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Croatia's Istrian Riviera and Lake Bled

8days from

£1,276^*per person

Overview

Discover the treasures beside the blue Adriatic - Roman glories, stunning scenery and one of Europe’s most beautiful lakes.

Spend a week in a beautifully appointed shore-side hotel in the genteel, colourful resort of Lovran - a favourite destination of the Viennese elite during the Habsburg Empire, and now one of Croatia’s premier holiday havens - and join three marvellous included excursions. You’ll enjoy the delights of the Istrian Riviera, journey into beautiful Slovenia to the beautiful shores of Lake Bled and spend a wonderful day in the spectacular surroundings of Croatia's glorious Plitvice National Park.

Itinerary

Fly to Italy - Arrive in Venice, and transfer to your hotel in Lovran, on the Kvarner Gulf, one of the most sun-kissed corners of the Adriatic Sea. You'll pass briefly into Slovenia then into Croatia on the way to your hotel.
At leisure in Lovran - Today is free to enjoy the facilities and explore the delights of Lovran. A popular destination for the nobility of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Lovran has a rich history dating back to the Roman era and is the perfect destination for peace and tranquillity. Sit and relax with a drink in St George’s square and people-watch.
Included Istrian Peninsula excursion - On the first of our included tours you'll see some of the beauty of the Istrian peninsula in the company of our friendly tour manager. Highlights will include bustling Pula, the provincial capital famed for its vast Roman amphitheatre, the immense arches of which tower over the city’s port and ancient centre. You’ll also discover remarkable Lim Fjord, a wooded gash in the coastline that, according to local legend, once served as a hiding place for Welsh pirate (and later governor of Jamaica) Captain Henry Morgan. You’ll visit stunning Rovinj, which rises Venice-like out of the water, its narrow streets and pastel-painted buildings leading ever upwards to the Baroque church of St Euphemia. Make the climb to enjoy the tremendous view, before returning to the harbourfront below, perhaps to enjoy a well-deserved ice-cream.
Included Slovenia and Lake Bled excursion - Today’s long but memorable excursion takes you north through scenic countryside into Slovenia, and past the country’s capital Ljubljana, to beautiful Lake Bled. Ringed by forested hills and looking out across the usually still waters to an island crowned by a Baroque church, Bled itself is a wonderful resort town surrounded by nature's glories. Enjoy the views of Bled Castle, which overlooks the town from a lofty perch on the opposite shore, before spending time enjoying the lakeside resort. Stop for lunch (payable locally), or perhaps take gondola-like pletna across to the island (payable locally). The energetic can even choose to row themselves! You’ll return to Lovran this evening in time for dinner.
Optional Krk and Cres Islands excursion - Rest and relax in and around your hotel, today, or join our optional boat tour to explore two contrasting islands lying off the beautiful Croatian coast. Board your vessel and head out into the Kvarner Gulf. Your first stop will be Krk (pronounced "Kirk") a former Roman and Venetian outpost, and the largest island in the Gulf (and indeed the entire Adriatic). Across a narrow strait, Cres ("Tsress") is slightly smaller and less inhabited than its neighbour. Explore the historic fishing port of Beli, charmingly set on a hilltop overlooking its picturesque harbour. During the day, you'll also have the chance to enjoy a traditional Croatian 'fish picnic' prepared by the crew of your boat.
Included tour of Plitvice National Park - The last of our included excursions takes you inland to Plitvice - justifiably Croatia’s most celebrated and most visited natural attraction. Here, 16 bodies of water are surrounded by breathtaking scenery, and linked by a series of rushing waterfalls and rapids that tumble down the ancient, time-weathered terraces. After a drive through the beautiful scenery of Croatia’s interior, you’ll spend time exploring the park on foot before returning to Lovran this evening.
Optional Postojna Caves and Predjama Castle excursion - Spend a final day in Lovran or join our final tour and cross the border into Slovenia once again, heading to the rolling Karst region, which has lent its name to anywhere in the world where underground streams and caves are found. Today, you’ll visit the giant chasm at Postojna to travel two miles underground by train then walk with a personal audio-guide through a wonderfully illuminated netherworld of stalactites and stalagmites where the strange ‘human fish’ – a tiny amphibian – lives out its sightless life. After a fascinating visit, you’ll journey to Predjama Castle, a remarkable Renaissance castle that clings to a sheer cliff-face at the mouth of another of the region's immense caves, its upper floor stairwells carved from the bedrock. Return to Lovran to enjoy dinner and the last evening of your holiday.
Fly back to the UK - Transfer to the airport to check in for your flight home, after a wonderful stay in this delightful corner of the world.

What's Included

Holiday Highlights

Witness the waterfalls and breathtaking scenery in Plitvice National Park
Explore the pretty fishing port of Rovinj
Seek out the remarkable Lim Fjord, the one-time hideaway of Captain Morgan
Visit the exquisite, emerald-green Lake Bled, Slovenia’s most charming attraction
Join an optional Krk Island excursion
Partake in an optional Postojna Caves and Predjama Castle tour
Discover Pula's stunning Roman amphitheatre

Our Price Includes

Seven nights' half-board accommodation at the four-star Hotel Excelsior, Lovran or Hotel Katarina, Selce
Visits to Pula, Rovinj and Lim Fjord on a tour of the Istrian Peninsula
Excursions to Lake Bled in Slovenia and to Plitvice National Park in Croatia
Return flights to Pula or Venice
Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
All mandatory local taxes and charges

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Dates and Prices

Accommodation

Hotel Excelsior, Lovran -

★★★★

Introduction
Ringed by trees and facing the Adriatic Sea, this sleek hotel encompasses an expansive outdoor saltwater swimming pool and offers access to the sea.

Facilities & Amenities
There is an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, an on-site spa and tennis courts. Guests can enjoy cocktails on the bar’s outdoor terrace, which looks out over the Opatija Riviera.

Rooms
Air-conditioned, modern guestrooms, with views of the surrounding parklands or Lovran village, feature mini-bars, TVs, telephone, hairdryers, and free Wi-Fi.

Hotel Katarina, Selce -

★★★★

Introduction
Positioned just a short walk from Selce’s beaches, this delightful, four-star hotel offers a comfortable and convenient base from which to soak up the wonders of Croatia’s Istrian Riviera.

Facilities and amenities
Amongst the hotel’s refined amenities are three indoor and outdoor swimming pools as well as a well-appointed spa with saunas, hydromassage pools, and treatment rooms. There’s also a stylish restaurant, serving international dishes, a snack shop and a poolside bar.

Rooms
Guestrooms are bright and airy, and feature TVs, tea/coffee-making facilities, safes, minibars and air-conditioning. Seaview rooms are also available for an additional supplement.

Other Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately three hours from Venice and Treviso airports and one hour 20 minutes from Pula airport.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Airport development fees

An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Holiday code

N1002

Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays (for Metro Travel Offers)

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.

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