Venice, Slovenia & Istria - 8 Days

You will most likely arrive in Italy at Venice Marco Polo Airport. From here, make your way to our hotel in the coastal resort town of Lido di Jesolo. Once you’ve checked in, the rest of the day is yours to unwind or start exploring at your own pace. Take a stroll along the sandy beaches, enjoy a coffee at a nearby café, or simply relax and soak up the atmosphere. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Lido di Jesolo - Venice - Lido Di Jesolo. This morning, we will enjoy a half-day guided tour, which will reveal the true charm of Venice, with its enchanting canals, narrow alleyways, and lively squares. We’ll discover the city by water taxi, taking in memorable landmarks like St. Mark’s Cathedral, the Ca’ d’Oro, and the grand Palazzo Ducale.

The afternoon is yours to explore Venice at your leisure. Immerse yourself in Venetian life, wander through the beautiful piazzas, cross scenic bridges, and admire the unique dwellings along the waterfront. Capture a photo on the iconic Rialto Bridge, shop for traditional carnival masks, or enjoy feeding the pigeons in St. Mark’s Square! We'll head back to our hotel in Lido di Jesolo for the night.

Lido di Jesolo - Ljubljana (Slovenia) - Kranjska Gora. After breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and travel by coach to Ljubljana, the charming capital of Slovenia. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy an included guided tour of the city’s highlights, including Ljubljana Castle and the scenic banks of the Ljubljanica River.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue our journey to the alpine town of Kranjska Gora, nestled in the Julian Alps. After checking in to our hotel, you’ll have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to explore Kranjska Gora. Our guide will be pleased to offer suggestions for sightseeing and places of interest to make the most of your free time here.

Kranjska Gora - Lake Bled - Lake Bohinj - Kranjska Gora. After breakfast, we’ll embark on a guided tour of Bled, including a lovely boat trip to Bled Island, set in the heart of the lake’s striking glacial-blue waters. This small island features a church with a famous wishing bell (entrance included), a quaint museum, and the historic South Staircase with its 99 steps, built in 1655. We’ll then visit the medieval Bled Castle, which stands proudly on a cliff, offering panoramic views over the lake. You’ll have some free time to enjoy lunch and explore Bled at your own pace.

In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest lake. Equally as scenic as Lake Bled, Bohinj is known for its opportunities for fishing, swimming, and hiking - it also tends to be a lot quieter than Bled! Here, you’ll have free time to relax by the lake or wander through the beautiful landscape.

Later, we’ll visit the charming St John the Baptist Church, followed by a stop at the Alpine Dairy Museum, where we can sample local cheese and gain insight into the traditional lives of Bohinj’s shepherds. Then we head back to our hotel in Kranjska Gora, nestled in the mountains.

Kranjska Gora - Triglav National Park - Bovec - Kranjska Gora. Today, we’ll set out on a full-day excursion through Triglav National Park, home to Slovenia's highest mountain. Our first stop is the Planica Ski Jump Centre, where the world’s first 100-metre ski jump was made in 1936, once the largest ski jump in existence.

Continuing along a scenic mountain route, we’ll head towards Bovec via the Vrsic Pass, the highest mountain pass in the Julian Alps, and descend through the breathtaking Soca Valley. Known as "The Emerald Beauty," the Soca is one of the few rivers in the world that retains its vivid emerald-green colour along its entire course. You’ll have free time to explore the charming town of Bovec and enjoy lunch at your leisure.

In the afternoon, we’ll begin our journey back to our hotel in Kranjska Gora, passing through the ski resort town of Tarvisio along the way.

Kranjska Gora - Postojna - Porec (Croatia). After breakfast this morning, we will visit the spectacular Postojna Caves, where we’ll admire the network of tunnels, halls, and karst features. We will explore the unique cave railway, the entrance to which was damaged by fire during World War II, and the impressive Congress Hall, now used as a concert venue. You’ll have some free time to explore before we begin our drive to the coastal Croatian town of Porec.

Upon arrival in Porec, we will take a short city tour through the old town, where we’ll see its churches, medieval walls, round towers, and Gothic and Baroque houses. The town’s most famous monument is the UNESCO-protected architectural complex of Euphrasius Basilica, one of the finest examples of early Byzantine architecture in the Mediterranean.

After the tour, you’ll have some free time to explore the town independently before we check into our hotel.

Porec - Rovinj - Pula - Porec. On our final touring day, we’ll head to the picturesque harbour town of Rovinj, known as the ‘Blue Pearl of the Adriatic’. Our guide will lead us on a walking tour, and then you’ll have free time to wander through its narrow streets, admire the tall houses, and relax in the quaint squares before we leave for Pula.

When we arrive in Pula, we’ll embark on a city tour to discover its stunning architecture, including the Triumphal Arch of the Sergii, the Gate of Hercules, the Twin Gates, and the Temple of Augustus. A highlight will be our visit to the Roman Amphitheatre, also known as the Arena of Pula, built in the first century and once the stage for gladiator battles.

You’ll have some free time to explore Pula at your own pace before we return to Porec for our last night in Croatia.

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before checking out. We wish you a safe onwards journey!