Lakes & Mediterranean Harmony Small Group Tour – Venice to Split 8nts (Fridays)

Independent arrival in Mestre and check-in at the hotel.

Meet your tour leader at hotel reception between 9:00 and 9:30am, then depart for Venice and a guided walking tour of the floating city with an English-speaking guide, followed by lunch. Continue to Bled in Slovenia. Overnight in the Bled Lake area.

A relaxed day around glacial Lake Bled, beginning with a boat ride and leisure time on the island. Afterwards visit Bled Castle for views over the town, the lake and the surrounding mountains, with Slovenia’s highest peak Mount Triglav visible on a clear day. The final stop is Lake Bohinj, a quieter and less-visited lake. Overnight in the Bled Lake area.

A day across the border in Austria, with views of the Alps throughout. In the historic county of Carinthia, a panoramic tour of the 20km-long Lake Wörth is followed by the university town of Klagenfurt, where the Lindworm fountain dominates the old square, the Altplatz. Lunch in the Klagenfurt area before returning to Bled. Overnight in the Bled Lake area.

Before crossing into Croatia, a walking tour of Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital. Then Postojna Cave, one of the largest underground cave systems in Europe, known for its geological formations and as the home of the olm. Arrive on the coast of Istria in the late afternoon for dinner and overnight in Rovinj or Vrsar.

The day starts with sightseeing in Rovinj, one of the jewels of the Istrian coast, strolling the labyrinth of cobbled streets. Head into inland Istria to sample the truffle, then an olive oil tasting at a renowned local producer, savouring the green scent and flavour of several extra virgin oils. Finish at the well-preserved amphitheatre in Pula, the jewel of a 3,000-year-old city. Overnight in Rovinj or Vrsar.

Travel from Istria to Opatija, with leisure time among its villas and old hotels and along the Lungomare promenade, or a coffee at Wagner's terrace. Continue through the lush Gorski Kotar region to the town of Fužine to explore the Vrelo Cave, then a lunch of traditional regional home cooking at the Bitoraj restaurant. Continue to Plitvice Lakes for dinner and overnight in the Plitvice Lakes area.

After breakfast, explore the labyrinth of evergreen woods and lakes joined by waterfalls at UNESCO-protected Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of the world’s most impressive national parks. Continue to Split for an evening walk through the UNESCO World Heritage site, taking in Diocletian's Palace, the Grgur Ninski statue and the Cathedral and Bell Tower of St Domnius. Overnight in Split.

The tour ends after breakfast, with a transfer to Split Airport.