Northern Italy, Slovenia & Croatia

Welcome to beautiful northern Italy, and the world capital of fashion and design, Milan! Italy is a diverse country with something for everyone. Ancient ruins lie next to modern buildings and cobblestone alleyways next to busy streets. Home of pizza, pasta, olive oil and wine, Italy is known as a food lover's paradise. Fashion lovers from all over the world also flock to Italy for the latest clothing, shoes and handbag designs.

We don't want you to miss out on any aspect of your small group tour. To ensure that you don't, we recommend you arrive at your hotel by 5.00pm. This evening meet your fellow travellers and Tour Director for a welcome drink at the hotel.

Located on the south side of the Alps, beautiful Lake Maggiore is the second largest lake in Italy. A little less crowded than some of Italy's other lakes, there is still much to see here. One of the highlights is the Borromean Islands, a group of small islands which feature impressive 16th and 17th-century architecture and well-manicured gardens.

Before departing, we will explore the capital of the Lombardy region, Milan. Often described as the city of the future, this buzzing metropolis is where big business and high-end fashion meet, creating a city like no other.

Our tour will take us to the Duomo, the most impressive structure in Milan and the largest church in Italy. We'll also view the impressive exterior of the historic Sforzesco Castle before heading to the Vittorio Emanuele Gallery, an extravagant 19th century shopping mall, the oldest of its kind in the world. Here you can shop for the latest fashion pieces or simply watch the world go by from one of the many bars and restaurants.

This afternoon, we depart for Lake Maggiore in the idyllic Lake District where we'll enjoy a group welcome dinner.

Enjoy a perfect day discovering this beautiful area's highlights and relaxing in a stunning location. Admire the islets and take in the views looking out over the brilliant blue lake, dotted with tiny, flower-filled pockets. At approximately 65 kilometres long, Lake Maggiore extends across the border to the north into Switzerland.

This morning, we'll take a boat out to visit one of the Borromean Islands, Isola Bella, ‘beautiful island' which is home to an elegant palazzo, Italianate garden and a small fishing village. Bask in the unparalleled views of this natural treasure before an afternoon at leisure.

Today we discover some of the charming towns nestled along spectacular Lake Como. Our journey begins with a bus ride to the lakeside town of Menaggio. Renowned for its historic city centre, characterised by cobblestone streets and quaint cafes, Menaggio also boasts a delightful lakeside promenade. Here, locals and visitors alike can unwind amidst the stunning scenery and enjoy leisurely strolls. We take to the water in Menaggio on a public boat and make our way to our next destination, Varenna.

Arriving in the small and incredibly charming village of Varenna, we'll embark on a guided tour uncovering the best sights in the area. Located on the eastern shore of Lake Como, Varenna is home to a gorgeous lakeside promenade lined with colourful buildings, cute cafes and boutiques. After our tour, we'll enjoy some free time to immerse in this traditional town. Perhaps you want to check out the nearby pebble beach, Riva di Gittana, or indulge in some of the local cuisine.

Our last town of the day will be beautiful Bellagio. Take in the incredible scenery along the way, including lovely hillside villas with the extraordinary Alps as a backdrop. Once we arrive, we'll have a guided tour and some free time to explore. The town is known for its cobbled lanes and the gorgeous botanical gardens of Villa Melzi.

Why not take some striking photos of the many exotic and rare plants you can find here, or find a local restaurant to savour lunch? Our visit today will end as we make our way back to the bus and head back to Lake Maggiore.

Today we travel to the city of Bologna, characterised by its red-brick palazzi, towers, and lengthy porticos. Bologna's historic centre is in fact the second largest in Europe. Settlements in the city date back to 1000BC and it is also home to the world's oldest university – the University of Bologna, founded in 1088.

On our way, we travel to the stylish city of Parma. Known for its architecture, music and art, it's also the home of Parmesan cheese and prosciutto. Here we stop to indulge in some of the local delicacies before continuing to our next tasting stop at the Gelato Museum.

Special Experience: Enjoy a visit to the Gelato Museum dedicated to the history of artisan gelato, with tastings of course!After a day of delicious tastings, we arrive in Bologna and enjoy an evening at leisure.

A delicious tour awaits us today as we explore Bologna's culinary delights. Our first stop is the Mercato delle Erbe, where we'll find fresh produce, artisan cheeses and cured meats. We'll wander through the Quadrilatero, the oldest market in Italy, and sample local specialties such as tortellini, mortadella and balsamic vinegar. After learning how to make fresh pasta, we finish our tour of Bologna with delicious pizza, gelato and gourmet coffee. Full and happy, we'll return to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Today we journey to Venice. Known as the city of romance, it has the capacity to impress not only first timers, but also the most jaded of travellers. It is unlike anywhere else on the planet, with a mosaic of 117 islands connected by 409 bridges, where cars are banned and everyone, including postmen and the police, travel by boat.

We stop along the way for a sightseeing tour in the city of Ferrara, one of Italy's hidden treasures. Still enclosed by its medieval walls, Ferrara has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site thanks to its beauty, cultural importance, and many historical palazzi. The city is characterised by the imposing Castello Estense complex, complete with a moat and four bastions, which was once the residence of the Este family – rivals to Florence's Medici in power and prestige. This afternoon we continue north to Venice.

Today we revel in the sights and sounds of this floating city with a walking tour of the major highlights, including the famous St Mark's Square, the Bridge of Sighs, Doge's Palace and St Mark's Basilica.

St Mark's Square was memorably described by Napoleon as the 'drawing room of Europe'. The golden Byzantine St Mark's Basilica was founded in the 9th century, as a shrine for the relics of St Mark. Built on a plan of the Greek cross, its Eastern appearance is enhanced by golden mosaics, originally created by craftsmen from the Byzantine Court at Ravenna.

The rest of the day is at leisure for you to further explore this wonderful city – the possibilities are endless!

Enjoy the views as we make our way to the Dolomites in the northern Italian Alps, offering some of the most interesting mountain landscapes in the world.

On our way, we'll admire the scenic views of the Boite River Valley. Here, the majestic peaks of the Pelmo and Antelao mountains rise above the green Ampezzo Valley, with a lush backdrop of mountains and verdant forests. This region is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its natural beauty and has also witnessed a turbulent history. During World War I, it was the site of fierce fighting between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces.

After we arrive and check into our hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Today we explore the breathtaking Dolomites. The Dolomite mountains developed into what they are today thanks to geological activity from over 230 million years ago. The foothills of this famous region are beautifully striking with green pastures, the occasional shepherd's house and forests stretching into the distance. The houses in this region resemble adorable Swiss-style chalets, low with gentle sloping roofs and window boxes adorned with colourful flowers.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

Special Experience: Take a chairlift up the mountains to the open-air museum of the 5 Torri, which bears the scars of WWI battles fought between the Italians and Austro-Hungarians. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore more of this beautiful area at your own pace.

Today we'll cross the border and make our way to the picturesque town of Bled, in the heart of the Slovenian Alps. The region around Bled is beautiful, set amongst stunning mountain peaks and brimming with forests, greenery, waterfalls, and streams.

Arriving in the afternoon, you'll have time to begin exploring these impressive surroundings at your own pace. Whilst exploring the Lake Bled area, stop and try a local Slovenian dish, known as the Bled cream cake. Made with layers of puff pastry, custard, and whipped cream it'll be hard not to go back for seconds. Other cafes offer chocolate fruit versions of the cream cake too.

We'll discover charming Bled on a sightseeing tour this morning including the town, the lakeshore and imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. The history of Bled Castle dates back to 1004, when the German king Henrik II gave the estate to the Bishops of Brixen, who built the first castle in 1011 for defensive purposes. The castle is now a museum and exhibition space.

Next we travel to the lake valley of Bohinj, beautifully set amidst dense woods and spectacular mountains. The journey will take us through some very old, typical Slovenian villages with gorgeous landscapes.

Special Experience: Visit a local cheese producer, learning about the life of herdsmen in an authentic environment and tasting the delicious cheeses. We'll then take the cable car to the top of Mt Vogel to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic views, before returning to Bled.

Today we visit the incredible Postojna Cave, the second longest and most visited show cave in Europe. Consisting of a network of 20 kilometres of passages, galleries and chambers, the cave system is filled with two-million-year-old stalagmite and stalactite formations. The massive Postojna Cave has its own distinct ecosystem and is home to the unique amphibian, the olm, also known as the human-fish.

Our journey then continues to Predjama for a photo opportunity of the impressive Predjama Castle, built into the mouth of a cavern.

In the afternoon we'll arrive in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, known for its abundance of beautiful green spaces. This beautiful city features a hilltop castle, emerald green river, and a buzzing al fresco cafe culture. Here we'll see the central open-air market, Baroque Town Hall, Robba's Fountain, and the Three Bridges.

Today our journey takes us to Plitvice Lakes, Croatia's most popular tourist attraction, granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979. The waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have, over thousands of years, deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in turn have created a series of beautiful lakes, caves, and waterfalls. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colours, ranging from azure to green, grey, or blue. The colours change constantly depending on the quantity of minerals and organisms in the water and the angle of sunlight.

First, we'll cross the border and make our way to Zagreb, the Croatian capital. Situated between the southern slopes of the Medvednica Mountains and the northern bank of the Sava River level. We take a morning sightseeing tour of this fascinating city and its impressive 900-year-old Upper Town, and see the Cathedral, the tallest building in Croatia.

We'll then continue our drive to beautiful Plitvice Lakes National Park, stopping along the way to visit the open-air war museum in Karlovac.

Special Experience: Spend two nights in stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park, only 400 metres from the highest waterfall.

World Heritage-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park comprises 16 terraced lakes surrounded by densely wooded hills. This stunning national park lies in the Lika region of Croatia and covers a total area of 300 square kilometres, whilst the lakes join together over a distance of 8 kilometres.

Today we'll enjoy a morning walk around some of the lower lakes.

Enjoy this afternoon at leisure to relax and enjoy the tranquillity. Take this time for an extended walk of the area to appreciate its natural beauty!

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

After breakfast we transfer to the port of Split to board our yacht for a seven-night cruise along the picturesque Dalmatian coast. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner on board the ship.

Today we'll discover the vibrant city of Split on a tour, exploring the impressive seafront promenade and the ancient Diocletian's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We set sail for Omiš, enjoying lunch on board the ship and continue the cruise across the Brač Channel to Pučišća, located on Brač Island, where we will dock for the night.

This morning, we depart and make our way towards Bol where we'll make a stop. Enjoy the morning as you relax in the charming Dalmatian town. You might want to find a quaint coffee shop or even have a dip in the crystal-clear waters before dining on board for lunch.

After lunch we continue sailing to the beautiful island of Hvar. Here, we will enjoy a guided walking tour through this millennia-old town, introducing us to its historical treasures, rich culture and the islands way of life.

This evening is at leisure for you to explore the local restaurants Hvar is famous for.

This morning we set sail for the island of Biševo, with its famed Blue Cave - a waterlogged sea cave with a striking blue glow that is simply awe-inspiring.

We continue sailing to our final port for the day, Vis. A bohemian paradise which is the furthest island from the coast, and the most enigmatic! On arrival we will dock for lunch before enjoying the rest of the day to roam its picturesque stone streets, pristine beaches and cosy taverns.

We set sail for the beautiful island of Korčula this morning, during which we'll enjoy some time to relax, swim and enjoy lunch en route.

We arrive in Korčula in the early afternoon and enjoy a walking tour of its character-filled cobbled streets. This island is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the Mediterranean and is also thought to be the birthplace of the famous explorer, Marco Polo!

This evening is at leisure for you to explore many of the bustling local restaurants of Korčula and enjoy the nightlife here.

This morning we cruise to the lovely island of Mljet, supposed favourite holiday spot of the Greek hero Ulysses. Croatia's lushest island boasts Mediterranean flora, pristine waters and an abundance of marine biodiversity below its surface. It's also renowned for its cultivation of red and white wine varieties, along with olives and locally produced goat's cheese.

After lunch on board, we'll head to Slano, a quiet fishing village on the mainland. One of the most beautiful villages in the Dalmatian Riviera, Slano is known for its stunning coastline, olive groves and peaceful atmosphere.

This evening we'll enjoy a group Captain's dinner on board with live music and entertainment.

Known as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic', Dubrovnik is one of the most photographed towns in the Mediterranean and will be our final destination today.

We sail past the Elaphiti islands as we make our way into Dubrovnik, stopping for a swim and lunch.

Upon arrival, we will disembark for a tour of this iconic place. We'll explore the historic heart of Dubrovnik, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, where our guide will lead us to discover the city's most captivating attractions.

Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace. When in the Old Town, take the opportunity to walk along the old city walls. Roughly 2 kilometres long, you can stroll at your own pace and enjoy the views over the Adriatic as well as into the hidden narrow streets and lively squares below.

Our tour concludes after breakfast and disembarkation of the cruise this morning, marking the end of our adventure through some of the most stunning parts of Europe. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!