Discover enchanting area of islands and National parks in Croatia, go for a truffle hunting, see unique Istrian villages and be amazed by Slovenian beauty.
Itinerary
Arrive to Ljubljana Airport and transfer to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Check-in at your central hotel.
Guided walk through the medieval Old Town and see the main attractions such as the Triple Bridge, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and more. Explore the medieval Old Town on the banks of the Ljubljanica River. Visit the city’s bustling central market and discover boutique shops and charming restaurants. At leisure.
Overnight: Ljubljana
Discover Skocjan Caves under UNESCO Heritage. Due to their exceptional significance, the Škocjan Caves were entered on UNESCO’s list of natural and cultural world heritage sites in 1986. International scientific circles have thus acknowledged the importance of the Caves as one of the natural treasures of planet Earth. Ranking among the most important caves in the world, the Škocjan Caves represent the most significant underground phenomena in both the Karst region and Slovenia.
Drive to Hrastovlje and visit exquisite gem, Church of the Holy Trinity in Hrastovlje. Set amid vineyards and fortified by ancient walls, the interior hides the most extensive and best preserved medieval frescoes including the famous ‘Dance of the Dead’.
Continue to Slovenian Istria. Meet local truffle hunter who will explain us how to hunt truffles. Then we will try delicious truffle specialties.
Further to the olive plantation, where we will meet with local organic producer of olive oil, who will explain all the secrets of organic olive growing, which is not easy. We will try his exceptional olive oil. Not far away from the olive plantation, we will have a wine tasting at one of the most renowned wine producers in Slovenian Istria and in the Slovenian territory.
We continue our tour in Piran, the most picturesque Slovenian town on the Adriatic coast, with the impact of the famous Venice.
Overnight: Piran
Spend a day on the sea and get to know tricks on how to become a successful fisherman. Explore the sea with professional fishermen, equipment and bait. Be ready to wait and see if the fish will take the hook. Then we weight the daily catch and make lunch of it.
The rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Piran
Leave Slovenia and drive to Croatia. Istria is famous for its medieval towns encircled by ramparts situated on picturesque hilltops offering a fascinating view of the surrounding countryside. Travel through Istria’s green, fertile inland Tuscan-like countryside rich in olive groves, vineyards and medieval hilltop villages. Many of the villages retain the hallmarks of four centuries of Venetian rule with campanile (bell towers), fortified walls and picturesque houses built from the same white Istrian stone which was used in the construction of the Doge’s Palace.
Visit Grožnjan: Located in the undulating hills of Istria. The medieval buildings sit atop a plateau with views that marvel over the valley, out to the peninsula, and spreading to the mountains along the opposite horizon. The streets are jovial and inspiring, filled with artists and musicians in the summer months. It is easy to wind along the labyrinthine streets and lose yourself amongst the fabulous galleries and active displays.
Continue to Motovun, an excellent example of a medieval acropolis-type town, perched on a top of a hill.
Drive to Pula and sightseeing.
Today we will depart from Pula and board on a ferry which will take us to island of Cres. Surrounded by deep, crystal clear sea, island has a lot to offer.
Drive over the island to Mali Lošinj. En route we will stop in Lubenice, an ancient fort city, Vrana lake, town of Cres, Osor and on to Mali Lošinj. Check-in at hotel.
Overnight: Mali Lošinj
We leave Mali Lošinj and we board a ferry to Krk Island and further to Zadar.
For centuries Zadar was the capital city of Dalmatia and today the main city of northern Dalmatia. Its long history and diverse inhabitants have left a heritage of incredible beauty and priceless value. We take an afternoon sightseeing tour of this splendid walled city and see the Roman Forum built in the 1st-Century and St. Donatus’ Church which dates back to the 9th-Century is the most famous medieval basilica and trademark of the city. We will also see the reconstructed Romanesque St. Grisigono’s Church from the 12th-Century and the St. Mary’s bell tower from the year 1105; the St. Anastasia’s Cathedral from the 13th-Century; the People’s Square with the City’s Lodge and Guardhouse from the 16th-Century, as well as the mighty fortification walls with first class Sea(farer’s) and the Land gates from the 16th-Century followed by the Three and Five Wells Squares and enjoy in the sounds of the unique sea organ.
Continue to Vodice in the late afternoon.
Overnight: Vodice
Travel to National Park Kornati islands (Whole day trip with lunch).
Whole day tour to Kornati islands National park. Kornati is a surreal dream land, a natural archipelago of more than 140 uninhabited islands so stunning in their random beauty that according to the legend, after the creation of the world, there were few gems still left in the God’s hand, so he threw them over his shoulder into the sea and Kornati was born.
Today the Kornati National Park occupies an area of about 220 km2 (54.000 acres). There are more than 140 islands, islets and reefs that sprawl over 238 km of coastline, creating the most indented group of islands in the Mediterranean!
Overnight: Vodice
Drive to Split. Morning guiding through ancient history and starts with the fact that the Roman emperor Diocletian was born in nearby important Illyrian center and the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia – Salona. He build one of today’s most preserved palaces of that time in the nearby town Split. With professional tourist guide we are continuing our journey and sightseeing the 1700 year old Diocletian`s palace in Split, imagining how the life of Diocletian was like, within the walls of the palace. During the tour we stop by to see the Cathedral of St Duje, one of the most beautiful cultural wonders on the Adriatic coast but also the ancient cellars, Peristyle in center of the palace, Roman temples (today Christian ones), the famous Golden Gate and the big statue from Grgur Ninski. On this walking tour you will get to know the Split town and his history in the interesting way.
Continue driving to another remarkable Adriatic city, Trogir. Walking tour and continue to special domestic traditional House of Dalmatian prosciutto. Sightseeing of this remarkable place, get familiar with dried ham production. Tasting of Dalmatian prosciutto and wine with lunch.
After, drive to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Check in at your hotel. The rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight: Plitvice Lakes
Today visit Plitvice National Park and discover the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder that includes 16 terraced lakes surrounded by thickly wooded mountains and lush vegetation. A guided walk visits several of the lower lakes. Discover why million people every year visit this pearl of world’s natural heritage that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. Experience a unique blend of continental and maritime Croatia on sixteen remarkable cascade lakes. Timeless beauty of waterfalls thrills in every season in a different way. The perfect picture nature has been creating for several millenniums, leaving everyone breathless. Experience the birth of a vivid rainbow while getting refreshed with the scattered drops of 78 meters high waterfall. Find out why and how the Lakes change colors from emerald green to azure blue. Enjoy thousands of sparkling falls, clean pure air, the great Splasher, idyllic boat ride on Lake Kozjak, endemic flora and fauna and Lika’s food.
In the afternoon transfer to Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Overnight: Ljubljana
Morning free to explore Ljubljana until it is time to depart towards airport.
