Your Itinerary
Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins in the floating city of Venice. You’ll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel by car and water taxi, where you’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to explore among the bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years. Maybe walk to St Mark's Square and the Basilica, Doges’ Palace, Accademia Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. After the meeting tonight, join your leader and group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Venice is famous for seafood and fresh Veneto vegetables – perhaps try some fritto misto (a mix of fried seafood) or risotto with asparagus.
Day 2: Postojna Caves / Ljubljana / Bled
Say farewell to Venice this morning and travel to the Postojna Caves, where you’ll take some time out for lunch before exploring. A network of 20 km of passages, galleries and chambers, Postojna is the largest classic karst cave in Europe. Begin with a 2 km open-top train ride through narrow tunnels into the jungle of stalactites and stalagmites. In the vast chambers the electric lighting allows you to admire the size and splendour of the underground world, and your leader will explain the geology of these natural wonders. Continue to Ljubljana – a city full of style and sophistication. When you arrive, take a guided tour around the Old Town and earn about the city’s history as you visit Ljubljana Castle, the Town Hall, Cathedral of St Nicholas and the Dragon Bridge. You'll also visit the open market under arcades before continuing to the lake side town of Bled.
Day 3: Lake Bohinj / Bled
This morning you’ll drive through the misty Sava Bohinjka Valley to beautiful Lake Bohinj – the largest permanent natural lake in Slovenia. Take a cable car to the top of Mt Vogel, where you’ll be greeted by views of evergreen woods sloping down the mountains to blue waters. Take some time to enjoy the area before returning to Bled – renowned for its mild, healing climate and thermal lake water. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then take a Pletna boat ride (a wooden, awning-covered boat rowed by a special oarsman) to the island on Lake Bled and climb up the 99 steps to St Mary's Church. Enjoy a free evening where you can seek out the famous Bled cream cake (nearly every cafe and cake shop in town claims that theirs is the best).
This morning, drive to Motovun – sitting on the top of a cone-shaped hill surrounded by the bountiful Mirna River Valley, whose forests are famous for truffle hunting. The medieval charm of the town is still found in its well-preserved architecture. Today, you’ll have the chance to sample the delectable local product during a truffle tasting combined with fritaja (Croatian omelette), a local speciality, on a visit to a family-owned farm. Your sommelier will pair your tasting with suitable Istrian wines to try, such as the famous Malvazija. Continue to the romantic Croatian town of Rovinj – one of the best-kept towns on the Adriatic Coast. Among Rovinj's qualities is the beautiful, architecturally intact Old Town and its venetian-style St. Euphemia Church. Tonight’s accommodation is set on a private island just a short boat ride from Rovinj. Away from the pressures of the mainland, the hotel makes the most of its scenic setting, with calming views at every turn.
Today, make the most of a late morning before heading to the villages of Slunj and Rastoke which are beautifully preserved on the banks of the Korana River. Take a walk through the picturesque villages and admire the traditional wooden houses and water mills. From here you will head on to your hotel just outside Plitvice Lakes National Park. When you arrive, you have the option to head out on a leisurely walk with your leader to get your bearings. Then, the rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to spend at your leisure.
Day 6: Plitvice Lakes National Park / Zadar
Today, you’ll explore one of Croatia's most beautiful sites – Plitvice Lakes National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a fairy-tale land of wooded hills, turquoise lakes and waterfalls. Enjoy some time to discover the park’s trails – your leader will recommend the best routes to suit your interests and outline the park's rules. After your memorable visit to the lakes, drive to the walled city of Zadar. Take an afternoon sightseeing tour of the city with a local guide. Learn the ancient history of the Roman Forum built in the first Century and St Donatus' Church. Visit the reconstructed Romanesque St Grisigono's Church, St Mary's bell tower, St Anastasia's Cathedral, and the People's Square. Lastly, you will visit the Three and Five Wells Squares. There is also an opportunity to visit the Gold and Silver Museum. In the late afternoon, top off the day with a sunset drink overlooking the bay.
The day is yours to continue to get to know Zadar. There are a number of excellent museums to visit including the Museum of Church Art, the Archaeological Museum and the National Museum. Don't forget to visit the famous ‘Greeting to the Sun’ and the ‘Sea Organ’, two of the more modern sights of Zadar. The latter is a man-made organ on Zadar's Riva that works with the motion of the waves and 35 pipes to create a musical soundscape. You could also visit the vibrant fish markets of this port town, take a dip in the clear coastal waters, or explore the cafe culture and do some people watching.
After breakfast, drive to Split, making a stop in the town of Sibenik. Walk among the stone houses, churches, narrow alleys and lanes where past and present are harmonious. Visit St Jacob's Cathedral, a 15th-century jewel that’s UNESCO-protected, before taking some time for lunch. Continue to your final destination of Split. This is Croatia's second-largest city in the heart of the Dalmatian coast, set on the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea against a backdrop of coastal mountains. Check into your Feature Stay accommodation – a boutique hotel with centuries of history (it started its life in the 1700's as the first cafe in Split!), situated on the most beautiful square in the city. This evening you may like to head to one of Split’s restaurants with your group for dinner.
Enjoy a day at leisure in Split. You may like to visit the Mestrovic gallery, which displays the remarkable work of one of Croatia’s greatest sculptors, or head out for a stroll along the delightful seafront promenade. As this is a combination trip, a meeting will take place at your hotel at 6pm this evening to meet your new leader welcome any new travellers joining you for the next part of your adventure. After the meeting, head out for dinner at one of Split’s excellent restaurants. Perhaps try some brudet, a rustic seafood stew, or rozata, a creamy custard pudding.
This morning, head out on a sustainable Urban Adventure – ‘Unveiling Split’s Living History’. Led by a licensed heritage interpreter, you’ll stroll through the historic streets of Split, discover some of the city's hidden gems and get a glimpse into the lives of the locals. Wander through cobblestoned streets in the footsteps of past emperors and kings and learn about how Split has evolved over the centuries, now embracing eco-friendly initiatives like solar power and waste management. Explore the workshops of local artisans and witness the skill and passion of their creations. This afternoon is free to explore the seaside city at your own pace – maybe find the perfect seafood restaurant with sweeping views of the coast and tuck into some fresh cuisine over a glass of wine. Or, head back to your Feature Stay and chill on the la luce terrace or in the secret garden.
Take a morning ferry to Korcula – a gorgeous island off the Dalmatian Coast. When you arrive in the afternoon, head out on a walking tour of Korcula Town with a local guide. See the main sites of this seaside spot and learn about the history of this island, whose population is almost entirely made up of ethnic Croats. Korcula is famed for its folkloric traditions and you’ll get special access to the see the traditional costumes used in local celebrations. After, maybe hit one of the hidden beaches like Vela Przina or Proizd, wander the orange-topped architecture in the Old City or soak up some of the local wine culture among the olive groves.
Today you’ll head out on a custom-made half-day tour around Korcula. Explore the rich history of the island and visit places that are less impacted by tourism, supporting the local community. First, visit the Ethnographic Museum Barilo in Blato and explore the impressive collection, which includes agricultural tools, ceremonial clothes, traditional costumes, kitchen utensils and handicrafts that give a unique insight into the daily lives of the owners' ancestors. Wander the house and garden, then join your hosts for a tasting of local liqueurs, brandies, arancini, fried almonds and dried figs, prepared according to traditional recipes. After, head to Vela Luka to see the 20,000-year-old Vela Spila archaeological site and cave. Take a short walk over the cave for panoramic views of the archipelago and the bay below, then head to a local village for lunch and a wine tasting of local drops at a small family winery in the hills.
Today is a free day in Korcula. You might like to spend the day lazing at one of the hidden beaches and soak up the sun, taking a dip in the bay. Alternatively, maybe head to another local winery and support the local community by induling in some local cuisine and a glass of wine (or three). Perhaps continue your explorations of the Old Town tonight, taking in the stocky Revelin Tower and impressive defensive walls before stopping for dinner in one of the island’s many restaurants.
You’ll begin the journey to Dubrovnik today, stopping at Trsteno along the way – a small village just 20 km away from Dubrovnik. Here, you’ll tuck into a delicious brunch of local products made by a local family on their farm and presented by the famous Croatian chef Katija Paseta. Soak in the garden views and morning sun and then be treated to an olive oil tasting (a bottle of this locally produced kitchen necessity makes for the perfect souvenir!). Visit the arboretum next door – this is the oldest monument of garden architecture and the only arboretum in Croatia that dates back to the 15th century. This is also a Game of Thrones filming location, but is far less crowded with fans than Dubrovnik’s Old Town. As you spot locations you recognise from the show (well away from the tourist crowds), take in the views of the Elaphiti Islands and the Adriatic Sea below. Continue to the medieval walls of Dubrovnik, where you’ll have a free evening to find the best spot for dinner.
Today is free to explore Dubrovnik at your own pace. Maybe visit Rector's Palace to see the ornate Venetian-Gothic architecture or sip a beer on the terrace of one of the city’s cliff bars. Take a Game of Thrones walking tour to a few more filming locations or just people-watch over an espresso. Tonight, you'll be treated to a sunset sail on the Adriatic. On a private boat, sail to the Elafiti Islands, taking in the coastal scenery during golden hour. Go for a couple of swims off the boat, then hit land and visit the fisherman's village of Lopud. Here, you can share your favourite moments from your trip with the group over a farewell dinner of local cuisine. Sail back to Dubrovnik just in time to enjoy the view of Old Town from the sea during sunset and toast to an unforgettable memory with some local wine.
Your trip ends after breakfast this morning. If you're looking to extend your stay and soak more of Dubrovnik's unique beauty, additional accommodation can be arranged for you – just speak to your booking agent.
