SLOVENIA & CROATIA DISCOVERY TOUR

Discover beautiful Slovenia and the northern half of Croatia

13 days / 12 nights with Liberty Adriatic

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia
• Enjoy Bled and Bohinj, breathtaking gems surrounded by the Julian Alps
• Get to know Plitvice, a misty natural wonderland
• Explore Rovinj, one of the most picturesque and romantic towns on the Mediterranean
• Experience Piran, the town of love, of countless emotions and eternal tales
• Walk along the seaside promenade of Opatija, the leading tourist destination of northern Croatia
• Wander through the streets of Zadar, the city with 3,000 years long history
• And more…

LJUBLJANA – The city of dragons

Ljubljana is a lively green city combining the charm of a small capital and the self-confidence of large European cities. It is the green capital of a green country. It is called the city of dragons because they can be found all over the city.

Ljubljana lies at the very heart of Slovenia and boasts a diverse history that traces 3,000 years of Roman, Medieval and Austrian influences. A friendly and cosmopolitan city, it offers a broad selection of things to do. Enjoy a calming walk along the slow-moving Ljubljanica river, one of the cities numerous parks or a more cultural walk along the century’s old buildings in the old quarter. There is also a lively café society to be enjoyed in addition to plenty of atmospheric bars, a broad range of regional restaurants and a host of cultural events.

LAKE BOHINJ – The heart of Triglav national park

The natural beauty of high mountains, green forests, beautiful mountain pastures and meadows combined with cultural and historical monuments, friendly villagers that operate restaurants and quaint B&B’s, guarantee visitors a pleasant stay in Bohinj. It is an ideal starting point for day trips like walks along the trails running through the valley, mountaineering or climbing. It also offers ideal options and opportunities for rest and relaxation in all seasons. In the winter the valley becomes a sports centre, while during the summer the most beautiful part of the valley, lake Bohinj, invites bathers, kayakers and fishermen.

VOGEL – A bit closer to heaven

Mount Vogel climbing to 1,922 meters above sea level, is the highest Slovenian ski resort and the first natural barrier north of the Adriatic Sea. It is a high mountain setting in the heart of the protected territory of Triglav National Park. It is accessible by foot or by cable car. From the foot of the mountain, which is not far from Lake Bohinj, you are lifted to an altitude of 1,535 meters above sea level, where you can enjoy an incredible panoramic view of the Julian Alps.

BLED – Crown jewel of the Alps

The picture-postcard alpine town of Bled was once the preferred choice for the Austro-Hungarian empire’s elite. Its many charms include a medieval castle, perched high on a rocky cliff, a scenic lake studded by a tiny wooded island and the alpine splendour of the nearby Triglav National Park. A natural wonderland of glacial valleys, glittering peaks, limestone canyons, ice-cold tarns, flowered meadows, alpine forests, pretty hamlets and cascading waterfalls. It is a tourist place, surrounded by the wreaths of the Julian Alps and Karavanke Alps, placed in a dish-shaped basin of a glacial lake, the warmest in Europe.

FONDA SEA BASS FARM – One of a kind experience

Family-owned company Fonda was established due to their love for the sea and fish, rather than for the sake of business. The basic guideline in setting up the fish farm was that that the fish must live in a pleasant environment, which was supported by Ugo Fonda‘s knowledge in the field of marine biology and nutrition. At the very beginning, they decided to go in the direction of breeding quality fish and meat which is much more expensive and time-consuming than raising large amounts of fish, not minding their quality. With good quality fish feed, high-quality offspring and their careful selection, minimizing the use of anti-foul funds on networks that are harmful to nature and, consequently, man, and the unique conditions offered by this northern corner of the Adriatic sea, they actually succeeded in what they set for themselves: to breed the best bass in the world.

KOPER – The top of Istria

The largest town on Slovenia's Adriatic coast, Koper was originally founded during the Middle Bronze Age on what was then a rocky island off the shore. Now a modern and attractive destination for visitors, Koper still wears its history on its sleeve, most notably the five centuries of Venetian rule, which has left a distinctive mark on the town. Strolling along the narrow streets and past the imposing palaces and monumental architecture of the old town, one could be forgiven for thinking they were in Italy, especially given the fact that all street signs are in both Slovene and Italian.

KOSTANJEVICA ON KRKA – The smallest Slovenian town and the oldest city of the region

The smallest Slovenian town situated on the island of the river Krka is a real treasure. The castle kloster at the bottom of the Opatovac hill boasts one of the most beautiful courtyards with arcades. Spacious rooms of the castle are home to the Gallery of Slovenian famous painter Bozidar Jakac, while more than 100 wooden sculptures of Forma viva, an international exhibition once held in several places in Slovenia from 1961 to 1988 whereby sculptors worked with materials associated with the area, decorate the former gardens of the monastery.

LIPICA STUD FARM – Where elegance runs in the genes

In the picturesque Karst region of Slovenia, in the heart of a green oasis under the azure Mediterranean sky, in the shade of century-old lime trees and oaks, and just a stone’s throw from the Slovenian–Italian border lies the Lipica Stud Farm, the cradle of the Lipizzaner horse. The stud farm was founded in 1580 and today, it is a jewel among the cultural and historical monuments of the Republic of Slovenia. For over four centuries, the Lipica Stud Farm has nurtured the tradition of breeding and selecting thoroughbred horses. In the period after the second world war, Lipica established its own classical riding school and has successfully performed with its horses at various equestrian events all over the world. Today, Lipica is a world-famous recreational centre with a hint of tradition, offering its visitors unforgettable moments of relaxation. Lipica has it all, two hotels, a golf course, tennis courts, saunas, swimming pool, gym, casino and, on top of all that, a herd of noble and proud white beauties from the Karst, residing in their historic stables and nurtured throughout the centuries.

POSTOJNA CAVE – A masterpiece of nature

The Postojna cave system is the largest known cave system in Slovenia. A visit to a cave such as Postojna deserves full attention due to the diversity of shapes, expansive cave areas, stalactite and stalagmite formations and water characteristics. Admire its unique Karst underground world of beautiful formations of stalactites and stalagmites. You can also see an unusual and rare underground animal Proteus Anguinus, the so-called “human fish”. A visit to Postojna cave is a special experience, as an electric train takes visitors to their hour and a half circle visit of the cave. From the train station inside the cave guides accompany visitors as they walk amongst magnificent creations of nature.