Compare Discover Slovenia Tour from Ljubljana by Tourboks vs Christmas Markets of Croatia, Slovenia & Austria - Classic Group, Winter 2022 2023 Classic Group by Insight Vacations

Day 1: Arrive Ljubljana







Private car pick up at the Ljubljana airport and transfer to the beautiful town of Ljubljana. Check into your hotel. Overnight in Ljubljana.







Meals: not included







Accommodation: Hotel 4*, Ljubljana







Visit: not inclduded







Transportation: private car/minivan/minubus depending on group size







Day 2: Ljubljana City Tour







Meet your guide for a brief orientation followed by a walking tour in Ljubljana. You will see most of the attractions in the city center including the Parliament building, Republic square, Opera house, National Gallery, Orthodox Church, the Triple Bridge, Town Hall, Cathedral, open market, Prešeren square, Open Air theater, Congress square, Cooperative Bank, and Dragon bridge. The most distinctive feature of Slovenia 's largest city is its medieval hilltop Castle which offers a breathtaking panorama of the city together with excellent views of the old town and surrounding area. Rest of the day you can spend on your own. Overnight in Ljubljana.







Meals: breakfast







Accommodation: Hotel 4*, Ljubljana







Visit: Ljubljana







Transportation: private car/minivan/minubus depending on group size







Day 3: Bohinj-Bled







Your driver/guide will pick you up to spend the next 5 days with you starting out on a drive to the beautiful Bohinj Lake. Its water bursts from the Dolina Sedmerih Jezer (The Seven Triglav Lakes Valley) where the spectacular Savica waterfall flows through the natural cavernous walls of Komarča. In the afternoon drive to overnight in Bled. Overnight in Bled.







Meals: breakfast







Accommodation: Hotel 3/4*, Bled







Visit: Bohinj and Bled lake







Transportation: private car/minivan/minubus depending on group size







Day 4: Vrsic Pass to Kobarid







The spectacular Vršič Pass is the highest pass in Slovenia and in the Eastern Julian Alps. It connects Upper Carniola with the Trenta Valley in the Slovenian Littoral, rising from Kranjska Gora in a series of 50 hairpin bends, traversing the high mountains near the Slovenian-Italian-Austrian border before descending into the Soča (Isonzo) Valley. This amazing road was built in 1915 during the First World War to supply the front line. The history of Kobarid and the Soča or Isonzo Front is told in the Kobarid Museum, voted best museum of Europe in 1993. The exhibits, the large reliefs of the surrounding mountains, the rich photographic material, and audio visual presentation offers a sensitive narrative of those hard and bloody days near the Soča, described in A Farewell to Arms by then American war correspondent Ernest Hemingway.







Overnight in charming guesthouse of Hiša Franko: Once a roadside village inn, a village mill, a large countryside estate, a hospital during World War I, an agricultural estate, and finally Hiša Franko of today, a beautiful countryside estate with three generations welcoming guests to their home and Ana's kitchen serving seasonal produce, homemade cheese, butter and breads, meadow-grazed lamb, and more sourced from the estate and local farmers. Overnight at Hisa Franko in Kobarid.







Meals: breakfast, dinner







Accommodation: Guesthouse 3*, Kobarid







Visit: Soča valley, Kobarid







Transportation: private car/minivan/minibus depending on group size







Day 5: Skocjan Caves to Ljubljana















Morning drive to the Škocjan caves, starting at the visitors center and then into the man-made passageway in the Globočak Collapse Doline continuing through the Silent Cave (Tiha jama), a fossil passage filled with numerous limestone formations. Exiting the cave, you look over a spectacular view of the underground canyon of the Reka River crossing on the Cerkvenik Bridge, suspended nearly fifty meters high. Drive to Ljubljana.







Meals: breakfast







Accommodation: not included







Visit: Škocjan caves







Transportation: private car/minivan/minubus depending on group size

Day 1: Welcome to Zagreb

Transfers to your hotel depart from Zagreb airport at 11:30 and 14:00. Relax and settle in or perhaps head for the nearby King Tomislav Square and try ice skating. At 17:30, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner with the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers over a pleasant evening with wine.

Day 2: Zagreb sightseeing Relaxed Start

Join your Local Expert to explore the two-tiered capital of Croatia. Drive through the squares of the Lower Town, Donji Grad, designed to give a sense of grandeur. See the Mimara Art Museum in Roosevelt Square and continue to Ban Josip Jelacic Square en route to the cathedral. Board the city's funicular to the medieval Upper Town, Gornji Grad. It's a network of little streets, stretching between the Kaptol and Gradec hills. View the former Presidential Palace, Stone Gate, St. Mark's Church and the Lotrščak Tower. The afternoon is at leisure.  Discover the city’s Christmas markets or perhaps take an Optional Experience to the Zagorje region to learn about the local traditions and visit the house of Marshall Tito?

Day 3: The Postojna Caves and Ljubljana

Leave the Croatian capital and head to neighbouring Slovenia and visit the world-famous Postojna Caves. Step aboard the cave train and descend into a subterranean world of stunning stalactites, stalagmites, columns and curtains. Marvel at the five-metre tall Brilliant, the cave's most beautiful stalagmite. Later, arrive to charming Ljubljana and tonight enjoy a dinner of Slovenian specialities with wine.

Day 4: Ljubljana sightseeing Relaxed Start

Your Local Expert will reveal the Baroque elegance of the Slovenian capital. The medieval castle stands as an ancient guardian, the City Hall and Cathedral of St. Nicholas testify to its historical importance, while the Triple Bridge spans the river adorned with cafes and restaurants. Spend time at the Christmas markets, rich with the heady aromas of sweet treats and drinks. Meet Urban Modic, the local artist who designs Ljubljana's Christmas lights, for an insight into the city's famous decorations. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure.

Day 5: The Slovakian capital of Bratislava

Today’s journey takes you through Austria. In Graz see the Castle Hill and Town Hall in the well-preserved, UNESCO World Heritage listed historic city centre on your orientation. Walk among colourful buildings, take a stroll along River Mur and explore the festive market stalls. Travel past the Foot of the Alps as you make your way towards Bratislava. Spend your night in the charming Slovakian capital and take a walk in the Old Town to sample the delicious offerings of the Christmas markets.

Day 6: Bratislava sightseeing and Vienna

Bratislava might be one of the smaller capitals in Europe but it has a long and rich history influenced by various cultures and nations. Explore Bratislava with Insight Choice. Choose to join a Local Expert to see the main sights of the city. Enjoy the vistas form the Bratislava Castle then take a walk in the charming Old Town among 19th century palaces and see the Slovak National Theatre, Michael’s Gate and the Old Town Hall. Alternatively, an avid foodie takes you around the market on a Christmas food tour. Enjoy time at leisure and maybe try some of the Slovakian dishes for lunch before travelling to nearby imperial Vienna.

Day 7: Vienna sightseeing

Explore Vienna with Insight Choice. Tour Schönbrunn Palace and marvel at its frescoed ceilings, crystal chandeliers and gilded ornaments. Alternatively, join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during an inclusive workshop and take to the floor in a Viennese Waltz dance workshop designed to support the visually impaired community. Then ready your camera for a dazzling drive around the famous Ring Road. This grand boulevard, built along the lines of the old city walls, showcases many of the capital’s architectural masterpieces, including the Opera House, magnificent Hofburg Imperial Residence, Austrian Parliament Building and the Neo Gothic Town Hall. The afternoon is at yours to explore the historic core of the city and the offerings of the many Christmas markets. Tonight, toast your journey with your fellow travellers at your Celebration Dinner of Austrian specialities.

Day 8: Depart Vienna

A transfer arrives at Vienna airport at 08:00.