Original
Explorer
Croatia & Slovenia
8 days • 4.7
4.5
Excellent
38 reviews
8 days
Start
Split, Croatia
Finish
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Trip Code
ZMSY
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
6 breakfasts
Transport
Public bus, Private vehicle, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)
From £1,683(8 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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.
Is this trip right for you?
Please note that the Croatian coast is characterised by its hilly and mountainous terrain, resulting in numerous steps throughout the landscape, which some may find physically demanding.
Summer temperatures can exceed 40°C in many visited regions, requiring sun protection, layered clothing for heat, and ample hydration; consider peak season pressures along the Croatian coast from July to mid-September and note that European hotels often have single beds that can be pushed together.
If you have more time to explore the region you can extend your trip by starting your travels in Dubrovnik and exploring the Dalmatian Coast. Check out our trip 'Dubrovnik to Bled' (trip code ZMSUC). Most departure dates are designed to create this perfect combination trip.
Pack lightly for this trip as you'll need to carry your own bag, aiming to keep it under 15 kg (33 lb). Opt for a backpack or a shoulder bag for convenience, ensuring it has straps suitable for cobbled streets and stairs, and bring a bag for essentials on day trips.
Itinerary
Travel to cities, mountains and islands in Croatia and Slovenia
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.
Inclusions
Meals
6 breakfasts
Transport
Public bus, Private vehicle, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)
Included activities
Zadar - Leader-led orientation walk
Zadar - Nunnery & farm visit
Plitvice Lakes - National Park Visit
Licko Petrovo Selo NGO visit
Zagreb - Leader-led Orientation Walk
Ljubljana - Castle and Funicular
Ljubljana - Leader-led walking tour
Bled - Walk around Lake Bled
Bled - Day Trip
Optional activities
Split - Fish Market - Free
Split – Highlights of Split Urban Adventure - EUR64
Split - Marjan Hill Hike - Free
Split - City Museum - EUR4
Split - Gallery of Fine Arts - EUR5
Split - Ethnographic Museum - EUR3
Split - Cellars of the Diocletian's Palace - EUR8
Split - Ivan Mestrovic Gallery - EUR12
Split - St Domnius Cathedral and Tower - EUR10
Split - Archaeological Museum - EUR8
Zadar - Museum of ancient glass - EUR6
Zadar - Gold and Silver of the city of Zadar Museum - EUR6
Zadar - Archaeological Museum - EUR5
Zadar - Cathedral Bell Tower - EUR2
Zadar - Church of Saint Donat - EUR4
Zadar - St Anastasia's Cathedral - Free
Zadar - Roman Forum - Free
Zagreb - Museum of Broken Relationships - EUR7
Zagreb - Mirogoj Cemetery - Free
Zagreb - Cathedral - Free
Zagreb - The Croatian Museum of Naive Art - EUR5
Zagreb - City Museum - EUR4
Zagreb - Lotrščak Tower - EUR3
Zagreb - Funicular - EUR1
Bled - Mountain Bike Hire - EUR25
Bled - Pletna Boat Trip - EUR14
Bled - Castle - EUR15
Triglav National Park - Bus and Cable Car Trip to Mt Vogel - EUR32
Triglav National Park - Emerald River Adventure (full day) - EUR110
Triglav National Park - Vintgar Gorge - EUR10
Triglav National Park - River Rafting - EUR45
Triglav National Park - Canyoning - EUR85
Triglav National Park - Guided Mountain Bike Tour (4 hours) - EUR95
Triglav National Park - Kayaking on Sava River (3 hours) - EUR85
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
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Important notes
1. A single supplement is available on this trip with no exceptions. Availability is limited due to small properties we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Reviews (33)
5 stars
27
4 stars
3
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
1
Miranda
May 03, 2025
Alaina
Oct 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this trip, it was a quick and thorough overview of Croatia and Slovenia. I would like to go back and spend more time in each of the places. The trip was the perfect combination of activity and learning about the history and culture. It was a great way to get away and experience a different part of our world.
Jennie
Oct 09, 2024
The trip from Split to Lake Bled was exceptional, partly due to the fabulous scenery and beautiful cities we stopped in, and partly because our small group of 5 got along so well with each other and our great guide Dijana. She couldn't have been more pleasant and organized and eager to help us at every opportunity. She always had good suggestions for where to eat and what to do when we had free time. We ended up eating together every night, which was unexpected and enjoyable. I highly recommend this region, and am looking forward to another "small group" trip.
Anne
Sep 26, 2024
Croatia and Slovenia are special destinations with lots of hidden secrets to be explored. Plitvace lakes and Bled Lake were beautiful highlights for me, as well as the ocean sunset at Zadar! Our trip leader, Dusan, made this trip exceptional for our group - he was personable, funny, organized, and intelligent; his historical knowledge of the area was vast and it really enhanced the "specialness" of this trip.
Scarlett
Jun 25, 2024
This trip is a good mix of exploring interesting cities and visiting absolutely stunning nature. As a foodie, I wanted to try everything unique to the region, and our guide made wonderful recommendations throughout the entire trip. 10 out of 10.
Kirstin
Jun 22, 2024
Highlights of this trip for me were the Roman ruins in Zadar, the waterfalls in Plitvice National Park, and the scenery in Lake Bled! Good mix of nature and city.
Kathryn
Jun 19, 2024
I would recommend this trip. It gives you a good insight into Croatia and Slovenia. Both beautiful and interesting destinations. Mirna our leader made it extra special with her calm organised approach and her great knowledge.
Chelsea
Jun 15, 2024
The Croatia and Slovenia trip was perfect for someone wanting to meet like minded travellers and explore more places of Croatia other than your usual coastal cities. Guides were amazing and great to learn from.
Sophie
Jun 11, 2024
Leisurely trip with lots of free time for those who like more independence for optional activities . A good mix of nature (Plitvice Lakes and Bled lake are stunning) and vibrant towns - Zagreb my favourite (make sure you stay an extra day before tour in Split and a day after tour in Ljubljana as the tour spends only a few hours in those towns). The exceptional guide Mirna made the tour unforgettable. Optional physical activities available in Zadar and Bled for those in need of exercise. Food at all prices everywhere. A good value for money holiday.
Danielle
Jun 01, 2024
This trip was absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed the cities we visited. Our guide, Robert was extremely knowledgable and personable, truly making the trip that much more outstanding.
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