ZAGREB, BLED, OPATIJA, SPLIT, DUBROVNIK, PLUS MONTENEGRO
Like a string of gems, our Croatia and Slovenia tour is colorful, sparkling and multifaceted. While you soak up the beautiful scenery of these Adriatic jewels, you’ll appreciate the fascinating narrative that puts these countries into historic and cultural perspective. Our loop winds past turquoise lakes, medieval castles, emerald mountains, Roman ruins and the shimmering Adriatic Sea. Highlights include a visit to the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park (with 92 waterfalls!) and a hike around Lake Bled. This escorted tour package includes ample free time to discover the region’s many treasures. Ready to be utterly charmed? Jewels of the Adriatic is a brilliant choice for you! 4.5/5 stars on Tripadvisor!
Itinerary at a Glance
2024 Tour Itinerary:
- 4 nights in Dubrovnik
- 1 night in Split
- 1 night in Plitvice Lakes
- 2 nights in Opatija
- 2 nights in Bled
- 2 nights in Zagreb
Tour Highlights
- Zagreb City Tour
- Ljubljana Walking Tour
- Lunch at Family-Run Homestead
- Lake Bled, Bled Castle & Old Town
- Postojna Caves with Underground Train Ride
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Trogir & Zadar
- Roman Ruins Tour (Split) with Diocletian's Palace
- Old Dubrovnik Walking Tour
- Montenegro Excursion with Bay of Kotor
Your Tour Includes
- Optional round-trip airfare from the New York area (varies by departure) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
- Ground transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Accommodations first-class hotels
- 19 meals: 13 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 5 dinners
- Comprehensive sightseeing tours as indicated in itinerary
- English-speaking tour director throughout
Passengers who purchase flights will depart 1 day before the tour starts and return on the same day as the tour ends.
You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.
Welcome to Croatia! Founded in the seventh century, Dubrovnik, one of Europe’s best-preserved walled cities, is a World Heritage Site. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will be greeted at the airport and escorted to your downtown hotel. Along the way, we'll enjoy a first look at this prospering city and country, where visitors from around the world are warmly welcomed. Our Tour Director hosts a briefing tonight, followed by a get-acquainted dinner.
Accommodations: City Hotel Dubrovnik or similar
Meals: Dinner
Treasures abound in this enchanting city, and we'll have ample time to discover them—from its massive age-old walls to winding cobblestone streets, and its medieval buildings to the charming red-tile rooftops. This morning's guided walking tour through “Old Dubrovnik” takes us to the harbor, the Franciscan monastery, and the stately Baroque Cathedral. We'll have free time to enjoy the historic town independently and at our own pace for the rest of the day. This evening, consider an optional cruise and dinner tour this evening.
Meals: Breakfast
We can check another country off our list as we cross the border to the Republic of Montenegro and the beautiful Bay of Kotor, the longest and deepest fjord in Southern Europe. A boat cruise will take us to “Our Lady of the Rocks,” an islet off the old town of Perast. Sailors passing the islet helped build the Roman Catholic Church here, each adding their own unique contribution to the construction of the church. Later, after enjoying brief visits to Perast and Kotor, we'll return to Dubrovnik via a short ferry ride across the bay.
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a full day of leisure in Dubrovnik, described as the “pearl of the Adriatic.” Consider browsing in a colorful local market.
Meals: Breakfast
Today, we'll depart Dubrovnik and continue along the spectacular Dalmatian coast, breathing in amazing views of palm trees, olive groves, and idyllic fishing villages, before arriving in Split. With its setting nestled between the mountains and the seas, Split is truly picturesque. Our guided tour takes us to one of the most imposing Roman ruins, the third-century palace of Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Accommodations: Hotel Corner or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, we'll head to Trogir, the center of artistic activities. Scholars from around the world gather here to study and paint. We'll continue on to Zadar for a walking tour of the historical center and admire the old walls and Port Gate built in the 16th century. Next, we'll visit the Square of the Five Wells, the Church of St. Donat, the Roman Forum, and the largest Cathedral in Dalmatia, St. Anastasia. If there is a breeze, we'll enjoy the “sea organ”, an amazing art and musical installation. Then, we'll turn inland and travel to spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Accommodations: Jezero Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, we’ll take a short scenic boat ride and a leisurely walk along the lakeshores to admire its magnificent natural beauty. Next, we'll visit Croatia’s oldest, largest national park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Plitvice Lakes National Park features a string of 16 turquoise lakes linked by 92 waterfalls and cascades and is surrounded by densely wooded mountains and lush vegetation. Later, we'll drive along the coast and travel along the beautiful bay of Kvarner to its popular resort, Opatija. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner at our hotel.
Accommodations: Hotel Paris Opatija or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Ah, the Adriatic! We have a full day at leisure to savor the city's Austro-Hungarian grandeur, lovely waterfront promenade, and charming cafes and restaurants. Or, consider a delightful optional Istrian Peninsula excursion to see picturesque towns along the stunning coastline.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, we'll journey north to Postojna, home to one of the largest caves in Europe. Our stop at Postojna Caves includes an underground train journey to view impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Afterward, we'll visit a family-run homestead where we'll enjoy lunch. After lunch, we'll continue to Bled, beautifully set in the Julian Alps.
Accommodations: Hotel Park or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An Alpine lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travelers in the middle of the 19th century. Since then, a small town of hotels, villas, and restaurants has developed around the lake, turning Bled into a lively, all-seasons resort. Our sightseeing tour features the charming town and the lakeshore and visits the imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The balance of the day is at leisure. Consider joining an optional excursion to the small island in the middle of Lake Bled.
Meals: Breakfast
Today we'll leave the mountains and head to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. We’ll admire the architectural legacy of city native and 20th-century architect, Joze Plecnik, acclaimed for his work rebuilding the city after a devastating earthquake in 1895. As we explore the old town, we'll see some structures that survived the earthquake as well as some of the city's small shops and outdoor cafes. We'll have time to stroll along the riverside promenade and through the open-air market before we continue to Zagreb.
Accommodations: Sheraton Zagreb Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Our morning guided tour covers the highlights of Zagreb: Upper Old Town with its monumental walls and iconic 13th-century St. Mark’s Church; colorful Jelacic Square and charming alleyways nearby; and beautiful Mirogoj Park Cemetery, which looks more like an open-air art gallery than a final resting place. The remainder of the day is free to explore this gracious city on your own. Tonight, gather with our fellow travelers for a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Our tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will take a morning transfer to the airport for our return flightdu and will touch down in the U.S. later today.
Meals: Breakfast
Explore savings of up to $800 per person to dream destinations! Book by Mar. 29th.
Prices listed as “with flights” below include round-trip
airfare from one or more airports in the USA.
Travelers may choose to purchase the tour only,
and arrange their own arrival in destination.
Please note this may change your tour start date.
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$3,499
$3,199 |
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$2,899 |
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$5,199
$4,599 |
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From
$5,099
$4,799 |
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$3,199 |
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From
$5,099
$4,799 |
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$3,499
$3,199 |
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From
$5,099
$4,799 |
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From
$3,599
$3,299 |
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From
$4,899
$4,299 |
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From
$3,399
$2,799 |
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Flights not available |
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From
$3,399
$3,099 |
Book Now |
Rates are per person based on double occupancy.
Single supplement applies when not sharing a room. Select a
date above to see the rates for that specific departure.
For more information on this tour, please
contact us here
or call us during business hours (Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern)
at 1.800.337.7773.
Reservations and Payments
Reservations can be made online or by phone
(1.800.337.7773)
and will be confirmed upon receipt of your non-refundable,
non-transferable deposit, which must be received at the
time of reservation.
Deposits are $300 per person.
Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Space and prices subject to availability.
Please see the
smarTours Terms and Conditions for complete
booking information.
Optional Tours
Customize your trip with these optional tours.
Enhance your trip with our recommended optional tours.
Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book
when you reserve your trip and can be added to your
reservation up to final payment. This is the best option
to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour!
Optional tours require a minimum number of participants.
Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.
Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and
may cost extra. The payment methods and currency
information to purchase tours in-destination will be
provided on final documentation.
Day 2 Evening Tour
You’ll feel like a character out of a classic film as you skim across the water from beautiful St. James Beach around the old city walls to St. Jakov Beach, where staff will be waiting to serve a three-course dinner paired with Dalmatian wine. After dinner, you’ll be whisked back to the old city port. Includes bus transportation to/from the hotel, as well as the exhilarating motor boat ride.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Day 4 Full-Day Tour
Discover a charming little town of Ston with its long walls. After a short visit, drive through the picturesque landscape where you will see vineyards, many small villages and family-owned wineries before we arrive in Orebic port where we will board a ferry to Korcula. The old medieval town of Korcula is like a miniature museum, surrounded by walls and towers and the magnificent architecture strongly attracts visitors. Entrance included to the Abbey treasury & St. Mark Cathedral. The tour continues with a drive north where we will visit a winery for a wine tasting.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Day 8 Full-Day Tour
Enjoy a delightful guided excursion to the picturesque towns that dot the sun-kissed coastline of the Istrian Peninsula. Sights include olive groves and vineyards, old villages and seaside resorts. In the port town of Pula, we’ll tour the impressive Roman Amphitheater, one of the largest of its kind in the world. In the charming resort town of Rovinj, you’ll have time to explore the narrow winding streets, small squares and Venetian-style palaces independently before returning to Opatija.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Day 10 Afternoon Tour
All aboard a “pletna” (small boat) to the scenic island located in the middle of Lake Bled. Visit the island’s old church, which houses an impressive art collection and enjoy some free time to experience magnificent vistas. After coming back to shore, we’ll drive to nearby Lake Bohini, a resort set amidst dense woods and spectacular mountains. The trip back takes you past amazing landscapes and old Slovenian villages before returning to Lake Bled.
AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!
Featured Accommodations
Hrvatskog crvenog Kriza 4
20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Website
Once an office building, the hotel has been completely renovated into a four-star hotel. Just five minutes from Diocletian’s Palace.
Mažuranićevo Šetalište 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
Website
Set in the central zone of Plitvice Lakes National Park, near Lake Kozjak.
HR 53231, Plitvicka Jezera, Croatia
Website
Ul. Vladimira Nazora 1, 51410, Opatija
Website
Cesta svobode 15, 4260 Bled, Slovenija
Website
Refined comfort set in the historic part of Zagreb. Pool, fitness center and restaurants.
Kneza Borne 2, Zagreb, 10000, Croatia
Website
What to Expect
Max Group Size: 30 travelers
Activity Level: Level 1
Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 3 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day) on easy terrain with some light stairs. Learn More
Pacing Level: Moderate
Expect full-day tours most days with some limited free time at specific sites, for meals, and/or in the evenings. You can expect several early mornings and/or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 2+ nights (with limited 1-night stays). Learn More
New in 2025: ETIAS Visa Waiver Required for U.S. Passport Holders
A valid passport is required for international tours. Effective for travel in 2025, U.S. passport holders are required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. Please visit our Passports & Visas page to learn more about any required actions, next steps, and additional costs.
Travelers will encounter some uneven surfaces, stairs, steps, and significant slopes. The walk around Lake Bled is approximately 2 hours and can be strenuous for some.
For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit
our Before You Depart section.
Reviews
Renee W
4 months ago
We had a full schedule with excellent guides and places to see. The value for the tour was very good. Hotels were fine and the breakfasts were sumptuous. There was so much information to take in I felt their should be a simple daily handout.
Diane R
4 months ago
Truly impressive guide who made the trip fascinating and a real learning experience with no signficant hiccups. Gorgeous scenery and excellent accomodations made the trip extremely enjoyable.
Jephil R
4 months ago
It was a great trip for us to see all the beautiful scenes in Croatia. You must to go!! Also, all trip people joining us were tremendous and super kind. They took care of each other like a family. Our tour leader, Mirna, was so knowledgable on history and arranged the whole trip smoothly and smartly. Local guides were great as well.
Kate
4 months ago
Jewels of the Adriatic was a gem! The balance of activities was perfect. We got to experience the historic cities, beautiful landscapes, and delicious food. Our Tour Director, Zeljka, was incredibly knowledgeable, compassionate and patient with our group. The hotels were wonderful, and the friendships formed, even better. I can't recommend this trip enough.
Jane
5 months ago
Our Jewels of the Adriatic tour was excellent, our tour guide was very informative and fun, the group size was good, and the cost was very reasonable. I highly recommend the tour.
Barbara B
5 months ago
Wonderful trip! Our tour guide Simona was terrific. What a diverse area of the world! Both the included itinerary and optional excursions were interesting and i formative. Beautiful locations. Particularly enjoyed Lake Bled, Postonja Caves, Plitvice Lakes, Dubrovnik, and the island of Korcula. The scenery and views of the Adriatic even while enroute by bus where stunning.
Sally H
5 months ago
Great trip. We live in Atlanta and would like the option of flying from the ATL airport.
Ruth T
5 months ago
A fantastic tour through the varied landscapes of Croatia. Tour guides add rich details of history and culture and suggest adventures that you can explore on your own.
Robert T
5 months ago
This tour was very enjoyable. It highlighted the many beautiful and natural parts of Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. The pace was excellent, the hotels, tour guide, and bus driver were perfect. We had a good amount of time on our own to explore. We were very pleased with all aspects of the tour,
Coralie M
5 months ago
Very good trip. Excellent, well-informed guides.Beautiful locales.