Croatia, Slovenia & Italy Village to Village Walking Tour

Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Miha Klanjscek

Miha is a seasoned guide with more than 15 years' experience leading groups through the Balkans-one of the most culturally, architecturally and geographically diverse regions in the world! Miha first fell in love with the nature and cuisine of the region after spending youthful summers exploring the Mediterranean. He enjoys several outdoor pursuits, including mountain biking, trail running, and trekking in the Slovenian Alps. An adventurer by heart, you can hardly find a better person to show you Istrian wine routes, Slovenian hiking trails, and lively Italian piazzas. Meet Miha on MT Sobek's adventures in the region.

Primoz Kadunc

Primoz is a licensed mountain guide with a degree in organizational management, which he very much puts into practice while leading trips! Primoz guides MT Sobek's Istria to Venice and Alpe Adria trips and has a passion for the whole Balkan region-with a special fondness for the Slovenia Alps. In his spare time, Primoz enjoys rock climbing, scuba diving, sailing, exploring new Alpine trails on foot. He is fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Serbo-Croatian.

Ivana Bole

With guiding experience of more than a decade, Ivana has specialized in presenting her home country of Slovenia to visitors from all over the world. Besides being a professional guide, you might find her elbows deep in soil taking care of her plants or working in the garage on one of her vintage cars. As an English double major in linguistics and literature, her language skills are top notch, spiced with a bit of an Aussie twang which stuck with her since the time she spent down under. Her love for travel took Ivana to all corners of the world, from RV road tripping in the southern USA, trekking in Patagonia, camper vanning through New Zealand, 4x4 camping trip in South Africa or a motorcycle tour across the islands of Indonesia.

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                    [Headline] => Meet in Zagreb, Croatia & Head to Istria
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Meet in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, and transfer to the medieval village of Bale on the beautiful Istrian peninsula. After lunch, explore the nearby seaside town of Rovinj and its gorgeous cobblestoned alleys. Reconvene for a brief orientation, followed by the welcome dinner.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 1-hour walking, 3-4 hour private van transfer from Zagreb to Bale
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                    [Latitude] => 45.821 N
                    [Longitude] => 15.98 E
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                    [Headline] => Explore the Brijuni Islands & Bale
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2-3 hours/3-5 miles walking tour
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A spectacular landscape of sparkling blue seas, green rolling hills and hilltop medieval towns, Istria is known for its olive groves, vineyards, and stellar restaurants. Continue along the peninsula\'s outer edges, reaching the coastal village of Fazana to board a ferry for a short voyage to the scenic Brijuni Islands. Collectively, the 14 islands are a Croatian National Park and were once the summer residence of Yugoslavia\'s President Tito. Return to Fazana in the afternoon and then drive to the historic town of Bale. In the evening take a tour of enchanting Bale and sample top-quality virgin olive oil in a local home.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 30-minute boat transfer and drive
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                    [Latitude] => 44.914963 N
                    [Longitude] => 13.754112 E
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                    [Headline] => Discover Rovinj, Porec & Hilltop Motovun
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2-3 hours/3-4 miles walking
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Awake to a hearty breakfast in Bale and then journey to Rovinj for a stroll through Golden Cape Park. Next, leave the peninsula as the Venetian traders did, by boat, enjoying a unique vantage point from the sea. Pass small inlets and secluded bays and enter the Lim Fjord, known for its extraordinary mussels. Enjoy lunch at a traditional Istrian "Konoba" before heading to the coastal town of Porec to see its UNESCO-list Euphrasian Basilica. Leave coastal Istria and head inland to explore its verdant hills, truffle-rich forests, and vineyards. Stay in the medieval hilltop town of Motovun, famed for its international summer film festival, and wrap up with a gourmet Istrian dinner.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 2-hour private boat transfer and 1.5-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 45.336394 N
                    [Longitude] => 13.828373 E
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                    [Headline] => Hunt for Truffles & Visit Groznjan, the Town of Artists
                    [ActivityOverview] => 3-4 hours/5-7 miles hiking
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Wake up on a hilltop overlooking the kingdom of truffles and enjoy breakfast on the hotel\'s splendid terrace. Take a hike along the truffle route, to learn the art of \'hunting\' this precious subterranean mushroom also called the \'black gold.\' Enjoy a truffle tasting paired with local red wine, and continue hiking to Groznjan, a walled Renaissance town perched on another hill. Wander around this enchanting town of artists, known for its art studios, galleries, and gorgeous views. Return to Motovun to unwind at the hotel\'s swimming pool and spa.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 1-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 45.379602 N
                    [Longitude] => 13.722611 E
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                    [Headline] => Explore Slovenia\'s Skocjan Caves & Ljubljana
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Leave the Adriatic today and head into the Alps, leaving Croatia behind and entering Slovenia. The first stop is in the Slovenian karst region - the Skocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you take a 2-hour underground walk. Continue to Ljubljana, Slovenia\'s charming capital that has recently become one of the hippest cities in Europe. Wander around the small, green city center along the banks of Ljubljanica River, exploring the highlights, and travel on to Lake Bled, a picturesque alpine lake and the location of tonight\'s hotel.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 2.5-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 46.369726 N
                    [Longitude] => 14.083763 E
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                    [Headline] => Marvel At Lake Bled & Hike By Bohinj Lake
                    [ActivityOverview] => 3-5 hours/3-7 miles walking on flat terrain
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Today take in the picture-postcard tranquility of Lake Bled, with the bell tower of a medieval church rising from a tiny islet in the midst of the lake, guarded by a clifftop castle. Embark on a rewarding hike through Blejski Vintgar Gorge, walking above crystal-clear Radovna Stream on wooden planks over the whirlpools. Transfer to Bohinj Lake, Bled\'s wild brother, to hike on a soft forest trail by the lake. Return to Bled, known for its healing thermal waters; enjoy a spa treatment or massage before dinner.
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                    [Lunch] => 1
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                    [Travel_Type] => 1.5-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 46.284010 N
                    [Longitude] => 13.859414 E
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                    [Headline] => Hike into the Soca Valley for a Culinary Feast
                    [ActivityOverview] => 2-3 hours/4 miles hiking on flat terrain
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Take a ride around the Julian Alps en route to the emerald-green Soca River Valley. Pass the village of Kranjska Gora, before heading up to the Vrsic pass (5,290\'), once the border line between Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Take in breathtaking views and continue the winding drive to the spring of the Soca River. From here, hike down into its magnificent valley and visit a museum dedicated to a WWI battle that took place in the valley.
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                    [Lunch] => 1
                    [Dinner] => 1
                    [Travel_Type] => 2-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 46.247249 N
                    [Longitude] => 13.537761 E
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                    [DayTo] => 8
                    [Headline] => Hike to Montemaggiore & Explore Italy\'s Collio Wine Country
                    [ActivityOverview] => 3-4 hours/2-3 miles hiking with 1,200\' elevation gain
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After a delicious breakfast, say goodbye to Slovenia for the day and enter the Italian province of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. Hike up to the top of the scenic Montemaggiore for its famous views; on a clear day, see the blue Adriatic, the Julian Alps, and the Dolomites in the distance. In the afternoon, take a short drive to Collio wine country, a hilly vineyard area spreading over Slovenia and Italy. Visit the local wineries to sample the \'big reds,\' and Friuli\'s exquisite wine grape called ribolla.
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                    [Lunch] => 1
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                    [Travel_Type] => 1.5-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 45.974328 N
                    [Longitude] => 13.521716 E
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                    [Headline] => Visit Vicenza, depart from Venice
                    [ActivityOverview] => 1.5-hour city walking tour
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Travel west to the Italian region of Veneto, along the way visiting the historical city of Vicenza and its lovely countryside, famed for the Renaissance villas built by the great architect Andrea Palladio. The tour ends at the airport in Venice in the late afternoon, where you depart on homeward-bound flights.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 3-hour private van transfer
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                    [Latitude] => 45.504490 N
                    [Longitude] => 12.346018 E
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    [ActivityHighlight] => This is an easy to moderate hike, with minimal elevation gain each day. Terrain is a mix of established walking paths, dirt roads and cobblestone village streets. The mileage averages 4-6 miles per day.  
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Accommodations

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Charming family-run hotels, historic countryside estates and hotels inside medieval castles, all surrounded by spectacular scenery.

Hotel Gredic-Goriska Brda, Slovenia

Comfortable Hotel

Set in a 16th-century castle, the luxury Hotel Gredic sits in the heart of Slovenia's Brda wine country. The individually decorated guest rooms feature a range of amenities like Wi-Fi, A/C, and private bathrooms with heated floors. The on-site restaurant serves local specialties, the bar offers drinks and snacks, and there's a terrace with views of the surrounding vineyards.

Hotel La Grisa-Bale, Croatia

Comfortable Hotel

Located in a charming medieval town of Bale in southwestern Istrian peninsula, Hotel La Grisa is a delightful hideaway. Guest rooms come equipped with a seating area as well as A/C, Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TV. Some rooms have a free-standing bathtub, while others come with a walk-in shower or corner bath.

Hotel Kastel-Motovun, Croatia

Comfortable Hotel

The family-run Hotel Kastel sits at the heart of the medieval hilltop town of Motovun. The spa area with a sauna, an indoor pool and relaxing grounds has lovely views of the surrounding landscapes. Comfortable rooms come with satellite TV, Wi-Fi, and private bathrooms; many offer delightful views of the valley and vineyards. The on-site restaurant serves stellar regional cuisine.

Hotel Triglav-Bled, Slovenia

Comfortable Hotel

A stroll away from the lake and the town center, the recently renovated Hotel Triglav has well-equipped guest rooms with the full range of amenities and beautiful lake views. Guests enjoy the many on-site facilities, including a piano bar, wine cellar, a fireplace lounge, and a modern spa center.

Hotel Sanje ob Soci-Bovec, Slovenia

Comfortable Hotel

At this modern guesthouse, accommodation is basic and clean in small, private guest rooms with en suite bathrooms. There is also free wi-fi, TV, and air conditioning.

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