Croatia & Slovenia
Experience Overview
Embark on an adventure starting in Split, where Gothic monuments set the scene. Journey through the unspoiled beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park and wander the historic streets of Zadar's Old Town. Then, travel on to Zagreb, Croatia's bustling capital. Crossing into Slovenia, immerse yourself in the enchanting landscapes of Bled and experience the vibrant city life of Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital, known for its green spaces and lively atmosphere. This trip is packed with forest hikes, scenic vistas, medieval architecture and authentic local cuisine, offering a deep dive into the ancient cultures of both Croatia and Slovenia.
Highlights
- Experience Split's Gothic monuments and the vibrant life within Diocletian's Palace – a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of the city's bustling streets.
- Visit Zadar to wander its ancient streets and enjoy an exclusive visit to a local Benedictine monastery, where you'll taste award-winning produce and learn about their traditional way of life.
- Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park, wandering through its network of lakes, waterfalls and forests, followed by a visit to a nearby NGO preserving historical cultural crafts.
- Immerse yourself in Ljubljana's lively atmosphere, surrounded by green spaces and vibrant cafes, and walk around Bled, a picturesque town nestled on a lake with a fairytale island church.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3262
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Public bus,Private vehicle,Taxi
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: ZMSY
Starts: Split, Croatia
Finishes: Ljubljana, Croatia
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (6),Accommodation: Hotel (6 nights),Guesthouse (1 night)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,105 ($388 /day)
Itinerary
Dobro dosli! Welcome to Croatia. Your adventure starts in Split with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If Dubrovnik is considered the heart of Dalmatia, Split is certainly the soul. Situated on a small peninsula on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, it's the second- largest city in Croatia. Split grew out from Diocletian's Palace – and while some cultures might have preserved the palace as a museum, Split thrives as a dynamic city where locals live and businesses thrive within its walls. After the meeting, maybe head out for your first taste of Dalmatian cuisine with the group.
Optional Activities:
- Split - Fish Market - Free
- Split – Highlights of Split Urban Adventure (64 EUR)
- Split - Marjan Hill Hike - Free
- Split - City Museum (4 EUR)
- Split - Gallery of Fine Arts (5 EUR)
- Split - Ethnographic Museum (3 EUR)
- Split - Diocletian's Palace Cellars (7 EUR)
- Split - Ivan Mestrovic Gallery (12 EUR)
- Split - St Domnius Cathedral and Tower (10 EUR)
- Split - Archaeological Museum (8 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, you'll travel by local bus northwest to Zadar. For centuries Zadar was the capital city of Dalmatia, and the city's rich heritage is visible at every step. An important coastal town, the musical steps of the ‘Sea Organ’ on Zadar's waterfront express its important relationship with the sea. Trace marble streets through the Old Town and discover Roman ruins in amongst medieval churches. Enjoy some local food and drinks in a city that’s home to a vibrant café culture. Zadarsko pivo is a light beer with a very pleasant taste, just a little bit bitter, with a rich flavour. After, maybe treat yourself to a gourmet meal at a contemporary Croatian restaurant. Try njoki (lamb in red wine) with Dalmatian ham and rocket salad, or opt for the popular choice of fresh tuna carpaccio or a fillet in scampi sauce. Also try the famous liqueur, Maraskino, made from locally-grown maraschino cherries according to a centuries' old secret recipe. This unique drink was a favourite at European imperial and royal courts and has been produced in Zadar since 1821.
Included Activities:
- Zadar - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional Activities:
- Zadar – Museum of ancient glass (6 EUR)
- Zadar – Gold and Silver of the city of Zadar Museum (6 EUR)
- Zadar - Archaeological Museum (5 EUR)
- Zadar - Cathedral Bell Tower (2 EUR)
- Zadar - Church of Saint Donat (4 EUR)
- Zadar - St Anastasia's Cathedral - Free
- Zadar - Roman Forum - Free
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Head out of the city this morning for a special experience at the farm of the Benedictines of St. Mary. This order leads a secluded life, believing that working on the agricultural land brings them closer to God. During your visit, you'll taste some of the award-winning jams, liqueurs and juices produced in the monastery. Sample high-quality olive oils and wines with cheese and bread, then take a tour of the property. As you walk around the orchards, you'll learn about how the nuns live, the fruits grown on the grounds and how their products are produced. After some time to explore, you'll head back to Zadar in the afternoon, where you'll have free time. Maybe try the famous liqueur, Maraskino, made from the locally grown maraschino cherries. This unique drink was a favourite at European royal courts and has been produced in Zadar since 1821.
Included Activities:
- Zadar - Nunnery & farm visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Travel inland this morning to your next base in Grabovac and visit Plitvice Lakes National Park – an Eden of waterfalls and lakes. Fed by the Bijela and Crna Rivers, the waters tumble from tree-lined ridges through dense forests. Sixteen lakes fed by underground springs are split into the upper and lower lakes. The upper are in the dolomite cliffs, where water weaves in and out of the karst, dropping dramatically down to the lower lakes. This interplay of water, rock and plant life creates a dynamic landscape. Look out for over 120 species of birds, including hawks and owls, and butterflies that transform the park into a riot of colour. After, visit Licko Petrovo Selo – a small village next to the park with a local NGO that focuses on preserving the historical art of woolly men's underwear. Take a short tour of the NGO and hear about how they preserve this important part of their cultural heritage (and maybe even buy a warm souvenir to take home).
Included Activities:
- Plitvice Lakes - National Park Visit
- Licko Petrovo Selo NGO visit
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
Continue to Croatia’s capital and largest city – Zagreb. Full of parks and squares, Zagreb is a laidback place, proud of its coffee culture and the perfect spot to wander. Follow your leader on an orientation walk when you arrive and then enjoy some free time for the rest of your time here. Maybe join one of the many free walking tours in the city and engage with a local here to learn about their daily life or browse the city’s stunning neo-baroque and gothic architecture. You could check out Tkalciceva Street’s lively social scene or head up Medvednica Mountain, where the views stretch as far as neighboring Slovenia on a clear day. To live like a local, maybe head to Zagreb’s open-air markets where you’ll find all kinds of fresh vegetables, nuts, honey and liqueurs.
Included Activities:
- Zagreb - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Optional Activities:
- Zagreb - Museum of Broken Relationships (7 EUR)
- Zagreb - Mirogoj Cemetery - Free
- Zagreb - Cathedral - Free
- Zagreb - The Croatian Museum of Naive Art (5 EUR)
- Zagreb - City Museum (4 EUR)
- Zagreb - Lotrščak Tower (3 EUR)
- Zagreb - Funicular (1 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
This morning, take the train and cross the border to Ljubljana. One of the smallest capitals in Europe, Ljubljana makes up for it by also being one of the greenest and most vibrant cities on the continent. Follow your leader on an orientation walk and ride the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for panoramic views of the city. Dubbed the ‘dragon city’ due its ties to Greek mythology, you’ll likely spot dragon symbols scattered about. Ljubljana, home to 50,000 students, is known for its lively nightlife. Explore Metalkova for an alternative vibe or the Old Town for its historical charm – or ask your leader for their recommendations.
Included Activities:
- Ljubljana - Castle and Funicular
- Ljubljana - Leader-led walking tour
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
Embark on a day trip to Lake Bled this morning. Your leader will guide you on a scenic walk that passes some impressive 19th century villas, including the residence of the former Yogoslav president ‘Marshal’ Tito – now known as the hotel Vila Bled. The rest of the day is free for you to explore all that Bled has to offer. If you’re feeling active, consider renting a paddleboard and taking a trip around the picturesque island. Alternatively, you can get on a Plenta boat ride – a wooden, awning-covered boat rowed by a special oarsman – and reach it that way. From there, climb the 99 steps to St Mary’s Church and ring the wishing bell. Be sure to seek out the famous Bled cream cake, which isn’t hard – nearly every cafe and cake shop in town claims theirs is the best. Return to Ljubljana in the evening and perhaps round your group together for a final dinner.
Included Activities:
- Bled - Walk around Lake Bled
- Bled - Day Trip
Optional Activities:
- Bled - Mountain Bike Hire (25 EUR)
- Bled - Pletna Boat Trip (14 EUR)
- Triglav National Park - Canyoning (65 EUR)
- Bled - Castle (15 EUR)
- Triglav National Park - River Rafting (55 EUR)
- Triglav National Park - Bus and Cable Car Trip to Mt Vogel (32 EUR)
- Triglav National Park - Emerald River Adventure (full day) (110 EUR)
- Triglav National Park - Vintgar Gorge (10 EUR)
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
There are no activities planned for the final day and you can depart your accommodation at any time. For those who wish to stay in Ljubljana, reach out to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Jillian - Traveled, October 2023
Great trip with beautiful scenery and some outdoor activity. The stop in Ljubljana is too short so consider having one or two days after the tour ends to head back to Ljubljana as it is we worth a longer visit.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/03/2023
Elizabeth - Traveled, October 2023
Our first time to Croatia and Slovenia was an eye opener to history and culture of the countries led by an excellent guide. Just be prepared for long hikes.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/24/2023
Leonie - Traveled, September 2023
Our tour guide Marija was amazing. She was so knowledgeable about the places we visited as well as extremely organised. Our small group of 9 really bonded and became friends in such a short time, mostly due to Marina’s input. We would definitely recommend using Intrepid.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/11/2023
Clare - Traveled, September 2023
This was our first intrepid trip, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We felt like we got to see a lot of two amazing countries. Our leader Tamara was great! She was friendly, knowledgeable and gave great recommendations. Only complaint is our hotel in Zagreb was really terrible.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/05/2023
Diane - Traveled, September 2023
Croatia and Slovenia are beautiful countries and our Intrepid tour leader Mirna provided us with genuine insight into their history and culture. She was awesome.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/05/2023
Laura - Traveled, August 2023
Intrepid is no longer about being travellers and has slipped to becoming a tourist company. Expect to pay a lot for little. There is no room to be an individual with intrepid. You will be a sheep following others. Once upon a time I would have recommended intrepid, but I can't anymore
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/11/2023
Brooke - Traveled, August 2023
A fabulous choice for solo travelers who want to see many locations but don’t want the hassle of handling accommodations and transfers on their own.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/27/2023
Ian - Traveled, August 2023
We had a wonderful trip in Croatia and our guides (Vojin and Ante) were very friendly, well organised, clear with instructions and both very knowledgeable about Croatia & Slovenia. We highly recommend Intrepid to any prospective travellers!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/04/2023
Pamela - Traveled, July 2023
This tour was wonderful. A good mix of cities and nature. Plitvice lakes was amazing. Tamara was a wonderful, enthusiastic tour leader who made every day fun.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/31/2023
Muhammad - Traveled, July 2023
The trip is fantastic and covers a good portion of Croatia and all the best bits of Slovenia. Plitvice Lakes and Lake Bled are a huge highlight of the trip. The transportation is fantastic, there are a few private transfers included which make the trip a lot more comfortable and convenient to get around.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/24/2023
Cassie - Traveled, June 2023
First trip with Intrepid; well communicated, well planned and well executed. Thoroughly enjoyed my tour group and the countries were absolutely lovely. I liked that we could be as sporty as we wanted or could sit at a cafe and watch the world like a local. Plitvice Lake and Lake Bled were incredible highlights. Just a great tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/05/2023
Julie - Traveled, May 2023
I loved this trip. We visited many beautiful places in Croatia & Slovenia, learn about this history, ate lots of delicious food & had a wonderful time. We had 2 great tour leaders Ivan & Dora. The trip was really well organised. I was lucky to also have a great group to travel with. I would highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/18/2023
Deborah - Traveled, November 2022
This was a great trip for visiting northern Croatia and Slovenia at a very reasonable price. We only had five people in our small group. I recommend adding an extra day in Bled and two days in Ljubljana at the end of the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/28/2022
Kerry - Traveled, September 2022
This trip was so much fun! Martina, our leader’s bubbly personality, warm friendship and love for travel made this experience one I will never forget! Martina went above and beyond to ensure that everything ran smoothly so that we could experience and appreciate all this beautiful area had to offer.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/23/2022
India - Traveled, September 2022
The trip was super well organised and we had a fantastic tour leader (Martina). I enjoyed all the stops we made. We packed a lot in but there was still time for rest which is important to me. I will remember it for a long time to come! Especially the Slovenian cream cake ??
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/21/2022
Mark - Traveled, August 2022
Fantastic tour guides, fantastic locations, fantastic groups, fantastic accommodation, fantastic times. Five fantastics out of a possible five.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/09/2022
Rosemary - Traveled, July 2022
This was a last minute booking with intrepid travel but I had a really wonderful time! Our tour leader Frano was incredible, he took us to some amazing places, we ate really good food, and had a lot of fun! The accommodation was also really good and the trip very organised. It was a really great way to see beautiful Croatia.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/07/2022
Nancy - Traveled, June 2022
We were very happy with our Intrepid tour through Croatia and Slovenia. It was well organised, we were happy with the accommodation, meals and restaurant recommendations for when we went it alone. Our tour guide was very personable, helpful, well organised, and was very informative when we had questions. We were able to do as much or as few extra activities as we felt like - all levels of activity were catered for. Our tour guide also helped us with arrangements for after we left the tour!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/10/2022
June - Traveled, September 2021
This is a wonderful trip in two very beautiful countries. However, I had paid for single supplement and was informed on the trip that I would be required to share accommodation for what turned out to be 29% of the entire trip. I was not informed of this by Intrepid prior to trip departure and it took the shine off the entire trip for me as a consequence.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2021
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