This magical Christmas trip to Croatia and Slovenia includes the very best of both Balkan countries. Wonderful advent markets of Zagreb and Ljubljana are nicely complemented by daily excursions to the famous attractions such as Bled Lake, Postojna Cave and Plitvice National Park. Come and experience Christmas the Balkan way!
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN LJUBLJANA
Start your personalised Christmas trip by arriving at Ljubljana or Zagreb airport (other options are Trieste or Venice). Transfer to the hotel in the centre of Ljubljana. After check-in you can take a walk through the festively decorated old centre to taste the typical food and mulled wine offered by the stalls. Ljubljana’s Christmas market is welcoming visitors from late November to early January. Mingle with locals and dance the night away in front of one of the many live music stages. Accommodation in Ljubljana.
Day 2: LJUBLJANA – BLED – LJUBLJANA
Your driver guide will pick you up after breakfast and take you to the picturesque alpine town of Bled. From the fairy-tale castle built on the high rock above the lake you can enjoy the incredible panoramic view on the peaks of the Julian Alps. Later, if the weather conditions allow, you can take a boat trip in a traditional “pletna” to the small island located in the middle of the lake Bled. Ring the wishing bell of the St. Mary’s baroque church located on the island.
In the afternoon, return to Ljubljana to do a guided tour of the city. Your guide will show you the old town with the art nouveau and baroque-style buildings, Roman ruins and the magnificent Ljubljana Castle. You will cross the river several times over the beautiful bridges of Ljubljana, such as the Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), the Dragon Bridge and the Shoemakers’ Bridge. After the visit you can enjoy your Christmas trip in the atmosphere of numerous lights that adorn the capital of Slovenia. Accommodation in Ljubljana.
Experience Christmas Trip in a Balkan way
Day 3: LJUBLJANA – POSTOJNA – ZAGREB
Breakfast. Transfer to Postojna to visit the Postojna Cave, one of Slovenia’s star attractions. It is the largest cave system in Europe that allow visits and has been accepting tourists since 1818. With a permanent temperature of 8°C the interior of the cave in winter is sometimes even warmer than the outdoors. The tours of Postojna Cave are especially festive if you are visiting in the days around Christmas. In that special occasion the stalagmites and stalactites are beautifully illuminated and the visitors are accompanied by angles, shepherds and other biblical characters who bring to life the ever-popular Nativity Story. Later, you can also visit the stunning Predjama Castle, built into a cliff in front of another cave system that allowed its inhabitants to stay connected to the outside world in case of a siege. In the afternoon transfer to the capital of Croatia. Check-in to one of the downtown hotels and free time to visit the advent market in Zagreb.
Day 4: ZAGREB
After breakfast, guided tour of Zagreb with a local guide. They will walk you through its historic centre called Gornji grad, where you can visit the Zagreb’s two-tower cathedral, the famous St Mark’s Church and King Tomislav Square. In the impressive main square of Josip Jelacic, you will learn about the origin of the Zagreb’s name, linked to the fountain in the square. Free afternoon to enjoy everything the Zagreb’s Christmas market has to offer. Don’t forget to buy souvenirs and gifts for family and friends back home. Accommodation in Zagreb.
Day 5: ZAGREB – PLITVICE – ZAGREB
After breakfast, visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of the highlights of this Christmas trip. The UNESCO enlisted park is endowed with a singular natural beauty of the numerous lakes connected by even larger number of waterfalls. Although most people come here in summer, visiting Plitvice in winter is a special charm. However, proper footwear is required. Return to Zagreb to spend one last night there.
Day 6: ZAGREB – AIRPORT
After breakfast, free time before transfer to the airport of your choice. End of Christmas trip.
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