Self drive: A journey to the heart of Slovenia’s and Croatia’s biodiversity

Collection of the vehicle. Drive from the airport to the city of Ljubljana. Check-in at the hotel. Meeting with your guide for a 3-hours private tour around the Slovenian capital at your own pace. Stroll through the charming Old Town and the oldest parts of the city, where the history of Ljubljana began, beneath the perched castle. We meet at Preseren Square, towards the City Hall where we start our journey south along Old Town Road, to Old Square (Stari Trg) and Gornji Trg where some of Ljubljana's most beautiful medieval houses are located. From there we start our 10 minute ascent to the castle where we visit the inner courtyard and several other points of interest. The visit is both entertaining and rich in medieval history, anecdotes, local tales and legends. -> Any other wishes? This city tour is tailor-made, so we can adapt it: * to your desire of discovery by choosing this or that museum; * to your wishes for activities: walking, cycling, segway, gastronomy, medieval, wine tasting, treasure hunt, etc... Ljubljana has many facets and our city tours are very varied.   To discover Ljubljana in video, click here Superior room Included: entrance fees mentioned in the program, english speaking guide, private tour, room & breakfast

From the capital to the Slovenian mountain pastures. You leave the capital to head north to the picturesque Alpine pastures. Along the way, visit Kamnik and its pretty medieval centre. Discover Slovenia's Alpine landscapes along the way. Stop off at the Kamniska Bistrica valley and its magnificent setting (chapel, alpine relief, crystal-clear springs) for lunch or a walk. Leave your vehicle behind and take the cable car up to the Velika Planina plateau at an altitude of 1,600 m. Settle into a typical chalet. Return ticket for the Velika Planina cable car included. Cable car every 30 minutes. Overnight in a 3-star traditional chalet with sauna and jacuzzi in the middle of the mountain pastures. One day of jacuzzi included. Multiple days available at extra cost. Included: entrance fees mentioned in the program, room & breakfast

In the heart of an alpine plateau, where silence is king. Waking up in the middle of pristine meadows. Today you can enjoy the many walks possible from your chalet. Also discover the way of life of Slovenian shepherds during the summer season and taste local specialities such as struklji (sweet slippers stuffed with fresh cheese). Overnight in a 3-star traditional chalet with sauna and jacuzzi in the middle of the mountain pastures. One day of jacuzzi included. Multiple days available at extra cost. Included: room & breakfast

From the Julian Alps to the Karst region. Drive south to reach the Karst region and cross its beautiful hills and forests home to brown bears. Arrive in Postojna and check into your hotel. Explore the Cross Cave and discover the subterranean fauna during an exceptional expedition. The cave is located in the Karst region, a real museum of nature. Cross Cave is the only naturally preserved tourist cave in Slovenia because it doesn’t contain electric lighting or concrete pathways. Once you have your rubber boots and your portable, rechargeable flashlight you are ready for the visit. The lakes can be visited by four people daily due to cave protection regulations. You navigate from one lake to the other on a boat steered by your guide. Navigate up to 13 lakes during this visit. It is a one-of-a-kind experience! The cave is full of archeological remains from the Iron Age. You can visit the bear cave where archaeologists discovered numerous bones of cave bears that inhabited it. Your guide will gladly showcase 50 underground animal species that coexist in this cave such as the seven species of bats that live there. This cave is also home to another famous creature, the olm (Proteus anguinis), the mystical animal of Slovenia that has birthed many legends of dragons in the country. The dragon became the symbol of Ljubljana and it decorates one of the city’s bridges. Night on a farm in Pivka, near Postojna. Standard room. Included: entrance fees mentioned in the program, excursion (shared), local guide english speaking, parking, room & breakfast

Geological, historical and animal wonders of the Karst. All day discovery of the environment around Postojna. Possibility of beautiful half-day or full-day hiking tours. Visit the Predjama Castle or the caves of Postojna or Skocjan. Brown bear watching. Private bear watching trip at the end of the day with your English-speaking guide. Meet with your guide to drive by jeep to the forest and surrounding hills. From the observatory, you will have the chance to observe bears (at their own discretion) for the whole afternoon, in the middle of nature, in total silence. -> Children under 10 years of age are not allowed to observe bears. Night on a farm in Pivka, near Postojna. Standard room. Included: excursion (private), local guide english speaking, parking, room & breakfast

Head for Croatia and the Velebit mountains, passing through the Venetian jewel of Piran. You leave the Postojna region behind and take the road to Piran. A little jewel of the Adriatic, you will then appreciate the authenticity of this city, its dynamic character and its diverse population. Visit the town's main squares, meeting places for the locals, winding streets, Venetian houses and the Minorite monastery. A great panoramic view opens up at the top of the hill, where the church of St George dominates the city. From here, you can see Slovenia, Croatia and Italy at the same time. Pass through Izola and Koper as you wish. Cross the border and drive to Velebit. Check-in at your hotel. Overnight in a 4-star hotel near several national parks. Standard room. Included: room & breakfast

An exceptional day out to observe the wildlife and nature of the Velebit mountains. We set off with professional guides on a 24-hour private service to experience adventure by day and night. Departure by 4x4 in the morning for the natural plains of the Lika, a restocking area for semi-wild bulls and horses. The wild horses can be approached amid breathtaking scenery. This is a unique opportunity to observe biodiversity with our guides. The Lika plains in the foothills of Velebit offer picturesque landscapes worthy of the great American West. Our guides (an eco-responsible and sustainable partner) strive to reintroduce these animals living in herds, intervening as little as possible to help them become self-sufficient. The return of these species also allows ecological phenomena such as trophic cascades to develop, as predatory carnivores such as wolves, bears and lynx hunt these species and feed on them. These predators also repopulate the wild plains of the Lika. We then set off on a 2-hour hike to the Velebit mountain, a natural barrier between the Adriatic coast and mainland Croatia. We make our way along paths surrounded by an abundance of uniquely diverse vegetation. At the top, we are rewarded with an exceptional panorama of the islands of the Adriatic Sea. Finally, we are guided to small huts/observatories where we can spend the end of the day and the night. We may be lucky enough to spot birds, foxes, bears, lynx and deer at night, in the middle of nature and in total silence. Overnight in an observation hut for 2 people. Basic comfort. Private toilet in the hut.   Documentary on this unique experience here on video.   Notes: Children under 10 years of age are not accepted for observations. 1h drive in total, 4 observatories with capacity for 2 people. Please allow for the purchase of additional snacks and drinks as you wish for your personal comfort. Rudimentary comfort in the accommodation: no electricity and dry toilets. Included: dinner, excursion (private), local guide english speaking, lunch, morning safari, night in safari camping, snacks, private transport

Return to Gospic in the morning. Along the Adriatic coast, the beautiful Venetian stages. This morning you leave the Velebit and head south. Stop in Zadar for a free, unguided tour of this fascinating city. Enjoy its amazing sights: the Marine Organ and the Salute to the Sun. Wander through the heart of the peninsula, with its historic centre dotted with medieval churches and Roman remains, cafés and excellent museums. The city alternates between ancient heritage and elegant Habsburg architecture. You'll discover a lively, dynamic city that's a pleasure to live in and visit. Continue southwards. Panoramic views of the Kornati archipelago. Take a swim in Biograd na Moru before heading for Pakostane, an authentic village and starting point for water sports activities. Check-in at your hotel. Overnight in a 3-star ancient oriental fortress. Deluxe suite. Included: parking, room & breakfast

2-day private expedition by motorboat in the Kornati archipelago with an English-speaking skipper. Departure in the morning, between 10:30 and 12:00. You will discover the largest archipelago in the Adriatic, with 147 islands (most of them untouched), whose astonishing white rock formations shimmer enchantingly against the blue of the sea. Board the zodiac and head for the island of Vrgada, with its beautiful paths and sandy beach. Arrive at the end of the day on the island of Zizanj, where you will spend the night. Settle into an ecological hut built from local materials. Overnight in an eco-friendly hut built from regional materials. Dinner included.   This adventure is one of the most beautiful in Croatia. The scenery is magnificent and the mix of sailing, swimming, short hikes and exploring guarantee two wonderful days. We may also spot some dolphins. It is possible to shorten to a full day with less time for exploration, swimming or hiking. We can also offer sailing adventures on an Open 52 and overnight stays on the islands. Included: box lunch, camping site, entrance fees mentioned in the program, excursion (private), english speaking guide, skipper

Second day of sailing in the islands. What a chance to wake up facing the sea! Enjoy an early-morning dip in the Adriatic from the camp pontoon. Take the zodiac to the impressive cliffs of Telascica (160 m high). Disembark on a beach worthy of the adventures of Robinson Crusoe, or Koh Lanta (depending on your references). Short walk through the olive groves before re-embarking to explore the bottom of Telascica Bay. Return to Pakostane at the end of the day. Overnight in a 3-star ancient oriental fortress. Deluxe suite. Included: box lunch, breakfast, entrance fees mentioned in the program, excursion (private), english speaking guide, skipper, parking, room & breakfast

Pakostane is an ideal place to explore the region for a few days. Choose from the following options: Farniente & relax on the village beaches. Hire a paddle, kayak, bike or catamaran lessons from our local French-speaking contact. Walking along a coastal path of around 5-6 km. Birdwatching in the Vransko Jezero lake nature reserve and panoramic walk to the Vidikovac Kamenjak viewpoint. Exploration of the Kornati National Park and its archipelago by zodiac. Discover the Murter peninsula and swim at the heavenly Slanica beach. Hiking in the Paklenica or Krka National Parks. Visit Zadar or Sibenik or Trogir and/or Split. Overnight in a 3-star ancient oriental fortress. Deluxe suite. Included: parking, room & breakfast

Guided hike to the Krupa River in the Velebit Park. Back to nature and the rural world following the ancestral paths of the shepherds and their flocks. Walk along a winding path in the Krupa canyon. At the bottom flows an emerald river, interspersed with pretty little waterfalls and travertine barriers. It is a well preserved place where otters and Cistudes turtles are still living. The route goes up the riverbed to a small stone bridge called Kudin Most. At the end of the day, it is the ascent to the plateau to complete the tour. For the summer hikes, it is also possible to swim. -> 13 km for 4 hours of trekking. 450 meters of difference in altitude. Drive to Croatia's most beautiful national park. Check-in at your hotel. Overnight in a 4-star hotel composed of traditional chalets in the National Park of the Plitvice Lakes. Deluxe Studio. Included: box lunch, excursion (private), english speaking guide, room & breakfast

Exceptional day's walk in the heart of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Road to reach the park's surroundings. You have several choices of visit and we recommend a full exploration. Departure by panoramic train to reach the upper end of the park. The visit begins with a ride along the Upper Lakes, the wildest part of the park, where the lakes merge, the platforms on which you walk pass over bodies of water and waterfalls. The water flows from all sides, it's magical. Electric boat crossing on Lake Kozjak. Let's go for a walk on the lower part of the park, through the gorges of the Lower Lakes, which will take you to the Great Waterfall. Continue to the top of the gorge with a panoramic view. Return on foot or by train. This circular program allows you to enjoy the beauty of the lake area of the park as a whole. -> 8.9 kilometres walk on wooden footbridge. Little elevation gain. About 5 to 6-hour walk. Overnight in a 4-star hotel composed of traditional chalets in the National Park of the Plitvice Lakes. Deluxe Studio. Included: entrance fees mentioned in the program, room & breakfast

Drive from the Plitvice Lakes National Park to the city of Zagreb. On the way, visit Rastoke, the village of water mills, located at the confluence of the Slunjčica and Korana rivers, where a multitude of waterfalls, lakes and bodies of water reveal the natural beauty of this area, and the Turanj War Museum. Check-in at your hotel. Meeting with your guide a private tour to discover Zagreb, for about 1.5 hours to 2 hours. The capital of Croatia can be visited, tasted and experienced at any time of the year and at any time of the day. You will walk through it on foot, or by tram, and believe us, it is full of interests and surprises. Its parks, its medieval side, its lively little shops and cafés and all its monuments and museums will charm you. Highlights of the visit: Zagreb's main square (Governor's Square Jelačić), Old Town, Cathedral, Dolac Open Market, St. Mark's Church. Overnight in a 4-star hotel in the city centre. Superior room with small balcony. Included: english speaking guide, private tour, room & breakfast

Drive to Ljubljana airport, arriving 2 h 30 - 3 h before your flight. Cross the border with the same vehicle. Return your vehicle to the airport. Check-in and boarding. 🌎 Financing eco responsible tourism 🌎 Terra Balka is a partner of the association Mali Zmaj (Charity in Zagreb working in the help to children). We wish to have a positive impact on the territories crossed by our travelers and in this sense, Terra Balka gives 5 euros per traveler to this association.