Winter in Croatia featuring Plitvice Lakes and the Adriatic Coast - Alternative

Get ready to savor the sights, sounds, and flavors of beautiful Croatia and its stunning Adriatic coast. Shoulder-season travel means fewer crowds and more opportunities to explore.

Your journey begins in Opatija,* a fashionable resort town on the Adriatic coast. As travelers’ arrival times will vary, we have not included any sightseeing today. If arrival time allows you, stroll along the scenic promenade of Lungomare, enjoying the views dotted with Habsburg-era villas, the beautiful sea, and rich coastal vegetation. This evening, enjoy dinner with your fellow travelers in a local restaurant and toast the beginning of a memorable journey.

This morning, discover the Istrian peninsula on your way to Pula, a seafront city well known for its urban landscapes. Its historic city walls include entrances dating back to the Roman era and architecture from the 19th and 20th centuries. Join your local guide in discovering the Pula Arena (UNESCO), one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters, and the Arch of Sergius, dating back to the first century BCE, which leads you to the main Roman square featuring an Augustan temple and medieval city hall. Enjoy free time for lunch on your own. Later, head inland to enjoy a true farm-to-table dinner at a family-owned restaurant. End your day sampling regional wines and classic Istrian delicacies.

Take advantage of a morning at leisure to explore Opatija and its beautiful views of the Adriatic coast. Or perhaps you’ll join an optional tour of Slovenia, with visits to the capital city of Ljubljana and the stunning Postojna Caves.