Croatia & Slovenia: Enchanting Cities and Natural beauty

A transfer service will pick you up from the airport or Venice train station to take you to our central hotel in Ljubljana. Later, we’ll have our meeting and a fabulous welcome dinner.

After breakfast, a walking city tour in the heart of Ljubljana, including the colorful riverside market, the playfully Art Nouveau Dragon Bridge, the Triple Bridge and the town’s main square dedicated to Slovenia’s greatest poet, France Preseren.

We’ll continue our day with a short drive into Slovenia’s Julian Alps, which leads to the azure jewel of Lake Bled. The panoramic view from Bled’s hilltop castle is stunning! We’ll have a lake view lunch and we’ll visit the majestic castle.

Welcome to the magical world of Postojna Cave, the largest and most visited in Europe. Here, we’ll be overwhelmed by the magnificence of an intricate labyrinth of underground caves, extraordinary formations of stalactites and stalagmites. It’s a journey into another world, where the beauty and grandeur of nature will leave us in awe.

Right after we’ll head to the castle of Predjama. Just a short distance from Postojna Cave, the Karst landscape unveils an enchanting journey into the realm of knights. For over 800 years, the formidable medieval fortress has stood proudly atop a towering cliff, a testament to its impregnable nature. Renowned as the largest cave castle globally, nestled in the rocks, it hides a labyrinth of secret tunnels.

Afterwards we’ll drive to the coastal charming town of Opatija. I great dinner awaits us!

We’ll spend the day exploring the Istrian Peninsula, studded with Roman ruins, Venetian architecture, and a landscape evocative of pre tourist Tuscany. Pula was founded by the Romans and to this day, its Roman amphitheater is remarkably preserved and so are the Temple of Augustus, dating back to the first century AD, and the Sergii Arch. Additionally, Pula is one of the main seaside resorts in Istria and Croatia. A wonderful city.

Then we’ll continue to the picturesque town of Motovun. The town has a privileged position, on the top of a hill, surrounded by vineyards. The old town is a blend of Romanesque and Gothic houses enclosed within two mighty defensive walls. The panorama is dominated by the sixteenth-century bell tower rising along the inner defensive wall. A town that will offer us an extraordinary view of the city and the woods, olive groves, and meadows of the surrounding landscape.

Here we’ll enjoy a fantastic wine tasting along with a lunch based on the most famous delicacy that grows in the area – truffle.

Today it’ all about nature. We’ll have an early departure from Opatija towards one of Croatia’s most stunning National Parks. With its 16 emerald lakes interconnected by numerous waterfalls and cascades, it’ll offer us an unforgettable experience. In addition to memorable walks in the park, we will also take a boat trip on the main lake within the park. So nice! To end the day beautifully, we have a wonderful dinner awaiting us at the hotel.

Zara is one of Croatia’s hidden gems, a city steeped in history, culture, and natural beauty. Located along the Adriatic coast, this charming city has been inhabited since ancient times, with a rich history dating back over 3,000 years. Its old town is a blend of its Roman and Venetian heritage: 4 beautiful Venetian gates open up in the Roman walls, revealing Gothic and Romanesque churches and palaces with romantic red roofs. A must-see stop in Zara is its incredible waterfront promenade. Here, we can enjoy stunning views of the crystal-clear sea and the Zara archipelago, dotted with picturesque islands. Along the promenade lies the Sea Organ, a unique piece of art that creates music using the movement of the sea waves, an amazing sensory experience!

Split is the second-largest city by population and one of the most fascinating in Croatia. Rich in history, one of Split’s main attractions is its incredible Diocletian’s Palace, a city within a city. Built in the 4th century AD for the Roman Emperor Diocletian, this imposing structure, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best-preserved and most complete Roman imperial residences in the world. Constructed with the beautiful white stone from Brac and other precious marbles, creating a striking contrast with the blue sea in the background, Diocletian’s Palace is a labyrinth where it’s a pleasure to get lost. But Split also offers plenty of fun, with its beaches and crystal-clear sea. A city not to be missed!

Afterward, we’ll go to Trogir. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, Trogir is a true medieval gem nestled within walls on a small islet connected to the mainland. Stepping into Trogir feels like stepping back in time, with its labyrinthine streets, ancient buildings, and well-preserved architecture transporting visitors to the Middle Ages. The town’s rich history is evident at every turn, from its stunning cathedral and Venetian palaces to its charming squares and picturesque waterfront.

Today we’ll head to Ston, a charming medieval town steeped in history and surrounded by stunning natural beauty. To get there, we’ll travel through the picturesque Pelješac Peninsula in Croatia, a long and narrow peninsula in southern Dalmatia that connects Croatia to the border with Bosnia to the south via a modern bridge. Ston is renowned for its impressive defensive walls, which stretch for 5 kilometers, making them the longest in Europe and second in the world after the Great Wall of China.

Here a special experience awaits us: A boat tour in the picturesque bay of Ston, where we’ll witness the thrilling process of oyster harvesting firsthand! And then an oyster and mussel tasting experience, of course!

Today we’ll discover the city of Dubrovnik from a privileged point of view: we’ll take a panoramic drive around the majestic city walls, soaking in the spectacular views of this historic gem. Then, we’ll explore the city on foot, strolling through the charming limestone-paved streets adorned with magnificent Gothic- and Renaissance-style buildings. Our skilled guide will reveal the secrets of this extraordinary city, UNESCO world heritage, famous for being the backdrop of many Game of Thrones scenes. Finally, tonight we have a fantastic farewell dinner planned, where we’ll relive the most significant moments of our wonderful vacation.

Enjoy your final breakfast in hotel before meeting your driver for a private transfer to Dubrovnik’s airport marking the end of an unforgettable journey through Slovenia and Croatia.