Best of Croatia and Slovenia (Winter)

Embark on an off-the-beaten track discovery of Croatia. The capital city of Zagreb is your springboard to an enchanting journey through what was once a troubled region and is today a land of diverse cultures and traditions. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening for a Welcome Reception and orientation drive. (WR) Stay: Hilton Garden Inn

Spend the morning exploring Zagreb with a Local Specialist before travelling through romantic landscapes to the lakeside resort town of Bled, where we’ll stay the next two nights. (B) Stay: Park

Spend today exploring this magnificent setting on your terms, or consider joining an Optional Experience to discover more of Slovenia's majestic scenery. This evening, at our Be My Guest experience, savour local Slovenian flavours as you Connect With Locals at a traditional dinner with a local family. (B/BMG)

We leave the beauty of Bled behind for one of Europe’s smallest capitals. Embark on an orientation tour of Ljubljana this morning, admiring its Old Town, bridges and castle. We continue to the seaside resort of Opatija. (B) Stay: Paris/Amadria Park

Seaside splendour is on the agenda and you’ll start your day in the coastal city of Pula on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula. A visit to the 1st century arena with a Local Specialist will unravel the city's historical role as a strategic location for the Romans, Ostrogoths, Venetians and Allied Forces in World War II. Later, we head to the fishing port of Rovinj, where we wander through the Old Town and witness it's Mediterranean influences. Return to Opatija for some free time. See the statuesque nymph, her hand outstretched to cradle a seagull as a symbol of this region, and admire the belle-époque architecture. (B)

The extraordinary natural beauty of Plitvice takes centre stage today as we embark on a guided walking tour with a Local Specialist along the wooden pathways that are suspended over these mesmerising natural landscapes. You’ll enjoy an unforgettable MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you admire the cascade of spectacular waterfalls and crystal-clear waters reflecting green, grey and blue against the lush landscapes.

You’ll feel the special significance of this place, which is undeniably one of Croatia’s most beloved natural treasures and be grateful that through your visit you have helped to preserve it for generations to come. Thoroughly enchanted by the experience, you’ll settle in for your overnight stay at Jezero Hotel, located in the very heart of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, a short stop from Kozjak, Plitvice’s largest lake. (B/D)Stay: Lyra

Today, we visit the walled island of Trogir with a Local Specialist. The stone town is connected to the mainland and the island of Čiovo by bridges and will delight lovers of art, and Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque architecture. We continue our journey to Split, where we'll join a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour and Dive Into Culture when we visit Diocletian's Palace, built for the emperor's retirement. Spend the evening on your own, or join an Optional Experience to enjoy traditional Dalmatian flavours. (B) Stay: Atrium

Delve into centuries of heritage on this free day in Split. Consider a full-day Optional Experience to one of the Dalmatian islands. Ascend the bell tower for magnificent views of the sprawling terracotta roofs and white marble façades that edge on to the Adriatic, or savour the city's delicious gastronomy at cafés tucked away in hidden lanes. (B)

The impressive walls of Dubrovnik beckon, but not before we stop to admire the extraordinary walled city of Ston, with its dramatic views and laid-back fishing village atmosphere. Dive Into Culture and visit Europe's oldest salt pans where you'll hear how salt has been harvested here since ancient times. We continue to Dubrovnik this evening. (B) Stay: Kompas

Tread in the footsteps of Lord Byron and George Bernard Shaw, who were intoxicated by the allure of Dubrovnik. With your Local Specialist, you’ll embark on a Small Group Sightseeing tour past the Rector's Palace, Onofrio's Fountain and the Franciscan and Dominican monasteries, before spending time on your own. As our journey comes to an end, join your travel companions for a Farewell Dinner. (B/FD)

Our time together comes to an end this morning after breakfast. (B)