Venice, Slovenia, and a Small-Yacht Cruise Through Northern Croatia: Why a Guided Tour Was Pure Bliss
This past September, my husband and I were lucky enough to take two separate trips. The first was with Collette Tours, and it took us from Venice to Slovenia, followed by a seven-night cruise along the northern Croatian coast aboard a small yacht.
In a word? Heaven.
The Joy of Letting Someone Else Plan
With Collette, I could completely unplug my brain. There was nothing to plan. All of our tours were included, along with every breakfast and several dinners. Even so, we still had free time each day to explore whichever town we were in and do a little treasure hunting (or, as some people call it, shopping!).
Venice, Take Two
I always arrive at least one day early to get jet lag out of the way, and this trip was no exception. We had visited Venice once before, but that was in early 2021, when COVID restrictions were still in place. This time, I wanted to get better photos of the city and finally tour St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace.
Both were spectacular, even better than I had imagined. If you haven't been, put them on your list. We took the vaporetto (Venice's water bus) everywhere and were practically experts by the end of our stay. We even spotted a dolphin in the lagoon!
Discovering Slovenia
Slovenia was a brand-new destination for us, and I already know I need more time there. We stayed in Portorož and took a day trip to the Postojna Cave, a cave system unlike anything I've ever seen. There's even a little train that carries you into the main chamber.
We also visited Predjama Castle, which is built right into the side of a cliff. It's every bit as dramatic as it sounds.
The Highlight: A Private Yacht Along the Croatian Coast
The best part of the whole trip was boarding a private 35-passenger yacht chartered exclusively for Collette. On our sailing, there were only 14 of us.
Staying on a small yacht is a very different experience from sailing with a large cruise line. The ship docks right in the heart of town, so there's no bus ride into the old town center. You simply walk off the boat and you're right in the middle of the action.
We were also able to stop at small, secluded coves to swim. The water was warm, the crew brought out floaties for everyone, and snorkeling gear was available for anyone who wanted to explore below the surface.
Local Guides and Central Hotels
The towns and ports were all charming, and the tours Collette arranged were genuinely informative. Every guide was a local from the area, which made a real difference in the stories and insights they shared. Our hotels were also centrally located, close to transportation, restaurants, and things to do.
Is a Guided Tour Right for You?
If you're new to traveling in Europe, or you simply want someone else to be in charge, a guided tour is a wonderful choice. This trip was 100% easy. No brain cells required! I truly can't wait to take my next one.
Want me to turn this into a doc you can keep editing, or write a follow-up piece on your second September trip?
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