Slovenia & Croatia In Fifteen Days 2022

A transfer is included upon your arrival from Zagreb Airport to the hotel. Zagreb offers a welcome jolt of big-city sophistication. You can't get a complete picture of modern Croatia without a visit here, away from the touristy resorts, in the lively and liveable city that is home to one out of every six Croatians.

Get to know Croatia’s capital through the included city tour. The city is packed with historic buildings, such as the neo-gothic St Mark’s Church. Your tour with a local guide will also include cheese tasting at the Dolac Market as an ideal place to delve into Croatia’s culinary scene and funicular ride to the Upper Town. Enjoy a free afternoon in the city or back at your hotel. (B, T)

From Croatian capital we head north to one of the greenest and most charming capitals of Europe - Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia. Enjoy a walking city tour of Ljubljana and see some of the most significant sights of the old city centre such as the picturesque central open-air market and the Three Bridges, both designed by famous architect Jože Plečnik, as well as the Baroque Town Hall and Robba's Fountain. During your tour, you will also visit the Ljubljana Castle and Virtual Museum. (B, D)

Travel with your guide out of the city to Lake Bled, whose emerald green waters set against the backdrop of looming alpine peaks combine to create an idyllic natural setting. Visit the lakeside castle and enjoy breathtaking views of the mountains, lake and surrounding countryside. Afterwards, you can take an optional boat ride on the lake. Board an old-fashioned hand propelled gondola known as ‘Pletna’ for a private cruise across the lake to the small island in its centre. Here, you will find the Church of the Assumption whose 15th century bell should be rung to bring good luck. Proceed to the beautiful Bohinj region, which is divided into the Upper and Lower Bohinj Valley. At the heart of the Julian Alps, in the Triglav National Park, you are greeted by Bohinj, one of the prettiest Alpine valleys. (B, D)

There are 24 typical Alpine villages in two valleys. In the Upper Valley by the lake, visit the gothic St John The Baptist Church, which has well-preserved frescoes from the 15th and 16th century. The journey continues with a cable car ride to Mount Vogel (1,537m), from where there is a wonderful view of Lake Bohinj and the Julian Alps. In the afternoon, we will join locals at a Dairy Farm during butter & cheese production made in a traditional way, in a copper kettle above wood fireplace. (B, T)

Today we head to the Opatija Riviera, the former Habsburg holiday resort and modern-day resort town, nestled between green forested hills and the cobalt Adriatic. On our way, we will stop at the Postojna Cave, the best-known karst cave in the world. It is also the greatest tourist attraction in Slovenia and one of the world's largest karst monuments. It is the only cave in the world operating a cave train, so visitors can admire the immensity and the powerful allure of the underground world, where the geological past is revealed to visitors in its own way while riding a train. In the late afternoon arrival to Opatija for overnight. (B, D)

A full day tour starts in the morning. Driving along the coast to Pula, the largest city in Istria. Upon arrival, guided city tour starting from the Amphitheatre Arena, stopping by the Hercules Gate, the Cathedral and finishing at the Temple of Augustus. Continue to the village of Bale for an olive oil tasting with snack. The tour then continues by travelling to Rovinj. Upon arrival, a stroll through the town to the Church of St Euphemia and artist colony to the town gates. After the tour, lunch time at leisure to explore several nice restaurants in the centre. Late afternoon return to Opatija. (B, T)

Today we discover one of Croatia’s most astounding natural sites, the cascading lakes of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Walking trails hug the lakes, allowing us to journey on foot and watch as the water transforms from emerald green to azure blue. Late afternoon departure for Split, arriving early this evening in time for dinner. (B, D)

Split, the second largest city in Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia, is home to 3rd-century Diocletian Palace. As you see on your guided tour, the palace, and eventually its ruins, formed the historic heart of picturesque Split. Afternoon optional visit to an ethnic village with tasting of local products. (B)

After breakfast, board a ferry for the two-hour cruise to Hvar. Upon arrival, travel by coach to lively town of Hvar, where you will spend the next two nights. Today has been set aside as a relaxing rest day, with a walking tour of the town in the afternoon. After the tour, enjoy your free time to explore your own interests. (B)

Day at leisure to explore the island. Optional half-day tour through the magical roads of the Europe’s sunniest island, which is famed for its lavender, culture, olives and wine history. (B)

We continue our journey south today, leaving Hvar Island for the mainland and then travelling along the scenic Dalmatian coast to the shimmering ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, Dubrovnik. Whether you are visiting Dubrovnik for the first time or the hundredth, the sense of admiration never fails to descend when you set eyes on the beauty of the Old Town. (B, D)

During our walking tour of the fortified town centre, we will see the impressive ramparts, erected during the Crusades to protect the town against land attacks. We will visit the 15th century Rector's Palace and an early 14th century Franciscan Monastery that is home to one of Europe's oldest pharmacies. (B)

Free day at leisure. You can join an optional Pelješac Wine & Ston Oysters Tour. Croatia’s second largest peninsula, Pelješac is famous for its red wines Dingač and Postup, delicious oysters and mussels growing in the brackish waters of Mali Ston Bay. Ston defensive walls and its salt pans lay less than an hour drive from the city of Dubrovnik. (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by departure transfer to the airport or port. (B)