Escorted Tour > Croatia

10 Days Adriatic Escape


Duration: 9 Nights

From €4,295pp

26th April 2026

Experience the beauty of the Adriatic on this 10-Day small-group guided tour

Journey through Croatia, Slovenia and Italy on an intimate small-group exploration of the Adriatic. Stroll through Zagreb’s historic squares, cruise across Lake Bled in a traditional pletna boat and marvel at the vast karst formations of Postojna Cave. Discover Istria’s coastal gems — from the Roman heritage of Pula to the Venetian charm of Rovinj — before arriving in Venice, where a gondola ride through hidden canals brings your journey to a memorable close.

Day 1 Welcome to Zagreb

Welcome to Zagreb, Croatia’s vibrant capital. Meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers before enjoying dinner, the perfect start to your journey across the shores of the Northern Adriatic and beyond.

Arrival Transfer: Depart the airport at 14:30

Meet your Travel Director at 17:30

Hotel: Sheraton Zagreb

Included Meals: Dinner


Day 2 Zagreb Sightseeing and on to Ljubljana

Uncover the rich history of Zagreb with your Local Expert, exploring Croatia’s two-tiered capital. Admire the Art Pavilion, originally constructed in Budapest in 1896 and later transformed in Viennese Art Nouveau style. Stroll past the Academy of Sciences and Arts and through Zrinjevac Park before riding the world’s shortest funicular, just 66 metres long, to St Mark’s Church, famous for its vibrant tiled roof. See Lotrščak Tower, once guarding the city’s southern gate, where a cannon has marked midday since 1877. Continue to Ljubljana for a walking tour to explore Slovenia’s capital city. Visit the Sonček Association for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience where artists with cerebral palsy craft unique Slovenian souvenirs. This inspiring visit offers the chance to support their work and learn about the association’s impact. Later, enjoy a dinner of local Slovenian specialities.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 3 Lake Bled, Jewel of the Slovenian Alps

This morning’s Insight Choice experiences will see you exploring Lake Bled according to your tastes. You can glide across the water on a traditional pletna boat to Bled Island, and climb 99 steps to the Church of Mother of God to ring the legendary Wishing Bell. Or, visit Vila Bled, once a retreat for Marshal Tito, and savour kremšnita cream cake with coffee on the lake-view terrace. Return to Ljubljana for an afternoon at leisure and perhaps join an Optional Experience to Pr’ Krač for a traditional dinner showcasing Slovenia’s rural heritage.

Included Meals: Breakfast


Day 4 Postojna Caves and across the border to Croatia

Begin your day delving deep beneath Slovenia’s surface as you travel by underground train through the Postojna Caves. With its cathedral-like chambers and peculiar rock formations, this natural wonder is also home to the world's only underground post office. Cross into Croatia to explore the vibrant seafront city of Rijeka, where Habsburg elegance meets Adriatic charm. This evening, you may wish to join an Optional Experience to Opatija, a refined coastal resort favoured by Austro-Hungarian royalty, to savour local specialities in a setting steeped in imperial grandeur.

Hotel: Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort and Spa

Included Meals: Breakfast


Day 5 Explore the island of Krk

Enjoy a Relaxed Start before venturing to Krk, one of the oldest inhabited islands in the Adriatic. Explore the walled city alongside your Local Expert, who will share stories of its layered past. Visit St. Mary's Cathedral, admire the 16th-century bell tower and see the formidable Frankopan Castle, once home to one of Croatia’s most influential noble families. Later, savour a Farm-to-Table lunch at a family-owned winery. Here, you'll discover the island's deep-rooted viticultural traditions while sampling dishes crafted with local ingredients and paired with wines found nowhere else in the world. Return to Rijeka for a leisurely evening to unwind at your own pace.

Hotel: Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort and Spa

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch


Day 6 Rovinj & Pula, Jewels of Istria

Spend your morning in picture-perfect Rovinj, a coastal gem of pastel facades and cobbled lanes. You’re free to stroll its charming streets, perhaps browsing local boutiques or enjoying fresh Adriatic seafood paired with crisp Istrian wine beside the water’s edge. Continue south to Pula, capital of the Istrian Peninsula, known for its Roman legacy and lively Mediterranean atmosphere. Here, layers of history unfold, from ancient temples to the remarkably well-preserved Roman amphitheatre — a striking reminder of the city’s imperial past.

Included Meals: Breakfast


Day 7 Discover Roman Pula

Join a Local Expert to uncover Pula’s layered history, beginning at the Pula Arena: one of the largest and best-preserved Roman amphitheatres still standing. Built in the 1st century CE under Emperor Augustus, it could seat up to 20,000 spectators and was once the site of gladiatorial contests. Continue exploring the city’s key sites, gaining insights into its role as a strategic port through Roman, medieval and Austro-Hungarian eras. This evening, enjoy an authentic local dining experience in a traditional setting, where you’ll sample regional dishes rooted in Istria’s culinary heritage, made with local ingredients and age-old techniques.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 8 Piran, Jewel of the Istrian Coast, and on to Venice

Start your day with a visit to Piran, a medieval gem on the Gulf of Trieste, where Venetian and Austro-Hungarian influences echo through its winding streets and ancient town walls, built to defend against Ottoman invasions. Cross the border into Italy and for a stop in Trieste, a vibrant port city shaped by Latin, Slavic and Germanic cultures, and home to the famous Barcolana regatta. Enjoy time at leisure to explore before journeying across the Venetian Plain to the Queen of the Adriatic, Venice.

Included Meals: Breakfast


Day 9 Venice

See Venice’s age-old traditions come to life as you watch master artisans demonstrate the delicate craft of Murano glassblowing. Then, experience the city as it was meant to be seen, by gliding through its labyrinth of canals on a traditional gondola. This evening, come together for a final dinner, celebrating your journey in this extraordinary floating city.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 10 Arrivaderci Venice

Your journey from Zagreb to Venice is at an end, say arrivederci to your Travel Director and newfound connections. Your departure transfer arrives at Venice Marco Polo Airport.

Departure Transfer: Arrive at the airport at 08:00, 09:30

Included Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions

  • Handpicked 4 & 5 star hotels in great locations
  • Superior dining in top rated restaurants
  • Daily breakfasts & many relaxed morning starts after 9am
  • 24/7 personal service – knowledgeable Travel Director & expert Driver
  • ‘Business Class’ style coaches with extended legroom*
  • Insider Access, Insightful Encounters and Insight Choice experiences
  • Local discovery led by Local Experts
  • Porterage, plus tips and gratuities at hotels and restaurants, is included

Exclusions

  • Flights

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