Slovenia & Croatia: Lake Bled & Rovinj

Your vacation is about to begin! Spend your first night aloft and arrive ready for an unforgettable trip.

Start off your first day in Ljubljana right by having a Country Walkers representative greet you at the airport. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.

Vintgar Gorge; 2.5 miles, easy to moderate and Lake Bled; 3 miles, easy, optional afternoon walk

After enjoying an included breakfast, your leaders meet at 8:30 a.m. you in the lobby of the InterContinental Ljubljana hotel. They’ll be wearing Country Walkers shirts. Please be dressed for walking and wear appropriate hiking footwear.

After a brief welcome and introductions, you’ll set off for Vintgar Gorge. “Vintgar” translates as “place exposed to the wind,” and as the first mountain gorge made accessible to tourists (for over a century!), the word is now used more broadly for other scenic and protected gorges throughout Slovenia.

Today’s walking path follows the rock wall of the mile-long gorge, hovering just above the rushing Radovna River, where emerald waters cascade through rapids and form mesmerizing crystalline pools. The trail leads to the picturesque Šum Waterfall, Slovenia’s highest river waterfall at 82 feet. After taking in the falls and the nearby old stone railway bridge, you’ll continue up toward Hom Hill, passing through green meadows and by St. Catherine’s Church. Pause to admire panoramic views over the vast Ljubljana Basin and the snowcapped peaks of the Alps.

Your trail concludes at a local restaurant on Lake Bled, where you’ll enjoy a lunch of traditional Slovenian comfort foods. Afterward, you’ll continue on foot along a lakeside trail (or travel by minibus for a 5- to 10-minute ride) to your charming accommodations just above the lake, where you’ll stay for the next three nights. Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks and crowned by a fairy-tale castle, Lake Bled is undeniably one of the most stunning lakes in the Alps. Settle into your hotel and take some time to relax and refresh before gathering for a welcome cocktail and meeting in the wine cave.

Later, enjoy a special boat ride to Bled Island aboard a traditional pletna boat. The island is home to a church bell said to grant wishes. According to local legend, a wealthy widow melted her silver and gold to cast a new bell for the church in memory of her late husband. Tragically, the ship carrying the bell sank into the lake and was never recovered. Heartbroken, the widow spent the rest of her life as a nun. After her death, a new bell was made to fulfill her wish—and it is said that if you ring the bell three times, your wish will come true.

Concluding the boat ride, you return to your hotel, where you’ll enjoy dinner in the hotel’s panoramic restaurant or—weather permitting—on the outdoor terrace. In either setting, take in spectacular views over Lake Bled as you dine. The seasonal menu may feature dishes such as beef carpaccio from nearby Bohinj, green-pea soup with scallops, fillet of lake trout with parsley root cream, and lamb cutlet crusted with almond and wild herbs, all thoughtfully paired with a glass (or two) of delicious local wine. Retire in comfort this evening after a full and memorable day.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5 miles, easy to moderate

After a hearty buffet breakfast featuring fresh bread, homemade jams, cured meats, eggs, and cheeses, you’ll travel 35–40 minutes to tranquil Lake Bohinj. The largest permanent lake in Slovenia, Bohinj is an oasis in the heart of Triglav National Park. While it may lack Bled’s glamour, it more than makes up for it with a rugged, untamed beauty.

Your easy hiking trail follows the lake’s edge, offering stunning views of its clear waters and the surrounding Julian Alps. The region boasts diverse flora—from orchids and Carniola and Turk’s cap lilies to a wide variety of Alpine flowers, many of which are used in local teas and liqueurs. The 2.5-hour hike culminates at a farm-to-table restaurant in the small settlement of Stara Fužina, where you’ll savor a traditional meal—perhaps a comforting soup followed by farm-raised chicken, and a classic apple strudel for dessert.

After lunch, you’ll explore a nearby open-air museum of sorts, featuring well-preserved homes, hayracks, and barns, where you’ll learn about community life over the past two centuries.

By midafternoon, you return to your accommodations on Lake Bled to enjoy a leisurely late afternoon and evening. You might choose to relax with a swim in the indoor pool, explore the town, or take a scenic walk up to Bled Castle (about 30 minutes on foot). Believed to be the oldest castle in Slovenia, Bled Castle was built atop a cliff in 1004 and once served as the seat of the Austrian bishops of Brixen. Even if you choose not to tour the castle, the panoramic views of the lake and mountains make the climb worthwhile. You can even stay for dinner at the castle’s restaurant, which offers delectable, modern interpretations of traditional Slovenian dishes and drinks. Advance reservations are required.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Vrata Valley; 3-4 miles, easy to moderate and 1 mile, easy

Fueled by another hearty breakfast, you depart for a walk in Triglav National Park—Slovenia’s only national park. This protected landscape features verdant forests and vast meadows where glacial streams descend from the surrounding mountains, winding through picturesque valleys and ravines.

Your walk begins along a gravel road through the UNESCO-protected Vrata Valley, often called the “door to alpine paradise.” Admire the turquoise-blue streams and the emerald moss clinging to trees and rocks along the way. The trail leads deeper into the valley toward the imposing Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain and the centerpiece of the national park. Glance upward for breathtaking views as the peak looms larger with each step.

At the upper end of the hike, you reach the majestic Triglav North Wall and a striking monument commemorating fallen Partisan Alpinists—a giant carabiner and rock piton. Here, enjoy a coffee and a traditional snack at Aljažev dom, a mountain hut named for the famed mountaineering writer and composer Jakob Aljaž.

You then continue by minibus, approximately 30 minutes, to the nearby town of Radovljica. Its Old Town is one of the best-preserved in Slovenia, with houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. Perched atop a natural promontory, the town offers sweeping views over the Dežela Plain to the east and the Sava River Valley to the west, with the Julian Alps as a dramatic backdrop. Noteworthy attractions include the Museum of Apiculture, which provides a fascinating look into Slovenia’s beekeeping traditions.

After time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own, you return to your hotel in the late afternoon. You may choose to stroll through town or relax at the indoor pool before another evening of independent dining and discovery.

Included Meals: Breakfast

2 miles, easy to moderate and evening guided walking tour of Rovinj; 1-2 miles, easy

Bid Slovenia farewell as you journey across the border into Croatia. Your first stop is at a family estate in the Mirna River Valley, just outside the charming truffle capital of Buzet, known for its rare Istrian white truffles (Tuber magnatum) as well as prized black truffles. Here, you’ll indulge in a unique culinary experience—enjoying a lunch of delicious truffle-based specialties before heading out with a truffle hunter and her specially trained dogs on an actual search for these underground delicacies. As you’ve already discovered, they are a true gastronomic treasure!

Continue south on a 75-minute drive to the picturesque port town of Rovinj, located on Istria’s west coast. Check into your splendid seaside accommodations—your home for the next three nights—and settle into your room. You might even pop down to one of the pools or take a refreshing dip in the sea before gathering in the late afternoon for a guided walking tour of Rovinj’s historic heart.

As you explore, you’ll discover how Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque influences are reflected in the architecture lining the town’s ancient cobblestone streets. Highlights include St. Euphemia Parish Church, an impressive three-nave structure built in 1736 atop the remains of earlier Christian churches. Its striking bell tower bears a resemblance to the iconic St. Mark’s Campanile in Venice.

Your tour concludes at a local restaurant, where you’re treated to another delicious meal featuring traditional Istrian specialties—a true bounty of the region.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Završje to Grožnjan; 5 miles, easy

This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, you journey into Slovenian wine and olive oil country, beginning with an invigorating walk along the Parenzana—a former railway turned scenic path, also known as the “Friendship Trail.” Your route leads from the artsy hilltop village of Grožnjan to the medieval hamlet of Završje, often referred to as the Piedmont of Istria.

Perched on a sandstone hill at approximately 960 feet—the highest point along the trail—Grožnjan was largely abandoned after World War II. Its renaissance began in 1965 when artists began moving into its vacant homes. Today, it’s a vibrant cultural hub in the summer, home to musicians, actors, and artists. Upon arrival, explore its maze of cobbled streets, browse galleries, studios, and artisan shops, or simply relax on a café terrace and take in sweeping views of surrounding hilltop villages—and, on clear days, the shimmering sea to the west.

You set out from Grožnjan on a gently descending trail that soon levels out, offering continuous views of rolling hills dotted with olive groves. Along the way, you pass through occasional rail tunnels that offer a welcome respite from the sun on warm days. After roughly two and a half hours, you arrive in Završje. Once a thriving market town, Završje fell into decline after the railway ceased operations. Today, only remnants of its Venetian-style palazzos and loggia remain, silently overlooking the scenic valley below.

Your next stop is a family-run winery nestled in the foothills of a nearby village. Here, you’ll enjoy a light lunch of pršut (local prosciutto), cheeses, and delicious olive oil—likely from the very trees you passed along your walk. You’ll also have the chance to sample a range of the estate’s wines, from the crisp and popular Malvazija Istarska (white) to bold local reds like Teran and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Return to Rovinj in the late afternoon with time to unwind by the pool or indulge in a spa treatment. This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, with dinner on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

4 miles, easy. 1 mile, easy

Today, you travel south—approximately 35 minutes—down the coast to Fažana, where you catch a ferry to Veliki Brijun. This island was once the lavish seasonal retreat of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, former president of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia, who spent half of each year here. After his first visit in the late 1940s, Tito immediately began restoring the island to its former glory. Over the decades, his villa hosted more than 100 heads of state, film stars, and other VIPs.

On a fascinating circuit walk, you’ll discover the appeal of this 1,700-acre island—the largest in the archipelago—which was established as a national park in 1983, following Tito’s death. Along the way, you’ll pass Roman ruins dating to the first century AD, including a Temple of Venus and a Roman residential villa. The walk continues through meadows, oak and laurel forests, and past 1,000-year-old olive trees.

Returning to the mainland, you’ll enjoy an independent lunch before a guided tour of Pula, whose complex political history began in 177 BCE, when it was conquered by the Romans. Despite millennia of wars and changing rule, Pula’s Roman amphitheater—one of the six largest in the world—remains remarkably intact and is still in use today. A local historian brings the site to life during a brief but insightful tour.

Afterward, a 45-minute drive returns you to your seaside resort, where you’ll have time to relax before gathering once more for a farewell celebration, raising a toast to the week’s adventures.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After enjoying an included breakfast, complimentary transportation will be provided to the DoubleTree by Hilton Trieste in Trieste, Italy by 1:00 p.m. for your post-tour night. Lunch and dinner are on your own. Spend the day exploring at your own pace with the help of our detailed city information.

Included Meals: Breakfast

After an included breakfast* this morning, complimentary transportation will be provided to Trieste Airport, timed according to your departure. Travel time is approximately 35 minutes.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Vintgar Gorge; 2.5 miles, easy to moderate and Lake Bled; 3 miles, easy, optional afternoon walk

Your trip leaders will meet you at 8:30 a.m. in the lobby of the InterContinental Ljubljana hotel, Slovenska cesta 59, Ljubljana, Slovenia. They’ll be wearing Country Walkers shirts. Please be dressed for walking and wear appropriate hiking footwear.

This morning, your tour begins in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s charming capital, situated between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea (named European Green Capital in 2016 by the European Commission). After a brief welcome and introductions, you’ll set off for Vintgar Gorge.

“Vintgar” translates as “place exposed to the wind,” and as the first mountain gorge made accessible to tourists (for over a century!), the word is now used more broadly for other scenic and protected gorges throughout Slovenia.

Today’s walking path follows the rock wall of the mile-long gorge, hovering just above the rushing Radovna River, where emerald waters cascade through rapids and form mesmerizing crystalline pools. The trail leads to the picturesque Šum Waterfall, Slovenia’s highest river waterfall at 82 feet. After taking in the falls and the nearby old stone railway bridge, you’ll continue up toward Hom Hill, passing through green meadows and by St. Catherine’s Church. Pause to admire panoramic views over the vast Ljubljana Basin and the snowcapped peaks of the Alps.

Your trail concludes at a local restaurant on Lake Bled, where you’ll enjoy a lunch of traditional Slovenian comfort foods. Afterward, you’ll continue on foot along a lakeside trail (or travel by minibus for a 5- to 10-minute ride) to your charming accommodations just above the lake, where you’ll stay for the next three nights. Surrounded by soaring mountain peaks and crowned by a fairy-tale castle, Lake Bled is undeniably one of the most stunning lakes in the Alps. Settle into your hotel and take some time to relax and refresh before gathering for a welcome cocktail and meeting in the wine cave.

Later, enjoy a special boat ride to Bled Island aboard a traditional pletna boat. The island is home to a church bell said to grant wishes. According to local legend, a wealthy widow melted her silver and gold to cast a new bell for the church in memory of her late husband. Tragically, the ship carrying the bell sank into the lake and was never recovered. Heartbroken, the widow spent the rest of her life as a nun. After her death, a new bell was made to fulfill her wish—and it is said that if you ring the bell three times, your wish will come true.

Concluding the boat ride, you return to your hotel, where you’ll enjoy dinner in the hotel’s panoramic restaurant or—weather permitting—on the outdoor terrace. In either setting, take in spectacular views over Lake Bled as you dine. The seasonal menu may feature dishes such as beef carpaccio from nearby Bohinj, green-pea soup with scallops, fillet of lake trout with parsley root cream, and lamb cutlet crusted with almond and wild herbs, all thoughtfully paired with a glass (or two) of delicious local wine. Retire in comfort this evening after a full and memorable day.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5 miles, easy to moderate

After a hearty buffet breakfast featuring fresh bread, homemade jams, cured meats, eggs, and cheeses, you’ll travel 35–40 minutes to tranquil Lake Bohinj. The largest permanent lake in Slovenia, Bohinj is an oasis in the heart of Triglav National Park. While it may lack Bled’s glamour, it more than makes up for it with a rugged, untamed beauty.

Your easy hiking trail follows the lake’s edge, offering stunning views of its clear waters and the surrounding Julian Alps. The region boasts diverse flora—from orchids and Carniola and Turk’s cap lilies to a wide variety of Alpine flowers, many of which are used in local teas and liqueurs. The 2.5-hour hike culminates at a farm-to-table restaurant in the small settlement of Stara Fužina, where you’ll savor a traditional meal—perhaps a comforting soup followed by farm-raised chicken, and a classic apple strudel for dessert.

After lunch, you’ll explore a nearby open-air museum of sorts, featuring well-preserved homes, hayracks, and barns, where you’ll learn about community life over the past two centuries.

By midafternoon, you return to your accommodations on Lake Bled to enjoy a leisurely late afternoon and evening. You might choose to relax with a swim in the indoor pool, explore the town, or take a scenic walk up to Bled Castle (about 30 minutes on foot). Believed to be the oldest castle in Slovenia, Bled Castle was built atop a cliff in 1004 and once served as the seat of the Austrian bishops of Brixen. Even if you choose not to tour the castle, the panoramic views of the lake and mountains make the climb worthwhile. You can even stay for dinner at the castle’s restaurant, which offers delectable, modern interpretations of traditional Slovenian dishes and drinks. Advance reservations are required.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Vrata Valley; 3-4 miles, easy to moderate and 1 mile, easy

Fueled by another hearty breakfast, you depart for a walk in Triglav National Park—Slovenia’s only national park. This protected landscape features verdant forests and vast meadows where glacial streams descend from the surrounding mountains, winding through picturesque valleys and ravines.

Your walk begins along a gravel road through the UNESCO-protected Vrata Valley, often called the “door to alpine paradise.” Admire the turquoise-blue streams and the emerald moss clinging to trees and rocks along the way. The trail leads deeper into the valley toward the imposing Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain and the centerpiece of the national park. Glance upward for breathtaking views as the peak looms larger with each step.

At the upper end of the hike, you reach the majestic Triglav North Wall and a striking monument commemorating fallen Partisan Alpinists—a giant carabiner and rock piton. Here, enjoy a coffee and a traditional snack at Aljažev dom, a mountain hut named for the famed mountaineering writer and composer Jakob Aljaž.

You then continue by minibus, approximately 30 minutes, to the nearby town of Radovljica. Its Old Town is one of the best-preserved in Slovenia, with houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. Perched atop a natural promontory, the town offers sweeping views over the Dežela Plain to the east and the Sava River Valley to the west, with the Julian Alps as a dramatic backdrop. Noteworthy attractions include the Museum of Apiculture, which provides a fascinating look into Slovenia’s beekeeping traditions.

After time to explore and enjoy lunch on your own, you return to your hotel in the late afternoon. You may choose to stroll through town or relax at the indoor pool before another evening of independent dining and discovery.

Included Meals: Breakfast

2 miles, easy to moderate and evening guided walking tour of Rovinj; 1-2 miles, easy

Bid Slovenia farewell as you journey across the border into Croatia. Your first stop is at a family estate in the Mirna River Valley, just outside the charming truffle capital of Buzet, known for its rare Istrian white truffles (Tuber magnatum) as well as prized black truffles. Here, you’ll indulge in a unique culinary experience—enjoying a lunch of delicious truffle-based specialties before heading out with a truffle hunter and her specially trained dogs on an actual search for these underground delicacies. As you’ve already discovered, they are a true gastronomic treasure!

Continue south on a 75-minute drive to the picturesque port town of Rovinj, located on Istria’s west coast. Check into your splendid seaside accommodations—your home for the next three nights—and settle into your room. You might even pop down to one of the pools or take a refreshing dip in the sea before gathering in the late afternoon for a guided walking tour of Rovinj’s historic heart.

As you explore, you’ll discover how Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque influences are reflected in the architecture lining the town’s ancient cobblestone streets. Highlights include St. Euphemia Parish Church, an impressive three-nave structure built in 1736 atop the remains of earlier Christian churches. Its striking bell tower bears a resemblance to the iconic St. Mark’s Campanile in Venice.

Your tour concludes at a local restaurant, where you’re treated to another delicious meal featuring traditional Istrian specialties—a true bounty of the region.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Završje to Grožnjan; 5 miles, easy

This morning, after a leisurely breakfast, you journey into Slovenian wine and olive oil country, beginning with an invigorating walk along the Parenzana—a former railway turned scenic path, also known as the “Friendship Trail.” Your route leads from the artsy hilltop village of Grožnjan to the medieval hamlet of Završje, often referred to as the Piedmont of Istria.

Perched on a sandstone hill at approximately 960 feet—the highest point along the trail—Grožnjan was largely abandoned after World War II. Its renaissance began in 1965 when artists began moving into its vacant homes. Today, it’s a vibrant cultural hub in the summer, home to musicians, actors, and artists. Upon arrival, explore its maze of cobbled streets, browse galleries, studios, and artisan shops, or simply relax on a café terrace and take in sweeping views of surrounding hilltop villages—and, on clear days, the shimmering sea to the west.

You set out from Grožnjan on a gently descending trail that soon levels out, offering continuous views of rolling hills dotted with olive groves. Along the way, you pass through occasional rail tunnels that offer a welcome respite from the sun on warm days. After roughly two and a half hours, you arrive in Završje. Once a thriving market town, Završje fell into decline after the railway ceased operations. Today, only remnants of its Venetian-style palazzos and loggia remain, silently overlooking the scenic valley below.

Your next stop is a family-run winery nestled in the foothills of a nearby village. Here, you’ll enjoy a light lunch of pršut (local prosciutto), cheeses, and delicious olive oil—likely from the very trees you passed along your walk. You’ll also have the chance to sample a range of the estate’s wines, from the crisp and popular Malvazija Istarska (white) to bold local reds like Teran and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Return to Rovinj in the late afternoon with time to unwind by the pool or indulge in a spa treatment. This evening is yours to enjoy at leisure, with dinner on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

4 miles, easy. 1 mile, easy

Today, you travel south—approximately 35 minutes—down the coast to Fažana, where you catch a ferry to Veliki Brijun. This island was once the lavish seasonal retreat of Marshal Josip Broz Tito, former president of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia, who spent half of each year here. After his first visit in the late 1940s, Tito immediately began restoring the island to its former glory. Over the decades, his villa hosted more than 100 heads of state, film stars, and other VIPs.

On a fascinating circuit walk, you’ll discover the appeal of this 1,700-acre island—the largest in the archipelago—which was established as a national park in 1983, following Tito’s death. Along the way, you’ll pass Roman ruins dating to the first century AD, including a Temple of Venus and a Roman residential villa. The walk continues through meadows, oak and laurel forests, and past 1,000-year-old olive trees.

Returning to the mainland, you’ll enjoy an independent lunch before a guided tour of Pula, whose complex political history began in 177 BCE, when it was conquered by the Romans. Despite millennia of wars and changing rule, Pula’s Roman amphitheater—one of the six largest in the world—remains remarkably intact and is still in use today. A local historian brings the site to life during a brief but insightful tour.

Afterward, a 45-minute drive returns you to your seaside resort, where you’ll have time to relax before gathering once more for a farewell celebration, raising a toast to the week’s adventures.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

After enjoying an included breakfast, complimentary transportation brings you to Trieste, Italy, where you continue your explorations or make connections for your onward travels.

Included Meals: Breakfast