Private Guided tour of Slovenia and Croatian Istra with Venice
On this journey, you will see the sights of Slovenia and some of the cultural gems of Italy and Croatian Istria. You will have the possibility to ride on “pletna” boat to the island of Bled and watch over the mountains. By ringing the bell on Bled island you can make a wish to ride a gondola in the Grand Canal in Venice, to gaze at the endless blue sea in Pula, and to try numerous culinary specialties of Slovenia and Istria and maybe your wish will come through.
Why travel with Condor Travel?
- Walking tour of the charming old city centre of Ljubljana
- Visit the iconic Bled Lake
- Feel the atmosphere of Alpine Village Kranjska Gora
- Enjoy a spectacular drive the highest road pass in Slovenia – Vršič Pass
- Admire emerald river Soča
- Enjoy wine tasting of excellent local wines at Goriška Brda and Koper
- Visit the home of the Lipizzan breed and discover its unique history
- Legendary St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace and the Grand Canal in Venice
- Visit of Salt Pans in Sečovlje
- Visit of National Park Brijuni
- Experience truffle hunting in Croatian Istria
- The Queen of the Underground World – Postojna Cave
Smaller groups, A more personal approach, easier flexibility for the individual and more guaranteed departures. |
Experienced guides Experience the destination accompanied by a Slovenian or a local guide./p> |
Great Hotels Carefully selected locations where quality, comfort and safety come first. |
Very good offers Although traveling in smaller groups, we offer very, very good packages. "The best value for money" trips. |
Departures
Choose your date, pick a program and book.
Day 1: Ljubljana
Hotel 4*dinnerIn the morning meet and greet a guide and travel companions in the lobby of the hotel / airport. After knowing each other we explore the city centre of Ljubljana. The old city centre has a unique architectural appearance, particularly due to its mixture of Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture with masterful creations by the 20th century architect Jože Plečnik. The funicular will take us to the Castle of Ljubljana situated above the town. Time to admire the magnificent view, which on a sunny day stretches all the way to the Alps. Welcome dinner at a local restaurant. We suggest ending the day with a boat cruise on the Ljubljanica River (supplement). Overnight stay
Day 2: Ljubljana - Bled - Kranjska Gora
Hotel 4*breakfastAfter breakfast, we drive to the Slovenian mountain area and visit the most renowned lake of Slovenia, Bled Lake. We explore the town of Bled and visit the historical Bled Castle. After visiting the castle, we will take a ride on a pedal boat “pletna” to the island, where you can make a wish while ringing the church bell (supplement). Afterwards we have a piece of “kremšnita”, the famous Bled cake, and a cup of coffee in a local cafe. In the late afternoon, we drive to the small village of Kranjska Gora and Planica, the valley of ski jumping hills, which is believed to be the cradle of ski jumping. Accommodation and overnight stay.
Day 3: Kranjska Gora - Vrsic pass - Soca Valley - Kobarid - Goriska Brda
Hotel 4*breakfastBreakfast. Then we drive over the Vršič pass (approx. 1,500m above the sea level) and along the Soča Valley. We take a short hike to the spring of the Soča River. Visit of Kobarid, where we can hear all about World War I and the famous battle at the Isonzo Front - “Soška fronta”. We visit a dairy museum “Od planine do Planike” in Kobarid. The presentation of the history of cheese-making is followed by an unforgettable tasting of cheeses and milk products like sour milk with honey produced there. Continue to Goriška Brda, Slovenian wine country, where we stop at a local winery for a taste of the region’s typical wines, such as: merlot, chardonnay, sauvignon, cabernet… Accommodation in hotel and overnight stay.
Day 4: Nova Gorica - Lipica stud farm - Karst - Slovenian coast
Hotel 4*breakfastAfter breakfast, we drive to Lipica and visit a stud farm with a more than 400-year-old tradition of breeding and selection of thoroughbred horses. Some free time to enjoy nature. Then we take a coach trip to the Karst area. Firstly, we visit the ham-drying facility, where we see the production of the famous Slovenian dried-ham – prosciutto. Tasting of Karst dry-cured ham “pršut” with a glass of local red wine “Teran”. We continue our journey towards the Slovenian coast, and visit Piran. This town with its rich cultural heritage resembles a large open-air museum with medieval architecture. Narrow streets and compact houses give the town its unique charm. Piran is one of Slovenia's major tourist attractions. Accommodation and overnight stay.
Day 5: Slovenian coast - salt pans - Koper
Hotel 4*breakfast + dinnerAfter breakfast, we will visit the salt pans and experience the salt harvesting. We continue to the city of Koper to visit one of the biggest Slovenian wine cellars – Vina Koper – to have a wine tasting and to hear the explanation of how the same vine can produce different wines on various soils. After the visit we explore Koper, the largest port in Slovenia that represents the gateway or the entrance point to Central Europe. Short city sightseeing tour: the main door, Venetian-style palazzos, charming churches, the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Tito Square etc. We finish our day with dinner in local restaurant. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 6: Slovenian coast - Venice - Slovenian coast
Hotel 4*breakfastAfter breakfast, drive towards the Venetian Lagoon to Venice. There, we board a vaporetto that will take us to Murano Island, known for the first glass-blowers of the renowned “Murano glass”. We take time to see the glass-blowing process and the collection of artistic products and jewellery. Free time for purchasing souvenirs. Then we take a vaporetto and sail to Saint Mark’s Square – the main square considered as the centre of Venice, with its main attractions and most important buildings: Doge's Palace, the St. Mark’s Basilica, the St. Mark’s Clocktower, the Procuratie Vecchie, the Napoleonic Wing of Procuratie, the Procuratie Nuove, St. Mark's Campanile and the Loggetta, and the Biblioteca Marciana. Two patrons on columns guard the “Piazza San Marco” – the lion of St. Mark and St. Theodore of Amasea who stands on a crocodile, sacred animal of Egypt. Free time for sightseeing and shopping. Return back to Slovenia. Overnight stay.
Day 7: Pula - Brijuni - Rovinj
Hotel 4*breakfastBreakfast. We will go to the trip of Istria, where Pula, its regional capital, is located. We will stroll through the city district in the immediate vicinity to the Amphitheatre. We will take a boat to the nearby Brijuni Island, designated as National Park in 1983. Brijuni was best known for the political activities of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, president of former Yugoslavia. The tourist train takes us through various beauties of nature; through the Safari Park, by the , a Byzantine Castrum residential Roman villa in Verige Bay, and many other interesting sights. Return to the mainland and drive to Rovinj. Due to the legacy of the rich history and its particular location, Rovinj is one of the most attractive and beautiful towns in the Mediterranean. The town radiates in a unique beauty that attracts visitors from all over the world. Rovinj boasts charming stone paved streets, houses with particular architectonic touches and roof terraces, Renaissance town walls, beautiful churches, galleries under the clear sky, and many seafood restaurants with a view to the endlessly blue sea. Accommodation in a nearby hotel and overnight stay.
Day 8: Rovinj - Motovun - Slovenia
Hotel 4*breakfast + dinnerAfter breakfast, we drive into the heart of the Croatian Istria. Afterwards, we travel towards the Lima channel and take a short stop for a panoramic view and then we drive to Motovun, the best preserved medieval town in the Croatian Istria. It is well known for white and black truffles. We meet with a person who searches for them with a specially trained dog and we join them on their journey. The truffle hunter will show us how to find truffles walking through the woods, how to use them in the best way, giving all the secrets, and how to cook and enjoy them. After truffle hunting, we will have typical Istrian meal – pasta with truffles. Then drive towards Slovenia. Accommodation and overnight stay.
Day 9: Postojna - Ljubljana
Hotel 4*breakfastAfter breakfast we depart to the famous underground world of the Postojna Cave. For 140 years, the Postojna Cave - as the only cave in the world - offers a unique and adventurous ride with a special cave train, which will take you into the cave, under spectacular underground arches, which are embellished with chandelier look-alike stalactites, through a beautiful subterranean world full of playful limestone sculptures. After the tour through the caves we drive back to Ljubljana. Free time to enjoy individual sightseeing, walking or purchasing souvenirs and shopping at the BTC City, one of the biggest shopping centres in Europe. Overnight stay.
Day 10: Ljubljana
Hotel 4*breakfastAfter breakfast, we meet in the lobby to say farewell to our new friends and travel companions and take the last group photo in memory of the unforgettable moments in Slovenia and its neighboring countries. Check-out.
- Professional English-speaking (other languages on request) guide/driver
- Transport by comfortable car/van
- Parking fees, tolls and fuel
- 9 x accommodation in double/twin room in 4* hotels as per program, based on buffet breakfast
- Entrance fees: Funicular to the Ljubljana Castle, Bled Castle, Pletna Boat Ride, The Dairy Museum, Lipica Stud Farm, Salt Pans Sečovlje, Brijuni National Park, Postojna Cave
- 1 x dinner in Ljubljana
- 1 x dinner Slovenian Coast
- Cream cake – “kremšnita”
- Tasting of milk products and cheeses
- Wine tasting at Goriška Brda
- Visit of Ham-Drying Facility with tasting and glass of red wine
- Wine tasting in Koper area
- 1-day ticket for public transport of Venice
- Truffle hunting with typical Istrian meal
- Single supplement
- Other entrance fees and visits (price on request)
- Beverages and other meals
- Ljubljana river boat – 12 € (only cruise) or 30€ (sparkling wine, chocolate pralines and fruit)
- Personal expenses
- Visas (if needed)
- The Vršič Pass is usually closed from the beginning of November until the beginning of May, because of weather conditions. We change the route in those months, but cover all sites as per program.
- The dairy museum “Od planine do Planike” is closed on Sundays and National Holidays.
- The program (tasting and meals) could be adjusted due to client’s nutrition requirements.