12 Day Premium Slovenia, Bosnia & Croatia's Istrian Peninsula

Welcome to Italy! Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Mestre. Special Information Arrival airport transfers are included as part of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. If Inspiring Vacations has not provided your international airfares, please ensure you provide your flight details via your Traveller Hub portal no later than 90 days prior to travel so that your transfers can be confirmed. If you are arriving early and have made your own arrangements prior to your tour commencing, airport transfers will not be included. However, if you are purchasing pre-nights accommodation as part of your Inspiring Vacations package, airport transfers will still be provided to the starting hotel.

This morning you'll meet your tour leader and fellow guests at the hotel reception from 9am, before exploring the unique beauty of Italy's floating city.Enjoy a guided walking tour before continuing towards Slovenia where we'll enjoy dinner and overnight in the picturesque Bled Lake area.

We'll begin the day with a tour of Lake Bled, a glacial lake at the edge of the Julian Alps and one of the most beloved destinations in Slovenia. After a boat ride, you'll have time to spend as you wish, before touring 1000-year-old Bled Castle. On a clear day, Slovenia's highest mountain, Mount Triglav, is visible from here. Lake Bohinj, the country's largest natural lake, is our final stop today. Dinner will be at your own leisure this evening.

Today we're off to Austria! Our first stop will be the historic county of Carinthia, known for its impressive peaks, lush valleys and clear bathing lakes. We'll enjoy a panoramic tour of the 16.5-km long Lake Wörth (Wörthersee). We'll continue to the charming Klagenfurt, a university town with the beautiful 16th-century Lindworm fountain dominating the city square, the Alt Platz. We'll return to the Bled Lake area and enjoy lunch in the Klagenfurt area.

After breakfast we'll continue our journey towards Croatia. Our first stop will be the wondrous, 24 km- long Postojna Caves, one of the largest underground cave systems in Europe and Predjama Castle. Situated on a 123-metre-high cliff near the caves, the castle is more than 800-years-old and holds the Guinness World Record for the world's largest cave castle. We'll arrive at the coastal town of Rovinj in the late afternoon where we'll enjoy dinner after checking in.

Today we'll travel by bus to the Istrian Coast which offers idyllic views across Croatia and nearby Italy, but with fewer crowds. Starting with a walk through the labyrinth of cobbled streets, the Roman history of this stunning peninsula is revealed, before venturing inland to sample some renowned local products including truffle and extra virgin olive oil. We end the day with a visit to one of the best-preserved amphitheatres in the world, the jewel of Pula, a 3000-year-old city, administrative centre of Istria.

After breakfast and checking out, today's destination is the Plitvice area. Our first stop is Opatija, a picturesque little town full of magnificent villas and old hotels and at one time, a famous winter resort of the Austrian elite. Spend time here as you wish: take a stroll through Lungomare promenade, tour Villa Angiolina which was built in 1844, as well the Croatian Museum of Tourism. Don't forget to make time for a coffee break with million-dollar views at Caffé Wagner. After we pass Gorski Kotar, a mountainous region, we'll arrive at a small village called Fužine where we'll explore the Vrelo Cave. The cave, estimated to be 3.5-4 million years old, was discovered by chance in the 1950s during the construction of the Bajer Reservoir. Lunch today will be a mix of traditional Croatian menu items plus local specialty dishes and vegetarian options at restaurant Bitoraj. Through the lush green scenery, our trip continues to Plitvice Lakes where we'll check in for the evening.

After breakfast and check out, we'll travel by coach to the unforgettable labyrinth of evergreen woods, lakes and stunning waterfalls of UNESCO-protected Plitvice Lakes National Park. Croatia's oldest national park was founded in 1949 and is situated in the mountainous karst area, bordering Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our journey continues towards Split for a short evening walk through the city's historical centre which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On our walking tour, we'll explore 4th-century Diocletian's Palace (also UNESCO-protected) built by the Roman emperor Diocletian, visit the Grgur Ninski Statue, and the Cathedral and Bell Tower of Saint Domnius.

After breakfast prepare to begin the Bosnia & Herzegovina portion of your tour. You will be collected from Split and driven across the border to Međugorje, a small town in the Herzegovina region that has become one of Europe's most-visited pilgrimage sites following the reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in 1981. On arrival, you will have time to settle in and walk through the town at your own pace before the evening. Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Please note - Today your group will be joined by a new tour leader. Our tour leaders will be in contact with each other to ensure a smooth changeover.

After breakfast, depart Međugorje for Mostar, the city often described as the place where East meets West. Split by the emerald-green Neretva River, Mostar carries the marks of both Islamic and Christian influences across its two sides. You will visit the famous Old Bridge and walk through Kujundžiluk, the centuries-old bazaar lined with artisan workshops and traditional crafts. Continue on to Sarajevo, where you will arrive in the evening and check in to your hotel for the next two nights. Inspiring Highlights Mostar – Old Bridge and old town guided walking tour Special Information Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

This morning after breakfast, head out on a guided walking tour through Sarajevo's historic centre. You will discover Baščaršija, the lively Ottoman-era bazaar with its cobbled lanes, mosques and traditional coffee houses, and visit key landmarks including the Latin Bridge, the Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and the old Town Hall. Your guide will share the layered history of a city that has stood at the crossroads of empires and cultures for centuries. The afternoon is at leisure for you to continue exploring at your own pace. You may like to wander further through the old bazaar for souvenirs and coffee, stroll along the Miljacka River, or simply enjoy a long lunch at one of the traditional restaurants in town. Inspiring Highlights Sarajevo – Baščaršija and historic centre guided walking tour

After breakfast, your tour comes to an end. We hope you have enjoyed your journey through Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina, and that you take home memories of glacial lakes, coastal towns, world-famous national parks and the cultural crossroads of the Balkans. Safe travels home. Special Information Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.