Northern Italy, Slovenia, Croatia Small Group Tour; Venice to Split 9nts (Thursday-Saturday)

Itinerary and Inclusions:

Open-age Small Group Escorted Coach Tour (up to 20 passengers) conducted in English. Solo travellers must book their own room for solo use with a supplement.

Join us as we travel the back roads through plunging gorges and soaring mountains; discovering clifftop fortresses and Riviera-style villages; tasting delicious local wines and savouring countless regional specialities along the way. This journey through Northern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia captures the beautiful diversity of these three mesmerising countries and is sure to be one to remember.

Other Small Group Tours:
https://discovercroatia.com.au/tours/small-group-tours/

Not all departures are guaranteed, so please check with us before booking other arrangements.

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INCLUSIONS AND FULL ITINERARY:
10 days from Venice, Lake Bled, Radovljica, Ljubljana, Opatija, Motovun, Rovinj, Plitvice Lakes, Smiljan, Zadar and to Split

INCLUDED:
• 9 nights in boutique accommodation
• Experienced English-speaking Driver and Tour Leader
• Premium mini-coach transportation

Sightseeing and Tours Included:
• 2 wine tastings
• Local guide in Lake Bled
• Entrance included to all attractions in the itinerary, including: Plitvice Lakes National Park, Bled Castle

Meals Included:
• 9 European-style breakfasts
• 2 Lunches
• 3 Dinners

NOT INCLUDED:
• Meals not listed
• Tips/gratuities
• Arrival and departure transfers

ITINERARY:
Arrive anytime during the day, first overnight is in the tour hotel. If you arrive early, you may leave your luggage with Hotel Reception until your room is ready. Check-in to your room from 14.00hrs.

Day 1 - Venice (Italy)
Welcome to Venice – the magnificent floating city boasting unparalleled elegance, grandeur and romance. Meet your travel companions and Tour Leader at the hotel, before settling into a delicious welcome meal at a local restaurant. Saluti! Accommodation: Hotel Ca’ dei Conti (or similar).
Included Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - Venice – Bassano Del Grappa
After breakfast, we’ll board the mini-coach and set a course for our first stop – Maser, where a wine tasting session at the historic Villa di Maser winery awaits us. Grapes from this ancient winery are grown in 33 hectares of carefully selected, eco-friendly vineyards – and our palettes are sure to appreciate the care and attention placed in each bottle. Then: onwards to Bassano del Grappa, a historic town that’s famous for its 13th century Ponte Vecchio. After getting better acquainted on an orientation tour, we’ll enjoy some free time for lunch. Later, we’ll pay a visit to the Poli Grappa Museum – where we’ll learn about the history of the local tipple and enjoy a tasting, of course! This evening will be ours to explore Bassano Del Grappa at our own pace or put our feet up back at the hotel. Accommodation: Belvedere Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - Bassano Del Grappa – Rovereto – Bassano Del Grappa
Today we’ll delve into Rovereto’s fascinating history on a locally guided walking tour. As we go, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the imposing Rovereto Castle, Italian Historical War Museum and the Bell of the Fallen – which commemorates those who fell in the Great War in Trentino. Cast with the bronze of all nations who participated in World War I, it’s 100 tolls at dusk are a testimony to world peace. Following our tour, we’ll enjoy a sumptuous included lunch at a local restaurant – before returning to Bassano Del Grappa for an evening spent at our leisure. Accommodation: Belvedere Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Bassano Del Grappa – Belluno – Lake Bled (Slovenia)
Before we bid farewell to Italy, we’ll make one more stop in picturesque Belluno. A historic old town with breathtaking views and Renaissance-era buildings – we’ll enjoy an orientation tour with our Tour Leader before lunching at our leisure. Then: we’ll cross the border into spectacular Slovenia. Enjoy the scenic back roads as we travel to the enchanting Lake Bled region – our home for the next two nights. This evening, we’ll be free to spend some time relaxing before tomorrow’s trip to the iconic lake. Accommodation: Bled Rose Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Lake Bled
First on today’s agenda: we’ll enjoy a guided tour of mesmerising Bled Castle. One of the oldest castles in Slovenia, our guide will educate us on the fascinating history and let us in on a few secrets, before we settle down to an included lunch in the castle restaurant. This afternoon we’ll take to the water for a locally-crafted pletna boat ride to the small island in the centre of Lake Bled – where we’ll visit the Baroque Church of the Assumption. Upon returning to the mainland, we’ll savour an afternoon spent at our leisure or dining at our hand-picked accommodation’s restaurant. Accommodation: Bled Rose Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Lake Bled – Ljubljana and Postojna Cave – Rovinj (Croatia)
This morning we’ll bid a fond farewell to Lake Bled and continue our journey to Slovenia’s capital: Ljubljana. Here, we’ll learn more about the city’s major sights on a locally guided walking tour and take the funicular up to the famous castle for incredible views over this enchanting city. Then: we’ll have the opportunity to visit the impressive Postojna Cave and take an unforgettable train ride through the mesmerising subterranean system. We’ll round up our day in the quaint seaside town of Rovinj – where the evening will be free for us to leisurely explore the narrow, cobbled streets in search of a local restaurant for dinner. Accommodation: The Melegran (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 - Rovinj
Today, we’ll have a full day to explore Rovinj at our own pace. Whilst you’re here, we recommend paying a visit to the Church of St Euphemia – the largest Baroque building in Istria with spectacular views over the city. Enjoy wandering through the winding cobbled streets and picturesque squares of Old Town, before stopping for a refreshing drink at a harbourside cafe. This evening, a unique culinary experience awaits at a local restaurant. Accommodation: The Melegran (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8 - Rovinj – Opatija and Rastoke – Plitvice Lakes
Today’s first stop will be the chic coastal town of Opatija – where we’ll have some free time to wander at our own pace and enjoy coffee at a local cafe. Then: we’ll continue on to the charming village of Rastoke – which is known for its many beautiful waterfalls and 18th-century mills. After paying a visit to a local mill, we’ll arrive at our final destination: the stunning Plitvice Lakes region. This evening we’ll be free to relax at our hotel and enjoy the excellent restaurant at our leisure. Accommodation: Hotel Fenomen (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 - Plitvice Lakes – Smiljan – Zadar
A tour highlight is on the agenda this morning! After breakfast, we’ll visit one of Croatia’s most astounding natural sites: the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park. Here, we'll explore the walking trails that hug the lakes – and watch as the water transforms from emerald green to azure blue. Once we’ve finished exploring, we’ll continue north to the village of Smiljan – the birthplace of famous inventor Nikola Tesla. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Tesla House Museum before moving on to the coastal city of Zadar. Tonight, we’ll look back on our incredible adventure and clink glasses over a delicious farewell dinner. Accommodation: Hotel Kolovare (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10 - Zadar – Split
The tour may be coming to an end, but we have a few historical treasures to uncover before we say our goodbyes. Our Tour Leader will show us around the ancient Roman and Venetian ruins within Old Town, as well as the grand 12th-century St Anastasia’s Cathedral – before we board the mini-coach one final time to reach our final destination. Upon arrival in Split, our tour will come to a close.
Included Meals: Breakfast

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
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Hotels:
BOUTIQUE ACCOMMODATION
Our accommodation, whether old country estate, exotic hotel resort or traditional villa, is carefully selected to reflect the character and charm of each Back-Roads destination. Some properties are situated in a stunning setting or have interesting historical and architectural heritage, while others may have been chosen for their owner-hosted welcome or excellent food. Character is not a substitute for quality, however, which is why all of our accommodation throughout Europe and Asia comes complete with ensuite facilities, comfortable furnishings and delicious food. We offer a choice of twin, double or single rooms – and while room sizes in older buildings may vary, each room will have its own unique style and character.

OUR LUXURY MINI-COACHES
Cast thoughts of long journeys spent zipping up and down motorways from your mind. Whether in Europe or Asia, our tours have a more leisurely style that gives you the freedom of travelling in your own vehicle – but with none of the hassle. Our premium mini-coaches are equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With the flexibility to go anywhere a car can, we take the smaller roads, travel through beautiful scenery and get right to the heart of tiny villages and buzzing cities. Along the way, your Tour Leader can offer intriguing insights about the sights we see over the on-board PA system. And, with long drives kept to a minimum, you’ll have plenty of time to stretch your legs and explore our destinations yourself.
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