10 day Budapest to Dubrovnik via Slovenia

Highlights: Explore Balaton lake area, Hungarian countryside at Tihany peninsula and dip in lake Heviz healing thermal waters

After breakfast, depart from Budapest towards Lake Balaton, the essence of Hungarian rural beauty and also Hungary’s version of Provence. Scenic roads will take us through tiny villages of whitewashed houses and interesting formations of nature. We stop at Tihany Peninsula, a pearl of Balaton Lake and the first designated landscape protection area of the country. Visit Tihany Abbey, a Benedictine monastery established at Tihany in the Kingdom of Hungary almost 1000 years ago. Second part of the day is reserved for Heviz, our miniature spa paradise. The town of Heviz is located near Lake Heviz, the world’s second-largest thermal lake. The water that breaks out from a spring cave, with a temperature of 40 °C (104 °F) and even on the coldest winter days doesn’t drop below 24 °C (75 °F), makes bathing in the lake possible year-round. Afternoon and evening at leisure, perhaps try out the healing powers of thermal waters and afterward enjoy a lovely dinner in one of the many restaurants in town.

Meals: breakfast
Overnight: Heviz

Highlights: See 400 years old vine in Maribor and take a culinary journey through Slovenia in the capital of the country, Ljubljana

Morning departure to Slovenia, a country rich with natural treasures, harmonious architecture, charming rustic culture, and sophisticated cuisine. First, we stop in Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest city, to see the oldest vine in the world, which survived fires, floods, diseases and is still capable to squeeze a couple of liters of wine each year, for the last 400 years. We will take a walk through the city of Maribor, proclaimed European Capital of Culture 2012. In the afternoon we arrive in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, a charming city that has a feel of a metropolis with small-town friendliness. Our city tour will be combined with a food tour, a culinary journey through the country. Slovenian cooking borrows a little something from each of its neighbors – Italy, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans. With a car-free city center, Ljubljana offers a pleasant walk along the riverbank and is never boring, with tempting cafes, museums, parks, and shops. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Meals: breakfast, food tour
Overnight: Ljubljana

Highlights: Hike through Vintgar gorge and enjoy the play of the water, Bled Lake beauties, a Trademark of Slovenian tourism with a 1000-year-old castle, Triglav National Park in the heart of the Julian Alps and Lake of Bohinj

After breakfast, a morning drive to the sunny side of the Julian Alps. First, we start with a picturesque hike in a 1,6 km/1 mi long Vintgar gorge* which carves its way through the vertical rocks and is graced with waterfalls, pools, and rapids. A short ride brings us to the shores of the beautiful glacial lake of Bled surrounded by the Julian Alps. Bled is a trademark of Slovenian tourism, a nature escape of peace and fresh mountain air. Ready to feel the history? A medieval gothic castle of Bled, built on 130 m/426 feet high cliff, offers a journey back in time. An optional visit to the tiny island of Lake Bled with a traditional wooden rowing boat will offer a chance to ring a bell of wishes, most possibly 500 years old tradition. Let’s go deeper into Triglav National Park and drive through picturesque alpine villages and pastures to the biggest Slovenian lake, Bohinj.

Meals: breakfast
Overnight: Ljubljana

*Vintgar gorge is open to visitors from Easter time till November 1st.

Highlights: The Queen of the caves – Postojna cave magical underground formations, Venetian legacy of the medieval town of Piran on Adriatic coast

Have you heard about baby dragons from Slovenia? It sounds like a fairy-tale, right? Postojna cave is a number one visited attraction in Slovenia, also called the Queen of the caves. A system of chambers, halls, and passages that we enter by open train adds to the experience of depths and adventure, that continues by foot. Countless stalagmite and stalactite formations are lit well enough even to take pictures. You will hear about Slovenia’s most unusual creature that lives in the cave. A short drive away is the Adriatic coast and the beautiful town of Piran, where we go next. For more than 500 years, Piran was part of the Venetian Republic. Narrow winding streets, houses huddled close together, beautiful squares and churches, are a perfect place to wander around this well-preserved medieval town. Perhaps an afternoon gelato on the seaside promenade before we head back to Ljubljana. Evening at leisure.

Meals: breakfast
Overnight: Ljubljana

Highlights: Zagreb City Tour with Lower and Upper part of the city

Morning departure from Ljubljana to Zagreb, Croatia. Drive through the Eastern part of Slovenia towards Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. Welcome to Croatia! Our introduction to Zagreb starts at the central square ‘Trg Jelacica’ and continues to the Upper Town with a ‘Lotrscak Tower’ where a cannon is fired every day at noon. Zagreb’s most photographed building is a multi-colored tile roof of St Mark’s church, not far from the Parliament ‘Sabor’ and presidential palace ‘Ban’s palace’. We pass through the Stone Gate, where people quietly pray at the shrine of the Virgin Mary, while we continue to the Lower Town of Zagreb. Stroll at Tkalciceva street filled with ‘bohemian’ cafes, visit a fruit and vegetable market at ‘Dolac’, and complete the tour at the Cathedral of the Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary. Evening at leisure.

Meals: breakfast
Overnight: Zagreb

Highlights: Hike in Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s first national park, drive through Velebit mountain range, Little Venice of Dalmatia – Trogir

After breakfast, we will drive to the biggest and most famous Croatian National Park – Plitvice Lakes, one of Europe’s great natural wonders. Get ready for a beautiful experience in nature, with zig-zagging timber footbridges over azure-colored lakes. The Lakes of Plitvice are a scenic wonderland of 16 interconnected lakes, flanked by waterfalls and primeval forest. The green forests of the park give way to pebble-dashed shores lapped by turquoise waters. After the hike in the Plitvice Lakes National park, we drive towards the Adriatic sea. Witness a dramatic change in landscape, as you travel through Mediterranean olive groves on your way to the town of Trogir. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Little Venice of Dalmatia, or The Stone Beauty – Trogir, is a remarkable example of urban continuity. Its beautiful Romanesque churches are complemented by the outstanding Renaissance and Baroque buildings from the Venetian period. Enjoy an evening at leisure and perhaps take a stroll in the old town of Trogir.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Trogir

Highlights: City tour of Split and Diocletian’s palace, Enjoy a scenic drive on the Adriatic coast and relaxed evening in Dubrovnik

After breakfast, start your day with a private city tour of Split, explore the ancient streets of the former Diocletian’s palace, now a lively residential area one simply cannot imagine before seeing it. One of the most significant Late-Roman historical monuments is listed on a UNESCO World Heritage site. Your local guide will take you to some places you might saw in a TV fantasy drama, Game of Thrones. Explore the underground substructure of Diocletian’s palace to understand the magnificence of this ancient building. No visit to Split can be accomplished without a visit to its green market or Pazar, as locals call it. Split open market is one of the town’s iconic spots, an excellent place to explore and to blend with locals. Early afternoon departure to Dubrovnik. A scenic road from Split to Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful stretches of land in the Mediterranean. It is comparable to the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Arrive in Dubrovnik, check-in at your hotel, and time to relax.

Meals: breakfast
Overnight: Dubrovnik

Highlights: City tour of Dubrovnik with a Franciscan monastery, optional Game of Thrones Tour, and Optional sunset dinner cruise around the Dubrovnik town walls

After breakfast, a morning tour of the old town of Dubrovnik, ‘paradise on earth’ according to George Bernard Shaw. Join a private walking exploration of the “Old Dubrovnik,” a UNESCO World Heritage site, guided by a local guide. Get a glimpse into local life, as you explore the stone-paved streets inside the 16th-century bastions of Dubrovnik Old Town. Visit the Franciscan Monastery with Europe’s oldest pharmacy, learn about Rector’s Palace and the Cathedral, and perhaps ascend on top of the Dubrovnik City Walls to see the town’s hidden spots. The medieval fortress makes for a memorable workout. From every point, the walls give visitors a glimpse into the city’s construction and centuries of defense. For all the Game of Thrones fans, choose an option to visit filming locations for the King’s Landing and other GOT locations in the popular TV series. The afternoon is at leisure or maybe join a sunset dinner cruise around the mighty walls of the old town.

Meals: breakfast
Overnight: Dubrovnik

Optional Nm 2: Game of Thrones Tour in Dubrovnik (2 hours)
Optional Nm 3: Sunset dinner cruise around Dubrovnik walls (evening)

*Find a detailed description of optional tours under the price section

Possible transfer to the airport. Safe travels!

Meals: breakfast

Important message: If you need a transfer to the airport or want to continue with extension travel to neighboring countries, let us know – we will handle everything for you.

*Find a description of a suggested post-tour, below.

Why not visit another country? The UNESCO protected town of Mostar and a famous pilgrimage site of Medjugorje, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This makes a great day trip for you to get a look into an oriental flavored Mostar and an important Roman catholic religious site of Medjugorje. We will have an orientation tour in Mostar and Medjugorje.

Visit Montenegro, a country south of Croatia, offering magnificent views while driving on the coastal road in UNESCO protected Boka bay. Visit the only artificial island in Adriatic, Our lady of the rocks, and explore another UNESCO-protected town of Kotor, hidden behind the centuries-old walls. We will make several photo-stops in Boka bay, visit the island church and enjoy free time in the town of Kotor.

Konavle valley is often compared to Tuscany, a must-visit destination for lovers of nature and foodies. We will visit an ancient fort on a cliff, Sokol tower, that was most likely used for military purposes. The countryside of Dubrovnik offers peaceful surroundings, breathtaking scenery, and excellent restaurants serving great local wines. Delicious dinner included.

Cavtat is a small place located 45 min south of Dubrovnik. It is known as the oldest settlement in the Dubrovnik region, with the first inhabitants known to live there during ancient Greece time. Today, Cavtat is popular among reach and famous yacht owners, seeking privacy and normality of everyday life. After an orientation tour, free time to explore this cute little town and perhaps ascend to Mestrovic designed mausoleum of the historic Croatian family Račić, sitting in the cemetery with a magic view over Adriatic. Or simply stroll the promenade with a gelato in your hands.

When sunset begins, we sail out and take a tour around Dubrovnik. A dinner cruise is an authentic Dubrovnik-style experience that you can’t miss! Approximately two hours of cruising, a romantic dinner at sunset, and the view of the town walls from the sea is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.