Discover the Secrets of Croatia & Slovenia
Croatia Small Group Tour -Join our small group tour of Croatia and Slovenia for an intimate exploration of the heart of Central Europe’s Adriatic world. This is a crossroads region marked by both Mediterranean warmth and Alpine refinement.
The Alps, the Adriatic, and the Balkans converge here, creating a mosaic of cultures and scenery found nowhere else in Europe. Once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, these neighboring countries share an old-world elegance reflected in graceful architecture, café-lined boulevards, and a proud artistic tradition. Along the coast, the traces of Venetian influence linger in harbors, piazzas, and a way of life deeply tied to the sea. This twelve-day journey invites you to see Croatia and Slovenia through local eyes, discovering stories shaped by empires, artists, and seafarers. Wander through lively markets, sample family-produced wines, and sail along ancient coastlines where mountains meet the sea. From the fairy-tale calm of Lake Bled to the marble glow of Dubrovnik, every moment invites discovery, comfort, and connection.
Famous artworks and architecture have made their way over to Croatia over the years to develop a distinctive style and culture just waiting to be explored.
Upcoming Tour Dates 12 Days/11 Nights
Last Minute
Pricing: € 5,000
Price is per person based on double room occupancy
Single supplement available at the cost of € 1,200
Experience the beauty
Tour Highlights
- Over 15 cultural and sightseeing experiences.
- Walking tours of Zagreb, Lake Bled, Ljubljana, Pula, Plitvice Lakes, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik
- Explore Trakoscan, the most romantic castle in Croatia
- Enjoy Croatian wine tastings
- Explore under the floorboards of an ancient Roman Arena
- Relax in a traditional gondola on Lake Bled
- Get to know some of the most authentic Croatian dishes, their tradition and preparation
- Ride the funicular to Ljubljana Castle
- Explore the most visited European cave system-Postojna Caves
- A private boat in Dubrovnik
- Visit Dolac Market to browse local produce and handicrafts
Overnight Accomodations
Tour Itinerary
Your introduction to Croatia begins with a walking tour of historical Zagreb, the nation’s capital. Visit the lively central square, admire the Neo-Gothic Cathedral, and experience the vibrant energy of Dolac Market, the largest in the country, where local farmers sell honey, oils, produce, and handmade crafts. Ride the tiny funicular to the Gornji Grad, or Upper Town, a beautifully preserved Baroque quarter crowned by the tiled roof of St. Mark’s Church. After an included foodie experience, enjoy an afternoon on your own to soak in the art, culture, and vibrant café scene that define this easygoing Central European city. Stylistically closer to Vienna and Budapest, Zagreb has a charm all its own, distinct from the Mediterranean towns of the Adriatic coast. Gather this evening with your fellow travelers for a beautiful welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch on your own, dinner included
Accommodation: Overnight in Zagreb
Depart for the rolling hills of Zagorje, a region of storybook landscapes and centuries-old estates. Dotted with more than fifty castles surrounded by gardens and forests, this area once reflected the wealth and artistry of Croatia’s noble families. Visit the romantic Trakoscan Castle, situated beside a tranquil lake and surrounded by wooded slopes, before continuing to a family-run winery for a leisurely tasting and lunch that highlights the rustic flavors of Zagorje cuisine. Return to Zagreb later in the day with time to relax, explore, or enjoy the city’s café culture at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Zagreb
Cross into Slovenia to visit Lake Bled, nestled in the extraordinary Julian Alps. Its emerald waters, storybook church, and medieval castle perched high on a cliff have made it one of Europe’s most beloved destinations. Explore Bled Castle, where towers and ramparts overlook the lake and a small museum traces the region’s history from its earliest days to its 19th-century rise as a resort. Conclude your visit with a peaceful ride across the water in a traditional gondola before continuing to Ljubljana for two nights in a central boutique hotel. This evening, gather for dinner in a local bistro where Slovenian cuisine reflects a graceful blend of Slavic, Mediterranean, and Germanic traditions.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Ljubljana
Cross into Slovenia’s charming capital of Ljubljana, one of Europe’s most delightful and best-kept secrets. Known for its lively university, green spaces, and the Ljubljanica River that winds through the old town, the city blends youthful energy with old-world grace. Set out on a guided walking tour that reveals its heart and history, including the elegant City Hall, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the bustling farmer’s market, and the hilltop Ljubljana Castle, whose views stretch across red rooftops to the distant Alps. Continue with a tranquil boat cruise along the Ljubljanica, gliding beneath graceful bridges such as the famous Triple Bridge. The remainder of the day offers time to wander through colorful streets, browse local shops, or enjoy a stroll through Tivoli Park.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Ljubljana
Explore the vast underground world of Postojna Cave, known for its dramatic limestone formations and winding chambers shaped by centuries of flowing water. Continue your journey toward the Adriatic coast and arrive in Opatija, a graceful seaside town once favored by Habsburg nobility. Walk through its Belle Epoque center, where grand villas and waterfront promenades reflect a refined past, and enjoy the peaceful setting between wooded hills and the calm Adriatic Sea. Settle into your central hotel for the next two nights before gathering for dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Opatija
Arrive in Pula, an ancient port city where the first-century Roman Arena rises above the harbor with its graceful arches and honey-colored stone. Step inside this remarkable Amphitheatre and walk beneath the arena floor into the quiet passages once used by gladiators as they prepared for the crowds above. Continue into the countryside to a boutique winery near Pula, where a relaxed lunch and a tasting of local wines introduce the flavors and gentle atmosphere of rural Istria.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch included, dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Opatija
Travel across the Velebit mountains on a scenic route that reveals the dramatic contrast between the rocky seaward slopes and the forested landscapes farther inland. On the far side of the range lies Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO site celebrated for its chain of turquoise lakes and gentle waterfalls. Spend time walking along wooden pathways that wind beside the water and through quiet stretches of forest. Continue to Split in the late afternoon and settle into your central hotel for two nights. Visit the waterfront promenade at your own pace before choosing a restaurant for dinner on your own.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Split
Welcome to Split, one of the oldest cities on the Adriatic and the second largest in Croatia. Explore Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that began as the Roman emperor’s seaside residence and grew over centuries into the living heart of the city. Walk through its courtyards, temples, and vaulted chambers to see how layers of history coexist within its walls. Later, Croatian cuisine takes center stage as you take part in a hands-on cooking class led by a local chef, preparing traditional dishes before sitting down to enjoy the meal you have created.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Split
Take a ferry to Hvar, one of the Mediterranean’s most celebrated islands, known for its lavender fields, quiet coves, and sunlit stone villages. Begin with a guided walk through Hvar’s Old Town before continuing on your own to visit the hillside fortress, wander through olive groves and lavender fields, or pause in a café overlooking the harbor. Return to Split by private boat, weather permitting, and continue along the Adriatic coastline to Dubrovnik, the historic walled city where you will spend the final three nights in a boutique hotel.
Meals: Breakfast included, lunch and dinner on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Dubrovnik
Discover Dubrovnik, often described by George Bernard Shaw as the pearl of the Adriatic, and admire the beauty of its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Walk the ancient city walls, whose original ramparts and towers date to the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, before continuing through the historic center to visit the Baroque Cathedral, the Treasury, and the Franciscan monastery with its fourteenth-century pharmacy. In the evening, join a Croatian family for a traditional dinner and taste the beloved dish known as Peka, prepared only in a handful of homes within the old town.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Dubrovnik
Spend the day living like a local in Dubrovnik. Browse the markets, visit a favorite café, or join your tour manager for an included cable car ride to the summit of Srd Hill for sweeping views of the city and the sea. In the evening, weather permitting, board a private boat for a peaceful cruise along the bay of Dubrovnik and admire the old town from the water. Conclude the day with a farewell dinner featuring regional specialties shared with your fellow travelers.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner included, lunch on your own
Accommodation: Overnight in Dubrovnik
After breakfast, transfers are provided at scheduled times to Dubrovnik Airport. As you depart, take with you the calm of the Adriatic, the beauty of Croatia’s coastal towns, and the quiet moments shared throughout your journey. If you choose to continue your travels, Dubrovnik and nearby Montenegro offer the perfect place to stay a little longer in this graceful corner of Europe. You might considering extending your trip to the stunning land of Puglia & Matera
Additional Information
- Small group tour of 12-15 participants
- Knowledgeable English-speaking tour director
- Entrance fees for all sites
- Tour transportation in a private air-conditioned motor coach
- Local guides in the outlined cities and towns
- Hotel city and service taxes at all accommodations and restaurants are included
- Transfers to Zagreb and Dubrovnik Airport at scheduled times. We suggest arriving a day or two before the tour begins to acclimate to the time zone
- Baggage transfers and porters are included
- All breakfasts, two lunches, and six dinners are covered. Main meals include wine, mineral water, local coffee with a set amount included
- Activity level: Moderate
- Terms & Conditions/single supplement and FAQ
- Travel insurance and visa fees/Trip Interruption & Cancellation Insurance
- Any charges for extras not listed in the itinerary
- Room services, telephone charges, laundry fees
- Gratuities for the tour director and local driver
- Single room supplement
- Airfares
- Extend your stay in Zagreb, Dubrovnik and Montenegro
Tour Reviews
Such a Stunning country
Bongiorno Manuela
My apologies for taking so long to reply to your email. We have both been very busy since we returned to Australia at the end of October. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Croatia and Slovenia. Jelena was a wonderful tour host. She imparted lots of interesting information about the countries and the places we visited, but knew when we just needed to sit back and relax. More than that, she is a lovely person and made us feel very welcome. We especially appreciated her assistance when we were were without our luggage when the tour began. We really enjoyed our stays at the Secret Italia hotels and all the included food and wine was first class. We particularly enjoyed the lunch at the winery near Pula and our farewell dinner in Dubrovnik. Another highlight was the cooking class in Split – it was so much fun. The pace of the tour was perfect and we appreciated having multiple nights in fewer cities/towns rather than moving on every day or two. It is no surprise that you have so many repeat guests. We are really looking forward to our two Secret Italia tours next year.
In love with Croatia and Slovenia
The tour of Slovenia and Croatia was wonderful and surpassed my expectations! I had never traveled with a tour group before so I wasn’t sure what to expect. We were able to see a nice mix of highlights of both beautiful countries in such a short time! I don’t believe we could have done that on our own. Our guide, Jelena, was amazing! Her knowledge and love of her country was obvious and she was so entertaining – so many funny and interesting stories! She took her responsibilities seriously and took good care of all of us! I liked that she kept things running on schedule, protecting the free time to explore on our own, but always available if we needed her! Overall, this was a very positive experience for me and I truly fell in love with Slovenia and Croatia! I will highly recommend this company to my friends and family!
Magical Croatia!!!
We have just returned from another fantastic tour with Secret Travels. The 12 days in Croatia and Slovenia tour was a tremendous introduction to these two beautiful countries and their rich cultural heritage. The itinerary featured both interior mountain and forest ranges as well as the beautiful Adriatic coastline. The tour was led by our exceptional guide, Jelena, who made the country come alive with her historical knowledge and storytelling ability. She is clearly passionate about her country and especially her home city of Dubrovnik, and shared this passion with the group. She was always ready to offer a whole host of ideas for places to explore during our time on our own. All of the hotel accommodations were excellent especially the final three in Opatua, Split, and Dubrovnik. They were strategically located in city centers or on the waterfront to provide easy access for exploring on our free time. The included meals were well chosen and gave a very good sampling of the local cuisine. Jelena’s numerous recommendations for good restaurants for meals on our own always resulted in great meals in interesting venues. Highlights of the tour included: The incredible city center of Ljubljana with its river, bridges, marketplace, Cathedral, and Castle. A picture perfect place for a leisurely stroll. The Roman arena in Pula, the Plitvice National Park with its beautiful lakes connected by a series of waterfalls, a ferry ride to the island of Hvar, a group cooking lesson, and a tour of the Old Town area of Dubrovnik. This was our seventh tour with Secret Travels. Each one has been a very special experience. The itineraries are well designed to offer an inside glimpse into the region of interest with exposure to nuances that would be difficult to discover on your own. The main tour guide and local guides are always fantastic. Secret Travels is definitely highly recommended. We will be booking a 2026 tour soon.
Another Incredible Tour from Aldo!
This is the third tour that my wife and I have taken through Secret Italia Tours; the first being a private tour of Tuscany and the second a small group tour of Puglia. They were incredible, and consequently, since my wife had wanted to visit Croatia for a very long time we booked this Small Group Tour of Croatia, a very wise decision. Seven nights in three cities; the Capital city Zagreb, Split and Dubrovnik, as well as a day trip to Hvar, and the Plitvice Lakes National Park. During this vacation we were provided with a private tour in each city. Each guide was knowledgable, personable and on time, and each of these experiences was very enjoyable. The hotels were top notch, and the included breakfasts delicious. Lunches were also included during at least two of the tours. One of the high points was the included dinners. In each city Aldo finds the perfect restaurant. For us this included a Michelin Star venue at the Vapor Restaurant in the Bellevue Hotel, Dubrovnik. There was a wine tour on the Island of Hvar which included more great food as well as the tasting of a number of wines. (I might add that all of the pours were significant). Croatia boasts excellent wines which are not exported to the US due to a simple lack of available product. As stated previously, on our final evening in Dubrovnik we enjoyed a seven course tasting dinner complete with seven wines at the Hotel Bellevue, where we stayed. The dinner took place outside on a beautiful patio overlooking the sea. We were served by Petra, the sommelier and Mario, who actually runs the restaurant. I should also mention Antonio, Mario’s assistant, and Victor who I go to know from breakfast, as well as our drivers Patrick and Buje.
This was just a remarkable trip. How Aldo manages to create such amazing adventures is hard to ascertain. The hotels, restaurants, tours and tour guides, as well as the nuts and bolts of moving from city to city, are all done seamlessly. There is absolutely nothing for you to do but relax and enjoy the experience.
Thank you Aldo, once again.
Experience the Best
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