Croatia and Slovenia

Croatia

Made up of 6,000 kilometers of coastline, Croatia is a haven for ocean side fun. Dalmatia contains the more popular islands and resorts and is well worth the added time and effort to travel south. Inland, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is a gorgeous sprawl of woods and waters. Skip the capital, Zagreb, if you are headed down the coast unless a craving for nightlife sets in.

Dubrovnik

Located at the southern tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik is the country’s most famous destination. It was heavily bombed in the civil war of the early ‘90s, but with substantial international aid has rebuilt and regained its splendor. During medieval times Dubrovnik held off Venetian aggression. The testament to this strength is in its powerful city walls. Spend a day exploring the old town or hop the ferry to Lokrum Island to relax in more natural surroundings. Look into day trips to the Elaphite Islands, Mljet National Park and Cavtat.

Dalmatia

With the Adriatic Sea on one side and the Dinaric Alps on the other, the southern part of Croatia from Zadar to Dubrovnik contains some of the Mediterranean’s most postcardesque scenery. From untouched green isles to old Venetian fortresses, the coast is a haven for sun, nature and medieval architecture and history. Split, Hvar, Korcula and Dubrovnik are beautiful destinations.

Split

This is the largest coastal city and a good stopping point before the journey further south. It is a major hub for buses and ferries. The ruins of Diocletian’s Palace, built by the Romans in 300 AD, is worth a visit.

Slovenia

Home to snow-covered mountains, historic castles and expansive fields covered with flowers and vineyards, Slovenia delivers the diversity of a nation five times its size. A broad-cultured and budget-minded country, Slovenia is a European playground full of green pastures and deep, dark forests. The spectacular Alpine Lake Bohinj is perfect for rest and recreation, while hikers will adore the valley of Logarska Dolina, encircled by jagged mountain peaks. Slovenia also offers urban attractions, including the gemstone town of Ptuj and the charming historic village of Bogojina.

Ljubljana

In Ljubljana, travelers can experience the small town “feel” while taking advantage of this capital city’s resources, history and culture. Being centrally located in Slovenia it makes for a good base to explore the country’s mountains, lakes and caves. Partially on the Mediterranean and linking central Europe to the Balkans, a mix of Italian and Austro-Hungarian influences abound here and around other parts of Slovenia.