Porec & the Istrian Riviera

Local departure by coach or Door-to-Door service, then to Belgium for an overnight stay.

We continue our journey to Bavaria or the Austrian Tyrol for an overnight stay.

Head to our hotel in Porec for a seven night stay.

Porec’s richness is measured by its historical heritage, which has been deeply rooted in this area for thousands of years. It is a city of culture with 37kms of coastline, extending into the Mirna Valley in the north and the deep Lim Fjord in the south. The old city of Porec is a monument of culture and has preserved the structure of the old Roman castrum. The main streets, Decumanus and Cardo Maximus, are still preserved in their original forms. Decumanus connected the square Marafor, in the western part of the old city, with city gates at its eastern end. The Roman Forum with temples to Roman gods was located on Marafor square. Today, there is still a Romanic house and a few beautiful Venetian gothic palaces. Why not join our optional walking tour where our expert guide will provide an informative overview of the city. The walking tour will last for approximately 2 hours and will take in the main sights of the town including the 6th century Basilica and the old Roman ruins. (Entrances to places of interest are not included). Spend the rest of the day exploring the quaint old cobbled town at your leisure.

After breakfast why not join our included excursion to Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. It may be one of Europe’s smaller capital cities but it is filled with history and ancient sights. The capital lies in a basin between the mysterious Karst and the sunny Alps. There were mysterious people living here on pile-houses thousands of years before the Romans built the town of Emona, whose remains can still be found.

This historic capital, developed by the Romans, is now a blend of Baroque Churches and mansions overlooked by a medieval castle. Spend the day at leisure exploring this fascinating city or take a stroll along the willow-lined walkways along the Ljubljana River. To make the most of your visit why not join our optional guided walking tour? We take a walk through the elegant Baroque streets and over the picturesque bridges to see the beautiful churches and palaces, and enjoy the atmosphere of the squares and riverbanks. The present appearance of Ljubljana is a harmonious blend of Baroque, Secessionist and modern styles, with the added spice of masterpieces by the architect Plecnik. The green oasis of Congress Square bears witness to the momentous past, connecting the new and the old parts of Ljubljana. The lively Prešeren Square, everyone’s favourite meeting place, is adorned with a garland of graceful Secessionist buildings, the monumental Franciscan church, and the monument to the greatest Slovenian poet. The unique Three Bridges spans the River Ljubljanica, which winds its way through the city. The magnificent Town Hall, and the nearby Robba’s Fountain, dominates the elegant Town Square, which lies below a green hill, crowned by the unconquerable Castle. We visit the splendid Cathedral and stroll through the colourful open-air market, towards the Dragon Bridge. You will also have some time to wander the streets on your own, discovering its pleasant surprises and immersing yourself in the city’s alluring atmosphere.

Our optional excursion today takes us to the beautiful harbour town of Rovinj, located on the western coast of Istria. It has a rich history as well as many interesting architectural buildings. Enjoy free time ambling around the narrow streets of the lovely Old Town, regarded as one of the most photographed on the Croatian coast. We return to Porec pausing en-route at the beautiful hilltop village of Vrsar. With a commanding view of the coast, Vrsar naturally became a defended fortress, however, only parts of the fortification system have been preserved. Casanova, Italy's most famous lover, visited Vrsar twice and even noted it in his memoirs. Spend time exploring the narrow streets in the hilltop town or stroll along the picturesque harbour front.

Our full day optional excursion takes us to the beautiful town of Opatija, guarded by a backdrop of densely-wooded hills and sitting where the Istrian peninsula joins the Kvarner Riviera. The name Opatija means 'abbey' in Croatian and the name was derived from a 14th-century Benedictine abbey 'Opatija Sv. Jakova' (Abbey of Saint James) that stood here. Today, very little of the original abbey has been preserved and now, in its spot, stands St. Jakov's Church. You will find the church in the central Opatija park which covers an area of 3.64 hectares. The park itself is divided into two separate units, one known as Saint James' Park (Park Svetog Jakova), which is where the church stands, and the other near Villa Angiolina known as Park Angiolina. Another of Opatija’s famous sights is the Maiden with the seagull, a statue by Zvonko Car (1956), which is positioned on a promontory by the Juraj Šporer art pavilion. It has turned into one of the symbols of Opatija. Spend time exploring the town at your leisure. Perhaps work up an appetite strolling along Opatija's promenade the Lungomare, and enjoy a leisurely al fresco lunch. Much of the promenades length is shaded by chestnut and laurel trees and there are handily placed benches which invite you to sit and admire the view of the islands of Cres and Krk looming in the shimmering blue of Kvarner bay.

Why not join our optional excursion to Pula, with its 3,000 years of history and heritage. Take a stroll through the town and you will come across numerous monuments of Roman architecture including the Triumphal Arch of the Sergi which dates from the first century B.C. You can also see Hercules' Gate and Twin Gates, the Temple of Augustus and of course, the magnificent Amphitheatre. This arena was built in the 1st century AD, during the rule of Emperor Vespasian. It is elliptical in shape and is 32 meters high. This ranks it as the sixth largest Roman amphitheater existing today. The arena could once hold up to 23,000 spectators, whereas today it can seat some 5,000 people. Spend time relaxing in one of the many cafes and exploring the town before we head back to the hotel.

Today our included excursion takes us to the neighbouring Slovenian resort of Piran. Piran is a real jewel on the Adriatic Coast, with close links to Venice. Explore the Old Town with its labyrinth of alleyways, covered arches, churches and Venetian influenced architecture. Relax in Tartini Square and watch the world go by, as you look across the charming harbour.

Time to say farewell to Croatia and begin our journey home. We travel to the Austrian Tyrol for an overnight stay.

Through Germany to Belgium for an overnight stay.

Return home.