10 day National parks of Croatia and Slovenia Tour

After breakfast, we start with the Alpine day, first with an easy hike through a majestic Vintgar gorge. A narrow 1,6 km long valley with paths and wooden bridges is a nice walk to start the day in nature. The alpine river cut its path through the mountain thousands of years ago, ending with a beautiful waterfall named after the sound of the water. We continue to the heart of Triglav National park, the only Slovenian National park, which covers 6% of the country’s territory. Learn about life in the past and present, as you walk through a typical small village by Bohinj Lake. Ready for a hike by the lake? A moderate-paced hike, enriched with magnificent views and fresh air, will end with a beautiful Savica waterfall. Afternoon return to Bled and evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Bled

Morning departure to the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, where your local guide will take you on a city tour of the cutest European Capital. Ljubljana boasts with the title of being the first Green capital of Europe (2016) in the region. Its charm, rich history, and lively atmosphere can be felt on numerous squares and clean streets. Perhaps a visit to Ljubljana’s farmer market is something to try while in the city. Next, we drive to another Slovenian region, called Karst, sometimes compared to Emmental cheese due to its rich underground cave system. No worries, you don’t need to be an experienced caver since Skocjan caves are easily walkable, so you can take pictures of this unique UNESCO Natural Heritage.  Next, we depart to a neighboring country, Croatia. Our first night is a cute little town of Opatija, a former imperial resort established in the 19^th century by Austrian aristocrats. Opatija’s evergreen climate and hospitality are a perfect place to end the day. Evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Opatija

Highlights: Colors of Istrian peninsula, open train panoramic drive on the main island of Brioni National Park, and Marshal Tito summer resort

Our first visit to the National Park of Croatia is called Brijuni (Brioni). To get there, we drive across Istria, the biggest Croatian peninsula, sitting in the Northern part of the Adriatic Sea. We embark on the boat, waiting for us in a small coastal town, and join a smooth sail towards the archipelago of Brijuni islands, easily spotted from the shore. Brijuni islands attracted people from Roman times on, mostly because of leisure purposes. We will join the official tour of the main island Veli Brijun, accompanied by the local guide, which includes a panoramic ride on the electric train across the islands. Enjoy the nature, beautiful landscape, and even a brief visit to Brijuni ZOO. Before returning to the mainland, we visit a museum dedicated to the former president of Yugoslavia, Marshal Tito, who built himself a summer resort here. Coffee break and continue to one of the most popular places in Croatia, Rovinj. The town of Rovinj will seduce you, with its numerous photo ops of Venetian-style architecture in a maze of cobbled streets. Late afternoon return to Opatija and evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Opatija

Highlights: Hike in Plitvice Lakes, one of Europe’s great natural wonders, drive through Velebit mountain range

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 Sibenik. Sibenik is a great base for our activities in the next few days. Evening at leisure or a stroll through the old part of the town, dominated by St. James Cathedral, a beautiful masterpiece of Venetian art.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Šibenik

Highlights: Sailing paradise of Kornati National Park with lunch or Canyons in Paklenica National Park

Croatia has 1246 islands and the archipelago of Kornati Islands National Park is well known to all sailing lovers. The Kornati represents untouched nature in the middle of the Adriatic Sea. A relaxing boat trip to Kornati National Park will take us around the densest island cluster on the whole of the Mediterranean, made of 150 islands, islets, and cliffs. Today’s lunch with wine will be served with a special ingredient – the view over the numerous islands and shimmering waters of the Adriatic sea. 

In the case of bad weather and rough sea, the trip To Kornati National Park will be replaced by the trip to Paklenica National Park. The park is in Dalmatia hilly area, a sprawling area full of natural beauty and wonder. Full of lush green, canyons, and more, it is a great place to spend a day and a great place to escape any stresses you may want to leave behind. Expect a moderate-paced 4-hour hike in the park. Return to Sibenik and evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Sibenik

Highlights: Nature hike in the Krka Falls National Park, City tour of Split with a maze of streets incorporated into an Ancient Diocletian’s palace

After breakfast, we take a short drive into the hinterland of Dalmatia to explore the beautiful nature of Krka falls National Park. Named after the river of Krka, the Park covers an area of just over 142 square km and includes two-thirds of the river itself. The top attraction of the Park is its magnificent waterfalls, including the famous Skradinski Buk falls which are one of Croatia’s most famous sights. A 1,5-hour walk in nature on the wooden paths between the green vegetation and running water will fulfill your soul. During the summertime, it is even possible to swim in some parts of Krka National Park. Afterward, we drive to Split, Croatian 2nd largest town, the hub of the Croatian region called Dalmatia, from its origins in Roman times up to the modern era. In case you are interested, an optional city tour with a local guide of Split is available. Late afternoon return to Sibenik and evening at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Sibenik

Optional Nm 1: Split city tour with a local guide (1,5 hours)

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

Highlights: Mljet Island National park hike with a boat ride on the lake, Scenic drive on Adriatic coastal road

After breakfast, we go on a scenic Adriatic coast road, towards the Southern part of Croatia. An hour away from Dubrovnik, we turn right, to the direction of the peninsula of Peljesac, where we embark the ferry to Mljet island. Mljet is among the greenest of all the Croatian islands, therefore, making it one of the most beautiful. It is covered with untouched green forests, clear bodies of water, and an unspoiled ecosystem under the sea. Our private local guide will show us the paths in the National park to Great and Small Lakes. An included boat ride will take us to the islet of St. Mary, sitting peacefully in the middle of the largest lake. In the afternoon we return to the mainland and enjoy a short drive through coastal towns and villages while we reach our final destination of the day, Dubrovnik.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Dubrovnik

Highlights: Morning city tour of Dubrovnik and optional tour selection; Countryside of Dubrovnik in Konavle valley with dinner. Or visit a relaxed resort town of Cavtat. Or sunset dinner cruise around Dubrovnik’s old town.

After breakfast, our local guide will show us the old town of Dubrovnik, ‘paradise on earth’ according to George Bernard Shaw. In a walking exploration of the “Old Dubrovnik,” a UNESCO World Heritage site, you will get a glimpse into local life, as you will explore the stone-paved streets inside the 16th-century bastions of the Old Town. A city tour will pass Pile Gate, Onofrio’s Fountain, we will visit Europe’s oldest pharmacy in the Franciscan Monastery, admire Rector’s Palace and the Cathedral. We suggest ascending on top of the City Walls to see the town’s hidden spots, like stone ramparts, gates, bastions, forts, and towers that connect span nearly 2 kilometers (1.2 miles). From every point, the walls give visitors a glimpse into the city’s construction and centuries of defense. The medieval fortress makes for a memorable workout, that is for sure. Want to see more of Dubrovnik area? Choose between optional tours from Dubrovnik; Countryside Konavle Valley with lunch. Or visit a relaxed resort town of Cavtat. Or join a romantic sunset dinner cruise around Dubrovnik walls in the evening.

Meals: breakfast
Overnight: Dubrovnik

Optional Nm 2: Konavle Valley with dinner (half day)
Optional Nm 3: Resort town of Cavtat (half day)
Optional Nm 4: 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 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.

Cavtat is a small place located 45 min south of Dubrovnik. It is known as the oldest settlement in 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.