Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Mestre
You'll arrive in Mestre and check into your hotel to get settled. In the afternoon, meet with your group for an orientation where your guide goes over the itinerary and gives you a travel card for unlimited access to Venice's land and water transport. If you want to, join the guide for an evening walk through Venice to get a feel for the city. Dinner is on your own at one of the local restaurants.
Optional Activities
- Evening walk through Venice with guide to experience the city's atmosphere
- Day 2
Venice
Start with a guided tour of Venice, beginning with a ride along the Grand Canal. You'll see St. Mark's Square and the Basilica with its medieval mosaics, then walk through the Doge's Palace and the narrow alleys with hidden courtyards and artwork. Cross the Rialto Bridge and take in the views. After the tour, there's an option to take a gondola ride through the canals if you'd like.
Included Activities
- Scenic ride along the Grand Canal
- Guided tour of St. Mark's Square
- Visit to St. Mark's Basilica
- Visit to Doge's Palace
- Exploration of narrow streets and courtyards
- Crossing of Rialto Bridge
Optional Activities
- Gondola ride through the canals
Landmarks/POIs St. Mark's Square St. Mark's Basilica Doge's Palace Rialto Bridge Grand Canal - Day 3
Venice to Murano to Burano to Ljubljana
After checking out, head to the Venetian Lagoon islands. In Murano, you'll watch glassmakers at work using traditional techniques at a factory. Then move on to Burano with its colorful houses and lace-making heritage, walking through Galuppi Square. Later you'll travel to Ljubljana, Slovenia, check in, and have the rest of the evening free to do as you please.
Included Activities
- Visit to Murano glass factory with demonstration of glassmaking techniques
- Exploration of Burano with its colorful houses
- Visit to Galuppi Square in Burano
- Viewing of traditional lace-making in Burano
Landmarks/POIs Murano Burano Galuppi Square - Day 4
Ljubljana and Lake Bled
Explore Ljubljana with stops at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, baroque Town Hall, medieval Town Square, Robba's Fountain, and the central market, then cross the famous Triple Bridge. In the afternoon, travel to Lake Bled to visit the iconic island by traditional pletna boat and see the Church of Saint Mary. You'll have free time to visit Bled Castle from the cliff or try the famous krempita cream cake. Head back to Ljubljana for the night.
Included Activities
- Guided walking tour of Ljubljana including Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, Town Hall, Mestni Trg (Town Square), Robba's Fountain, central market, and Triple Bridge
- Traditional pletna boat trip to Lake Bled island
- Visit to Church of Saint Mary on Lake Bled island
Optional Activities
- Visit to Bled Castle
- Tasting of Bled krempita (cream cake)
Landmarks/POIs Cathedral of Saint Nicholas Town Hall (Ljubljana) Mestni Trg (Town Square) Robba's Fountain Triple Bridge Lake Bled Church of Saint Mary (Lake Bled) Bled Castle - Day 5
Ljubljana to Postojna Cave to Goriska Hills to Portoroz
Drive to Postojna Cave and board an electric train to explore the underground limestone formations with stalactites, stalagmites, and pools. After that, head to the Goriska Hills wine region and visit the medieval village of Smartno, then stop at a winery for a tasting. Later you'll arrive in Portoroz, the coastal Istrian town, and check into your hotel.
Included Activities
- Electric train exploration of Postojna Cave with viewing of stalactites, stalagmites, limestone pools, and underground waterfalls
- Visit to medieval village of Smartno
- Wine tasting at a winery in Goriska Hills region
Landmarks/POIs Postojna Cave Smartno Goriska Hills - Day 6
Portoroz to Groznjan to Motovun to Porec
Travel to Groznjan, a hilltop village with galleries and a vibrant arts scene. Then take part in a truffle-hunting demonstration in the forest with a guide and dog, learning how to find these treasures and tasting local truffle-infused cheese and sausages with wine. Next, visit Motovun, an ancient hilltop town with views of the forest and countryside, and walk through the medieval streets. Check into your hotel in Porec.
Included Activities
- Exploration of Groznjan village galleries and workshops
- Truffle-hunting demonstration in forest with expert and trained dog
- Tasting of truffle-infused cheese and sausages with Istrian wine
- Visit to Motovun with walking tour of medieval architecture and Church of St. Stephen
Landmarks/POIs Groznjan Motovun Motovun Forest Church of St. Stephen (Motovun) - Day 7
Porec to Rovinj to Pula and back to Porec
Walk through Rovinj, known for its 18th-century Venetian architecture and cobblestone streets. Stroll Grisia Street for local art and shops, enjoying Mediterranean views. Have an oyster and seashell tasting at a seaside restaurant near Lim Bay, sampling fresh seafood. Then do a wine tasting at a family winery. Later, head to Pula to see the Roman amphitheatre, Temple of Augustus, Triumphal Arch, and Twin Gates. Return to Porec in the evening.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Rovinj old town with its Venetian architecture
- Exploration of Grisia Street and local shops
- Oyster and seashell tasting at seaside restaurant near Lim Bay including oysters, mussels, clams, and scallops
- Wine tasting at family-owned winery in Istria
- Guided tour of Pula including Roman amphitheatre, Temple of Augustus, Triumphal Arch of Sergius, and Twin Gates
Landmarks/POIs Rovinj Grisia Street Lim Bay Pula Arena Temple of Augustus Triumphal Arch of Sergius Twin Gates - Day 8
Porec to Opatija to Plitvice Lakes
Leave your hotel and head to Opatija for a coffee break while walking the Lungomare promenade with sea views. Then drive through countryside with charming villages and glimpses of the Adriatic. Spend 3 hours exploring Plitvice Lakes National Park with its 16 cascading lakes and lush surroundings (swimming not permitted). Relax at a nearby restaurant, check into your hotel, and settle in for the evening.
Included Activities
- Leisurely coffee break in Opatija with walk along Lungomare promenade
- 3-hour guided tour of Plitvice Lakes National Park covering upper and lower lakes
Landmarks/POIs Opatija Lungomare promenade Plitvice Lakes National Park - Day 9
Plitvice Lakes to Trogir to Split
Travel to Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on a small island with medieval streets and architecture spanning Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles. See the Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, Clock Tower, and other key sights. Then continue to Split, Dalmatia's largest city. Walk through narrow cobblestone streets discovering Diocletian's Palace, the Temple of Jupiter, and Cathedral of Saint Domnius. End with a stroll along the Riva promenade soaking up the Mediterranean atmosphere.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Trogir including Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, Clock Tower, Loggia, Land Gate, Kamerlengo Castle, and Saint Mark's Tower
- Guided tour of Split including Golden Gate, Diocletian's Palace, Temple of Jupiter, and Cathedral of Saint Domnius
- Walk along Riva promenade in Split
Landmarks/POIs Trogir Cathedral of Saint Lawrence (Trogir) Kamerlengo Castle Saint Mark's Tower (Trogir) Diocletian's Palace Temple of Jupiter Cathedral of Saint Domnius Riva promenade - Day 10
Split to Hvar and back to Split
Go to the ferry port and take a high-speed catamaran to Hvar through Splitska Vrata, enjoying the views of the turquoise sea. Explore the town's Venetian architecture and traffic-free streets on a walking tour that includes the harbour, Renaissance Cathedral, Benedictine Convent, and Church of Our Lady of Mercy. You'll have plenty of free time to explore on your own, with options to take a boat to the Pakleni Islands, relax on beaches, or enjoy lunch. In the late afternoon, head back to Split.
Included Activities
- High-speed catamaran trip to Hvar Island
- Guided walking tour of Hvar including harbour, Renaissance Cathedral, Benedictine Convent, Franciscan monastery, and Church of Our Lady of Mercy
- High-speed catamaran return trip to Split
Optional Activities
- Boat excursion to Pakleni Islands
- Beach relaxation
- Hiking to Milna Bay
- Mediterranean lunch at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Hvar Splitska Vrata Hvar Cathedral Benedictine Convent (Hvar) Franciscan monastery (Hvar) Church of Our Lady of Mercy Pakleni Islands Milna Bay - Day 11
Split to Peljesac Peninsula to Dubrovnik
Drive along the Dalmatian coast with views of Croatian islands, vineyards, olive groves, and stone villages. Cross the Peljesac Bridge to reach the peninsula known for wine. Visit a local winery to taste Plavac Mali and learn about winemaking traditions. Stop briefly in Ston to try famous oysters and see the iconic Ston Walls. Then arrive in Dubrovnik, check in, and spend your evening relaxing or having dinner at a local restaurant.
Included Activities
- Wine tasting of Plavac Mali at local winery on Peljesac Peninsula
- Visit to Ston and tasting of famous oysters
Optional Activities
- Evening exploration of Dubrovnik
- Mediterranean dinner at local restaurant
Landmarks/POIs Peljesac Peninsula Peljesac Bridge Ston Ston Walls - Day 12
Dubrovnik
Discover Dubrovnik's main sights including Stradun, Placa Square, Pile Gate, and the Rector's Palace. Walk the City Walls and explore the city port while hearing stories about the Republic of Ragusa. After the tour, use your free time for lunch on the city walls, take the cable car to Srd Hill for panoramic views, walk the 2 km stretch of City Walls, or join a sunset cruise on the Karaka, a replica 16th-century wooden ship.
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Dubrovnik including Stradun, Placa Square, Pile Gate, Rector's Palace, City Walls, and city port
Optional Activities
- Lunch at restaurant atop city walls
- Cable car ride to Srd Hill
- Walk along 2 km stretch of City Walls
- Sunset cruise on Karaka replica ship
Landmarks/POIs Stradun Placa Square Pile Gate Rector's Palace Dubrovnik City Walls Srd Hill - Day 13
Departure from Dubrovnik
Your tour concludes after breakfast. Safe travels on your onwards journey.
- Meals
- Breakfast
