Adriatic Discovery – Slovenia, Croatia & Italy

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Kick your Adriatic getaway off with a flight to Venice, meet your friendly tour manager and head west to Portorož, a coastal spa town on the Gulf of Trieste. After checking into your hotel, enjoy a first night at leisure with some time to explore the town’s waterfront promenade, and settle in for dinner at the hotel.
• Day 2
  Have an early breakfast at your hotel this morning ahead of a full day’s excursion to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana. Start the day in Prešeren Square, the centre of the city’s historic old town, for an introduction to life in Ljubljana and views of its magnificent Franciscan church. After some time to browse the riverside shops and street markets, cross the Three Bridges to Mestni Trg (Town Square) for stops at the city’s exquisite baroque town hall. Marvel at Ljubljana’s hilltop castle ahead of a stroll along the Ljubljanica waterfront which will showcase the city’s famous baroque bridges and ornate waterside churches. Finally, round out your city exploration at the market-laden Breg Embankment, a lively river promenade. The excursion will then continue underground to the popular Postojna Caves, a sprawling 24-kilometre network of tunnels which have been formed over the centuries by flowing water. Explore the passages aboard a unique subterranean railway and keep an eye out for the intriguing 'baby dragons’ (cave-dwelling salamanders) that live within. On your underground adventure, you’ll pass ‘Brilliant’, an impressive five-metre-tall limestone stalagmite, as well as several secluded lakes and breath-taking rock features. Later, return to the resort for an evening at leisure and dinner.
• Day 3
  Today, you’ll have a full day at leisure in Portorož to spend as you see fit, perhaps unwinding on the beach or visiting the town’s forma viva, a Slovenian open-air sculpture exhibition. If you’d prefer a more active day, you can venture into the Istrian countryside on an optional tour of Grožnjan and Motovun. As you travel through rolling hills and thriving Croatian vineyards, you’ll see why Istria is often called ‘Little Tuscany’ with plenty of breath-taking sights to enjoy en route. Your first stop today, enchanting Grožnjan, is one of the most picturesque towns on the peninsula and you can make the most of your time here with an easy-going exploration of its historic centre. Browse a selection of delightful independent shops, sample locally sourced olive oil, and perhaps enjoy a two-course meal and wine-tasting with your fellow travellers at a traditional konoba, a Croatian tavern-style restaurant (payable locally). Otherwise, you’ll be free to find lunch on your own account. This afternoon, continue to the mountain village of Motovun, set amongst Istria’s magnificent hillside landscapes. Known for its remarkably well-preserved Medieval architecture, this town is one of Istria’s most picturesque destinations and you’ll be free to take in its pretty cobbled streets and historic architecture at your own pace. While here, be sure to wander around one of the quaint street markets and sample one of the region’s world-famous truffles, which are farmed in Motovun’s surrounding woodland areas. Later, return to the hotel for dinner.
• Day 4
  This morning, have breakfast at the hotel before heading north across the Italian border to elegant Trieste, known by some as ‘Vienna by the Sea’. This city, a former free port of the Habsburg empire, boasts a distinctly Austrian atmosphere, and you’ll experience it first hand with a guided tour. Start your exploration at the Piazza Unità, the city’s lively main square, where you’ll enjoy your first taste of the city’s opulent Austro-Hungarian architecture. You’ll then walk to the nearby Piazza della Borsa to witness Trieste’s extraordinary former stock exchange housed in a Greek-inspired, neoclassical building. Discover the city’s historic importance as an economic hub with a walk along the Canal Grandé, which connects its bustling harbours with the inland commercial districts. Learn about the city’s role as a centre for the world coffee trade and discover how this inspired its lively café culture. Your final two stops in Trieste, the Roman amphitheatre and its nearby Cathedral, will then highlight the diverse range of cultural and religious influences that have shaped the city. Coming to the end of your tour, you can embrace the city’s culinary offerings with a small amount of free time for lunch at one of its al fresco restaurants. This afternoon, continue north through the lively towns of Barcola and Grignano, to the magnificent Miramare Castle. This breath-taking estate, built on the Gulf of Trieste, is a marvel of 19th-century engineering having transformed a previously barren stretch of rugged sea karst into a palatial 22-hectare landmark. You’ll have the chance to explore the castle’s eclectic collection of original furnishings, ornate interiors and imposing facades before enjoying panoramic views over the Mediterranean from its manicured garden terraces. Head back along the coast to Portorož for the evening at leisure and tuck into dinner at the hotel.
• Day 5
  Today, after a leisurely hotel breakfast, you’ll be free to spend the day at your own pace in Portorož. Consider paying the resort’s spa, Terme Portorož, a visit for a dip in its thermomineral swimming pools. Fed by the town’s nearby saltpans and clear Mediterranean waters, these well-appointed spa facilities are well-placed to provide a rejuvenating break in between excursions. The nearby Meduza Beach is also an option, and you can relax with a stroll along its waterfront promenade or soak up the sun on its golden sands. If a more active day is calling, consider wandering around the bars, restaurants and shopping areas that line Portorož’s centre or head further afield to nearby Piran for its Venetian architecture. This evening, dinner will be served at the hotel.
• Day 6
  Have breakfast at the hotel this morning, ahead of a full day at leisure in idyllic Portorož. If you’d prefer a more active day, board a coach for a wish-list optional excursion to beautiful Lake Bled. Your first stop, the resort town of Bled, is ringed by forested hills and offers a range of memorable viewpoints, looking out over the lake’s still waters. Take in Bled’s delightful alpine vistas, with its central island crowned by a Baroque church, and take in Bled Castle, which overlooks the town from a lofty perch on the opposite shore. You’ll then have time to explore at leisure, perhaps with a walk along the shore to one of the neighbouring towns or find lunch amongst Bled’s lakeside resorts. If you’d like, you can take gondola-like pletna across to the island (payable locally), or even row yourself! Reconvene with your fellow travellers and complete the day with free time and dinner in your Portorož resort.
• Day 7
  Mark your final day on the Adriatic Coast with a tour of the Istrian Peninsula’s southernmost cities, romantic Rovinj and idyllic Pula. After breakfast, board a coach for the journey into Croatia, taking in a few final views of Istria’s bucolic country landscapes. After some time on the road, arrive in stunning Rovinj, Croatia’s Venice-like Adriatic gem. You’ll have time here to explore the city’s narrow streets and pastel-coloured buildings before heading up to the hilltop Baroque church of St Euphemia. Here, you can take in the church’s cloisters and soak up exquisite views over the city’s natural harbour or nearby Katarina Island. Next, return to the harbourfront below, perhaps to enjoy a well-deserved ice-cream, before reboarding the coach for the next leg of your journey. Your second stop today, bustling Pula, is Istria’s provincial capital and is famed for its rich Roman heritage. Upon arrival, set out in the company of an expert local guide for a introduction to its most intriguing heritage sites, starting at the Pula Arena, an ancient amphitheatre with magnificent arched facades. Explore the towering landmark, now home to underground wine and olive oil cellars, and learn about the enduring legacy of Roman culture on the Istrian Peninsula. Continue to the Arch of the Sergii, which was built in 29 BCE, with a walk through the city streets before completing the afternoon’s tour with a stop at Roman Forum. Crowned by the imposing Temple of Augustus, this historic district features a number of intricate mosaics which you can admire at leisure. If you have the chance before returning to the hotel, be sure to experience the Zerostrasse, a unique network of underground streets, tunnels and wartime bunkers, which occasionally hosts art exhibitions and concerts. This evening, reconvene at the hotel for a final dinner on the Adriatic.
• Day 8
  Following a leisurely final breakfast in Portorož, drive to Venice airport, bringing your Adriatic escape to an end with a flight back to the UK.