Croatia
Croatia is a breathtaking fusion of medieval towns, sun-drenched islands, dramatic mountains, and shimmering Adriatic waters, where history and nature blend in perfect harmony.
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | This is the travel day. Getting to the airport and taking an overnight flight to Zagreb. | In flight |
| Day 2 | Arriving in Zagreb, renting a car and driving to Ljubljana, Slovenia. | Ljubljana |
| Day 3 | Exploring Ljubljana. Old town, castle and streets. | Ljubljana |
| Day 4 | Leave Ljubljana, visit Slovanias Skocjan Caves and Predjama Castle before arriving in Rovinj, Croatia. | Rovinj |
| Day 5 | Visit the hilltop towns of Motovun and Groznjan near Rovinj. | Rovinj |
| Day 6 | Explore the city of Pula, the largest city on the Istrian penincula. | Rovinj |
| Day 7 | Drive to Plitvice National Park area while visiting a couple of seaside towns. | Plitvice |
| Day 8 | Hike through the waters of Plitvice National Park, and then drive to Zadar. | Zadar |
| Day 9 | Walk the old town of Zadar. | Zadar |
| Day 10 | Hike through Krka National Park and arrive in Split. | Split |
| Day 11 | Explore the historic Klis Fortress and in the afternoon climb Marjan Hill. | Split |
| Day 12 | Drive to the port town of Orebic and board the ferry for the island of Korcula. | Korcula |
| Day 13 | Wander through the main the historic fortified town of Korcula. Afternoon relax on one of the many beaches. | Korcula |
| Day 14 | Drive to Dubrovnik. | Dubrovnik |
| Day 15 | Explore the historic town of Dubrovnik and walk the medieval walls. | Dubrovnik |
| Day 16 | Cross the border to Montenegro. Explore Kotor and the bay. | Dubrovnik |
Day 1 - Travel Day
We flew overnight on a transatlantic flight to Rome, Italy.
Day 2 - Zagreb and Ljubljana, Slovenia:
Enjoyed one of the many lounges at the Rome Fiumicino airport before boarding a flight to Zagreb via Ryanair. After picking up a rental car at the airport, we headed straight to our Airbnb in Ljubljana, Slovenia. It was simply a personal preference to skip Zagreb and visit Ljubljana in Slovenia instead. The Airbnb was excellent! It was easy to find off the highway, important since we were arriving in the dark, offered free parking, very spacious, it was very close to the sights in the historic centre, and best of all - the bed was super comfortable.
Day 3 - Ljubljana
Explore Ljubljana. Ljubljana may be small, but it’s packed with charm and surprises. We spent the day wandering through this beautiful city:
Triple Bridge (Tromostovje) A unique architectural gem connecting the old town with the modern city. Designed by Jože Plečnik, it’s perfect for photos and people-watching.
Ljubljana Castle Perched on a hill, this medieval fortress offers panoramic views, a funicular ride, and even an escape room-style tour for a twist on history. Reaching the castle can be done by a funicular or by walking along a path. The castle grounds are free, so if you don’t want to walk through the castle but want to wander along the grounds and take spectacular photos of the city of Ljubljana, just walk the path and save yourself the funicular cost. It’s an easier climb than it looks.
Dragon Bridge Guarded by fierce dragon statues, this Art Nouveau bridge is a symbol of the city and a favorite photo spot.
Ljubljana Cathedral (St. Nicholas) Step inside to admire Baroque frescoes and bronze doors that tell Slovenia’s story.
Day 4 - Slovenia and Rovinj, Croatia Before leaving Slovenia, there are a couple of landmarks to see on the drive from Ljubljana to Rovinj.
Škocjan Caves: A UNESCO-listed underground canyon with dramatic bridges and roaring rivers.
Predjama Castle: Ride a train through the cave, then visit the fairytale castle built into a cliff.
Day 4 - Rovinj, Croatia
Rovinj is like a postcard come to life — perched on the western coast of the Istrian Peninsula, it’s one of Croatia’s most enchanting seaside towns.
Originally an island, Rovinj was connected to the mainland in 1763 by filling in the channel.
It was ruled by the Republic of Venice for over 500 years, and you can still feel the Italian influence in its architecture, cuisine, bilingual signs and even the radio stations.
The town is officially bilingual: Croatian and Italian are both used in daily life
After settling into our Airbnb, we set off to explore Rovinj’s Old Town — winding through its charming island streets, snapping endless photos of colorful facades, hidden alleys, and glimpses of the sparkling sea. As the sun dipped, we found ourselves at the harbor’s edge, enjoying a seaside dinner with a breathtaking view of Rovinj glowing across the water.
Day 5 - Motovun and Grožnjan: After a breakfast consisting of coffee and delicious croissants, we drove to the hilltop town of Motovun. Only about an hour away from Rovinj.
Motovun is a storybook hilltop town in the heart of Istria, Croatia — where medieval charm meets truffle-scented breezes and panoramic views. Perched 277 meters above sea level, Motovun overlooks the lush Mirna River valley and the famed Motovun Forest, home to prized black and white truffles. The town is encircled by well-preserved medieval walls, which now serve as a scenic walkway with sweeping views of Istria. Motovun is Croatia’s truffle capital — you’ll find them in everything from pasta to ice cream. We savored a lovely cliffside lunch surrounded by sweeping views of the valley below, and the earthy aroma of truffles was undeniably the star of the menu. After lunch we drove to the other nearby town, Grožnjan.
Grožnjan is a tiny hilltop town in Istria, Croatia, that feels like it was handcrafted for artists and dreamers. Perched 228 meters above sea level, Grožnjan overlooks the Mirna River valley, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and white limestone soil. The views stretch all the way to the Adriatic Sea on clear days — perfect for sipping local Malvazija wine while watching the sunset.
We made our way back to Rovinj, once again losing ourselves in the charm of its medieval streets — a winding maze of stone alleys and lantern-lit corners. The evening unfolded with another seaside feast, where fresh seafood and mussels stole the show. From the harbor, you’ll see Rovinj’s silhouette transform into a glowing mosaic — fishing boats bobbing in the foreground, the old town rising like a crown above the water. People gather, wine glasses in hand, watching the light fade into a soft twilight and spectacular sunset.
Day 6 - Pula. This day drive about an hour south to Istrian capital of Pula. Pula is a fascinating coastal city at the southern tip of Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula — where ancient Roman grandeur meets laid-back Adriatic charm. Pula is known for it’s Roman legacy with the following sites:
Pula Arena: One of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world, built in the 1st century AD. It once hosted gladiator fights and now stages concerts and film festivals.
Temple of Augustus: A beautifully intact Roman temple on the old Forum square.
Arch of the Sergii: A triumphal arch from the 1st century BC, commemorating a powerful Roman family
Tips: There is a large parking lot in front of the Pula arena.
During our final evening in Rovinj, we walked past the harbour for more stunning views of the town along the southern end of the promenade.
Day 7 - Plitvice National Park. In progress, stay tuned.