12 day Private Tour Croatia and Slovenia

Arrival in Zagreb is planned in the evening. A meeting with the driver is planned at the airport. Going to a hotel, having dinner, making plans for tomorrow and going to sleep

We will start are city tour after breakfest with tour on Saint Marko Square, i.e. Croatian Parliament also significant for the church of the same name. Mark, originally from the 13th century, which is unique for its famous roof shows the coats of arms of the Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia and the coat of a Zagreb city. We’ll see Lotrščak tower with Greek cannon that shoots every noon. At the foot of the tower is also the cable car, the shortest wire railway in the world intended for public transport, which has been connecting the Upper and Down town for almost 120 years.

Our secund stop on Upper Town. We will visit Kaptol a main church headquarter and so called 'episcopal city' which is dominated by twin-spired Zagreb Cathedral from 1880. We will go through Stone Gate, a left over from former king city Gradec which was completely burned down in the first half of the 18th century. By miracle, the only thing fire didn’t touched was image of St. Mary which is now held at the Chapels of Stone Gate as St. Mary represent patron saint city of Zagreb.

Our second stop is Down Town which starts with Ban Josip Jelačić Square, the heart of the city and the main meeting point for citizens. From Ban Jelacic Square, Prague Street leads to a series of squares - parks, a Zagreb counter to the Vienna Ring. This so-called Lenucieva "green horseshoe" is a U-shaped park area of eight green squares as the back bone of the Lower town. “Green horseshoe” starts at the Croatian National Theater building. The beautiful 19th-century building is the center of cultural city life, with the Fountain of Wells, the University of Zagreb building and Museum of Arts and Crafts. When you start 'navigating' the Horseshoe, you will come to the Mimara Museum building. From there it is easy to reach Botanical Gardens and Esplanade, a luxury hotel known as one of the main travelers' destinations from the 'Orient Express'. The most popular park in this U –shaped park area is Zrinjevac, recognizable by the alley of plane trees brought over from Trieste over a hundred years ago. This tour, with beautiful flower beds, is a pleasure for those who want to relax, and a true treasure trove of monuments, galleries and museums for art lovers. Named after the first Croatian king, King Tomislav Square offers a unique view of the Art Pavilion. After tour, free late afternoon for dinner at Tkalčićeva Street, now the liveliest street in the center under whose pavement the stream flows towards the Sava River. Of course, you can find good fun in the nearby Cvjetni Square and its surrounding streets.Overnight at hotel. Check out tomorrow morning.

After arriving in LJubljana and check in, departure to the main center for sightseeing

The Dragon Bridge, adorned with famous dragon statues, appears in the most recognizable images of Ljubljana. If you haven't been photographed next to a Dragon Bridge dragon, you can hardly claim that you have visited Ljubljana. The four dragon statues, which look slightly terrifying and almost real (if, of course, you believe that dragons might be real), are a masterpiece which has been exciting imagination since the bridge was built.The attraction of the dragons aside, the bridge is a unique creation considered to be an extraordinary piece of technical heritage and a superb example of Art Nouveau architecture, which flourished at the turn of the 20th century. Constructed between 1900 and 1901, it was Ljubljana's first reinforced concrete structure and one of the largest bridges of its kind to be built in Europe. At the time of its opening, it was called the Jubilee Bridge of Emperor Franz Joseph I. According to original designs, it was supposed to be adorned with winged lions instead of dragons. It was the first structure in Slovenia to be paved with asphalt. The construction plans for the bridge were prepared by Professor Josef Melan, a famous engineer specializing in reinforced concrete bridges and the father of the theory underlying static calculations for large suspension bridges.The Dragon Bridge was given its Art Nouveau appearance by the Dalmatian architect Jurij Zaninović, who studied under the famous Viennese architect Otto Wagner, one of whose pupils was also Ljubljana's great architect Jože Plečnik. Zaninović designed the concrete slabs in which the reinforced concrete structure is clad, the balustrades, and the sheet-copper dragon statues. The bridge's original decorations also include the parapet lamps, once powered by gas.The Dragon Bridge replaced an old wooden bridge called Butchers' Bridge, which had stood on its site from 1819. The municipal authorities decided on modern design and reinforced concrete structure mainly for economic reasons as construction in reinforced concrete was far less expensive than construction in the then more common stone.

Ljubljana's Old Town is a former fortress located on a hill in the middle of Ljubljana. In the Middle Ages it was the seat of the Spanheim family. Between 1220 and 1243, the Duke connected the fort with the settlement of Ljubljana.In the 14th century, when Ljubljana became the seat of the state of Carniola, the fort housed the apartments of state dignitaries and the residence of the emperor upon his arrival there. The fort was damaged in the Turkish wars in the 15th century, after which it was rebuilt. The residential part and the chapel of St. George. From the 17th century, the ruler moved to the city and the fort declined slightly, so in the 19th century a state prison for Carniola and Carinthia was housed there.In 1845-1848. a clock tower was built. During the 20th century, the fortress underwent numerous new changes. The last major renovation was done in the 1970s when the fort was rebuilt for cultural purposes.

The Triple Bridge (Slovene: Tromostovje, in older sources also Tromostje is a group of three bridges across the Ljubljanica River. It connects the Ljubljana's historical, medieval, town on one bank, and the modern city of Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, on the other. The central bridge is partly built from Glinica limestone. Other parts are built from concrete. The balustrades with 642 balusters are made of artificial concrete.[clarification needed] The platform is covered with granite blocks laid in 2010. Previously, it was covered with asphalt.

Prešeren Square is one of the crossroads in Ljubljana. It is named after the Slovenian poet France Prešeren. It is located above the left bank of the Ljubljanica River near Tromostovje, opposite the medieval town center.Due to its location, Prešeren Square is one of the most transit points in Ljubljana. It is connected by the following roads, streets or roads. embankments: Cankarjevo, Adamič-Lundrovo, Hribarjeva and Petkovškovo embankments, Wolfova, Čopova and Trubarjeva streets and Miklošičeva road.An important position on the square is occupied by the Prešeren Monument, the work of Ivan Zajc and architect Maks Fabiani. It was discovered on September 10, 1905.

After sightseeing in Ljubljana, I suggest having dinner somewhere in the city and going back to sleep

On the way to Opatija i strongly recommend visit Postojna Cave consists of a complex of tunnels, galleries and halls. 24,120 m is a long system of several caves near Postojna, and the largest such system in Slovenia.In addition to the Postojna Cave, this system includes the Otto Cave, the Magdalen Cave, the Black Cave, the Pivka Cave, and several smaller ones. It was created by the erosion of the Pivka River, whose water masses shaped its interior for two million years. The constant temperature inside the cave was 8 ° C until a few years ago, while recently it is between 8 and 10 degrees. The maximum depth of the pit is 115 m.

Lungomare is a 12 km long coastal promenade connecting places on the Opatija Riviera - Volosko, Opatija, Icici, Ika and Lovran.The promenade began to be renovated in 1885 and coincides with the opening of the first hotels in Opatija (Grand Hotel Kvarner, 1884 and Hotel Imperial, 1885). It was completed in 1889 when Opatija was declared a health resort and merged with Lovran in 1911 at the time of the largest expansion of tourism on the Riviera.Along the promenade, memorials were erected to prominent figures who lived in Opatija: the writer Henrik Sienkiewicz (above the port of Opatija), Doctor Theodore Billroth (on the wall of St. James's Church), General Joseph Pilsudski (in the park in front of the Art Pavilion "Juraj Šporer"). .Part of the Lungomare promenade also passes through the famous central Opatija park.

Arrival to Opatija in the afternoon. After checking in at the accommodation, touring the city, having dinner somewhere in the city and going to sleep.

After breakfest departure to Plitvice. We have 2.5 hours driving to gat there. Plitvice Lakes is the oldest and largest national park in the Republic of Croatia which covers an area just under 300 km 2 . From 1949, it was proclaimed as Croatia’s first national park. Thanks to a special tufa formation process (when hot springs create carbonate deposits) in 1979 UNESCO listed this outstanding universal value onto the World Heritage List. Plitvice consist from 16 named and several smaller unnamed lakes. The Lake has been divided into the Upper and Lower lakes. The twelve lakes forming the Upper Lakes are larger with gentler shores than the Lower Lake. The Lower Lakes consist from four lakes cut into a deep canyon with steep cliffs. The lakes end in the impressive waterfalls Sastavci, with the Korana River springing under the base of the falls.After a short walk, the tour continues with an electric boat ride across Kozjak Lake, and then again through the limestone canyon of the Lower Lakes all the way to the Big Waterfall. From the "Big Waterfall" to the train station, you will find a steep serpentine that leads to the eastern side of the canyon, where you will find numerous vistas that offer an unforgettable view of the crystal blue-blue lakes and high cliff faces. Return to the starting point is by panoramic train. After tour in Plitvice, we are headed to Zadar, two hours of drive.

Arrival in Zadar at late night hours, chek in the accommodation, dinner somewher in town and going to sleep.

The historic core of the city is more than 3000 years old. Wherever you pass this city, you will pass to places where the Illyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Napoleon have walked before. It is also the place of birth the World’s Best Football player 2018, Luka Modrić! We will have a tour through the historic city center where we’ll visit Land Gate and Queen Elena Madiev's Park. From there we’ll head up to Zadar National Square which represent place of secular life. Then we go to Zadar Cathedral of Saint Stosije, Romanesque building, also the largest church in Dalmatia from 12 century. Then we go to Old towns Square from where we visit Roman Forum and Church of St. Donat which is a symbol of the city from the early middle Ages (9th century). The tour will finish by Greetings to the Sun and Sea Organ. Unlike ordinary organs driven by bellows or air pumps, the sound of these organs is generated by the energy of the sea, that is, waves and tides. If you want to visit more, there are 24 larger and 300 small islands, 3 nature parks (Telašćica, Velebit and Vransko jezero) and 5 national parks (Paklenica, Plitvice, Kornati, Krka and North Velebit) in Zadar archipelago. (To visit this we would need to overnight one night in Zadar.) At the evening we continue to drive to Split, two hours of drive

Arriving to Split in the evening. . On arrival, check in a hotel for overnight stay. Overnight at accommodision. After breakfast, check out, we continue our tour around Split. We will start our tour at Diocletian’s Palace, named by the emperor who billed it in 300 year. The Palace is listed on the UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage in 1979. The Cathedral of Split popularly known as the Cathedral of St. Duje. was built in the early 4th century and represent the oldest cathedral in the world. We’ll stop at Splitska Riva, the most famous public space perfect for sipping your morning coffee. After your coffee or lunch we will continue our trip to Kliška fortress, build on the hill in 3 rd century B.C. It represents the most complete examples of fortification architecture in Croatia. After visiting Kliška fortress, we are headed to ferry for Hvar, two hours’ drive (port Stari grad).

Arrival at Hvar in the late afternoon. Check in. Rest of the night for leisure. After breakfast, headed to Paklinski Islands ( Island Hvar) and Blue Cave ( Island Vis) for a whole day.Blue CaveWe will visit Blue Cave by boat, expected time for visit 2 hours. After that we are heading to Pakleni otoci, only approachable by the sea. Sandy beaches and clear sea will rest your body and soul. Lunch break at Pakleni Islands. Rest of the day for sunbathing or swimming. Coming back to hotel in Hvar in the late afternoon. Rest of the night leisure.

After breakfast in Hvar, check out. We are then headed to the port Sućuraj (other side of Hvar Island). From there we catch the ferry to Drvenik , half an hour drive. Arrival at Dubrovnik after two hours. After check in, city tour in Dubrovnik.

We will start our tour passing through Pile Gate, the main entrance to the Old town. In the Old town we will see St. Savior Church, Rectors Palace, Dubrovnik Cathedral from 18 th century and St. Blaise’s Church, the patron saint of the city. After, we go to Sponza Palace from 16 th century, Vrata od ploča -14 th century gate connected to a stone bridge and Dominican Monastery from 1225 year. Somewhere in Stradun, the main city street in the Old Town; we will have our lunch break so you can enjoy local spirit. After lunch break we will continue our tour at Dubrovnik City Walls to experience dramatic view. Predicted time for tour is two hours. Rest of the night leisure. Overnight in accommodision.

On our 2nd day in Dubrovnik, after breakfast, we’ll be headed for a one-day trip with a ferry to island Lokrum, 600 meters away from Dubrovnik where we’ll visit a monastery and botanical garden. After return to Dubrovnik, lunch break. After lunch break, we can visit Srđ, a low mountain just behind the walled city on a height of 412 metres or we can ride with Dubrovnik Cable Car to 778 meter height, just for a view.

We can go for a one-day trip to Perast/ Kotor (Montenegro). At Perast we will visit Sveti Juraj Natural Island and Our Lady of the Rocks, artificially made island, both located in the Bay of Kotor, in front of the city Perast. When we come to Kotor we’ll visit Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in Kotor and Pima Palace. Free afternoon for lunch or visit to Lovcen Mountain. After lunch, return to Dubrovnik. Rest of the night at leisure. We can go for a one-day trip to Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), city on the banks of the river Neretva, an emerald beauty. Old bridge built in 1566. spans Neretva. Old bridge together with Old Town is also at UNESCO World Heritage List. Free afternoon for. After lunch, return to Dubrovnik. Rest of the night at leisure.

After breakfast, check out from accommodision. End of our trip.