From the mountains of Slovenia to the sparkling seaside of Croatia's Istrian Peninsula

Welcome to Slovenia! Meet your fellow travelers and guide at 9 a.m. in the lobby of Hotel Vander in Ljubljana,Slovenia's hip and happening capital. This is the "new Old Europe," where the 21st century mingles comfortably with a rich blend of cherished tradition and historic architecture. With its artsy bohemian vibe, many have compared Ljubljana to Prague, minus the crowds.

After a warm welcome and trip briefing, we drive 45-minutes to the valley of Kamniska Bistrica, a magnificent glacial valley at the foot of the Kamnik and Savinja Alps. We take a short gondola ride up to the Velika Planina high mountain plateau. Here, we hike among traditional wooden huts, shepherds, and cows. You may feel as though you are in the The Sound of Music listening to cowbells against the picturesque backdrop of limestone peaks and flowerstudded alpine meadows. On our way we stop to meet our friend, Fani, and savior the taste of her local cheeses, buckwheat mush, herbal teas, and local brandies.

We return to our hotel in Ljubljana early afternoon to refresh before a guided walking tour of Ljubljana's old city center. We finish our day with a welcome dinner at one of your guide's favorite local restaurants.

Today we leave Ljubljana and head towards the Julian Alps. Our first stop is the iconic Lake Bled, one of Europe's most scenic spots. Its glacial waters are surrounded by forest and soaring mountains, and its tiny islet — the only natural island in Slovenia — is marked by the storybook bell tower of its medieval church. We take a walk around the lake and a traditional pletna boat to the islet. From the middle of the lake, we have beautiful views of the medieval Bled Castle perched high on a rocky lakeside precipice.

After a delicious signature Slovenian meal, those who wish can hike to the Ojštrica Viewpoint for unrivalled views of the lake and the Julian Alps.

Later today, we continue to Bohinj Lake with its picturesque collection of alpine villages. Here, we check into our elegant lakeside hotel overlooking Mt. Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak.

Before our evening meal, we meet with Katica, a friendly and enthusiastic local resident, for a cooking class and dinner together.

Accommodations

Hotel Bohinj
Bohinj, Slovenia

The newest accommodation on the lake, this 4-star hotel was designed with nature in mind, from the soft, pine wood room interiors to the views of the lake and mountains. Amenities include a wellness center and onsite restaurant.

This morning, a short gondola ride delivers us to the Vogel Plateau in Triglav National Park. Around us, hulking massifs pierce the sky and wild blueberry bushes and pristine alpine tarns cover the plateau above Lake Bohinj. Our destination is the summit Mt. Šija (6,342') where we have spectacular views of Mt. Triglav (9,400'). We savor a hearty picnic lunch in this beautiful setting before returning to the valley.

Once we reach Lake Bohinj, those who have the energy may choose to join an additional easy hike along the lake.Alternatively, you may enjoy a swim or just relax at our hotel, situated on the shore.

This evening, dinner is on your own at your leisure.

Accommodations

Hotel Bohinj
Bohinj, Slovenia

The newest accommodation on the lake, this 4-star hotel was designed with nature in mind, from the soft, pine wood room interiors to the views of the lake and mountains. Amenities include a wellness center and onsite restaurant.

After breakfast, we depart Bohinj and drive through the mountains toward the Italian and Austrian borders, stopping briefly in Kranjska Gora, a ski resort town which hosts the annual Alpine Skiing World Cup. We admire the crystalline waters of the Pisnica River and encircle the picturesque Lake Jasna.

We continue to Vrsic Pass along one of Europe's most scenic mountain roads originally built as a supply route during World War I. Today, it is a boon for trekkers eager to explore this remarkable landscape. From here, we set out on foot past larch trees and tiny ponds to Sleme Viewpoint, which overlooks huge walls of solid limestone.

After a lovely picnic lunch, we continue our drive to the emerald Soca River Valley and Bovec, the adventure capital of Slovenia. Here, we settle into our refined boutique hotel.

Tonight, we enjoy dinner together in town.

Accommodations

Hotel Soca
Bovec, Slovenia

The boutique Soca Hotel, with only 20 rooms, is located in the heart of Bovec. The carefully chosen location impresses with its attractive views of the peaks that surround valley and offers you a relaxing retreat from everyday life.

Today, we head into the northern reaches of the Soca Valley to an area called Trenta. This region is awash in both beauty and history. During World War I, the Italians and AustroHungarians battled at the Isonzo Front, loosely defined by the waters of the Soca River (known as the Isonzo River in Italy). Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms vividly depicts the events that unfolded here. This farming area is also known for its cheese and is home to some of the best Slovenian producers. Nestled at high altitudes, pristine grazing areas make for a top-quality cheese! We hike on the Soca Trail to discover these remote cheesemakers, learn about their craft, and do some grazing of our own as we sample their products.

In the afternoon, we drive to the nearby village of Kobarid to enjoy a private tour of the award-winning World War I Museum to learn more about the area's turbulent history.

This evening, we are treated to dinner at a wonderful local restaurant, Hisa Polonka, where we experience traditional Slovenian flavors with an imaginative flair.

We start the day with a 2-hour drive to reach the Slovenian Karst, where water carved and shaped rocks and stones into a unique and iconic landscape of the subterranean world. The Slovenian region of Karst lent its name to all of the karst-like landscapes and phenomena across the world. To date, more than 11,000 caves are officially registered in Slovenia, and speleologists discover new caves every year. Only about 20 of them, however, are open to visitors.

We explore the UNESCO heritage Skocjan caves — an impressive natural phenomenon of global significance as the largest known underground canyon in Europe!

After a picnic lunch, we continue our journey south towards Istria, the heart-shaped peninsula at the northern end of Croatia's coast surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. Picturesque rolling hills and fertile plains attract culture and food focused guests to hilltop villages, farmhouse restaurants, and excellent wineries.

Our final destination today is Rovinj, one of Croatia´s most attractive coastal towns. This area has been inhabited since prehistoric times when Histrian tribes traded with Etruscans on the Italian peninsula and Greeks further south. Rovinj prospered under the Venetian Republic, which is reflected in its architecture. After five centuries of Venetian rule, Napoleon seized the region only to lose it to the AustroHungarian Empire. With arrival of Austrians, tourism came to Rovinj as wealthy barons invested in railroads and built glamorous seaside villas. One of them, Georg Hutterott, made sure to include tree-lined pathways and landscaped meadows, which is now a protected park called Punta Corrente (Golden Cape), a beautiful natural attraction. After checking in to our seaside design accommodation, we walk through Punta Corrente, and then continue to Rovinj Old Town where wemeet our local guide for a city tour. This area is topped by the church of St. Euphemia from where we enjoy the best sunset views.

Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own. You will find various types of restaurants in Rovinj, from simple pizzerias, and small mom-and-pop eateries, to fine dining establishments. Be sure to ask your guide for recommendations!

Accommodations

Hotel Lone
Rovinj, Slovenia

As a 5-star Design Hotel, Lone features an impeccable blend of luxury, beauty, style and cultural heritage. All well-appointed rooms have balconies featuring either sea views or views onto the Golden Cape Forest Park. Amenities include a spa, pool, and restaurant.

After breakfast, we delve deep into the forest on a truffle hunt with a local Istrian family that has been hunting here for three generations. We join them for a foray and walk, learning about this skill. Of course, our experience wouldn't be complete without sampling all kinds of truffled goodies; including cheeses, spreads, jams, and even chocolate.

Following the hunt, we stop in the medieval town of Grožnjan. Having been ruled in succession by the Republic of Venice, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Napoleonic France, Italy, and then Yugoslavia, it has a rich history. In 1965, painters and sculptors in Grožnjan took advantage of a state-funded program to restore old houses into studios and galleries. It is now a colorful, creative community filled with musicians and artisans in the summer.

We walk the streets of town and a short section of the Parenzana Trail, where the narrow-gauge railway line once connected Trieste in Italy with Porec (Parenzo) in Croatia. Along the way we stop at a local olive oil producer for a tasting. Istria is among the coolest regions in the world where olive trees grow giving the oil a unique color and pungent taste, and recognition as one of the world's leading olive oil producers.

We return to Rovinj in the afternoon for some free time, and another opportunity to choose from one of the many restaurants in town.

Accommodations

Hotel Lone
Rovinj, Slovenia

As a 5-star Design Hotel, Lone features an impeccable blend of luxury, beauty, style and cultural heritage. All well-appointed rooms have balconies featuring either sea views or views onto the Golden Cape Forest Park. Amenities include a spa, pool, and restaurant.

Following breakfast, a short ferry ride brings us across the channel to the scenic Brijuni National Park made up of fourteen islands and islets. Among them, Veliki Island stands out as the most fascinating and is where we enjoy our walk. Along the way we encounter 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints, ruins of a Roman villa, and a 1,600-year-old olive tree. In the 19th-century, an Austrian industrialist built the first hotels on the island, and shortly thereafter, Viennese psychiatrists were sending famous patients there for rest and relaxation The list includes James Joyce, Gustav Klimt, and the Archduke of Austria. When this region was part of Yugoslavia, President Tito made Brijuni his official summer residence and entertained over 90 heads of state and celebrities such as Che Guevara, Sofia Loren, Carlo Ponti, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton.

Once we encircle the island on foot, we take the ferry back to the mainland. En route to Rovinj, we stop at the Meneghetti Estate for a wine tasting. Terra Rossa (The Red Land of the Meneghetti vineyards is cultivated in an ecologically sustainable manner with a deep respect for nature. Along with regional wines, they also cultivateinternational varieties reflecting the unique terroir of this region.

This evening, we gather for a celebratory farewell dinner at an exquisite restaurant in town.

Accommodations

Hotel Lone
Rovinj, Slovenia

As a 5-star Design Hotel, Lone features an impeccable blend of luxury, beauty, style and cultural heritage. All well-appointed rooms have balconies featuring either sea views or views onto the Golden Cape Forest Park. Amenities include a spa, pool, and restaurant.

Today we bid farewell to the Istrian Peninsula with a morning transfer to Zagreb Airport (3-hour drive). Please schedule flight departures after 2:30 p.m.