Premium Rome to Split

Duration

16 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Unknown

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Embrace the cultural, culinary and natural delights of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia on a 16-day Premium adventure.

Highlights

Spend two memorable nights in a converted castle hotel and dine on a multi-course gourmet meal during your stay in the rolling vineyards of Tuscany's Chianti region.
Visit the home of a Roman nobleman during an Exclusive Experience. Your aristocratic host will show you around the opulent interiors and explain the rich history of the residence, before sitting down for lunch in his dining room.
Delight in regional specialties during a wine-tasting at a family garden vineyard in Tuscany and a truffle and Istrian wine tasting in Motovun.
Take advantage of local knowledge when you travel with expert local leaders who will share the best of their countries, bring history to life and know all the best places to eat.
Enjoy your own slice of paradise at your Feature Stay hotel – the Hotel Istra sits on its own private island and boasts world class service, fantastic facilities and beautiful grounds to explore.

Trip Details

Duration

16 days

Transportation

High-speed train,Private vehicle

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Rome, Croatia

Finishes

Split, Croatia

Accommodations

Unknown

Travel Style

Explorer

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Rome

Buongiorno! Welcome to Rome. When you arrive, you’ll take a complimentary transfer to your hotel and settle in. If you arrive early, and it’s recommended that you do to soak in all this incredibly historic city has to offer, maybe grab an espresso and hit the streets. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and fellow travellers. When the formalities are out of the way, get your first taste of Italy with an included dinner at a local restaurant.

Included Activities:

Rome - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Optional Activities:

Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo (19 EUR)
Rome - Galleria Borghese (17 EUR)
Vatican City - Vatican Museum (25 EUR)
Rome - Venezia Palace (17 EUR)
Vatican City - St Peter's Dome Climb & Elevator (10 EUR)
Rome - Keats-Shelley Memorial House (6 EUR)
Rome - Christian Catacombs (10 EUR)

Accommodation:

The Republic Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Rome

From ancient monuments to romantic restaurants, Rome is a city of great beauty and diversity. Today, join a private guide for a trip to the Spanish steps, the Trevi Fountain, the Piazza Navona and inside the Pantheon before reaching Campo de Fiori, where a local fresh produce market has been held since 1869. Join your leader for a quick stop at a local bar for a granita (an iced Italian espresso) then have lunch at a classic local restaurant that’s frequented by Romans. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the Colosseum – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – then the evening is free for you to explore at your own pace.

Included Activities:

Rome – Coffee Granita (Coffee semi-frozen dessert)
Rome – Guided walking tour
Rome – Colosseum Guided Tour
Rome – Pantheon Entrance Fee

Accommodation:

The Republic Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Siena / Monteriggioni / San Gimignano Region

Today you’ll take a private vehicle to the city of Siena, where your leader will show you the most interesting sights on an orientation walk. At the city’s heart is Piazza del Campo – home to the biannual Palio horse race and nearby the Siena Cathedral. Next, visit Monteriggioni – a medieval walled town with over a dozen towers once used to defend Sienese territory from the Florentines. You’ll have time to explore this tiny hilltop spot before arriving at your Feature Stay accommodation near San Gimignano. This country hotel with views of a tree-studded landscape geatures an outdoor pool and an on-site restaurant. Tonight, indulge in an included gourmet dinner made with local ingredients that pays homage to traditional Tuscan dishes, with a modern twist.

Included Activities:

Siena - Orientation Walk
Monteriggioni - Orientation Walk
Chianti Region - Gourmet Dinner

Accommodation:

Borgo San Luigi (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: San Gimignano Region

Start the day with a visit to San Gimignano – the 'Town of Fine Towers'. Explore the medieval Old Town centre and its Gothic and Romanesque architecture with your leader. This region is also renowned for its ancient Vernaccia grapes, which are the basis for one of Tuscany's finest white wines. Your group will visit a local agriturismo, where you’ll explore the vineyards and sample some of their celebrated wine, before enjoying an included lunch featuring regional cheese, fine olive oil and bruschetta. Return to your Feature Stay accommodation for another delicious dinner.

Included Activities:

San Gimignano - Agriturismo Winery Tour & Tasting

Accommodation:

Borgo San Luigi (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Pisa / Lucca / Florence

Today you’ll visit Pisa. It’s not always possible to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa due to its precarious state, but as your leader shares the history of this legendary building, you’ll have the opportunity to take a photo from the ground. Your next stop is historic Lucca – one of Italy’s most beautiful but underrated cities – where you’ll take a short walk along the city’s beautifully preserved Renaissance walls. From here you’ll take the short journey to Florence where the evening is yours to walk the cobbled streets, eat gelato and soak up the unmistakenly Tuscan atmosphere.

Included Activities:

Florence - Orientation Walk
Pisa - Pisa Visit & Orientation walk
Lucca - City Walls & Orientation Walk

Optional Activities:

Pisa - Leaning Tower of Pisa (27 EUR)

Accommodation:

Grand Hotel Adriatico or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Florence

This morning, join a private guided walk of Florence, including a visit to the Galleria dell‘Accademia – an art museum renowned for its collection of sculptures, including the iconic statue of David by Michelangelo. You then have a free afternoon to explore at your own pace. Visiting the Uffizi is highly recommended as it’s one of the oldest galleries in the world. Maybe head to Piazzale Michelangelo for sweeping views of Florence’s timeless skyline and sample some of the culinary delicacies on offer from across Tuscany, with dishes known for their freshness, simplicity and quality. Olive oil, beans and herbs are a feature here.

Included Activities:

Florence - Galleria dell ’Accademia admission
Florence – Highlights of Florence Guided walk

Optional Activities:

Florence - Bargello Museum (16 EUR)
Florence - Palazzo Vecchio (12 EUR)
Florence - Medici Chapels (17 EUR)
Florence - Brunelleschi 3 Days Pass - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, Giotto Bell Tower and Brunelleschi Dome (30 EUR)
Florence - Pitti Palace, Gallery of Modern Art & Palatine Gallery (19 EUR)
Florence - Ghiberti 3 days pass - Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo and Santa Reparata (15 EUR)
Florence - Giotto 3 days pass - Giotto Bell Tower, Baptistry, Museo Opera del Duomo, and Santa Reparata (20 EUR)
Florence - Uffizi Gallery (29 EUR)

Accommodation:

Grand Hotel Adriatico or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Venice

In the morning, head to the railway station and take a high-speed train to Venice. When you arrive, your leader will take you on an orientation walk so you can get acquainted with the city’s maze of canals and learn about its unique history. You’ll pop into Atelier Lunardelli – a historical atelier where they design furniture combining glass and timber. Then, make your way to Palazzo Pisani, which was once home to one of the most powerful Venetian dynasties and now houses the Music Conservatory of Venice. You can also take the stairs to rooftop for a spectacular aerial view of the city. Venice is renowned for its glass, so end the walk with a visit to a glass blowing factory to learn about the art of its production. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore before joining back up with your group in the evening for a Venetian dinner.

Included Activities:

Venice -Traghetto boat ride
Venice - Farewell Dinner at Local Restaurant
Venice - Water Taxi
Venice - Palazzo Pisani
Venice - Academy of Music Visit
Venice – Furniture and Glass Blowing Artisan Visits

Accommodation:

Hotel Ca dei Conti or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Venice

Buongiorno! Welcome to Italy. Your adventure begins in the floating city of Venice. You’ll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel by car and water taxi, where you’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to explore among the bridges, towers, piazzas, canals, churches and gondolas – practically unchanged for 600 years. Maybe walk to St Mark's Square and the Basilica, Doges’ Palace, Accademia Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs. After the meeting tonight, join your leader and group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Venice is famous for seafood and fresh Veneto vegetables – perhaps try some fritto misto (a mix of fried seafood) or risotto with asparagus.

Included Activities:

Venice - Welcome Dinner at Local Restaurant
Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Optional Activities:

Venice - Chicchetti & Wine Tour of Venice Urban Adventure (112 EUR)
Venice - Doge's Palace & Bridge of Sighs (30 EUR)
Venice - Gondola Ride (80 EUR)
Venice - St Mark's Basilica Treasury (5 EUR)
Venice - St Mark's Campanile (12 EUR)
Venice - Traghetto Ride (2 EUR)
Peggy Guggenheim Collection (17 EUR)
Venice - Accademia Gallery (16 EUR)

Accommodation:

Hotel Eurostars Residenza Cannaregio or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Postojna Caves / Ljubljana / Bled

Say farewell to Venice this morning and travel to the Postojna Caves, where you’ll take some time out for lunch before exploring. A network of 20 km of passages, galleries and chambers, Postojna is the largest classic karst cave in Europe. Begin with a 2 km open-top train ride through narrow tunnels into the jungle of stalactites and stalagmites. In the vast chambers the electric lighting allows you to admire the size and splendour of the underground world, and your leader will explain the geology of these natural wonders. Continue to Ljubljana – a city full of style and sophistication. When you arrive, take a guided tour around the Old Town and earn about the city’s history as you visit Ljubljana Castle, the Town Hall, Cathedral of St Nicholas and the Dragon Bridge. You'll also visit the open market under arcades before continuing to the lake side town of Bled.

Included Activities:

Postojna - Caves Visit
Ljubljana - Walking Tour
Ljubljana - Castle visit & funicular

Accommodation:

Hotel Lovec or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Lake Bohinj / Bled

This morning you’ll drive through the misty Sava Bohinjka Valley to beautiful Lake Bohinj – the largest permanent natural lake in Slovenia. Take a cable car to the top of Mt Vogel, where you’ll be greeted by views of evergreen woods sloping down the mountains to blue waters. Take some time to enjoy the area before returning to Bled – renowned for its mild, healing climate and thermal lake water. Have lunch at a local restaurant, then take a Pletna boat ride (a wooden, awning-covered boat rowed by a special oarsman) to the island on Lake Bled and climb up the 99 steps to St Mary's Church. Enjoy a free evening where you can seek out the famous Bled cream cake (nearly every cafe and cake shop in town claims that theirs is the best).

Included Activities:

Bled - Pletna Boat Trip on Lake Bled
Lake Bohinj - Cable Car to Mt Vogel
Lake Bohinj - Day Trip

Optional Activities:

Bled - Castle (15 EUR)
Triglav National Park - Vintgar Gorge (10 EUR)

Accommodation:

Hotel Lovec or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Motovun / Buzet

This morning, drive to Motovun – sitting on the top of a cone-shaped hill surrounded by the bountiful Mirna River Valley, whose forests are famous for truffle hunting. The medieval charm of the town is still found in its well-preserved architecture. Today, you’ll have the chance to sample the delectable local product during a truffle tasting combined with fritaja (Croatian omelette), a local speciality, on a visit to a family-owned farm. Your sommelier will pair your tasting with suitable Istrian wines to try, such as the famous Malvazija. Continue your wine tasting with a visit to the award-winning Kabola Winery in the Istria countryside, known for having the best Croatian wines. Then, head to the village of Buzet, which sits on top of a hill and is filled with traditional Istrian houses and streets. Your stay tonight will have panoramic views of the River Mirna.

Included Activities:

Motovun - Truffle & Wine Tasting
Motovun - Town Walls Walk
Istria – Winery Visit and Tasting

Accommodation:

Boutique Hotel Vela Vrata or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Plitvice

Today, make the most of a late morning before heading to the villages of Slunj and Rastoke which are beautifully preserved on the banks of the Korana River. Take a walk through the villages and admire the traditional wooden houses and water mills. From here you will head on to your hotel just outside Plitvice Lakes National Park. When you arrive, you have the option to head out on a leisurely walk with your leader to get your bearings. Then, the rest of the afternoon and evening is free for you to spend at your leisure.

Included Activities:

Slunj and Rastoke - Villages Walk

Accommodation:

Hotel Lyra or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 13: Plitvice Lakes National Park / Zadar

Today, you’ll explore one of Croatia's most beautiful sites – Plitvice Lakes National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a fairy-tale land of wooded hills, turquoise lakes and waterfalls. Enjoy some time to discover the park’s trails – your leader will recommend the best routes to suit your interests and outline the park's rules. After your memorable visit to the lakes, drive to the walled city of Zadar. Take an afternoon sightseeing tour of the city with a local guide. Learn the ancient history of the Roman Forum built in the first Century and St Donatus' Church. Visit the reconstructed Romanesque St Grisigono's Church, St Mary's bell tower, St Anastasia's Cathedral, and the People's Square. Lastly, you will visit the Three and Five Wells Squares. There is also an opportunity to visit the Gold and Silver Museum. In the late afternoon, top off the day with a sunset drink overlooking the bay.

Included Activities:

Plitvice Lakes National Park - Entrance & Hike
Zadar - Sightseeing Tour with Local Guide
Zadar - Sunset Drink

Accommodation:

Hotel Kolovare or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 14: Zadar

The day is yours to continue to get to know Zadar. There are a number of excellent museums to visit including the Museum of Church Art, the Archaeological Museum and the National Museum. Don't forget to visit the famous ‘Greeting to the Sun’ and the ‘Sea Organ’, two of the more modern sights of Zadar. The latter is a man-made organ on Zadar's Riva that works with the motion of the waves and 35 pipes to create a musical soundscape. You could also visit the vibrant fish markets of this port town, take a dip in the clear coastal waters, or explore the cafe culture and do some people watching.

Optional Activities:

Zadar - Gold and Silver of the city of Zadar Museum (6 EUR)
Zadar - Museum of ancient glass (6 EUR)
Zadar - Archaeological Museum (5 EUR)

Accommodation:

Hotel Kolovare or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 15: Sibenik / Split

After breakfast, drive to Split, making a stop in the town of Sibenik. Walk among the stone houses, churches, narrow alleys and lanes where past and present are harmonious. Visit St Jacob's Cathedral, a 15th-century jewel that’s UNESCO-protected, before taking some time for lunch. Continue to your final destination of Split. This is Croatia's second-largest city in the heart of the Dalmatian coast, set on the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea against a backdrop of coastal mountains. Check into your Feature Stay accommodation – a boutique hotel with centuries of history (it started its life in the 1700's as the first cafe in Split!), situated on the most beautiful square in the city. This evening you may like to head to one of Split’s restaurants with your group for dinner.

Included Activities:

Sibenik - Orientation Walk
Sibenik - St. James Cathedral

Optional Activities:

Split - Fish Market - Free
Split – Highlights of Split Urban Adventure (64 EUR)
Split - Marjan Hill Hike - Free
Split - Ivan Mestrovic Gallery (12 EUR)
Split - Archaeological Museum (8 EUR)
Split - Cellars of the Diocletian's Palace (8 EUR)
Split - St Domnius Cathedral and Tower (10 EUR)
Split - Ethnographic Museum (3 EUR)
Split - Gallery of Fine Arts (5 EUR)
Split - City Museum (4 EUR)

Accommodation:

Santa Lucia Heritage Hotel (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 16: Split

Your adventure comes to and end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to extend your stay in Split, just get in touch with your booking agent to organise additional accommodation.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $13,655

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 16 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Embrace the cultural, culinary and natural delights of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia on a 16-day Premium adventure.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 11 Jun 2026

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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