Venice to Split overland tour

There’s magic in the forest of Motovun. Alternately shrouded in fog and dappled in sunlight, it’s easy to believe in the Croatian folktales of the giants who lived here.

Of course, then, there’s treasure secreted away beneath the sticky clay soil: truffles that burrow into the roots of the old oak trees. Local truffle hunter Giancarlo Zigante and his dog, Diane, once dug up the largest white truffle in the world here. He could have auctioned it off for a small fortune in Italy, but instead shared his 1.3kg find with the town in a combination of community pride and clever advertising. (The press and Croatian president were invited too.)

Istrian truffles are as delicious as their cousins across the border in Piedmont – and yet, like Giancarlo, you’ll find cooks shaving them generously over fritaja (omelettes) and bowls of fuzi pasta that cost half the price of their Italian counterparts.

It’s only in recent years that truffle hunters could openly celebrate and sell their finds. The trade was illegal until the 1990s, when Yugoslavia dissolved and local people could set up their own businesses. A taster of this storied history – and of the truffles themselves – is one of the highlights of our Venice to Split tours.

Unusually, our trips offer the chance to explore some of Europe’s busiest cities in some of their quietest months. Late September, October, November and December departure dates steer you clear of the summer crush of the cruise crowds. Travel after June 2024, in fact, and you’ll be amongst the first to experience Venice’s new rules: no loudspeakers and no tour groups of over 25. Our small group tours are always exactly that, often travelling with around 12 – or even fewer – companions.

Everyone goes to Lake Bled, but not everyone stays overnight. Sip a Cockta (like Coke, but herbier) while admiring the sun setting over the glacial lake, and you’ll see why Bled first appeared on the tourist radar as a health resort with clear air and thermal waters on the menu. Everyone has their favourite stop for the town’s legendary cream cake, so a lazy evening here is your chance to hunt them out.

Lake Bohinj is the oft-overlooked sister lake to Bled – but the best tours include a trip here too. Driving through the misty Sava Bohinjka valley to get here is a hint of what’s to come: a huge looking-glass lake surrounded by the steep forested slopes of the Julian Alps. People come here to hike, bike and dip their feet in the chilly waters. Alternatively, take a cable car up to Mount Vogel for a scenic shortcut to the best views.

Back to Motovun, which usually marks the halfway point of the journey. This town has held its hilltop position since medieval times, with foundations built into the pre-Roman castellieri. The streets are like the swirl of a snail shell, but it isn’t the escargot – or leso puzevi, rather – that’s the delicacy here. It’s the truffles. Learn all about the 100-year-old history of truffle hunting at a tasting, where a sommelier will also walk you through the wines made from the vines on the slopes around.

Go to Rovinj – and then get out of it. The city is lovely and all, but a stay on an island just outside the city limits is even lovelier. Access is via the tiny ferries that putter across waters shared with sleek yachts and fishing boats. Some islands were once the summer residences of wealthy barons; when peering across from the island at the clustered bustle of the city, muted by distance, it’s easy to see why.

Plitvice Lakes is usually the realm of day-trippers and cruise folk who stay for just a few hours. Stick around overnight, though, and you’ll get the chance to admire turquoise lakes and waterfalls minus the crowds. Beyond the waters, paths lead through fir and beech forests that shelter (thankfully) people-shy bears, wolves and lynx. Great for if you’re feeling a bit people-shy too. Remember to look up after sunset; on a clear night, you’ll be treated to some of the clearest and starriest skies in Europe.

Once upon a time, Zadar was the capital city of Dalmatia. These days, most visitors ignore it in favour of Dubrovnik, Rovinj and Split. However, Zadar is well worth exploring, especially when you’re accompanied by a local guide who can tell the stories behind the Roman Forum, Five Wells Square and the intriguing waterfront artwork. Zadar is still a working port city at heart, so visiting the lively fish markets piled high with lobster and octopus is a must.

Most tours include a free day in Zadar. The nearby, perpetually popular waterfalls of Krka are beautiful, but we vote for heading to Kornati National Park instead. Its 80-something islands might look craggy and uninhabitable from a distance – and many are – but look a little closer, and you’ll spy hardy orchards and fishing boats bobbing in bays carved by the waves. Its wildness means that peace is near guaranteed; book yourself on a kayaking, scuba diving or boat trip to explore its nooks and crannies.

After a week, the grand finale of Split is just on the horizon… but first, Sibenik. The tangled old town is piled on a hill, surrounded by a polished-to-a-shine marble promenade made for seaside meanderings. Head to the Cathedral of St James, too. It sports a grand Venetian dome that recalls the churches of Venice that welcomed you at the start of the tour.

Organised small group tours are one of the best ways to travel from Venice to Split. Itineraries are arranged, departure dates are set, and accommodation, transport and many activities and meals are included. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the 600km-plus journey. You’ll also travel with a tour leader and spend time with local guides who offer stories and insights into the places you visit.

If small group travel isn’t your cuppa, some or our partners can create a private tailor made route from Venice to Split. That way, you can choose your own departure dates and amend the itinerary to your liking.

Itineraries generally follow the Adriatic coast:

Venice (Italy) > Postojna Caves (Slovenia) > Ljubljana > Lake Bohinj > Lake Bled > Motovun (Croatia) > Rovinj > Plitvice Lakes National Park > Zadar > Sibenik > Split .

Some of our cruises also offer the route in reverse (Split to Venice), swapping land stops for islands and ports – and with an extension to lovely Dubrovnik.