Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia: A Nine-Day Chauffeured Tour

The tour at a glance

Starts

Milan

Ends

Opatija, then Venice airport or Milan

Duration

9 days, 8 nights

Total driving

About 17 hours, plus the final transfer

Countries

Italy · Austria · Slovenia · Croatia

Price

Price on request — written quote for your dates

Driving times are Google Maps estimates for a weekday in normal traffic. Every day can be changed: the route below is a starting point.

Day by day

1. Day 1

   Milan to Lake Garda

   Driving: about 1 h 45 min, 127 km

   Your chauffeur collects you at your hotel in Milan or at the airport and drives east to Sirmione, on the southern shore of Lake Garda. The old town sits on a narrow peninsula with a moated castle and the ruins of a large Roman villa at its tip. An easy first day, with the afternoon free by the water.

2. Day 2

   Lake Garda to the Dolomites

   Driving: about 3 h 30 min, 283 km

   North-east from the lake into the Dolomites, ending in Cortina d'Ampezzo. The last part of the drive climbs into the mountains, and the driver chooses the time of departure according to the season and the roads.

3. Day 3

   A day in the Dolomites

   A day with the car at your disposal or with no driving at all. Popular choices are the lake of Misurina and the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a mountain pass with a lunch stop at a hut, or simply walking in Cortina. Your chauffeur adapts the day to the weather.

4. Day 4

   The Dolomites to Salzburg

   Driving: about 4 h 15 min, 261 km

   North into Austria and on to Salzburg. The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is compact and best explored on foot: the fortress above the river, the cathedral squares and Mozart's birthplace in the Getreidegasse. The driver drops you as close to your hotel as local rules allow.

5. Day 5

   Salzburg, or a day trip

   A free day in Salzburg, or a drive into the lakes of the Salzkammergut. Guests who want to see Vienna can add one or two nights here: Salzburg to Vienna is about three and a half hours, and Vienna to Lake Bled about four and a half.

6. Day 6

   Salzburg to Lake Bled

   Driving: about 3 h, 230 km

   South through the Alps into Slovenia. Lake Bled is known for its small island with a church, reached by traditional wooden boat, and for the castle on the cliff above the water. The Vintgar gorge, a short drive away, is a good walk when it is open.

7. Day 7

   Lake Bled to Ljubljana

   Driving: about 50 min, 55 km

   A short drive to the Slovenian capital. Ljubljana's centre is largely car-free, with bridges over the river, cafés along the embankments and a castle above the old town. The driver takes the luggage to the hotel and you explore on foot.

8. Day 8

   Ljubljana to Rovinj, Istria

   Driving: about 2 h 30 min, 186 km

   Down to the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. Rovinj's old town rises on a small headland, with narrow streets climbing to the church of St Euphemia and views over the islands. An afternoon by the sea after a week of mountains.

9. Day 9

   Rovinj to Opatija and onward

   Driving: about 1 h 15 min to Opatija, then about 2 h 50 min to Venice Marco Polo airport or 5 h 40 min to Milan

   Along the coast to Opatija, a seaside town of villas and a long promenade on the Kvarner Gulf. From here the tour ends where you need it: Venice airport for a flight home, back to Milan, or a few more days on the coast.