Adriatic Explorer – Croatia, Slovenia & Italy, 10 Days
1/10
- Duration
- 10 days
- Guiding Style
- Fully Guided
- Hotel Rating
- 3–4 Star Hotels
- Start / End
- Venice → Dubrovnik
- Group Size
- Min 1 / Max 20
- Physical Rating
- Easy Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Highlights
This magnificent 10-day small-group tour traces the length of the Adriatic coast across three countries — beginning in the romantic canals of Venice, winding through the Venetian-heritage towns of Slovenia and the wild peninsula of Istria, before descending through the natural wonder of Plitvice and the ancient Dalmatian cities of Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik.
With a fully guided experience, handpicked hotels, all key entrance fees, and a memorable farewell dinner included, this itinerary delivers an unrivalled journey along one of Europe's most beautiful coastlines.
- Arrive in Venice — the Queen of the Adriatic — and meet your tour director for an introduction to the journey ahead
- Explore Venice by water taxi on a guided city tour covering St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, the Campanile, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Rialto Bridge
- Discover Piran — the pearl of the Slovenian coast — with its colorful old town, Venetian heritage, Tartini Square, St. George's Church, and historic city walls
- Stroll through Koper, the coastal capital of Slovenia, on a guided walk before arriving at the elegant Opatija Riviera
- Explore Istria — the Adriatic's largest peninsula — visiting the romantic island old town of Rovinj and the enchanting streets of Poreč
- Experience authentic Istrian flavors at a local agritourism farm with traditional tastings included
- Visit Plitvice Lakes National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring 16 terraced lakes connected by waterfalls, wooden walkways, and forest paths
- Guided tour of ancient Zadar, including the Roman Forum, early Christian monuments, and the unique Sea Organ — a musical instrument powered by the sea
- Stop in historic Trogir — renowned for its beautiful palaces — on the journey south to Split
- Guided city tour of Split featuring Diocletian's Palace (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), St. Duje Cathedral, the Golden Gate, and the iconic Split Riva
- Explore stunning Dubrovnik — Pile Gate, the Franciscan Monastery, the Rector's Palace, and the magnificent medieval city walls — with a full free day to discover the city at your own pace
- Optional excursion (on request) to Lokrum Island, known for its historic fort, botanical garden, and monastery
- 9 nights in 3–4 star hotels with daily breakfast, 3 lunches, a local tasting, and a farewell dinner included
10-Day Adriatic Explorer Tour Itinerary
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Day 1
Arrival to Venice
Welcome to Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic. Arrive at the airport and transfer to the city. In the evening, meet with your tour director to get all the information about the tour.
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Day 2
Venice
After breakfast, take a guided city tour. Travel by water taxi for your first look at the canals. Visit St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, the Campanile, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Rialto Bridge. Enjoy a free afternoon to explore the city on your own. In the evening, return to the hotel for overnight stay.
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Day 3
Venice – Piran – Koper – Opatija Riviera
Continue to Slovenia and visit Piran, a charming seaside town known as the pearl of the Slovenian coast. Its colorful old town, Venetian heritage, Tartini Square, St. George's Church, and historic city walls recall the spirit of Venice.
Then head to Koper, once an island and now the coastal capital, for a guided walk and free time for lunch. In the late afternoon, arrive in Opatija, where you will enjoy the evening in the coastal atmosphere.
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Day 4
Istria
Istria is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, located between the Gulf of Trieste and the Kvarner Gulf, and shared by Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. Rovinj is one of Croatia's most popular tourist resorts — its old town, built on a small island, is one of the most picturesque and romantic towns in the Mediterranean.
To experience the true Istrian spirit, visit a local agritourism farm for local tastings. Continue to Poreč, another popular holiday destination, where a walk through the narrow streets is truly enchanting. In the afternoon, return to the hotel and enjoy free time by the sea.
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Day 5
Plitvice
Say goodbye to the seaside for a while and head into Croatia's hinterland. Visit one of Europe's most beautiful natural wonders: Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring 16 terraced lakes connected by waterfalls, wooden walkways, and forest paths. Enjoy free time in the afternoon to explore the pristine nature. Overnight in the Plitvice area.
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Day 6
Zadar – Trogir – Split
Start with a brief city tour of ancient and early Christian monuments. Zadar was once an important city of the first Croatian kingdom and today is the administrative and cultural center of northern Dalmatia. You will also visit one of the region's top attractions — the Sea Organ, a unique instrument that creates music using sea waves.
In the afternoon, drive to Split with a stop in the historic town of Trogir, famous for its beautiful palaces. Overnight in Split with free time to explore at your leisure.
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Day 7
Split, the Capital of Dalmatia
Split is the capital of Dalmatia and its main administrative and cultural center. Its historic old town, built around the Roman Diocletian's Palace, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Croatia's most impressive Roman monument. Enjoy a guided city tour featuring the exterior of Diocletian's Palace, St. Duje Cathedral, the Golden Gate, and the famous Split Riva. The afternoon is free for leisure.
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Day 8
Split – Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a stunning gem of the Adriatic and one of the world's most iconic cities. Once a powerful merchant republic, it features impressive medieval walls surrounding the Old Town. Explore Pile Gate, the Franciscan Monastery, the Rector's Palace, and the magnificent city walls.
Enjoy free time in the afternoon or join an optional tour (upon request, extra charge) to Lokrum Island, known for its fort, botanical garden, and monastery.
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Day 9
Dubrovnik – Day at Leisure
Day at leisure. Free time to enjoy Dubrovnik city on your own. Explore medieval streets, take a boat to the Elafiti Islands, or just soak in the city's timeless charm.
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Day 10
Departure from Dubrovnik
Departure day. Services conclude after breakfast.
What's Included
Accommodation
- 9 nights accommodation in 3–4 star hotels – bed & breakfast basis
- Venice: DoubleTree by Hilton 4*, Leonardo Royal 4*, or similar
- Opatija Riviera: Opatijska Cvijeta 4*, Park Lovran 4*, or similar
- Plitvice: Hotel Macola 3*, Hotel Mirjana 4*, or similar
- Split: Hotel Amphora 4*, Hotel Corner 4*, or similar
- Dubrovnik: Valamar Lacroma 4*, Hotel Lero 4*, or similar
Guided Tours & Activities
- English-speaking tour leader throughout the entire tour
- Guided sightseeing tours in Venice, Piran, Koper, Rovinj, Poreč, Plitvice, Zadar, Trogir, Split, and Dubrovnik
- Taxi boat ride in Venice
- Local agritourism tasting in Istria
- Entrance to the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč
- Entrance to Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Entrance to Diocletian's Palace in Split
- Entrance to the Rector's Palace in Dubrovnik
Transport
- All transfers as per the itinerary by coach or minivan
Meals
- 9 breakfasts (daily breakfast throughout the stay)
- 3 lunches
- 1 farewell dinner
- 1 local tasting at an Istrian agritourism farm
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Pre & post tour accommodation
- Optional experiences
- Other activities and services not listed under Included
- City tax (payable directly at the hotel)
Additional Information
- You will receive an e-ticket for this tour.
- This tour operates year-round, subject to availability.
- The optional excursion to Lokrum Island is available upon request at an additional cost.
- The sequence of the tour may change depending on the departure date.
- Tour reference code: 340041
Dates & Availability
Frequently Asked Questions
The tour includes 9 nights accommodation in 3–4 star hotels on a bed and breakfast basis, an English-speaking tour leader throughout, 9 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 1 farewell dinner, 1 local tasting, a taxi boat ride in Venice, entrance to the Euphrasian Basilica, entrance to Plitvice Lakes National Park, entrance to Diocletian's Palace, entrance to the Rector's Palace, and all transfers by coach or minivan as per the itinerary.
The tour starts in Venice, Italy, and ends in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Transfers to/from airports or stations are not included unless specified.
After arriving on Day 1 and meeting your tour director, Day 2 features a guided city tour of Venice by water taxi. Highlights include St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, the Campanile, the Bridge of Sighs, and the Rialto Bridge. The afternoon is free to explore this unique city independently.
Piran is a charming Slovenian seaside town known as the pearl of the Slovenian coast. Its colorful old town, Venetian heritage, Tartini Square, St. George's Church, and historic city walls recall the spirit of Venice. It is one of the most atmospheric and well-preserved coastal towns on the Adriatic.
Istria is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea, shared by Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. On Day 4 you'll visit the romantic old town of Rovinj — one of Croatia's most picturesque towns — and the charming streets of Poreč. A highlight of the day is a stop at a local agritourism farm for authentic Istrian tastings.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Europe's most beautiful natural wonders. It features 16 terraced lakes connected by waterfalls, wooden walkways, and forest paths. Entrance is included, and there is free time in the afternoon to explore the pristine nature at your own pace.
The guided Split city tour covers Diocletian's Palace — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Croatia's most impressive Roman monument — St. Duje Cathedral, the Golden Gate, and the iconic Split Riva. The afternoon is free to relax or explore at your own pace.
In Dubrovnik, you'll explore Pile Gate, the Franciscan Monastery, the Rector's Palace, and the magnificent medieval city walls encircling the Old Town. Day 9 is entirely free to explore at your own pace — walk the medieval streets, take a boat to the Elafiti Islands, or simply enjoy the city's timeless charm. An optional excursion to Lokrum Island (fort, botanical garden, and monastery) is available on request at an extra charge.
The tour uses 3–4 star hotels throughout. Options include: in Venice — DoubleTree by Hilton 4* or Leonardo Royal 4* (or similar); on the Opatija Riviera — Opatijska Cvijeta 4* or Park Lovran 4* (or similar); in Plitvice — Hotel Macola 3* or Hotel Mirjana 4* (or similar); in Split — Hotel Amphora 4* or Hotel Corner 4* (or similar); in Dubrovnik — Valamar Lacroma 4* or Hotel Lero 4* (or similar).
The tour starts from US $3,699 per person, reduced from the standard price of US $5,780 — a saving of 36%. Price varies by departure date and hotel category selected.