Why Your Next Small Group Holiday Should Be In Croatia And Slovenia

You’ll fall in love with Croatia’s azure coastline and Slovenia’s mountainous terrain, but you don’t have to experience these things alone.

Ride a boat across Lake Bled and trek Dubrovnik’s Medieval walls in good company so you can swap stories over a glass of red Dalmatian plavac or a cool Slovenian craft beer at the end of each daily adventure. Here are more things you can do as a small group in Croatia and Slovenia.

1. Wander the walls of Dubrovnik

Historical Landmark

Old town of Dubrovnik with calm sea, Croatia.

Dubrovnik has always been the jewel in the Dalmatian crown, with its terra cotta rooftops and Medieval streets. Hike up to the city walls, where you can see the historic city as it’s meant to be seen: from above. The walk along the walls will take you in a full circle around old Dubrovnik, so you can stop for a ton of group photos along the way to the old town, Fort Lovrijenac and the wine-coloured sea.

2. Escape to Montenegro for a day

Historical Landmark

Why do two countries when you can do three? A short drive from Dubrovnik, Montenegro makes the perfect group day trip with the stunning Bay of Kotor being just over an hour away. Explore the historic, rugged streets of Kotor or sail across the bay from picturesque Perast to a pretty church on an artificial islet built out of rocks and old ships.

4. Immerse yourself in history at Fortress Klis

Architectural Landmark

Some 15 kilometres (nine miles) outside Split, this Medieval fortress was once the seat of many Croatian kings and also played a key role in protecting Croatia’s Dalmatian coast from the invading Ottomans. Today, its impressive stone walls surrounded by cypress trees and succulents are worth the trek not just for its history, but for the scenic view over the coast and the islands beyond.

5. Hike the stunning Plitvice Lakes

Park

Just south of Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in Croatia. Spend a day walking along the wooden boardwalks over the pristine blue lakes and admiring the cascading waterfalls.

6. Ride a train into the Postojna Caves

Natural Feature

The impressive Postojna Caves stretch out over a network no less than 24 kilometres (15 miles) long. Since the 19th century, visitors have been able to visit the grand heart of the cave on a small train that takes you 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) deep into the complex. Prepare to be amazed by gigantic stalactites and intricate mineral deposits. But the ride to get there is just as spectacular, as you whizz through narrow passages and pass cavernous halls dripping with chandeliers.

7. Eat your way through Ljubljana

Historical Landmark

Cafes and resturants in Ljubljana city, Slovenia.

Ljubljana may be a small box of a town – one with cobbled streets and ornate bridges spanning the Ljubljanica River – but what it lacks in size is made up for in its vast variety of food. Explore the taverns en masse for some hearty farm-to-table fare, Istrian cheeses, fresh fish from the Adriatic, succulent olives, Slovenian craft beer, cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil and home-made gelato. Wash it all down with an espresso from Ziferblat, the city’s unique ‘time’ café, where you pay for every minute of your visit.

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