Captivating Croatia & Slovenia: A Week of Coastal Charms and Alpine Wonders

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Walking Tour of Split Old Town & Diocletian's Palace

This two-hour guided tour will take you to the Roman emperor Diocletian's 1700-year-old palace which was built as his personal rest home. Walk from the Bronze Gate through the central hall of the ancient cellars is the main communication line between the busy waterfront promenade, the Riva, and the palace's main forecourt, the Peristyle. You'll also stop by the Cathedral of St Duje, one of the most beautiful cultural attractions on the Adriatic coast, the Roman temple of Jupiter (latterly a Christian baptistry), the fabulous Golden Gate, and the medieval Croatian bishop who introduced the Croatian language in religious services.

Morning to Late Afternoon

Excursion to Beautiful Hvar Island

Hvar has a reputation as the Croatian Ibiza, i.e. lots of young people partying as if their lives depended on it, but it's actually much more than that and remains relatively unspoiled and comparatively affordable in relation to the mainland coast. Both of its main towns, Hvar and Star Grad, are lovely medieval towns full of traffic-free alleys surrounded by ancient stone houses; these act as a romantic backdrop to the towns' many cafes from where you can indulge in people-watching and view the fancy yachts filling up the harbor. In the summer, you can take a passenger-only 1-hour catamaran trip directly to Hvar Town. In other months, Hvar is still relatively easy to get to via a 2-hour car ferry to the main island port of Stari Grad. If you do take the ferry, it's still just a short bus or taxi ride to Hvar or Stari Grad - you can even walk to Stari Grad from the ferry port. Keep in mind though that you must be quick off the ferry to catch the bus. If you can afford it, taking a private boat is the ultimate way to experience Hvar, as you can swim, snorkel, and sunbathe along the way. Also keep in mind that while Hvar is happening in the warmer months, it is quite sleepy in the off season. Many restaurants and attractions will be closed, but if you enjoy exploring in peace and quiet, it is the perfect time to visit.

Early Morning to Mid-Day

Excursion to the Krka Waterfalls

While the more famous Plitvice Waterfalls are much larger and get all the press, the Krka waterfalls also pour crystal clear blue water over karst rock formations. And just like Plitvice, they are so beautiful that a National Park was created to protect them. But they also have a couple of key advantages over Plitvice. First of all they are much closer to Split, meaning it is much more manageable to visit them as a day trip. In fact Krka is only an hour from Split, versus a three hour drive to reach Plitvice. Keep in mind though that the waterfalls can only accommodate a limited number of people and the park limits entry. So if you want to be assured of getting in, either get there very early, or book ahead with an organized group. One more thing to remember is that it is not just about swimming - the National Park is also a great place for a hike. Also, don't forget your watershoes if you plan to swim, but please note that you are no longer allowed to swim beneath the main cascading falls.

8:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Full Day Small Group trip to Lake Bled, Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle

This full day trip will take you to the main tourist sights of Slovenia including the stunning Bled Lake, Bled Castle, the Postojna Cave, and Predjama Castle, as well as some lesser-known attractions that showcase the wild and mysterious beauty of Slovakia.

Early Morning to Afternoon

Lake Bohinj Alpine Nature Excursion

Escape to the serene and majestic Lake Bohinj, a gem in the heart of Slovenia's Julian Alps, on a self-guided excursion from Ljubljana. This excursion offers more than just a visual spectacle; it's also an opportunity to choose from a number of different outdoor activities. to Hike to a waterfall or Alpine peaks, feel the adrenaline rush of rafting down a pristine river, or explore the picturesque landscape by cycling through the valley leading to the lake. Lake Bohinj is a perfect trip for those with adventurous soul, as well as for those seeking extraordinary beauty and tranquility.

Morning

Wander Ljubljana's Charming Old Town

Ljubljana may be one of the smallest and newest European capitals without world-famous monuments, but what it lacks in renown it more than compensates for in spark and self-confidence in comparison to the introspection of Europe's larger cities. Having suffered little trauma from the breakup of Yugoslavia other than the 'Ten-Day War' in 1991, the Slovenian capital is now an obviously prosperous and self-assured place that has successfully absorbed and integrated a whole variety of external influences from Austria, the Mediterranean and the Balkans over the centuries, and then adapted and tailored them to produce a unique distillation that's remarkable in such a small country. It's one of the continent's greenest and most liveable capitals, having been awarded by the EU with the coveted Green Capital of Europe title for 2016. Car traffic is restricted in the center as one street per year is pedestrianized, leaving the leafy banks of the emerald-green Ljubljanica River, which flows through the city's heart, free for pedestrians and cyclists. There's even a free taxi service in the car-free city center, which is a golfcart-like electric vehicle called Kavalir. It travels slowly around the pedestrianized streets and you can jump on and off anytime you like (it holds up to 5 people at a time). In summer, cafes and restaurants set up shaded seating along the river, making it one of the liveliest (and busiest) open-air dining areas around.