Welcome to Zagreb, Croatia’s vibrant capital. This charming city blends history, art, and
modern energy, giving it a warm yet cosmopolitan feel. We explore the cobbled streets and
medieval buildings of the Upper Town (Gornji Grad), and landmarks like the Gothic-style

Zagreb Cathedral and the distinctive colourful tiled roof of St. Mark’s Church. The Lower
Town (Donji Grad) features wide boulevards, green parks, and bustling squares such as Ban
Jelačić Square. Zagreb is also a cultural hub, home to numerous museums, galleries, and
theatres, as well as lively markets and an eclectic café scene.

With its friendly atmosphere and rich cultural heritage, beginning our tour at Zagreb sets us up for a momentous adventure from Croatia into Slovenia.

Accommodation: Trendy 4* hotel in one of the oldest streets
Meals: Welcome dinner

A perfect way to start this day is at Vintgar Gorge, where we stroll the wooden pathways through this pristine wilderness to rivers and waterfalls, aided by an audio guide. The fresh mountain air will give us an appetite to try a sweet speciality of the area, kremsnita (Bled cream cake).

We spend three nights in Bled, whose magical scenic surroundings epitomise the storybook theme, with a church on a tiny island and a castle on a cliff, which we’ll visit on Day 3.

Accommodation: 4* hotel set in the Alpine forest   
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Today we step into the picturesque scenery of Lake Bled and explore ancient Bled Castle, perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the lake. It’s Slovenia’s oldest castle, first mentioned in writing over 1,000 years ago. Home to bishops for eight centuries until 1278, the castle then passed to the Habsburgs. 

On an island in the middle of this glacial lake surrounded by the Julian Alps, is the Church of the Assumption.  A local legend describes how a young widow decided to dedicate a special memorial to her husband, who had been killed by bandits and whose body had been thrown into Lake Bled. She had all her gold and silver melted down to create a bell for the church in the middle of Lake Bled. We’ll go and see this church and perhaps hear the bell toll!

Accommodation: 4* hotel set in the Alpine forest  
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Not far from Lake Bled is Triglav National Park, whose glacial lakes are filled with run off from the soaring peaks of the Julian Alps, forming a sensational backdrop to the scene. Lake Bohinj is one of these pristine lakes in the heart of Triglav, known for its clear, fresh water and for being Slovenia’s largest natural lake. Vogel Mountain provides breathtaking views over the lake and a cable car gets us up this mountain for a special Aline experience.

Accommodation: 4* hotel set in the forest  
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

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After lunch we head for Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, known for its blend of old-world architecture and modern culture. Ljubljana has a 3,000-year Roman, Medieval and Austrian history, with a medieval castle perched on the hill and the symbol of the city – a winged dragon – guarding the bridge. Ljubljana offers a relaxed, pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. 

But before arriving here, we stop in the delightful old town of Radovljica, with its cobbled streets, quaint artisan shops and beekeeping museum. We’ll work up an appetite by strolling around the monthly Farmers Market, before stopping at our very special lunch – the Michelin star Hisa Linhart restaurant.  

Accommodation:  4* hotel in the heart of Ljubljana 
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

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A boat trip in Ljubljana is the best way to see Slovenia’s capital, starting from the riverside near the iconic Triple Bridge in the heart of the city. We pass under antiquated bridges, each with its own architectural style and story, like the Dragon Bridge, decorated with Ljubljana’s famous winged dragon statues, whose emblematic shape can be seen on everything from the tower at Ljubljana Castle and the City’s coat of arms, to sports clubs and clothing branding. 

After our boat ride, there is leisure time to explore Ljubljana’s old town pedestrian zone, with cobblestone streets, colourful facades and café-lined squares. 

Accommodation:  4* hotel in the heart of Ljubljana 
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

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After breakfast we leave for Postojna, an appealing old Slovenian town surrounded by lush rolling hills. It offers us a taste of local life, with family-run cafes, bakeries and shops. This area is best known for Postojna Cave, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest and most visited show caves in Europe. It’s massive stalactites, stalagmites, and chambers are adorned with striking rock formations. 

Just a short drive away we’ll visit Predjama Castle, a dramatic Renaissance fortress built directly into a cliffside. This centuries-old castle has a network of tunnels and secret chambers, adding a mythical quality to the visit.

Accommodation:   4* hotel in the heart of Postojna Cave Park
Meals: Breakfast, dinner 

We start our journey along the Istrian Peninsula in Koper, Slovenia’s oldest town and largest port. Its 2,000-year-old history becomes evident through its architecture and cultural traditions, such as medieval walls, Venetian palaces, Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, the Loggia Palace, and Da Ponte Fountain.  With Roman origins and hundreds of years of Venetian rule, Italian is spoken almost as often as Slovenian here.

Next, a stop in Izola adds another layer of charm to the journey. This small fishing town has a more intimate feel than Koper, with a maze of narrow streets that lead to hidden squares, colourful houses, and a lovely marina filled with fishing boats. A seafood lunch is on the cards here.

Our overnight stay is in Piran, a coastal town on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast known for Venetian-style architecture and a seaside ambiance. The town sits at the tip of a narrow peninsula, surrounded by the sea on three sides, with a view of turquoise waters and red-roofed houses. 

Accommodation:  Harbour view 4* hotel  
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

We have two stops today on our journey down the Istrian Peninsula, crossing from Slovenia into Croatia to stay in the town of Pula. This peninsula sits at the top of the Adriatic and is shared by three countries: Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy, with 90% of its area in Croatia. 

Our first stop today is at Motovun in Croatia, known for stone fortifications and medieval walls, stunning vistas and truffle-rich forests, with highly prized black and white varieties. 

After Motovun, a stop in Rovinj is like stepping into a chocolate-box jigsaw, where a colourful fishing port is perched on a headland, and a tangle of cobbled streets and tightly crowded houses tumble down the hillside to the seafront. Adding to its appeal is an archipelago of 14 islands immediately off the mainland.  

Our final stop for today is Pula. Located on the southern tip of Croatia’s Istrian peninsula, this coastal town is famed for impressive Roman ruins and lively cultural scene. Your evening is at leisure to relax at the harbourside hotel and wander the old town, selecting any restaurant that takes your fancy. 

Accommodation: 4* hotel with a harbour view
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Before departing for Zagreb, we join our Pula town guide for a tour of the 1ST century Roman amphitheatre. It’s hard to believe that it was constructed between 27 BC and AD 68, and all four of its side towers are still preserved. Once used for gladiatorial fights, it now sees people congregating for concerts, whose notable artists have included Luciano Pavarotti and Elton John.  

With a sense of living history to think about, we drive the +-3-hours back to Zagreb, where we refresh ourselves before gathering for our farewell dinner and toast the new friends we’ve made.

Accommodation: Trendy 4* hotel in an old street
Meals:  Breakfast, dinner

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It’s time to check out for the flight home. We bid fond farewells to fellow Adventurous Ewes and newfound travelling companions. Until the next trip!

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