Grand Balkan Tour – Croatia & Slovenia | 14 Days

Welcome to Croatia

You will have meet & Greet service at the airport as well as a private transfer to your hotel

Socialize with group

Meals:  Dinner

Overnight Rixos Premium Hotel Dubrovnik

Today the full day will be dedicated to exploring Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik is one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities, overlooking the calm blue Adriatic. Once the capital of the mighty sea-faring Republic of Ragusa (1358-1808), it’s now Croatia’s most upmarket destination. Today, the pedestrian-only Old Town – packed with aristocratic palazzi and elegant Baroque churches, contained within sturdy medieval fortifications.

This morning we will have a walking tour along the “City Walls”. You will see ever-changing perspectives over the terracotta rooftops of the Old Town and out to sea.

Afterwards, stroll along the limestone-paved Stradun (aka Placa), the main pedestrian thoroughfare through the Old Town. Originally a sea channel, it was filled in during the 12th century, and is now lined with souvenir shops and cafés.

You will see how local aristocrats once lived, at the Cultural History Museum. Based in the 15th-century Rector’s Palace, this is where the rector (city governor) would reside during his one-month term in office – on display are portraits of local nobles, as well as period furniture, costumes and clocks.

Visit the Old Pharmacy in Franciscan Monastery which is among the oldest pharmacies in Europe.

It was founded in 1317 as an in-house pharmacy for Franciscan friars which was later introduced to the public servicing the whole Town’s population and even beyond the town’s walls.

On Gundulićeva Poljana (Gundulić Square), take a look at the open-air market (mornings only), where stall holders sell local seasonal produce – expect cherries and strawberries in spring, fresh figs and peaches in summer, and oranges, lemons, pomegranates and walnuts in late-autumn.

After lunch we will have free time in the old town to explore the city on our own or enjoy a drink in one of the many bars inside the old town.

 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Rixos Premium Hotel Dubrovnik

Our journey today takes us to the seaside city of Split the second largest city in Croatia and the largest in the Dalmatia region. Enroute to Split we at a small town on the Peljesac Peninsula and learn about salt production at the oldest salt plains in the Mediterranean, Ston was a once an important military fort and has stone defense walls that surround the town. The walls are considered to be the longest complete fortress system in Europe and second only to the Great Wall of China.

Next we travel a few minutes to a nearby fishing village and join a family run oyster harvesting operation where we hop aboard their oyster boat. We head out to the oyster beds, watch the harvesting process in action and enjoy some tasty oysters along with wine and fresh olive oil. Yummy

We have lunch at this family’s restaurant right at the harbor.

Off to Split. After arrival we have a guided orientation tour of the city center and old town learning the city’s heritage and history.

Our dinner will be at a nearby Ethno village with homestyle cooking. Just before dinner we learn about olive oil production and visit the Olive oil museum.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Piazza Heritage Hotel

This morning we travel to Hvar by fast ferry which is about an hour journey.

Wandering in the old town we take time and explore the quaint streets of Old Town Hvar. Start your walking tour of Hvar back near the harbour, at the Venetian Loggia and Clock Tower. Here, you’ll be able to snap photos of these dazzling white buildings with the Tvrdava Fortress in the background!

Looming high over the town, you”ll take the narrow streets of the old town to get there, but we promise the views over the town, the surrounding Pakleni Islands and the glittering ocean are more than worth it. The fort was built in the early 16th century, when Hvar was under Venetian rule, and was reconstructed in 1579.

After lunch you will have free time to explore the town.

We ferry back to Split and dinner at a local restaurant

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Piazza Heritage Hotel

Enjoy a short Guided Tour of Spit where history, culture, and stunning coastal views await. Start by exploring the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace, a Roman emperor’s grand residence that’s now a vibrant part of the city’s life, with shops, cafes, and hidden courtyards to discover. Wander through the charming Old Town, lined with narrow streets and beautiful squares, and don’t miss the iconic Cathedral of Saint Domnius with its spectacular bell tower.

Enjoy free time in the afternoon
For a peaceful break, head to the Riva, the bustling waterfront promenade, perfect for a leisurely stroll or enjoying a coffee by the sea. If you’re looking for some beach time, visit Bacvice Beach, just a short walk from the center, famous for its shallow waters and lively atmosphere.

End the day with a delicious dinner and sunset drinks, where you can enjoy fresh local food while watching the sunset over the Adriatic.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Piazza Heritage Hotel

To get the day started we experience the magic of Trogir on a discovery walk and see the romantic buildings of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The relaxed walk will explore all the historic landmarks of the medieval city, situated on a small island between the Croatian mainland and the island of Čiovo.

Considered by many to be an open-air museum, Trogir will delight lovers of art, original architecture, and atmospheric streets. You will wander down narrow alleys to see up close Trogir’s complex heritage, from Romanesque and Renaissance courtyards to modern interiors.

At its core is the grand Church of St. Lawrence (St. Lovro), a masterpiece by the Dalmatian architect Radovan. Almost no information exists about the career of this enigmatic artist, save for the monumental portal of Trogir’s cathedral. His art collections have aroused excitement among travelers for centuries, offering beauty personified in the relief of Kairos.

After our lunch in Trogir we drive to Zadar

On arrival to Zadar we check in our hotel after you will have free time to explore or relax.

Before dinner we’ll have a discovery walk  in the city of Zadar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Hotel Bastion Zadar

Nature is rejuvenating! We will be totally immersed in beautiful nature today at Plitvice Lakes National Park. Its a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour begins by experiencing the 16 terraced lakes, the mesmerizing waterfalls, and the lush walking trails, followed by the changing colors of water at the Upper Lakes.

Finally, you’ll visit the Lower Lakes and its enchanting natural limestone dams before exploring the Great Waterfall. You get in some healthy walking today as we follow the trails through this natural wonderland. After Lunch we drive onward to Opatija and the Palace Bellevue Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Palace Bellevue Hotel Opatija

We are off to farm this morning. A truffle farm where we will join the truffle hunting dogs during their hunt for these precious & delectable treats. Truffle is an unusual subterranean fungus. There are two important varieties of truffles: white truffle (Tuber Magnatum) and black truffle (Tuber Melanosporum). Both of these can be found in the Buzet forest located in the valley of the Mirna River in the beautiful Istrian Peninsula.

Even though truffles can be found elsewhere, Buzet truffles are considered to be of the highest quality. Truffles live 10 – 30 centimetres underground, which makes it hard to find, and that’s why trained dogs are used in the truffle hunting activities. If you visit Buzet, you should not miss out truffle hunting adventure. Karlic family have more than forty years of experience in truffle hunting. When you experience truffle hunting, you will come to realize why it is an internationally appreciated phenomena. To spice up your encounter, we offer various truffle dishes and a unique tasting experience with a glass of famous red or white wine. We will also offer Istrian prosciutto and a wide choice of other Istrian dishes.

We have lunch here at the farm. After a short drive we arrive in Motovun where we visit a winery in the heartland of Istria. The winery represents a proud heritage of more than two decades of winemaking, in one of the world’s most picturesque viticultural landscapes.

After we return to Opatija and have dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Palace Bellevue Hotel Opatija

Our journey takes us to Pula this morning and later onto Rovinj. On arrival we start a walking tour of Pula’s historic center. Stroll the streets for an intimate perspective of landmarks including the Roman amphitheater, city gates, harbor, and Venetian fortress, with illuminating insights provided by our local guide.

We have lunch in Pula, after which we drive to Rovinj.

Arrival in Rovinj and start the walking tour of the old town

Discover how the city of Rovinj was born out of a historic coincidence during the walking tour of the historic Old Town. Explore the winding cobbled streets of the largest, best organized, and most populous town in medieval Istria. Admire the skyline of Rovinj with the blue waters of the Adriatic in the background. Discover why there are no bridges at the Bridge Square. Understand how thousands of locals lived together on a small island for centuries. Explore the area around the old Jewish Ghetto, just off the Arch of the Bearded including basilica Crkva sv. Eufemija.

On arrival after check in to your hotel there will be free time to explore or relax.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Grand Park Hotel Rovinj

Pack you bags as we are off to Slovenia Lake Bled. We will drive toward Bled but stopping along the way to visit Postojna Start the tour of Postojna cave. .

Blessed with natural wonders and interesting people, Postojna is also a place full of stories and mysterious legends. Even its name is an invitation to spend time here with us, since “Postojna” also means to stop for a time (from the verb postojáti or postati). Explore caves in a unique way as part of an underground cave trek. Postojna Cave, created by the Pivka River, was first mentioned in the 17th century. At the beginning of the 19th century, together with the visit of Archduke Ferdinand, the cave has officially become the tourist destination. With the growth of popularity much needed improvements had to be done and so in 1872 cave rails were introduced 12 years later the electric lightning was added (even before the capital of Slovenia – Ljubljana). When visiting Postojna Cave you will spend around 1.5 hours underground, with the temperature of +8-10°C so better prepare yourself for that with warmer clothes. But even if you feel cold at first you will quickly forget about it as the scenery around you will be among the most incredible ones you will ever see!

Tourists can admire the route of around 5kms inside Postojna Cave, part of which will be traveled by a small train.

After our local lunch we drive onward to Bled, we will check in our hotel and enjoy some free time before dinner to take in the beautiful scenery of Lake Bled.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Grand Hotel Toplice Bled

If you are an early riser you may fancy getting out to the lake this morning for a stroll or to capture beautiful images of the town of bled waking up. Perhaps there will be a light layer of fog over the lake that will make for dramatic photos maybe it will be a sunny morning, either way you’ll come away with photos of a lifetime.

After breakfast explore Bled Lake and the surrounding areas

With immense natural beauty, Bled, together with its surroundings, ranks among the most beautiful alpine resorts, renowned for its mild, healing climate and thermal lake water. The beauty of the mountains reflected on the lake, the sun, the serenity and the fresh air arouse pleasant feelings in visitors throughout the year, guaranteeing an ideal base or a relaxing break or an active holiday. Bled attracts businessmen, artists, athletes, explorers, sport enthusiasts, the old and the young, from all over the world, enchanting them to return again and again. Lake Bled should be your first stop on your day trip. The best first thing to do when visiting Bled is to take a leisurely stroll around the lake.

There is a paved footpath the surrounds the lake and it is a very easy, 6km walk to get completely around the lake. Along the way, you’re sure to encounter many incredible views and vantage points of this picturesque lake and it makes for an excellent place for snapping photos.

After the stroll we take a short boat ride to the island and visit the Assumption of Maria Church. The last stop of your trip at Lake Bled will be at the Bled Castle.

Bled Castle is the oldest castle in Slovenia and to get to is quite a challenge. You will have to climb on a steep hill but you will be rewarded with one of the best views in the area. We have our lunch here at the castle.

Discover Lake Bled with a traditional Horse Carriage Ride. Take a trip around the lake and enjoy the lovely town atmosphere.

Open horse carriages have a long tradition in Bled. Interestingly, not just anybody can become a carriage driver as the profession is handed down from generation to generation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Grand Hotel Toplice Bled

On our final morning, rise early to capture the stunning beauty of Lake Bled before we journey to Ljubljana. Upon arrival, we begin a walking tour of the historic center, where we’ll explore major attractions and admire the unique Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, much of it influenced by the famous architect Jože Plečnik. We’ll then visit Ljubljana Castle, which has stood for nearly 900 years on a hill above the city, offering panoramic views of Ljubljana from its ramparts. 

Afterward, we’ll visit a popular local chocolate shop, where you can indulge in chocolates made with Slovenian ingredients like fleur de sel, truffles, pumpkin seeds, olive oil, honey, and forest fruits—each bite a taste of the region’s culinary delights. 

As the day comes to a close, we gather for a memorable farewell dinner, savoring fresh, local cuisine and sharing stories from our unforgettable journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Overnight Westin Zagreb

Breakfast

Free time or lunch if your schedule permits

Check out

Airport Transfers

Happy travels home!