Main Office: 800-227-5317

Destinations

Highlights of CROATIA, MONTENEGRO & SLOVENIA – 14 Days

Description

Duration: 14 Days

Highlights: Discover the Splendours of Ljubljana & Lake Bled, Enjoy the best of Istria, Zadar and Split, Marvel at the gorgeous Croatia Lakes, Taste local foods in Hvar and Ston, Admire the unique scenery of Montenegro

This itinerary is ideal for couples that want to relax, and let their Private Driver Guide escort them through the glorious coastline and countryside while they just enjoy the magnificent views and take in the highlights pointed out to them along the way!

Day 1 - Ljubljana, SloveniaDay 2 - Ljubljana & Lake BledDay 3 - Ljubljana - Rovinj via Postoijna CavesDay 4 - Rovinj - Zadar via OpatijaDay 5 - Zadar - Plitvice Lakes - ZadarDay 6 - Zadar Walking Tour - SplitDay 7 - Split Walking TourDay 8 - Split - Hvar - SplitDay 9 - Split - Dubrovnik via StonDay 10 - Dubrovnik Walking TourDay 11 - Dubrovnik - Sveti Stefan, Montenegro via KotorDay 12 - Sveti StefanDay 13 - Sveti Stefan - Scutari Lake & Bar Excursion - Sveti StefanDay 14 - Sveti Stefan Departure
Arrive into the Slovenian capital with a transfer to your hotel and throughout be assisted by your English Speaking Assistant who will be on hand by phone throughout your trip for any assistance you need.

It might not be the largest city in the world, in fact it is one of Europe’s smallest capitals, but Ljubljana uses this to its advantage and has a genuine cosmopolitan feel, offering central European charm and a medieval heart full of Baroque and Art Nouveau splendours. The Slovenian capital has buzzing outdoor cafés and a relaxed, youthful vibe, where cultural activity has become a way of life. Each year it hosts more than 10,000 cultural events, from prestigious music, theatre and art events to those pertaining to alternative and avant-garde culture. It is a gem of a city, and many visitors happily spend their time meandering along its cobbled streets or sitting in cafes. Yet Ljubljana also has a handful of museums, art galleries, festivals, a theatre and a hilltop castle with views for miles, a bustling market, and a park with a narrow river running through it, which is perfect for crisp, wintry afternoon strolls or boat trips.

Overnight:Grand Hotel Union

Enjoy a full day excursion (8 hours) around Ljubljana, which has been the capital city of Slovenia for almost 200 and is characterized by beautiful Baroque architecture. Visit the Three Bridges area, Cathedral, the Plečnik open market, Prešern Square, Ljubljana Castle and Congress square. You may wish to indulge in some shopping as well.

After lunch at leisure in a local restaurant, spend the afternoon visiting Bled Lake and Bled Castle. The Castle stands on a rock approximately 100 meters above the lake with wonderful views of the town, lake and countryside. The castle museum has a large collection of armor and weapons from the 16th to 18th centuries, your tour also includes a boat to St. Mary Island. Enjoy a slice of the local cream cake before you leave!

Overnight:Grand Hotel Union
Meal Plan: B

Transfer from Ljubljana to Rovinji stopping enroute at Postoijna Caves and Predjama Castle. Two spectular sights and very very interesting.

Upon arrival enjoy the evening at leisure to visit Rovinji town on your own.

Overnight:Hotel Adriatic
Meal Plan: B

This morning transfer from Rovinji to Zadar stopping enroute at the coastal resort of Opatija.

Upon arrival in Zadar take a leisurely walk along the promenade and visit the Sea Organ and Salutation to the Sun. Two wonderful creations.

Overnight: Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel
Meal Plan: B

Experience some of Croatia’s most stunning scenery with a full-day excursion to the beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park. Due to their unique evolution and beauty, the Plitvice Lakes have been included in the UNESCO Register of World Natural Heritage. Often described as one of the greatest natural wonders of Eastern Europe, this spectacular scenic region is made up of five miles of shimmering turquoise lakes and cascading waterfalls that are linked by emerald forests and meadows of wild flowers. Explore the park on foot with your expert local guide who meets you upon arrival. (12 hours, driver with 4 hours Plitvice local guide)

Overnight: Almayer Art & Heritage Hotel
Meal Plan: B

Meet your guide this morning and explore Zadar in greater depth. Head out just before lunch and go towards Sibenik where you may explore at your own leisure and have lunch on the seafront. From here continue south to Split. Time permitting you may ask your driver to stop in the jewel of a town called Trogir.

Once a Roman province, Split is now the second largest city in Croatia boasting beautiful beaches alongside roman ruins. Split owes its place in history to the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who settled here in 303 AD in a massive and elaborate retirement palace. This vibrant city and living museum is full of character and history, with its chic apartments replacing what were once the barracks of Diocletian’s soldiers, and the vibrant piazza now where the grand entrance to Diocletian’s palace used to be. The palace itself owes its beauty to imports from Italy Greece and Egypt, and turned the city of Split into both a military fortress and fortified town. The cobbled streets are now filled with lively markets, chic cafés, cosy bars, and shops thriving amid the atmospheric old walls where the Split lifestyle has been enjoyed for thousands of years, surrounded by coastal mountains and turquoise waters.

Overnight: Hotel Park
Meal Plan: B

Join your private guide this morning for a half-day walking tour of the city. A highlight is the 3rd century Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, the grandest Roman ruin in Western Europe. There’s time later on to explore the old town, the market and the beautiful promenade. In the afternoon you may wish to explore the coast and the beautiful Marjan Hill at your own leisure. 

Overnight: Hotel Park
Meal Plan: B

Board a ferry for a cruise along the stunning Dalmatian coast to the island of Hvar with its picturesque harbour and well preserved Venetian buildings. Spend time wandering along the promenade amongst fashionable restaurants and cafes before you head into the island’s beautiful countryside. Visit a local winery and enjoy a typical lunch. (Wine and lunch included).

At the end of your tour return to Split.

Overnight: Hotel Park
Meal Plan: B

Travel down from Split to Dubrovnik stopping at the small fishing town of Ston on the Peljesac Peninsula for a real insider access encounter. Meet some local fisherman and taste some delicious oysters. You may wish to have lunch here too (lunch payable locally).

After lunch continue south towards the beautiful port of Dubrovnik.

There is no denying that the jewel of Southern Dalmatia is the UNESCO city of Dubrovnik. With its picture of turquoise blue waters and striking orange roofs, Dubrovnik is one of the world’s most magnificent walled cities offering stunning panoramic views of the Adriatic Sea and surrounding islands. Dubrovnik’s greatest treasure is the charming Old Town, free of cars but packed with aristocratic palazzi and elegant Baroque churches, contained within sturdy medieval fortifications cut from the same lustrous stone. Throughout the centuries, the town has flourished due to its political candour, imposing geographic position, artistic contributions, and its long-lasting maritime traditions. Dubrovnik has continued to be prosperous, though not without the hardship brought on by a crisis of Mediterranean shipping and the catastrophic earthquake of 1667. Since then its historic core seems to have frozen in time, and the Old Town represents a living museum of bygone years, even though the city’s culture and economy continues to thrive.

Overnight: Hotel Excelsior
Meal Plan: B

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Dubrovnik with your guide. Highlights include the Franciscan and Dominican Monasteries, the Rector’s Palace, the grand city walls and Dubrovnik Cathedral.

Afternoon at leisure perhaps to spend further exploring the town and you may wish to use the funicular to reach the top of Mt Srd mountain for breathtaking views over the city and islands.

*OPTIONAL EXTRA: We could add in one more day (and one more night) and offer a private boat excursion to the Elaphite Islands of Sipan, Lopud and Kolocep. Absolutely beautiful!

Overnight: Hotel Excelsior
Meal Plan: B

Montenegro is a land of beautiful sandy beaches and high mountains, and today you will have the opportunity to explore some of this independent state.    

Leave Dubrovnik this morning by private vehicle and drive southeast along the Konavle valley. Cross the border into Montenegro and continue to Kotor where you meet your local guide who helps you discover this beautiful area of sandy beaches and high mountains. Your route takes you to Boka Kotorska, the most southerly fjord in Europe and one of the most beautiful bays in the area, where precipitous mountains rear up from azure waters. Continue past Risan and Perast, and visit the Church of Our Lady of the Rocks (Gospa od Skrpjela), a Baroque edifice that was first constructed in 1452 on a man-made islet. According to legend, the islet was created over the centuries by the seamen who, after returning from each successful voyage, laid a rock in the bay. As time passed, the islet gradually emerged from the sea. The church contains 68 magnificent paintings by Tripo Kokolja, a 17th-century artist from Perast. His most important painting, measuring some ten yards long, is “The Death of the Virgin”. In the afternoon visit Kotor, a city designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Within the walls of Kotor, you will discover many bustling squares where locals love to sit, converse and enjoy a glass of wine or cup of coffee while watching the world go by.  Stroll through the town and select the café where you wish to sit to soak up the atmosphere. You also visit Budva which is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic Sea, dating back to the 5th Century BC. In the Middle Ages when Budva was under Venetian rule, the town was fortified by powerful venetian walls to protect against the Ottoman conquests. The walls encompass a lively town with many small shops, restaurants and cafes.  From here continue down to your luxury accommodation, Sveti Stefan. 

With 32km of stunning coastline, including peninsulas, beautiful little islands and sandy beaches, the Budva Riviera is a must-see when visiting Montenegro. Dating back to the 5th-century BC, Sveti Stefan is a charmingly picturesque town that sits upon a small peninsula, and a treasure chest of cultural heritage. The former fishing village was once of particular commercial importance during the period of the Republic of Venice, and regularly traded with Venice itself. Today, the fortified town has become a popular resort that offers exclusive and secluded sandy beaches, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing retreat. 

Overnight: Aman Sveti Stefan
Meal Plan: B

Day at leisure. 

Enjoy today at leisure and make use of the facilities your luxury hotel offers.  

Overnight: Aman Sveti Stefan
Meal Plan: B

Enjoy the beauty of the Scutari Lake (Lake of Skadar) today, the largest national park in Montenegro, as well as one of the largest lakes in the Balkans, which boasts one of the richest ornithological refuges in Europe.

In addition to herons and wild ducks, the lake is home to the endangered species the “shaggy pelican” which is the recognised logo of the National Park of the Scutari Lake. The region of the lake is rich in numerous historical and cultural sites, many churches and monasteries, fortresses and picturesque old villages. The jagged shore of the lake is lined with numerous coves and colourful fishing settlements.  Continue on to the city of Bar. Like most Montenegrin towns, throughout its history Bar has belonged to various civilizations and cultures. As a city of olives, the sea gate of Montenegro, long-lasting melting-pot of different confessions and nations, Bar represents a mix of modernity, tradition and beauty. It is an important and dynamic economic centre within Montenegro, but is also a town of rich cultural and historical tradition. Some of the highest achievements of Montenegro’s civilization originated in Bar. The oldest written documents and the most important work of medieval Montenegrin literature and history can be found here. One of the world’s oldest olive trees grows here, the Old Olive of Mirovica, which is more than 2000 years old. The rich cultural and historical tradition of the Bar area is combined with the unique gifts of nature, a friendly climate and a remarkable geographical position to make Bar an ideal destination for those who wish to relax on lovely beaches and enjoy the unspoilt environment, as well as for those wanting to visit the numerous cultural and religious sites in the area. Any visitor to the long-since dilapidated ruins of Stari Bar (Old Bar), one of the world’s largest fortified archaeological sites, will be impressed by the beauty of the natural surroundings into which it blends, dignifying the majestic Mount Rumija which towers above it. This contrast of nature and Mediterranean heritage represents one of the most important cultural and historical sites in Montenegro. 

Overnight: Aman Sveti Stefan
Meal Plan: B

Transfer today to the Pogdorica /Tivat airport where your journey ends. 

Meal Plan: B

Pacific Destination Center Europe Specialists are here to help personalize your holiday for the Most Memorable Experience – Just give us a call at 800-227-5317, or email us at info@pacific-destinations.com with your desired destinations and focused activity wish list, or special occasion celebration and we will get started on your personalized dream holiday.

 

Phone one of our Europe Specialists at 1-800-227-5317 to start planning your Holiday now!

CST #2023415-40

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Highlights of CROATIA, MONTENEGRO & SLOVENIA – 14 Days”

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.