Premium Venice to Split

Trip Type: Explorer
Italy | 9 Days | 1 - 12 People
Starts From:

NZD 5,793.00 /Person

* Sale Price Available

Spectacular natural beauty and fascinating cultural heritage go hand in hand in Slovenia and Croatia. This nine-day Premium journey will take you f...

Premium Venice to Split

Spectacular natural beauty and fascinating cultural heritage go hand in hand in Slovenia and Croatia. This nine-day Premium journey will take you from the glittering canals of Venice to the beaming waters of Lake Bled and the underground world of the Postojna Caves. Ride the cable car up Mt Vogel for views over Lake Bohinj, and appreciate the caves and waterfalls abound in Plitvice Lakes National Park, an amazing UNESCO World Heritage site. Indulge in the epicurean delights like truffles, wine and Adriatic sunshine and let this part of the world enchant you on a small-group adventure.

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins in the floating city of Venice. You’ll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel by car and water taxi, where you’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to explore among the bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years. Maybe walk to St Mark's Square and the Basilica, Doges’ Palace, Accademia Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. After the meeting tonight, join your leader and group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Venice is famous for seafood and fresh Veneto vegetables – perhaps try some fritto misto (a mix of fried seafood) or risotto with asparagus.

Say farewell to Venice this morning and travel to the Postojna Caves, where you’ll take some time out for lunch before exploring. A network of 20 km of passages, galleries and chambers, Postojna is the largest classic karst cave in Europe. Begin with a 2 km open-top train ride through narrow tunnels into the jungle of stalactites and stalagmites. In the vast chambers the electric lighting allows you to admire the size and splendour of the underground world, and your leader will explain the geology of these natural wonders. Continue to Ljubljana – a city full of style and sophistication. When you arrive, take a guided tour around the Old Town and earn about the city’s history as you visit Ljubljana Castle, the Town Hall, Cathedral of St Nicholas and the Dragon Bridge. You'll also visit the open market under arcades before continuing to the lake side town of Bled.

This morning you’ll drive through the misty Sava Bohinjka Valley to beautiful Lake Bohinj – the largest permanent natural lake in Slovenia. Take a cable car to the top of Mt Vogel, where you’ll be greeted by views of evergreen woods sloping down the mountains to blue waters. Take some time to enjoy the area before returning to Bled – renowned for its mild, healing climate and thermal lake water. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then take a Pletna boat ride (a wooden, awning-covered boat rowed by a special oarsman) to the island on Lake Bled and climb up the 99 steps to St Mary's Church. Enjoy a free evening where you can seek out the famous Bled cream cake (nearly every cafe and cake shop in town claims that theirs is the best).

This morning, drive to Motovun – sitting on the top of a cone-shaped hill surrounded by the bountiful Mirna River Valley, whose forests are famous for truffle hunting. The medieval charm of the town is still found in its well-preserved architecture. Today, you’ll have the chance to sample the delectable local product during a truffle tasting combined with fritaja (Croatian omelette), a local speciality, on a visit to a family-owned farm. Your sommelier will pair your tasting with suitable Istrian wines to try, such as the famous Malvazija. Continue to the romantic Croatian town of Rovinj – one of the best-kept towns on the Adriatic Coast. Among Rovinj's qualities is the beautiful, architecturally intact Old Town and its venetian-style St. Euphemia Church. Tonight’s accommodation is set on a private island just a short boat ride from Rovinj. Away from the pressures of the mainland, the hotel makes the most of its scenic setting, with calming views at every turn.

Today, make the most of a late morning before heading to the villages of Slunj and Rastoke which are beautifully preserved on the banks of the Korana River. Take a walk through the picturesque villages and admire the traditional wooden houses and water mills. From here you will head on to your hotel just outside Plitvice Lakes National Park. When you arrive, you have the option to head out on a leisurely walk with your leader to get your bearings. Then, the rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to spend at your leisure.

Today, you’ll explore one of Croatia's most beautiful sites – Plitvice Lakes National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a fairy-tale land of wooded hills, turquoise lakes and waterfalls. Enjoy some time to discover the park’s trails – your leader will recommend the best routes to suit your interests and outline the park's rules. After your memorable visit to the lakes, drive to the walled city of Zadar. Take an afternoon sightseeing tour of the city with a local guide. Learn the ancient history of the Roman Forum built in the first Century and St Donatus' Church. Visit the reconstructed Romanesque St Grisigono's Church, St Mary's bell tower, St Anastasia's Cathedral, and the People's Square. Lastly, you will visit the Three and Five Wells Squares. There is also an opportunity to visit the Gold and Silver Museum. In the late afternoon, top off the day with a sunset drink overlooking the bay.

The day is yours to continue to get to know Zadar. There are a number of excellent museums to visit including the Museum of Church Art, the Archaeological Museum and the National Museum. Don't forget to visit the famous ‘Greeting to the Sun’ and the ‘Sea Organ’, two of the more modern sights of Zadar. The latter is a man-made organ on Zadar's Riva that works with the motion of the waves and 35 pipes to create a musical soundscape. You could also visit the vibrant fish markets of this port town, take a dip in the clear coastal waters, or explore the cafe culture and do some people watching. If Plitvice whetted your appetite for waterfalls, take an optional tour to Krka National Park.

After breakfast, drive to Split, making a stop in the town of Sibenik. Walk among the stone houses, churches, narrow alleys and lanes where past and present are harmonious. Visit St Jacob's Cathedral, a 15th-century jewel that’s UNESCO-protected, before taking some time for lunch. Continue to your final destination of Split. This is Croatia's second-largest city in the heart of the Dalmatian coast, set on the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea against a backdrop of coastal mountains. Check into your Feature Stay accommodation – a boutique hotel with centuries of history (it started its life in the 1700's as the first cafe in Split!), situated on the most beautiful square in the city. This evening you may like to head to one of Split’s restaurants with your group for dinner.

Your adventure comes to and end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to extend your stay in Split, just get in touch with your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.

Meals
8 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(s), 2 Dinner(s)

Transport
Private vehicle

Accommodation
Comfortable Hotel (7 nights), Feature Stay (1 night)

Included Activities
  • Venice - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Postojna - Caves Visit
  • Ljubljana - Walking Tour
  • Ljubljana - Castle visit & funicular
  • Bled - Pletna Boat Trip on Lake Bled
  • Lake Bohinj - Cable Car to Mt Vogel
  • Lake Bohinj - Day Trip
  • Motovun - Truffle & Wine Tasting
  • Rovinj - Orientation Walk
  • Motovun - Town Walls Walk
  • Slunj and Rastoke - Villages Walk
  • Plitvice Lakes National Park - Entrance & Hike
  • Zadar - Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide
  • Zadar - Sunset Drink
  • Sibenik - Orientation Walk
  • Sibenik - St. James Cathedral
  • Enter the fantastical underground world of the Postojna Caves – one of the longest karst caverns in the world – home to strange rock formations and creatures like the eye-less salamander.
  • Ride the cable car up Mt Vogel for exceptional views over Lake Bohinj and the foothills of the Alps.
  • Treat yourself to a truffle tasting in Motovun during an Exclusive Experience. Truffles are combined with local specialty dishes and a sommelier will pair your tasting with suitable Istrian wines.
  • Spend a night in Rovinj at the stunning Hotel Istra, which sits on its own private island. Then, head to your Feature Stay that pairs centuries of history with the perfect location right on the most gorgeous square in Split.
  • Explore scenic Croatian towns like the resort town of Opatija and seaside Sibenik, where you'll explore the 15th century stone Cathedral of St. James, decorated with 71 sculpted faces.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Humana Zagreb. Donations help provide job opportunities and education programs in sustainable fashion and textiles for people with disabilities.
  • Summer temperatures can be very high in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat, and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

Departing

Finishing

Availability

Price:
NZD 9,080.00 NZD 7,264.00

Price:
NZD 9,790.00 NZD 7,832.00

Price:
NZD 9,610.00 NZD 7,688.00

Price:
NZD 8,395.00 NZD 6,716.00

Price:
NZD 8,395.00 NZD 6,716.00

Price:
NZD 8,395.00 NZD 6,716.00

Price:
NZD 8,730.00 NZD 6,984.00

Price:
NZD 8,395.00 NZD 6,716.00

Price:
NZD 9,065.00 NZD 7,252.00

Price:
NZD 9,065.00 NZD 7,252.00

Price:
NZD 8,395.00 NZD 6,716.00

Price:
NZD 8,395.00 NZD 6,716.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 9,165.00

Price: NZD 9,165.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,165.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 9,165.00

Price: NZD 9,165.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,520.00

Price: NZD 9,165.00

Price: NZD 9,165.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price: NZD 8,815.00

Price:
NZD 8,275.00 NZD 5,793.00

Price:
NZD 8,395.00 NZD 6,716.00

Price:
NZD 9,065.00 NZD 7,252.00

Price:
NZD 8,730.00 NZD 6,984.00

Price:
NZD 8,730.00 NZD 6,984.00

Price:
NZD 8,730.00 NZD 6,984.00

Price:
NZD 9,065.00 NZD 7,252.00

Price:
NZD 8,730.00 NZD 6,984.00

Price:
NZD 8,730.00 NZD 6,984.00

Price:
NZD 9,065.00 NZD 7,252.00

Price:
NZD 8,730.00 NZD 6,984.00

Price:
NZD 8,395.00 NZD 6,716.00

Price:
NZD 9,065.00 NZD 7,252.00

Price: NZD 9,165.00
Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
ZMPY
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Venice, Italy
Trip Finishes:
Split, Croatia
Countries Visited:
Croatia
Italy
Slovenia
map

Booking Enquiry

Destination Details
Italy | 9 Days | 1 - 12 People

More Experiences From Croatia