The office staff were very good - prompt and helpful response when I had queries. John and Richard were superb and very knowledgeable guides who did everything they possibly could to make sure everyone had a great time. I can't speak highly enough of them. We visited lots of different habitats and saw a wide range of wildlife, we saw some fantastic birds and butterflies - both guides were great at finding species and making sure we all saw them. A hugely enjoyable trip - my first with Naturetrek but it won't be my last!
G.C. Gloucestershire, May 23
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Croatia & Slovenia - Spring in Istria
Tour Code: HRV03An 8-day wildlife holiday to Croatian and Slovenian Istria in search of the region's birds, butterflies, flowers and other natural history.
£1,895
£1,695
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
After a flight to Trieste in Italy, we will drive across the border into Slovenia and from there into Croatia to our base for the week, the San Stefano thermal spa near the medieval city of Buzet. Nesting Alpine Swifts, Blue Rock Thrushes and Black Redstarts are found in limestone cliffs near our accommodation, whilst the adjacent Mediterranean scrub holds Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Nightingale and Cirl Bunting. During our week we’ll explore a variety of habitats throughout Istria, including sites along the coast, through the river valley and up into the mountains. The wetland reserve at Skocjanski Zatok in Slovenia is especially rich in birdlife and attracts a variety of herons, egrets and passage waders. On one day we’ll venture further north into Slovenia to Lake Cerknica and the Rakov Skocjan Gorge to search for birds such as Corncrake, Crossbill and numerous woodpeckers, while on another we’ll look for butterflies and migrant birds on the Premantura Peninsula, the most southerly point on the Istrian Peninsula. We will spend a final day exploring the Cicarija Plateau and Dinaric Alps in search of Golden and Short-toed Eagles, Rock Partridge and Ortolan Bunting, plus wild flowers including Lady Orchids, before it is time to return to Trieste for our flight home.
- Single-centre tour based in a comfortable hotel in the attractive valley of the River Mirna
- Golden Oriole, Wryneck & Hawfinch live in the woodlands near our spa hotel
- Eat at local ‘trattoria’ & try the area’s acclaimed truffles & local wild asparagus!
- Peregrines nest close to our hotel & other raptors include Short-toed Eagle & Goshawk
- Tawny Pipits, Bee-eaters, Black-headed Bunting & Olivaceous Warbler, Bay of Piran
- Look for Garganey, Pygmy Cormorant, Melodious & Great Reed Warblers, Skocjanski Zatok
- Osiris & Mazarine Blues plus migrant birds, Premantura Peninsula
- Adriatic Lizard, Monkey & Bee Orchids grow on the golf course near our accommodation
- Grey-headed, White-backed & Black Woodpeckers, plus Ural Owl possible
- Led by expert naturalist guides
Grading
Grade A/B. Easy to moderate day walks only.
Lying just to the south of Trieste in Italy, the triangular peninsula of Istria projects into the warm waters of the Adriatic Sea. Split between Croatia and Slovenia, this delightfully unspoilt region of the Mediterranean brims with historical charm and boasts a rich natural history as well as an acclaimed cuisine. During this singlecentre holiday we will be based in the far north of Croatian Istria, from where we will explore the region’s diverse habitats, from the dry Mediterranean grasslands of the Premantura Peninsula to the subalpine meadows and cool Beech woodlands of the Ćićarija Mountains and Dinaric Alps. Although Istria covers only 15% of Croatia’s surface area, it is home to nearly 50% of its higher plants! This rich biodiversity extends across the board to its birds, butterflies and other wildlife and, once the region’s interesting archaeology and delicious food are added to the mix, it becomes evident that Istria offers the perfect blend of natural history, landscapes, culture and cuisine for a fascinating and enjoyable week.
We begin our holiday with a flight to the historic city of Trieste in Italy. Next, we continue by road, first across the border into Slovenia and then into Croatia. Our base for the week is the San Stefano thermal spa, a comfortable and modern hotel that is tucked away in the attractive valley of the River Mirna in northern Istria. The nearby medieval city of Buzet is widely known as the ‘City of Truffles’, as the surrounding woodlands not only yield excellent birdlife, such as Golden Oriole, Wryneck and Hawfinch, but are rich in this sought-after delicacy too. During our stay at San Stefano we will dine out each evening at a local ‘trattoria’, where the acclaimed truffles and local wild asparagus are sure to feature on the menu!
We will keep the exact itinerary of our week flexible in order to take account of such factors as the weather and the advice of our local guide. However, our time here will include two full days exploring the immediate surroundings of our hotel on foot. Nesting Alpine Swifts, Blue Rock Thrushes and Black Redstarts are all likely to be seen amongst the towering limestone cliffs, whilst the adjacent Mediterranean scrub holds Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Nightingale and Cirl Bunting. Peregrines nest on the karst rock face close to our hotel, and a variety of other raptors, including Shorttoed Eagle and Goshawk, may be seen soaring over the plateau above. The botanists amongst the group will not have to go far to enjoy their first orchids, for the nearby golf course is home to Adriatic Lizard, Monkey and Bee Orchids, whilst Erect Clematis and Sword-leaved Helleborine can be found in the woodlands nearby.
During our stay we will also explore Istria’s delightful coastline. The wetland reserve at Škocjanski Zatok in Slovenia is especially rich in birdlife and attracts a variety of herons and egrets, plus Garganey, Pygmy Cormorant, Melodious and Great Reed Warblers and plenty of passage waders if water levels are suitable. Back in Croatia, we will visit a site overlooking the Bay of Piran, where the dry Mediterranean grasslands and scrub hold Tawny Pipits, Bee-eaters, Blackheaded Buntings and the occasional Olivaceous Warbler. Further south still lies the Premantura Peninsula, the most southerly point on the Istrian Peninsula. This is not only a great spot for migrant birds — and butterflies such as Osiris and Mazarine Blues — but also one of the most botanically-rich areas of southern Europe, home to numerous Mediterranean specialities.
On another day we will travel further north into Slovenia to explore Lake Cerknica and the Rakov Škocjan Gorge, both sites of incredible biodiversity. The lake has been designated an ‘Important Bird Area’ and the surrounding damp meadows are not only home to Corncrake and Red-backed Shrike, but filled with orchids, scabious and other wild flowers, together with numerous butterflies and Fire-bellied Salamander.
Weather permitting, we will spend our final day exploring the Ćićarija Plateau and Dinaric Alps, an attractive upland region of northern Istria clothed in Beech forest and topped with subalpine meadows. The woodlands on the lower slopes are home to Grey-headed, White-backed and Black Woodpeckers, plus the magnificent Ural Owl, whilst above the tree-line we can look for Golden and Short-toed Eagles, Rock Partridge and Ortolan Bunting. The botany is also fascinating and includes a wide variety of orchids: amongst these are Lady Orchids, some of which can reach half a metre in height! Our stay in the mountains will conclude this Naturetrek wildlife holiday in Istria … and provide a fitting finale before we must head north once more, back into Slovenia and then Italy, to catch our return flight home.
Outline Itinerary
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What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
This is a single-centre holiday based at the comfortable San Stefano thermal spa near Buzet. All rooms have private facilities.
- Food:
All food is included in the price.
Reviews
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A superb holiday touring the countryside visiting sites of particular interest. We saw lots of wonderful wildlife including butterflies, birds and of course flowers. All in the company of an expert guide. Naturetrek is a tour company that specialises in wildlife tours around the world. They always deliver a value packed trip with memorable species and sightings. I travel with them regularly which is the best reference.
M.N. Wiltshire, May 22 -
A week in Istria, Croatia was a new experience. Although the weather was variable for May we enjoyed a multitude of wild flowers, birds, butterflies and cultural differences. The food was very good and different which we enjoyed, and the hotel accommodation was very comfortable, clean and spacious. Naturetrek have always been very efficient and this holiday was no exception. Transport, accommodation, local knowledge, flexibility was very good. The tour leader, who lived locally, was outstanding in his knowledge, energy and good humour.
A.K. Northumberland, May 19 -
This was one of the best Naturetrek trips I have been on. Both leaders possessed outstanding knowledge. The flora, fauna, butterflies and food were all superb!
D.H. Cambridgeshire -
The leaders worked well with everyone. Their knowledge and enthusiasm was spread around. Birds and flowers were always pointed out. The picnic lunches were very good and efficiently delivered. The hotel surroundings were very good for early morning and daytime birding.
G.K. London
Dates & Prices
2025
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Tour Leader: Caroline Godden
Caroline has been a keen naturalist for over 15 years, with wide-ranging interests that include butterflies, moths, birds and vascular plants. Her ever-growing passion for nature resulted in a career change, having worked as an ecologist since 2020 and now specialising in freshwater ecology. Caroline has also travelled widely within the UK, Europe and North America to see a wide range of special places and wildlife – her highlight to date was watching a Great Grey Owl hunting just metres away. Caroline can usually be found out and about enjoying the local wildlife around Morecambe Bay where she lives with her husband and pet guinea pigs, and also organises and leads wildlife events for a wide range of audiences. She is especially passionate about proving that not all moths are brown and boring!
2026
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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