The Balkan Peninsula is in possession of a number of cultural and scenic treasures, and this 14-day tour of Croatia and Slovenia is handcrafted to ensure your access to the best of each country. From the walled beauty of Dubrovnik to the alpine idyll of Bled, this storybook land will present you with spectacular scenery, a welcoming culture, and delicious food.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Dubrovnik – Jewel of the Adriatic
A land of walled towns, misty mountains, and stunning seafronts, Croatia has long been considered an undiscovered gem of Europe. Only in recent decades have visitors been mending their ways and traveling to this unforgettable region. Today, you will begin your tour of the Dalmatian coast at one of the country's southernmost medieval cities: Dubrovnik. After arriving at the nearby airport, a comfortable transfer will convey you swiftly to the city and your hotel. Here, you will have the remainder of the day to explore the city at your own pace.
What's Included:
Day 2
Dubrovnik – The City's Tumultuous Past
Day 3
Dubrovnik – The Black Mountains Are Calling
Day 4
Hvar – Sailing Through the Ages
Day 5
Hvar – Orientation on Croatian Wines
Day 6
Split – Returning to the Mainland
Day 7
Plitvice Lakes National Park – Croatia's Sublime Beauty
Day 8
Rovinj – Into the Heart of Istria
Day 9
Rovinj – The Shadow of a Roman Amphitheater
Day 10
Bled – An Alpine Orientation
Day 11
Bled – Day Trip to the Slovenian Capital
Day 12
Zagreb – Ambassador of All Things Croatian
Day 13
Zagreb – Ambling Through the Ages
Day 14
Zagreb – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Stroll along the many steps of one of the longest stretches of medieval walls in Croatia on a trip through the city center of Dubrovnik
- Bask in the pristine beaches and refreshing water of the Adriatic Sea and witness the close relationship of Croatian communities with it
- Visit the land of the black mountains at Montenegro on a day trip, during which the charming country will impress you with its natural beauty and warm hospitality
- Feel the wind in your hair on a voyage from Dubrovnik to the island of Hvar, where you will enjoy a view of the stunning coastline from the waves
- Sip your way through a wine tasting experiencing on Hvar, where the island's reputation of savory winemaking and stunning views will be yours to enjoy
- Stand in the shadow of a Roman emperor's palace on an exploration of Diocletian's fortress in Split to witness hidden gems of the past
- Amble along the tranquil paths and placid lakes of Plitvice Lakes National Park to view terraced ponds and cascading waterfalls
- Recline in the ambient beauty of the Julian Alps at Lake Bled, where it is not uncommon for the still water to reflect the image of the towering mountain peaks
- Explore the various districts and historical sites of the bustling city center of Zagreb to watch Croatia's rich culture and illustrious past come to life
Starting Price
$4,900 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of this Travel Agency
4.84 stars based on 363 reviews.
Zicasso's travel specialist and her team were outstanding and planned the perfect trip for my family. Everything went smoothly and we had a fantastic time in the beautiful country of Croatia. Our specialist was a pleasure to work with and responded quickly, as did her colleague in Croatia when I had a question during the trip. I'd highly recommend both Croatia and our travel company for your arrangements!
Reviewed By Tracey R.
We had an excellent trip. The hotels and day trips were great. All the drivers and tour guides exceeded expectations.
Reviewed By Abraham G.
The entire nine days of travel from Slovenia to Montenegro were seamless as far as being picked up at the arrival airport and departure as planned. Transportaion was on schedule, which was important to me in a foreign country and eliminated any stress. Each private guide and/or driver throughout our trip was courteous and spoke English, which avoided any misunderstanding about all the wonderful sites we saw.
Lake Bled was absolutely wonderful. The guide parked the van at this family home four blocks from the lake and introduced us to his mother and sister, who welcomed us, and we saw how they lived in this beautiful village. The walk of four blocks to the lake also gave us the opportunity to see more of this quaint place to live. Since the lake does not allow power boats, we and about 20 other people were rowed to the island, where an ancient church was located. We found out that this family, in the past, were the caretakers of the island and our tour guide had to row himself to the shore to go to school and, in the winter, skate to school every day.
Next, we were driven to the castle on top of a small mountain, which had a perfect, 360-degree view of the area. Beautiful!
The next day we went to Plitvice Lakes National Park, with too many waterfalls to count and water that looked as crystal clear as any natural water I have ever seen. The four-kilometer walk upstream was nothing like I've ever seen in the USA.
We spent the night in a wonderful mountain lodge, with individual lodges and an upper-end-style bed and breakfast theme.
Split was a city with parts dating back to the third century, with many Roman influences in its many buildings.
Mostar in Bosnia was very interesting and had a central arch-style bridge which seemed to be a central point for all to see. There was so much we saw that it is too much to describe here.
We also stopped at a wine tasting at the most modern winery I've ever been to. It even had 12 guest rooms, with a pool.
On our way to Dubrovnik, we stopped at Ston to have an unbelievable lunch. At the restaurant, we had an oyster tasting of fresh oysters being farmed several hundred yards from the restaurant. We were served oysters three ways, from raw to fried and baked, and they were the best I will ever eat in my life.
We next went to Dubrovnik, which was particularly interesting to me because it is where Game of Thrones was filmed. Our guide was excellent, as he worked as a "roadie" for the film company, helping set the scenes by taking down modern signs or anything modern, and putting them back after filming. He had large screen shots in a spiral binder and would take us to a cove and hold up the screen shot of the actual scene from the movie to show us the similarity. His behind-the-scenes knowledge of the actors and the reaction from the town and church was beyond expectations. My wife and I were fans of GOT and so excited that we are going to watch if all again one day.
Our last day was in Montenegro, which again was beautiful, and we spent the day next to the water there. We were ferried to a man-made island with an old church on it.
Overall, the Adriatic Sea along the coast of these countries was one of the most beautiful stretches of water you could imagine.
Our expectations of this tour were met and exceeded.
Reviewed By Sandra H.
We had a very smooth trip, with lots of moving parts. The hotels were lovely and well-located. All the tour guides and transfers were on time and professional.
Reviewed By Melissa D.
"Our recent trip to Venice, Slovenia, and Croatia was fantastic. The itinerary set up for us (four adults) by Zicasso's travel partner flowed seamlessly."
Reviewed By Mary P.
"Everything planned for our trip went perfectly smoothly, with no surprises. We had wonderful hotels and great guide services."
Reviewed By Tom B.
