Slovenia & Croatia Signature Tour
15 Days Escorted Tour from Zagreb to Ljubljana, Bohinj, Opatija, Split, Hvar and Dubrovnik
Inclusions:
• Accommodation: at selected hotels, service charges and hotel taxes
• Transportation: Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motor coach
• Arrival and departure transfer
• Meals: Buffet breakfasts daily, 6 dinners, 2 cheese tastings, 1 olive oil tasting
• Individual headsets: for sightseeing tours
• Porterage at hotels
• Sightseeing and entrances: Zagreb city tour with cheese tasting at the Dolac market,
Ljubljana city tour with visit of the Ljubljana Castle with funicular,
entrance to the Bled Castle, Cable car to Mt. Vogel, Butter & Cheese tasting in Bohinj,
entrance to the Postojna Cave with mini train, Pula city tour with the Amphitheatre admission, Rovinj city tour with visit of the Church of St. Euphemia,
the Plitvice National park entry, city tour of Split with entrance to the Diocletian’s palace cellar, Hvar city tour with Entrance to the Benedict Monastery,
Dubrovnik city tour with entrance to the Rector’s palace and Franciscan Monastery
Highlights:
Scenic Highlights: Julian Alps and lakes, Dalmatian Coast with islands, charming scenery of the Istrian peninsula
The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited during this vacation:
• Plitvice Lakes National Park
• Historical Complex of Split with the Diocletian’s Palace
• Old city of Dubrovnik
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Zagreb, Friday
A transfer is included upon your arrival from the 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.
Meals: Get-together welcome drink
Day 2: In Zagreb, Saturday
Get to know Croatia’s capital through the included city tour. The city is packed with historic buildings, such as the neo-gothic St. Marcus Church.
Your tour with 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 town or back at your hotel.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 3: To Ljubljana, Sunday
From Croatian capital we head north to one of the greenest and most charming capitals of Europe, Ljubljana.
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.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4: Ljubljana to Bled and Bohinj, Monday
Travel with your guide out of the city to the Lake Bled, whose emerald green waters set against the backdrop of looming alpine peaks combine to crate an idyllic natural setting.
Visit the lakeside castle and enjoy breath-taking views of the mountains, lake and surrounding countryside. Afterwards, optional boat ride on the Lake Bled:
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.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: In Bohinj, Tuesday
There are twenty-four 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 mountain Vogel (1,537 m),
from where there is a wonderful view of the 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.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, cheese tasting
Day 6: Bohinj to Opatija and Postojna, Wednesday
Today we head to the “Opatija Riviera” – the former Habsburg vacation 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 and overnight in hotel.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: In Opatija – Tour of the Istrian Peninsula, Thursday
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 village of Bale for 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 city gates.
After the tour, lunch time at leisure to explore several nice restaurants in the centre. Late in the afternoon return to Opatija.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 8: Opatija to Plitvice and Split, Friday
Today we discover one of Croatia’s most astounding natural sites: the cascading lakes of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Plitvice 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.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: In Split, Saturday
Split, the second-largest city of Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia, is home to 3rd-century Diocletian’s Palace.
As you see on your guided tour, the palace, and eventually its ruins, formed the historic heart of picturesque Split.
Afternoon optional visit of ethnic village with tasting of local products.
Hotel: Amphora Hotel or Marvie Hotel & Health, Split
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 10: Split to Hvar, Sunday
After breakfast, board a ferry for the two-hour cruise to Hvar, “queen” of the Dalmatian islands. 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.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 11: In Hvar, Monday
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.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 12: Hvar to Dubrovnik, Tuesday
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.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Dinner
Day 13: In Dubrovnik, Wednesday
During our walking tour of 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 the Europe’s oldest pharmacies.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Day 14: In Dubrovnik, Thursday
Free day at leisure. Optional: Pelješac wine & Ston oysters tour: Croatia’s second longest peninsula Pelješac – famous for its red wines Dingač and Postup,
delicious oysters and mussels growing in the brackish waters of Mali Ston bay, Ston city walls and its salt pains lays less than an hour drive from the city of Dubrovnik.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Day 15: Depart Dubrovnik, Friday
Departure transfer to the airport or port.
Meals: Buffet Breakfast
Hotels (Subject to change):
Zagreb: Hotel Esplanade 5*
Ljubljana: Best Western Premier Slon 4* or Hotel Lev 4*
Bohinj: Hotel Eco 5*
Opatija: Hotel Paris 4*
Split: Hotel Amphora 4* or Hotel Marvie Hotel & Health 4*
Hvar: Hotel Amphora 4*
Dubrovnik: Valamar Lacroma 4* or Valamar Argosy 4*
2021 Departure Dates:
23 Apr – 07 May 2021
07 May – 21 May 2021
04 Jun – 18 Jun 2021
25 Jun – 09 Jul 2021
27 Aug – 10 Sep 2021
03 Sep – 17 Sep 2021
24 Sep – 08 Oct 2021
Conditions apply and coach tours are subject to change.Prices are subject to currency fluctuations.