Begin your beautiful expedition to Ljubljana. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by your English-speaking driver and transferred to your hotel (approximately a 30-minute drive). Ljubljana is the capital and largest city of Slovenia. While it has everything that other modern capitals offer, Ljubljana has managed to maintain the relaxed atmosphere of a small town. Slovenia is located at the heart of Europe, where the Alps meet the Mediterranean and the Pannonian plain meets the karst. Check-in at your hotel in Ljubljana.
Meals are at your leisure and overnight stay at Lesar Hotel 4*, with breakfast included.
Today, your guide will take you through the old town of Ljubljana, the Ljubljana Castle, and Tivoli Park. You will get familiar with the city, local stories, architecture, and the history of Slovenia. Ljubljana Castle has been standing above the city on a hill for about 900 years. Its Outlook Tower and walls offer some of the most beautiful views of the city, while the castle houses an exhibition on Slovenian history, a puppet museum, and several historical rooms. Tivoli Park is lined with 3 promenades of chestnut trees, ornamental flower beds, numerous statues, and fountains. The park connects with the Roznik Hill, accessible by several hiking paths.
Meals are at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Departure in your private vehicle to Bale, a small town on the western shore of the peninsula, just 15 km from Rovinj. Known as one of Croatia's most beautiful towns, Bale is a preserved area of Istria that has avoided all forms of devastation. The entire town is made of stone, representing Istrian tradition, and dates back to Roman times according to archaeological findings. Arrival and check-in at your hotel in Bale.
Meals are at your leisure and overnight stay at Relais & Châteaux Meneghetti Hotel 5*, with breakfast included.
Today, head to the ancient town of Pula with your private guide. As you stroll through Pula, you will encounter many Roman architectural monuments. The most famous and important landmark, the starting and ending point for every sightseeing tour, is the amphitheater, popularly called the Arena, which was once the site of gladiator battles. It was built in the 1st century AD during Emperor Vespasian's reign, at the same time as the Colosseum in Rome. The first traces of life in Pula date back to the Bronze Age, and the core of the old town began to develop in the 3rd century. The old town stands on a promontory, with tightly packed houses extending to the seaside. A maze of cobblestone streets leads to the perched St. Euphemia Church, whose towering bell tower dominates the horizon.
Meals are at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Enjoy a free day to explore Bale at your own pace. We suggest visiting the town of Fazana, where you can embark on a boat to the Brijuni National Park. Brijuni consists of 14 islands located in a 7 km stretch between Pula and Rovinj. Nature has created a small paradise here—a true harmony of flora and fauna, historical monuments, and comfortable hotels. Famous for its intact Mediterranean vegetation and nature, the islands also have an invaluable cultural heritage dating from the Roman and Byzantine periods, making it a popular holiday destination among world leaders and aristocrats.
Meals are at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Your day will begin in the village of Paladini, where you will meet the Karlic family. Friendly hosts will share their knowledge of truffles, truffle hunting, and their hunting dogs. A truffle product tasting will be prepared for you in a beautiful setting, followed by a truffle hunt with the hosts. The next stop is Motovun, a unique hilltop town known for its film festival, among other things. In northern Istria, overlooking the Mirna River valley, Motovun is perhaps the most famous and attractive medieval town in Istria. The Roman-Gothic bell tower from the 13th century, next to the 17th-century St. Stephen's Church, dominates the town’s historical center. After visiting Motovun, you will continue to the charming Agritourism Tikel family tavern where you will enjoy a traditional lunch.
Dinner is at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Drive to Ika. Discover the charming alleys of this fishing village, between old houses and picturesque boats docked in the harbor. Here, you will find stunning examples of Art Nouveau architecture, modern villas, and vacation homes from the former Austro-Hungarian elite. Ika offers a wide range of sports and recreational activities, including swimming, diving, fishing, walking, hiking, and cycling. Stroll through Ika along the Lungomare coastal promenade and visit the old part of this picturesque town. This small coastal town, with only a few hundred inhabitants, is particularly proud of its fishing and shipbuilding traditions, which are now part of the local tourism offer. Arrival at your hotel in Ika.
Meals are at your leisure and overnight stay at the Ikador Boutique Hotel 5*.
Enjoy a free day to explore Ika at your own pace. Just a short distance from Opatija, on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, lies the town of Lovran, Croatia. Surrounded by thick pine trees and indigenous underbrush from the nearby Ucka mountain, this picturesque town embodies the spirit of the Mediterranean. Outside the old town of Lovran, along the shoreline, villas, guesthouses, hotels, and sanatoriums surrounded by meticulously cultivated gardens have been created. Luxurious parks were established, where alongside indigenous laurel, cypress trees, pines, magnolias, palms, and an abundance of flowers were planted. The coastal promenade, Lungomare or Strandweg, was built along twelve kilometers to Opatija and Volosko. Dinner at the Draga di Lovrana restaurant, a place of mysterious stories and enchanting views.
Meals are at your leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.
Transfer by car to Ljubljana Airport. After your car transfer to Ljubljana Airport, return your rental vehicle. Depart for your return flight home, bringing your wonderful escape to an end.
Ljubljana: Lesar Hotel 4*
Bale: Relais & Châteaux Meneghetti Hotel 5*
Ika: Bevanda 5*
