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Tel: 03 364 3400
Freephone: 0800 747 737
Email: [email protected]

Adriatic Discovery: Northern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia

10 day small group tour

Join us as we travel the back roads through plunging gorges and soaring mountains; discovering clifftop fortresses and Riviera-style villages; tasting delicious local wines and savouring countless regional specialities along the way. This journey through Northern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia captures the beautiful diversity of these three mesmerising countries and is sure to be one to remember.

Your tour highlights

  •  Savour a unique wine tasting experience at the Poli Grappa Museum in Bassano del Grappa
  •  Take in the scenery on a traditional pletna boat across Lake Bled in Slovenia
  •  Explore the beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Tour itinerary

Day
1
Venice

Welcome to Venice – the magnificent floating city boasting unparalleled elegance, grandeur and romance. Meet your travel companions and Tour Leader at the hotel, before settling into a delicious welcome meal at a local restaurant. Saluti! Accommodation: Hotel Ca’ dei Conti (or similar)

Day
2
Venice - Bassano del Grappa

After breakfast, we’ll board the mini-coach and set a course for our first stop – Maser, where a wine tasting session at the historic Villa di Maser winery awaits us. Grapes from this ancient winery are grown in 33 hectares of carefully selected, eco-friendly vineyards – and our palettes are sure to appreciate the care and attention placed in each bottle. Then: onwards to Bassano del Grappa, a historic town that’s famous for its 13th century Ponte Vecchio. After getting better acquainted on an orientation tour, we’ll enjoy some free time for lunch. Later, we’ll pay a visit to the Poli Grappa Museum – where we’ll learn about the history of the local tipple and enjoy a tasting, of course! This evening will be ours to explore Bassano Del Grappa at our own pace or put our feet up back at the hotel. Accommodation: Belvedere Hotel (or similar)

Day
3
Bassano del Grappa - Rovereto - Bassano del Grappa

Today we’ll delve into Rovereto’s fascinating history on a locally guided walking tour. As we go, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the imposing Rovereto Castle, Italian Historical War Museum and the Bell of the Fallen – which commemorates those who fell in the Great War in Trentino. Cast with the bronze of all nations who participated in World War I, it’s 100 tolls at dusk are a testimony to world peace. Following our tour, we’ll enjoy a sumptuous included lunch at a local restaurant – before returning to Bassano Del Grappa for an evening spent at our leisure. Accommodation: Belvedere Hotel (or similar)

Day
4
Bassano del Grappa - Belluno - Lake Bled (Slovenia)

Before we bid farewell to Italy, we’ll make one more stop in picturesque Belluno. A historic old town with breathtaking views and Renaissance-era buildings – we’ll enjoy an orientation tour with our Tour Leader before lunching at our leisure. Then: we’ll cross the border into spectacular Slovenia. Enjoy the scenic back roads as we travel to the enchanting Lake Bled region – our home for the next two nights. This evening, we’ll be free to spend some time relaxing before tomorrow’s trip to the iconic lake. Accommodation: Bled Rose Hotel (or similar)

Day
5
Lake Bled

First on today’s agenda: we’ll enjoy a guided tour of mesmerising Bled Castle. One of the oldest castles in Slovenia, our guide will educate us on the fascinating history and let us in on a few secrets, before we settle down to an included lunch in the castle restaurant. This afternoon we’ll take to the water for a locally-crafted pletna boat ride to the small island in the centre of Lake Bled – where we’ll visit the Baroque Church of the Assumption. Upon returning to the mainland, we’ll savour an afternoon spent at our leisure or dining at our hand-picked accommodation’s restaurant. Accommodation: Bled Rose Hotel (or similar)

Day
6
Lake Bled – Ljubljana and Postojna Cave – Rovinj (Croatia)

This morning we’ll bid a fond farewell to Lake Bled and continue our journey to Slovenia’s capital: Ljubljana. Here, we’ll learn more about the city’s major sights on a locally guided walking tour and take the funicular up to the famous castle for incredible views over this enchanting city. Then: we’ll have the opportunity to visit the impressive Postojna Cave and take an unforgettable train ride through the mesmerising subterranean system. We’ll round up our day in the quaint seaside town of Rovinj – where the evening will be free for us to leisurely explore the narrow, cobbled streets in search of a local restaurant for dinner. Accommodation: Villa Valdibora (or similar)

Day
7
Rovinj

Today, we’ll have a full day to explore Rovinj at our own pace. Whilst you’re here, we recommend paying a visit to the Church of St Euphemia – the largest Baroque building in Istria with spectacular views over the city. Enjoy wandering through the winding cobbled streets and picturesque squares of Old Town, before stopping for a refreshing drink at a harbourside cafe. This evening, a unique culinary experience awaits at a local restaurant. Accommodation: Villa Valdibora (or similar)

Day
8
Rovinj – Opatija and Rastoke – Plitvice Lakes

Today’s first stop will be the chic coastal town of Opatija – where we’ll have some free time to wander at our own pace and enjoy coffee at a local cafe. Then: we’ll continue on to the charming village of Rastoke – which is known for its many beautiful waterfalls and 18th-century mills. After paying a visit to a local mill, we’ll arrive at our final destination: the stunning Plitvice Lakes region. This evening we’ll be free to relax at our hotel and enjoy the excellent restaurant at our leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Fenomen (or similar)

Day
9
Plitvice Lakes - Smilijan - Zadar

A tour highlight is on the agenda this morning! After breakfast, we’ll visit one of Croatia’s most astounding natural sites: the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park. Here, we’ll explore the walking trails that hug the lakes – and watch as the water transforms from emerald green to azure blue. Once we’ve finished exploring, we’ll continue north to the village of Smiljan – the birthplace of famous inventor Nikola Tesla. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Tesla House Museum before moving on to the coastal city of Zadar. Tonight, we’ll look back on our incredible adventure and clink glasses over a delicious farewell dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Kolovare (or similar)

Day
10
Zadar - Split

The tour may be coming to an end, but we have a few historical treasures to uncover before we say our goodbyes. Our Tour Leader will show us around the ancient Roman and Venetian ruins within Old Town, as well as the grand 12th-century St Anastasia’s Cathedral – before we board the mini-coach one final time to reach our final destination. Upon arrival in Split, our tour will come to a close.

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Tour pricing:

from $6,419

per person twin/double share*

To secure your place now:

Phone: 03 364 3400 or 0800 747 737
Email: [email protected]

Contact Us for details

Tour Inclusions:

Meals 

  • 9 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 Dinners

Accommodation

  • 9 nights in hand-picked accommodation

Crew

  • Experienced Tour Leader and Driver

Transport

  • Premium mini-coach transportation

Not included:

We had a fabulous trip away. Insight and Avalon were just wonderful, couldn’t fault them at all. Thank you so much for all your input and help.
Europe in Winter, Nikki & Steve
Everything you organised worked really well. The timings and explanations on arrival at places was brilliant. The hotels were all handily located to centre of old towns. The 2 Intrepid Trips provided extra understanding of the areas as did the 3 day Hurtigruten cruise.
Scandinavia, Bronwyn & Gordon
The "Sea Cloud" experience was above expectation and more! All your plans worked perfectly and we enjoyed the Somewhere Boutique Hotel at Voulagemeni. Absolutely no problem with the flights. Our accommodation was more than adequate, food excellent and the service 5+ star. We would strongly recommend this 'once in a lifetime' experience.
Adriatic, Paul & Ann
Overall its was an absolutely amazing experience, thank you for all clear information you had given us, really helpful to figure out where is our hotel and how to move from one place to another. Thank you so much for organizing this trip and doing such a good job.
Europe, Ai Ngo and Adrian
We really enjoyed the cruise and this was certainly one of the highlights of the trip. The Azamara cruise was ideal being a smaller boat (and numbers of people) but still provided great service and entertainment. The cruise we did from Athens to Venice was perfect with a destination each day to visit and a great variety of places. I would certainly recommend this cruise company and this particular voyage option.
Europe, Rob & Nikki
We’ve had a fabulous time in Portugal, outstanding guide, great food and wine and the National Geographic tour was superb. What a wonderful country, lovely people and great sights.
Portugal, David & Jill
We had a fantastic day at Plitvice today - very wet and overcast but absolutely stunning and loved every minute of our 12kms walking and photographing!! Loving our hotel here too ... another perfect one thank you!
Croatia, David & Joss
Sandra and I are back at home now after a couple of great months away.  The whole trip was great, so thanks for your help with the bookings etc. No issues at all. We very much enjoyed the Rhine cruise with Viking. We couldn’t fault their service and effort, and are happy to recommend them to others.  
Europe, Murray & Sandra
The trip was fantastic thanks very much for all your input.  Everything worked seamlessly with the flights, accommodation, and car rentals that you booked for us.  The places you booked for us were all in a good location.   The cycle trip through Burgundy was also definitely a highlight. It was truly a trip of a lifetime with everything that we managed to squeeze in, and having a lot of it organised for us was a real treat.
Europe, Mike & Nicky
Our trip went very well. We loved Ireland with Back Roads, excellent guide and good group. We think of three things, its green, narrow roads and old stone fences! Very interesting history. Hurtigruten had ungraded us to Cabin 601, right at the front with three windows, nice and spacious so very enjoyable. We had rougher seas around the Hebredies and Orkneys but all good.
UK & Ireland, Barbara
Back safe and sound after a wonderful cruise and Greek Island stay. Barcelona amazing and our little hotel was perfect. So handy to everything. The Viking cruise was pure luxury . Food, cabin décor entertainment , just perfect. My favourite places visited were Sicily, all the Croatian coast, towns and villages. Our Greek island stay very good with nice family hotel. Not so keen on the ferry. Like being in a plane. Very quick! Business was great and it would be hard to fly any other way now. Anyway Ian thank you so much for organising a great holiday for us. Very much appreciated. I haven’t completely ruled out travelling again!!
Mediterranean, Lois
Thank you Peter for once again, your meticulous planning for us. The trains worked admirably and we had plenty of time for connections. It is sometime since we have travelled in Europe but we have had a fabulous time despite only three sunny days in UK and Europe. Free use of public transport in Basel and Geneva great. Oyster card worked well in London. Lauterbrunnen was Swiss fairytale. A three day pass meant we did heaps and the weather cleared on our last day so we enjoyed Jungfrau plus views of The Eiger. Lots of Indian tourists/ has featured in a Bollywood movie. Weather didn’t clear in Zermatt/ so didn’t see Matterhorn. Left 42 degrees in Dubai. Sunday breakfast up the Burj. Thanks Peter you are an excellent travel agent.
Holland & Switzerland, Alison
A big thank you for organising bookings for us. Everything went according to plan. Managed to catch everything, nothing delayed , except Easyjet which you kind of expect.
Europe, Lesley
We had an absolutely fabulous holiday.  I adored Switzerland, the people, the scenery, just everything.  Every day was better than the day before, couldn't fault anything. The hotels and transport were spot on.  Simon skied 5 days and I found plenty to do.  It was easy meeting people and exploring by myself. Thank you so much for all your organising.  This trip has given me so much confidence to explore other European countries and winter climates.
Switzerland, Lynne