Venice, Rovinj & Ljubljana: Exploring Both Sides of the Adriatic

Included in the itinerary - An introduction to Venice. Having a guide is the best way to unlock the secrets of the many sites, monuments and buildings. Although Venice is one of the most visited cities in the world, there are still secrets and mysteries to be uncovered, if you head off the tourist trail. A guide will accompany you on your morning tour to get to know the city. Afterwards, the sestieri, canals, palaces, churches, museums, and squares are all yours! It's not just the streets that you'll explore, but the lagoon and its islands too.

The first task is figuring out the vaporetto (water bus) system works. Luckily, it's really quite simple. You'll start with a visit to the Grand Canal, which is only a few steps from the hotel, St. Mark's Square, the basilica and its mosaics, the Doge's Palace, a coffee and a zaletti at Florian, the Gallerie dell'Accademia (with works by Carpaccio, Piero della Francesca, Bellini, etc.) and the Bridge of Sighs. Then take a walk around the fish market of Rialto (selling eels, latterini, slipper lobsters, anchovies, etc.), the Pinault collection of contemporary art at the Punta della Dogana, and finish off with a gondola ride. In the bacari, taste sardines prepared with onions, raisins, and pine nuts, spaghetti 'al nero di seppia' (in cuttlefish ink), polenta and cod brandade. Walk along the canals, rest in little squares, enter courtyards and get a little lost. It is well worth looking in all the nooks and crannies.

Hydrofoil crossing to Rovinj Three-night stay at the marina. Built in 1913, the hotel has a surprisingly modern, urban feel. There are pictures everywhere. The communal areas have beautiful parquet floors in shades of grey and blue. The colours vary from room to room. The rooms are extremely comfortable; in some of them, the bathtub is next to the bed. The parquet floors add a touch of style to the rooms. The hotel brasserie serves delicious Swedish-inspired cuisine, a unique choice for the Adriatic coast. The day spa, steam room and gym also reinforce the hotel's wellness values. You can borrow bicycles to get around town.

Rovinj was an island until 1763. A bridge was then built across the water to connect it to the mainland. After all, the most prosperous city in Istria had to be easy to access. Today, its beautiful peninsula is encircled by the town, which is dominated by the bell tower of the Church of St. Euphemia. At the top, the statue of St. Euphemia rotates with the breeze. In the church, with its baroque decoration, you'll find the sarcophagus of this young saint martyred at Chalcedon. As you explore the alleyways of the historic city, you'll see more than just quaintness - here there is a genuine, old European charm. Pick up the hire car.

Included the itinerary - Hidden Treasures of Istria. A private guide will take you on a tour of the Istrian hinterland. Here there is an undulating landscape, where castles and steeples sit atop the hills, large swathes of forest sweep the slopes, olive groves form pale islets whose green contrasts against shades of pewter, and vineyards stand out for their symmetrical geometry. The smells of the sea and vegetation penetrate the air. The cicadas provide the soundtrack to the countryside. Stop in Groznjan, a small village with a large population of artists. Here visual artists, musicians and dancers have found a spiritual home. Sample some of the local truffles from Motovun at lunch. Then you'll visit the village, which has preserved Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance artwork.

Head to Ljubljana and return the hire car. Two-night stay on the east bank of the Ljubljanica river, at the foot of the castle.

Here you'll find an array of stunning architecture, from the St. Nicholas Cathedral with its stunning window dressings, to the Triple Bridge over the Ljubljanica river and Preseren Square, home of the Franciscan Church of the Annunciation. The castle, however, still gets top billing. Its origins date back to the 12th century but most of what you see today was built in the late 15th century. The castle is reaches by funicular. The viewpoint at the top affords a lovely view over the city. The public rooms recount the country's history. And as the docks are just lovely, you'll then float along the river in a wooden boat. This city cruise reveals parts of Ljubljana that are unknown to pedestrians.

Option - Getting up close and personal with Ljubljana.