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Journey through Croatia, Slovenia and Italy on an intimate small-group exploration of the Adriatic. Stroll through Zagreb’s historic squares, cruise across Lake Bled in a traditional pletna boat and marvel at the vast karst formations of Postojna Cave. Discover Istria’s coastal gems — from the Roman heritage of Pula to the Venetian charm of Rovinj — before arriving in Venice, where a gondola ride through hidden canals brings your journey to a memorable close.
Locations Visited
Zagreb, Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Postojna Cave, Rijeka, Krk, Rovinj, Pula, Piran, Trieste, Venice
Countries Visited
Croatia, Slovenia, Italy
Accommodations
9
nights included
Age Requirements
Minimum age 5
Itinerary
COLLAPSE ALLEXPAND ALL
Day 1
Welcome to Zagreb
Welcome to Zagreb, Croatia’s vibrant capital. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers before enjoying dinner, the perfect start to your journey across the shores of the Northern Adriatic and beyond.
Accommodation
Sheraton Zagreb
Meals
Dinner
Day 2
Zagreb Sightseeing and on to Ljubljana
Uncover the rich history of Zagreb with your Local Expert, exploring Croatia’s two-tiered capital. Admire the Art Pavilion, originally constructed in Budapest in 1896 and later transformed in Viennese Art Nouveau style. Stroll past the Academy of Sciences and Arts and through Zrinjevac Park before riding the world’s shortest funicular, just 66 m (217 ft) long, to St Mark’s Church, famous for its vibrant tiled roof. See Lotrščak Tower, once guarding the city’s southern gate, where a cannon has marked midday since 1877. Continue to Ljubljana for a walking tour to explore Slovenia’s capital city. Visit the Sonček Association for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where artists with cerebral palsy craft unique Slovenian souvenirs. This inspiring visit offers the chance to support their work and learn about the association’s impact. Later, enjoy a dinner of local Slovenian specialities.
Accommodation
Exe Lev Ljubljana
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Zagreb City Tour
Your Local Expert guides you through this two-tiered capital. Explore Donji Grad, the Lower Town, and see Ban Josip Jelačić Square and the cathedral.
Zagreb Funicular Ride to Gornji Grad
Ride the funicular to Gornji Grad, the medieval Upper Town, to view the former Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St. Mark's Church and the Lotrščak Tower.
Ljubljana City Tour
Explore this elegant capital with your Local Expert, to see the castle City Hall, Cathedral of St. Nicholas and Triple Bridge.
Meet inspiring individuals at Sonček – Cerebral Palsy Association of Slovenia, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering adults with disabilities through meaningful employment and community integration. Learn how their Care and Work Centre provides guidance, care, and adapted jobs, allowing members to create handcrafted souvenirs, artwork and other unique items. Your visit directly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Day 3
Lake Bled, Jewel of the Slovenian Alps
This morning’s Insight Choice experiences will see you exploring Lake Bled according to your tastes. You can glide across the water on a traditional pletna boat to Bled Island, and climb 99 steps to the Church of Mother of God to ring the legendary Wishing Bell. Or, visit Vila Bled, once a retreat for Marshal Tito, and savour kremšnita cream cake with coffee on the lake-view terrace. Return to Ljubljana for an afternoon at leisure and perhaps join an Optional Experience to Pr’ Krač for a traditional dinner showcasing Slovenia’s rural heritage.
Accommodation
Exe Lev Ljubljana
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Boat to Bled Island
Glide across the emerald waters of Lake Bled aboard a traditional pletna boat, a method of transport unique to this region. On Bled Island, climb 99 stone steps to the Church of Mother of God and ring the legendary Wishing Bell, a centuries-old tradition said to bring good fortune to those who hear its chime.
Vila Bled with Kremšnita Cake and Coffee
Visit Vila Bled, once the summer retreat of Marshal Tito, the former leader of Yugoslavia, today it offers a peaceful setting to take in the stunning alpine views. Relax on the terrace and enjoy kremšnita, Bled’s famous cream cake, paired with coffee as you soak in the serene surroundings.
Day 4
Postojna Caves and across the border to Croatia
Begin your day delving deep beneath Slovenia’s surface as you travel by underground train through the Postojna Caves. With its cathedral-like chambers and peculiar rock formations, this natural wonder is also home to the world's only underground post office. Cross into Croatia to your resort hotel on the Rijeka coast, surrounded by the scenery of Risnjak National Park and Učka Nature Park This evening, you may wish to join an Optional Experience to Opatija, a refined coastal resort favoured by Austro-Hungarian royalty, to savour local specialities in a setting steeped in imperial grandeur.
Accommodation
Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort and Spa
Meals
Breakfast
Highlights
Visit Postojna Cave
Enter by mini-train into these world-famous cave systems, before walking through an illuminated fairyland of stalactites and stalagmites.
Day 5
Explore the island of Krk
Enjoy a Relaxed Start before venturing to Krk, one of the oldest inhabited islands in the Adriatic. Explore the walled city alongside your Local Expert, who will share stories of its layered past. Visit St. Mary's Cathedral, admire the 16th-century bell tower and see the formidable Frankopan Castle, once home to one of Croatia’s most influential noble families. Later, savour a Farm-to-Table lunch at a family-owned winery. Here, you'll discover the island's deep-rooted viticultural traditions while sampling dishes crafted with local ingredients and paired with wines found nowhere else in the world. Return to Rijeka for a leisurely evening to unwind at your own pace.
Accommodation
Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort and Spa
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Highlights
Krk sightseeing with LE
Uncover Krk’s layered history with your Local Expert, from its Roman roots to its medieval fortifications. Walk through the island’s walled old town, see traces of Venetian influence, and visit landmarks like St Mary’s Cathedral and Frankopan Castle, home to Croatian nobility.
Farm-to-Table Lunch
Savour a Farm-to-Table lunch at a family-owned winery, where locally sourced ingredients highlight the island’s culinary traditions, paired with Krk’s signature Žlahtina wine.
Day 6
Rovinj & Pula, Jewels of Istria
Spend your morning in picture-perfect Rovinj, a coastal gem of pastel facades and cobbled lanes. You’re free to stroll its charming streets, perhaps browsing local boutiques or enjoying fresh Adriatic seafood paired with crisp Istrian wine beside the water’s edge. Continue south to Pula, capital of the Istrian Peninsula, known for its Roman legacy and lively Mediterranean atmosphere.
Accommodation
Park Plaza Histria
Meals
Breakfast
Day 7
Discover Roman Pula
Join a Local Expert to uncover Pula’s layered history, beginning at the Pula Arena: one of the largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheatres still standing. Built in the 1st century CE under Emperor Augustus, it could seat up to 20,000 spectators and was once the site of gladiatorial contests. Continue exploring the city’s key sites, gaining insights into its role as a strategic port through Roman, medieval and Austro-Hungarian eras. This evening, enjoy an authentic local dining experience in a traditional setting, where you’ll sample regional dishes rooted in Istria’s culinary heritage, made with local ingredients and age-old techniques.
Accommodation
Park Plaza Histria
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Guided Visit to Pula Arena
Join your Local Expert to explore one of the world’s best-preserved Roman amphitheatres. Walk through ancient corridors, hear stories of gladiator battles, and learn how this impressive structure has stood for nearly 2,000 years, shaping the history of the region.
Pula Dinner
Enjoy an authentic local dining experience in Pula, savouring regional specialties made with fresh, local ingredients.
Day 8
Piran, Jewel of the Istrian Coast, and on to Venice
Start your day with a visit to Piran, a medieval gem on the Gulf of Trieste, where Venetian and Austro-Hungarian influences echo through its winding streets and ancient town walls, built to defend against Ottoman invasions. Cross the border into Italy and stop in Trieste, a vibrant port city shaped by Latin, Slavic and Germanic cultures, and home to the famous Barcolana regatta. Enjoy time at leisure to explore before journeying across the Venetian Plain to the Queen of the Adriatic, Venice.
Accommodation
Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio
Meals
Breakfast
Day 9
Venice
See Venice’s age-old traditions come to life as you watch master artisans demonstrate the delicate craft of Murano glassblowing. Then, experience the city as it was meant to be seen, by gliding through its labyrinth of canals on a traditional gondola. This evening, come together for a final dinner, celebrating your journey in this extraordinary floating city.
Accommodation
Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlights
Venice Orientation
Join your Travel Director for an introduction to Venice, exploring its canals, lively squares, and historic landmarks. Discover the city’s unique charm as you navigate its maze of streets and take in iconic sights like St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.
Venice Gondola Ride
Glide through Venice’s canals on an iconic gondola ride, passing beneath historic bridges and past elegant palaces. Soak up the city’s romantic atmosphere as your gondolier navigates the tranquil waterways, offering a unique perspective of this timeless floating city.
Venice Artisan Glassblowing Demonstration
Witness the ancient skill of glassblowing, now practised by precious few masters. Watch artisans create delicate works of art using rare traditional practices. The workshop's master craftsmen teach visitors about the traditional craft of glassblowing and its history which dates back to the 15th century. Every visit helps to support the workshop and the survival of this traditional craft.
This workshop directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Day 10
Arrivaderci Venice
Your journey from Zagreb to Venice is at an end, say arrivederci to your Travel Director and newfound connections. Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport.
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Summary
Travel by funicular in Zagreb • Enjoy a gondola serenade in Venice
Visit Postojna Caves • Pula Arena
City tours of Zagreb, Ljubljana, Krk, all with Local Experts.
Welcome Dinner in Zagreb • Farm-to-Table Lunch in Krk • Celebration Dinner in Venice
Insight Choice
Choose between two experiences at Lake Bled.
What's Included
Vox Headsets
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Gratuities
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
Porterage
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
Touchpoints
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Wifi
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
Transport
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
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Trip Notes:
A deposit of £100 must be paid at the time of booking.
International Air: Please note that airfares are not included. We will quote you the lowest possible airfare available on the day you book.
Travel to the USA and Canada often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange flights to arrive on or before Day 1 of the itinerary.
Terms & Conditions:
Prices listed are per person, land only and based on double occupancy (twin room). Single room supplements are available.
'Price with Current Deals' reflects current applicable 'Early Payment Discounts' or 'Last Minute Deals.' Early Payment Discounts (land only) savings vary by itinerary, are not valid on all vacations/departure dates and are subject to availability; not valid with all other promotional offers. Last Minute Deals are available on select departures only; not combinable with Early Payment Discounts or any other promotional offers; full payment due at time of booking. All discounts are for new bookings only, subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Call or request a quote for complete details.
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Trip prices and information are correct at the time of the trips going live online, however, are subject to confirmation - please confirm all details at time of quote and booking.
*Temporary changes to standard terms and conditions apply to bookings until further notice. In accordance with travel restrictions imposed by government advisories worldwide, Insight Vacations has temporarily suspended all guided vacations across the globe for trips departing up and until 30 November 2020. For any new bookings being made, we are temporarily offering a fee waiver on the land portion of the trip until 30 days prior to departure should guests wish to change their dates or travel to a different destination. Airlines may have different policies and penalty charges, which are the guest’s responsibility. This applies to land bookings only and does not apply to group bookings. If the guest chooses a trip or departure that is more expensive than the original, they are responsible for the difference in price; if the trip or departure is less expensive than the original, a future travel credit will be issued for the difference. Please note guests are responsible for any airline penalties imposed due to trip changes and/or cancellations. View full details, along with terms and conditions here.
Every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the enclosed content. Insight Vacations cannot be held responsible for typographical errors, or errors arising from unforeseen circumstances. Conditions apply. Policies are subject to change at any time.