Trip summary
- Duration
- 15 days / 14 nights
- Route
- Zagreb → Bled → Ljubljana → Rovinj → Plitvice → Split → Hvar → Dubrovnik → Kotor
- Style
- Private & tailor-made
- Day 1 Arrive in Zagreb, private airport transfer, free afternoon
- Day 2 Privately guided food walk in Zagreb
- Day 3 Private day trip to Lake Bled and Bled Castle, ending in Ljubljana
- Day 4 Privately guided walking tour of Ljubljana
- Day 5 Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle, on to Rovinj
- Day 6 Walking tour of Rovinj
- Day 7 Pula with a short private walking tour, on to Plitvice Lakes
- Day 8 Explore Plitvice Lakes, afternoon transfer to Split
- Day 9 Market visit and cooking class with a local chef in Split
- Day 10 Ferry to Hvar, beach and leisure day
- Day 11 Boat excursion to Vis, the Blue Cave and the Pakleni Islands
- Day 12 Ferry to Dubrovnik, privately guided old town tour
- Day 13 Private trip to Cavtat and a Croatian meal in the countryside
- Day 14 Private day trip to Perast and Kotor, Montenegro
- Day 15 Private transfer to Dubrovnik airport
Zagreb, Lake Bled, Ljubljana, Istria, Plitvice, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik & Kotor
Tour highlights at a glance:
- Privately guided food walk in Zagreb
- Private day trip to Lake Bled and Bled Castle in Slovenia
- Ljubljana, Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle, the castle built into a cliff
- Rovinj and Pula on the Istrian coast
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Cooking class in Split with a local chef, starting at the open market
- Boat day from Hvar to Vis, the Blue Cave and the Pakleni Islands
- Dubrovnik old town, Cavtat and a day in Perast and Kotor, Montenegro
Day 1Arrive in Zagreb, where your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. The afternoon is free to explore Croatia's capital at your own pace: stroll the Upper Town, sit at a café on Ban Jelačić Square and settle in.
Day 2Discover Zagreb through its food on a privately guided walking food tour (2 hours). Taste local favourites with your guide and hear the stories behind them, then enjoy the rest of the day as you like.
Day 3Cross into Slovenia on a private day trip to Lake Bled. Take in the island church and the emerald lake below the Julian Alps, and visit Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the water. The day ends in Ljubljana, where you spend the night.
Day 4Get to know Ljubljana, Slovenia's green and lively capital, on a privately guided walking tour (2 hours). Its riverside cafés, bridges and old town are perfect for an easy afternoon.
Day 5On the way to the coast, visit Postojna Cave, one of the largest show caves in Europe, and Predjama Castle, built into the mouth of a cave in a high rock face. Continue to Rovinj, the romantic old fishing town on Croatia's Istrian coast.
Day 6Explore Rovinj on a walking tour (1 hour): cobbled lanes, colourful houses and the church of St. Euphemia above the sea. The rest of the day is yours for the waterfront, a swim or Istrian truffles and wine.
Day 7Stop in Pula for a short private walking tour of its Roman amphitheatre and old town, then continue inland to Plitvice Lakes.
Day 8Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park, with its sixteen terraced lakes and wooden walkways over the waterfalls. In the afternoon, a transfer takes you to Split.
Day 9Spend half a day cooking with a local chef (4 hours). Start at the open market to pick fresh ingredients, then learn to prepare Dalmatian dishes and enjoy the meal you have made.
Day 10Take the ferry from Split to Hvar. The rest of the day is for the beach and leisure on Croatia's sunniest island.
Day 11A full day on the water (7 to 8 hours): sail from Hvar to the island of Vis, visit the famous Blue Cave and swim in the clear bays of the Pakleni Islands.
Day 12Take the ferry to Dubrovnik and meet your private guide for a walking tour of the old town (2 hours), its marble streets, palaces and city walls.
Day 13Private half day trip to Cavtat (4 hours), a charming seaside town south of Dubrovnik, followed by an authentic Croatian meal in the countryside.
Day 14Cross into Montenegro on a private full day trip. Visit Perast and its island churches in the Bay of Kotor, then explore Kotor's walled old town on a short private walking tour.
Day 15Departure day. Enjoy a last morning in Dubrovnik before your private transfer to the airport.
What's included
- 14 nights in handpicked hotels with daily breakfast
- Private airport transfers in Zagreb and Dubrovnik
- Private day trip to Lake Bled and Bled Castle, and all drives between destinations with a private driver
- Ferry tickets from Split to Hvar and from Hvar to Dubrovnik
- Privately guided tours: Zagreb food walk, Ljubljana, Pula, Dubrovnik old town and Kotor
- Walking tour of Rovinj
- Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle and Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Half day cooking class in Split with a local chef and a visit to the open market
- Full day boat excursion from Hvar to Vis, the Blue Cave and the Pakleni Islands
- Private half day trip to Cavtat with an authentic Croatian meal in the countryside
- Private full day trip to Montenegro: Perast and Kotor
- Entrance tickets for the sights in the itinerary
- 24/7 local support from Sarah, Ivan and Mislav throughout your trip
Not included
- International flights to and from Croatia
- Lunches and dinners not listed above
- Travel insurance
- Tips for guides, skippers and drivers (optional)
From €5,500 per person (based on 2 travellers). Every journey is private and tailored, so we send a personal proposal with the exact price, free of charge. Ask for a proposal.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Best of Slovenia, Croatia & Montenegro tour cost?
From €5,500 per person, based on two people travelling together, with hotels, daily breakfasts and entrance tickets included. The exact price depends on your travel dates, the hotels you choose and the size of your group, so we send a personal proposal free of charge.
Can I change this 15 day itinerary?
Yes. Every part of it can be changed. We can shorten or extend the trip, add more beach days on Hvar, spend longer in Slovenia or skip Montenegro. Tell us what you like and we'll send a personal proposal.
Do I need a passport or visa for three countries?
Slovenia and Croatia are both in the Schengen area, so there is no border control between them. Montenegro is outside the EU, so bring your passport on the day trip to Kotor. US, Canadian and Australian citizens do not need a visa for a short tourist visit, but please check the latest rules before you travel.
Is the tour private?
Yes. The guides, drivers and day trips are private, just for you and your travel companions, so you travel at your own pace.
Do we need to rent a car?
No. Airport transfers, the day trips and all drives between destinations are with a private driver, and the ferry tickets to Hvar and Dubrovnik are included, so you can relax and enjoy the views.
When is the best time to do this tour?
May, June and September to early October are ideal: warm enough for the boat day to Vis and the beaches on Hvar, and less crowded than July and August.
How do I book?
Send us an enquiry with your dates and wishes. We reply within 24 hours, usually much sooner, and refine the itinerary together with you until it's exactly right.
