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Best of the Adriatic in 14 Days Tour
Our two-week Adriatic adventure explores a corner of Europe with some of its grandest natural wonders — and some of its most captivating recent history. On this tour, you'll meander from pristine hill towns to sun-soaked islands, lacing together the best destinations in this diverse region: Slovenia's charming Ljubljana, fairy-tale Lake Bled, and cut-glass Julian Alps; Croatia's seaside Rovinj, waterfall-laced Plitvice, historic Split, Dalmatian isle of Korčula, and picture-perfect Dubrovnik; and an enlightening visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina's once-war-torn town of Mostar. Along the way, your Rick Steves guide will bring you intimate encounters with European cultures that mainstream travelers often miss. Join us for the Best of the Adriatic in 14 Days!
Early Booking Discount: Save $100 on 2026 tours! See details.
Dates & Prices
2025
2026
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- Apr 5–Apr 18 (Su–Sa)
- $4,395 + Air
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- Apr 12–Apr 25 (Su–Sa)
- $4,395 + Air
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- Apr 14–Apr 27 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,395 + Air
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- Apr 19–May 2 (Su–Sa)
- $4,595 + Air
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- Apr 21–May 4 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,595 + Air
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- Apr 26–May 9 (Su–Sa)
- $4,595 + Air
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- May 3–May 16 (Su–Sa)
- $4,795 + Air
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- May 5–May 18 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,795 + Air
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- May 10–May 23 (Su–Sa)
- $4,795 + Air
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- May 12–May 25 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,795 + Air
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- May 19–Jun 1 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,795 + Air
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- May 24–Jun 6 (Su–Sa)
- $4,795 + Air
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- May 31–Jun 13 (Su–Sa)
- $4,795 + Air
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- Jun 2–Jun 15 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,595 + Air
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- Jun 7–Jun 20 (Su–Sa)
- $4,595 + Air
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- Jun 14–Jun 27 (Su–Sa)
- $4,595 + Air
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- Jun 21–Jul 4 (Su–Sa)
- $4,595 + Air
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- Aug 16–Aug 29 (Su–Sa)
- $4,395 + Air
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- Aug 23–Sep 5 (Su–Sa)
- $4,595 + Air
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- Aug 25–Sep 7 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,595 + Air
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- Aug 30–Sep 12 (Su–Sa)
- $4,595 + Air
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- Sep 6–Sep 19 (Su–Sa)
- $4,795 + Air
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- Sep 8–Sep 21 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,795 + Air
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- Sep 20–Oct 3 (Su–Sa)
- $4,795 + Air
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- Sep 22–Oct 5 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,795 + Air
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- Sep 27–Oct 10 (Su–Sa)
- $4,795 + Air
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- Oct 4–Oct 17 (Su–Sa)
- $4,595 + Air
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- Oct 6–Oct 19 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,595 + Air
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- Oct 13–Oct 26 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,395 + Air
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- Oct 18–Oct 31 (Su–Sa)
- $4,395 + Air
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- Sep 13–Sep 26 (Su–Sa)
- $4,795 + Air
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- Sep 29–Oct 12 (Tu–Mo)
- $4,595 + Air
What's Included
You'll get at least 21 group sightseeing events — at no extra cost!
Here's what you'll see and do on our 2026 Best of the Adriatic tour:
- Ljubljana walking tour
- Bled Castle
- Kobarid Museum
- Slovenian wine tasting
- Pula walking tour
- Pula amphitheater
- Istrian olive oil tasting
- Rovinj
- Opatija
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Split walking tour
- Diocletian's Palace
- Stolac walking tour
- Mostar walking tour
- Mostar mosque and Old Bridge
- Serbian Orthodox Monastery
- Korčula orientation
- Korčula boat cruise
- Croatian family farm visit
- Dubrovnik walking tour
- Dubrovnik walls entrance
Plus you'll get all this, too.
- A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups
- Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of the Adriatic come alive for you
- All group transportation from Ljubljana, Slovenia, to Dubrovnik, Croatia
- 13 nights' accommodations in memorable, centrally located hotels
- All breakfasts and 7 other meals
- All tips for guides and driver
- A tour kit including a guidebook and a moneybelt
- Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
- Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken with us
- Flexibility should you need to transfer or cancel your tour
Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.
Group sightseeing events subject to change.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Ljubljana
We'll meet at our hotel in the pretty Slovenian capital city of Ljubljana at 4 p.m. After an orientation walk through our neighborhood, we'll enjoy getting acquainted over dinner together.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. No bus. Sleep in Ljubljana.
Day 2: Architectural Riches of Ljubljana
Today we'll take a walking tour through the heart of Ljubljana, including the colorful riverside market, the playfully Art Nouveau Dragon Bridge, and the town's lively main square dedicated to Slovenia's greatest poet, France Prešeren. We'll also enjoy seeing and hearing about the architectural adventures of native-born architect Jože Plečnik along the way. The afternoon and evening are yours to wander around this lovely city or to try one of the outdoor cafés along the river.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. No bus. Sleep in Ljubljana.
Day 3: Slovenia's Lakes and Alps
A short drive into Slovenia's Julian Alps brings us to the azure jewel of Lake Bled. We'll take in the panoramic view from Bled's hilltop castle, then leave you with free time to stroll around the lakeside town or maybe hop aboard a boat to the chapel-topped island. After lunch we'll have a scenically winding, mountain-pass drive to the breathtaking Soča River Valley, where we'll enjoy dinner of local delicacies together.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 6 hours. Sleep in Bovec.
Day 4: Crossing Paths with Hemingway
This morning we'll tour the local museum, learning about the WWI years when soldiers (including an ambulance driver named Hemingway) faced incredible hardship in the mountains around Kobarid, described in A Farewell to Arms. We'll enjoy a local-style lunch together, sampling the tasty pršut (prosciutto) and award-winning wines. We'll then follow Slovenia's small slice of Adriatic Coast on our way to the rolling hills of Croatia's Istrian Peninsula.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 4 hours. Sleep in an Istrian hill town.
Day 5: Istrian Peninsula
We'll spend our day exploring the Istrian Peninsula, studded with Roman ruins, Venetian architecture, and a landscape evocative of pre-tourist Tuscany. We'll time-travel through Pula's first-century Roman amphitheater and Old Town with a local expert, before visiting a local olive grove for lunch, where we'll have the chance to sample some of the region's world-renowned olive oil and learn what makes them so special. Our afternoon ends with free time to enjoy the easy seaside town of Rovinj. Hang out by the harbor, or walk the art-lined streets to the Church of St. Euphemia and learn the surprising legend of how the saint's sarcophagus got there. Tonight you are free to sample local Istrian specialties on your own.
Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Bus: 4 hours. Sleep in an Istrian hill town.
Day 6: Opatija and Plitvice
Today we'll stop in seaside Opatija, where you'll have time to wander amidst its beautifully manicured parks and belle époque villas along the Kvarner Gulf, before heading inland to the deep greens and blues of Croatia's water wonderland and one of Europe's premier nature preserves: Plitvice Lakes National Park, where we'll have dinner together.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly level terrain. Bus: 5 hours. Sleep in or near the national park.
Day 7: Lakes to the Coast
You'll have all morning to hike along rustic boardwalk trails connecting the idyllic forests, travertine stone cliffs, clear blue lakes, and gushing waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park. We'll learn how the park is creatively protecting its delicate environment, including the use of electric trams and boats. After a lunch break, we'll drive along the Dinaric Alps to the Dalmatian Coast and the not-so-sleepy seaside town of Split. This evening we'll take an orientation walk through town.
Strenuous walking: 2–8 miles throughout the day with lots of hills, stairs, and uneven terrain. Boat: ½ hour. Bus: 5 hours. Sleep in Split.
Day 8: The Roman Heart of Split
We'll get introduced to Split with a walking tour through its Old Town — including the remains of the Roman Peristyle, the unusual Cathedral of St. Domnius, and Jupiter's Temple — all of which lies within the walls of the despotic Roman Emperor Diocletian's immense palace. The afternoon and evening are yours to enjoy Split's museums, including the sculptures of the world-class Meštrović Gallery, or to relax with an espresso along the waterfront promenade.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. No bus. Sleep in Split.
Day 9: Eye-Opening Bosnia-Herzegovina
Today we'll cross the border into formerly war-torn Bosnia-Herzegovina. Our destination is Mostar, a beautifully situated town that serves up a fascinating blend of Slavic, Ottoman, and Mediterranean cultural traditions. En route, we'll stop in nearby Stolac to see the medieval stećci tombstones that dot the fields and learn about the town's tumultuous past before sitting down for lunch together. This evening, your guide will introduce you to Mostar with an orientation walk and a traditional Bosnian dinner together.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Bus: 4 hours. Sleep in Mostar.
Day 10: Mostar and the Dalmatian Coast
This morning our local guide will take us on a thought-provoking walk through Mostar, teaching us about the siege of the city in the 1990s. We'll also visit Mostar's rebuilt Old Bridge, the lively Kujundžiluk bazaar, and a traditional mosque. Leaving Mostar behind us, we'll make our way to a Serbian Orthodox monastery, where we'll learn about the role Christianity plays in the region. This afternoon, we'll head to the Dalmatian Coast and ferry over to our island getaway of Korčula. After arrival, your guide will orient you, then set you free to enjoy dinner on your own.
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. Boat: ½ hour. Bus: 4 hours. Sleep in Korčula.
Day 11: Island Relaxation
Today you are free to wander the cobbled lanes of Korčula's medieval quarter, poke around its Cathedral of St. Mark, and imagine the tales its Venetian villas could tell. This could also be a fun day to rent a kayak or go for a swim. We'll dry off and regroup for a little happy-hour boat cruise in the evening.
Light to strenuous walking (your choice). Boat: 1 hour. No bus. Sleep in Korčula.
Day 12: Rural Dalmatia and the Pearl of the Adriatic
We'll begin our day with a short ferry ride back to the mainland and then continue our journey along the Pelješac Peninsula, famous for its Plavac Mali wine. On our way to Dubrovnik we'll stop to sample the coastline's tastiest production at a local family farm. After lunch we'll continue to Dubrovnik, arriving at our hotel in time for your guide to orient you to this Pearl of the Adriatic. Tonight is all yours to savor the local cuisine and do a little exploring on your own.
Light walking: 2–4 miles throughout the day on mostly even terrain. Boat: ½ hour. Bus: 3 hours. Sleep in Dubrovnik.
Day 13: Dazzling Dubrovnik
We'll begin our day with a walking tour of the architectural treasures within the 800-year-old city walls of Dubrovnik, long ago its own republic and a rival of the powerful Venetians. We'll learn about the city's rich history as we tour its traffic-free promenade and old harbor. Then you'll be free to roam this stone city and its walkable walls that seem to have sprouted up out of the sea. Tonight we'll have a feast of local specialties together as we share travel memories and toast new friends. Živjeli!
Moderate walking: 2–6 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs, No bus. Sleep in Dubrovnik.
Day 14: Tour Over After Breakfast
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. Dubrovnik's airport is just 40 minutes away. From there, you can fly to Zagreb and other European cities. Whatever your plans, your guide will help you get on the right track. Do viđenija!
Itinerary specifics subject to change.
Physical Demands
Our tours are physically active! It's an essential part of the Rick Steves tour experience. On our Best of the Adriatic in 14 Days tour — among other things — you'll need to happily…
- Carry/roll your luggage over uneven pavement (possibly several blocks) and up stairways to reach your hotel, then up several flights of stairs to reach your room.
- Be on your feet, walking and standing, for up to three hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions.
- Sleep with street noise and no (or weak) air conditioning.
- After orientation and transportation lessons, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.
- Travel on a bus without a toilet (rest stops every two hours).
Reviews
Leigh Ann
Tour: 06/03/25
Overall rating:
Our tour guide was wonderful in every way. She was smart and thoughtful. I liked our hardworking bus driver, Edis. Certain people in our group were so loud they made the group dinners unbearable. You couldn't have a conversation. The heat affect my enjoyment of the tour. I wasn't prepared for it, thinking 80 isn't that hot. In the sun it was!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I liked the free day in Korcula. "
Debra
Tour: 06/03/25
Overall rating:
Alison
Tour: 06/01/25
Overall rating:
Was a wonderful tour and very educational too. Just the right pace and definitely caught all the highlights the Adriatic has to offer. Mili was the best tour guide and really enjoyed him
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I had two. The first was Bosnia. What a beautiful country still recovering from the war. Talking with locals who shared their experiences of the war with us brought a whole new understanding to me. At the same time the scenery, the food and the people were so warm. Really wish we could have explored Bosnia more. The second was Plitvice National Park. Just gorgeous,,"
Elizabeth
Tour: 06/01/25
Overall rating:
The tour was well paced, informative and fun. I was surprised and pleased with the unique experiences we had and the “inside knowledge “ of the guides.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite wow moment- the whole city of Ljubljana was so impressive. It was clean, vibrant, full of history and stunningly beautiful."
Cynthia
Tour: 06/01/25
Overall rating:
The tour provided a variety of experiences - wine tasting, ferry boat ride in Adriatic, museum tour, city tours with very competent guides, moments in nature and in very urban environments. Our tour guide/coordinator was terrific (Mili); he kept us on time, but was very kind, generous & understanding.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park. I had seen several videos, but it exceeded my expectations. It also helped that Mili had us get there early and hike the opposite direction most people take the trail."
Daniel
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
Great tour guide. Barbara was the best tour guide out of the 3 we had.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Plivitce National Park. Also Lubjljiana. Loved Korcula!"
Rebecca
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
I loved the itinerary of this tour. We got to see so much but also had plenty of downtime with frequent opportunities to go for a dip in the Adriatic Sea.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice national park was so beautiful and I also loved Bosnia and Croatia exceeded my expectations."
Rick
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
Great tour, locations, guide and group of people.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice Lakes National Park was a wonderful place to spend the many hours that the tour allowed."
Marv
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
Well organized, no hitches. All was run according to schedule. Good selection of sites to visit.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Dubrovnik Old Town"
Lawrence
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
Tour was delightful. Barbara, our guide, was a delight.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Lake Bled and the Adriatic Islands."
Joseph
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
Everyday was full and not full. Real good mix of being with the tour group and than free time. Especially exciting and feeling part of the location was when I was on free time and crossed paths with another tour member and exchanging greetings. A feeling we were part of the place and knew a local. Great for the imagination and dream.
Jane
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
The whole tour was very interesting, well paced, & fun. Barbara was warm, funny, & so smart! I feel like I took a seminar on this corner of the world. An excellent mix of serious history, wars across the centuries, tasty food, warm people, architecture, art, & natural beauty. Loved the surprise rest stop in the Julian Alps at the ski jumping training center.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many. Very hard to select one. Our local tour guide personal memories in his hometown & in Mostar. He made the war real for me. He was uplifting to see how resilient & positive he is despite all that has happened in his life."
Erica
Tour: 05/27/25
Overall rating:
Another excellent Rick Steve's Tour, outstanding guide, fabulous itinerary, delicious food and wine and fun traveling companions.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice Lakes Hike was very special. "
Christine
Tour: 05/25/25
Overall rating:
This Adriatic tour opened my eyes and my world to a part of the world I had never truly considered visiting. I am so glad that I did! Beautiful countries we visited, so rich in history and nature.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Wandering through Plitvice National Park. The waterfalls were majestic!"
Forrest
Tour: 05/25/25
Overall rating:
We had a wonderful experience on our tour, with a great group of fellow travelers, our friendly and well informed guide Mariam, a dependable bus driver Jan and lots of beautiful countryside.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"An unexpected "wow" from atop the City Wall in Dubrovnik. We probably would not have purchased tickets for the Wall, but went because they were included in our package and we were so glad that we did. The views and experience were far more than we had anticipated."
Richard
Tour: 05/25/25
Overall rating:
Very satisfied with all aspects provided. Wonderful and memorable experience!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park... Korcula... Wine tasting and lunch event in Slovenia... Lunch at small village after leaving Korcula on the way to Dubrovnik. "
Brian
Tour: 05/25/25
Overall rating:
This was our 6th Rick Steves tour and right up there with the best! Our guide, Mariam was fantastic! She was knowledgeable, personable, and fun. Her personal experiences growing up in Croatia and living its culture and recent history added immeasurable to the trip experience! All the trip locations are unforgettable from the food, scenery, people, history, and culture. And. as always, we had a great group of fellow travelers!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Dubrovnik was absolutely stunning to visit and explore! Even though I had seen numerous pictures and read about the city and its history, the old town and the views from the walls amazed at every turn. The experience was made even better by our local guide (and resident of the walled city) Roberto with his thorough and engaging tour and history lesson. Outstanding!"
Diane
Tour: 05/25/25
Overall rating:
This was one of my favorite tours. Croatia and Slovenia are beautiful countries, and there was a lot of variety in the sites we visited. But the most interesting part of the tour was the historical background and personal experiences provided by our guides.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The entire experience of Bosnia was my favorite wow moment. The city of Mostar was unique and really beautiful. The view of the Old Bridge was amazing day or night, and the historical perspective provided by our local guide was thought provoking. It was hard to think of this beautiful place being torn by war in the not so distant past."
Barbara
Tour: 05/25/25
Overall rating:
Our tour guide, Miriam, was absolutely fantastic. She was funny, knowledgeable, and personable. Food was very good, and a lot of it! Places visited were well chosen.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Watching the skiers fly down the mountain on grass, and then fly into a ski jump. "
Connie
Tour: 05/25/25
Overall rating:
Truly a great tour with excellent guides in each city. We loved exploring the small towns we stayed in. The experiences planned for us (vineyard tour and tasting, olive oil tasting, etc.) were such a treat! Can’t say enough positive things about this tour!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Ugh….to pick just one?? Plitvice National Park made me feel as if I had entered the Garden of Eden. I was humbled and grateful to experience Mostar and hear our local guide’s first hand experience during the war in the 90’s. Seeing and experiencing the Adriatic - so beautiful. Lake Bled - such a storybook place…I could go on and on. "
Teresa
Tour: 05/25/25
Overall rating:
It's hard to imagine another tour that hits so many high notes in one trip. There are soaring mountains, emerald rivers, intimate villages, cosmopolitan cities, centuries old history, recent history, mainland, island and local culinary delights that changed as we worked our way down the Adriatic coast. One day we're enjoying pizza and gelato that could possibly rival Italy's and the another day we're enjoying the best goulash or sampling donkey milk!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The entire Adriatic coast is incredibly beautiful, really the entire two-week journey was breathtaking around every bend in the road. One cannot adequately explain, nor photograph Plitvice Lakes National Park, Lake Bled, the old village in Mostar or the island of Korcula. I really felt it was a constant 'wow' each day."
Beverly
Tour: 05/20/25
Overall rating:
Our primary tour guide and all the local tour guides were excellent. I think the pace and balance between scheduled activities and free time were good.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park and Pula"
Nancy
Tour: 05/20/25
Overall rating:
The tour was a wonderful mix of nature, culture, and history. I found it very educational about a part of Europe that is not well known. The countries we visited were beautiful and the people were very warm and welcoming.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"For me, seeing the Julian Alps was awesome. The majestic mountains were amazing to see and I wish we could have spent another day enjoying them. A good place to revisit."
Tim
Tour: 05/20/25
Overall rating:
Loved the cultural education and observation of antiquity.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Lisjak Winery. The owner was amazingly passionate!!!"
Alice
Tour: 05/20/25
Overall rating:
This tour was amazing and even more than I expected. Our tour guide, Anya, was excellent and took care of every little detail. Everything was very well organized and carried out.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many "wow" moments that it is hard to pick just one. The part of the tour in Bosnia was the most educational."
Marlene
Tour: 05/20/25
Overall rating:
It was exactly as promised! Great trip
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Slovenia was a pleasant surprise. Probably the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Montenegro when we extended a day. "
Reona
Tour: 05/20/25
Overall rating:
The tour covered a lot of ground. We moved a lot, never staying in one place more than 2 nights, but saw a a wide variety of sites, from cultural and historical to culinary and athletic. The guides were informative and well-spoken. I appreciated the amount of time we had to explore on our own, with advice from our guides. The vacation from our vacation on Korcula was refreshing and needed. Unfortunately our day fell on a national holiday and many places were closed.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were several favorite 'wow' moments. If I had to pick just one it would be the Plitvicka National Park. What an amazing place; neither words nor pictures do it justice. Our guide was excellent in choosing both the time and the route we took through the park so that we minimized crowds. As a skier, I was also wowed by the brief stop at the Planica Nordic Center. The stories from the guides in Bosnia were another 'wow' moment of a completely different type. "
Donna
Tour: 05/18/25
Overall rating:
Our guide was THE BEST!!!!! Saso and our driver made bus travel a joy. We learned so much that we were curious about that it was like two trips; seeing beautiful places and getting an education that was wonderful. We definitely understand a lot more about how cultures can evolve, fall apart and reunite.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Unbelievably , for us, the wine tasting, and the olive oil tasting. We never expected those to be a big deal but they changed our lives. Especially the wine tasting. The owner has such a passion for his craft( it’s also his life) that came through in every way. You could see the joy in his face when he saw what joy he was bringing to us. I wasn’t a wine connoisseur, but his wines were like nectar from Heaven! I wasn’t expecting glorious places to see and was not disappointed."
Jayne
Tour: 05/18/25
Overall rating:
Too many things to list! Sosa, our leader, was super, not only in his knowledge of everything, but his sense of humor and talent to make us feel special. And that is no easy task when guiding people across hundreds of miles.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitavice Lakes - WOW!"
Susan
Tour: 05/18/25
Overall rating:
A great tour of a fascinating area I have always wanted to explore. Logistics without a flow and guides throughout the entire two weeks were exceptional.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"No one "wow" moment. Every day had a "wow"."
Sharon
Tour: 05/18/25
Overall rating:
I had a fabulous trip. Saṧo was a wonderful guide. He shared his love of Slovenia, the history and culture in a very personal way. Out entire group interacted and shared experiences with each other. There was a lot of group pictures and air dropping of these. I had not experienced quite so cohesive a group in previous trips. The countryside of Slovenia, the coast and islands of Croatia were wonderful to explore.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitivice is an obvious answer. It was gorgeous the day we walked through. The previous days rains, and the clear blue sky we had made it an unforgettable walk. I also loved the WW I museum in Kobarid. Jaka was excellent in explaining how the people were affected fighting the war. Our wine tasting afterward... A multi-generational family vineyard. The owner and his wife treated us like family, and the wine was superb! Korcula was a nice "vacation", with an impromptu Happy Hour enjoyed by all."
Caroline
Tour: 05/18/25
Overall rating:
Exemplary-We’re big fans of Rick Steves’ tours in Europe and have recommended them to many of our family members — and now we can confidently say this tour measures up to those same high standards.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice lakes national Park"
Paul
Tour: 05/13/25
Overall rating:
Let's start with our guide - Marijan. He was fantastic. So knowledgeable, energetic, and always effervescent. The local tour guides added so much passion and country pride at each location. Then the sites on the tour itself were spectacular. And lastly, we were able to meet some really great people on the tour from all over the country.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"At first I would have said the Plitvicka Jezera National Park with the spectacular waterfalls and turquoise-colored water. It was definitely a wow moment on every trail turn. But in retrospect, some of the local guide stories who lived thru the wars - now that really puts life in first person prospective. "
Linda
Tour: 05/13/25
Overall rating:
It was excellent. Each day was different and informative, providing the best in local culture, the environment, the people in the countries we visited. Our guide was outstanding and set expectations for us each day.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So hard. I had two: Plitvice Lakes National Park and the personal stories of our two guides in Bosnia Herzegovina. Completely different and completely breathtaking."
Bruce
Tour: 05/13/25
Overall rating:
John
Tour: 05/13/25
Overall rating:
Well done from start to finish
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Bosnia"
Fran
Tour: 05/13/25
Overall rating:
The agenda was PERFECT and our guide was TREMENDOUS!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It would be hard to say as I enjoyed every bit of the trip!"
Patricia
Tour: 05/13/25
Overall rating:
Another stellar adventure with Rick Steves tours. Led by the incomparable Marijan, who never lost his smile or developed a twitch when we strayed off course, and assisted by the bus driver who was able to thread a needle with the bus, this tour deserves all the rave reviews. It combines breath-taking scenery with heart-touching experiences. It also had an outstanding group of local guides.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were daily "wow" moments. Of course, Plitvice Lakes was more than advertised, but hearing the personal stories of the effect war has had on this region really resonated. We'll always have the pictures of this beautiful area, but we'll carry the stories in our hearts. "
Wade
Tour: 05/13/25
Overall rating:
our guides were excellent! packing advice was great. pack light, light, light!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"plitvice!"
Debbie
Tour: 05/13/25
Overall rating:
The tour was wonderful. Mariam is a brilliant, organized and humorous tour guide. The other travelers were awesome, the type of people Rick’s tours attract. I loved the scenery, towns, culture and personal stories from the guides.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The waterfalls at the National Park"
Eric
Tour: 05/13/25
Overall rating:
Another great Rick Steves Tour. I learned a lot about a part of the world I hadn't ever been. A nice mix of culture, natural beauty while walking in the footsteps of ancient and recent history. The Adriatic is so diverse that it felt like 3 tours wrapped in one-Slovenia including the Julian Alps + Plitvice, Bosnia/Mostar and the finally the Croatian coast. Marijan was a terrific tour leader with a wealth of knowledge and fun attitude. Everything was well planned and ran as scheduled.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Moment of the tour Sitting on the rocks by the sea in Rovinj at a secret bar with the city wall at our backs sipping an Aperol Spritz at sunset. Other favorites: Looking down on Dubrovnik from the fortress above the city, the tour of Diocletian's Palace in Split, the WW1 museum in Kobarid"
Lynne
Tour: 05/11/25
Overall rating:
Trip itinerary was good but rushed in some main stops. Diverse in activities. Too large. 28 is a big group.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice upper and lower lakes hike. "
Deborah
Tour: 05/11/25
Overall rating:
Our guide Dariya was friendly, helpful, had a great sense of humor, talked with everyone, and was a great storyteller of personal experiences/historical facts. Dariya said goodbye individually.at end of tour. Local guides exceptional, especially in Dubronvik. Bus extremely comfortable with expert driving--good balance between guide's information and quiet time (Dariya called it beauty rest), and restroom breaks. Too much free time in Split. Farewell restaurant meal was below average.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Lake Bled. Wine tasting with "name game" that Dariya played."
Ruth
Tour: 05/11/25
Overall rating:
Great trip to a part of the world we hadn't experienced before. Enjoyed the diverse culture, learning about the history of the region, and seeing the natural beauty.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice waterfalls and Mostar during a thunderstorm (and the resilience of the Bosnian people), "
Cynthia
Tour: 05/11/25
Overall rating:
Really enjoyed the tour. Our guide, Darjia, was great and the the Adriatic coast is amazing.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The trip was a series of wow moments - the Plitvice Lakes was a wow unique visual experience, walking through Diocletian palace in the evening in Split was a wow emotional moment."
Lynda
Tour: 05/11/25
Overall rating:
I have never traveled to that part of Europe before, so I didn’t really know what it would be like and I was amazed at the natural beauty of the land. The mountains and the beautiful blues of the water everywhere was unreal. Everyday was a new and exciting adventure. At 73, I was a little worried about all the walking, because this is one of the more active ones, but it was no problem and I came back feeling rejuvenated.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many!! I would have to say the Plitvice Lakes Natl. Park. It was like being in a fairy tale land. "
Larry
Tour: 05/11/25
Overall rating:
Jeff
Tour: 05/11/25
Overall rating:
Croatia and Slovenia were beautiful and interesting places to visit. The coastal areas are stunning, and the old cities are well preserved and fascinating. Mostar was a chilling reminder of the horrors of (quite recent) war. In addition, the tour leader and local guides gave us insightful information about the history of these places. Finally, the hotels were high quality and we had a lot of good food.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Plitvice Lakes park. It ranks up with a very short list of sites where one has seen many pics and think it cannot possibly amaze you...and then it does. We walked the length of the site and never wanted it to stop. Lake Bled was gorgeous, but Plitvice left it behind."
Amy
Tour: 05/11/25
Overall rating:
So many great towns and natural wonders. Thanks for the “rest” day in korcula. Options for those able to walk less was nice for plitvice national park.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Lake Bled!"
Julie
Tour: 05/06/25
Overall rating:
Our tour was so well organized and stupendously led by our guide, Mariam. 98% of the cities and sites visited were relevant and interesting. There is no way I could have learned as much on my own about the region as I did with guide, Mariam, who was knowledgeable, informative, helpful, enthusiastic and well aware of the ins and outs of each place we visited. From the timing of visits to the best locations to start, the trip ran smoothly. Plus, we had such a wonderful group!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite “WOW!” moment was visiting Stolac and Mostar in Bosnia. Nothing could have prepared me for the humbling visit to this war-ravaged area. The beauty of the area, the personal stories of our guides, and the resilience of the people to rebuild and move on were sobering."
Ronald
Tour: 05/06/25
Overall rating:
This tour was well organized and gave a great overview of the delights of the Adriatic coast. It included a wide variety of activities encompassing nature, culture, and history.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our trip to Bosnia-Herzegovina was very thought provoking. We have not experienced war on North American soil for 150 years so it is easy to forget how the lives of every day citizens are impacted and the time it takes to recover both physically and emotionally. Leaders far removed from the every day consequences of war are often making life altering decisions for their countrymen."
Pamela
Tour: 05/06/25
Overall rating:
I personally felt I should have waited until the following RS Adriatic tour, as it rained alot. Locals said that was normal for that time of year. Other than that, I was thrilled with tour. I went to Solvenia 3 days early and loved Ljubljana. Did the Postojna Caves. Wish that was part of the tour, as I was blown away. The people were awesome and we fell in love with our tour guide Mariam Abdelghani. She was incredible. I was however, disappointed we couldn't have spent more time in Soca Valley
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park. It was reason I took this RS tour and was so thrilled. Also loved Mostar."
Martha
Tour: 05/06/25
Overall rating:
Marvelous Miriam was our tour guide extraordinaire. She was such a good leader and always upbeat, smiling and friendly. She went the extra mile to make sure our tour was exciting with lots of surprises, good history lessons and funny stories. The hotels went from ordinary to fabulous! My favorite was probably Hotel La Grisa in Bale. We had some good food and some average food. The dinner in Mostar was disappointing. The local tour guides were all excellent and I thought the itinerary was great!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The visit to the family farm with the donkey milk was so special. We had learned about the benefits of donkey milk from another Croatian and to have the chance to taste it was a very special treat. Also, the food was incredibly good. My husband and I took the optional boat ride to the island in the middle of lake bled and I am so glad we saw that magical church! The boatman rowing the boat made it feel extra special. The wine tasting(drinking) at Lisjak was fun!"
Robert
Tour: 05/06/25
Overall rating:
Overall the hotels, meals and especially the tour guide and local guides were beyond my expectations.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The WWI museum in Kobarid. I was unaware of the fighting that went on and the hardships endured by troops fighting in the Soca River Valley during WWI."
Laurie
Tour: 05/06/25
Overall rating:
Our trip to the Adriatic was wonderful! Our guide, Mariam, is a delight. She is knowledgeable, helpful, warm, enthusiastic, and very responsive to questions and requests. Our group was a great blend of friendly people from all over North America. This region of the world is one I don’t know much about, and I feel like I’ve learned a lot about the area from this tour. I especially appreciated learning about its history and its people, and seeing the stunning landscape and architecture.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many wonderful moments in our time in the Adriatic: Plitvice, Dubrovnik, Split, Korcula, Ljubljana, Mostar, and more. But perhaps the most interesting and memorable for me was hearing the stories of the people who lived through the 90’s war. Their stories were so very moving and heartbreaking."
Chen Chen Jane
Tour: 05/04/25
Overall rating:
Everything was so interesting and well managed.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our guide was full of humor and patience. He communicated well with all of us. "
Erik
Tour: 05/04/25
Overall rating:
It exceeded all expectations. The itinerary was superb, the cities were incredible and I believe that we had the best tour guide ever, Sanel.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Every city we visited was a wow moment, from Ljubljana to Dubrovnik and all parts of in between we were dazzled. We loved Ljubljana, Lake Bled, Bale, Plitvice Lakes, Mostar, Korcula, Dubrovnik, the donkey rescue farm was wonderful, Pula, Opatija! Crossing Paths with Hemingway and the WWI museum was eye opening. The Istrian Peninsula was incredible with the Roman ruins, wine tasting and Olive Oil farm were definitely highlights. Bosnia was was emotional, informative. "
Mary Ann
Tour: 05/04/25
Overall rating:
This is a very active tour filled with history, scenery and food! We enjoyed having Sanel as our guide. He was funny, organized and knowledgeable. Thank you for a great adventure!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I really enjoyed Pliitvice National Park. I enjoyed the wine tasting and olive tasting experiences. I learned a lot about the history of the region."
Jan Chwan
Tour: 05/04/25
Overall rating:
Julie
Tour: 05/04/25
Overall rating:
The Best of the Adriatiac was unforgettable adventure. There was beauty, history and charm everywhere you looked. The pace of the tour was great and the bus rides were broken up nicely, with time to stretch and always another beautiful view. We had stops at a winery, olive oil tasting, WWI museum, and even a donkey farm. I am so glad I had the opportunity to experience the people, food, and culture of this area.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So many amazing moments to choose from: Beautiful Slovenia and Lake Bled, the waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes National Park, down time on the island of Korcula, roaming around the Dubrovnik walls, and visiting our guide's hometown certainly make the list. But I think the real "Wow" on any Rick Steve's trip (this is my 2nd) is the guide. Sanel, was amazing! He was warm, funny, and informative. He shared insights about this part of the world that made the trip thought provoking and truly special."
Robert
Tour: 05/04/25
Overall rating:
Just the right mix of beautiful small towns/villages, beautiful sights and friendly/interesting fellow travelers. The Adriatic was our 14th RS trip and it sure was a charmer. The trip was chock full of fun and interesting moments and it was great fun making new friends (from fellow travelers to local we met) and dancing our way from Ljubljana to Dubrovnik
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Very hard to choose a single moment for "Wow" status but being rowed over to the Church in the middle of Lake Bled and dancing to evening music with about half of the group one evening in Split at Diocletian's palace come to mind. Also loved the "down day" in Korcula very much where we plunged (literally) into the Adriatic"
Tim
Tour: 05/04/25
Overall rating:
Overall very pleased with the entire trip registration, planning , pre-trip info and organization of the daily itineraries
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Wow so many it’s hard to pick just one but I think I’d say the visit to the winery. Although hanging out on Korcula was wonderful "
Denise
Tour: 05/04/25
Overall rating:
Tour was excellent in every way - extremely organized, excellent guides at all locations, nice accomodations
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Learning about the history of each place."
Leslie
Tour: 05/04/25
Overall rating:
Nice balance of history and culture. Buss ride durations nicely broken up.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvika National Park and Korcula."
William
Tour: 05/04/25
Overall rating:
Wonderful from beginning to end
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park"
Stephen
Tour: 05/04/25
Overall rating:
This is probably the best European tour (Italy, & France were the other two) we have taken. The combination of history, culture and scenery were enhanced as related to us by our guide, Senel.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The waterfalls at Plitvice were amazing but the most important was the personal insight of our guide sharing the history and his own experiences in Bosnia. "
Robert
Tour: 04/29/25
Overall rating:
Was a great tour. Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia were wonderful countries
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Had to be the Plitvice Lakes National Park. What an amazing location. Great that we got started early before the crowds even though it was raining which even added to our visit."
Benjamin
Tour: 04/29/25
Overall rating:
Wonderful tour! Excellent attention to food and wine, which is a strong point for this region. Our guide Barbara was attentive, thoughtful, and a great source of information as we traveled.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Two stand out: Plitvice National Park, with its stunning (and never-ending) waterfalls, and hearing personal stories from local guides in Stolac and Mostar Bosnia about the war in the 1990s and how the three main ethnic groups coexist. "
Linda L
Tour: 04/29/25
Overall rating:
It was a well organized tour that provided a good education on the history and current situations of the places that we went.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Listening to the guides in Stolac and Molstar share their life experiences and history in Bosnia."
Mario A
Tour: 04/29/25
Overall rating:
This was our 18th tour and it was very good!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Many wow moments including the visit to the Plitvice Lakes and the guided tour of Stolac."
Janet
Tour: 04/29/25
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Waking up on Day 7, it appeared to be cold, windy, dreary and raining outside. And just in time for our walk in the national park in Plitvice! However, this turned out to be one of my favorite days because the light rain added a different sort of element to the park, and it turned out to be a perfect day. "
Amy
Tour: 04/27/25
Overall rating:
It was an amazing experience from beginning to end. The natural beauty was spectacular, and walking the charming old towns with such rich histories that we learned through our exceptional tour guide, Saso, and also local guides, made this trip so inspiring, special, and something we will never forget. We feel grateful also to have shared this travel experience with the super nice people on our tour we traveled with. We feel truly fortunate.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were countless wow moments as we were constantly in awe seeing and experiencing such spectacular places - nature, breathtaking views, beautiful old towns with their rich cultures. We truly enjoyed every moment. "
Bruce
Tour: 04/27/25
Overall rating:
We were thrilled with the overall beautiful scenery, cities and wonderful people. Sas, out guide made the entire trip fun and educational. The other guides along the way also gave very interesting tours and history of their respective areas.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were too many to single out, but I was overall wowed by the beauty of the Adriatic coastal towns and with Mostar. The people of Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia were all friendly and helpful along the way."
Janet
Tour: 04/27/25
Overall rating:
This being our eleven Rick Steves tour it ranks as one of the very best. From Saso our wonderful Slovenian guide to all of the local guides, hotels, special experiences it was a memorable time. Great travel mates, as usual, who bonded quickly looking out for each other and sharing lives openingly. Always amazing to gather a group of people with different backgrounds but a common interest in learning about and engaging others in the world.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It is always difficult to isolate a favorite "wow" moment because visiting and learning about a place for the first time always has surprises all along the way. Have you ever tasted donkey milk? Who would have thought it is the closest of all animal milk to mother's milk and it tastes sweet. I don't want to claim that as our wow moment but just a notable moment when we learn and are surprised. Overall, we thought Slovenia's Lubjiana, Lake Bled and the Julian Alps and Soca Valley were amazing. "
Michael
Tour: 04/27/25
Overall rating:
While one would think that 14 days is a long time, the actual tour seemed to go by quickly. Our tour guide, Saso, was extremely knowledgeable and connected us with many amazing local guides. Learning the history, visiting wineries and an olive oil factor were amazing.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Learning the history of the Bosnian war from a person who experienced this war was powerful. It prompted me to educate myself more about the Yugoslavia war. The "Eye Candy" moments were in Mostar, Plitvice Lakes National Park, and Lake Bled."
Marcy
Tour: 04/27/25
Overall rating:
This was our first Rick Steves' tour and it lived up to all the wonderful things we have heard and read. I was impressed with the knowledge of our tour guide, how smoothly each stop we made took place and the individual tour guides at each stop.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I was particularly impressed with the personal experiences our tour guides shared about the war while we were in Bosnia-Herzegovina. We also had two exceptional meals there too."
Edward
Tour: 04/27/25
Overall rating:
Wonderful people. Outstanding guide. Beautiful country. This one checked all the boxes.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Diocletian's Palace"
William
Tour: 04/27/25
Overall rating:
This was our first Rick Steves tour. It was the best tour we have ever been on. I'm concerned on how our next Rick Steves tour will top it.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many "wow" moments to pick a favorite. From the incredible history to the beautiful landscape. The Aegean Sea was so clear and it rained on two evenings "
Matt
Tour: 04/27/25
Overall rating:
It was a great combination of history, hope, natural wonders, great food and wine and most importantly the people. Very friendly, welcoming, interesting Slovenes, Serbs, Croats and Bosnians. I can't wait to go back for more.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The history and culture were interwoven into the entire tour. But for the WOW moments, it would be the natural wonders of Plitvice Lakes National Park and the stunning scenery of Lake Bled."
Paula
Tour: 04/27/25
Overall rating:
Susan
Tour: 04/22/25
Overall rating:
These tours continue us to exceed our expectations.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Amphitheatre in Pula "
Gary
Tour: 04/22/25
Overall rating:
This was our 4th Rick Steves tour and it did not disappoint! Our tour guide Daria was knowledgeable and fun, and so willing to answer our many questions. The area was totally new to us - such a beautiful area with a rich history. Very interesting to learn about Tito as a leader and about the region's conflict after his death. We loved this whole area, and would have loved more time in Bosnia.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The day and a half spent in Bosnia was a real highlight for me. We had wonderful weather and seeing the areas impacted by the conflict in the 90's was so interesting. Another highlight was Dubrovnik. So beautiful, and so interesting to hear how and why the old city including the walls are so intact."
Deborah
Tour: 04/22/25
Overall rating:
I was on this tour in 2017 and had the opportunity to repeat with my very good friends. Greeted by enthusiastic Darija, she was an excellent representative of the region. She guided our days with expertise, humor, and made sure they were filled with new experiences. Edis drove us safely to every location and the two proudly represented the vast area we visited.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Having walked Plitvica Lakes National Park before, it was a highlight I looked forward to again. The serenity and beauty are only interrupted by rushing water of the waterfalls. Returning to Stolac with the same local guide was very moving. His personal history of the war and determination to rebuild his town with religious tolerance, you will not forget. Wine tasting again at Boris Lisjak Winery was a special treat."
Michele
Tour: 04/22/25
Overall rating:
This was a very well organized and well executed tour. Nice mix of education, cultural and historic sites, history lessons, wine and food tastings, beautiful rural areas, lively cities, great scenery, and free time. This is our fifth RS tour and might be the best one. Great guide Darija was organized, helpful, funny, and so knowledgeable about her home country of Croatia as well as the entire region. She (and our great group of fellow travelers) really made the tour the best!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our short trip into Bosnia-Herzegovina was eye opening and thoughtfully presented. Our excellent local guides in both Stolac and Mostar moved us to tears with their personal stories during and after the 1990s wars. They and their beautiful country show such resilience and courage as they look to the future while understanding the past. "
Gwen
Tour: 04/22/25
Overall rating:
The tour was the best yet of many we have taken. We learned about the history of this part of Eastern Europe. Our guide's (Daria) knowledge was outstanding as were the many personal guides/walking tours at many of the stops. I especially appreciated learning about WWI and also the fall of Yugoslavia and the Bosnian War, 1992-1995. Two of the personal guides shared their personal experiences of the war. A magnificent balance of beauty, history, fun, food, company, and relaxation!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Split's Old Town including Diocletian's Palace. No, maybe Plitvice Lakes National Park."
Natalie
Tour: 04/22/25
Overall rating:
Amazing guide Darija, wonderful group, Enjoyed learning about the culture and history of all the towns we visited.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Loved walking around the spectacular waterfalls in Plitvice. Korcula was beautiful.Visiting Stolac and learning of their history was very moving."
Elaine
Tour: 04/22/25
Overall rating:
I had an outstanding experience on the tour because of its beautiful sights, the many things I learned, the camaraderie of the group, and the over-the-top outstanding group leader, Darija.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our visit to Stolac and listening to local guide who provided history of the town, his and the experiences of the Stolac residents during and after the war were learning WOW moments. Our local guide's and the Stolac community's stamina during the war and their determination to rebuild their town are inspirations from which all can and should learn."
Catherine
Tour: 04/22/25
Overall rating:
From the tour orientation by Guide Darija to the farewell breakfast this tour was an adventure that I will cherish. Along with one other traveler I was solo and never felt alone. Our group bonded instantly. The itinerary was everything and more I could have imagined. Darija is a master of organization and her knowledge of the culture and history of the region was insightful and enthusiastic. The accommodations were very clean and convenient and the meals regional and outstanding.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Every stop had a "wow". This question is a bit of Sophie's Choice. Everyday was a new adventure, living the dream."
John
Tour: 04/22/25
Overall rating:
Daria and the local guides were great. I enjoyed the free time periods we had.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The never-ending series of waterfalls at Plitvice Lakes National Park."
William
Tour: 04/20/25
Overall rating:
Our second RS Tour was outstanding! Our lead guide, Mariam was so knowledgeable of all the towns we visited and was very organized,always having a tip on how best to avoid the crowds in popular sites. All the local guides were excellent: Sasha, Senel, Miele. Hotels were top notch as was our bus driver "Sed" navigating the hills and switchbacks. Loved the whole itinerary: Ljubjiana, Korcula island, Dubrovnik, Pula, Bale, Mostar and Plitvice. I would drop the donkey farm stop. Great trip!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many! Ljubjiana was a very pleasant surprise. Bosnia was quite moving at war torn Mostar and Stolic towns. Loved Plitvice waterfalls even in the rain. Amphitheater at Pula and Diocletian Palace in Split. Scenic Korcula Island on the "Happy Hour" Boat trip. Lake Bled scenic walk. Overall, I loved the 2 hour walk of the Old Town Dubrovnik Walls overlooking the Adriatic Sea. "
Rene
Tour: 04/20/25
Overall rating:
It was amazing!! I learned so much. Our guide, Mariam, was outstanding.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park. It was spring time when we went and the water flow was tremendous. "
Julia
Tour: 04/20/25
Overall rating:
Well organized and interesting activities with a good balance of group and free time
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were many. Staying in a tiny Croatian village and exploring the narrow alleyways, walking in Plitvice Park early morning before the crowds"
Robert
Tour: 04/20/25
Overall rating:
seen alot
Favorite "WOW" moment
"two places ljubljana and Korcula"
Karen
Tour: 04/20/25
Overall rating:
The best of the Adriatic was wonderful. Full of so much history and fun experiences. Mariam our guide was outstanding. She was fun, funny and informative. The local guides especially in Bosnia really helped give perspective on the history and the darker part of the past. This was my fourth RS tour and the guides really are the what makes it special!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Korcula!!!"
Carolyn
Tour: 04/20/25
Overall rating:
Every stop, every town, every city was beautiful and relevant. The hotels were always within walking distance of the center of town. The travel group was cohesive. But the “glue” was our outstanding tour guide, Miriam—a charming, intelligent, and very personable person! i felt like i was traveling with a friend! i absolutely loved her!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were 3– arriving in Ljubljana and seeing how sophisticated and beautiful it was (preconception was it was going to be a bit more bleak “Baltic”; Plitvice National Park—waterfalls everywhere and the scenery was mind blowing; Bosnia which was a beautiful city with a lot of “heart” with evidence of a not so distant war. But i can’t emphasize enough how having such an upbeat, smart, and knowledgeable tour guide brought all the pieces of this ambitious trip into place!!"
Michael
Tour: 04/20/25
Overall rating:
Outstanding selection of sites to visit, well-organized, excellent hotels with character, provided dinners were very good, very good tour director, excellent academic-level walking tours at all sites
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice Lakes National Park and Korcula"
Elizabeth
Tour: 04/20/25
Overall rating:
Such a beautiful and surprising part of the world!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Every day had a wow moment but my favourite was walking through Mostar at night and hearing the call to prayer."
Michael
Tour: 04/15/25
Overall rating:
Informative with Guides who know their stuff. Pleasant people and generally good hotels.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The lakes and Mostar"
Thomas
Tour: 04/15/25
Overall rating:
Everything was outstanding! The places we went, the guides, and the experiences were great.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Plitvice lakes , Mostar and the Agroturizam Antunovic."
Dan
Tour: 04/15/25
Overall rating:
Overall experience was very good. Some of the hotels were nice but without A/C.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our RS group was a great group that got along with each other without any problem. Great group!"
Nancy
Tour: 04/15/25
Overall rating:
Everything was beyond my expectations
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Dubrovnik wall, tied with hearing Milo’s personal stories of the Bosnian war"
Paul
Tour: 04/08/25
Overall rating:
I found the pace and variety of stops appropriate and enjoyable.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice Lake park hike"
Cheryl
Tour: 04/08/25
Overall rating:
Well organized and great guide. History was some I’d never known since these people lived through it.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice Park even though it was super hard to walk all those steps."
Kathy
Tour: 04/08/25
Overall rating:
This was our 8th Rick Steves tour and one of my favorites. Our guide, Katarina, was outstanding. I appreciated her sharing her perspectives growing up and living in this part of the world.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My wow moment was hiking through the upper part of Plitvice National Park. The waterfalls were spectacular and there were so many of them! The hike was a lovely way to spend the morning."
Ronald
Tour: 04/08/25
Overall rating:
John
Tour: 04/08/25
Overall rating:
It was the perfect balance of discovery, variety, pace, and camaraderie.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The baklava on the lunch table in Stolac. The person who made that should be elected to one of the presidential positions."
Victor
Tour: 04/08/25
Overall rating:
We had a Czech guide who told us more about Czechoslovakia in the 1970 - 80s than Croatia or Slovenia. the contrast became tiresome. There were no outstanding sites on the tour except Dubrovnik which we'd seen previously. Istria penninsula was a waste of time. Plivitce Lakes were nice but the second ½ the walk would have been plenty as they were mostly repetitive scenes. Mostar was a tourist trap with a rebuilt bridge. Food was very repetitive and became boring. Sausage and chacuterie!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Easter Sunday in Dubrovnik. We'd been to Dubrovnik previously but Easter festivitiews made it special. We enjoyed exploring Lubjliaja. It has a fun and special vibe with the University student influence."
Dennis
Tour: 04/08/25
Overall rating:
My wife and I had wanted to visit Croatia, especially Dubrovnik, for a very long time. This tour exceeded our expectations. I would rate our tour guide, Katka, as being one of the best that we have encountered, having done 8 previous tours.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My “wow” moment was when we visited Korcula. It was easily accessible from our hotel and felt more intimate than Split or Dubrovnik. We were there for Good Friday and were able to witness the evening religious procession through the streets of Korcula. I had never seen anything like that. "
Cynthia
Tour: 04/08/25
Overall rating:
Interesting cities & great tour guide, as usual.tp
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Finding out how cosmopolitans Split, Dubrovnik & Ljubljana was"
Glen
Tour: 04/06/25
Overall rating:
Terrific organization. Tour guide Saso & bus driver Gasper were top notch. Local tour guides were engaging & knowledgeable. We liked the overall pace of the entire tour with time for local tours & free time. Hotels were excellent. Meal choices were outstanding. We liked the level of information we were given. Activities were varied and appealing; from wine tasting to the donkey farm to the WWI museum lecture.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were many; the natural beauty of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled & Plitvice Lakes National Park to the lazy village of Korcula. The most impactful for Glen was hearing Stolac Sanel Marie & Edin Buzdaljko share their personal remembrances of the Bosnian conflict. For Sharon it was the places of natural beauty; Julian Alps, Lake Bled & walking Plitvice Lakes National Park. Both of us found each day to have “wow activities”!"
Mo
Tour: 04/06/25
Overall rating:
Our tour guide Saso was personable, fun, and informative. We saw many beautiful sites, had unforgettable experiences and learned a lot about the history of this part of the world.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Learning about the history of this region was eye opening. It is not very often do you get to talk to people who actually experienced war in their country. Learning about their struggles and then seeing how they are still working through all of this with an attitude of love and forgiveness. This really left a lasting impression on me. "
Alice
Tour: 04/01/25
Overall rating:
Our outstanding guide not only took us to beautiful cities and towns but helped us learned about the complicated history of the area.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Walking around Lake Bled, walking the walls of Dubrovnik, seeing the bridge at Mostar."
Robert
Tour: 04/01/25
Overall rating:
This was an excellent overview of the three countries in the region of the Adriatic Coast. It was my second time to Slovenia which is a gem of a country. As a first timer to Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, I found their culture and history to be fascinating.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park exceeded my expectations and is a true wonder of nature, unlike anything I have ever seen before."
Steve
Tour: 04/01/25
Overall rating:
Wonderful trip! Barbara was terrific, great selection and variety of activities, very good group, lots of fun!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plevice Lakes walk"
Daniel
Tour: 04/01/25
Overall rating:
Wonderful time, wonderful people!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"How blue the Adriatic sea is!"
Katherine
Tour: 04/01/25
Overall rating:
Barbara, our guide was fabulous -- just the right amount of info at just the right time. Our bus driver also gets major praise for his exemplary driving! We really lucked out with the weather and visited some amazing places -- favorites were castle in Ljubljana, Pula hill town, and the Istrian peninsula overall, Lake Bled and those cream cakes! Visiting the WWI museum, I could go on and on!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Peaking around the corner in the medieval town of Pula and seeing the square with the church in it. "
Kathy
Tour: 04/01/25
Overall rating:
Good value for the money-- we covered a lot of sights and experiences. The guide was excellent, attentive, and very informative. The bus driver was great and some of the meals were great. The hotels -- some were okay, some were not so good. Being with a group of other travels was sometimes challenging.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many that I can't single out just one -- the beautiful mountians, lakes, waterfalls, countryside and so much more! Maybe Plitvice Lakes National Park was the most stunning."
Serafina
Tour: 04/01/25
Overall rating:
The tour was very well organized. Our main guide/coordinator, Barbara, was wonderful. We had very interesting local guides. As a bonus great group of travelers!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The view from Bled's hilltop castle was really beautiful."
Eric
Tour: 04/01/25
Overall rating:
As my 6th RS tour, it provided what I’ve come to expect: a well-planned itinerary with a good overview of a region and a good mix of cultural, historical, and culinary experiences and a congenial group of fellow travelers. With my Croatian heritage, this tour held special appeal, but also was chosen because it had variety and included Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina too. The ethnic/religious divisions that led to the 90s war were explained in a thoughtful and balanced way that i appreciated.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Although not part of the “official” tour, I think my biggest wow moments were my few days prior to start of tour when toured Zagreb and my Croatian grandparents’ hometowns and actually met some cousins for the first time. I include it as part of a “tour moment” because I think some of the travel skills developed in prior tours helped me to plan these few days so effectively and then join the tour in Ljubljana and turn over some of the planning reins to Barbara, our guide."
Joanne
Tour: 10/10/24
Overall rating:
The Best of Adriatic Tour filled my every expectation, in every way. It was wonderful! As a first time traveler with Rich Steves' Europe, I was thrilled. I'm a convert.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Favorite wow experience: swimming in the Adriatic multiple times. Favorite wow city: Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina as I had never before been in a culture where the Islamic religion was healthy and very much a part of the city. The Call to Prayer is wonderful to hear. Favorite wow food: fish, fish , fish, fish - lots of different kinds prepared in lots of different ways. Favorite wow city guide: Roberto in Dubrovnic tied the entire trip together in our final city. Bravo!"
Julie
Tour: 10/10/24
Overall rating:
So much diversity on this tour! Wonderful guide, Mariam, made the trip extra special with her cultural heritage in the country. Loved the history and finally understand the war of 1991 between the three countries. Extra special tour members made for a special trip! Already planning our next tour!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many! I loved Plitvice National Park. Unforgettable. The island of Korcula was beautiful. Mostar was so captivating. Learning more about the Muslins and the beautiful city broadened my horizons. Wine event hosted by Mr. Boris was wonderful. "
Kathleen
Tour: 10/10/24
Overall rating:
Very well organized. I liked to small off the beaten path visits. So much culture and history.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Listening to the local guide in Mostar (Meile?) tell his personal story of experiencing the war in Bosnia in the early 1990s."
Tom
Tour: 10/10/24
Overall rating:
We had a most excellent tour in the Adriatic. We especially enjoyed Croatia with its nice and friendly people and beautiful sights. Our tour guide, Mariam, was a true professional. She knew all of the locations we visited and was very generous about sharing the details.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"For me, my “WoW” moment was the Plitvice National Park and its stunning beauty. "
Debra
Tour: 10/10/24
Overall rating:
Another great RS tour. Mariam was an outstanding guide, sharing her experience of growing up in Yugoslavia to help us understand the history and culture of Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. RS travelers are always open to learning, and that quality makes for an enjoyable group to travel with.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Walking on the trails of Plitvice Lakes National Park in (mostly) solitude, soaking up the sounds of rushing water and the amazing scenery of autumnal trees and stunning waterfalls. "
Jim
Tour: 10/10/24
Overall rating:
Tours and visits were great. Tour guide was an excellent blend of history, facts, and humor.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Pletvice Park by far."
June
Tour: 10/10/24
Overall rating:
Mariam, our guide, was outstanding and knowledeable and FUN and kInd and her English clear. Obviously she had many friends in the countries we visited. Called them her DEAR DEAR Friend. Hope we are now her “dear friends.”
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park with16 lakes and Waterfalls galore. "
Cindy
Tour: 10/08/24
Overall rating:
This was our 5th RS tour and as always it was organized, fun, and filled with good surprises!!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice Lakes Park AND Lake Bled in the rain.!"
Weej
Tour: 10/08/24
Overall rating:
This was our first Rick Steves guided tour, and my first bus tour since I was in high school. We so appreciated the ease of travel that the Rick Steves tour allowed: handling all those logistics behind the scenes made it so easy for us. We also got a much better understanding of all the places we visited because of the extraordinary guides. We felt like there was a good ratio of group activities vs. free time on our own. Excellent, excellent!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We were the only two people walking the Dubrovnik walls and it was such a special experience. We were able to do this because our guide had already purchased our Wall tickets (included, good for several days), and told us the best entrance to the walls and the best times to go. It worked like a charm and we had it all to ourselves to enjoy for a very long time. "
Matt
Tour: 10/08/24
Overall rating:
Our tour the "Best of the Adriatic" was a perfect balance of local culture, history and natural beauty. It was made even better by the depth and insight provided by our dedicated guide and his regional associates.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I was impressed with the magnificent beauty of Plitvice national forest. The lakes and waterfalls were accessible through a wooden planked walking path designed to be harmonious with the surroundings. The Bosnian city of Mostar provided the backdrop for important discussions about the region's ongoing ethnic and religious reconciliation. "
Shari
Tour: 10/08/24
Overall rating:
This was a fascinating trip through a sizeable portion of the former Yugoslavia--which I knew little about. The scenery was quite striking in different ways in the three countries, the history was complex and heartbreaking, and the people were so warm and friendly.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It wasn't a "moment" it was the whole hike through the the Plitvice Lakes National Park. An other-worldly experience of waterfall wonders. Must be seen to be believed. An added bonus was the fall color in the forest. We wandered through the boardwalk wide-eyed. Second place was our first glimpse of the Roman Arena in Pula. The morning sun shone through the windows and arches of the amphitheater and the stone seemed to glow. It was exciting to see an exterior intact like this one."
Scott
Tour: 10/08/24
Overall rating:
This was our first Rick Steve’s tour, and it was a lot of fun and very educational. Enjoyed getting to know others in our group who have been on multiple RS tours. Very well organized, making the entire trip seem effortless. Our tour guide Sanel’s great organizational skills, humor and warmth created a memorable experience. Would highly recommend this tour!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Loved the endless waterfalls at Plivice National park; stunning. Also our tour of Bosnia and our guide’s life changing experiences gave us a new understanding of the Bosnian war that we could never have otherwise known."
Anna
Tour: 10/08/24
Overall rating:
Excellent guides, good itinerary, superb bus driver
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice Lakes National Park - and the 'inside' knowledge provided by our guide to do the walk backwards, thus avoiding most crowds. Walking over water that turns into waterfalls and the sheer number of waterfalls is something I have never done or seen before. "
Shawna
Tour: 10/08/24
Overall rating:
Although we've used his books for years, this was our first Rick Steves' group tour. It did not disappoint. Our guide, Sanel was excellent. There was a great balance of scheduled and free time. The hotels were good and Sanel's tips helped us explore the cities on our own during free time. It was educational, eye-opening, beautiful and the local guides were top-notch.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Getting a guided tour of Sanel's hometown, was really special because he was able to tell us about how it was before the war and the strides that have been made since it ended. That personal touch brought history to life."
Janet
Tour: 10/08/24
Overall rating:
Second RS tour did not disappoint. Well organized, excellent guide and driver, nice hotels. Great experience.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were several - Plitvice National Park was a great surprise, very beautiful and loved being outdoors for most of the day. Bosnia was definitely eye opening, and our guide with firsthand knowledge and experience of the history and war made it all the more emotional and helpful to understand the complicated history of the region. Dubrovnik was another beautiful and dramatic place - but so were most of the stops we made."
Patrick
Tour: 10/08/24
Overall rating:
John
Tour: 10/08/24
Overall rating:
Sanel was "interesting." This is a tongue-in-check description. Seriously, Sanel really made the tour a great experience. His combination of great tour skills (organization, security, humor, and problem-solving) and his personal story that made events and history very compelling. The balance of structured tour time and free time was spot-on. The variety of experiences, historical, cultural, and current affairs was perfect. The orientation tours at every site was great.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"1. The Mostar local guide's presentation in a Muslim house the weaved the local customs into the war and his personal story of a family broken a part, his personal survival and then rebuilding his home and community. A story of courage and resilience. 2. The hike in Plitvice National Park & doing in reverse to miss the crowds. 3. Boris Lisjak winery and the passion of this grower."
Christine
Tour: 10/06/24
Overall rating:
Most of the trip flowed very well. The vacation within a vacation to Korcula was a fabulous idea. I found the Serbian Orthodox vs the Croatian Catholics vs. the Bosniac Muslims to be a complex problem that has not left the three groups from tolerating or respecting each other's right to co-exist. It is so hard to stop dehumanizing 'the other" anywhere in the world. It was eyeopening to see it firsthand. The rest was just a total enjoyment of the histories or each place we visited.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice Lakes were almost too much to believe the scene was real. The amazement is that the lakes have all remained discretely lakes with the water coming down and down and down into lake after lake. What a feat of nature!"
Carolyn
Tour: 10/06/24
Overall rating:
Good tour but not sure why we stayed in Motovan. It was awkward to get there and given it was raining it was slippery to walk. My suggestion would be to stay in Rovinj and just visit Motovan during the day. It would also be nice to spend 2 nights in Mostar. One night felt way too rushed.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvica Lakes National Park"
Jack
Tour: 10/06/24
Overall rating:
Very active tour. We saw a lot of rain so that made things difficult at times.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park"
Susan
Tour: 10/06/24
Overall rating:
The tour was fantastic! I learned so much about a part of the world that I knew very little about. Slovenia is breathtakingly beautiful and so green. Ljubljana has become one of my favorite cities. Croatia was warm and wonderful. I especially loved the cities of Rovinj and Split and we had a perfect free day on Kurcula. Dubrovnik was incredible and a favorite part of the trip for me. Visiting Stolac and Mostar were the most powerful, poignant and never to be forgotten experiences.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite "wow" moment was our visit to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Following a few days of rain, we had a glorious day of sunshine and the falls were flowing at peak. I had never experienced anything like it! Beautiful blue skies, fall color, spectacular waterfalls everywhere and, to top if off, we were greeted with a wonderful rainbow and the magnificent Great Waterfall or Veliki Slap at the end of our walk. "
Susan
Tour: 10/06/24
Overall rating:
Our guide, Katarina, made sure that we understood the history of the countries on the Dalmatian coast. It was a fast paced tour with lots of living out of suitcases, but there was also down time if you wanted it. A beautiful part of the world with so much history.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The seven mile walk in Plitvice Lakes National Park."
Cindy
Tour: 10/06/24
Overall rating:
My tour was fun, had just enough free time, educational and stress-free.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Visiting Plitvice National Park - what an amazing place!"
William
Tour: 10/03/24
Overall rating:
We loved Saso. He kept us ontime and handled a difficult situation flawlessly.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Mostar was an important stop as we could see the issues of the 1990’s in person and our local guide Meli? Had lived through these times."
Patrick
Tour: 10/03/24
Overall rating:
The tour was well organized without any logistical issues. Local guides were top notch, with deep subject matter knowledge and a humble approachability. Saso guided the tour very professionally and with a genuine warmth and humor.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were many but learning more about my grandfather's WWI experience in the Soca Valley was truly powerful and humbling. Jaka, the local guide in Kobarid, helped me identify the most likely brigade(s) my grandfather served in and the overwhelming odds against him surviving as a POW. The experience of returning to my grandparent's homeland and seeing what my grandfather and so many others endured during WWI deeply touched me. After all the fighting, the borders are still the same. "
Elizabeth
Tour: 10/03/24
Overall rating:
Sašo and all the local guides provided a stellar exposure to the diverse experiences, cultures, and geography of Adriatica
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many! My ultimate “wow” was our tour of Mostar, beginning with the Old Bridge and its enduring history; the sonorous calls to prayer blending with the hum of the markets; and the rich mix of cultures. "
Kathy
Tour: 10/03/24
Overall rating:
FANTASTIC! Slovenia, BiH, and Croatia are beautiful countries and we got to see so many wonderful sights (the Slovenian ski jump? A donkey farm? A thousand waterfalls? A wine cellar? Not necessarily on the list, but so wonderful)! Tour planning, as always (this was my 8th RS tour), was impeccable: never a wasted moment and “back door” experiences were delightful. Sašo is an amazing guide. I will highly recommend this tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"When our local guide Roberto told us we were about to see something that ONLY Rick Steves groups got to see, I have to admit I was a little skeptical. “I bet he says that to all his tours,” I thought. Then he turned around and put a key into a lock on a green door surrounded by vines and we entered a green paradise. Roberto’s own garden! What a delight!"
Bruce
Tour: 10/03/24
Overall rating:
This was the longest Rick Steve's tour out of the four we've been on so far. All of our guides have been extremely competent but Sašo was exceptional. His attention to detail, his calm, reassuring demeanor, he treated everyone with the same care and respect even answering the most inane questions. I felt a personal connection to him (which is rare for me). I loved the diversity in climate and landscape between the Julien Alps and Seaside Dubrovnik. The hotels and included meals were first rate
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The extraordinary beauty of Plitvice Lakes National Park is way up on the list of wow moments but I'm not crazy about crowds so I will go with opening my hotel window to an amazing sunset in the Istrian hill town of Motovun "
Sharon
Tour: 10/01/24
Overall rating:
Great agenda, outstanding guides
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park"
Terry
Tour: 10/01/24
Overall rating:
One issue: In Dubrovnik there was some miscommunication regarding the Dubrovnik Pass…granted we should have read the fine print. Some emphasis from the guide would be appreciated regarding the start time of the pass. We obtained bus passes not realizing we started the use of the “24 hour” pass. We were staying extra days in Dubrovnik and when we started the city wall walk, we were told our passes had expired. Unfortunately we had to buy tickets for the city wall walk costing us 70 Euros.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"-Loved this trip! -Plitvice National Park -Ljubljana was a surprise and we loved the place! So beautiful. "
Debbie
Tour: 10/01/24
Overall rating:
This was just my third RS tour, but I know that the guides make the tour, and Anja was no exception - she was wonderful! So knowledgeable and with a fantastic delivery- humorous, caring and super-efficient. She made it easy and enjoyable to experience so much!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I knew very little about the area I was traveling to and found all of it more beautiful than I imagined - water so ridiculously blue/green and crystal clear - villages picturesque as a postcard. I'm not a fan of military history but the Korbarid WWI museum (Slovenia) is so well done. It really opened my eyes to the importance of geography in wars."
Donald
Tour: 10/01/24
Overall rating:
would be excellent except for higher amount of time on bus.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Being chased down by a market vendor on walking tour of Ljubljana. He gave the group a big bag of his sauerkraut after one member walked over and got a small sample. "
Antoinette
Tour: 10/01/24
Overall rating:
Everything about the trip was top notch. I was concerned about the trip as I had heard it was very active, but it is as active as you want it to be.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Walking the national park ....Lakes to the Sea. The park is spectacular and walking along the trail and experiencing the beauty of the park was quite the experience. I also loved Ljubljana....my second wow moment."
Jeff
Tour: 10/01/24
Overall rating:
Great experience as always.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hard to select one, Korcula, Lake Bled, Plitvice were all unforgettable. "
Charles
Tour: 10/01/24
Overall rating:
Anya was, in the main, great. There were times where she could have read the room better, and not have scheduled us so intensely, but having said that, she was doing her job.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice. Loved it!"
Margaret
Tour: 10/01/24
Overall rating:
I liked my traveling group and Anja was a great guide. I love the combination of history, culture, and nature.The tour can be intense with 2 nights at one place and then one night at another but I took 4 days off at the end of the tour and went to a meditation and yoga retreat at Hvar Island.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitivice Lakes National Park- and no one got lost. Anja could organize pre-schoolers"
David
Tour: 10/01/24
Overall rating:
Great mix of activities. Anya was a FABULOUS tour guide.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Being so pleasantly surprised by Slovenia—especially Ljubljana. We would go back to explore more of Slovenia. And Pitlivice was such a nice day (other than the hotel there which was the absolute worst)."
Neil
Tour: 09/29/24
Overall rating:
Excellent guide (Barbara). Good itinerary, but perhaps a day longer to minimize 1 night stops would improve it. We thought the group was a bit too large, but great friendly and fun people.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The amazing scenery and never ending waterfalls at Plitvce National Park."
Judith
Tour: 09/29/24
Overall rating:
One thing about Rick Steve's Tours is that the participants are "well read" about the trip and are "experienced travelers." Our Group "gelled" with a couple of days, and everyone was comfortable. We attempt to have a "meal" separately, with individuals or individual couples while we travel -- to get to know them better
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Three Actually, 1) Mostar -- very emotional experience -- the people were lovely, given what they had been through. 2) Korcula -- Wow, an Island (almost) to our selves. Sun and sea -- Great. Try Aterina and climb the ladder to Mossimo. 3) Dubrovnik and particularly Mount Srd -- lovely sights -- might have to try the Bike Zip Line next time."
Kathleen
Tour: 09/29/24
Overall rating:
Great diversity of experiences. Planning was perfect. No glitches. Could not have been better.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice Lakes, Korcula, both were wow experiences. "
Julie
Tour: 09/24/24
Overall rating:
Our guide Mariam was so kind. Knowledgeable, friendly, and funny. She genuinely cared about her job and it showed.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My wow moment was journeying to Boznia. This country had never been on my list of travel destinations."
Karen Olson
Tour: 09/24/24
Overall rating:
The schedule, sights, meals, guides, bus rides, number of people in our group were all just perfect.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It’s really hard to pick one wow moment, but I think the beauty of the Plitvice Lakes National Park would be at the top."
Nivea
Tour: 09/24/24
Overall rating:
The tour was fantastic, way more than I had expected. Our guide, Mariam, was absolutely wonderful, so passionate and in love with her country.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I had two WOW moments: the first being the amphitheater at Pula, so well preserved. The second being walking the city walls first thing in the morning in Dubrovnik."
Timothy
Tour: 09/24/24
Overall rating:
Very well organized with a full schedule of excellent activities
Favorite "WOW" moment
"All the guides were tremendous. Of course Dubrovnik is eye popping and unique. "
Karen
Tour: 09/24/24
Overall rating:
The Best of the Adriatic in 14 Days tour was fantastic from start to finish! Our guide, Mariam, was outstanding: fun and funny, so knowledgeable, and a pleasure to have as our leader. The group of fellow travelers was really great, everyone so happy to be there and really open to all the experiences (no grumps, all really interesting people). The places we visited and the experiences we had were all special, some very eye opening. What a great experience!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Ljubljana is a wonderful small city. A great way to start the tour "
Jennifer
Tour: 09/22/24
Overall rating:
We had a fantastic trip, learned a lot, saw a new part of the world, and really enjoyed our guide Sanel and apprentice guide Mili.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Being in Kobarid and seeing footage of my great-grandfather's hometown of Udine during the WWI; seeing German soldiers occupying the central piazza where today we eat gelato and have drinks with made my cousins' stories of that time even more impactful"
Donna
Tour: 09/22/24
Overall rating:
Rick Steves' tours are like a traveling school bus You get to see a lot of terrain with friends while having fun and learning about new cultures and their history..
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The two days in Bosnia was such a WOW moment. Hearing the stories of devastation and strength to overcome the 1991-1994 struggles was powerful. We all watched it on the news and my in-laws are from Croatia, so it hit home for them, but it was different actually visiting the places that were affected. They are still recovering."
Wendell
Tour: 09/22/24
Overall rating:
Truly an amazing tour! Combined with the Best of Poland Tour just before this one and the Best of Turkey last year my eyes have been opened to the rick history, turmoil and awesome people of this part of the world. Sanel was an outstanding guide and we were so fortunate to have Mili as his assistant for the two weeks. I will never be the same after this experience. The history, cultures, food and cities were all so new to me. Thank you for extending your catalog to reach it.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"How do you choose one peak from the top of the Himalayas! Every city on this tour was amazing in culture! Truly the Wow was the knowledge, gracious storytelling, history lessons and fabulous food and wine experiences provided by our Guides. Wow, indeed! Thank you Sanel and Mili."
Susan
Tour: 09/22/24
Overall rating:
Fabulous tour guide, Sanel and apprentice Guide (Mili) created a community out of our tour group and shared insights, knowledge and history of the region and countries that brought it alive.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Just one?! Lake Bled, Split, Mostar and Dubrovnik. I also loved the "backdoor" experiences (the vineyard and lunch in Istria, the agrotourism community/donkey refuge at the end of the trip)."
John
Tour: 09/22/24
Overall rating:
Friendly people, great food and wine , beautiful scenery all enhanced by very personal and informative guides. Highly recommend this tour
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Two moments; first view inside the walled city of Dubrovnik; second was visiting the towns of Mostar and Stolac and learning about the Bosnia war from the perspective of two men who experienced it first hand."
Scott
Tour: 09/22/24
Overall rating:
Knowledgable tour guides who explained the historical basis of current national boundaries, identities and current events.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Recognizing that the ancient necropolis at Stolac, Bosnia, is a final resting place for the ancestors of all three religious factions that fought each other in the 1990s was my personal "wow" moment. The personal stories of our guides who lived through that conflict were indispensable in my attempt to understand that period."
Cheryl
Tour: 09/22/24
Overall rating:
Great tour! Great guide!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Dubrovnik was awesome."
Alan
Tour: 09/22/24
Overall rating:
Excellent guides, great fellow travelers, tour was great
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hearing Sanal & Milo’s stories about thei experiences during the early 99’s war. "
James
Tour: 09/22/24
Overall rating:
This was my fourth tour with Rick Steves Europe and by far the best. Our guide Sanel was awesome. The pace of the trip was great, with not too much time on the bus getting from place to place.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitviče Lakes National Park was gorgeous."
Kristina
Tour: 09/17/24
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Finally seeing Dubrovnik."
Nancy
Tour: 09/17/24
Overall rating:
Fantastic guide and special guides exceptional. Fellow tourists were friendly and fun Tours were an eye opener for me. The World War One museum. And the guide in Moster Bosnia I will never forget him.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The guide in Bosnia"
Fred
Tour: 09/17/24
Overall rating:
The tour was incredibly well organized and executed. It included so many events and activities that I was amazed
Favorite "WOW" moment
"It's too hard to pick out a wow moment. We enjoyed the entire tour"
Michael
Tour: 09/17/24
Overall rating:
Another fantastic Rick Steves tour! Everything was perfect - Our fantastic guide (Saso) led us through great cities and sites, took us to local restaurants where we enjoyed tasty authentic food, unparalleled hospitality, and new tastes. Our hotels were comfortable, quiet and within walking distance of everything important. Our bus driver was so skilled and took us through 3 countries with comfort and ease. Lastly, our group was diverse but so fun to travel with. Beyond excellent.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were many wow moments, and Saso helped us to understand why many locations and moments were special. Choosing one is impossible, as we loved walking in Ljubljana, around Lake Bled, seeing the mountains near Bovec, watching the sunrise in Motovun, seeing the waterfalls in Plitvice, eating gelato in Split, walking the bridge in Mostar, swimming in Korcula, or walking the walls in Dubrovnik. All are wow moments for us. "
Merton
Tour: 09/15/24
Overall rating:
Excellent mix of cities, beautiful natural areas, and interesting rural wineries and sites. Local guides were super. Group got along well. Well planned use of two weeks.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plittvice national park was amazing with the incredible waterfalls."
Melanie
Tour: 09/15/24
Overall rating:
The knowledge of the guides, both on the bus and the local guides, the sites we visited, the off-the-beaten-track places we experienced, were outstanding, interesting and so worthwhile.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The biggest "wow" was our local guide in Stolac and Mostar. His experiences, both past and present, in a war-torn country, were impactful and left a lasting impression. But this was just one of several "wow" moments for me."
Julie
Tour: 09/15/24
Overall rating:
Wonderful experience, amazing guide!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hearing the call to prayer while we were in Mostar was an absolutely breathtaking moment for me. Hearing it in person, not on TV, made me pause and truly appreciate how amazing we all are. What a fabulous experience!"
Nancy
Tour: 09/15/24
Overall rating:
This was an active tour with eight hotels in 14 days, and our fabulous guide Marijan kept our group excited about every experience. There was incredible variety with this tour, including several “biggies” like Split and Dubrovnik interspersed with stays in small villages, Plitvice National Park and island time on Korcula. We loved it all!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our visit to Stolac and Mostar in Bosnia was incredibly eye-opening. Our local guide’s walking tour and his personal stories about his life during the war made such an impression on all of us. "
Peter
Tour: 09/10/24
Overall rating:
A great tour with a great Tour Guide
Favorite "WOW" moment
"A very enjoyable tour with no specific WOW moment."
Bj
Tour: 09/10/24
Overall rating:
Beautifully organized; everything ran like clockwork; guides were always on time, bus always ready to go. Told our tour guide at the end of the first day that her 3.5 hour walking tour that morning was too much info for me to absorb. She responded with kindness and empathy, assuring me that I could leave the walking tour at any point if I wanted. So I’d peel off the group, go grab a gelato, meet up with them 10 minutes later!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park, standing at a railing, posing in front of a dozen waterfalls while a tour member took my picture."
Gordy
Tour: 09/10/24
Overall rating:
Tina was a wonderful guide and our driver Edis was great at his job too.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The old City of Dubrovniks was a special place to watch the sun sink into the ocean. "
Timothy
Tour: 09/10/24
Overall rating:
Extremely well run. Almost too much information. The only limitation was the cities we visited themselves. So many ancient fortress towns.
Paul
Tour: 09/10/24
Overall rating:
What a fantastic vacation! Beautiful, interesting locations, well planned itinerary, comfortable and convenient accommodations, terrific guides. A wonderful blend of diverse activities.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"No one wow moment. I enjoyed each site for its own unique qalities."
John
Tour: 09/10/24
Overall rating:
Our guide, Tina, was exceptional. She was emotionally engaged, frank, open and thoroughly knowledgeable, in addition to being very well organized. She adeptly brought our very diverse group into a very cohesive, fun “family “. The tour itself was a perfect mix of education, beauty and culture.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so may “wow” moments but if I had to select one i’d have to choose Plitvica Lakes."
Nancy
Tour: 09/10/24
Steven
Tour: 09/10/24
Overall rating:
It was beyond all my expectations! Our guide Tina epitomizes the Rick Steves philosophy of travel and adventure. The knowledge and stories she shared, attention to detail, laughter, spirit and genuine friendship was contagious with the entire group. Each of the local guides were totally outstanding. The best RS trip ever!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So many it’s hard to choose, Plitvice National Park waterfalls, Stolac and Mostar in Bosnia, the late afternoon boat ride around the island of Korcula. Walking the streets of Dubrovnik in the early morning before the crowds arrived was incredible. The lunch and wine tasting with Boris at his family vineyard was amazing! "
Eric
Tour: 09/10/24
Overall rating:
This was a second RST and once again it did not disappoint. Our tour guide Tina and our driver Adis were truly the best. Tina was truly an amazing guide, with her stories and knowledge as well as the other guides we saw along the way. All of them were topnotch. Special places we got to see and experience and not to mention the amazing fellow tour friends we made. Everyone became so close. We had a mix of Canadians (including us), Australians and Americans on the tour. No rain could stop us
Favorite "WOW" moment
"So many to pick from, the National Park, Lake Bled (even in the downpour), War Museum, Bosnia. The stories and friendships we made. Can't wait for our next one. Thank you so very much <3"
Kathleen
Tour: 09/08/24
Overall rating:
Outstanding travel companions for a beautiful part of the world
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Lake Bled"
Frank
Tour: 09/08/24
Overall rating:
As the tour progressed, the events & activities became more enjoyable. I was a little concerned over the first 2 or 3 days of the tour as we really didn't seem to have enough time to enjoy the locale.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Celebrating my wife's birthday at a 7th generation family winery in Slovenia. Our guide, Anja tipped off the winery's owner & he presented my wife with a bottle of wine & a rose from his garden. He was such a charming host & sincerely enjoyed recognizing Robbie's birthday. He led the group in a chorus of "Happy Birthday to her. We have a picture with him & will always cherish that day on our tour!"
Sharon
Tour: 09/08/24
Overall rating:
We had a wonderful experience with a nice variety of stops and sights. Our tour guide, Anja, was experienced, knowledgeable and helpful, as well as just fun to be with!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"We loved Plitvice National Park and Lake Bled. However, there was not enought time at Lake Bled. We could have used another 2-3 hours in order to get to the island and back, and then walk the circumference of the Lake. "
Gary
Tour: 09/08/24
Overall rating:
Made me cry… in Stolac/Mostar. I was told to be in my hotel room before the soccer game ended in Split… hooligan behvior, was my assumption. We had sea bass several times in RS-provided meals and was fairly unimpressed. My trout at a RS-provided meal in Bovec was packed with small bones after I deboned it, per instructions. We spent hours upon hours on the bus, masked up. We had 4 or 5 single night hotel stays. In at 4 pm, meet in lobby at 5, orientation walk till 6:30, load bus at 7:40am.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Adriatic Sea, on a sunny day, is epic. "
Bryan
Tour: 09/08/24
Overall rating:
The tour was perhaps not ""typical" Rick Steves. Less historic sites (though the old towns on the Adriatic were beautiful), less culture and history. Our guide Anna was lovely but perhaps lacking in historical knowledge, as she frequently told us it was too complicated to explain. Hotels lacked the Rick Steves boutique style we became accustomed to in France and Spain (maybe not available in the Adriatic?). Overall a very scenic tour, less historic sites, well organized, great fellow travelers.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our local guide in Bosnia. Very passionate about Bosnia, the history, the future. He would make a great Rick Steves tour guide, but doubt you would convince him at this time to leave his son for weeks at a time. The day in Bosnia was a very pleasant surprise and not what I was expecting. Also the walk in the Piltvice Lakes National Park was outstanding."
Kenneth
Tour: 09/05/24
Overall rating:
Our second Rick Steves trip and we were again blown away. Well organized, great variety of places to see and things to do, wonderful accommodations and great tour guide. The other people on our tour were so enjoyable, hailing from all over of the U.S. and Canada. We learn so much on these trips between our guide and the wonderful tour guides we had along the way. We look forward to more trips in the future!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Touring the beautiful lakes and waterfalls in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. We were fortunate to have perfect weather and got started early. Absolutely magical!"
Kathleen
Tour: 09/05/24
Overall rating:
Great variety of sites and experiences.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Several wow moments . Lake Plitvice was beautiful."
William
Tour: 09/05/24
Overall rating:
It was not Greece, tour leader outstanding. We had shower problems in 3 hotels. Learned a great deal, Bosnia was a win. Group was nice. Left not really knowing Adriatic food. As opposed to Greece we never had an “outstanding “ room. Do you give Boeing folks an incentive to travel with you? Both trips had 3 couples from Boeing. Driver was great. A number of great moments. First nite dinner, not a wow at all. Waterfall walk was a drag at lower falls, too many people.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Learning Slovenia existed ( shame on us) and Bosnia for sure. Gosh crew ships really hurt a destination. Lake Bled was great, should have swam there. Discovering “Trump hotel” was just funny."
Karol
Tour: 09/05/24
Overall rating:
Very well organized and thought out tour. Good value for the price. Our tour guide was super special, full of interesting stories of growing up in the area. I wish everyone could hear stories of the communist past there that she shared. She took very good care of us and was very thoughtful.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Naturals wonders of the area are amazing. I could have stayed at Plitvice lakes for days. It was astoundingly beautiful. We also were shuttled to the upper lakes first and had almost exclusive access. I thank RS tours for knowing when to be where to avoid large crowds."
Mary
Tour: 09/05/24
Overall rating:
The tour was amazing , Katarina was simply wonderful , very helpful and kind . Loved her . The hotel were good , showers leaked quite a bit in couple of hotels , but over they were good . Bus drive Jon was ver good and I felt safe at all times with his driving . Food was good . Had great experiences with food , people on tour , everything we did was good .. I recommend Rick Steve’s to my friends .
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Lake bled . All of Croatia . The scenery was so beautiful , The luge was so fun , swimming in the Baltic Sea . Going to all the little cities . Exploring everything Katarina put in front of us and learning so much history . Loved it Ljubljana was wonderful . There were to many wows !"
Daniel
Tour: 09/05/24
Overall rating:
This was a great tour. I knew very little about this region prior but took allot of new found knowledge home with me. We had a very good group and our tour leader Kat was outstanding in every way.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many but what sticks out the most is the beautiful scenery along the Croatian coast. "
Gregory
Tour: 09/05/24
Overall rating:
The countries were beautiful, group was fun,and local guides excellent. However, overall not nearly as good of experience as RS Ireland tour. Our main guide was Czech and her bus stories mainly dealt with stories there and not where we were touring. She really didn’t have deep knowledge or recommendations for our free time or know folks other than guides. The food was also average and boring. We had prosciutto, cheese, bread, and olives for 3 lunches and 2 appetizers. Hotels were also average.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The beautiful Plavitce Lakes and Lake Bled. "
David
Tour: 09/05/24
Overall rating:
It was everything I expected and so much more
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The view from the moon lite ramparts in Motovun with the melodic sound of klapa singers in the distance, truly unforgetable."
Kay
Tour: 09/03/24
Overall rating:
This was our fourth tour with Rick Steves. Sanel was a personable and safety conscious guide which added to our overall positive experience. We loved learning the history, culture, and scenery of Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia. Hearing how the war affected these areas was great education for understanding the past. It was amazing how many people spoke English and, at times, it almost felt American.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hearing about the how war personally affected Sanel and his family was very educational. Also, that such small regions had much diverse cultures. Piltvice Lakes was very special despite our wet weather. We really appreciated how Sanel got us all up and out early to start at the opposite end of the park so that we could enjoy the beauty without the hordes of other tourists that start at the beginning."
Kristen
Tour: 09/03/24
Overall rating:
We had a fabulous trip, made even more special by our exceptional guide, Sanel. The coastline of Croatia is so beautiful!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were so many wow moments- loved Korcula, wine tasting and lunch at Boris Lisjak winery, Lake Bled, beautiful waterfalls at Plitvice National Park, exploring Bosnia and learning about the past and Sanal’s experiences was both fascinating and heartbreaking. Too many wow moments to name. Thank you again to Sanal and Rick Steves!!"
Lydia
Tour: 09/03/24
Overall rating:
Loved the variety of beautiful sites and our great guide, Sanel, who expressed things so well throughout the entire tour. Great local guides, too. The itinerary was interesting and was a good balance of organized and on-your-own-time. We also had nice comradery among our group.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hard to pick just one. I enjoyed discovering Ljubljana and the island of Korcula. I also enjoyed wandering the many other old towns. You just don't see that in the US."
Nicholas
Tour: 09/03/24
Overall rating:
Great trip, well organized and the itinerary was well thought out. Tour guide was outstanding, fun with a great sense of humor. Hotels were ok some a little borderline but because of the location the only option.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Maybe Lake Bled "
Theresa
Tour: 09/03/24
Overall rating:
The trip was wonderful. Sanel, our guide, did an amazing job. There was a good mix of structured and free time. We saw so much and learned a lot of history while always enjoying ourselves. We had a great group of people.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There are many. I’d say it’s a tie between Lake Bled and walking the wall in Dubrovnik, but there certainly were others wows! "
Ann
Tour: 09/03/24
Overall rating:
The tour was great from start to finish. Well planned, great food, great local guides, and great fellow travelers. I feel lucky to have had Sanel as the overall guide and Said (sp?) as our driver. Super!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Only one? 1. Learning about Stolac and Mostar from Sanel and Mimi who lived through the war. 2. Slovenia! Ljubljana (❤️) and Lake Bled were amazing. 3. Motovun! 4. The Boris Lisjak wine tasting and lunch. I think the group really gelled after that. Funny what a little food and wine can do. "
Mary
Tour: 09/03/24
Overall rating:
Perfect itinerary with centrally located hotels and plenty of free time to explore. I loved hearing the perspective of the different guides - especially in Bosnia.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I had several: Lake Bled, swimming every chance I got in the Adriatic sea, and Mostar- wish we had more time there."
Martha
Tour: 09/03/24
Overall rating:
Great itinerary, great travel buddies
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Dalmatian coast"
Irene
Tour: 09/03/24
Overall rating:
The tour flowed well as we learned about the culture and history of countries that most of us knew little about, especially Bosnia. The group was friendly and interested in everything. Sanel was an outstanding trip leader. There was a surprising amount of free time which made for a more relaxing tour than some other non-RS tours.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Dubrovnik was magical under street lights in the evening when many tourists had left for the day."
Alan
Tour: 09/03/24
Overall rating:
Outstanding experience. We enjoyed every moment from Ljubljana to Dubrovnik. Great itinerary with an excellent guide(s) to make the overall visit more immersive and memorable.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were many. We especially enjoyed Istria, Plitvice Lakes, Diocletians Palace and Dubrovnik. "
Leigh
Tour: 09/01/24
Overall rating:
Our fantastic guide Barbara made the tour fun and memorable taking us to interesting places and sharing stories, food and wine unique to this culturally diverse area.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Visiting Mostar and swimming in the Adriatic in Korcula."
Laura
Tour: 09/01/24
Overall rating:
This was our first time on a tour but we have used many Rick Steves guidebooks as my husband and I explored Europe. The overall tour experience was excellent.It allowed us to move through countries that would have have more difficult in terms of transportation. We also enjoyed the fellow travelers in our group. Our guide was beyond outstanding!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Early morning walk along the shore in Korcula."
Michael
Tour: 09/01/24
Overall rating:
Very good. Our trip guide was excellent, the accommodations and food also very good. The local guides and their historical knowledge was excellent and what was particularly poignant was their personal narratives of the turbulent history of the regions.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The hill town and castle in Motovun, the bridge in Mostar and the walled city in Dubrovnik."
Lynn
Tour: 09/01/24
Overall rating:
The tour was well planned and managed. The mix of history, recreational activities, and relaxation was just perfect. Our guide was excellent, and the group was a lot of fun. All in all, this was a wonderful opportunity to learn about an area that was unfamiliar to me.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Hiking in Plitvice Lakes National Park was incredible. Visiting Mostar was a close second, albeit a very different kind of "wow.""
Mary Lou
Tour: 09/01/24
Overall rating:
Our tour guide, Barbara, is excellent with a wonderful sense of humour. The local guides also contributed to a great tour experience. I appreciated the mix of history, culture (including a great wine tasting) and activities. I would have liked more time in Montovun and could have done without Rovinj. The first half of Plitvice was spectacular; the second half uncomfortably crowded. Loved our stop on the island of Korcula where the weather cooperated for beach time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Our Pula guide saying, “I know a guy” who could come with umbrellas to help us withstand the pouring rain. Ha! Swimming in Lake Bled a wow moment along with visiting a hilltop town. "
Peggy
Tour: 09/01/24
Overall rating:
Our tour guide, Barbara, was incredible and so knowledgable about the history of every destination. She was fun and full of little surprises and treats. We were so lucky to have her as our guide.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Every moment was a wow moment... it's hard to chose because the variety of experiences were so diverse... from hiking a national park to visiting medieval towns, farms, wine tasting, boating around Korcula Island, Roman ruins, palaces, war torn towns rebuilt, country dinners, museums, and walking the wall in Dubrovnik. All of it was amazing."
Mark
Tour: 09/01/24
Overall rating:
Loved our knowledgeable guide. The ancient sites. Local food. Learning the history of the area from the beginning and the recent conflicts. Of course, love the vacation from your vacation portion. Korcula was a stunning island. The hill town was a great experience. Great driver and smooth check ins at the hotels. Would have liked more time in Motovun. Didn’t love Rovinj, seemed crowded and overly touristy and not that different from other coastal stops.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Favourite wow moment was Motovun, especially the view of the hill town from the distance on the bus and thinking wow, we are going up there. Cool! Great local meal on that leg of the trip as well. Would have liked to have more time in the town itself. Happy to walk up and down the hill."
John
Tour: 09/01/24
Overall rating:
The tour exceeded my expectations. Our guide Barbara, an native Slovenian provide a wealth of cultural and historical information throughout the tour with interesting personal stories. The tour was well organized and paced with both group and personal time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The tour of the tour of old town in Dubrovnik conducted by guide Roberto. His knowledge and passion made the tour very interesting."
Barbara
Tour: 09/01/24
Overall rating:
Our trip guide, Barbara, was excellent. She was so knowledgeable and interesting regarding the areas we visited. She was ever available and engaging with the tour members. She was particularly helpful when I lost my passport, making my trauma less traumatic. I also loved our bus driver, Robert, and his spiffy clean beautiful bus. The tour covered a lot of miles from mountains to oceans. I enjoyed that variety. I think there was a good balace of scheduled to down time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"At the WW1 Museum-Kobarid was a placard in 4 languages: "SOLDIERS -Here we are like leaves on trees in autumn". The whole futility of the Soca incursions I found most hauntingly moving."
Lynn
Tour: 09/01/24
Overall rating:
My overall experience was great, completely met all my expectations!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Dubrovnik, walking the wall of the city, it was spectacular. A great finale to the tour."
Linda
Tour: 08/27/24
The Vox hearing guide was almost useless with my hearing aides. I told our guide that I did not have good experiences with them. All the guides were at the extreme end of the group with their backs to the group so those of us at the end heard very little. I made mention of my hearing and physical limitations when I booked the trip. The guest guides either spoke too quickly or had low voices. Learned very little from the guides as I couldn’t hear them. Downgraded my experiences greatly.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Walking the walls of Dobrovnik"
Janet
Tour: 08/27/24
Overall rating:
I was worried about 14 days w 28 people but they were like minded travelers! For me it was physically challenging (more a foodie than a hiker) but I made it! The variety of activities, places, cultures, histories, foods, and wines has made me ready to do more Rick Steves trips!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"My favorite WOW moment came after the trip as we visited Rome, Florence, and Venice and I wondered what the RS travelers were getting to do as they visited those towns. I wondered what I had missed in the 30+ other countries that we have traveled independently! The smooth organization and daily unexpected adventures of the RS Adriatic trip was a seriously deeper dive than I ever expected!! "
Lauren
Tour: 08/27/24
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Swimming in the Adriatic"
Sally
Tour: 08/27/24
Overall rating:
This was my first Rick Steves tour and my expectations were the initial tour information sent; the very detailed Rick Steves book on Croatia and Slovenia; and the incredible excitement that I was going to some fabulous locations with a long-time, very dear friend. The tour far exceeded all my expectations - an extremely knowledgeable and engaging RS guide; wonderfully informative local guides; terrific fellow travelers; and extraordinary memories that will be with me forever.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"As exquisite as the many inland and coastal vistas in both Slovenia and Croatia were, my wow moment was two-fold in the towns of Stolac and Mostar in Bosnia. I felt so privileged to hear our guides Edo and Mili share their own personal journeys in war torn Bosnia. Their determination to return and rebuild their towns regardless of their on-going obstacles put into perspective the freedoms, liberties and comforts I have and take for granite on a daily basis. "
Claire
Tour: 08/27/24
Overall rating:
Thanks to both our tour leader and the local guides, our trip was outstanding.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved going to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The stories of living through the inhumanity of war and recovering their humanity after was deeply moving."
Chris
Tour: 08/27/24
Overall rating:
Everything went smoothly, a good tour guide, a great price. The people were nice. Everyone was courteous.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The family farm"
Raymond
Tour: 08/27/24
Overall rating:
I learned so much about the history, cultures and people of this fascinating region, and the way our tour and local guides explained it all -- it was like living those lives vicariously. And everything else was marvelous too -first class all the way.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Lake Bled, Plitvice Lakes and relaxation at Korcula."
Lynda
Tour: 08/27/24
Overall rating:
Our tour guide, Ben, was exceptional! He made the trip giving his knowledge and history of each place visited. Each day was organized to enjoy walking tours and free time to explore.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The views from traveling to each town to the walking tours and hikes! Swimming in the Adriatic Sea will always be a GREAT memory!"
David
Tour: 08/27/24
Overall rating:
the tour was jam packed with tremendous sites and beautiful. Each stop had something new and exciting The food was plentiful and good. All the people were friendly. I would do another tour anytime.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The national park with 100 waterfalls"
Dan
Tour: 08/27/24
Overall rating:
The Croatia/Slovenia tour was very well coordinated and organized. Our guide was top notched along with scenary and food. The accomadations were very good and bus was very comfortable. The travelers on the trip were expectional and we left as friends.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The "wow" moment was that expections were met and we were able to learn about a part of the world that we were unfamiliar with."
Peter
Tour: 08/25/24
Overall rating:
Mariam made the tour very enjoyable with her knowledge and care of her members.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The Amphitheater in Pula was a WOW surprise!"
David
Tour: 08/25/24
Overall rating:
The tour was incredible. It was packed with sights, sounds, music, food, history and wonderful people. It was almost too packed. it would have been niceto take the "vacation" from the "vacation" in the middle of the tour in order to refresh and recoup from all the travelling. All the tour guides were excellent and informative. The hot weather was a drag and made some of the experience stressful. The accomodations were excellent. They almost all had A.C. and a private bath which was very helpful.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The most "wow" moment was walking around Stolic and Mostar with Edin and seieng the war in the 1990's through his senstive and forgiving eyes. The war theme of the tour was difficult at times to digest and be comforatble with but the willingness of the tour guides to discuss and share their experiences of the war made for a life long memory. Edin's ability to let the pass not determine his present hopes and dreams is what the whole world needs today."
Peggy
Tour: 08/25/24
Overall rating:
The Adriatic countries we visited were beautiful, charming, and a feast for my eyes. Our tour group was wonderful, as was our guide Mariam. She is such an energetic person that she inspires everyone to do oncemore, to try more, to achieve more.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The first views of Lake Bled and of the Adriatic and the sound of the first waterfall at Plitsvika."
Julie
Tour: 08/25/24
Overall rating:
Great food, good people, great guide. It did feel like a lot was packed in. Could have used another half day in Mostar and in Soca Valley. Days were sometimes long--fine for sightseeing, but I would have liked a bit more time to wander (Mostar), to use pools (Motovan) or to swim in the sea. But I learned that Croatia is a long country--needed bus time to get from north to south!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Seeing Dubrovnik's old town and the walls. But I also loved Split, Ljubljana, and the ancient Necropolis in Herzegovina."
Stacey
Tour: 08/25/24
Overall rating:
We had a great group of people and an excellent guide - makes for a great trip! Good mix of structured and free time.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were several - Plitvice Lakes National Park and Edo in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Also the island of Korcula "
Carol
Tour: 08/25/24
Overall rating:
Slovenia, Bosnia and Croatia were beautiful and the people very polite and kind. Food was great as well!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice National Park. The many waterfalls and trails were so beautiful and serene. I also love visiting Mostar. It was so interesting to hear about the war of the 1990s, and how they have rebuilt and overcome the atrocities of that era. Lovely people and great food!"
Kate
Tour: 08/25/24
Overall rating:
the guides were great, loved Mariam
Favorite "WOW" moment
"swimming in the sea"
Linda
Tour: 08/25/24
Overall rating:
Guide very knowledgeable, friendly, and prepared. Best I’ve had. Hotels were okay. Restaurants were great. City tour guides excellent. Covid policy unclear. Everybody got sick, few masked. 1 honest guy tested positive then not allowed even on outdoor walks. Crazy. Also, too many (27) on tour. Bus seat policy juvenile. Some like front, some like back. I don’t think I’ll be taking another tour while the Covid policy is so unclear and masking not required for coughing and sneezing.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Enjoyed it all but Dubrovnik was WOW."
Jean
Tour: 08/18/24
Overall rating:
This was a great experience from a cultural, historical and social perspective. I enjoyed visiting and learning about an area that I knew little about at the start. The tour guides were all excellent in making this history come to life. The tour group really came together and made the whole experience very fun.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The architecture of Ljubljana, swimming in the warm Adriatic Sea in Korcula, dining with my fellow tour members at the beautiful winery in Slovenia"
Dave
Tour: 08/18/24
Overall rating:
Favorite "WOW" moment
"The national park"
Audrey
Tour: 08/18/24
Overall rating:
Overall, I loved it! Katka is a great guide, and the local guides were stimulating, knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate about their culture, history, and people. I had a few personal glitches: food poisoning at one of the hotel restaurants, cold virus picked up on the bus. But Katka and Mojca were very attentive and made sure I had everyting I needed.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"On our free day on Korcula, a few of us signed up for a snorkel/lunch boat tour. We had lunch at a little tiny cafe (stretching it) on a little bay on the island, outside of town. The owner, a young-ish guy, lives there in a lovely home on the water. He was grilling our fresh-caught fish as we arrived at his dock. He also served us fresh tomatoes from his garden, with local wine. It was bliss. So peaceful, beautiful, good fresh, local food. Our 'captain' served us his grandma's grappa."
Linda
Tour: 08/18/24
Overall rating:
The entire tour went very smoothly.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Plitvice Lakes"
Leon
Tour: 08/18/24
Overall rating:
An overall enjoyable and worthwhile trip. We met new friends who added richness to our experience. The scenery was varied from the spectacular mountains and valleys of Slovenia to the breath-taking seacoast of Croatia. The cultures of the region were varied, adding beauty to the trip. I enjoyed to opportunity to learn about the history of WWI in the region. Our tour guides offered their perspectives of being raised in a socialist society and how their lives have changed in today's world.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"After a day of traversing the spectacular Julian Alps, we spent an evening in Bovec in the Soca River Valley. My wife and I went for an after-dinner walk and stumbled upon an unexpected festival in the town square. The townspeople were out enjoying the beautiful summer evening while being entertained by teams of culturally-attired folk dancers and musicians from areas in the region. We couldn’t have planned a more perfect cultural experience!"
Penny
Tour: 06/23/24
Overall rating:
This was my first Rick Steves tour and now I know what all my friends have been talking about. It was perfect from beginning to end, exactly as advertised. The group was congenial from the very first meeting, our accommodations were much nicer than I expected, every detail went smoothly (departure times, meals, excursions etc.), the bus was very comfortable- loved having my own seat, the attractions were terrific and I can’t give our guide Ben enough or adequate praise. He was fabulous!
Favorite "WOW" moment
"There were many but what has really stayed with me is Bosnia and the personal history of our city guide. It was so personal and shocking. We are distanced from war in the US so his account brought out the humanity and suffering of war but ultimately also the grace and resilience of people. Very moving. "
Grace
Tour: 06/23/24
Overall rating:
Well organized tour that covered a lot of ground. From the Julian Alps to the Adriatic Sea. As always, the emphasis was on understanding current cultures based on their geopolitical and religious pasts.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"Too many. Spending time in the towns of Mostar, Stolac and Korcula was terrific. Learning about both the 2-year WWI battle in the Soca Valley and the Yugoslavian civil war through personal experiences was enlightening. And tasting donkey milk was pretty darn cool. However, greatest WOW factor was the camaraderie within our group. The "What's App" group chat set up by one of the tour members helped us share our photos timely and communicate with each other quickly."
Nicholas
Tour: 06/23/24
Overall rating:
I loved the opportunity to visit 3 different countries and experience the variety in culture. Ben did a great job of providing context for each place we visited. It was like a living history class. I enjoyed the balance of group activities and time for my individual pursuits.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved the waterfalls at Plivice National Park. On the human side, hearing the stories from our guides in Bosnia made a deep impression on me. "
Timothy
Tour: 06/23/24
Overall rating:
This was our first Rick Steve’s tour and it totally exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide Ben was extremely knowledgeable, presented materials in a way that was interesting for us to learn and was flawless in getting us from place to place and arranging our local field trips. He was eager to share all of his knowledge and love of these countries. His communication and expectations for us as guests was clear, efficient and friendly. We also loved the cadence of the tour.
Favorite "WOW" moment
"I loved all of the Roman ruins and my wife loved learning about the people of Mostar and how they have overcome their struggles for freedom."
When To Go & Weather
Any time between April and October is a good time to take a Best of the Adriatic tour. However, the months of April, May, September, and October offer the best combination of smaller crowds, milder weather, and the full range of tourist fun.
Slovenia / Ljubljana
Croatia / Split
Croatia / Dubrovnik
Bosnia-Herzegovina / Mostar
Hotels & Flights
Tour Hotels
In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email as well as the itinerary section of your tour account. One month prior to the tour departure, you'll find the directions to your first tour hotel and a complete list of hotels where we'll be staying while on tour in the Documents section of your tour account.
Flights
Our tours don't include airfare, so your flight arrangements and transfers are completely up to you.
Most tour members arrange to fly into Ljubljana (LJU) and out of Dubrovnik (DBV) — choose "multicity" on flight-booking websites. Booking round-trip to one city will require a connecting flight, train trip, or additional overnight stay in Croatia.
We suggest arriving a day or two before your tour begins to allow ample time to get over jet lag and be well-rested for the first few days of your tour. For more information about transportation options to get to and from your tour, see your Rick Steves Croatia & Slovenia guidebook.