Croatia's Captivating Istrian Riviera

Following breakfast, we continue our journey through Germany before arriving at our next overnight hotel on the German/Austrian border.

Our scenic drive today continues towards the Carinthian region of Austria, calling en route in the pretty town of Villach where you can enjoy a stroll around the Hauptplatz, with its medieval and Renaissance buildings. Next we head over the border into Slovenia, and onto our main hotel on the Istrian Riviera of captivating Croatia for 7 nights HB

After breakfast this morning we travel the short distance to neighbouring Opatija, a charming Adriatic coastal town with a rich history and culture, has many fantastic locations, impressive monuments, well-manicured parks and magnificent villas. Here we have a guided tour of the highlights before some free time for lunch. This afternoon we head inland to Buzet for a visit to a distillery and a tasting of Croatian schnapps.

Our included excursion today takes us to Krk, the largest of the Croatian island in the northern Adriatic Sea, connected to the mainland by a bridge. We have a guided tour of the pretty old town of Krk, the island's small ‘capital’, with its labyrinth of stone alleys, picturesque squares and magnificent medieval ambience - highlights include the old town, the castle, the cathedral and and the picturesque waterfront promenade. After some free time for lunch, we drive he short distance along the coastal road to Punat where we take the boat to Kosljun to visit the Franciscan monastery of Kosljun situated on a tiny island. Next we drive to Vrbnik, which seems to float on the sea at the top of its cliff, for a tasting of local ham, cheese and wine before we return to the hotel.

Today we visit Pula, boasting 3,000 years of history and heritage,where a guided tour reveals the well-preserved Roman Amphitheatre, built in the 1st century AD it is one of the largest and best-preserved in the world - imagine ancient gladiatorial contests as you explore this architectural marvel. We have free time for lunch, then in the afternoon we continue for a visit to Rovinj, with its cobblestone streets and colorful waterfront, providing a charming contrast. The sight of the Church of St. Euphemia perched atop the hill is a perfect spot for stunning photographs. After a guided tour and some free time we begin the journey back to the hotel via a stop en route for locally produced olive oil tasting.

A full day excursion first visiting the world-famous natural marvel of the Postojna Caves, where we explore a fascinating subterranean paradise of underground rivers and impressive stalactites shaped by tiny droplets of water over millions of years. This afternoon, a visit to the Lipica stud farm, home of the famous white Lipizzaner horses, one of the oldest cultural horse breeds in the world. It has been in operation for over 400 years and has a national reputation, being the biggest Lipizzan stud farm in the world.

Today we head off to explore the magnificent scenery of the Plitvice Lakes National Park, the oldest and the largest national park in the Republic of Croatia. This majestic site in the wooded mountains is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to superb landscapes and numerous protected species making it one of Croatia's true natural wonders, with 16 lakes and waterfalls flowing into each other to form a sumptuous landscape.

This morning we drive to Motovun, a charming little Croatian fortified town perched on a hill in the heart of magnificent valleys and vineyards. There will be free time to wander through the medieval narrow streets of this town known for its art and history, before we continue on to Pazin for a traditional truffle lunch at the Bani restaurant. Continue a circular route on to Grožnjan, a small fortified village renowned for its many art galleries. With its typical restaurants serving local specialities, its ochre-coloured houses and monuments, its ancient cobbled streets and small shady squares, this little town offers a real taste of authentic Croatia. After some free time we return to the hotel.

After bidding our Croatian hosts farewell this morning, we head over the border into Slovenia for a visit to the breathtaking glacier-formed Lake Bled on the edge of the Triglav National Park. Here, surrounded by the magnicient Julian Alps, we include a tranquil boat cruise on the crystal blue-green lake, before continuing the journey to our overnight hotel in Germany.

We continue our journey home with an overnight stay in France this evening.

We make our return ferry crossing and return home today.