From Venice to Dubrovnilk
Stretching from north to west and encompassing two countries, four regions and a number of historical and natural sites, this tour takes you across rolling hillsides, peaceful valleys, underground realms, verdant vineyards and scenic coastline. Designed as a self-drive programme, it allows you to tour the diverse landscapes and historical cities at your own leisurely pace, stopping at some of the most dramatic viewpoints along the way.
Tour Info
TOUR DESCRIPTION
Stretching from north to west and encompassing two countries, four regions and a number of historical and natural sites, this tour takes you across rolling hillsides, peaceful valleys, underground realms, verdant vineyards and scenic coastline. Designed as a self-drive programme, it allows you to tour the diverse landscapes and historical cities at your own leisurely pace, stopping at some of the most dramatic viewpoints along the way.
From the serene and secluded Slovenian hills and valleys, through the lush and verdant Istrian peninsula, to the mythical Croatian region of Dalmatia, boasting a rich history and a dramatically indented coastline, your journey will encompass natural wonders, cultural and historical heritage and gastronomic delights.
Tour Ljubljana and the nearby Postojna Cave; visit the family-owned farms and agricultural estates of Croatia’s westernmost peninsula, Istria, dotted with charming hilltop towns; be amazed by the dramatic scenery of the Northern Dalmatian islands; explore as many as two national parks and the historic towns of Zadar, Nin and Šibenik on your way to Dalmatia’s capital, Split, a living monument of Roman architecture intertwined with early Christian, Byzantine and Medieval art; enjoy the mild landscapes of South Dalmatia abounding in archaeological findings and famed Croatian delicacies; and discover the wondrous history, architecture and life of Croatia’s most coveted tourist destination, the city of Dubrovnik.
Comprising a wealth of different sceneries, fascinating places, memorable experiences and exciting new discoveries, this memorable self-drive tour is bound to expand your horizons and enrich your life with insights into the way of life of the Mediterranean as it once was.
BRIEF ITINERARY
DAY | PLACE/ROUTE | ACTIVITIES | MEALS |
1 | Venice – Vipava | driving, wine tasting, meeting the winemakers, local gastronomy | L |
2 | Ljubljana | driving, walking, exploring history | B |
3 | Vipava – Svetvinčenat | driving, truffle hunting, exploring history | B L |
4 | Svetvinčenat | driving, exploring history, local gastronomy | B |
5 | Svetvinčenat – Novalja | scenic drive | B |
6 | Novalja | scenic drive, meeting the winemakers, wine tasting, local gastronomy | B L |
7 | Novalja – Vrana | scenic drive, exploring history | B |
8 | Vrana – Kornati | scenic drive, boat ride, walking, scenic tour | B |
9 | Vrana – Split | scenic drive, local gastronomy and history | B |
10 | Split | walking, exploring history | B |
11 | Split – Dubrovnik | driving, exploring history and local gastronomy | B L |
12 | Dubrovnik | walking, exploring history, leisure, local gastronomy | B D |
13 | Dubrovnik | – | B |
DAY 1: Venice – Vipava / Drive to Slovenia
Welcome to the first day of your journey! Whether arrived previously or just landed, at the start of our programme follows vehicle pick-up and departure towards Slovenia. Driving through the secluded Goriška Hills in Western Slovenia, you will arrive to a small village which harbours the country’s biggest wine cellar. Here you will enjoy a wine tasting tour combined with a lunch made of local delicacies and learn more about age-long tradition of winemaking before passing through vineyards and orchards on your way to Vipava Valley for the following two overnight stays.
DAY 2: Ljubljana / Slovenia in a day
This day will encompass different experiences, ranging from natural beauties, cultural heritage and the underground world – all within an 80-kilometre radius. Following breakfast, you will drive to Ljubljana to discover some of its most important landmarks and explore the interesting blend of different architectural styles. Next on the agenda is a ride towards Idrija, a small town known for the second largest mercury mine in the world. Following the tour of Anthony’s shaft, you will drive towards Postojna Cave for some more exploration of the underground world. Proudly perched on a 123-metre high cliff in the immediate vicinity of the cave is Predjama Castle, an invincible Renaissance fort. Your day will end by driving back to the Vipava village.
DAY 3: Vipava – Svetvinčenat / Experience Istrian inland
It is time to leave Slovenia and set off towards Istria, the largest Croatian peninsula and its westernmost region, boasting enchanting beauty and a wealth of historical and natural wonders. We recommend taking a coffee break in Buzet, and an optional visit to a family-owned distillery. Later on you will participate in a dog-led truffle hunting experience at a local family-owned truffle farm, and explore the dormant historical hilltop town of Grožnjan with numerous galleries and shops flanking its ancient cobbled streets. Last on today’s agenda is the departure towards your lodging in Svetvinčenat, where you will be accommodated for the following two nights.
DAY 4: Svetvinčenat / Istrian coastline
After breakfast you shall set off towards Istria’s western coast, or more precisely, to the town of Rovinj – one of the most picturesque and romantic towns in the Mediterranean. Your next destination is Pula, a city with a long history abounding in monuments from Roman times. Heading slowly back, you shall visit the town of Vodnjan, an artistic and cultural oasis with the parish church of St. Blaise, housing mysterious preserved mummified bodies of the saints. Today it is also possible to organize an educational visit to a goat farm, where you can taste different kinds of goat cheese and have dinner in a friendly and rustic atmosphere.
DAY 5: Svetvinčenat – Novalja / Coastal landscapes
After experiencing the spirit of the past in the town of Hum, dubbed the smallest town in the world, today you will say good-bye to Istria and set off towards the island of Pag, the northernmost Dalmatian island. It will be interesting to witness the change of landscape as you leave the verdant Istrian peninsula, passing by Opatija and Rijeka and continuing to Prizna, a ferry port settled at the foot of the Velebit mountain. The picturesque winding road offers magnificent views of the islands of Krk, Rab and Pag, as well as of numerous small islets and rocks scattered across the blue expanse, and of the mighty Velebit that perfectly frames the picture.
DAY 6: Novalja / The Island of Pag
This day is dedicated to exploring the unspoilt sceneries of the island of cheese, salt, olives and lace. You shall start from the northernmost point of the island of Pag – the village of Lun, and then set off to Novalja. In the afternoon hours you can move to the middle of the island to Kolan, the only island village which has no access to the sea. Good wine, traditionally renowned Pag cheese, lamb and other local specialties offered by a local family-owned agritourism estate will complete your visit and make it memorable.
DAY 7: Novalja – Vrana / Visits to Nin & Zadar
Today you can commence your trip to Vrana, stopping to explore the places along the way. First on your way is the town of Pag, boasting numerous monuments and landmarks and splendid samples of the Pag lace. Your following destination is the glorious town of Nin, one of the oldest towns in the Mediterranean with a long salt production history. The next stop on your tour today, but certainly not the least, is Zadar. Admire some of its most important landmarks and take a stroll to the nearby seaside promenade to visit two its unusual modern attractions. Leaving Zadar, you will head towards Vrana to get settled in the unique lodging – a 17th-century caravanserai which is the westernmost example of this type of architecture in Europe.
DAY 8: Vrana – Kornati / Tour Kornati National Park
After breakfast, you will set off to Biograd to embark on your private speedboat and start a boat tour to the most precious Croatian cluster of islands – the Kornati Archipelago. Located between Šibenik and Zadar, the archipelago covers an area of about 320 km2, encompassing around 150 karst islets and rocks and abounding in protected species and habitats. Experience the beauty of the bare karst surroundings by taking a walk down the island paths criss-crossed with dry-stone walls. A short ascent to one of the numerous viewpoints offers an unforgettable view of the archipelago.
DAY 9: Vrana – Split / National Park Krka, Šibenik and Split
Travelling south along the Adriatic coast, you will come across a natural phenomenon of the two equally beautiful, yet so very different shades of blue – lake Vrana and the Adriatic Sea. Continue to Šibenik, the oldest Croatian autochthonous town situated on the most picturesque part of Adriatic, at the mouth of the river Krka. From Šibenik you will set off towards Krka Waterfalls National Park, after which you have a bit more than an hour’s drive to the city of Split, where you will be accommodated at the very centre of the old town, or more precisely, inside the walls of Diocletian’s Palace, allowing you to explore the old town core at your own leisurely pace after the check-in.
DAY 10: Split / Explore the town and leisure
The day will start with a walking tour of the Diocletian’s Palace and the historical core of Split, whose vivid pulse will capture all your senses. Split is not only a city; it is a living monument of antique architecture intertwined with early Christian, Byzantine and Medieval art, listed as a World Heritage Site since 1979. The people of Split refer to their hometown as the most beautiful city in the world, and we would like to show it to you in its entirety, letting you decide on whether the compliment is true. Our guide will make sure to provide several options of how to spend the afternoon, depending on your preferences.
DAY 11: Split – Dubrovnik / Stopping, learning and tasting en route
Departing from Split, today you shall travel towards Dubrovnik, stopping along the way in Vid and Ston and crossing the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina. After a two-hour drive, you will reach the ancient town of Vid and enjoy the mysteries of the Narona Archaeological Museum, inaugurated in 2007 as the first in situ museum in the country. Afterwards, continue your journey to Dubrovnik, making a short stop in a small town of Ston to discover the famed Croatian delicacy – the Ston oyster – on a boat tour to a private island where you will enjoy a light lunch prepared by your host. Having arrived and checked-in to your hotel, you will spend your first night in Dubrovnik at leisure.
DAY 12: Dubrovnik / A day in town
A guided walking tour departing from the Pile Gate has been scheduled for you in the earlier morning. Your expert guide will tell you all about the exciting history and heritage of this miraculous city during a unique tailored tour which will allow you to explore the stunning architecture of the city. The rest of the day at your leisure, but not the evening however. To round off this exciting and diverse tour in style, we have reserved a nice farewell dinner in a restaurant accessible by the iconic Dubrovnik cable car.
DAY 13: Dubrovnik / Departure day
On your final day, after breakfast and some leisure time, you shall depart towards the airport with an organized transfer. The time has come to say goodbye, but we hope that you will always think fondly of the fascinating places you have visited, memorable experiences you have lived, and exciting new things you have learned.
TOUR DURATION | 12 nights / 13 days (can be flexible) |
PERIOD OF YEAR | April to December |
GROUP SIZE | 1+ |
ARRIVAL AIRPORTS | Venice, Trieste, Ljubljana |
DEPARTURE AIRPORTS | Dubrovnik, Tivat, Podgorica |
OVERNIGHT LOCATIONS | Vipava, Svetvinčenat, Novalja, Vrana, Split and Dubrovnik |
ACCOMMODATION | Hotel, villa or private apartment |
TOUR STYLE | Self-drive off the beaten path with main sights included |
TOUR PACE | Easy |
ACTIVITIES | Walking, truffle hunting, relaxing, learning history and gastronomy |
FEATURES | Exiting landscape roads, historical and natural sights, local customs and cuisine |
TRAVEL VISAS | Passangers from EU and English speaking countries do not require Croatian Visa. For more information, please check the following link. |
TRAVEL INSURANCE | Advisable and available on request |