Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Italy – Slovenia – Croatia – Lake Garda – Ribnica – Bale – Bovec – the Dolomites
100% customisable for you
Strap in, your European family road trip begins today. Head to the airport, whizz through security and settle into the lounge. The flight to Turin takes roughly two hours, just long enough for the children to settle down with one of their favourite films.
After you land, collect your hire car, dial up the tunes and head into the city, where you’ll spend your first night of the trip. This afternoon, enjoy a walk under the arcades of the Via Roma or a visit to the Egyptian Museum – yes, really. Once everyone’s worked up an appetite, bypass any dinner debates by contacting your trusty Concierge for some stellar restaurant recommendations.
Tuck into a delicious breakfast this morning before bundling into the car for a day of discovery, driving through the lovely Lombardy region.
The big hitter is (of course) Milan, which takes just under two hours to reach from Turin. Here, little ones can crane their necks at the ceilings of the Duomo di Milano, while teens can have their shopping kicks in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Travelling with a theatre lover? A backstage tour of La Scala is a must-do. To refuel afterwards, duck into one of Milan’s classy cafes for a strong coffee or sugar-dusted pastry.
This afternoon, swap Lombardy for Verona with a two-hour drive to Bardolino, on Lake Garda, where you’ll stay for two nights. Once you’ve done a spot of unpacking, put rumbling tummies to rest with another delicious Italian dinner.
While it’s famed for its red wines, the small town of Bardolino boasts plenty of family-friendly fun, too. From the pedalos and colourful boats bobbing in the port, to the picturesque pastel houses and Romanesque church of Saint Zeno tucked away in the streets, there’s enough to spark curiosity in every member of your tribe.
Today, push off the shore to discover Lake Garda on a private tour of the Sirmione Peninsula. Cruise between several hidden gems, including the ancient villa of Maria Callas, the ruins of a Roman residence and the beaches at the foot of the Castello Scaligero fortress. Back on land, don your explorer hats for a private tour of the storied streets of Sirmione – with a stop for gelato along the way, of course.
Today, it’s time to leave Italy (for now) as you set off on the four-hour drive to the charming town of Ribnica, in southern Slovenia. Along the way, you can dodge groans of ‘are we there yet?’ with a stop in Verona – forever linked to the story of Romeo and Juliet – or Trieste, which boasts a particularly rich history, plus plenty of storybook castles to keep youngsters engaged.
When you arrive in Ribnica, settle in for two nights in your next home away from home. Once everyone’s had some wind-down time, venture out for dinner in the town – anyone up for jota (sauerkraut and bean stew)?
The centre of Slovenian woodworking, Ribnica sits at the foot of the rolling hills of Lower Carniola. Home to a Medieval castle and several traditional craft workshops, the town is overflowing with countryside charm.
Today, drive half an hour out to uncover the hidden beauty of Krizna Cave, in the heart of the Karst Plateau. Here, hop aboard a boat with a private guide to explore a network of tunnels and underground lakes, armed with trusty flashlights. Tucked away in these caves, the only sounds will be lapping water, your guide’s narration and sporadic gasps from your youngsters – now that’s off the beaten track.
Enjoy one last Slovenian breakfast this morning before hitting the road to Istria, at the northwestern tip of Croatia. The drive takes around two-and-a-half hours, so buckle up, pop on a playlist and let the games of I-Spy commence...
After winding through a stunning mix of countryside and coast, arrive in the historic village of Bale, where you’ll stay for the next three nights. Once you’ve settled in, tuck into your first Croatian dinner of the holiday (seafood lovers, this is the place for you).
Today is yours to explore Bale at your own pace – with plenty of input from the children, of course. The town is a maze of charming streets and atmospheric alleys, ideal for a gentle stroll.
Start in Tomaso Bembo Square, the beating heart of Bale, full of swooping arches and historic flair. Then, head to the Town Hall, where you can admire some stunning Neo-Gothic architecture. Keen to engage any teens in tow? Visit the Soardo-Bembo Palace, a beautiful – and suitably Instagrammable – building. Little ones feeling peckish? Pick up some fritule (mini doughnuts) to graze on as you go.
Today, it’s time to discover Brijuni National Park. Composed of two large islands and 12 islets, the Brijuni archipelago was recognised as a national park to protect its coastline and vegetation. Curiously, the archipelago is also home to antelopes, elephants, mountain zebras and waterbucks, all descendants of diplomatic gifts made to former statesman Tito. After reaching this enchanting area by boat, set off on a safari tour in a small panoramic train – eyes peeled.
After your wildlife watching adventure, it’s time for a journey back in time (well, sort of). Accompanied by a private guide, explore the remains of a Roman villa, an intriguing archaeological museum housed in a 16th-century citadel and a church decorated with frescoes and Glagolitic writings from Istria. Afterwards, gawk at dinosaur footprints – yes, really – along the nearby shores.
Return to Slovenia today as you journey to the magnificent mountain town of Bovec, where you’ll stay for the next three nights. Nestled in the Julian Alps, Bovec is the adventure capital of the Soca Valley. Here, adventure is on your doorstep, with the Kanin hiking trails just a stone’s throw (or a few eager footsteps) away, so you can fill your days with mountain biking, hiking and pretty much anything else you can think of. Time to tuck into a hearty dinner to fuel up for the adventures of tomorrow.
Still unknown to many, Bovec is a dream for both outdoor lovers and those with plenty of energy to spare (we’re looking at you, youngsters). Teens are also bound to be pulled under the town’s spell, thanks to the wide range of activities on offer.
Fancy an adrenaline rush? The Soca River has carved a vertical playground through the landscape near Bovec. Accompanied by a private guide, venture into the otherwise inaccessible areas of this river-filled gorge. Inside, you can abseil down limestone walls, jump in crystalline basins and whizz down natural slides – laughter and fantastic family photos are all but guaranteed.
Since Bovec is covered in hiking trails, it only makes sense to dedicate a whole day to exploring them. Today, lace up your walking boots – or, failing that, a trusty pair of trainers – and head to Monte Rombon, where a six-mile loop skirts the edge of the cliffs.
Along the way, squeeze in a covert history lesson (you’re welcome) at Fort Kluze and Fort Hermann, where tales of Turkish and Napoleonic invasions are sure to enthral the youngsters. And while you wander between the mountains, don’t forget to peer down at the white waters of the Koritnica 230ft below.
It’s time to say a proper goodbye to Slovenia today as you prepare to head back to Italy, this time to Bolzano, a pretty city perched in the Dolomites. The drive takes around four-and-a-half hours, meaning plenty of car games and road trip tunes (check out our Sounds of Europe playlist if you want to really get in the holiday spirit).
When you arrive, settle in for three nights at another charming hotel. Unpack, unwind and gather the troops to dine on the Alpine-Austrian fusion dishes the Dolomites are famed for.
The capital of South Tyrol, Bolzano is surrounded by the peaks of the Dolomites. Here, colourful houses, engaging museums, a bustling market and a roaring river await. There’s also plenty of family fun to be had in the surrounding area. Don't miss a visit to the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum to see Otzi the Iceman up close – a remarkably preserved mummy dating back to the Copper Age. You can also visit the Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta, the futuristic Museion art gallery, the Messner Mountain Museum (or MMM if you’re in a hurry) and Runkelstein Castle.
Fancy levelling up? Colle is the highest altitude settlement in Bolzano. To reach it, bundle into a cable car for a speedy – and seriously scenic – ascent. At the top, hop out to explore the mountain with a private guide, following winding mountain trails through alpine woods. The highlight? A wooden observation tower where you can take in a breathtaking panorama of the Dolomites (and snap an iconic family photo) before succumbing to local tradition: a slice of cake overlooking the mountains.
After tucking into a tasty breakfast this morning, hop back in the car for the four-and-a-half-hour drive to Turin. Along the way, there’s no shortage of opportunities for sightseeing and food tasting. More Medieval magic awaits in Trento and Brescia, while Bergamo boasts UNESCO-listed Venetian Walls and rich culinary traditions (yum).
When you arrive in Turin, round off your trip – quite literally – with another night in the city where it all began. Once rumbling tummies have been put to rest, rally the family to toast to a trip well spent – saluti!
Sadly, all great adventures must come to an end. Enjoy one last stroll – with one last gelato – through the streets of Turin this morning before driving back to the airport and returning your hire car (phew). Once you’ve breezed through security and settled into the lounge, indulge in some pre-flight nibbles while you wait for departure. The flight back is just shy of two hours, giving everyone plenty of time to relax, reminisce and start daydreaming about the next family holiday.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire now
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
