Adriatic Adventures
- Guaranteed Departure. Limited Availability.
About the trip
Discover Slovenia’s lush landscape, explore Croatia’s castle-filled hinterland and be awed by the sunny Dalmatian Coast on this Adriatic adventure. Enjoy the cafés and boutiques along the river as you stroll through Ljubljana’s old town. Hike Vintgar Gorge and marvel at Bled Castle, perched above Lake Bled. Take a pletna boat to Bled Island and visit St. Mary’s Church. Explore the vast subterranean Postojna Caves followed by your Extraordinary Experience: A gourmet olive oil tour travelling via vintage vehicles along the coast. In Croatia, journey from Zagreb to Dubrovnik, explore the stunning coastal town of Trogir and take a day trip to Montenegro to visit Lady of the Rocks islet. At every coastal stop, the Dalmatian shoreline’s azure waters and white-sand beaches await.
Member-exclusive Benefits
We reward all our CAA Members on our Extraordinary Explorations® tours/cruises.
- $25 CAD Beverage card†
- 50 CAA Dollars®^
- 25% savings on CAA Travel Insurance◊
Extraordinary Experience
CAA has curated an exceptional experience unique to your tour. Details of this experience are listed below:
Gourmet Olive Oil Tour by Vintage Vans
Be welcomed by the Lisjak family, the largest producer of olive oil in Slovenia. As you visit their olive oil extraction plant, mix your own favourite combination of oils, and learn about the wide range of applications of olives in cosmetics and other industries. The real treat is taking a ride in their legendary classic vintage vans, which have been recycled using olive wood. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Slovenian coast as you indulge in a gourmet tasting experience.
Package Includes:
- Airfare from Toronto to Zagreb and return from Dubrovnik to Toronto
- 4-night stay in first-class accommodation in Ljubljana
- 1-night stay in first-class accommodation in Zagreb
- 2-night stay in first-class accommodation in Split
- 4-night stay in first-class accommodation in Dubrovnik
- Breakfast daily, 5 lunches, 4 dinners and 1 tasting
- Land transportation via first-class motorcoach
- All bridge, ferry and road tolls
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as per itinerary
- Professional English-speaking tour director throughout
- Local English-speaking guides
- Hotel porterage of 1 suitcase per person
- Prepaid gratuities
- Destination transfers
- CAA Host (Requires a minimum number of participants)
Adriatic Adventures: Slovenia and Croatia's Dalmatian Coast
Activity Level: Active. From Slovenia’s Ljubljana to Croatia’s Dubrovnik, stunning old towns, pretty lakes and castles galore will compete for your attention at every turn.
Day 1
Begin your journey with an overnight flight to Zagreb.
Day 2
Ljubljana – Meet your guide and drive to Ljubljana. Stop for lunch in the Dolenjska region. Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight. L/D
Day 3
Ljubljana – Visit Ljubljna’s charming old town. Your afternoon is at leisure. B
Day 4
Ljubljana – Visit Bled Castle and hike Vintgar Gorge. After lunch, take a traditional pletna boat on Lake Bled to visit St. Mary’s Church. B/L
Day 5
Ljubljana - Visit the jaw-dropping Postojna Caves. Then, your Extraordinary Experience is a unique gourmet olive oil tour traveling via vintage vehicles along the coast. B/L/T
Day 6
Zagreb – Depart Slovenia and head into the hinterland of Croatia to visit the Trakoscan Castle. Once in Zagreb, take a walking tour of the city. B
Day 7
Split – Begin your day with a hike in Plitvice Lakes National Park before continuing to Split. B/D
Day 8
Split – Spend the day discovering historic Split and Trogir. B
Day 9
Dubrovnik – Drive to Dubrovnik. On the way, stop at Mostar for lunch and a walking tour. B/L/D
Day 10
Dubrovnik – Explore Dubrovnik on a walking tour, then enjoy free time for the rest of the day. B
Day 11
Dubrovnik – Discover Montenegro. Visit the village of Perast and take a boat tour to our Lady of the Rocks islet. Have lunch then head to Kotor for a walking tour and free time before returning to Dubrovnik. B/L
Day 12
Dubrovnik – Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Konavle Valley. Visit the village of Lovorno for tonight’s farewell dinner: A cooking class where you’ll learn to prepare traditional Croatian dishes. B/D
Day 13
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to Toronto. B
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting
Terms & Conditions
*All CAA Member prices are per person, based on single occupancy, in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated and are subject to change without prior notice until final payment is paid. All prices are correct at press time and apply to new bookings only, based on availability at time of booking. To receive CAA Member-exclusive benefits, there must be one valid CAA Member travelling per booking. Non-members booking Extraordinary Explorations will not receive Member-exclusive benefits.
†Beverage card is one per person, in Canadian funds and has no cash value.
^CAA Dollars awarded per adult Member. To earn and redeem CAA Dollars, you must be a current CAA Member in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). CAA Dollars will be credited at time of departure. For more information on CAA Dollars, please visit www.caasco.com/caadollars.
◊CAA Travel Insurance is underwritten by Orion Travel Insurance Company, a CAA Company. Twenty-five percent (25%) Member savings is made up of a ten percent (10%) Member savings as well as a promotional fifteen percent (15%) savings when you purchase an Extraordinary Explorations tour through CAA Travel, applies to CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba Members in good standing (CAA Membership dues paid in full by membership expiry date). This promotional offer is valid until December 31, 2023. Ten percent (10%) Member savings applies to Members in good standing of all other CAA clubs. Savings apply to the total premium excluding applicable taxes. Minimum premium applies. Visitors to Canada Insurance is limited to the promotional savings. Certain exclusions, limitations and restrictions apply. Subject to change without notice. A Medical Questionnaire may be required to purchase travel insurance. Extraordinary Explorations vacations are organized and booked by CAA Travel (South Central Ontario) Inc. and CAA Manitoba (“CAA Travel”) on behalf of CAA Club Group (o/a CAA South Central Ontario and CAA Manitoba). In the event of an increase in any of the cost factors, CAA Travel reserves the right to increase the price whereby the provisions of the Travel Industry Act shall prevail. CAA Extraordinary Explorations packages are 100% non-refundable at final payment. CAA Travel service fee for cancellation prior to final payment varies by program. For full payment terms and conditions, please ask your CAA Travel Consultant. CAA Travel reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any tour departure in accordance with operating requirements (minimum number of participants) or circumstances beyond its control. Additional fees for checked luggage or other incidentals may be incurred and vary according to itinerary and airline. Air schedules with some tours are not available at press time and may include several connections or forced overnight at passenger’s expense. CAA Travel strongly recommends the purchase of trip cancellation and emergency travel and emergency medical insurance at the time of booking. Please note: Participants must be able to embark and disembark cruise ships and coaches without assistance as well as have a good level of mobility for walking tours in destinations where stairs and traditional cobblestone streets can be challenging. International transportation vehicles and facilities may not meet accessibility standards.
Flight
IncludedTour Itinerary
Day 1
Depart Toronto or Winnipeg for your overnight flight to Zagreb.
Day 2
Ljubljana
Upon arrival to Zagreb, meet your English-speaking tour guide at the airport and transfer to Ljubljana. On the way, stop in the Dolenjska region for lunch. Welcome dinner in a traditional restaurant in the old town of Ljubljana.
One of Europe's best-kept secrets, the city of Ljubljana, lies at the very heart of Slovenia and boasts a diverse history that traces 3,000 years of Roman, Medieval and Austrian influences. A friendly and cosmopolitan city, Ljubljana offers a broad selection of things to do. Enjoy a calming walk along the slow moving Ljubljanica river, in one of the city's numerous parks or a more cultural walk along the century old buildings in the old quarter. Home to a lively café society, atmospheric bars, and a broad range of regional restaurants, Ljubljana has something for everyone. (L/D)
Day 3
Ljubljana
Visit the old town in the morning and decide to explore or go shopping with your free afternoon. (B)
Day 4
Ljubljana
Discover Bled, the crown jewel of the Alps. Visit Bled Castle and Vintgar Gorge. The 1.6-kilometre-long Vintgar gorge carves its way through the vertical rocks of the Hom and Bort hills and is graced by the river Radovna with its waterfalls, pools and rapids. The path leads you along the misty river and ends with a bridge overlooking the 16-metre-high Sum waterfall. Due to its natural beauty, Vintgar was classified among the more important tourist sites in Slovenia and the number of visitors increases every year. After lunch at a local restaurant, be whisked away on a Pletna boat ride to Bled Island and a visit to St. Mary’s Church.
The picture-postcard alpine town of Bled was once the preferred choice for the Austro-Hungarian empire’s elite. Its many charms include a medieval castle, perched high on a rocky cliff, a scenic lake studded by a tiny, wooded island and the alpine splendor of the nearby Triglav National Park. A natural wonderland of glacial valleys, glittering peaks, limestone canyons, ice-cold tarns, flowered meadows, alpine forests, pretty hamlets, and cascading waterfalls. It is a tourist place, surrounded by the wreaths of the Julian Alps and Karavanke Alps, placed in a dish shaped basin of a glacial lake, the warmest in Europe. (B/L)
Day 5
Ljubljana
Experience the largest known cave system in Slovenia today as you transfer to Postojna. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afterwards, travel to the Slovenian Coast by vintage Lisjak vans and discover how luxury olive oil has been produced by the Lisjak family for generations. Savour this unique gourmet experience with tastings of olive oil, sparkling wine and Slovene food, as you drink in the gorgeous Slovenian scenery. (B/L/T)
Day 6
Zagreb
Journey to Zagreb and visit the beautiful fairy tale castle of Trakoscan. Built in the 13th century, this is Croatia’s best kept castle and is a majestic site from any viewpoint. Initially it was used as an observation fortress and then grew with several families taking ownership over the centuries, the most prominent being the noble Croatian family Drašković. Today, the castle houses authentic weapons, armour, paintings, prints, furniture and scripts, dating back centuries. The surrounding park and lake offer a magical medieval setting where chivalry and knighthood once prevailed.
After arriving in Zagreb, experience the city through a walking tour. Croatia’s elegant capital is an eclectic mix of central European architecture and unbeatable Mediterranean charm. It is a city of lush parks and avenues, grandiose edifices and quirky museums, everyday café culture and al fresco living. Enjoy the greenery of Zrinjevac park, the haste in Ban Jelacic Square and talk history in the twin medieval settlements of the upper town. Walk the upper town's cobblestone streets, spot medieval towers, the vivacious green market, as well as old houses and churches. Maybe also visit the Museum of Naïve art, to see some unique 'outsider art' produced by Croatians over the years. Continue by funicular to the lower town, dominated by the impressive building of the Croatian National Theatre. The neo- baroque edifice is surrounded by numerous Art Nouveau buildings that represent Croatian architecture of the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. (B)
Day 7
Split
Plitvice National Park awaits you today. Located in a deep mysterious ancient forest known as the “Devil’s Garden” between Zagreb and Zadar lies Plitvice Lakes National Park. The park is composed of 19.5 hectares of woods, lakes and waterfalls. This lush valley of terraced lakes is laced together by waterfalls and miles of pleasant wooden-plank walks. It is one of Croatia’s top sights and the oldest national park in Europe, deservedly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. Countless cascades and crystal clear and colourful water make the Plitvice Lakes National Park a misty natural wonderland.
Later arrive in Split, the largest and most important city in Dalmatia. The city was developed around the palace, which was erected in the fourth century by the Roman Emperor, Diocletian. You can also visit the ancient cellars, Cathedral, Temple of Jupiter and the Golden Gate. The city of Split is situated in the central part of the eastern Adriatic coast and is bordered by the mouths of the small river Îrnovnica in the south-east and the river Jadro in the north. Split offers you its many charms, the pines of the Marjan forest in the western part of the peninsula, the murmur of the sea and the sound of the Dalmatian song in the stone streets of the city. Split has a very favourable climate characterized by extremely bright skies with about 115 sunny days per year. (B)
Day 8
Split
Embark on a scenic drive to Trogir. In Trogir, lovers of cultural and historical monuments, art, architecture and narrow alleys are given the opportunity to learn about manifold and complex heritage, from Romanesque yards to modern interiors.
Trogir has 2300 years of continuous urban tradition. Its culture was created under the influence of the ancient Greeks and then the Romans and Venetians. Trogir has a high concentration of palaces, churches and towers, as well as a fortress on a small island and in 1997 it was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list. (B)
Day 9
Dubrovnik
On the way to Dubrovnik, experience Mostar, the most important city in Herzegovina. Situated on the river Neretva, it is the fifth-largest city in the country. Mostar was named after "the bridge keepers" natively called “mostari” who guarded the Old Bridge over the river. The bridge was ruined during the homeland war and then rebuilt in 2004. Today it is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Together with the old town, it became a listed UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. The old town with its towers, shops and restaurants, takes you back many centuries. Traces of ‘old’ times are imprinted in the market, the mosques, Herzegovina’s Museum and in the typical Turkish houses, a few of which have been kept in original style.
The city excels in the spheres of art, cuisine, music, theatre, museums and literature. It is also widely celebrated in popular lore, featured frequently as the setting for books, movies and television programs.
Continue to Dubrovnik. Dinner at the hotel. (B/L/D)
Day 10
Dubrovnik
This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Dubrovnik. The particularity and uniqueness of Dubrovnik is in its permanent live connection to its rich past and its cultural heritage, while it keeps vibrantly in pace with contemporary life, echoing its spiritual identity and its presence in the European cultural environment. Dubrovnik, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is rich in cultural and historical monuments.
The most recognizable feature, which defines the history of Dubrovnik and gives it its characteristic, are its intact city walls which run uninterrupted for 1.940 metres encircling the city. This complex structure, one of the most beautiful and strongest fort systems in Europe, is the main attraction for the city's visitors.
The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy and explore on your own. (B)
Day 11
Dubrovnik
Driving towards Montenegro, visit Perast and take a boat tour to Our Lady of the Rocks Island. Have lunch at a local restaurant before heading to Kotor for a walking tour and free time for shopping.
One of the principal attractions on the Bay of Kotor is the ancient village of Perast, rich in Venetian architecture that includes 16 Baroque palaces, 17 Catholic churches, several important Orthodox structures and a series of nine defensive towers, all set in stone and seemingly untouched by the scourge of modern-day tourism. Its main attraction is a man-made island with the small church of Our Lady of the Rocks.
Surrounded by mountains ranging from 1 to 1.7 metres above sea level and situated at the eastern tip of Kotor Bay, lies the picturesque city of Kotor. Its city core is the best preserved of the cities along the Adriatic coast and it is rich in medieval monuments. The walled medieval city centre with its winding, narrow little streets, squares and small churches, appears on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Of its religious monuments, the most notable is the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon, dating from the 12th century. (B/L)
Day 12
Dubrovnik
Immerse yourself in tradition with your visit to the Konavle Valley region. Konavle is separated from the sea by a chain of lower hills. Most of the land is planted with vineyards and fruit trees. There are 20 villages in Konavle, the largest of which are Cilipi and Gruda, which is the region's administrative capital. All villages except Cilipi and Gruda are on the slopes of hills or mountains. As an agriculturally productive region, it was a tremendous asset to the Republic of Dubrovnik and several of the villages contain reminders of Konavle's fascinating history.
Before heading back to Dubrovnik, your farewell dinner is a delightful cooking class preparing traditional dishes with local ingredients and recipes passed down through generations in the charming village of Lovorno. (B/D)
Day 13
Enjoy your last breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for your return flight to Toronto or Winnipeg. (B)
B - Breakfast | L - Lunch | D - Dinner | T - Tasting