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Slovenia & Croatia

Slovenia and Croatia are revelations, so beautiful, so traditional and truly distinctive. Both have emerged as safe, prosperous, welcoming countries that are justifiably proud of their past, and optimistic about their future. Small and compact, they nonetheless display a wide variety of scenery.

Slovenia - land of rock & water

Slovenia’s Alpine and Mediterranean landscapes and unique geography produce countless natural wonders, from the jagged peaks of the Julian Alps, so clearly related to Italy’s Dolomites, to the porous limestone rock that has shaped the Karst region. Underground rivers spring from sheer rock faces and cascade down in thrilling waterfalls, while crystal-clear streams and fast-flowing, trout-filled rivers carve narrow gorges through verdant pastures. The Skocjan Caves are one of Europe’s most enthralling experiences, while the coast boasts delightful Piran, an ancient port full of colour and atmosphere. In these deeply rural landscapes, the pretty villages seem untouched by the passage of time, and you will see people cutting meadows by hand, and will be enchanted by the kozolec, the wooden hayracks for drying wheat and hay, and the kranji beehives, with their colourfully painted panels and drawers. The cuisine has an Alpine flavour, with tasty sausages and good meat dishes, along with Italian-influenced light dumplings and risottos. Fish from the rivers and coast is excellent, too, and you can accompany your food with delicious local wines, a real discovery.

Croatia - a country dominated by the sea

To the south of Slovenia, Croatia is an enchanting land of dramatic contrasts and a fascinating history shaped by Roman, Venetian, Italian and Austro-Hungarian rule. Inland, pristine forests and roaring waterfalls compete for your attention with intriguing cities such as Zagreb with its flourishing cultural scene and Dubrovnik, probably the world’s most perfectly preserved medieval city and the jewel of the Adriatic. But it is the 1,778-kilometre-long coast that is perhaps the biggest draw. Rich in marine life, the sparkling, cobalt-blue sea washes coves of large, smoothed rocks framed by scented maritime pines, and is peppered with almost as many islands as there are kilometres of coastline. Ranging from tiny uninhabited islets with sparse vegetation to larger islands with medieval harbour towns, olive groves and rolling hills, they are a delight to explore.

Our walking holidays

> The Karst & Slovenian Riviera (grade 1-2)

> Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Islands (grade 1-2 journey)

> The Lakes & Julian Alps (grade 2)

> Hidden Italy & Slovenia (grade 2-3)

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