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Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia

5.0/5 Based on 4 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Flights Included Fully Guided Locally Guided Coach Small Group Cruise Island Hopping Scenic
Our Price From 16,668 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 367 Per Person
 Trip Length
26 Days
 Trip Starts
Milan
 Trip Finishes
Dubrovnik
26 Day Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia Itinerary (Bunnik Tours)
Countries Explored: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia
Departures
Accommodation
3.5 - 4 Star
Max. Group Size
20
Guide Level
Fully Guided, Locally Guided
Trip Code
BUN294

Overview

Read 4 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Bunnik Tours 26 Day Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia. Explore the stunning natural beauty of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. Enjoy the ‘good life’ in northern Italy, breathe the pristine air of the Alps, relax in the Lake District, and feel the romance of Venice. Experience the beauty of Lake Bled and Plitvice Lakes before a seven-night cruise down the sun-drenched Dalmatian coast. Return international flights are included between Australia and the start & end point of your trip. Surcharges may apply.

Itinerary

Welcome to beautiful northern Italy, and the world capital of fashion and design, Milan! Italy is a diverse country with something for everyone. Ancient ruins lie next to modern buildings and cobblestone alleyways next to busy streets. Home of pizza, pasta, olive oil and wine, Italy is known as a food lover's paradise. Fashion lovers from all over the world also flock to Italy for the latest clothing, shoes and handbag designs.

We don’t want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don’t, we recommend you arrive at your hotel by 5.00pm.

This evening meet your fellow travellers and Tour Director for a welcome drink at the hotel.

Located on the south side of the Alps, beautiful Lake Maggiore is the second largest lake in Italy. A little less crowded than some of Italy's other lakes, there is still much to see here. One of the highlights is the Borromean Islands, a group of small islands which feature impressive 16th and 17th-century architecture and well-manicured gardens. Before departing, we will explore the capital of the Lombardy region, Milan. Often described as the city of the future, this buzzing metropolis is where big business and high-end fashion meet, creating a city like no other.

Our tour will take us to the Duomo, the most impressive structure in Milan and the largest church in Italy. We'll also view the historic Sforzesco Castle (outside only) and the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery. An extravagant 19th century shopping mall, it is the oldest of its kind in the world. Here you can shop for the latest fashion pieces or simply watch the world go by from one of the many bars and restaurants. The afternoon, we depart for Lake Maggiore in the idyllic Lake District where we'll enjoy a group welcome dinner.

Enjoy a perfect day discovering this beautiful area's highlights and relaxing in a stunning location. Admire the islets and enjoy the views looking out over the brilliant blue lake, dotted with tiny, flower-filled pockets. At approximately 65 kilometres long, Lake Maggiore extends across the border to the north into Switzerland. Today we'll take a boat out to visit the three Borromean Islands.

Our first stop is Isola Bella, ‘beautiful island', home to an elegant palazzo, Italianate garden and a small fishing village. Famous in particular for its stunning tropical gardens, Isola Madre is the largest of the three islands in the archipelago and our next stop. We'll also visit Isola de Pescatori (also known as Isola Superiore). Inhabited all year round, predominantly by its namesake fisherman, this island is bursting with seafood restaurants so make sure you try some of the local specialty.

Today we discover the spectacular Lake Como and explore the many sights on a walking tour of this lovely town. We then enjoy a cruise on the lake to Bellagio. Take in the incredible scenery along the way, including lovely hillside villas with the extraordinary Alps as a backdrop.

Once we arrive in Bellagio, have some free time to explore this amazing city. It is known for its cobbled lanes and gorgeous villas, with private gardens. Why not pay a visit to one and take some striking photos of the flora and fauna, or find a local restaurant to savour lunch? Our visit today will end as we travel back to Como via speed boat before making our way back to Lake Maggiore.

Today we travel to the city of Bologna, characterised by its red-brick palazzi, towers, and lengthy porticos. Bologna's historic centre is in fact the second largest in Europe. Settlements in the city date back to 1000BC and it is also home to the world's oldest university – the University of Bologna, founded in 1088. On our way, we travel to the stylish city of Parma. Known for its architecture, music and art, it's also the home of Parmesan cheese and prosciutto. Here we stop to indulge in some of the local delicacies before continuing to our next tasting stop at the Gelato Museum.

Special Experience: Enjoy a visit to the Gelato Museum dedicated to the history of artisan gelato, with tastings of course!After a day of delicious tastings, we arrive in Bologna and enjoy an evening at leisure.

A delicious tour awaits us today as we explore Bologna's culinary delights. Our first stop is the Mercato delle Erbe, where we'll find fresh produce, artisan cheeses and cured meats. We'll wander through the Quadrilatero, the oldest market in Italy, and sample local specialties such as tortellini, mortadella and balsamic vinegar. After learning how to make fresh pasta, we finish our tour of Bologna with delicious pizza, gelato and gourmet coffee. Full and happy, we'll return to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Today we journey to Venice. Known as the city of romance, it has the capacity to impress not only first timers, but also the most jaded of travellers. It is unlike anywhere else on the planet, with a mosaic of 117 islands connected by 409 bridges, where cars are banned and everyone, including postmen and the police, travel by boat.

We stop along the way for a sightseeing tour in the city of Ferrara, one of Italy's hidden treasures. Still enclosed by its medieval walls, Ferrara has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its beauty, cultural importance, and many historical palazzi. The city is characterised by the imposing Castello Estense complex, complete with a moat and four bastions, which was once the residence of the Este family – rivals to Florence's Medici in power and prestige. This afternoon we continue north to Venice.

Today we revel in the sights and sounds of this floating city with a walking tour of the major highlights, including the famous St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica. St Mark's Square was memorably described by Napoleon as the 'drawing room of Europe'. The golden Byzantine St Mark's Basilica was founded in the ninth century, as a shrine for the relics of St Mark. Built on a plan of the Greek cross, its Eastern appearance is enhanced by golden mosaics, originally created by craftsmen from the Byzantine Court at Ravenna.

The rest of the day is at leisure for you to further explore this wonderful city – the possibilities are endless!

Enjoy the views as we make our way to the Dolomites in the northern Italian Alps, offering some of the most interesting mountain landscapes in the world. On our way, we'll admire the scenic views of the Boite River Valley. Here, the majestic peaks of the Pelmo and Antelao mountains rise above the green Ampezzo Valley, with a lush backdrop of mountains and verdant forests. This region is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its natural beauty and has also witnessed a turbulent history. During World War I, it was the site of fierce fighting between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces.

After we arrive and check into our hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Today we explore the breathtaking Dolomites. The Dolomite mountains developed into what they are today thanks to geological activity from over 230 million years ago. The foothills of this famous region are beautifully striking with green pastures, the occasional shepherd's house and forests stretching into the distance. The houses in this region resemble adorable Swiss-style chalets, low with gentle sloping roofs and window boxes adorned with colourful flowers.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Special Experience: Explore the open-air Museum of the 5 Torri, dedicated to preserving the history and artifacts of WWI battles fought between the Italians and Austro-Hungarians.

Today we'll cross the border and make our way to the picturesque town of Bled, in the heart of the Slovenian Alps. The region around Bled is beautiful, set amongst stunning mountain peaks and brimming with forests and greenery, waterfalls, and streams. Arriving in the afternoon, you'll have time to begin exploring these impressive surroundings at your own pace.

We'll discover charming Bled on a sightseeing tour this morning including the town, the lakeshore and imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The history of Bled Castle dates back to 1004, when the German king Henrik II gave the estate to the Bishops of Brixen, who built the first castle in 1011 for defensive purposes. The castle is now a museum and exhibition space.

Whilst exploring the Lake Bled area, stop and try a local Slovenian dish, known as the Bled cream cake. Made with layers of puff pastry, custard, and whipped cream it'll be hard not to go back for seconds. Other cafes offer chocolate fruit versions of the cream cake too. We'll then travel to the lake valley of Bohinj, beautifully set amidst dense woods and spectacular mountains. The journey will take us through some very old, typical Slovenian villages with gorgeous landscapes.

Special Experience: Visit a local cheese producer, learning about the life of herdsmen in an authentic environment and tasting the delicious cheeses. We'll then take the cable car to the top of Mt Vogel to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views, before returning to Bled.

Today we visit the incredible Postojna Cave, the second longest and most visited show cave in Europe. Consisting of a network of 20 kilometres of passages, galleries and chambers, the cave system is filled with two-million-year-old stalagmite and stalactite formations. The massive Postojna Cave has its own distinct ecosystem and is home to the unique amphibian, the olm, also known as the human-fish. Our journey then continues to Predjama for a photo opportunity of the impressive Predjama Castle, built into the mouth of a cavern.

In the afternoon we'll stop in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, known for its abundance of beautiful green spaces. This beautiful city features a hilltop castle, emerald green river, and a buzzing al fresco cafe culture. Here we'll see the central open-air market, Baroque Town Hall, Robba's Fountain, and the Three Bridges.

Today our journey takes us to Plitvice Lakes, Croatia's most popular tourist attraction, granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves, and waterfalls. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colours, ranging from azure to green, grey, or blue. The colours change constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight.

First, we'll cross the border and make our way to Zagreb, the Croatian capital. Situated between the southern slopes of the Medvednica Mountains and the northern bank of the Sava River level. We take a morning sightseeing tour of this fascinating city and its impressive 900-year-old Upper Town, and visit the Cathedral, the tallest building in Croatia. We'll then continue our drive to beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park, stopping along the way to visit the open-air war museum in Karlovac.

Special Experience: Spend two nights in stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park, only 400 metres from the highest waterfall.

World Heritage-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park comprises 16 terraced lakes surrounded by densely wooded hills. This stunning national park lies in the Lika region of Croatia and covers a total area of 300 square kilometres, whilst the lakes join together over a distance of 8 kilometres. Today we'll enjoy a morning walk around some of the lower lakes. This afternoon there is time for an extended walk of the area to appreciate its natural beauty. Otherwise, you can spend the afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy the tranquillity.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Cruise Embarkation: After breakfast we transfer to the port of Split to board our yacht for a seven-night cruise along the picturesque Dalmatian coast. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner on board the ship.

Today we'll discover the vibrant city of Split on a tour, exploring the impressive seafront promenade and the ancient Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We set sail for Trogir, enjoying lunch on board and a stop for a quick dip. This afternoon we'll arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed artists' town of Trogir, where scholars from around the world gather to study and paint.

From Trogir, we'll take a bus to the stunning Krka National Park, where we'll marvel at the crystal-clear waterfalls and the rich biodiversity. This evening is at leisure for you to experience the local restaurants and nightlife of Trogir.

This morning we'll start the day with a tour of the charming town of Trogir, where we can admire its medieval architecture and Venetian influences. Hopping back on board, we set sail for Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, stopping for a refreshing swim and a lunch along the way. We'll arrive at Stari Grad this afternoon, one of the oldest towns in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you can wander the cobblestone streets and discover cosy restaurants and cafes in the old town centre. This evening is a chance to enjoy this picturesque place at your own pace.

This morning we head to the city of Hvar where we'll enjoy a guided tour of its historical treasures including St Stephen's Square and Cathedral, and the Arsenal, housing the first public theatre in Europe. We'll also venture above Hvar Town to the impressive Fortica fortress for stunning views of the bay and Pakleni islands. We'll enjoy lunch on board on our way to Vis, a bohemian paradise which is the furthest island from the coast, and the most enigmatic! This evening is at leisure, so why not explore the buzzing restaurants and nightlife here in Vis?

We set sail for the beautiful island of Biševo to explore its famous cave, a waterlogged sea cave with a striking blue glow that is simply awe-inspiring (weather permitting). Enjoy some time to relax and swim before lunch in a secluded bay en route to Korčula.

We arrive in Korčula in the early afternoon and enjoy a walking tour of its character-filled cobbled streets. This island is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean and is also thought to be the birthplace of the famous explorer, Marco Polo! This evening is at leisure for you to explore many of the bustling local restaurants of Korčula and enjoy the nightlife here.

We sail to the lovely island of Mljet this morning, supposed favourite holiday spot of the Greek hero Ulysses, and enjoy free time to explore the Great and Small Lakes in the beautiful national park. After lunch on board, we'll head to Slano, a quiet fishing village on the mainland. From there, we'll make our way to Ston, a fortified town on the Pelješac peninsula, known for its oysters and wine. After exploring the town we'll visit a nearby village to enjoy an oyster tasting. This evening we'll enjoy a group Captain's dinner on board with live music and entertainment.

We sail past the Elaphiti islands as we make our way into Dubrovnik, stopping for a swim in a secluded bay. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic', Dubrovnik is one of the most photographed towns in the Mediterranean. Enjoy lunch as we cruise along past Dubrovnik's city walls, before disembarking for a walking tour of the Old Town. See the most important sights of the Old Town as we walk along Stradun, the main street and square.

We'll also visit the Franciscan Monastery and explore its Old Pharmacy, one of the oldest in Europe! Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace. You can visit the Rector's Palace, and the Cathedral, take a boat to Lokrum island or a cable car to Mount Srđ. When in the Old Town, take the opportunity to walk the old city walls. Roughly 2 kilometres long, you can stroll at your own pace and enjoy the views over the Adriatic as well as into the hidden narrow streets and lively squares below.

We disembark the cruise this morning, marking the end of our adventure through some of the most stunning parts of Europe. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!

Trip Inclusions

La Dolce Vita

  • Take a sightseeing tour of Milan, visiting the Duomo
  • Take a guided tour of idyllic Lake Maggiore
  • Enjoy a walking tour of Como
  • Cruise on Lake Como to Bellagio
  • Taste some of the local delicacies in Parma
  • Visit the Gelato Museum, with a tour and tasting
  • Take a walking food tour of Bologna
  • Stop in the medieval city of Ferrara
  • Enjoy a comprehensive tour of Venice
  • Take in the beautiful views of the Dolomites
  • Explore the open-air war museum of the 5 Torri

Slovenia, the land of pristine landscape and friendly faces

  • Explore the mountain resort of Bled, including Bled Castle
  • Indulge in a tasting of locally produced cheeses
  • Admire breathtaking views over Lake Bohinj
  • Explore the Postojna Caves
  • Stay in the well-preserved capital city of Ljubljana

Beauty, culture and ancient architecture await in Croatia

  • Stop in the fascinating city of Zagreb
  • Visit the open-air war museum in Karlovac
  • Discover the natural beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park

Cruise Croatia’s sparkling Adriatic coastline

  • Take a walking tour of Split’s historic inner city, visiting Diocletian’s Palace
  • Visit Krka National Park
  • Enjoy a city tour in Trogir
  • Explore Stari Grad
  • Take a sightseeing tour on the island of Hvar
  • Explore Vis
  • Early morning cruise towards Biševo island
  • Take guided walking tour through Korčula
  • Explore Mljet National Park
  • Anchor at the beautiful Slano and enjoy an oyster tasting
  • Walk along the ancient city walls of medieval Dubrovnik

  • Return economy-class flights from Australia to Europe. Taxes included
  • Airport transfers on the first and last day of tour
  • All touring in air-conditioned vehicles
  • 7-night Adriatic cruise, including daily tea/coffee and fresh fruits, water package, shore excursions and WiFi

  • 13 nights in 3-5 star hotels
  • 2 nights in Ethno houses, Plitvice Lakes
  • Located in the heart of Plitvice Lakes National Park, just 400 metres from the highest waterfall, you’ll find the uniquely beautiful Ethno Houses Plitvica Selo. Made from natural materials including wood and stone, and built to look like a village of times gone by, the resort is now the perfect blend of tradition and modernity. The charming rooms feature handmade, traditional furniture, accompanied by the amenities of a modern hotel room.
  • 7 nights in a Lower Deck cabin on board an Adriatic cruise. Main Deck option available at surcharge.
  • Starhotels Ritz, Milan
  • Hotel Milan Speranza Au Lac, Lake Maggiore
  • Royal Hotel Carlton, Bologna
  • Hotel Santa Marina, Venice
  • Hotel Panda, Cortina D'Ampezzo
  • Hotel Astoria, Lake Bled
  • Grand Palaza Hotel & Congress Centre, Ljubljana
  • Ethno Houses Plitvica Selo, Plitvice Lakes National Park
  • MS Adriatica or MS Arca, Adriatic Cruise,

  • 22 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 5 dinners, including group welcome and farewell dinners
  • Bologna, enjoy a walking food tour, learning more about the town of Bologna and its delicious cuisine
  • Cruise, enjoy a captain’s dinner on board with live music and entertainment

  • English-speaking locally based tour directors
  • English-speaking locally based cruise director
  • English-speaking locally based guides

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Disruptions to itinerary may occur.
  • The Adriatic cruise featured within this tour is not privately chartered by Bunnik Tours, and as such, you will also be travelling with other passengers on board and during shore excursions.
  • Make sure you carry small change, as public bathrooms cost anywhere up to a €1.50 to use. All restaurants and cafes will have restrooms, but you will need to purchase something from their menu.
  • Due to fluctuating weather conditions, our sightseeing on day 11 is subject to change.
  • All optional excursions are based on minimum participants and are subject to availability. The length of optional excursions advised is an approximate only. Optional excursions can be booked on tour directly with your Tour Director or guide. We recommend arranging the booking at the beginning of the tour to avoid disappointment. Please note some optional excursions may also be available on multiple or alternate days. Prices are a guide only and are subject to change without prior notice. Payment by cash is preferred as there are no guarantees that credit card facilities will be available. Please check with your Tour Director or guide locally for information relating to this. Credit card fees and exchange rates are at the discretion of your bank.

Trip Reviews (4) Most Recent 'Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia' Reviews

5.0
AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5
4 Reviews
5 Star
100%
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Northern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia 0 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2022
The holiday was even better than how it was advertised. All hotels were four-star and clean. The guides were superb and the inclusions were excellent. The programme was varied and very exciting. We can't fault the company at all. The cruise in Croatia on the final 7 days was superb. Sadly, I believe that Bunnik are not running this section of the trip ...read more again because of difficulties in securing cruise ships. Apparently the companies require deposits 12 months in advance. Such a pity!
Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia 0 , NSW, Australia, Aug 2019
The overall tour was brilliant. The organisation was spot on and we had a great time. The Bunnik section was as expected and great while the Rome accommodation and extras were well arranged in a good hotel in the middle of the action.
Great vacation 6 , SA, Australia, Aug 2017
A very enjoyable holiday. Almost everything was perfect. We were particularly impressed with the smoothness of all transitions - from bus to hotels, to the various sites we visited and so on. Timing was spot on. Our Group was surprisingly small (only 7) and we were looked after extremely well. Our Italian guide for the bus component in Italy was extremely ...read more good - knowledgeable, caring and a sense of humour. Local guides were good too. The cruise ship (Celebrity Reflection) was comfortable and the food was great. Excursions were, as usual, rather expensive, but they were very well organised and we felt well looked after.

Only a couple of changes could be made. The hotel in Florence was nicely central but certainly not 3 star. And our ocean view cabin on the ship was badly placed near the front where we suffered a lot of early morning noise as we docked - hawsers, anchor chains and the engines. Partly our fault as we could have tried to change. The dining times on the ship were rather rigid too and though we were booked for flexible times, we couldn't seem to arrange that (the waiting list for this was too long, we were told) , so we ended up on a fixed time and our party of 7 could not get together.
Wonderful Bunnik Trip 5 , ACT, Australia, May 2017
After many years of being independent travellers this was our first experience with group travel. We loved it for a variety of reasons including the great variety of activities covering both city and rural/parks locations - and varying from visiting churches to a pizza and gelato luncheon. We had an excellent guide for the land based travel and good ...read more quality accommodation and coach.

Bunnik took all the stress out of travelling between different cities with a great group of fellow travellers which added to the fun and a good balance between organised activities and free time.

As a swimmer the tour provided plenty of time and opportunities fro swimming around the Adriatic as well.

For the two weeks of land based touring Andre and the guide and Robert the driver were excellent - very informative and could not do enough for the travellers. a tribute to their efforts was that the tour group contributed a tip despite Bunnik already having made such a payment. Unfortunately the tour guide for the cruise based activities, Jan was not so good. Very laid back and the only time he showed any enthusiasm was when seeking a tip at the end of the cruise. Would not rate him.

Some of the city tours, particularly when visiting churches went into to much detail but overall the individual city/park guides were of a very high standard (particularly the guide in Split). We would definitely look at a Bunnik tour for future international travel.
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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Prices include air taxes and fuel surcharges, this amount is correct at time of brochure release and subject to change. Note air supplement may apply depending on airline availability and departure city. The majority of departures above will proceed or are guaranteed to depart (based on a minimum of 2 passengers). We will outline the status of your departure date in your quote along with all applicable discounts and specials.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Bunnik Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Bunnik Tours. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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