12 Days A Portrait of Croatia & Slovenia small group Tour
Experience the Croatian lifestyle with a private tour! Croatia forms a meeting point between the Mediterranean and central Europe,and between the Alps and the Pannonian Plan.Its relatively small territory is made up of a wide variety of landscapes.A stunningly beautiful country, it has re-emerged from the difficult years of conflict and regained its role as a popular holiday destination.
Travel to Croatia with its idyllic climate, archaeology treasures, dramatic vistas and hearty cuisine that embodies all things Croatian. On this private tour journey, you’ll delve into one of the most fascinating and coveted countries in Europe. A wide variety of landscapes can be found in Croatia,from wild uninhabited craggy gorges to steep river valleys and a stunningly beautiful indented coastline stretching into the lower Adriatic,dotted with hundreds of islands. A plateau stretches from the Istrian peninsula towards Gorski kotar and ends in the hilly vine-growing region of Zagorje.For centuries Croatian art has combined elements from eastern and western Europe.The coast was ruled by Venice for 400 years,and between the Middle Ages and the 17th century,Croatia was in regular contac with the other side of the Adriatic. Italian artists came to the islands to work,and the Dalmatians crossed the sea and brought Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles back to their country. Croatian architecture, like its art, has also been influenced by Croatia’s position in Europe.Secular and religious buildings display a fusion of elements from nearby Italy and Germany and other forms originating in the Byzantine or Slavic works.
We have a real passion for Croatia and look forward to sharing it with you !
Read what our friends say about this fantastic croatia tour
Location
Day 1:Walking Tour of Zagreb & A Small Group Dinner
Your introduction to Croatia begins with a walking tour of historical Zagreb, the nation’s capital. Visit the lively central square, admire the Neo-Gothic Cathedral, and experience the vibrant energy of Dolac Market, the largest in the country, where local farmers sell honey, oils, produce, and handmade crafts. Ride the tiny funicular to the Gornji Grad, or Upper Town, a beautifully preserved Baroque quarter crowned by the tiled roof of St. Mark’s Church. After an included foodie experience, enjoy an afternoon on your own to soak in the art, culture, and vibrant café scene that define this easygoing Central European city. Stylistically closer to Vienna and Budapest, Zagreb has a charm all its own, distinct from the Mediterranean towns of the Adriatic coast. Gather this evening with your fellow travelers for a beautiful welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch on your own, dinner included
Accommodation: Overnight in Zagreb
Depart for the rolling hills of Zagorje, a region of storybook landscapes and centuries-old estates. Dotted with more than fifty castles surrounded by gardens and forests, this area once reflected the wealth and artistry of Croatia’s noble families. Visit the romantic Trakoscan Castle, situated beside a tranquil lake and surrounded by wooded slopes, before continuing to a family-run winery for a leisurely tasting and lunch that highlights the rustic flavors of Zagorje cuisine. Return to Zagreb later in the day with time to relax, explore, or enjoy the city’s café culture at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Zagreb
Cross into Slovenia to visit Lake Bled, nestled in the extraordinary Julian Alps. Its emerald waters, storybook church, and medieval castle perched high on a cliff have made it one of Europe’s most beloved destinations. Explore Bled Castle, where towers and ramparts overlook the lake and a small museum traces the region’s history from its earliest days to its 19th-century rise as a resort. Conclude your visit with a peaceful ride across the water in a traditional gondola before continuing to Ljubljana for two nights in a central boutique hotel. This evening, gather for dinner in a local bistro where Slovenian cuisine reflects a graceful blend of Slavic, Mediterranean, and Germanic traditions.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Ljubljana
Cross into Slovenia’s charming capital of Ljubljana, one of Europe’s most delightful and best-kept secrets. Known for its lively university, green spaces, and the Ljubljanica River that winds through the old town, the city blends youthful energy with old-world grace. Set out on a guided walking tour that reveals its heart and history, including the elegant City Hall, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the bustling farmer’s market, and the hilltop Ljubljana Castle, whose views stretch across red rooftops to the distant Alps. Continue with a tranquil boat cruise along the Ljubljanica, gliding beneath graceful bridges such as the famous Triple Bridge. The remainder of the day offers time to wander through colorful streets, browse local shops, or enjoy a stroll through Tivoli Park.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Ljubljana
Explore the vast underground world of Postojna Cave, known for its dramatic limestone formations and winding chambers shaped by centuries of flowing water. Continue your journey toward the Adriatic coast and arrive in Opatija, a graceful seaside town once favored by Habsburg nobility. Walk through its Belle Epoque center, where grand villas and waterfront promenades reflect a refined past, and enjoy the peaceful setting between wooded hills and the calm Adriatic Sea. Settle into your central hotel for the next two nights before gathering for dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Opatija
Arrive in Pula, an ancient port city where the first-century Roman Arena rises above the harbor with its graceful arches and honey-colored stone. Step inside this remarkable Amphitheatre and walk beneath the arena floor into the quiet passages once used by gladiators as they prepared for the crowds above. Continue into the countryside to a boutique winery near Pula, where a relaxed lunch and a tasting of local wines introduce the flavors and gentle atmosphere of rural Istria.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Opatija
Travel across the Velebit mountains on a scenic route that reveals the dramatic contrast between the rocky seaward slopes and the forested landscapes farther inland. On the far side of the range lies Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO site celebrated for its chain of turquoise lakes and gentle waterfalls. Spend time walking along wooden pathways that wind beside the water and through quiet stretches of forest. Continue to Split in the late afternoon and settle into your central hotel for two nights. Visit the waterfront promenade at your own pace before choosing a restaurant for dinner on your own.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Split
Welcome to Split, one of the oldest cities on the Adriatic and the second largest in Croatia. Explore Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that began as the Roman emperor’s seaside residence and grew over centuries into the living heart of the city. Walk through its courtyards, temples, and vaulted chambers to see how layers of history coexist within its walls. Later, Croatian cuisine takes center stage as you take part in a hands-on cooking class led by a local chef, preparing traditional dishes before sitting down to enjoy the meal you have created.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Split
Take a ferry to Hvar, one of the Mediterranean’s most celebrated islands, known for its lavender fields, quiet coves, and sunlit stone villages. Begin with a guided walk through Hvar’s Old Town before continuing on your own to visit the hillside fortress, wander through olive groves and lavender fields, or pause in a café overlooking the harbor. Return to Split by private boat, weather permitting, and continue along the Adriatic coastline to Dubrovnik, the historic walled city where you will spend the final three nights in a boutique hotel.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Dubrovnik
Discover Dubrovnik, often described by George Bernard Shaw as the pearl of the Adriatic, and admire the beauty of its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Walk the ancient city walls, whose original ramparts and towers date to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, before continuing through the historic center to visit the Baroque Cathedral, the Treasury, and the Franciscan monastery with its fourteenth-century pharmacy. In the evening, join a Croatian family for a traditional dinner and taste the beloved dish known as Peka, prepared only in a handful of homes within the old town.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Dubrovnik
Spend the day living like a local in Dubrovnik. Browse the markets, visit a favorite café, or join your tour manager for an included cable car ride to the summit of Srd Hill for sweeping views of the city and the sea. In the evening, weather permitting, board a private boat for a peaceful cruise along the bay of Dubrovnik and admire the old town from the water. Conclude the day with a farewell dinner featuring regional specialties shared with your fellow travelers.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Dubrovnik
After breakfast, transfers are provided at scheduled times to Dubrovnik Airport. As you depart, take with you the calm of the Adriatic, the beauty of Croatia’s coastal towns, and the quiet moments shared throughout your journey. If you choose to continue your travels, Dubrovnik and nearby Montenegro offer the perfect place to stay a little longer in this graceful corner of Europe.
