14-Day Adriatic & Balkan Explorer: Slovenia, Croatia & Bosnia-Herzegovina

DAY 1 | Monday – Depart for Slovenia

Kick off your unforgettable Balkan adventure! Fly to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s charming capital, the gateway to pristine lakes, medieval towns, and lush Alpine scenery.

DAY 2 | Tuesday – Arrive in Ljubljana

Arrive in Ljubljana and transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon at leisure to relax or take a stroll in the city. Meet your Tour Manager at 6 PM for a welcome orientation and dinner.

Overnight: Ljubljana | Meals: Dinner

DAY 3 | Wednesday – Ljubljana City Tour & Optional Lakes

Discover Ljubljana, a city blending history and modern charm:

• Open-Air Market

• Baroque Venetian City Hall

• Robba Fountain & Triple Bridge

• Parliament

Optional: Explore Lake Bled & Lake Bohinj, including a scenic ride on a traditional pletna boat to Bled Island and visit the island church with its impressive art collection. Drive through breathtaking Alpine scenery to Lake Bohinj, nestled in dense forests and towering peaks.

Overnight: Ljubljana | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4 | Thursday – Postojna Cave & Optional Radovljica Dinner

Venture south to Postojna Cave, Europe’s largest and most visited show cave. Board the special cave train and marvel at glittering stalactites, stalagmites, and stunning underground chambers. Return to Ljubljana in the afternoon for leisure time. Optional evening: enjoy traditional Slovenian cuisine at a medieval country inn in Radovljica with wine.

Overnight: Ljubljana | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5 | Friday – Scenic Drive to Plitvice Lakes

Embark on a scenic drive toward Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for 16 interconnecting lakes, cascading waterfalls, and primeval forests. Explore the park on foot and enjoy incredible photo opportunities. Check into your hotel in Slunj and relax before dinner.

Overnight: Slunj | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Note: Good walking shoes recommended for the Plitvice Lakes walk.

DAY 6 | Saturday – Zadar & Adriatic Coast to Split

Travel along the dramatic Adriatic coastline, stopping in Zadar:

• Explore the historic Old Town

• Admire Roman architecture and Habsburg-era elegance

• Free time for photos, coffee, and shopping

Continue to Split, check into your hotel, and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Split | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 7 | Sunday – Split Walking Tour & Optional Trogir

Take a guided walking tour of Split’s Old Town:

• Diocletian’s Palace, built in the 4th century

• Cathedral of St. Domnius

• Temple of Jupiter with its headless black sphinx

Optional: Visit Trogir, a UNESCO-listed medieval town. Explore the main square and Cathedral of St. Lawrence, then enjoy a traditional Dalmatian dinner before returning to Split.

Overnight: Split | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 8 | Monday – Ston Saltworks & Dubrovnik City Tour

Drive south to Dubrovnik, stopping at Ston Saltworks, one of the best-preserved historical salt production sites in the world. Continue to Dubrovnik for a guided city tour:

• Old Town, UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Sponza Palace, Luza Square & City Bell Tower

• Rector’s Palace, Dominican & Franciscan Monasteries

• 14th-century pharmacy, one of Europe’s oldest

Overnight: Dubrovnik | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9 | Tuesday – Optional Full Day Montenegro Tour

Choose the full-day excursion to Montenegro:

• Drive to the stunning Bay of Kotor, the longest fjord in southern Europe

• Visit Perast and the 15th-century Our Lady of the Rocks Church

• Explore Kotor Old Town, including Cathedral of St. Tryphon, Maritime Museum, and historic palaces

Return to Dubrovnik in the evening.
Note: Border crossings may experience delays due to EU regulations.

Overnight: Dubrovnik | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10 | Wednesday – Winery Visit with Tasting

Drive to a local winery near Dubrovnik and enjoy:

• Guided tour of traditional winemaking methods

• Sampling of exquisite wines paired with regional delicacies

Return to Dubrovnik with free time before dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight: Dubrovnik | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 11 | Thursday – Mostar & Travel to Sarajevo

Travel to Sarajevo, stopping in Mostar, renowned for its reconstructed Stari Most Bridge over the emerald Neretva River. Free time for lunch and exploration. Continue to Sarajevo, check in, and take an orientation tour of the historic city.

Overnight: Sarajevo | Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12 | Friday – Scenic Drive to Zagreb via Banja Luka

Take a scenic drive through Bosnia-Herzegovina, stopping in Banja Luka for lunch and local cuisine. Continue to Zagreb, Croatia’s capital, arriving late afternoon. Evening at leisure.

Overnight: Zagreb | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 13 | Saturday – Zagreb City Tour

Explore Zagreb’s historic Upper Town:

• Kaptol Square & Zagreb Cathedral

• St. Mark’s Square & colorful roofed St. Mark’s Church

• Jesuit Church of St. Catherine & Ban Jelacic Square

Conclude with a farewell dinner. Comfortable shoes recommended for uphill walking.

Overnight: Zagreb | Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 14 | Sunday – Depart Croatia

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight, concluding a captivating journey through the Balkans.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Highlights

• Ljubljana: Baroque architecture, Triple Bridge & open-air market

• Postojna Cave: Explore Europe’s largest and most visited show cave

• Plitvice Lakes: 16 cascading lakes in a primeval forest, UNESCO site

• Zadar & Split: Roman & medieval treasures along the Adriatic

• Dubrovnik: Old Town, Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery

• Montenegro: Bay of Kotor & Our Lady of the Rocks Church

• Mostar: Iconic Stari Most Bridge

• Zagreb: Historic Upper Town & soaring cathedral spires

Package Includes

• Flights: New York–Ljubljana / Zagreb–New York (other departures available)

• 12 nights First Class accommodations

• 19 meals: 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners

• Hotel porterage & transfers with airfare purchase

• English-speaking Tour Manager & local guides

• Entrance fees per itinerary & wireless earphones for guided touring

Special Features

• Explore Slovenia’s Postojna Cave and charming lakes

• Walk Split’s Diocletian Palace and UNESCO-listed Trogir

• Cruise along the Dalmatian coast with stops at Ston and Dubrovnik

• Taste wines in Croatia’s countryside

• Discover Montenegro’s fjords, Mostar’s iconic bridge, and Zagreb’s historic squares