Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Over 105 Years Experience
Committed to Sustainable Tourism
12 Days
TBC
From Only £2,149.00
Join us as we embark on a delightful exploration of the region’s hidden gems, picturesque coastal towns, local delicacies and warm Croatian culture.
This holiday operates under our Optimum Experience brand. The Optimum Experience by Skills offers our finest holiday packages! As well as offering a great range of destinations, these holidays also depart on our state-of-the-art vehicle. With an elegant design, The Optimum Expe...
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After an early start, we cross the English Channel, stopping overnight in France this evening.
Following breakfast, we continue our journey through to our next overnight hotel near the German/Austrian border.
We head towards Austria's Carinthian region to visit Villach, a town with medieval and Renaissance influences. Continuing through Slovenia, we arrive in Croatia later today and settle into our hotel on the Istrian Riviera.
Our first full day in Croatia takes us to elegant Opatija, an Adriatic coastal town known for its history, villas, parks and impressive monuments. After a guided tour and free time for lunch, we continue inland to Buzet for a tour and tasting at a Croatian schnapps distillery.
Today we explore Krk, Croatia's largest island, linked to the mainland by bridge. Highlights include a guided tour of Krk Town, with its stone alleys, promenade, cathedral and castle. Later, we travel to Punat and take a boat to the tiny island of Košljun to visit its Franciscan monastery. Our day ends in cliffside Vrbnik with a tasting of local ham, cheese and wine.
Pula, with more than 3,000 years of history, is our destination today. A guided tour reveals its remarkably preserved Roman Amphitheatre, once used for gladiatorial contests and now a venue for modern performances. After free time for lunch, we continue to Rovinj, where St Euphemia Cathedral overlooks cobbled streets and a colourful harbour. Before returning, we enjoy a tasting of locally-produced olive oil.
A full-day excursion takes us into Slovenia to see the famous Postojna Caves, a vast underground world of chambers, rock formations and rivers explored via the cave railway. After an included lunch, we visit the historic Lipica Stud Farm, home to the renowned white Lipizzaner horses, bred here for over four-hundred years.
Today is devoted to the natural beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia's oldest and largest national park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is set among wooded mountains and is famed for its chain of turquoise lakes, waterfalls and protected wildlife, including bears and lynxes.
On our final full day in Croatia, we visit hilltop Motovun, where medieval streets and walls offer sweeping views over vineyards and valleys. We continue to Pazin for a traditional truffle lunch, then on to Grožnjan, a walled artists' village filled with galleries, cobbled lanes and shady squares that capture the historic charm of Istria.
After saying goodbye to our hosts, we cross into Slovenia to visit stunning Lake Bled, set on the edge of Triglav National Park and surrounded by the Julian Alps. Here we enjoy a peaceful boat cruise across its blue-green waters before continuing 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.
Located just fifty metres from the beach and on the famous Lungo Mare promenade, Hotel Park Lovran is the perfect place to stay in this quiet town. With a focus on friendly and accommodating service, you'll find your stay relaxing, with free use of the hotel's indoor pool and chargeable spa access for all guests.
Hotel Facilities
Restaurant
Bar
Lift
Coffee Shop
Indoor pool
Gym
Spa (charges may apply)
WiFi
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alfreton | Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT |
| Arnold | High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE |
| Beeston | Lace Road, behind the Cricketers Pub Beeston, NG9 2LA |
| Bulwell | Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE |
| Chesterfield | Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH |
| Derby | Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY |
| Heanor | Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG |
| Ilkeston | Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF |
| Leicester | St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG |
| Leicester Fosse Park | Leicester Fosse Park, Bus Stop, Fosse Park Avenue Next to ASDA (opposite petrol station), LE3 2LL |
| Long Eaton | The Green, Outside Poundland Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ |
| Loughborough | Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE |
| Lutterworth | George Street, Outside Wycliffe Rooms Lutterworth, LE17 4EG |
| Mansfield | Fire Station Bus Stop, Rosemary Street Mansfield, NG19 6AA |
| Medway Services | Moto Medway, M2 (between J4 & J5) ME8 8PQ |
| Nottingham | Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE |
| Ripley | Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ |
| Rotherham | Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB |
| Sheffield | Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG |
| South Mimms Services | Welcome Break South Mimms, M25 (J23) EN6 3QQ |
| Thurrock Services | Moto Thurrock, M25 (between J30 & J31) RM16 3BG |
| Toton | Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA |
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