Croatia, Slovenia & Montenegro Travel Guide
Come on a journey with me to the Pearl of the Adriatic.
I’ve had my eye on the Balkans for quite some time now, and I must say – my expectations were met and then some. These countries felt straight out of a fairytale, and the views are some of the most gorgeous I’ve seen in all of our world.
Thank you to my incredible, local-to-Slovenia partner, KNM Travel, and Turkish Airlines, for hosting myself and 7 other experienced travel advisors, so that we can educate our clients on this beautiful region of the globe.
Before we dive into these stunning destinations, let’s first touch on air – is business class worth it? Without a doubt, absolutely.
Included in business class air on Turkish Airlines:
Incredible 3 course dining - this is a complete experience. Your vacation starts once you get on the plane!
Complimentary wine
Access to the best airport lounge I’ve ever seen
Priority boarding
Lay down seats (life-changing)
2 free nights and tour in Istanbul, Turkey
Want a business class air quote? While I don’t do air-only itineraries, I’m happy to book your flights with my air team, and offer 24/7 emergency service in case of changes or cancelations. Start the convo here.
Okay, let’s get to the fun stuff. Your flight has landed in…
Slovenia
A gorgeous alpine region that emotionally transports you somewhere between Germany and Italy. This is known to be one of the top 10 safest destinations in our world, right behind Scandinavia and Iceland.
Why visit? From charming and unique villages, including the Dragon City, Ljubljana, and the fairytale Lake Bled, with its emerald, green waters that are set against the backdrop of looming alpine peaks. Not to mention Postojna Cave, the best-known karst cave, and the only cave in the world operating a cave train to admire the underground world. Yes, there is even a concert hall down there!
Some notes about Ljubljana, Slovenia
The old town is traffic free!
It’s legal to drink in streets
Per capita, there are more bridges than Paris
During the summer, there is a Cinema Under the Stars at Ljubljana Castle - every night!
Don’t forget coins for the bathroom
There are 12,000 caves in Slovenia and only 25 are open to public!
Things to do in Slovenia
Evening Boat Ride on Ljubljanica River
Full day tour of Bled
Postojna cave
Hiking among spectacular scenery
White water rafting
Waterfall rappeling
Visit the famous horse training farm
Sailing
Caving
Truffle hunting
Explore the winelands
Kayaking and canoeing
Horseback riding
Cheesemaking with local farmers
Cooking classes
Soco River Valley
Ziplining
These beautiful cities and countries can be quite complex to get to, and it’s important to ensure you have the most seamless journey.
For restaurant recommendations, itinerary routing suggestions, and to have a human in your corner, let’s get to planning!
Croatia
Most of the Croatian coastline is known as the Dalmatian Coast, because of the many small round islands peppering its shores.
The vibe in Croatia ranges from coastal, cobblestone villages, to natural parks, to sizzling nightlife, to medieval fortresses and castles – you have it all here! There’s breathtaking coastline, lively towns and hilltop villages on the inland, tremendous historical and cultural heritage, exquisite cuisine… And if you’re a Game of Thrones fan, then don’t even hesitate - It’s the perfect country for you to explore.
Make sure you dedicate some time to the Istrian Peninsula, well known for hilltop villages in the inland, the picturesque coast and excellent gourmet experience.
Pro tip: Venice is just 3 hours away from Rovinj!
Things to Do in Croatia
Lounge in local beach clubs
Pula for the Roman Amphitheatre
Spectacular yachting
Visit local vineyards
Olive oil tasting
Explore the famous blue cave and red rocks
Tuk-tuk explorations
Visit luscious lavender fields
Jeep tours around the island
Walk the city walls of Dubrovnik
Biking tour
Hiking
Plitvice national Park
3rd-century Diocletian’s Palace
See Khaleesi’s Dragon Dungeon, Kings Landing, and other Game of Thrones filming sites
Stroll down the picturesque alleys and stone houses that are so typical of traditional Dalmatian towns
Hike Omis town canyon
Sail on the Omis river
Explore Brac Island's etanographic museum and the most beautiful beach on the Adriatic Sea
There are so many stunning regions of Croatia, and I’m not even going to touch the islands on this blog – that’s for another day! I would likely incorporate an island in your itinerary, but for now, let’s talk through a couple of the iconic cities that I visited.
Zagreb
Was voted to have the best Christmas markets in Europe. What a cute city this is! Great for strolling beautiful parks and main squares, and for getting a wonderful taste of what Croatia has to offer.
Rovinj
Well, if this wasn’t the darn tootin cutest village I’ve ever seen! From truffle hunting, to olive oil tasting, exploring hilltop towns, and an impressive Roman amphitheater nearby, this is a great home base. I have the perfect spot for sunset cocktails ;)
Note: There is only one sandy beach in Croatia! This is something we’d address on our consult, if it’s of high importance to you.
Dubrovnik
I never thought I’d walk on a castle drawbridge to enter a real-life town, but old town Dubrovnik allowed me to check that off my bucket list! Step into a medieval world that certainly does not feel like real life. I can’t lie to you – this might be my new favorite city on earth.
Some Dubrovnik tips:
If you’re driving in from another Croatian city, let’s be sure to arrange a beautiful stop to have lunch in a small village, or a wine tasting in a vineyard on the sea.
Uber is available in Dubrovnik
Climb the city walls for the best views
Check out the Cave Bar, (or work with me as your travel advisor, and I’ll get you suggestions for the best restaurants and bars in the city!)
Have some additional time? Consider pairing Dubrovnik with a stay on a wine estate overlooking the Adriatic Sea. I have just the villa in mind, and it’s even all-inclusive with room for 20 guests. Pro-tip: travel before May to save $1,000 per night and secure incredibly reasonable rates.
Montenegro
Montenegro, translated as “Black Mountain”, this country knocked my socks off. We explored Kotor and Kotor Bay, which I would compare as a smaller and more reasonably priced Lake Como. With sprawling mountains, old steeples, gorgeous beachfront landscape, Montenegro is one of the smallest but most stunning countries on the globe.
The fjords piercing the sea in Kotor Bay have been coined the most spectacular port town in the world. Its position at the bottom of the sharp cliffs of the Loven Mountain makes it different from any other Mediterranean town. The Old City is well-preserved urbanization typical of the Middle Ages, built between the 12th and 14th centuries. It is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, with a unique culture at the crosswalk of ancient cultures.
Most importantly, if you love kitties, you will LOVE Kotor! There is even a cat museum in old town!
All in all, we saw nearly 10 cities and 3 countries in 9 days. Why? Because it’s my job to educate myself on the regions so that I can better advise you, based on your trip preferences.
Don’t worry, I would never have you on-the-go as much as I was! But I’m so glad I saw as much as I did, because it confirmed how complex the routing is between these villages, and how important it is to spend time curating an itinerary that is best for you. What’s even better? I spent the week with Croatian locals, getting a sense for the best places to dine, to explore, and how to really immerse into the destinations.
Want a human in your corner while you explore the Balkans? Let’s get to planning!
Let’s take these ideas, and make the trip custom to YOU.
When working with a luxury travel advisor, your investment is better allocated toward quality recommendations that fit your travel style.
Sit back, relax, and let’s elevate the way you travel.
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