Pearls of the Adriatic - Italy, Slovenia and Croatia 11 Days
Fly into Marco Polo Airport in Venice and out of Dubrovnik, Croatia.
We consider this the least known part of Europe and it's a great advantage. Not many people are experts on the area but we are. We've been operating here now for over five years and know all the best visits, restaurants, hidden gems and cultural keys to open the doors to the Balkans.
Not so long ago, the world knew the region for ethnic cleansing and wars between Slovenes, Croats, Serbs, Bosnians, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Roman Catholics, different nationalities, linguistic sects and more. Thankfully this is all over and people are glad to see tourists coming back to one of the world's most beautiful places. A Roman Emperor's Palace, the best seafood in Europe, a Roman Amphitheatre, historic castles, cheap and high quality-truffles, amazing wine - no this isn't Italy, it's Croatia.
Lovers of central European history as well as those who like the Dolce Vita are going to be wonderstruck, surprised and impressed by the Dalmatian coasts, one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. The trip would be worth it for the scenery alone but if you add to that the ancient architecture of the Classic World, warm climate, excellent food and interesting peoples, you'll be wowed and wonder why you didn't visit sooner.
Itinerary and Specifics
Highlights
- Experience more deep culture than you can imagine
- See a Roman Amphitheatre and Ancient Roman Route
- Taste the Delights of the Region - pasta, seafood, amazing wines - this is an Epicurean Dreamland
- Learn the local phrases - Slovenian and Croatian are Slavic languages
- Learn the complex history - the role of Venice, the Ottoman Empire, the early tribes, Italy's influence, the Roman Empire, the history of modern Crotia, Italy and Slovenia, the Balkans War.
- Take some time out to enjoy the calm waters of the magnificent Adriatic
- Bask in the glory of hidden gem villages and towns away from the madding crowds
- Live like a local - enjoy bakeries, local restaurants and places the crowds don't know about
- See UNESCO World Heritage Sites galore. The Balkans are an outdoor museum.
Included:
- 4 Star Acccomodation 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
- Local Guides in each city to delve deeper into specialist knowledge - Croatia has a lot of it.
- 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
Fly into Marco Polo Airport outside Venice, meet and greet and we're on our way to Castello Miramare, former home of an important Hapsburg Duke. Overnight nearby in our favourite hotel on the Adriatic.
Day 2
We're crossing over the border into Slovenia - also using the Euro here as in Italy. We like Koper, so we're stopping off for a walk through the town to learn about the history of what used to be Capo d'Istria, part of the Venetian seafaring empire. Continue over the hills into Istria, one of the Croatian regions. We're going tasting some great local foods and visiting two mountaintop towns for great views and some exercise. If you love the region half as much as us, we'll be happy. Istria is a very special culinary capital and the people are sometimes tri-lingual. We're staying in Opatija for three nights.
Day 3
We're taking a boat ride (included in price) along the coast to a nearby fishing village. Take some time to explore for yourself and grab an espresso. Take some wonderful pictures in an area unknown by the tourists. This is a very special and beautiful part of the Adriatic sea - Opatija is known as the Jewel of the Adriatic. Return to the town and enjoy a walk through the splendid manicured gardens. There's a couple of great galleries and musuems for you to explore here and generally take a relaxing day today.
Day 4
Today we'll explore the most beautiful local towns and villages nearby returning to town in the late afternoon, organising a great meal if you're interested. We've never eaten as well as at this place, it's a secret we're lucky to be in on.
Day 5
Today we're heading down the coast to Zadar. We'll do one night here and you can explore a tremendous amount of history in this mighty port city with a local guide who'll bring you on a 2-3 hour walking tour with a rest whenever needed.
Day 6
We'll stop today in Sibenik, a truly stunning coastal town built into the rock. Onwards to picture perfect UNESCO seaside towns of Trogir and Split, the main city until we get to Dubrovnik. Try some execellent seafood and wines today. Overnight for two nights in Split.
Day 7
In Split it's all about Diocletian's Palace, the Roman Emperor who built an incredible residential complex for his retirement here. You can learn a lot with a three hour walking tour with a local that we'll book for you.
Walk the Riva and enjoy the great Roman remains in the old town. It's a truly special place during the day and evening. At Solin outside the city we'll take you to the Roman Road and major settlement of the Classic World there. The Road once went from Rome to Constantinople - the two capitals of Ancient Rome. We absolutely love it here and you will too, especially if you're into history, the Romans and Archaeology. Today we'll see the famous Roman amphitheatre.
Day 8
Today we're going island hopping. A day on Hvar is in order and time for you to explore Croatian island life - traditional, historical, quaint and with amazing dining options.
Day 9
We continue our journey down Dalmatia to Dubrovnik, capital of Southern Dalmatia and one of the most enthralling settings in the world. Fans of Games of Thrones will know the city as the King's Landing. We're going to see the UNESCO old city with a guided walking tour from a local expert. Peel back the layers of history.
Day 10
We'll start up the top of the mountain above Dubrovnik via the cable car. The views are spectacular and it's a great way to learn about the Balkans War in the mid-90s if you're interested as there's a great musuem here about it. The rest of the day is yours at leisure to indulge in your own interests.
Day 11
We transport you to the airport and we hope you've had an amazing time. Bid your driver/guide farewell at Dubrovnik International Airport. We know this will have been the trip of a lifetime. Many people choose to stay on longer in the Mediterranean. We've had travellers make their way to Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and Morocco following this trip.