Your tour commences this evening in the Imperial city of Vienna. If you have arrived today on your international flight, experience tells us it is best to keep active through this afternoon and Vienna is such a wonderful city at this time of year with so much to see and do. Dinner tonight is included, but first enjoy a welcome drink. This is an ideal opportunity to meet your Tour Manager and fellow travellers.  

This morning we are joined by a local guide for a panoramic city drive past all the grand sights, gardens and monuments of this Imperial City, from the State Opera House to the Hofburg Palace. We have included entrance and a guided tour through the State Apartments of the magnificent Royal summer residence - Schönbrunn Palace.  

Your afternoon and evening is completely free. Relax and enjoy this enchanting city of museums and style. You simply must indulge in the world of the traditional Viennese coffee houses. How about a tall aromatic coffee and a calorie-busting apfel strudel? Maybe a rich chocolate torten cake?

Arriving at Graz, capital of Styria, late morning we have included a funicular ride to the castle complex on top of the Schlossberg Hill. This was once the most formidable fortress in Europe, before being razed by Napoleon. The views from the Stallbastei bastion down over the medieval city are tremendous. The Bell Tower dates from the 16th century, the Türkenbrunnen (Turkish well) is 94 metres deep.  We have also included entrance to the fascinating Styrian Armoury – the world's largest historic armoury with approximately 32,000 pieces of weaponry and elaborate suits of armour for both war and grand parades. Your beautiful Schloss Hotel is in the very heart of this UNESCO World heritage listed city.  Your afternoon and evening are at leisure in this medieval town.

A beautiful drive today as we drive along lakes, through the hills, mountains and undulating meadows of Corinthia. On top of one hill is an amazing wooden observation tower called the Pyramidenkogel. This is Europe’s highest wooden tower and we have included entrance so you can ride in the lift to the sheltered observation platform at the top (or walk up the stairs!) and take in the astonishing 360 degree views along two ‘picture postcard’ lakes. A fantastic experience.  In the afternoon we enter the Julian Alps and arrive at the natural wonder of Lake Bled, in Slovenia, where the tranquil waters are surrounded by impressive mountains and overlooked by the imposing castle.  On arrival we will visit the cliff top, medieval Bled Castle dramatically perched 130 metres above the lake. Dating back 1,000 years it is a symbol of Bled and Slovenia.  We stay here in Bled in Lake View rooms, right beside the lake, in the heart of town for the next three nights. Dinner tonight is included in the hotel.  

First activity of the day will be a relaxing horse and carriage ride along the shores of Lake Bled. Next, we board a traditional ‘Pletna’ boat to cross the placid lake waters to the picturesque Church of the Assumption on the small island. In addition, in the classic, lakeside Kavarna Café, we have included a coffee and cake - Kremna Rezina – known simply as Bled Cake. It is like a vanilla slice, but the way they make it... mmm... delicious! Then it is time at leisure - ‘My Time’ to relax and savour the beauty of Lake Bled. Your evening is at leisure.

There is nothing quite like a day playing in the mountains! After a leisurely start, driving into the Bohinj Valley, which stretches through the Triglav National Park, we reach beautiful Lake Bohinj. Following the pretty shore to the far end we board a cable car which whisks us up Vogel Mountain. Time to relax and enjoy lunch in one of the mountain restaurants and marinate yourself in the views down across the lake and out across the peaks.  The remainder of your afternoon is at leisure back in Bled. This evening we have included a tasting of local wines before a dinner of regional specialties in a local restaurant.  

This morning we are joined by a local guide to visit Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, which means ‘beloved’ in Slovene. Retaining the charm and warmth of a small town, it is filled with baroque churches, palaces, museums, and quaint bridges traversing the canals and rivers. Afterwards, you will have ‘My Time’ to explore the pedestrian areas in the historic Old Town filled with cafes, shops and riverside restaurants. Later we reach Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, where we stay the next two nights. The centre of town is so easily accessible as our hotel is only a short walk away. Dinner is included in a local restaurant.

This morning we are joined by a local guide who will take us on a walking tour through this vibrant city. Your afternoon and evening will be free. ‘My Time’ to explore at leisure. The shopping is excellent.

On our way to Plitvice today, we first visit a truffle shop, and then also stop briefly in Rastoke where the little village houses are split and surrounded by numerous tiers of small waterfalls spilling and tumbling right through town. Later we arrive at Plitvice, famous for its majestic, grand cascades and enormous waterfalls set in a stunning, scenic gorge. Your afternoon is at leisure walking along the riverside boardwalks of the lower falls area, in and amongst the pretty cascades. At Lake Kozjak, we board a boat to cruise the length of the lake, and arrive at our hotel which is located close to the shore, in the centre of the National Park. Spectacular! We elect to spend two nights in Plitvice because here there are actually two sets of magnificent waterfalls, and this gives us ample time to take them both in, and properly absorb their beauty.

Today you can do as little or as much as you want. Your entire day is free - ‘My Time’. Your hotel is set barely 300 metres from the lakes edge, and your National Park tickets include a short boat crossing so you can also walk around Plitvice’s Upper set of waterfalls and cascades. Many say this Upper set, have better views and are more rewarding, because the winding bridges and walkways are quieter with less tourists. Perhaps enjoy a beverage amongst the pine trees on the lake side, or a leisurely walk along the waterside pathways. A wonderfully relaxing day!

Crossing to the Adriatic coast we reach Opatija late morning. In the 19th century Opatija evolved as a fashionable riviera where the elite of the Habsburg Empire and Russia partied.  Opatija’s ‘Belle Époque’ (Beautiful Age) is attested by its seaside parks, gardens, and Lungomare promenade which snakes its way past little harbour inlets and coves. Littered with restaurants and cafes, you’ll enjoy lunchtime here at leisure with plenty of free time to explore. Later in the afternoon we cross the Istrian Peninsula to beautiful Poreč where we stay three nights right beside the harbour in the old town. Poreč is one of Croatia’s seaside jewels and makes a perfect base for our included excursions to the south and inland areas. The historic old town is located on a small peninsula, and as you would expect with its 1,000-year-old history, boasts little winding stone paved streets and small squares lined with local cafes and restaurants. A gorgeous atmosphere. Its 6th-century Euphrasian Basilica complex is famous for its gem-studded Byzantine mosaics. 

This morning we drive to the south of the peninsula, to Pula, where we have included a guided visit to the beautifully preserved Roman Amphitheatre. After free time in the old town, we then visit another Istrian city gem – Rovinj. Your time will be at leisure to explore this delightful old town and settle into that perfect waterside restaurant or konoba (tavern) for lunch. Later in the afternoon we have included an aperitif in a very special place where the elevated terrace has astounding views across the water and on to picture perfect Rovinj. Your evening is at leisure back in Poreč.

Your morning is at leisure. ‘My Time’ to do as little or as much as you want in Poreč old town.  In the afternoon it’s time for us to venture inland and explore the Istrian hills. First stop will be the amazing hilltop village of Grožnjan. Tiny stone houses cram a maze of ancient stone streets and alleys, a true heritage timepiece. After time to wander around independently we then continue to nearby Brtonigla, and the Veralda Winery for a cellar tour and wine tasting. Amongst a variety of delicious local wines, you will also sample their Veralda Xtrian which, in London in 2016, was voted best single variety red wine in the world.      

We have an incredible day planned for you! Crossing back into Slovenia we reach Postojna where we enjoy a mesmerizing train ride deep into to a stupendous labyrinth of massive caves. Our guided walking tour will then take us along easy, winding walkways amongst gorgeously illuminated, enormous caverns, stalagmites and stalactites. World renowned, the Postojna Caves are an astonishing experience. Afterwards we also visit one of the most extraordinary castles in the world. Predjama Castle is set dramatically in the gaping mouth of a cavern halfway up a 123m cliff and is listed as the world’s largest cave castle. Dating back 800 years, most of what you will see is 500 years old and its armory, halls, living quarters and dungeons take you back to the 16th century.  Later we reach the coastal city of Trieste, and we enjoy an orientation drive, including a stop on San Giusto Hill. The first inhabitants here go back as far as prehistoric times, and here you will see the medieval castle and ruins of an ancient Roman basilica sitting next to a 14th century cathedral.  

Our last two nights will be here in Trieste, in a grand old-style hotel right on Trieste’s waterfront. The main city square of Piazza Unità d'Italia (the Unity of Italy Square) is just one block away. This huge square overlooking the sea is surrounded by truly grand buildings and cafes and in the evenings, it is gorgeously illuminated and bustling.  The wide canal that cuts through the pedestrian streets is lined with numerous Italian restaurants.   The remainder of your afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore and enjoy.  

A leisurely start as we travel just outside of Trieste to visit the delightful Castello di Miramare. Set in a spectacular location on a rocky spur jutting out into the Gulf of Trieste, Miramare (meaning “look at the sea”) was built in the mid-19th century for the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian (House of Habsburg) and his wife, Charlotte of Belgium. They later became the Emperor and Empress of Mexico. Miramare is not really a castle, but rather a fantastic example of a magnificent, princely residence of the 19th century. ‘Maximilian’s Rooms’ include the archduke’s bedroom designed and furnished like a ship’s cabin, and the ‘Throne Room’. The ‘castle’ is set in a large, extravagant Italian- English-style garden, with sculptures and plants and trees collected by Maximillian on his travels.  Your afternoon will be free back in Trieste, and this evening we have arranged a farewell dinner.   

This morning, we will transfer you to Venice and arrive late morning. We will make stops at Venice Marco Polo airport and Mestre railway station. We recommend that you book flights or trains that depart Venice after 2pm today.