Welcome to Slovenia! You trip kicks off with a private transfer from the airport to your hotel. This afternoon, we'll meet our local guide for a a private tour of this charming European capital. You’ll explore the old town center and visit Preseren Square and the famous Dragon Bridge. After the tour, take the funicular to the castle above the city and enjoy a spectacular view. 

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Return to the hotel. Evening at leisure or we can go to dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy Slovenian cruisine together. 

After breakfast, we'll meet with our driver who will take us to the beautiful fairy-tale-like Lake Bled. Explore it with a local guide and take a traditional pletna boat to visit the small island located in the lake. Ring the bell in the Church of the Assumption and ascend to the Bled Castle, where you’ll enjoy lunch with a view of the entire area. After lunch, take a short 10-minute ride from Bled to the Vintgar Gorge – a stunning boardwalk above the Radovna River. A 1.6-kilometer- long gorge is carved between the vertical walls of the Hom and Boršt hills, through which the Radovna River flows with its waterfalls, lakes, and rapids. An educational path that leads over a gorge and wooden bridges ends with the powerful 13-meter-high Šum waterfall, one of the three river waterfalls in Slovenia. Due to its exceptional beauty, Vintgar has been ranked among the most important tourist sites in Slovenia.

Return to Ljubljana. Evening at leisure.     

After breakfast and checkout, we'll head over to our next destination – Rovinj, Croatia, with a stop in the green and wonderful Vipava Valley – Slovenian eno-gastro paradise! We'll begin with the town of Vipava, the place of numerous springs of the Vipava River, after which the valley was named. In town’s center there is Vinoteka Vipava - tasting room where we'll be able to choose from 170 varieties of wine, produced by 45 winemakers in the Vipava region. Afterward, we'll explore beautiful nature and enjoy lunch at Zemono Manor with delicious local food in a historic setting. We'll end our tour of Vipava with a special wine tasting in one of the best wineries in the region.

We'll arrive in Rovinj and a free evening.

In the morning, we'll meet our guide and enjoy a private historical tour of Rovinj. This beautiful seaside town has several times been declared the best tourist destination in Croatia. It has also been considered a cultural monument since 1963. One of the biggest attractions of Rovinj is the church of St. Euphemia, which resembles the famous bell tower on St. Mark's Square in Venice (no wonder since the Venetians built it). After Rovinj, our driver and guide will take us to Pula – another Croatian on the Adriatic. Known for its well-preserved Roman architecture, it is home to the iconic Pula Arena, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. Another impressive ancient monument is the temple dedicated to the first Roman emperor Augustus, now a lapidary where ancient Roman stone and bronze sculptures are exhibited.
As the biggest city on the Istrian peninsula, Pula blends ancient history with a vibrant modern culture.

After Pula, our driver will take us to a local cheese farm for tour and light lunch.

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Evening at leisure.

After breakfast, we'll visit the town of Motovun. Located on a hilltop overlooking the Mirna River valley, Motovun is one of the characteristic symbols of the Istrian peninsula and its most famous and romantic medieval town. It is surrounded by vineyards from which the finest Istrian wines, white wine Malvasia and red wine Teran, are produced. Today's lunch will be a special truffle hunting experience (with trained dogs) followed by a 3-course truffle-based meal.

Today, we'll also visit another fairy-tale-like site - the small town of Grožnjan, famous for its local artists and small art galleries. Next, we'll visit one of the best wineries in the area for a private wine tasting with one of the most picturesque sceneries in Croatia.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon. Rest of day at leisure.

After breakfast, we'll check-out of our hotel, then travel to the oldest and most famous national park in Croatia – Plitvice Lakes National Park, located deep in the forest of the Lika region. It consists of 16 large and several smaller lakes, cascading one into another. This natural wonder has been a part of the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1979. It is equally beautiful in every season, with the lake’s surface reflecting the colors of the scenery. Here we’ll enjoy a privately guided tour, followed by a lunch with local specialties. We'll have time at leisure  before we head over to Split, Dalmatia, in the early evening.

In the morning, we'll meet our local guide to explore the 1,700-year-old Diocletian Palace and learn more about the history of one of the best-preserved Roman residences in the world and how life has continued to flow through its streets until today. If you're not afraid of heights, climb the 57m high bell tower of the Saint Domnius Cathedral, where a striking view of the entire city awaits you!

After our tour, we'll have take part in our private cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional Mediterranean dishes and bring a piece of Croatia back home. We'll meet your chef/guide through the local cuisine at the local green market to pick groceries for lunch prepared together (be involved as much as you like).

Afternoon and evening at Leisure.

After breakfast and check-out, we'll travel to Dubrovnik – our last destination in Croatia. On our way there, we'll stop on the Pelješac peninsula – renowned for superb wines and salt and oyster production. Here, we'll enjoy a private wine tasting at Boutique Winery Vicelić, known for its excellent red wine (Plavac Mali)
and toast the spectacular views. After our wine tasting, we'll enjoy a unique Oyster Experience in the town of Mali Ston – a boat visit to the oyster farm to taste oysters/mussels taken directly from the sea!

Arrive in Dubrovnik and enjoy a free evening.

In the morning, we'll go on a private tour of Dubrovnik aka the “Pearl of the Adriatic” (city walls included). Irish author George Bernard Shaw wrote: “Those who seek paradise on Earth must come to Dubrovnik.” The Old Town, protected by city walls, fortresses, and bastions, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk along the ramparts, taking in the views of old town rooftops, the shimmering Adriatic Sea, and Lokrum island. But Dubrovnik is not just one of the most beautiful European historical towns, it is also famous as the King’s Landing – its narrow streets and walls have been the main filming location for the famous fictional city from The Game of Thrones series. For those who have seen the series and are passionate about it, a visit to Dubrovnik will become a beautiful déjà vu because it was so well integrated into the setting. Your guide will show you all the main filming locations in the city, like Fort Lovrijenac (Red Keep) and walking the Walk of Shame.

OPTIONAL EXCURSION: After our tour, travel to Konavle Valey to enjoy lunch and wine tasting in picturesque scenery. Konavle is the southeastern part of Dubrovnik Riviera often called the “Little Tuscany” – it’s a region of special natural beauty and contrasts: hills and lowlands, river and sea, green and blue. 

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The Elafiti Islands are the closest islands to Dubrovnik, characterized by small fishing villages that perfectly depict the Mediterranean way of life. We'll decide on today's itinerary, which we can change during our tour. Our skipper will advise us on the area and will help us make the most of our time here. Discover islands of Lopud, Šipan and Koločep and their hidden bays and caves.

The highlight of our day will surely be a stop in the isolated idyllic bay of Vrbova on the island of Šipan to enjoy the perfect food and atmosphere of the BOWA restaurant.

Tonight, we'll enjoy our farewell dinner in Dubrovnik. 

Bid farewell to the charming city of Dubrovnik. As your journey comes to an end, enjoy a smooth individual transfer to the airport, ensuring a comfortable and convenient departure. Reflect on your time spent exploring the city’s unique blend of history and modern culture as you prepare for your onward journey.

Safe travels! Thanks for selecting Pineapple7 & Optimal Escapes! 

Pineapple7 & Optimal Escapes Small Group Exclusive (Maximum 14 adults)*
 

Includes:

• 11-day tour with expert English-speaking local guides and driver

• 10 nights’ accommodation in hotels

• Daily Breakfast

• 7 lunches

• Guides and tickets to all listed sights

• Entrance tickets to Vintgar Gorge and Plitvice Lakes National Parks

• Private Boat Tour to Elaphiti Islands

• Private Wine Tasting in Vipava Valley, Slovenia

• Private Truffle hunting in Istria

• Private Cooking Class in Split

• Private Wine Tasting at Boutique Winery Vicelić

• Visit to a local Cheese Farm and a local lunch 

• Oyster Experience on the Pelješac peninsula

• Private Wine Tasting in Istria, Croatia

• Discover Ljubljana – one of the most charming European capitals, and enjoy amazing Slovenian nature

• Explore beautiful Istria, rightfully called “Terra Magica” (Magic Land)

• Visit famous Croatian historical towns on the Adriatic coast: Rovinj, Pula, Split, and Dubrovnik

• Private Airport Transfers

• On-site Host for duration of tour

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​Investment:

6,920 EUR per person for shared room (2 adults per room)

8,200 EUR for Single Occupancy
*If group has less than 12 passengers, rate per person will increase. Guaranteed departure. Gratuities for driver and guides and hotel are not included. For single travelers who are willing to share a room, you will be paired with another solo traveler of the same sex, eliminating the single occupancy cost.  

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Travel Insurance Add-On:

Travel Insurance is strongly recommended for this international trip. If you opt for insurance, I will provide a price quote for your consideration.

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$900 non-refundable deposit required to reserve your space. Balance is due by March 22, 2026.   

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Reserve your space today! Fill out the secure credit card authorization form or contact Grace or Joy for more details.

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Cancellation Policy per person:
No refunds will be made for unused services or pre purchased events. Prepaid theater/event tickets are forfeit and non-refundable.
99 – 66 days Forfeiture of deposit
65 - 16 days 30% per person
15 - 8 days 50% per person
7 - 1 days 90% per person
On day of departure 100% per person

Additional Options available:

• International Airfare

• 2-Night pre-trip extension in Slovenia

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See you in the Balkans!

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