Compare Best of Slovenia - 8 Days by Travel for All vs Scenic Slovenia & Croatia by Great Value Vacations

Day 1: Arrival

Pick up from Ljubljana airport and transfer to Ljubljana. In late afternoon or evening we do a 2-hours guided tour of Ljubljana, a city which in 2015 got a Bronze Access City Award. We walk around the city centre that was highly denoted by a Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik and take the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle.

Picture of Ljubljana Castle in Slovenia

 Budget/comfort/quality 3*

Day 02: Day trip to Stajerska (Styria) region

Meals: Lunch

In the morning, we drive across Črnivec Pass to Upper Savinja Valley. The region sits already in the middle of the mountains but still have some influences from Štajerska which can be seen in the warm and welcoming locals. We visit Mozirski gaj flower park, the largest of this kind in Slovenia. From here we take a short ride to Logarska Valley, one of the most beautiful glacier valleys in Slovenia. After lunch with some local specialties in Logarska Valley we take the opportunity to walk along the trail of which one part is accessible for wheelchair users. On the way back we drive through Austria to Jezersko and back to Ljubljana.

Day 03: Best of the Alps

Meals: Lunch

After the breakfast we will check out from the hotel and we drive to Bohinj and start enjoying beauties of our biggest natural lake Bohinj which is already a part of Triglav National Park. The lake is situated between some of the highest mountains of Slovenia. As view is always a good idea, we take the cable car up to a winter ski resort Vogel, 1625 meters above the sea level. From here we get the best possible view of Triglav, our highest mountain, and a picturesque lake far below us.

From here we drive to Bled with its famous island with church and medieval castle on the rock above the lake; so with just a little of imagination we feel like in a fairy tale. We settle in a hotel in Bled and relax a bit. After that a short walk around the lake will bring us to the best sweetshop in the area, where a typical Bled cream cake “kremšnita” has been produced in the same way for decades. Yummy! Dinner in hotel and free time in the evening.

Day 04: Boka Waterfall

Meals: Lunch

On this day we change the climate from Alpine to Mediterranean. From Bled we take the windy road up to 1611 meter above sea level. The road was constructed during the First World War by Russian prisoners and connects Sava Valley in the north to Soča Valley in the south. After a short stop for beautiful views at the top of Vršič Pass we decline to the river Soča. River is popular for rafting and other activities and it is believed that this is one of the most stunning rivers in Europe. The great green color of its waters will accompany us most of the day. On the way we see Boka waterfall, one of the highest waterfalls in Slovenia.

We make a stop in Kobarid where we will have a lunch and visit the museum of cheese production, as the region is very famous for it. From here we continue to Goriška Brda, the area that is famous for producing delicious wines. After some tasting (what else?) of rebula, tokaj, zelen, pinela or vitovska grganja (all these sorts of grapes can be found only in Slovenia and small part of Northern Italy) we spend a night between the vineyards of Brda.

Picture of Kobarid seen in the distance against the rising mountains

Day 05: Kras(Karst)

Kras (Karst) to Slovenians mean something like Provence to French – small hills rising up from flat land that is covered with fields and vineyards. One of the best things about this region is food and wine. Traditional dried pork meat pršut (prosciutto) is produced here, which is prepared only with salt, some local bora wind and a lot of love. When it’s washed down with strong red wine Teran, you’ll get an idea of what heaven looks like… We try all these delicacies at one of many farms that offer their homemade food to hungry trespassers.

Next stop is Lipica, where white Lipizzaner horses are born and raised since the 15th century. When we arrive to the short but interesting Slovenian seaside, we base ourselves in a hotel in Portorož, Strunjan or Izola, just steps away from warm Adriatic Sea.

Picture of Lipizzaner horses pulling a carraige through a beautiful green park

Day 06: Piran

In the morning we do a guided tour of Piran. The city is one of the best preserved medieval towns on Adriatic coast with beautiful setting on a peninsula, narrow cobbled lanes and a church and fortress high above the town.

Afternoon off for swimming and enjoying the warm Mediterranean climate.

Picture of the City of Piran Slovenia

Day 07: Skocjan Caves

Meals: Lunch

On the way back to our capital we make a stop in Škocjan caves, the only natural beauty in Slovenia that is listed on UNESCO world heritage list. As the cave is protected, it’s unfortunately not possible to visit it on a wheelchair. Instead of that we take part in a virtual 3-D tour of the cave, which is not far away from the real walk (believe us, we got scared of the high walls and deep falls a couple of times…).

After the lunch, transfer back to Ljubljana and free time for shopping or sightseeing.

Stunning architecture under deep blue skies in the city of Ljubljana Slovenia

Day 08 : Departure

Transfer to Ljubljana airport and departure.

Day 1 Welcome to Ljubljana, Slovenia!

Say "zdravo" to Slovenia! Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day seeing some of Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, with a strong alpine architectural flavor. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at your included dinner.

Day 2 Ljubljana - Postojna Caves - Zadar, Croatia

Today, visit one of Slovenia's highlights: the Postojna Caves! Hop aboard a legendary tourist train inside the caves, then explore its tunnels, halls, galleries and caverns by foot with a guide. Discover what are possibly Europe’s most extensive and best-known caves!

You'll then travel into Croatia along the coast to Zadar. Over the centuries, Zadar was ruled by Venetians, Austro/Hungarians, by Italy after WWI, and today belongs to Croatia. Find out more about this historical city during an included guided tour. 

Day 3 Zadar- Split - Dubrovnik

Leave Zadar today as you drive south to Split, Croatia's second-largest city after Zagreb. Visit Diocletian's Palace, the former home of Roman Emperor Diocletian dating back to A.D. 295 that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With more than 200 buildings and 3,000 residents this "palace" is more like a mini-city!

Leave Split behind as you continue to the “Pearl of Adriatic,” Dubrovnik. You'll enjoy a drive along the picturesque Dalmatian Coast, where you'll be treated to views of the world-famous natural beauty of the area.

Upon arrival in Dubrovnik, head to Old Town and stroll through its shiny limestone-paved streets. This is truly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe!

Day 4 Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is the best-preserved Croatian medieval city and the liveliest on the Dalmatian Coast. Visit the Franciscan Monastery and the Rector Palaces, where a local guide will give you a full tour, including the history of this beautifully preserved medieval architectural wonder - a popular filming location for TV shows and movies, like Star Wars, James Bond, and Game of Thrones! 

In the afternoon, consider riding the bright-orange cable car up from old town to the mountain of Srd on your own. Once you reach the top, you'll enjoy sweeping views of the city below. 

Day 5 Dubrovnik - Neretva Gorges - Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina - Sarajevo

Leave Dubrovnik and enjoy a scenic drive into the rugged beauty of the Neretva Valley. Make your way into southern Bosnia-Herzegovina and stop in Mostar, where a local guide will take you to the Turkish Quarter with the Turkish House, the Mosque, and the reconstructed 16th-century bridge.

Continue on to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina and certainly the most Turkish-looking city in the Balkans famous for its mosques, markets, and bazaars.

Discover the city with a guide and get acquainted with its architectural highlights, including the 16th-century Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque that is considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture in the world. 

Day 6 Sarajevo - Plitvice National Park, Croatia

Travel north today back into Croatia to visit the country’s famous Plitvice Lakes National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Enjoy a walk with a local guide through the breathtaking scenery of this breathtaking wonder. Its 16 lakes, wooded hills, waterfalls, and cascades make it one of Europe’s most beloved and famous national parks. 

Day 7 Plitvice - Zagreb - Ljubljana, Slovenia

Say goodbye to Plitvice Lakes as you travel to Zagreb, Croatia's capital and largest city. The city is packed with historic buildings like the 13th-century St. Mark's Church, with its colorful tiled roof. Get to know the city on an included tour!

Leave Zagreb and make your way back to Ljubljana where a guide will help you appreciate its imperial beauty. Sample delicious Slovenian dishes like Carniolan sausage and cabbage.

Day 8 Depart Slovenia

Your tour of Eastern Europe ends today. At the appropriate time, make your way to the airport for your flight home.