Day 1, Piran / Portoroz, Slovenia
You'll be met in Venice, Italy or Koper, 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. 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 resort. This evening you'll stroll to a favorite seaside, seafood restaurant for a sumptuous dinner. 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 of 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 lunch in a specialty truffles restaurant of the area with a scenic panoramic overlook. Return to Porotroz for overnight. (B,L,O)

Day 3, Postojna / Ljubljana / Catez, Slovenia
After breakfast you begin an excursion to Postojna Caves, first mentioned in 1213. This is the biggest underground cave in Europe with the mysterious mollusc, called "human fish" (Proteus Anguinus). A small train guides visitors through this enormous maze of crystalline stone curtains and altars. A few kilometers from the entrance, stands the amazing 16th century Predjama Castle, which hangs dramatically in the middle of a 123-meter cliff. On to the Baroque style town of Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia, surrounded by the Julian Alps, where you’ll have a walking tour of the colorful old town. After a little free time, depart for Catez on the border of Slovenia and Croatia where the charming medieval castle of Mokrice sits in the silent beauty of a century-old forrest and English park. The moat entrance and thick walls surround a cozy central courtyard. Rooms furnished with period furniture make you feel like royalty of past. Dinner in the castle dining room and overnight. (B,D,O)

Day 4, Zagreb, Croatia / Lake Bled, Slovenia
Breakfast at the castle with a little time to explore the natural beauty of the surrounding woods, chapel and golf course before departing for Zagreb, capital of Croatia. The city has tradition and history dating back almost one thousand years. Zagreb is not only rich in cultural and historical monuments, museums and galleries, it also has a variety of modern shops, and offers good quality of diversified restaurants and recreation facilities. After a tour of the city, depart for the postcard-perfect alpine village of Lake Bled and hotel check-in. Dinner will be a traditional Slovene-style dinner in a quaint village restaurant. Overnight Lake Bled. (B,D,O)

Day 5, Lake Bled, Slovenia
Breakfast at your hotel with a free day to enjoy the exceptional beauty and the Karavanke Mountains, serve as the background to this heavenly spot. Have plenty of photography equipment to record some of the most beautiful nature in all of Europe. 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". Overnight Lake Bled. (B,O)

Day 5, 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