Higlights:

 

• See the cultural highlights of Milan
• Escape the sophisticated city life for Alpine beauty at Lake Como
• Cruise on Como. See this stunning lake, the beautiful lakeside villages and the homes of the rich and famous. George Clooney has a place here. 
• Relax with views into the Italian Alps and Dolomites
• Enjoy a spectacular train ride into Switzerland - one of the world's most beautiful routes
• Flank Lake Garda and see more beautiful Italian countryside
• See the Arena at Verona as well as learn more about Romeo and Juliet 
• See the splendours of Europe's greatest cultural capitals
• Enjoy the best food Europe can offer in Slovenia and Croatia
• Relax in Adriatic Coastal Splendour at Opatija
• See the highlights of Slovenia
• Understand the history of the entire region - a fascinating blend based on cultural mix, trade and commerce across the Balkans, central Europe, Mediterranean and Adriatic. 

 

Included:

 

• 4 Star Accommodation on a Bed and Breakfast Basis
• Meet and Greet at Airport 
• Transfers to and from hotel
• Expert driver/guide
• Comfortable touring vehicle
• Local knowledge, recommendations and help with any bookings you want to make
• Porterage - 1 piece per person in and out of hotels

 

Not included

 

• Flights - purchase your own flights in and out of destination 
• Gratuities - minimum recommended $20 per person per day
• Lunches and Dinners - we like our guests to be able to choose their own dining options
• Any entrances to museums, attractions and concerts - most of what you're looking for will be free entrance anyway. 

 

Detailed Itinerary:

 

Day 1

 

Arrive in Milan, Meet and Greet, Transfer to your hotel and stay two nights here. Meet your local guide for a familiarisation walk and a panoramic tour. 

 

Day 2

 

Visit La Scala Theatre, the Duomo Cathedral, see some of the most famous paintings in world (The Last Supper, the Kiss) at two of Milan's art gallers and soak up the atmosphere by the canal tonight at Navigli. 

 

Day 3

 

We're heading for the hills today, or more specifically the Pre-Alps at Lake Como and taking the cruise here. After the cruise on one of the most beautiful and idyllic lakes in the world, we're going to continue north into the mountains of Lombardia and experience the Italian Alps. 

 

Day 4

 

Take the train into Switzerland - stunning views on this moutain pass. It's known as the most scenic train ride anywhere in the world. We'll continue east heading for Lake Garda. Overnight in an Alpine Chalet. 

 

Day 5 

 

Today we flank scenic Lake Garda and arrive in Verona for two nights. We'll have a walking tour shortly after check-in. 

 

Day 6

 

Today there'll be some free time to see the beautiful museums and galleries of the city as well as explore some of the architecture, cafes and restaurants. If there's a concert on at the Arena, we'll try arrange that for you if you're interested. 

 

Day 7

 

Today we visit Padua, famously an important scene from The Merchant of Venice by Shakespeare takes place here, with Portia entertaining suitors, none of whom are suitable. We'll spend half a day in Padua before continuing past Venice (we'll return) and on the way to Castello Miramare on the Slovenian border. Overnight at an excellent Adriatic luxury boutique hotel overlooking the shimmering and tranquil waters below. 

 

Day 8

 

Today we visit Slovenia, stopping at Koper (Capo d'Istria) and on to Croatia stopping at Pula where we'll overnight. There's a famous Amphitheatre here that many people enjoy seeing. We're in Istria (Italian speaking Croatia) so the food offering is spectacular and half the price of what it would be in Italy. Many people like to eat pasta with truffles or fresh seafood here. 

 

Day 9

 

Today we continue along the Adriatic coast and overnight for two nights in the Pearl of the Adriatic, Opatija. This is one of our favourite places in Europe. 

 

Day 10

 

We'll take a privately chartered boat to a nearby village and give free time for a coffee or photo taking. Enjoy the foreshore walk today with the local guide and explore the gardens facing the sea. There are fantasic musuems and galleries here as well as a Church that goes back several hundred years. Croatians are quite religious and the country is big on tradition. 

 

Day 11

 

We'll head back into Slovenia today via Buzet (town of truffles and interesting history) and then we're staying two nights in the capital Ljubljana. 

 

Day 12

 

Explore the Castle overlooking the city, visit the museums, galleries and stop for a cake/pastry and coffee in the historic cafe in the downtown area. The afternoon and evening are yours.

 

Day 13

 

We're back into Italy today and we'll finish up with a local guide and checking into your hotel in Venice. The local guide will take you on a vaporetto (ferry) that links the Grand Canal to the historic city centre where you can explore Piazza San Marco and much much more. 

 

Day 14

 

Late afternoon transfer to Marco Polo International Airport for your flight home or to a connecting Global Dream Travel trip. We hope you've had a great time and learned so much about the various rulers of the region - Roman, Viennese, Hapsburgs, Austro-Hungarian,  Venetian, Slavic, Ottoman, and today's EU. You'll be brimming with culture and knowledge having seen areas in Europe that you feel you should have seen earlier. Enjoy Europe as the Europeans do.