Adventure In Croatia & Slovenia

Ljubjana, Bled, Zagreb, Plitvice, Split, Hvar, Dubronivik12 days

About

Travel to the cities, mountains and beaches of Croatia and Slovenia and take in medieval monuments, ancient Old Towns, enchanting fairy-tale landscapes and delicious local food. There will be lots of adventures along the way including seeing the Emperor Diocletian’s awe-inspiring palace in Split, visiting the famous 17th century church on the small island of Lake Bled, and walking through the beautiful Plitvice National Park with its 16 terraced lakes and spectacular waterfalls.

You should experience it because...

From forest hikes and seaside relaxing, to breathtaking sights and cultural delights, this is an adventure not to be missed and one that will give you a magnificent tour through Croatia and Slovenia’s golden history and some of the most impressive mountain ranges in the Mediterranean.

Cities, mountains, and beaches

Enjoy spending time trekking in the Julian Alps in some of the finest mountain scenery in Europe.

Hvar Island boasts more sunshine hours than any of the other sun-soaked Dalmatian islands – a great reason to see more of its fairytale Venetian architecture.

The Roman Palace in Split dates way back to the 4th century and the entire town is one huge historical site.

Places covered 12 Days

Day 1 Arrive at Ljubljana Airport and travel to Lake Bled – sightseeing
Day 2 Lake Bled – sightseeing and activities
Day 2 Lake Bled – sightseeing and activities
Day 3 Lake Bled – sightseeing and activities
Day 4 Julian Alps – activities
Day 5 Julian Alps – activities
Day 6 Zagreb – sightseeing and attractions
Day 7 Plitvice National Park and Lakes
Day 8 Hvar Island – sightseeing and activities
Day 9 Split – sightseeing and activities
Day 10 Split – sightseeing and activities
Day 11 Dubrovnik – sightseeing and activities
Day 12 Dubrovnik – sightseeing and activities
Day 13 Depart

Days Details
1 Arrive at Ljubljana Airport and travel to Lake Bled - sightseeing Bled is a picture postcard town, set close to an emerald green lake, with a medieval castle clinging to a rocky cliff, and with backdrops of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke Mountains. Perched on top of a steep cliff is Bled Castle – a superb medieval fortress with towers, ramparts, moats and a terrace offering magnificent views. Ride in vintage carriages on the Old Timer Train that travels 13km through the mountainous landscape.
2 Lake Bled – sightseeing and activities Be paddled in a gondola from Bled to the tiny island in the middle of the lake, and climb the south staircase up to the church and small museum. Bled’s baroque Church of the Assumption dates from the 17th century and is worth a look inside to see its large gold altar and fresco fragments from the 14th century. Walk to the Vintgar Gorge, an easy walk of 4km from Bled, and cross by the 1600m long wooden walkway that criss-crosses the swirling Radnovna River. Get active and rent a boat to paddle out on to the crystal blue-green lake, or take a plunge if you visit in the summer.
3 Lake Bled – sightseeing and activities Relax with a day’s fishing on the lake – there is a one-stop shop called Fauna in Bled that will cater for all your fishing needs. Or head out for a day’s fishing on the Radovna River. There are lots of adventure specialists on hand to help you with adventure day trips and hiking trips out to the surrounding mountains and national parks. Try and 11-hour hiking and swimming foray into Triglav National Park and along the Soca River. The Castle Baths at the lake offers lake swimming behind protected enclosures as well as waterslides. Relax for the day here – you can rent deck chairs, chaises longues and umbrellas. In summer, the tiny Straza-Bled ski centre becomes a summer tobogganing track – wend your way down a metal chute sitting on a mini ‘bobsled’.
4 Julian Alps – activities Heading off into the north-western corner of Slovenia to the nearby Julian Alps, prepare yourself for some fabulous trekking and hiking experiences in some of the finest mountain scenery in Europe. Characterised by high mountain lakes, peaceful alpine valleys and rugged limestone peaks, the Julian Alps retain their distinctive identity and originality. A short drive from Bled takes you to Bohinj Lake – the largest glacier lake in Slovenia. The lake is 2km wide and 6km in length and lies in the centre of the Triglav national park. Take a leisurely walk around the lake before an evening stay in a local small hotel.
5 Julian Alps – activities Plan a moderate hike to Planika hut (around 6 hours). Using a local tour company with tour guide, your luggage will be transferred to Bovec so all you need is a rucksack. The walk begins by following the Mostnica stream to reachthe Mostnica Gorge where you will pass through a series of limestone canyons. See excellent views to the cascades and rapids before the trail opens out tothe Voje Valley. Pass by meadows and small settlements and then through a beautiful forest to reach the Grintovica alpine meadow. As you ascend, the views open out to the surrounding craggy peaks. After a light lunch, continue along the flanks of Vernar peak. In just two hours you will reach your overnight accommodation at Planika mountain hut.
6 Bovec to Zagreb – sightseeing and attractions A walk along the Soca Trail to Bovec is said to be one of the most panoramic trails in Europe. The Soca River flows through narrow gorges and over broad gravel beds. Once you reach Bovec you will be transferred to Bled and then on to Zagreb – a two-hour drive. Zagreb is a vibrant cultural centre with a long history. It was originally established as two fortresses on two neighbouring hills in medieval times, and the city has withstood numerous invasions, earthquakes and political upheavals. Explore Ban Jelacic Square surrounded by grand buildings, or visit the Zagreb Cathedral with its fountain of Madonna surrounded by golden angels. Don’t miss the colourful markets such as Dolac Market, and discover the historic Upper Town with its palaces, monasteries and churches from the 17thand 18thcenturies. There are also dozens of museums, theatres, galleries and art collections to visit, or take a tram to the medieval fortress of Medvedgrad on the southern side of nearby Mount Medvednica for beautiful views over the city.
7 Plitvice National Park and Lakes Next stop is the beautiful Plitvice National Park featuring 16 spectacular blue lakes surrounded by forest. The lakes are linked by natural dams that create beautiful low level waterfalls joining one lake to another. The mixtures of minerals in the water create distinctive colours ranging from azure to green, grey or blue. The surrounding forests are home to 126 species of birds and a number of rare animals including European brown bears, wolves, eagles, and wild cats. The views of the park are spectacular from almost any vantage point, and a great place for photos is the Veliki Slap – a 50m wide waterfall surrounded by boulders.
8 Hvar Island – sightseeing and activities Hvar Island is a beautiful spot with fairytale Venetian architecture, a waterfront promenade that is fringed by palm trees, and centuries old walls. Built by the Venetian Doges in the 13thcentury, Hvar Town is a maze of cobblestone streets and sunny squares bordered by al fresco cafes and restaurants. Must-sees are the Cathedral of St. Stephen, the Clock Tower and the Arsenal – they all flank the main square, with a picturesque backdrop of terracotta-roofed houses and tiny streets that cover the hill behind. Stroll around the town in the evening and take in the views and enjoy an ice-cream sold by a local slasticarna, the Croatian equivalent of the Italian gelateria. Wander around the harbour and marvel at the expensive looking yachts that line the dock. And explore the smaller outlying villages suchas Stari Grad and Jesla and their pretty lavender fields, and Vrboska and Brusje with their impressive wineries.
9 Split – sightseeing and activities Back on the mainland, stop for a visit to the Venetian style port town of Trogir, a designated Unesco World Heritage site. Meander through the tiny streets and admire its cultural heritage with palaces, Romanesque churches, and renaissance and baroque buildings from Venetian times. On to the coastal city of Split, built around the remains of the Diocletian Palace that dates back to the Roman era. Wander inside and take in Peristil Square where you can see an original Egyptian sphinx that was brought from Egypt by Roman emperor Diocletian. Relax at many of the al fresco bars and restaurant that line the seafront, or hang out with the locals at the beach at Bacvince.
10 Split – sightseeing and activities For an afternoon away from the city buzz, Marjan is the perfect destination. This hilly nature reserve offers trails through fragrant pine forests, scenic lookouts and ancient chapels. Or wander along the seafront of Marjan continuing on to the Sustipan peninsula on the south western point of Split’s harbour. Get active with a full day white-water rafting on the rapids of the stunning Cetina River. Under the watchful eye of an experienced leader you will paddle along the fast-flowing river, passing through swatches of glorious Croatian countryside. Swim in the clear river waters, and enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to Split.
11 Dubrovnik – sightseeing and activities Dubrovnik is easy to explore on foot. Its paved town centre is enclosed in fortress-like 13thcentury stone walls stretching almost 2 kilometres around the old town, the walls offer stunning rooftop and city views out to the turquoise blue Adriatic Sea. Founded in the 7th century, for a time the city was a serious rival for Venice in terms of maritime trade, and in 1991, two out of every three buildings were damaged during the bombardment of the Yugoslav War. Since then the buildings and walls have been restored to their former glory and represent one of the most beautiful and solid fortress systems in the Mediterranean. Visit the 14thcentury Franciscan monastery that houses a treasury full of sacred art and artifacts, as well as one of the oldest working pharmacies in the world that dates back to 1317.
12 Dubrovnik – sightseeing and activities Set out into the clear blue sea on a small-group kayak trip for an unforgettable view of Dubrovnik. Paddle along the impressive city walls until you reach Betina, a cave beach, where you can snorkel and explore the marine world to your heart’s content. No experience necessary, you will receive full training. Kayak beneath the old city walls, near the St. Lawrence fortress and the city harbour for an amazing opportunity to see Dubrovnik from the water. Take in views of the breathtaking scenery and beautiful nature. Or stay in the city and get an insider’s view of Dubrovnik on a city walking tour. Stroll around the narrow streets of the old town of Dubrovnik and experience the history and culture of this magnificent walled city. The tour begins at Pile Gate and continues along the elegant main street past the circular Onofrio’s Fountain which is connected by aqueduct to a spring 7.5 miles from town. The walk continues to the Sponza Palace that now houses the State Archives. Other highlights include Orlando’s Column, the City bell tower, the Rector’s Palace, and the Church of St. Blaise, the city’s patronsaint.
13 Depart

€ 2,500 per person	(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
Price Per Person in Twin Sharing Accomodation
(Prices are in Euros and exclude international flights)
All rates mentioned are an approximate price per person on a twin-sharing basis, and are based on a minimum of 4-6 adults travelling together. Rates are subject to change based on the number of passengers and the time of year. (Flights, visas, travel insurance, lunches & dinners, personal expenses not included. There may be some itinerary activities not included also – please ask). Inclusions : - Traditional ,Boutique or Heritage accommodation where possible or Quality accommodation (on a twin-sharing basis) in centrally located 4*Hotels . -Meals – breakfast in all destinations - Internal Travel by rail - ferries - coach as applicable -Guided sightseeing excursions as per the itinerary -First arrival and last departure transfers Most Holidays are based on Independent Travel . Holidays could be Customised to your requirements and you could choose to upgrade to Selfdrive or Exclusively Private basis .

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Capture summer magic in the lakes and mountains of Austria & Italy or take an iconic spring rail tour for a combination city and culture break. Walk in Slovenia’s Tatras mountains in the summer, and enjoy Slovakia’s rich medieval culture & charming rural landscapes from May to August. Not forgetting the stunning winter skiing in the Carpathian mountains as well as the magnificent Swiss & Austrian Alps. Add to this city breaks galore in Germany, Hungary & Poland, with spring Rhine cruises, year-round Budapest spas, and summer Polish cultural tours - central Europe is a must-visit destination all year-round.

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About Us

Freedom Holidays is passionate about creating inspirational tailor-made travel to Europe and beyond. Our business is your pleasure and our expert and dedicated team is here to listen to your travel needs down to the ‘nth’ degree, leaving you ‘free’ to enjoy your holiday of a lifetime with no gimmicks, no hassle, and no stress. What makes us different? With 14 years experience of providing quality tailor-made customised holidays with an ‘off-the beaten-track’ themed approach, we take you to well-known destinations as well as far flung locations (or a mixture of both), leaving you safe in the knowledge that you will be looked after every step of the way.

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