14 Days Self Drive
Croatia & Slovenia
Have you just finished a holiday in Italy? Extend your trip by travelling from Venice and combining Slovenia with Croatia. Adriatica can arrange your transport from Italy to a gateway in Slovenia or Croatia which will enable you to book car hire and take it with you across the border then leaving it at your final destination. So much freedom and flexibility!
Day 1: Venice to Rovinj
Spend your last day in Venice before your ferry trip to Croatia. The ferry departs Venice late afternoon arriving into Rovinj early evening. Overnight in Rovinj.
Day 2: Rovinj to Piran
Spend your whole day in this amazing seaside medieval town. Walk the cobblestone lanes around the walled town and make your way to the top of the island to see the Church of St Euphemia. Towards the late afternoon your car hire vehicle will be delivered to your hotel. Once you complete the necessary paperwork drive to Piran for your overnight stay.
Day 3: Piran
Meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a walking tour of the historic walled town of Piran (one hour tour). Piran has maintained the clustered medieval structure of narrow winding streets, houses huddled close together and numerous squares and churches. In the afternoon drive to Portoroz, the Slovenian Riviera town. Have some lunch at one of the many alfresco cafes overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Continue on to the Secovlje Salina Nature Park/salt flats where salt is still produced based on a 700 year old method. Overnight in Piran.
Day 4: Piran to Postojna/Bled
Drive to the Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle. Take a small train and discover the magic of the subterranean world and its stalactites and stalagmites. Then travel about 10 minutes to Predjama Castle and take a walk through the castle. Continue to Bled for your overnight.
Day 5: Bled
Bled is well known for its small island in the middle of the emerald glacial lake and its castle perched on the cliff above the lake. Take the typical boat named “pletna” and visit the small island with the baroque church and toll the bell. Visit Bled Castle, enter the museum or just enjoy a marvellous view of Bled and surrounding mountains. Maybe try the local Slovenian cream cake, Kreme Schnitte in a lakeside cafe. Overnight in Bled.
Day 6: Bled to Ljubljana
After a leisurely breakfast drive to the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Visit the most significant sights of the old city centre: the picturesque Central openair Market and the Three Bridges, both designed by famous architect Joze Plecnik, Baroque Town Hall and Robba’s Fountain. Overnight in Ljubljana.
Day 7: Ljubljana to Zagreb
Head south to cross the border into Croatia’s capital city. After you have checked into your hotel walk through the streets which are lined with alfresco cafes & restaurants. Walk up to the Upper Town to see Parliament House Buildings and views of the city including the Cathedral and Jelacic Square. Overnight in Zagreb.
Day 8: Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes National Park
Spend the morning in Zagreb and at your leisure travel further to the Plitvice Lakes National Park, check into your hotel before your overnight in Plitvice.
Day 9: Plitvice Lakes National Park
Have your camera ready today and enjoy a guided tour seeing the amazing cascading lakes, a series of 16 interconnected turquoise lakes separated into upper and lower clusters formed from basins of limestone and dolomites. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colours that change constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms in the water and the angle of the sunlight. Overnight Plitvice Lakes NP.
Day 10: Plitvice Lakes National Park to Split
Head south to the coastal city of Split. Enjoy a city tour featuring the historic inner city, built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. See the remnants of Split’s Roman heritage, its Renaissance and Gothic structures, Jupiter’s Temple, the Peristyle and the Cathedral. Rest of the day
at leisure. Overnight in Split. (B)
Day 11: Split to Mostar
Depart Split today and cross the border into Bosnia & Herzegovina to the historic town of Mostar. Mostar is known for its old Turkish houses and Old Bridge which spans the Neretva River. The bridge was all but destroyed during the 1990’s conflicts but rebuilt with a contribution by UNESCO. Overnight in Mostar.
Day 12: Mostar to Dubrovnik
Head to the city known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik. Drop your hire car off and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Dubrovnik.
Day 13: Dubrovnik
It is the Old town that everyone comes to see when visiting this jewel-city; its buildings with narrow alleyways, red-bricked roofs and a smattering of churches all encased by high city walls. Soak up all the historic and artistic heritage during our guided tour by strolling the bustling Stradun street, visiting Cathedral, Franciscan Monastery, Rector’s Palace and many more attractions of this precious and beautiful UNESCO site. Free time to explore this beautiful city.
Day 14: Dubrovnik
Conclude today with a transfer to Dubrovnik airport.