Alpine Slovenia & coastal Croatia holiday

country:	Croatia, Slovenia
trip type:	Introductory walking holidays
departures:	2009: 19 Jul, 16 Aug, 13 Sep 2010: 23 May, 20 Jun, 18 Jul, 15 Aug, 12 Sep
price:	From £1449 (14 days) excluding flights & transfers. Additional €375 local payment. We can arrange flights from the UK. 5% early booking discount for 2010 dates.
vouchers:	Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

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Croatia holidays

Slovenia holidays

the amazing things you'll be doing

Slovenia has some of the most spectacular landscapes in Europe with steep forested mountains and crystal clear lakes whilst Croatia has the exquisite Dalmatian coast with turquoise water, charming fishing villages and fabulous mediaeval cities like Dubrovnik. When possible we stay in local farmhouses, giving us an amazing insight into local life in the Slovenia and Croatian countryside.

Highlights include:

Discover some of Europe’s most spectacular and unspoilt countryside

Tour the elegant Slovenian cities of Ljubljana and Maribor and charming Lake Bled

Experience the dramatic mountain scenery of Lake Bohinj and Triglav National Park

Enjoy the scenic wine-growing Stajerska and Dolenjska regions – and their produce!

Visit the Croatian capital Zagreb and the jewel of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik

Explore the narrow lanes in the old walled town of Split and the mediaeval port of Zadar

Relax on the Istrian peninsula in the quaint coastal resort of Rovinj

Hike in the stunning Plitvice National Park and kayak in Velebit Nature Park

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Arrive Ljubljana.
Day 2:	Bohinj. After breakfast we enjoy a morning walking tour of the lovely mediaeval city of Ljubljana. In the afternoon we transfer to a local farmhouse in Bohinj, where we spend the next two nights. Bohinj is located in the Triglav National Park, an area of rivers, canyons, forests and alpine meadows which is also home to Slovenia’s highest mountain, Mount Triglav. (BD)
Day 3:	Lake Bohinj. We spend the day hiking in the mountains around Lake Bohinj an exquisite glacial lake surrounded by towering peaks and alpine pastures. (BD)
Day 4:	Bled - Maribor. This morning we travel to picturesque Bled, where we have time to wander the area around the lake with its idyllic 9th Century church on the small island in the middle. Later, we visit Maribor before continuing to our farm stay, nestled between the vineyards of the picturesque Stajerska region. (BD)
Day 5:	Farm Stay. A full free day to enjoy the area. There are opportunities to learn about the local way of life by helping the farmers as they go about their everyday routine, to visit Ptuj, the oldest city in Slovenia, or to experience a traditional Slovenian spa. (BD)
Day 6:	Farm Stay A day excursion takes us to the Dolenjska region, which produces the best wine in the country. (BD)
Day 7:	Zagreb. Travel by train to Zagreb via Ljubljana. (B)
Day 8:	Zagreb. In the morning we have a guided walking tour of Zagreb, which is packed full of delightful Austro-Hungarian architecture. Later in the day we transfer to the Istria peninsula, where we stay in a local farmhouse. This area is unique in Croatia due to its mix of cultures, and has strong links with Italy which add to the cosmopolitan atmosphere. (BD)
Day 9:	Rovinj. Today we visit Rovinj, the pearl of the Istria Peninsula. Rovinj is well known for its beautiful old town area, an ideal place to relax and explore the winding cobbled streets. We return to our farmhouse for the evening. (BD)
Day 10:	Plitvice National Park - Zadar. Drive to Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with magnificent scenery. We walk around the 16 terraced lakes, which are linked by a series of lovely waterfalls and surrounded by thick forest, then continue to Zadar, a beautiful walled city whose highlights include the Byzantine Church of St. Donat. (B)
Day 11:	Zadar. Today is spent kayaking on the River Zrmanja. This river is part of the Velebit Nature Park and as we kayak we can enjoy the stunning views. (BL)
Day 12:	Split. We transfer to Split, a beautiful old city with outstanding classical architecture and have time to explore on foot. In the afternoon, we continue to Dubrovnik, the jewel of the Adriatic. (B)
Day 13:	Dubrovnik. After breakfast we explore the beautiful mediaeval city of Dubrovnik. The afternoon is free to visit Dubrovnik’s many churches, monasteries and palaces, or to relax in the area or visit one of the pretty fishing villages just a short boat trip away from Dubrovnik. (B)
Day 14:	Dubrovnik. Tour ends after breakfast. (B)

travellers' tales

It’s really hard to elect one most memorable part of this vacation as it was absolutely amazing and overcame our expectations! (more)

small group adventure holiday

Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.

highly commended

This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.

Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.

how this holiday makes a difference

In an area which is now re-establishing itself as one of Europe's hot spots, we believe it is essential to channel revenue towards the local people who suffered most from the previous decline in visitors. We spend almost all of the nights in small family run hotels and encourage travellers to eat in small local restaurants ensuring that a vast amount of the money from our visits stays with local people. The tour utilises a variety of transport which often includes public buses and ferries.

We also spend time in the beautiful scenery of Plitvica National Park. While visiting this fragile eco system our tour leaders take active steps to ensure our groups behave in an environmentally responsible manner such as sticking to established trails, not leaving anything behind or removing any plants whilst hiking and walking through the park.

During this trip there are also many opportunities to visit UNESCO world heritage sights where our entrance fees contribute to the maintenance and restoration of these unique places.

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