Croatia & Slovenia

Welcome to Slovenia and its idyllic capital city of Ljubljana situated on the country's southern coast. Known for its blend of Baroque and modern architecture, Ljubljana offers a peaceful and picturesque atmosphere. The city's tree-lined streets, charming bridges, and the iconic Ljubljana Castle create an irresistible charm that has earned it a spot as one of Europe's up-and-coming destinations.

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 starting destination around 4.30pm.

At approximately 5.00pm, join your fellow travellers and tour director for brief introductions and an orientation walk before our welcome dinner.

This morning, we'll make our way to the delightful town of Novo Mesto, beautifully situated on a horse-shoe bend of the Krka River. With its peaceful atmosphere, winding cobblestone streets and intimate charm, this town invites us to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty of its tranquil surroundings.

Special Experience: Take a relaxing cruise aboard Rudolf's Raft, meandering past adorable buildings dotted along the riverbank, while enjoying local wine, delicious snacks and light music. Once back in Ljubljana, we'll have some free time for lunch before taking a short sightseeing tour, offering glimpses of the city's highlights.

The rest of the afternoon is free for you to spend as you please. Wander through the pretty streets, explore the local cafes, or visit one of the many museums before settling in for a relaxing evening in this delightful city.

Today involves approximately 2 hours of walking.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

The Julian Alps have been captivating European travellers for centuries, and today, we'll have the pleasure of experiencing their beauty up close on a day trip to Bled. Known for its serene, sapphire-toned lake, charming villages and refreshing alpine air, Bled has a way of enchanting everyone who visits.

We'll begin our day with a guided tour of the town, starting with a visit to the stunning Bled Castle. Perched high on a cliff above the lake, this medieval fortress, dating back to around 1011, offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. As we stroll through its historic halls, you'll feel like you've stepped back in time.

No trip to Bled would be complete without tasting its famous local specialty – the Bled Cream Cake. With its delicate layers of puff pastry, smooth custard, and fluffy whipped cream, it's a treat you definitely won't want to miss!

Next, we'll continue our journey through Slovenia's picturesque villages, making our way to Bohinj. Here, we'll visit a local farm and learn all about the region's dairy industry.

Special Experience: Experience a traditional butter making demonstration at a family dairy farm and enjoy a taste of the delicious dairy products. We return to Ljubljana and have the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Today involves approximately 3 hours of walking.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Today, we bid farewell to Ljubljana and make our way to Postojna, a picturesque town nestled in Slovenia's Karst region. Postojna is named after the white-tailed eagle, a majestic bird that once nested high above the town, adding to its allure. Here, we'll venture into the extraordinary Postojna Cave, one of the world's most remarkable underground systems.

Formed nearly 12 million years ago, the cave stretches for over 24 kilometres, and we'll board a train to explore its vast chambers and galleries. As we wind our way through this natural wonder, we'll be amazed by the intricate calcite formations.

After some free time for lunch, we'll cross the border into beautiful Croatia and continue to former imperial resort town of Opatija. Located on the beautiful Gulf of Kvarner, Opatija is still a popular resort destination for locals and visitors from surrounding European countries due to its constantly warm climate.

Here we'll take an orientation tour, with our guide pointing out the highlights of this seaside town. We'll see picturesque gardens, historic churches, scenic views of the ocean and promenades.

The night is then yours to continue exploring at our own pace.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Today we have an exciting excursion to the heart-shaped Istrian Peninsula. Located in Croatia's northwest, it is actually shared by three separate countries; both Italy and Slovenia take up a slice of this Peninsula as well!

The drive will take us through many tourist resorts on our way to Pula, a strategic port dating back to ancient Roman times. During our time here we'll visit the Roman Amphitheatre, the sixth largest of its kind to be preserved in the world today.

Next is the village of Rovinj, renowned for its colourful, narrow streets, small squares and old palaces built in Venetian style. We'll enjoy free time here to grab a bite for lunch.

Continuing on, we experience more of the beauty of the Istria with a delightful tour and wine tasting at a local winery, savouring the region's unique flavours.

It's then back to Opatija and our hotel in the late afternoon where the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

This morning, we'll bid Opatija farewell as we journey to the stunning Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site famous for its spectacular waterfalls and vibrant, crystal-clear lakes. Here, we'll have some free time for lunch before we dive into an afternoon walking tour of the park.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the oldest and most beautiful parks in Croatia, made up of stunning forestry and sixteen cascading lakes. Renowned for their range of distinctive colours, the lakes' water changes from azure to green, grey or blue depending on the quantity of minerals in the water and the angle of sunlight.

After our adventure through this breathtaking natural wonder, we'll make our way to Zadar, travelling via the impressive Maslenica Bridge. Stretching high above the Novsko Ždrilo strait, this striking feat of engineering offers sweeping views of Croatia's rugged coastline and shimmering Adriatic waters — so keep your camera close.

Arriving in Zadar, the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. With plenty of inviting restaurants and wine bars tucked into ancient laneways, it's the perfect place to settle in for a relaxed dinner and soak up the Dalmatian charm at your own pace.

Today involves approximately 2 hours of walking.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.

This morning, we'll set out on a guided sightseeing tour of Zadar, uncovering how it's become the oldest continuously inhabited city in Croatia. Wander through the atmospheric Old Town where Roman ruins sit comfortably alongside medieval churches and elegant Venetian façades. We'll see the impressive Roman Forum, the Church of St. Donatus and stroll along the waterfront promenade, home to the famous Sea Organ and Sun Salutation.

After our tour, enjoy some free time for lunch. Perhaps settle into a café in a shady square for fresh seafood and a crisp local wine or grab something simple and savour it by the sea as yachts drift in and out of the harbour.

This afternoon, we'll drive south towards Krka Bridge, pausing briefly at Skradin for a picture-perfect view over this charming riverside village. With its terracotta rooftops, pastel façades and boats bobbing gently along the Krka River, it's a postcard-worthy stop and a lovely chance to stretch the legs.

Our final destination today is Split, Croatia's second-largest coastal city. Once we arrive, we'll step back in time with a fascinating walking tour of the city. We'll pass by Jupiter's Temple, admire the grand Peristyle courtyard and marvel at the impressive St. Domnius Cathedral. We'll visit Diocletian's Palace, one of the most remarkable Roman monuments in the world. Originally built by Emperor Diocletian in 305 AD as a residence, military fortress and fortified town, the palace is now the heart of Split's Old Town and a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site.

The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Today involves approximately 4 hours of walking.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Our day begins with a visit to the town of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed town known for its medieval beauty. The town's walls dating back to the 13th century, surround a treasure trove of Renaissance buildings and narrow cobbled streets.

As we stroll through the Old Town, we'll explore landmarks like the stunning St. Lawrence Cathedral. Built on the site of an ancient Greek temple, the cathedral's bell tower showcases a blend of architectural styles due to its long construction period.

After some free time in this charming town, we'll make our way to the mountainous village of Klis. With sweeping views over Split and the Adriatic beyond, this strategic stronghold has stood watch for centuries and you may even recognise it from the screen, as Klis Fortress famously featured in Game of Thrones.

Special Experience: Explore a family-run olive farm and learn about their organic methods, then enjoy a delicious tasting of their olives and oils!We'll be welcomed by and taken on a guided tour of their organic orchard, learning about traditional cultivation methods and the care that goes into producing high-quality olive oil. Then comes the best part — a tasting of three distinct olive oils, discovering the subtle differences in flavour, aroma and texture, followed by a sampling of traditional Dalmatian liqueurs.

After our visit, we'll return to Split, where the rest of the day is yours at leisure. Relax back at the hotel, wander the ancient lanes of Diocletian's Palace or settle into a waterfront bar along the Riva and soak up the easy Mediterranean atmosphere.

Today involves approximately 2 hours of walking.

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

After breakfast, we'll begin our journey towards the charming coastal town of Makarska, where we'll have free time to relax and enjoy a leisurely lunch. You can take a stroll along the waterfront or savour a meal at one of the local restaurants, soaking up the laid-back Mediterranean atmosphere. After lunch, we'll continue our journey along the breathtaking Adriatic Coast, with view that will surely leave you in awe.

Next, we'll head to the peaceful Baćinska Jezera, one of Croatia's hidden gems. We'll pause here to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the lakes and take in the scenic surroundings. This is the perfect opportunity to capture some memorable photos.

Our last destination is the historic city of Dubrovnik situated on the country's southern coast. Often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic', Dubrovnik is a treasure trove of medieval architecture and rich cultural heritage. Its ancient city walls, ramparts and bastions provide breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea, while the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town offers a captivating glimpse into centuries of history.

After checking into our final hotel, the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Your travel time today will be approximately 4.5 hours.

Optional Excursion: Dubrovnik Sunset Cruise - Marvel at this city from a different perspective, as you cruise round the city walls to the islands Lokrum and St. Jacobs while taking in a beautiful Croatian sunset. Make sure your cameras are handy to capture the city bathed in the hues of an evening glow! 45mins - from Euro 60pp.

The stunning city of Dubrovnik welcomes us with stone buildings, deep green shutters and terracotta roof tiles. Today, we'll embark on a walking tour of the Old Town, which will transport us back to a time when this city was home to notable poets, scholars and artists. Our tour will begin at the Pile Gate, and we'll pass the Bell Tower Clock, Orlando's Column, and the majestic Sponza Palace. We'll also stop at the Dominican Monastery, where you can enjoy the serene atmosphere and stunning architecture.

Next, we'll visit the Rector's Palace, the residence of the head of the Republic of Dubrovnik, where we'll learn about the city's history of governance and how natural disasters shaped its impressive architecture. Our journey will continue with a visit to the Franciscan Monastery, home to one of Europe's oldest pharmacies, which has been operating since 1317.

In the afternoon, you'll have leisure time to further explore the Old Town.

Special Experience: Enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals and taste Dubrovnik’s regional cuisine at a special home-hosted dinner. This evening, we'll indulge in a three-course home-hosted farewell dinner at a local farm.

Today involves approximately 2 hours of walking.

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning. We bid farewell to our new friends and to the splendour of Croatia and Slovenia.