We take a Pletna boat ride out to the island at the centre of Lake Bled, where we visit the Church of St. Mary and ring the wishing bell. After free time for lunch, we continue to Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest natural lake, in the heart of the Julian Alps within Triglav National Park. Majestic mountains reflect in the clear water, with a serene atmosphere and fresh alpine air. After a day of exploration, we check in to our hotel in Bled for an evening at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Travel by private group vehicle from Ljubljana to Bled
- Half-day guided exploration of Bled with a local guide
- Pletna boat ride to the island on Lake Bled
- Visit to the Church of St. Mary
- Visit to Lake Bohinj in Triglav National Park
DAY 4
Travel Day: Bled to Opatija by road, via Postojna Cave
After breakfast, we check out of our hotel in Bled and continue toward Croatia.
En route to the coast, we stop at Postojna Cave, Slovenia’s largest and most famous cave, where a local guide brings this natural wonder to life. An underground train ride takes us deep into the cave system.
After free time for lunch at Postojna Cave, we carry on to Opatija. This coastal town on the Adriatic Sea in Croatia is known for its elegant architecture, gardens and seaside promenade. Once a favoured resort of the Austro-Hungarian elite, Opatija has a mild climate that makes it a year-round destination for visitors seeking relaxation and natural beauty.
Meals: Breakfast
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Travel by private group vehicle from Bled to Opatija
- Visit to Postojna Cave with a local guide
- Underground train ride through the cave system
DAY 5
Opatija
We spend the day exploring the Istria Peninsula with a local guide, visiting the towns of Rovinj and Rijeka. Along the way, we stop at a family-run winery for lunch with a wine tasting experience.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (with wine tasting)
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Guided day exploring the Istria Peninsula
- Visits to Rovinj and Rijeka
- Lunch at a family-run winery
- Wine tasting experience
DAY 6
Opatija
A free day to make our own discoveries. Opatija has plenty of options: a stroll along the Lungomare promenade, time in Angiolina Park and the historic Villa Angiolina, home to the Croatian Museum of Tourism, a rest on the pebbled beaches, or a wellness treatment at a local spa. Waterfront restaurants offer local cuisine.
Meals: Breakfast
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Free day at leisure in Opatija
DAY 7
Opatija to Plitvice Lakes
After breakfast, we depart Opatija and continue towards Plitvice Lakes. On the way, we stop for lunch at a local restaurant before beginning a half-day sightseeing tour of Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s most famous national park and a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.
The park’s main attraction is its sixteen interconnected lakes, linked by cascading waterfalls formed by travertine, a type of limestone. We explore the park’s natural beauty, including the source of the Korana River and forests of beech, fir and spruce, some of them untouched primeval forest. The park is also home to caves, springs, flower-filled meadows and diverse wildlife, including the elusive brown bear.
Following the tour, we continue to the Plitvice area and check in to our hotel. The evening is at leisure to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Travel by private group vehicle from Opatija to Plitvice Lakes
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Half-day guided exploration of Plitvice Lakes National Park with a local guide
DAY 8
Plitvice Lakes to Šibenik by road, via Zadar
After breakfast, we travel to Zadar, where we meet a local guide for a walking tour of this historic city. We visit the Church of St. Donatus, built in the 9th century and the largest pre-Romanesque structure in Croatia, and experience the Sea Organ, which creates music from the movement of the sea waves. The remainder of the day is free to explore Zadar at our own pace before we continue to Šibenik and check in to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Travel by private group vehicle to Zadar and on to Šibenik
- Walking tour of Zadar with a local guide
- Visit to the Church of St. Donatus
- Sea Organ experience
- Free time in Zadar
DAY 9
Šibenik to Split by road
After breakfast, we meet a local guide for a walking tour of Šibenik. The city is known for its rich cultural heritage and medieval architecture, and is home to the UNESCO-listed St. James Cathedral, celebrated for its intricate stonework. After the tour, there is time to explore the old town at our own pace, perhaps over lunch and a browse through locally owned shops. We continue towards Split, stopping for dinner at a cosy tavern before checking in to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Travel by private group vehicle from Šibenik to Split
- Walking tour of Šibenik with a local guide
- Free time in the old town
- Dinner at a local tavern
DAY 10
Split
After breakfast, we head into Split city centre to join a local guide for a morning exploration of Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built as the retirement residence of the Roman Emperor in the 4th century. Our guide leads us into the palace cellars, giving a sense of its original scale, before we wander up into the living city that has grown within its walls, with shops and cosy restaurants tucked into every corner. The afternoon is free to explore at our own pace, including a stroll along the Split Riva promenade.
Meals: Breakfast
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Morning guided exploration of Diocletian’s Palace
- Visit to the palace cellars
- Free afternoon in Split
DAY 11
Split to Hvar by ferry
After breakfast at our hotel in Split, we have free time to explore at our own pace. Options include a stroll through the old town, a visit to Diocletian’s Palace, time along the waterfront, or a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant. Later, we transfer to the port and board the ferry to Hvar. On arrival, we have free time to explore Hvar before continuing to our hotel to check in.
Meals: Breakfast
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Free time in Split
- Transfer to the port
- Ferry to Hvar
- Free time in Hvar
DAY 12
Hvar
After breakfast at our hotel, we meet a local guide for a walking tour of Hvar Town. We discover its well-preserved medieval core, with narrow cobblestone alleys, the 16th-century Fortica Fortress overlooking the harbour, and St. Stephen’s Cathedral on the main square. Hvar Town is known for its welcoming atmosphere, charming cafés and excellent restaurants. The afternoon is free to explore at our own pace, relax by the waterfront or enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, before we return to our hotel for a relaxed evening on the island.
Meals: Breakfast
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Walking tour of Hvar Town with a local guide
- Free afternoon in Hvar
DAY 13
Hvar to Dubrovnik
After breakfast, we leave Hvar by ferry and continue by road towards Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, travelling through the scenery of the Pelješac Peninsula. We stop in the historic town of Ston, where a local guide joins us to bring the place to life. Enclosed by one of the longest stretches of medieval wall in Europe, Ston is also celebrated for the oysters harvested from its coastal waters. After a relaxed lunch in town, we continue to Dubrovnik, check in to our hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Ferry from Hvar
- Travel by private group vehicle through the Pelješac Peninsula to Dubrovnik
- Guided visit to Ston with a local guide
- Lunch in Ston
DAY 14
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is one of the world’s best-preserved walled cities and is protected by UNESCO. This morning we join a local guide for a walking tour of the medieval town and its city walls. Together we visit the Rector’s Palace and the Franciscan Monastery, home to one of the oldest operating pharmacies in Europe. After sightseeing, the afternoon is free to explore the old town at leisure.
For dinner, a local family welcomes us into their home for a meal made from traditional recipes. We enjoy the flavours of the region with local wine, and hear stories from the family about their culture and way of life.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Walking tour of Dubrovnik’s old town and city walls with a local guide
- Visit to the Rector’s Palace
- Visit to the Franciscan Monastery
- Dinner in a local family home with local wine
Free Time Extras:
A scenic cable car ride from the base of the city to the summit of Mount Srđ, with panoramic views of Dubrovnik, the Adriatic Sea and the surrounding islands.
DAY 15
Dubrovnik to Kotor by road
After breakfast, we set off towards Kotor, an ancient Mediterranean port known for its city walls, originally built by the Republic of Venice. The Bay of Kotor, with its dramatic inlets, is often called the southernmost fjord in Europe.
We stop in the town of Perast, where we board a small boat out to the Lady of the Rocks, an artificial island in the heart of the bay, home to a church and museum dedicated to the Virgin Mary. According to local legend, the island was created over centuries by sailors who laid rocks and sank old ships to honour a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary found on a nearby cliff.
In Kotor, we meet a local guide for a half-day walking tour of this walled city, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its natural beauty and cultural history. The evening is ours to relax before we come together for dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Travel by private group vehicle from Dubrovnik to Kotor
- Stop in Perast
- Boat trip to the Lady of the Rocks
- Half-day walking tour of Kotor with a local guide
- Group dinner at a local restaurant
DAY 16
Kotor
A free day in Kotor to explore at our own pace. This evening we come together one last time for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, a fitting end to our discoveries together.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Free day at leisure in Kotor
- Farewell group dinner at a local restaurant
DAY 17
Kotor to Dubrovnik Airport by road
We enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing Kotor for Dubrovnik, where our tour comes to an end. There is the option to be dropped at Dubrovnik airport. Otherwise, we recommend extending with more time near Dubrovnik in the seaside town of Cavtat.
Meals: Breakfast
Snapshot - What’s Included
- Travel by private group vehicle from Kotor to Dubrovnik
- Drop-off at Dubrovnik airport
Itineraries may be subject to change due to circumstances outside our control. If there is a significant itinerary change prior to departure, we aim to inform you before travel. Changes while on tour will be communicated by your tour leader or guide.
