Slovenia to Croatia Adventure

Lake Bled in Slovenia has been a world-renowned paradise for centuries, impressing visitors with its natural beauty, wealth of legend, and special powers to restore well-being. We have chosen this stunning place as our starting point for the tour. You will have a place reserved for you in our local guesthouse, so you can arrive anytime that suits you.

Before sunset we will meet for a welcome drink, dinner and trip overview. In addition to getting to know the guides and fellow travelers, we’ll discuss the adventures that await us over the coming week.

Accommodation: Lake Bled guesthouse; Meals: Dinner.

The most beautiful view of Lake Bled and its surrounding peaks is from the hiking paths wrapping around the lake. We will hike one of the loop trails around Lake Bled so that you can experience the beauty of this area and immerse yourself in nature. Our hike will be around 5 hours long, easy to moderate level of difficulty and full of exciting views and stops.

In the afternoon you will have time to relax and get some coffee or a refreshing drink next to the lake. For those who want more activities, there will be options for swimming, cycling, kayaking and more.

Accommodation: Lake Bled guesthouse; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

After breakfast we will drive from Lake Bled area to the charming little city of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. This is a city with a green soul and a high level of environmental awareness. It managed to preserve its green character to the present day and you can see that in every part of the city. The picturesque Ljubljanica river that runs through the center of the city is one of the rare places in the world where you can do Stand Up Paddle boarding in the middle of a city. This trip is suitable for beginners and advanced paddlers and will give you a completely new and unique perspective of Ljubljana.

The afternoon and evening are reserved for exploring and enjoying lovely Old Town Ljubljana.

Accommodation: Ljubljana ; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Today we leave Slovenia and drive towards Plitvice Lakes National Park, located in one of Croatia’s scenic mountain regions. Plitvice is one of the most beautiful and unique natural areas in Europe. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 due to its stunning sequence of turquoise lakes separated by travertine barriers and over 90 waterfalls.

As we walk along the park’s wooden paths and bridges, we’ll take in views of 16 gorgeous lakes, fairy-tale forests and cascading waterfalls fed by both the Black and White Rivers. The seemingly endless beech and pine forests surrounding the lakes are home to extensive wildlife including deer, brown bears and wolves, numerous caves and an interesting karst landscape. There is an option to enjoy a picnic lunch in this pristine, natural area. After the hike, we’ll have the chance to admire the lakes from a different perspective on a short bus ride that will take us back to the starting point.

Accommodation: Plitvice NP guesthouse; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

After breakfast we will leave the mountain area of Croatia and drive to Istria and the Adriatic Sea. A 3-hour drive from Plitvice will take us to our destination – the charming seaside town of Porec. We have no scheduled activities for today. The plan is to take it easy, explore some beautiful places along the way and spend the afternoon relaxing at the beach. For those who want a more active day, there will be an option to do some cycling.

This is the end of the trip for those who have decided to do the 5-day version of the tour. You are free to arrange your departure transfers any time that suits you. Since the group on the 8-day tour will be driving towards Istria, we can drop you off in Rijeka or Porec. Our guides will help you plan the rest of your holiday and recommend places to visit throughout Croatia – don’t hesitate to ask them for any suggestions.

Accommodation: Porec guesthouse; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

The picturesque town of Rovinj is one of coastal Istria’s most charming destinations. The historic town rises from the sea on a small peninsula surrounded by 14 stunning islands, which are best explored by kayak. Our kayaks will take you to the harbor, around Old Town Rovinj, to the Golden Cape and to Sveta Katarina Island and its hidden beaches. One of our secret spots includes optional cliff jumping into the crystal clear sea for more adventurous travelers. After kayaking, there will be time to enjoy a walk through the meandering, narrow streets of Rovinj and have a coffee, an ice cream or a glass of wine.

We will spend the evening back in Porec and explore the Old Town after dinner.

Accommodation: Porec guesthouse; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

This morning we leave the Istrian coast and head inland, where some of the peninsula’s most beautiful landscapes await. Our cycling trip today takes us on country roads that wind through rural Istria’s medieval hilltop villages, vineyards, olive groves and forests. The route passes through the charming hillside towns of Oprtalj and Groznjan, which we will have time to explore on foot. The second half of the trip follows the Parenzana, an old railroad bed that is now popular among cyclists and hikers. We’ll pedal through old railroad tunnels and over bridges until we reach the Mirna River Valley, enjoying spectacular views of the countryside along the way.

After cycling, we will drive to the captivating town of Motovun, one of the most beautiful and best-preserved medieval hilltop settlements in Istria. After settling into our accommodation, we’ll have the chance to take a stroll along the old defense walls, have dinner with truffles – a local specialty – and enjoy a gorgeous sunset over the Mirna River Valley.

Accommodation: Motovun; Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.

Today our tour comes to an end. You are welcome to schedule your homeward transport for any time, but we recommend avoiding very early departing flights. Your guide(s) can drop you off in different locations in Istria free of charge if previously arranged. If you decide to extend your stay in Croatia, your guide(s) will happily recommend other wonderful things to do and places to visit – especially local favorites that you won’t find in most guidebooks.

Meals: Breakfast.