Itinerary
- Day 1
Budapest Arrival
You'll be picked up at the airport and driven to your hotel. The ride into the city gives you views of Budapest's famous bridges and thermal baths along the way. After you check in, there's time to settle in and get ready for the rest of your trip.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Day 2
Budapest Sightseeing
This is a full day exploring Budapest by foot and vehicle. You'll see Buda Castle Quarter, Chain Bridge, Fishermen's Bastion, and Gellert Hill. Later you'll browse Central Market Hall, check out Europe's largest synagogue, and walk through Heroes' Square, the Opera House, Saint Stephen's Basilica, and the Hungarian Parliament Building. The day wraps up with a one-hour Danube cruise that includes wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Budapest by foot and vehicle
- Visit to Buda Castle Quarter
- Visit to Chain Bridge
- Visit to Margaret Bridge
- Visit to Matias Church
- Visit to Fishermen's Bastion
- Visit to Gellert Hill
- Visit to Elisabeth Bridge
- Browse Central Market Hall
- Visit to largest synagogue in Europe
- Visit to Heroes' Square
- Visit to Opera House
- Visit to Saint Stephen's Basilica
- Visit to Hungarian Parliament Building
- One-hour Danube river cruise with glass of wine
Optional Activities
- Dinner cruise upgrade - 2.5 hour cruise with dining aboard
Landmarks/POIs Buda Castle Chain Bridge Margaret Bridge Matias Church Fishermen's Bastion Gellert Hill Elisabeth Bridge Central Market Hall Dohany Street Synagogue Heroes' Square Hungarian Opera House Saint Stephen's Basilica Hungarian Parliament Building - Day 3
Budapest to Belgrade via Novi Sad
You'll cross into Serbia and head north to Vojvodina. A guided tour at Zvonko Bogdan Winery includes wine tasting. Then you're off to Novi Sad, which was the 2021 European Capital of Culture. You'll walk the pedestrian zone, see notable landmarks, and climb up to Petrovaradin Fortress for river views. After dinner, the drive continues to Belgrade.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Petrovaradin)
Included Activities
- One-hour guided tour of Zvonko Bogdan Winery
- Wine tasting - three wines from Palic vineyard
- Sightseeing tour of Novi Sad
- Walk through Novi Sad's pedestrian zone
- Visit to Petrovaradin Fortress
- Dinner at Petrovaradin
Landmarks/POIs Zvonko Bogdan Winery City Hall, Novi Sad Matica Srpska Petrovaradin Fortress - Day 4
Belgrade Exploration
Belgrade's explored on a mix of walking and driving. You'll start with local coffee and rakija at the city's oldest tavern while learning about Serbian customs and sljivovica production. Then you walk through Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park with river views. After crossing Branko's Bridge to see New Belgrade's Brutalist architecture and waterfront, you visit the Temple of Saint Sava. The rest of the day is yours to do as you like.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking and driving tour of Belgrade
- Local coffee and rakija at city's oldest tavern
- Walk through Belgrade Fortress
- Exploration of Kalemegdan Park
- Panoramic tour of New Belgrade
- Visit to Temple of Saint Sava
- Visit to Republic Square
Landmarks/POIs Knez Mihailova Street Belgrade Fortress Kalemegdan Park Branko's Bridge Ada Bridge Temple of Saint Sava Republic Square - Day 5
Belgrade to Ljubljana via Zagreb
The drive takes you from Belgrade to Zagreb. You'll tour Kaptol, the Franciscan monastery, Church of Saint Francis, Dolac farmers' market, and the baroque Church of Saint Mary. You finish at Ban Josip Jelacic's monument in the square. After lunch, you cross into Slovenia and stop at Otocec Castle overlooking the Krka River before heading to Ljubljana.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Zagreb
- Visit to Kaptol
- Visit to Franciscan monastery
- Visit to Church of Saint Francis
- Visit to Dolac farmers' market
- Visit to Church of Saint Mary
- Visit to Ban Josip Jelacic's monument
- Visit to Otocec Castle
Landmarks/POIs Kaptol Franciscan Monastery Church of Saint Francis Dolac Market Church of Saint Mary Ban Jelacic Square Otocec Castle - Day 6
Ljubljana and Lake Bled
Ljubljana is one of Europe's greenest capitals, and you'll see it by strolling the riverfront and visiting the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, baroque Town Hall, medieval Town Square, Robba's Fountain, and the central market. You'll cross the Triple Bridge and then head to Lake Bled. A traditional pletna boat takes you to the island, and you'll visit the Church of Saint Mary. Before returning to Ljubljana, there's free time for either Bled Castle or trying the local Bled krempita cream cake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Ljubljana
- Visit to Cathedral of Saint Nicholas
- Visit to baroque Town Hall
- Visit to medieval Mestni Trg (Town Square)
- Visit to Robba's Fountain
- Visit to central market
- Visit to Triple Bridge
- Pletna boat trip to Lake Bled island
- Visit to Church of Saint Mary on Lake Bled island
Optional Activities
- Visit to Bled Castle
- Taste of Bled krempita cream cake
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of Saint Nicholas Town Hall Mestni Trg (Town Square) Robba's Fountain Central Market Triple Bridge Lake Bled Bled Island Church of Saint Mary Bled Castle - Day 7
Ljubljana to Portoroz via Postojna Cave and Goriska Hills
After checking out, you're driven to Postojna Cave, just an hour away. An electric train takes you through limestone caverns with stalactites, stalagmites, and underground waterfalls. Next you head to the Goriska Hills wine region. The medieval village of Smartno and an authentic winery stop include wine tasting. Later you arrive in Portoroz, the Istrian coastal town, and check in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Electric train exploration of Postojna Cave
- Visit to medieval village of Smartno
- Wine tasting at local winery in Goriska Hills
Landmarks/POIs Postojna Cave Smartno - Day 8
Portoroz to Porec via Groznjan and Motovun
Groznjan is a hilltop village with galleries and workshops where you'll explore the arts scene and medieval architecture. There's time for a drink while soaking in the local atmosphere. Then comes a truffle-hunting demonstration in a nearby forest with a trained dog, followed by tasting truffle-infused cheese and sausages with Istrian wine. You'll also see Motovun, an ancient hilltop town with medieval architecture and the Church of St. Stephen. The evening ends with check in at your Porec hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Exploration of Groznjan galleries and workshops
- Truffle-hunting demonstration with trained dog
- Truffle tasting - truffle-infused cheese and sausages with Istrian wine
- Visit to Motovun
- Exploration of Motovun's medieval streets and town walls
- Visit to Church of St. Stephen in Motovun
Landmarks/POIs Groznjan Motovun Motovun Forest Church of St. Stephen - Day 9
Porec to Rovinj, Pula, and Porec
Rovinj is Istria's gem, and you'll wander the old town with 18th-century Venetian architecture and cobblestone streets. Grisia Street is known for local art and shops with Mediterranean views. At a seaside restaurant near Lim Bay, you'll taste fresh oysters, mussels, clams, and scallops. From there, you head to Pula to see the Roman amphitheatre, Temple of Augustus, Triumphal Arch of Sergius, and Twin Gates. You return to Porec in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Rovinj old town
- Exploration of Grisia Street
- Oyster and seashell tasting at Lim Bay
- Visit to Pula Roman amphitheatre
- Visit to Temple of Augustus
- Visit to Triumphal Arch of Sergius
- Visit to Twin Gates
Landmarks/POIs Rovinj Grisia Street Lim Bay Pula Roman Amphitheatre Temple of Augustus Triumphal Arch of Sergius Twin Gates - Day 10
Porec to Plitvice Lakes via Opatija
Leaving the Istrian peninsula, you stop in Opatija for a leisurely coffee break along the famous Lungomare promenade with sea views. You'll drive through picturesque countryside with charming villages and rolling hills. Plitvice Lakes National Park is next, with a 3-hour guided tour covering 16 interconnected cascading lakes. After a relaxing meal at a nearby restaurant, you check into your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coffee break at Opatija with Lungomare promenade walk
- 3-hour guided tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park covering upper and lower lakes
Optional Activities
- Restaurant dining at Plitvice Lakes
Landmarks/POIs Opatija Lungomare Plitvice Lakes National Park - Day 11
Plitvice Lakes to Split via Trogir
Trogir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on a small island with Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. You'll visit the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, Clock Tower, Loggia, Land Gate, Kamerlengo Castle, and Saint Mark's Tower. Then you continue to Split, Dalmatia's largest city. The walk starts through the Golden Gate and takes you through Diocletian's Palace with its narrow cobblestone streets, markets, and hidden courtyards. You'll see the Temple of Jupiter and Cathedral of Saint Domnius, then stroll the lively Riva promenade.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Trogir
- Visit to Cathedral of Saint Lawrence
- Visit to Clock Tower
- Visit to Loggia
- Visit to Land Gate
- Visit to Kamerlengo Castle
- Visit to Saint Mark's Tower
- Walking tour of Split
- Exploration of Diocletian's Palace
- Visit to Temple of Jupiter
- Visit to Cathedral of Saint Domnius
- Stroll along Riva promenade
Landmarks/POIs Trogir Cathedral of Saint Lawrence Clock Tower Loggia Land Gate Kamerlengo Castle Saint Mark's Tower Diocletian's Palace Temple of Jupiter Cathedral of Saint Domnius Riva Promenade - Day 12
Split to Hvar and Back
You head to the ferry port and board a high-speed catamaran to Hvar. The journey passes through Splitska Vrata before reaching this island-city with Venetian architecture and traffic-free cobbled streets. A walking tour shows you the harbour, Renaissance Cathedral, Benedictine Convent, Franciscan monastery, and Church of Our Lady of Mercy. There's plenty of free time to explore or optionally take a boat to the Pakleni Islands, relax on beaches, or enjoy a Mediterranean lunch. You return to Split in the late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- High-speed catamaran to Hvar Island
- Walking tour of Hvar
- Visit to Hvar harbour
- Visit to Renaissance Cathedral
- Visit to Benedictine Convent
- Visit to Franciscan monastery
- Visit to Church of Our Lady of Mercy
- High-speed catamaran return to Split
Optional Activities
- Boat excursion to Pakleni Islands
- Beach relaxation on Hvar
- Hiking trail to Milna Bay
- Mediterranean lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Hvar Island Renaissance Cathedral Benedictine Convent Franciscan Monastery Church of Our Lady of Mercy Pakleni Islands Milna Bay - Day 13
Split to Dubrovnik via Peljesac Peninsula
After checkout, the drive along the Dalmatian coast shows Croatian islands, vineyards, olive groves, and charming stone villages. You cross the impressive Peljesac Bridge to reach the peninsula. At a local winery, you taste Plavac Mali red wine and learn about centuries-old winemaking traditions from local vintners. A stop in Ston lets you try famous oysters and see the iconic Ston Walls. By evening you're in Dubrovnik, checked in, with time to relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Wine tasting at local winery on Peljesac Peninsula - Plavac Mali
- Visit to Ston Walls
- Oyster tasting at Ston
Optional Activities
- Mediterranean dinner at local restaurant in Dubrovnik
Landmarks/POIs Peljesac Peninsula Peljesac Bridge Ston Walls - Day 14
Dubrovnik Exploration
Dubrovnik, called the Pearl of the Adriatic, has you visiting Stradun, Placa Square, Pile Gate, Rector's Palace, City Walls, and the city port. You'll discover Game of Thrones filming locations and learn about the Republic of Ragusa. Free time lets you grab lunch at a restaurant atop city walls with views, take a cable car to Srd Hill for panoramas of Old Town and the Adriatic coast, or walk the 2 km City Walls for a unique perspective from above.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing tour of Dubrovnik
- Visit to Stradun
- Visit to Placa Square
- Visit to Pile Gate
- Visit to Rector's Palace
- Exploration of City Walls
- Visit to city port
Optional Activities
- Lunch at restaurant atop city walls
- Cable car ride to Srd Hill
- Walking the 2 km City Walls
- Sunset cruise aboard the Karaka - 16th-century wooden galleon replica
Landmarks/POIs Stradun Placa Square Pile Gate Rector's Palace Dubrovnik City Walls Dubrovnik City Port Srd Hill - Day 15
Tour Conclusion
Your tour ends after breakfast. You'll head onwards from here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
