Croatia & Slovenia
Trip Code: ZMSY
Why we love it
Experience Split's Gothic monuments and the vibrant life within Diocletian's Palace – a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of the city's bustling streets., Visit Zadar to wander its ancient streets and enjoy an exclusive visit to a local Benedictine monastery, where you'll taste award-winning produce and learn about their traditional way of life., Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park, wandering through its network of lakes, waterfalls and forests, followed by a visit to a nearby NGO preserving historical cultural crafts., Immerse yourself in Ljubljana's lively atmosphere, surrounded by green spaces and vibrant cafes, and walk around Bled, a picturesque town nestled on a lake with a fairytale island church.
Is this trip right for me?
Please note that the Croatian coast is characterised by its hilly and mountainous terrain, resulting in numerous steps throughout the landscape, which some may find physically demanding.
Summer temperatures can exceed 40°C in many visited regions, requiring sun protection, layered clothing for heat, and ample hydration; consider peak season pressures along the Croatian coast from July to mid-September and note that European hotels often have single beds that can be pushed together.
If you have more time to explore the region you can extend your trip by starting your travels in Dubrovnik and exploring the Dalmatian Coast. Check out our trip 'Dubrovnik to Bled' (trip code ZMSUC). Most departure dates are designed to create this perfect combination trip.
Pack lightly for this trip as you'll need to carry your own bag, aiming to keep it under 15 kg (33 lb). Opt for a backpack or a shoulder bag for convenience, ensuring it has straps suitable for cobbled streets and stairs, and bring a bag for essentials on day trips.
Important information
1. A single supplement is available on this trip with no exceptions. Availability is limited due to small properties we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
What to bring/pack
Most travellers prefer to take a small to medium wheeled suitcase, which is a great size for the packing capacity in our private vehicles. Whatever you take, be mindful that you will need to be able to carry your own luggage, handle it at airports, take it in/out of accommodation and perhaps even walk short distances. We recommend you pack as lightly as possible.
If your trip includes travelling on overnight trains or primarily using public transport, the smaller your luggage, the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful, especially when travelling on public transportation as well.
When you're exploring during the day, you'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, a camera, a jacket and activity-specific items like a swimsuit, a waterproof pouch/bag for your phone, or hiking shoes.
Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, WATER BOTTLE
Please bring your own water bottle to refill. Although it can be difficult to avoid bottled water when travelling, please use the water dispensers which are provided on some of our vehicles and at some of our accommodation. When unable to avoid bottled water, it is better to buy the largest available and distribute it into your smaller bottle for the day. Some travellers like to bring a bottle with its own filtration system or water purification tablets. If you are walking or trekking as part of your trip, you will need to carry at least 2 litres of water with you., TRAVELLING ON LOCAL TRANSPORT
It's important that your bags can be locked, as on local transport it may be necessary that your luggage gets stowed separately (and unattended). The smaller your bag the better for you and other passengers. To ensure maximum comfort, try to pack small and light.
Physical rating
This trip can be enjoyed by just about anyone with a reasonable level of fitness. Some trips may have individual inclusions that may be of a higher physical rating compared to the overall rating of the trip. Please read the day-to-day itinerary carefully to find out more details on each day's activities, and whether they are suitable for you. Activities can be opted out of if you don't want to participate.
EXPLORING EUROPEAN CITIES
One of the pleasures of travelling in Europe is the ease at which cities can be explored on foot. On most trips, our leader will take you on frequent orientation walks, and you will be able to further explore in your own time. We recommend you pack comfortable walking shoes for this trip. Many of our customers are surprised at how much they end up walking, however this is entirely up to you, and public transport to take you back to our accommodation is never far away.
Joining your group
Art Hotel Annex, Slobode St. 41, Split, 21000, CROATIA, Phone: +38 521302302
Art Hotel in Split is located only a fifteen-minute walk to the most important Split tourist attractions,and Diocletian’s palace. The Art Annex Depadance is located in the back of the main building only 5 meters away. The Depadance contains a total of 26 rooms, part of which is located on the ground floor and the other part on the first floor. Rated three stars, all rooms offer free wifi, LCD TV, bathroom with shower and hair dryer, and all other toiletries.
Alternate Joining Point
For trips departing on the following dates
use this joining point.
05 Jul 2025 (ZMSY250705)
19 Jul 2025 (ZMSY250719)
26 Jul 2025 (ZMSY250726)
02 Aug 2025 (ZMSY250802)
16 Aug 2025 (ZMSY250816)
23 Aug 2025 (ZMSY250823)
30 Aug 2025 (ZMSY250830)
Hotel Globo
Lovretska 18
Split
21000
CROATIA
Phone: +385 21481111
For trips departing on the following dates
use this joining point.
31 May 2025 (ZMSY250531)
Skaline Rooms
Lovretska street 27
Split
CROATIA
Phone: +385 99 4977 409
Joining instructions
Art Hotel in Split is located only a 15-minute walk from Diocletian’s palace and the rest of the famous old part of town. The Split International Airport (airport code SPU) is 30 minutes by taxi from the hotel. You can take airport shuttle bus that is around 8 EUR to the main bus station. From the ferry terminal, main bus and train station you can walk about 25 minutes or take a bus line to the hotel. Taxi is on average 10 EUR.
If you have pre booked an arrival transfer from Split Airport (SPU), your transfer driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall holding a board with the Intrepid Logo or your name. In case of flight cancellations, flight changes, severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +38 95 550 0014.
Finishing your trip
Hotel Emonec, Wolfova Ulica 12, Ljubljana, SLOVENIA, Phone: +386 12001520
Hotel Emonec is located on a pedestrian-only street, so transfer and taxi drivers will drop you at the bottom of Miklošičeva Street, next to Prešeren Square, from where it is a 2 minute walk to the hotel. All rooms are ensuite, rooms have a shower and toilet in each room some rooms have a bath. Each room also has a color LCD LED TV, access to the internet (network plug) and a telephone.
Alternate Finish Point
For trips departing on the following dates
use this finish point.
19 Jul 2025 (ZMSY250719)
26 Jul 2025 (ZMSY250726)
23 Aug 2025 (ZMSY250823)
30 Aug 2025 (ZMSY250830)
13 Sep 2025 (ZMSY250913)
27 Sep 2025 (ZMSY250927)
B&B Hotel Ljubljana Park
Tabor 9
1000 Ljubljana
Ljubljana
SLOVENIA
If you are making your own way to Ljubljana Airport (Brnik) the hotel will be able to help book you an airport shuttle or taxi. Please ask at reception. Alternatively you can check for more options here: https://www.lju-airport.si/en/transport/.
Pre booked departure transfer to Ljubljana Airport (Brnik): You will be collected at the hotel reception 2.5 hours before your flight departure time. Maximum waiting time: 30 minutes from the expected time of pick up. In case of flight cancellations, changes or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +386 51 303 404
Meals & dietary information
Breakfasts included: 6
Lunches included:
Dinners included:
While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.
BREAKFASTS
There are some continental breakfasts included on this trip which may simply include bread/toast or pastries, butter, jam, coffee/tea/juice (or similar).
VEGETARIANS
Vegetarians might find the menu selection in Europe less varied than they would see at home. Vegetarianism is not as common in this region and generally the choices are basic, involving vegetables, soups, salads, bread, cheese, fruit, yoghurt, eggs etc. Vegans and those on gluten-free diets may find this region very challenging and may need to supplement meals with their own supplies from supermarkets and markets. Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for any included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own.
Climate & seasonal information
SUMMER
Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C/104°F), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
SHOULDER SEASON
In contrast, weather in shoulder season can be unpredictable, and snow is not unheard of at higher altitudes. If you travel at the start or towards the end of the European season please pack accordingly with warm and/or waterproof clothes (preferably layers). The advantage of travelling during this time is that there are less tourists around.
In case of emergency
While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.
We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.
You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.
For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us
If you have booked an arrival transfer, and you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find to the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly on the number listed in the joining point instructions in the section above.
In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:
Intrepid's Local Operator: +49 8024 4679 540
Accommodations
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
FACILITIES
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Transportation
TRANSPORT IN EUROPE
Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
PUBLIC BUSES
This trip covers some distances by public buses. Buses in Croatia can range from high standard coaches with reclining seats and air-conditioning to older and more basic vehicles for shorter distances.
PRIVATE VEHICLES
Some sections of this trip are travelled by private transport. Our vehicles are locally sourced and are air conditioned and comfortable, which makes travelling enjoyable. On some days we will be covering long distances, which will make these days feel longer, however spectacular views and interesting stops along the way make up for it.