Day 1, Piran / Portoroz, Slovenia
You'll be met in Venice, Italy (or Ljubljana, Slovenia) and transferred by a scenic drive past Trieste and along the coast to the predestrianized, artist village of Piran on the Adriatic coast still surrounded by 7-12th century walls. Enjoy a walking tour with small apertif. On to Portoroz (Port of Roses), Slovenia for check-in your seaview hotel (10 min drive). Free time to enjoy the activities and scenery of the resort. This evening you'll stroll with your local host to a favorite waterfront, restaurant for a sumptuous dinner with wine. On the way back to the hotel you may wish to try your luck at the casino that is within walking or taxi distance of your hotel, (bring your passport necessary for the casino entrance) or return directly to the hotel. Overnight Portoroz. (D,O)

Day 2, Opatija - Motovun - Groznjan, Croatia
Breakfast at your hotel is followed by a full day tour in the Istra region, visting the royalty vacation beach resort of Opatija and the quaint stone villages of Motovun and Groznjan where many artists live and perform their crafts. Included is delightful farm lunch in a specialty truffles restaurant of the area with a scenic panoramic overlook. Return to Porotroz for overnight. (B,L,O)

Day 3, Portoroz, Slovenia (optional Postojna and Lipica Tour)
Breakfast at your hotel. Enjoy a relaxing free day. Overnight Portoroz.(B,O)
(Optional tour available: Postojna and Lipica - the tour begins in Postojna, home of the largest caves in Europe. You'll tour the fantastic subterranean world by miniature electric train followed by a snack lunch. On to picturesque village of Lipica, where for more than 400 years have bred the aristocratic Lipizzaner horses.Included is the show-program featuring the star lipizzaner studs. $179 per person/4 minimum)

Day 4, Pula / Rovinj, Croatia
Breakfast at your hotel. Your full day tour will begin in Pula, the capital of Istria. A walking tour through the old city includes visits to the Hercules Gate, the majestic Portico and its six Corinthian columns embedded in the Temple of Rome. The impressive Arenas, still used for major events in the city, stands majestically near the sea. It is one of the six major Roman amphitheaters still standing. Then its on to Rovinj, with centuries-old red-roofed houses clustered around the hill of a former island, crowned by the monumental baroque church, which has a typical Venetian bell tower. Throughout the summer, the winding cobbled streets are crowded with vacationers from all reaches of Europe. Lunch is included during the tour. Return for overnight Portoroz.(B,O)

Day 5, Ljubljana - Bled, Slovenia
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, surrounded by the Julian Alps. You'll have a some free time after a walking tour of the colorful old town with its Baroque Town Hall, the three-bridges and charming open-air market. Afterward you'll head into the mountains to the charming pristine village of Lake Bled, often mentioned as the pearl of the Alpine region, you'll understand why when you visit its emerald-green lake, the church on the island in the middle of the lake and photograph the medieval 11th-century castle perched high on a cliff above the lake. Overnight Lake Bled. (B,O)

Day 6, Lake Bled, Slovenia (optional Wine Country Tour)
Breakfast at your hotel. Enjoy a day of leisure with spa options at your hotel. (Advance reservations recommended.) Overnight Lake Bled.(B,O)
(Optional tour available: Wine Country to Vrsic Pass, (5,252 ft) to the valley of the Soca River, one of the cleanest rivers in Europe. You will pass the sites of great World War I battles along the green mountain valley to the vineyards in the Brda hill. You’ll enjoy wine tasting and lunch in Goriska Brda on “The Wine Road” where wonderful vistas of hills, churches, countless vineyards, and orchards assault your senses. Included are wine tastings and lunch. $179 per person/4 minimum)

Day 7, Lake Bled, Slovenia
Breakfast at your hotel.You'll have a free day to walk the lakeside trails. Be sure you have your camera equipment with you to record some of the most beautiful nature in all of Europe. Lake Bled is renowned for its exceptional beauty and the Karavanke Mountains, serve as the background to this heavenly spot. Be sure to try the specialty pastry of the region - Kremschnite (creme pastry). You may choose to take a Pletna (gondola) to the island and visit the Church of the Assumption built in 1534. Its rich with religious history and art, and a legend of granted wishes by tolling the "wishing bell". Tonight you'll indulge in a gala farewell dinner as you regretfully bid farewell to the charms of Slovenia and Croatia. Overnight Lake Bled.(B,D,O)

Day 8, Depart Slovenia
Early morning departure to the airport in time for your departing flight from either Venice or Ljubljana. (B)

Key: B=Breakfast; S=Snack; L=Lunch; D=Dinner; O=Overnight