Adriatic Discovery: Northern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia

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Venice


Split

Tour summary

10 days

3 countries

Visiting 3 countries: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia

14 meals

18 guests (max)

Driver

Trip leader

Luxury minicoach

Twin-share / double / double for single occupancy

9 nights in thoughtfully selected accommodation

9 nights

Lakes like turquoise gemstones, local wines that dance with flavour and picture-perfect Riviera-style villages await – get ready to be enraptured by the beautiful diversity of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. Carve your path through these Adriatic wonders as you uncover the remains of Medieval frescos, spy cascading waterfalls and share stories with artists that call this region home. What hidden secrets will you discover?

Tour highlights

Savour a unique wine tasting experience at the Poli Grappa Museum in Bassano del Grappa 

Take in the scenery on a traditional pletna boat across Lake Bled in Slovenia 

Explore the beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

Tour itinerary

Day 1 - Venice (Italy)

Welcome to Venice – the magnificent floating city boasting unparalleled elegance, grandeur and romance. Meet your travel companions and Tour Leader at the hotel, before settling into a delicious welcome meal at a local restaurant. Saluti!

Welcome to Venice – the magnificent floating city boasting unparalleled elegance, grandeur and romance. Meet your travel companions and Tour Leader at the hotel, before settling into a delicious welcome meal at a local restaurant. Saluti!

Included today

Accommodation

Hotel Ca’ dei Conti (or similar)

Meals
  • Dinner

Day 2 - Venice – Bassano Del Grappa

After breakfast, we’ll board the mini-coach and set a course for our first stop – Maser, where a wine tasting session at the historic Villa di Maser winery awaits us. Grapes from this ancient winery are grown in 33 hectares of carefully selected, eco-friendly vineyards – and our palettes are sure to appreciate the care and attention placed in each bottle. Then: onwards to Bassano del Grappa, a historic town that’s famous for its 13th century Ponte Vecchio. After getting better acquainted on an orientation tour, we’ll enjoy some free time for lunch. Later, we’ll pay a visit to the Poli Grappa Museum – where we’ll learn about the history of the local tipple and enjoy a tasting, of course! This evening will be ours to explore Bassano Del Grappa at our own pace or put our feet up back at the hotel.

After breakfast, we’ll board the mini-coach and set a course for our first stop – Maser, where a wine tasting session at the historic Villa di Maser winery awaits us. Grapes from this ancient winery are grown in 33 hectares of carefully selected, eco-friendly vineyards – and our palettes are sure to appreciate the care and attention placed in each bottle. Then: onwards to Bassano del Grappa, a historic town that’s famous for its 13th century Ponte Vecchio. After getting better acquainted on an orientation tour, we’ll enjoy some free time for lunch. Later, we’ll pay a visit to the Poli Grappa Museum – where we’ll learn about the history of the local tipple and enjoy a tasting, of course! This evening will be ours to explore Bassano Del Grappa at our own pace or put our feet up back at the hotel.

Included today

Accommodation

Belvedere Hotel (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast

Day 3 - Bassano Del Grappa – Rovereto – Bassano Del Grappa

Today we’ll delve into Rovereto’s fascinating history on a locally guided walking tour. As we go, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the imposing Rovereto Castle, Italian Historical War Museum and the Bell of the Fallen – which commemorates those who fell in the Great War in Trentino. Cast with the bronze of all nations who participated in World War I, it’s 100 tolls at dusk are a testimony to world peace. Following our tour, we’ll enjoy a sumptuous included lunch at a local restaurant – before returning to Bassano Del Grappa for an evening spent at our leisure.

Today we’ll delve into Rovereto’s fascinating history on a locally guided walking tour. As we go, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the imposing Rovereto Castle, Italian Historical War Museum and the Bell of the Fallen – which commemorates those who fell in the Great War in Trentino. Cast with the bronze of all nations who participated in World War I, it’s 100 tolls at dusk are a testimony to world peace. Following our tour, we’ll enjoy a sumptuous included lunch at a local restaurant – before returning to Bassano Del Grappa for an evening spent at our leisure.

Included today

Accommodation

Belvedere Hotel (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Day 4 - Bassano Del Grappa – Belluno – Lake Bled (Slovenia)

Before we bid farewell to Italy, we’ll make one more stop in picturesque Belluno. A historic old town with breathtaking views and Renaissance-era buildings – we’ll enjoy an orientation tour with our Tour Leader before lunching at our leisure. Then: we’ll cross the border into spectacular Slovenia. Enjoy the scenic back roads as we travel to the enchanting Lake Bled region – our home for the next two nights. This evening, we’ll be free to spend some time relaxing before tomorrow’s trip to the iconic lake.

Before we bid farewell to Italy, we’ll make one more stop in picturesque Belluno. A historic old town with breathtaking views and Renaissance-era buildings – we’ll enjoy an orientation tour with our Tour Leader before lunching at our leisure. Then: we’ll cross the border into spectacular Slovenia. Enjoy the scenic back roads as we travel to the enchanting Lake Bled region – our home for the next two nights. This evening, we’ll be free to spend some time relaxing before tomorrow’s trip to the iconic lake.

Included today

Accommodation

Bled Rose Hotel (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast

Day 5 - Lake Bled

First on today’s agenda: we’ll enjoy a guided tour of mesmerising Bled Castle. One of the oldest castles in Slovenia, our guide will educate us on the fascinating history and let us in on a few secrets, before we settle down to an included lunch in the castle restaurant. This afternoon we’ll take to the water for a locally-crafted pletna boat ride to the small island in the centre of Lake Bled – where we’ll visit the Baroque Church of the Assumption. Upon returning to the mainland, we’ll savour an afternoon spent at our leisure or dining at our hand-picked accommodation’s restaurant.

First on today’s agenda: we’ll enjoy a guided tour of mesmerising Bled Castle. One of the oldest castles in Slovenia, our guide will educate us on the fascinating history and let us in on a few secrets, before we settle down to an included lunch in the castle restaurant. This afternoon we’ll take to the water for a locally-crafted pletna boat ride to the small island in the centre of Lake Bled – where we’ll visit the Baroque Church of the Assumption. Upon returning to the mainland, we’ll savour an afternoon spent at our leisure or dining at our hand-picked accommodation’s restaurant.

Included today

Accommodation

Bled Rose Hotel (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Day 6 - Lake Bled – Ljubljana and Postojna Cave – Rovinj (Croatia)

This morning we’ll bid a fond farewell to Lake Bled and continue our journey to Slovenia’s capital: Ljubljana. Here, we’ll learn more about the city’s major sights on a locally guided walking tour and take the funicular up to the famous castle for incredible views over this enchanting city. Then: we’ll have the opportunity to visit the impressive Postojna Cave and take an unforgettable train ride through the mesmerising subterranean system. We’ll round up our day in the quaint seaside town of Rovinj – where the evening will be free for us to leisurely explore the narrow, cobbled streets in search of a local restaurant for dinner.

This morning we’ll bid a fond farewell to Lake Bled and continue our journey to Slovenia’s capital: Ljubljana. Here, we’ll learn more about the city’s major sights on a locally guided walking tour and take the funicular up to the famous castle for incredible views over this enchanting city. Then: we’ll have the opportunity to visit the impressive Postojna Cave and take an unforgettable train ride through the mesmerising subterranean system. We’ll round up our day in the quaint seaside town of Rovinj – where the evening will be free for us to leisurely explore the narrow, cobbled streets in search of a local restaurant for dinner.

Included today

Accommodation

Villa Valdibora (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast

Day 7 - Rovinj

Today, we’ll have a full day to explore Rovinj at our own pace. Whilst you’re here, we recommend paying a visit to the Church of St Euphemia – the largest Baroque building in Istria with spectacular views over the city. We’ll regroup for lunch where a unique culinary experience awaits at a local restaurant. Then, enjoy some more free time wandering through the winding cobbled streets and picturesque squares of the Old Town before we return to our hotel for an evening at leisure. 

Today, we’ll have a full day to explore Rovinj at our own pace. Whilst you’re here, we recommend paying a visit to the Church of St Euphemia – the largest Baroque building in Istria with spectacular views over the city. We’ll regroup for lunch where a unique culinary experience awaits at a local restaurant. Then, enjoy some more free time wandering through the winding cobbled streets and picturesque squares of the Old Town before we return to our hotel for an evening at leisure. 

Included today

Accommodation

Villa Valdibora (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Day 8 - Rovinj – Opatija and Rastoke – Plitvice Lakes

Today’s first stop will be the chic coastal town of Opatija – where we’ll have some free time to wander at our own pace and enjoy coffee at a local cafe. Then: we’ll continue on to the charming village of Rastoke – which is known for its many beautiful waterfalls and 18th-century mills. After paying a visit to a local mill, we’ll arrive at our final destination: the stunning Plitvice Lakes region. This evening we’ll be free to relax at our hotel and enjoy the excellent restaurant at our leisure.

Today’s first stop will be the chic coastal town of Opatija – where we’ll have some free time to wander at our own pace and enjoy coffee at a local cafe. Then: we’ll continue on to the charming village of Rastoke – which is known for its many beautiful waterfalls and 18th-century mills. After paying a visit to a local mill, we’ll arrive at our final destination: the stunning Plitvice Lakes region. This evening we’ll be free to relax at our hotel and enjoy the excellent restaurant at our leisure.

Included today

Accommodation

Hotel Fenomen (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast

Day 9 - Plitvice Lakes – Smiljan – Zadar

A tour highlight is on the agenda this morning! After breakfast, we’ll visit one of Croatia’s most astounding natural sites: the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park. Here, we'll explore the walking trails that hug the lakes – and watch as the water transforms from emerald green to azure blue. Once we’ve finished exploring, we’ll continue north to the village of Smiljan – the birthplace of famous inventor Nikola Tesla. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Tesla House Museum before moving on to the coastal city of Zadar. Tonight, we’ll look back on our incredible adventure and clink glasses over a delicious farewell dinner. 

A tour highlight is on the agenda this morning! After breakfast, we’ll visit one of Croatia’s most astounding natural sites: the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Plitvice Lakes National Park. Here, we'll explore the walking trails that hug the lakes – and watch as the water transforms from emerald green to azure blue. Once we’ve finished exploring, we’ll continue north to the village of Smiljan – the birthplace of famous inventor Nikola Tesla. Here, we’ll have the opportunity to visit the Tesla House Museum before moving on to the coastal city of Zadar. Tonight, we’ll look back on our incredible adventure and clink glasses over a delicious farewell dinner. 

Included today

Accommodation

Hotel Kolovare (or similar)

Meals
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

Day 10 - Zadar – Split

The tour may be coming to an end, but we have a few historical treasures to uncover before we say our goodbyes. Our Tour Leader will show us around the ancient Roman and Venetian ruins within Old Town, as well as the grand 12th-century St Anastasia’s Cathedral – before we board the mini-coach one final time to reach our final destination. Upon arrival in Split, our tour will come to a close. 

The tour may be coming to an end, but we have a few historical treasures to uncover before we say our goodbyes. Our Tour Leader will show us around the ancient Roman and Venetian ruins within Old Town, as well as the grand 12th-century St Anastasia’s Cathedral – before we board the mini-coach one final time to reach our final destination. Upon arrival in Split, our tour will come to a close. 

Included today

Meals
  • Breakfast

Things we think you'll love

1
Signature moment

A storybook island

As the warmth of the sun mingles with a soft breeze, venture to tiny Bled Island in a pletna -  a traditional handmade boat. Once on the island, there’ll be time to saunter through its magnificent 17th-century chapel built upon ground originally dedicated to the ancient Slavic goddess, Ziva.

2

Curated wine sips

Sip an array of signature wines during a tasting experience within the evocative walls of Bassano del Grappa's Poli Grappa Museum.

3

National park ambles

Amble across wooden walkways through the enchantment that is Plitvice Lakes National Park, where every turn reveals a shimmering reflection of nature.

Read the reviews

Verified customer feedback powered byFeefo

4

Judith Ha May 2025

Rovinj was my highlight

5

Anonymous May 2025

This tour was fantastic Solvenia and Croatia are really worth visiting, really interesting places to visit, the accommodation was good to very good and plenty of free time to explore as we pleased...

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5

Anonymous May 2025

This is the fourth trip we have done with Back Roads and it did not disappoint. Our guide was knowledgeable on not only the physical aspects of the places we visited but also on the history and...

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5

Anonymous May 2025

Very good tour nice number of people and excellent tour guide and driver and good bus food supplied was also good

5

Anonymous November 2024

A taste of the area which was lovely. 6 on tour so very relaxed. Guide was excellent, very helpful and caring. Good hotels and locations.

5

Anonymous September 2024

Well organised and visits to some different places were appreciated, such as
- Villa do Maser
- Rovereto and the World War 1 museum and Peace Bell
- Motovun and pasta making
- Tesla museum
And...

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5

Christine St September 2024

Fantastic tour so many interesting places. We had a great group to travel with and an excellent tour guide and driver.
I definitely recommend the tour

4

Elizabeth An September 2024

Like other backroads tours the first and last cities on the tour are not actually part of the itinerary. Just pick up, drop off. It is not made clear that the tour will just drive through. If this was...

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4

Anonymous September 2024

Great itinerary
Very good hotels
Experienced tour guide bit a little inflexible.
Great bunch of fellow travelers

5

Anonymous September 2024

Loved our Adriatic discovery tour . Our 18 other travellers were all very respectful and we had a great time . Some beautiful areas for sure

4

Anonymous September 2024

Wonderful introduction to some amazing and beautiful landscapes. If you’re looking for smaller size tour groups then Backroads offers this. We had only 13 like minded people plus our great Tour Guide...

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4

Stuart Ma September 2024

Hotel in Venice was in handy location and room very spacious but getting to it was a nightmare. Instructions needed more detail. Hotels were on average good, only negative was some of the bathrooms...

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5

Anonymous July 2024

Small group number was good.
Maja, the Tour Leader was extremely well organised, approachable, and helpful.
Milan, the Driver was also very competent and approachable.
Itinerary included a variety of...

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4

Anonymous July 2024

Very knowledgeable and caring guide .

5

Anthony Ma July 2024

Well managed tour by exceptional tour leader

5

Anonymous July 2024

Wow what an amazing adventure the Adriatic Discovery Tour was. Our guide Maja was wonderful. Her knowledge about the places we visited was great and she gave very clear instructions re times we had to...

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5

Robyn Mo July 2024

Maya was an exceptional tour guide. She is a great promoter of your company. She worked long hours. Took good care of everyone...especially the ones who needed extra care.
Accommodation was...

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5

Anonymous July 2024

This tour was 100% enjoyable, thanks to Maja, tour guide and Adam, driver. Both were very professional, friendly, kind and helpful.

5

Anonymous June 2024

Maja is an excellent tour guide, she is very knowledgeable, able to answer any questions given to her.
The restaurants we were taken to were excellent, with magnificent views and delicious food.
All...

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5

Anonymous June 2024

The tour was above all expectations! Our guide Maja could not have done more to make the trip excellent. At all times we were well informed as to what was happening, the plan for the next day was...

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5

Debra Kn June 2024

Loved our tour and especially our wonderful guide Maja. She was always happy and positive. She handled any issues with diplomacy and kindness. Her knowledge of the areas we travelled to was enormous...

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4

Bernadette Fa June 2024

Our guide Maja was fantastic. It is not easy to please all people on a tour with content but we were both interested in the history, the culture and the landscapes that we learnt about. Maja was very...

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5

Anonymous June 2024

The whole Adriatic Adventure was fantastic.Maya our tour leader was outstanding in her knowledge and care and organisation.
Unfortunately our bus driver Harvey ,did not pay enough attention to his job...

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2

Jill Di June 2024

Too much travelling and not on back roads. Long days early starts to average locations and poor food provided. Bus driver usually drove with one hand and used his phone! No WiFi on bus. Last night of...

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5

Anonymous June 2024

We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. It was great to get off the major routes and see some of the national parks and smaller towns and villages. Our guide Maia was very knowledgeable and helpful.

5

Geoff Sh June 2024

we were very satisfied with the Tour. Excellent guide, lovely places to visit. Best of all, small group tour.

5

Anonymous June 2024

Tour very well organized - superior tour guide, interesting stops and excursions, great food and nice size group. Would suggest skipping Venice as starting point. Accommodation in Grappa (Hotel...

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5

Andrew Ho May 2024

This tour exceeded our expectations. The organised activities were fantastic, especially those where the group were the only tourists, the sites were amazing - e.g. Postojna Cave and Plitvice Lake...

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5

Robyn Pr May 2024

Only drawback was the war museum in northern Italy. The guide droned on and we all wanted time to observe the exhibits and read the details in our own time. Halve her time and let everyone appreciate...

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4

Anonymous May 2024

Our guide Martina was excellent. The hotels Bassano del Grappa and Zadar were substandard, especially the one in Zadar. Worst hotel I have ever stayed in. Breakfast was horrid with over 200 people...

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4

Anonymous May 2024

We’re on the next tour from Split to Dubrovnik now and this is going fine. But I realise now that our guide Martina H made the tour, she’s very competent and has an infectious, vivacious personality...

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4

Anonymous May 2024

Our guide Martina was excellent and made the tour very enjoyable. We did not see the point in starting in Venice, since it was expensive to get there and we left early the next morning. Would have...

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4

Anonymous December 2023

The bus driver & tour guide were very good. The accommodation was mostly good. There were a couple of places that were lacking in local flavor and were also booked by college sports teams. The meals...

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2

peter wa September 2023

We travelled 4 times with BR before COVID. This recent trip was well under our expectations. 18 PAX in a smaller bus than usual. Too many KM. The destinations were mediocur compared to other trips...

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4

Anonymous September 2023

Great itinerary and loved the inclusions

4

Suzanne Wh September 2023

Our tour leader and driver were fabulous and got on well together, which is very important to the overall atmosphere. Some overnight stays were totally unnecessary.

5

Colin Br August 2023

Good value for money well spent.

4

Anonymous August 2023

Excellent choice of attractions, knowledgeable tour leader and run with military precision.

4

Anonymous July 2023

The trip was good value in terms of places visited and experiences both historical, cultural and natural. However there was very little "back roads experience". This concept is pushed by the company...

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4

Anonymous June 2023

Overall much enjoyed but room for improvement

4

Francis La June 2023

My rating is significantly impacted by the accomodation in Zadar on the penultimate night. The room was fine but the food (both dinner and breakfast) was seriously bad and was eaten in a huge...

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4

Anonymous September 2022

Stefano our tour guide was a delight.
However the mini bus seats had high head rests which made viewing from the middle to back seats quite hard and you could only see out the side window or lean out...

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Full tour details covering accommodation, transport and included experiences are available in our tour notes.

FAQs

During longer periods of travelling, your group will make regular stops at various sites, so you can stretch your legs and take in the picturesque surrounds.

All the tour details in one handy document available to read at your leisure!

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