Adriatic Wonders - Venice, Lake Bled & Istria

Fly to Venice Airport in the morning, where you will be met by your friendly local guide and transferred to your hotel in Lido di Jesolo.

Spend the afternoon at leisure in Lido di Jesolo. Explore the many cafés, restaurants and shops as well, of course, as the stunning ten mile stretch of beach for which the area is known.

Depart from your hotel on a full day excursion, and prepare to be enchanted by the atmospheric canals, tiny alleyways and busy squares that make up the real Venice. On your morning guided tour you will approach the city in an included water taxi, and see memorable highlights such as St. Mark's Cathedral, Ca’ d’Oro and the imposing Palazzo Ducale.

In the afternoon, explore the city at your own pace. Observe the lifestyle of the Venetians and the beautiful piazzas, bridges and dwellings that adorn the quaysides. Take a photograph on the Rialto Bridge, shop for carnival masks, or feed pigeons in St. Mark’s Square!

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel by coach to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. Enjoy a guided tour of the city’s highlights, including an exterior visit of Ljubljana Castle and the leafy banks of the Ljubljanica River.

In the afternoon, continue your journey to the Alpine town of Kranjska Gora.  Check in to your hotel and spend the afternoon exploring the town centre at your leisure. You could take a short walk from the city centre to the beautiful Jasna Lake and explore this beautiful area. 

Your local guide will be happy to offer suggestions of activities to suit your interests.

This morning, take a guided tour of Bled, including a boat trip to Bled Island, which lies in the centre of the lake’s glacial blue waters. The small island is home to a church with a famous wishing bell (entrance included), small museum and the historic South Staircase, a set of 99 steps built in 1655. Later, visit the medieval Bled Castle which overlooks the lake from its imposing clifftop perch. (entrance included). 

Roughly half an hour from Bled is Lake Bohinj, the largest lake in Slovenia. Less well known, but just as beautiful as Bled, Lake Bohinj is a popular spot for fishing, swimming and hill walking. We will enjoy some time here before a visit, with entrance included, to John the Baptist church. Afterwards we will continue on to the Alpine Dairy Museum where we will get a glimpse into the life of shepherds on Bohinj pastures in an authentic environment. The Alpine Dairy Museum allows you to understand the importance of Bohinj shepherding and pastoralism as a way of life and coexistence with nature in the high mountain world. There will be time for cheese tasting here. 

Today you will embark on a full day excursion around Triglav National Park, home to the highest mountain in Slovenia. We will take the scenic mountain route towards Bovec via Vršič Pass, the highest pass in the Julian Alps, and the Soča Valley. Known as "The Emerald Beauty," the Soca is one of few rivers in the world to retain its emerald green colour throughout its length.

Located in the Bovec Basin below the eastern slopes of Mount Kanin, the town of Bovec provides a charming base for many adventure and water sports in the area. Explore the town and enjoy time for lunch and refreshments. On our journey back via the ski resort town of Tarvisio, there will be a photo stop at Planica Ski jump centre. There the very first ski jump over 100m was achieved in 1936 on what was then the largest jumping hill in the world.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and embark on a morning excursion to the Postojna Caves to admire the network of tunnels, halls and karst features. Here you will see the unique cave railway, the blackened entrance which was damaged by fire during World War II, and the impressive Congress Hall, which is now used as a concert venue. Enjoy some free time before beginning your drive to Poreč.

On arrival in Poreč, your guide will take you on a short city tour through the old town to view its churches, medieval walls, round towers, and Gothic and Baroque houses. Poreč’s most famous monument is the UNESCO protected architectural complex of Euphrasius Basilica (entrance included), which is one of the best examples of early Byzantine architectures in the Mediterranean. You will then have some free time to explore the town at your own pace before checking into your hotel for dinner.

This morning you will visit the idyllic harbour town of Rovinj, known as the ‘Blue Pearl of the Adriatic’, where you will take a walking tour with your guide. Enjoy some free time to explore the town’s narrow paved streets, tall houses and small squares before departing for Pula.

On arrival in Pula, take a city tour to see the town’s magnificent architecture, including the Triumphal Arch of the Sergii, the Gate of Hercules, and the Twin Gates and the Temple of Augustus. A highlight of the day will be a visit, with entrance included, to the Roman Amphitheatre, known as the Arena of Pula, which was built back in the 1st century and was the site of many gladiator fights. Spend the remainder of your afternoon exploring Pula at your leisure. Return to Poreč for dinner and your last night in Croatia.

Check out of your hotel early and depart for Venice airport for your flight home. Travel time: 3 hours approx.