AIA Tours: land

Croatia & Slovenia: Ancient Treasures Along the Dalmatian Coast

Tour Dates: September 20-30, 2025 (11 days)

Tour Leader(s): Ivančica Schrunk ,

Join us on this unique archaeological and cultural tour of Slovenia and Croatia and experience their rich histories as you travel through lush meadowlands, impressive mountain ranges, and along the dramatic Adriatic coast. Throughout our journey, our focus will be on the region’s rich archaeological and historical legacy, from imposing Roman ruins and charming medieval towns to 19th-century cities and the modern day.

Highlights include:

  • The insights of your AIA lecturer/host, archaeologist Vanča Schrunk, who will accompany you throughout the tour and offer a series of lectures
  • Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital city, whose city center includes the remains of the Roman city of Emona, with one of the longest Roman city walls in central Europe
  • Dramatically situated Predjama Castle, perched on a 400-foot-high cliff, which was built between the 13th and 17th centuries
  • Pula, which boasts some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy, including its magnificent amphitheater, city walls, and Temple of Roma and Augustus
  • The walled, coastal city of Zadar, where a walking tour will take us past Roman, medieval, and Renaissance architecture
  • The “Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian,” a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most impressive Roman sites embedded in the medieval town
  • Dubrovnik, the walled town whose Old City, renowned as one of the world’s finest and most perfectly preserved medieval cities, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • A maximum of only 15 guests, plus your AIA lecturer/host, while a professional tour manager/guide handles all of the travel logistics

To reserve your space using the online form, click here.

For reservations or questions, please email us at aia@studytours.org (and include your full name) or call us toll-free at (800) 748-6262 (toll: 603-756-2884).

Download the complete, detailed brochure.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Pula Amphitheater, Pula, Croatia

Predjama Castle, Slovenia

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Church of St. Donat, Zadar, Croatia

Split, Croatia

Diocletian's Palace, Split, Croatia

Itinerary


Saturday, September 20, 2025: Home | Fly to Ljubljana, SLOVENIA

Sunday, September 21: Arrive in Ljubljana | Welcome reception

Monday, September 22: Predjama Castle | Welcome dinner

Tuesday, September 23: Lake Bled | Ljubljana: City tour

Wednesday, September 24: Grožnjan, CROATIA | Parenzo | Pula

Thursday, September 25: Pula: Walking tour | Zadar

Friday, September 26:  Zadar: Walking tour, Archaeological Museum, Sea Organ, Sun Salutation | Split

Saturday, September 27: Split: Walking tour, Diocletian’s Palace, Archaeological Museum, PM at leisure

Sunday, September 28: Ston | Dubrovnik

Monday, September 29: Dubrovnik: AM walking tour, PM at leisure | Farewell dinner

Tuesday, September 30: Fly home

View Detailed Itinerary

(B)= Breakfast, (L)= Lunch, (R)= Reception, (D)= Dinner

Saturday, September 20, 2025: Home | Fly to Ljubljana, SLOVENIA
Depart home today on independent flights to Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Sunday, September 21: Arrive in Ljubljana | Welcome reception
Upon arrival at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU), you will be met and transferred to our hotel in the city center. After some time to relax and perhaps explore on your own, gather for a welcome reception and aperitivo, followed by a brief introduction to the program. Dinner is at leisure. Three nights at the 4-star City Hotel Ljubljana. (R)

Monday, September 22: Predjama Castle | Welcome dinner
This morning, we head south for a visit to Predjama Castle, the world’s largest cave castle. Perched on a 400-foot-high cliff, it conceals a network of secret tunnels and an underground cave. After a group lunch, head back to Ljubljana. The afternoon is at leisure. In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, September 23: Lake Bled | Ljubljana: City tour
In the morning we drive to Lake Bled, famous for its pristine waters. Board an authentic pletna, a typical wooden boat, and be rowed across Lake Bled to reach Bled Island, where we visit the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary. After lunch at a local restaurant, we head back to Ljubljana and meet a local guide for a tour of Slovenia’s capital city and Green Capital of Europe for 2016. The city center includes the remains of the Roman city of Emona, with one of the longest Roman city walls in central Europe. Dinner is on your own this evening. (B,L)

Wednesday, September 24: Grožnjan, CROATIA | Parenzo | Pula
This morning we drive to Pula (ancient Pola), on Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula, which was an important Roman administrative center. En route we will stop at the hilltop town of Grožnjan. This lovely town, with its medieval feel and amazing views, is also home to more than 40 ateliers. Spend some free time exploring this unique town, perhaps finding some treasures from a local artisan to bring home. Drive to Parenzo, a picturesque seaside town where we have lunch. Continue to Pula, check-in to our hotel, and enjoy dinner at leisure. Overnight at the 4-star Ribarska Koliba Resort. (B,L)

Thursday, September 25: Pula: Walking tour | Zadar
This morning we will take a walking tour of Pula and discover one of Croatia’s architectural gems: Pula’s Roman amphitheater, the only one in the world with a complete outer wall, dating from the first century A.D. and originally designed for gladiatorial combat. Pula also boasts several of the other best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy, including the impressive Temple of Roma and Augustus, the Arch of the Sergii, and the city walls. After lunch at a local restaurant we depart Pula and drive to Zadar. Check-in to our hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure. Overnight at the 4-star Teatro Verdi Boutique Hotel. (B,L)

Friday, September 26:  Zadar: Walking tour, Archaeological Museum, Sea Organ, Sun Salutation | Split
This morning we enjoy a walking tour of the walled city of Zadar. Next we visit the Archaeological Museum, which displays archaeological material from the Paleolithic and Neolithic, the Bronze and Iron Ages, and the Roman and Byzantine periods, as well as from the 7th to the 15th centuries A.D. We then view two unique attractions: the sound and light spectacles of the Sea Organ and the Sun Salutation. After a group lunch at a local restaurant we drive to the vibrant coastal city of Split. Check-in to our hotel and enjoy dinner at leisure. Two nights at the 4-star Piazza Heritage Hotel. (B,L)

Saturday, September 27: Split: Walking tour, Diocletian’s Palace,
Archaeological Museum, PM at leisure
This morning we take a walking tour of Split, a great place to see Dalmatian life as it is really lived. Step inside Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most impressive Roman monuments. We also explore the Archaeological Museum, a treasure trove of classical sculpture and mosaics from the surrounding ancient Roman settlements. The balance of the day is at leisure. (B)

Sunday, September 28: Ston | Dubrovnik
Following a leisurely breakfast, take a scenic drive down the Dalmatian Coast, enjoying spectacular views. Head to the little medieval town of Ston, the so-called “oyster capital.” After tasting a few oysters, see Ston’s famous walls, one of the longest defensive structures in Europe, with three fortresses and a number of towers. Then, continue to Dubrovnik, the “pearl of the Adriatic.” Dinner tonight is at a fine local restaurant. Two nights at the 4-star Grand Hotel Park. (B,D)

Monday, September 29: Dubrovnik: AM walking tour, PM at leisure | Farewell dinner
In the morning, enjoy a walking tour of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned as one of the world’s finest and most perfectly preserved medieval cities. The main attraction of Old Town Dubrovnik, apart from its old monasteries and beautiful palaces, is the ancient city walls with their intricate and complex system of forts, bastions, casemates, towers, and detached forts. Lunch and the balance of the day are at leisure, perhaps to walk the city wall circuit, visit the Ethnographic and/or Maritime Museums, relax, or go shopping. Gather this evening for a festive farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Tuesday, September 30: Fly home
Transfer this morning to Dubrovnik Ruđer Bošković Airport (DBV) for flights home. (B)

 


For reservations or questions, please email us at aia@studytours.org (and include your full name) or call us toll-free at (800) 748-6262 (toll: 603-756-2884). To reserve your space using the online form, click here.

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