Program Directed by
John Ralston
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Croatia & Slovenia
Alpine Valleys to the Adriatic Coast
Journey to Croatia and Slovenia this summer and road trip from the capital cities of Zagreb and Ljubljana to the spectacular Dalmatian coast and historic port of Dubrovnik. On this high school student travel program, explore the rich cultural heritage and histories of these former Yugoslav republics, from the customs of the countryside to the vibrant city cafés, markets, and street art. Embrace adventure as you kayak, camp, hike, bike, and snorkel along the Adriatic coast and experience Slovenia and Croatia’s picturesque landscapes.
- Highlights
• Visit Zagreb’s iconic St. Mark’s Church and Dubrovnik’s Old Town
• Explore Slovenia’s Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Experience life on a working farm and sample delicious local dishes
• Kayak through a tranquil river canyon to the Adriatic Sea
• Explore Slovenia’s Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Experience life on a working farm and sample delicious local dishes
• Kayak through a tranquil river canyon to the Adriatic Sea
“This trip struck the perfect balance because it has a little bit of everything: city, nature, history, adventure, from the urban bustle and Central European feel of Zagreb to the beautiful Adriatic Coast.”
—Ari N., Highland Park High School, Highland Park, IL
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Zagreb, Croatia. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Zagreb, Croatia — 3 days
Begin in Zagreb, Croatia’s bustling capital city and home to nearly a quarter of the country’s population. Get to know your leaders and fellow group members, and have an in-depth program orientation. Explore Zagreb’s café culture, outdoor markets, museums, and botanical gardens. Walk the “Green Horseshoe,” a series of Parisian-style, tree-lined parks in Lower Town, or visit Art Park, an outdoor gallery of street graffiti, murals, music, and more. Ride the historic funicular to Upper Town, and photograph colorful St. Mark’s Church, its tiled rooftop adorned with the city’s coat of arms. Take a day trip to the forested slopes of Mt. Medvednica, an impressive mountain park that soars over Zagreb, or to the nearby village of Samobor to explore its hilltop ruins.
Ljubljana, Slovenia — 5 days
Venture northwest across the border to the capital city of Ljubljana, and sample the street food in the city’s Central Market, which is not only a place to find delicious cuisine, but also a traditional place for locals to meet and foster community. Experience one of Slovenia’s most important artistic and cultural celebrations, the vibrant Ana Desetnica Festival, which takes place in Ljubljana and many other neighboring towns. Take a day trip to Lake Bled, and surround yourself with breathtaking mountain views that form a backdrop to the pristine blue green water of the lake. Visit the oldest castle in Slovenia and try the famous cream cake that Bled is known for. Spend a day with a beekeeper and learn why beekeeping is such an integral part of Slovenian culture. Marvel at the incredible rock formations in Škocjan Caves, as you explore the depths of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Istria, Croatia — 3 days
Head southwest to the centuries-old customs of the Istrian peninsula. Stay near the seaside city of Pula, known for having the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy, and explore its impressive coliseum and pass beneath the Arch of Sergii. In a nearby village, meet with a local organization whose mission is to preserve traditional agricultural and cooking techniques, and promote local growers and artisans. Lend a hand in their teaching garden, then learn how to prepare local cuisine, like fuži, a popular hand-rolled pasta dish. Finally, delve into the world of organic olive oil production, and learn why olives have been grown in this area for generations on a visit to a family-run olive orchard.
Dalmatian Coast & Hvar, Croatia — 6 days
Set out on a multisport adventure as you explore the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Dalmatian Coast. Discover sun-soaked villages and swim in hidden coves on a sea kayaking excursion near Šibenik. Explore Split, Dalmatia’s cultural hub, and visit Diocletian’s Palace, St. Domnius Cathedral, and Pjaca Square—or stroll the Riva Harbor Promenade and peruse the day’s catch at a seafood market. Try your hand at Split’s very own picigin, a traditional ballgame played on the beach. Whitewater raft and zipline in Omiš River canyon, then ferry to the Island of Hvar to cycle along coastal paths and hike and camp in the hills overlooking the sea.
Dubrovnik, Croatia — 2 days
Cap your journey in the medieval port of Dubrovnik, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Wake early and walk atop the ancient fortification walls that tower above the churches, palaces, cobbled streets, and marbled squares of Old Town. Present your independent project, enjoy a celebratory meal out on the town with your group, and reflect on your journey through Croatia.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Dubrovnik to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Zagreb, Croatia. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Zagreb, Croatia — 3 days
Begin in Zagreb, Croatia’s bustling capital city and home to nearly a quarter of the country’s population. Get to know your leaders and fellow group members, and have an in-depth program orientation. Explore Zagreb’s café culture, outdoor markets, museums, and botanical gardens. Walk the “Green Horseshoe,” a series of Parisian-style, tree-lined parks in Lower Town, or visit Art Park, an outdoor gallery of street graffiti, murals, music, and more. Ride the historic funicular to Upper Town, and photograph colorful St. Mark’s Church, its tiled rooftop adorned with the city’s coat of arms. Take a day trip to the forested slopes of Mt. Medvednica, an impressive mountain park that soars over Zagreb, or to the nearby village of Samobor to explore its hilltop ruins.
Ljubljana, Slovenia — 5 days
Venture northwest across the border to the capital city of Ljubljana, and sample the street food in the city’s Central Market, which is not only a place to find delicious cuisine, but also a traditional place for locals to meet and foster community. Experience one of Slovenia’s most important artistic and cultural celebrations, the vibrant Ana Desetnica Festival, which takes place in Ljubljana and many other neighboring towns. Take a day trip to Lake Bled, and surround yourself with breathtaking mountain views that form a backdrop to the pristine blue green water of the lake. Visit the oldest castle in Slovenia and try the famous cream cake that Bled is known for. Spend a day with a beekeeper and learn why beekeeping is such an integral part of Slovenian culture. Marvel at the incredible rock formations in Škocjan Caves, as you explore the depths of this UNESCO World Heritage site.
Istria, Croatia — 3 days
Head southwest to the centuries-old customs of the Istrian peninsula. Stay near the seaside city of Pula, known for having the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy, and explore its impressive coliseum and pass beneath the Arch of Sergii. In a nearby village, meet with a local organization whose mission is to preserve traditional agricultural and cooking techniques, and promote local growers and artisans. Lend a hand in their teaching garden, then learn how to prepare local cuisine, like fuži, a popular hand-rolled pasta dish. Finally, delve into the world of organic olive oil production, and learn why olives have been grown in this area for generations on a visit to a family-run olive orchard.
Dalmatian Coast & Hvar, Croatia — 6 days
Set out on a multisport adventure as you explore the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Dalmatian Coast. Discover sun-soaked villages and swim in hidden coves on a sea kayaking excursion near Šibenik. Explore Split, Dalmatia’s cultural hub, and visit Diocletian’s Palace, St. Domnius Cathedral, and Pjaca Square—or stroll the Riva Harbor Promenade and peruse the day’s catch at a seafood market. Try your hand at Split’s very own picigin, a traditional ballgame played on the beach. Whitewater raft and zipline in Omiš River canyon, then ferry to the Island of Hvar to cycle along coastal paths and hike and camp in the hills overlooking the sea.
Dubrovnik, Croatia — 2 days
Cap your journey in the medieval port of Dubrovnik, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Wake early and walk atop the ancient fortification walls that tower above the churches, palaces, cobbled streets, and marbled squares of Old Town. Present your independent project, enjoy a celebratory meal out on the town with your group, and reflect on your journey through Croatia.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Dubrovnik to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore a local topic of particular interest to you—become an expert on Croatia’s accession to the European Union or Slovenia’s history, create a recipe book of local dishes, learn traditional songs or folklore, or explore the connection between the Croatia’s sporting success and national pride.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. You can expect to hike, cycle, sea kayak, whitewater raft, zipline, ocean swim, and snorkel during this program. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and are excited about being outside each day and trying all activities. No prior outdoor activity experience is required.
Accommodations
We stay in various types of accommodations throughout this program, ranging from hostels, small hotels, and guesthouses to camping in tents. Students have access to common and outside space at our accommodations for community meetings, working on projects, and socializing. Rooms are separated by gender and are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads. While on the Dalmatian coast, we spend up to four nights camping. Our local outfitter provides tents and necessary camping gear. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
Meals
We begin each day with breakfast at our residence or neighborhood café. While we eat many of our lunches and dinners in restaurants or local eateries, we also purchase supplies for healthy and delicious picnics full of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, and cheeses. While camping, we prepare meals at camp with our local outfitter.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Exploration
To learn more about our Exploration programs click here.
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore a local topic of particular interest to you—become an expert on Croatia’s accession to the European Union or Slovenia’s history, create a recipe book of local dishes, learn traditional songs or folklore, or explore the connection between the Croatia’s sporting success and national pride.
Technology
To encourage full engagement and immersion in the Putney travel experience, we limit the use of cell phones and other devices on our High School programs. Students are allowed to use their phones in transit to the program, and keep their devices throughout. During in-country orientation, leaders will lock phones with a code, unlocking them for the second half of the program. During the tech-free portion of the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program. You can expect to hike, cycle, sea kayak, whitewater raft, zipline, ocean swim, and snorkel during this program. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and are excited about being outside each day and trying all activities. No prior outdoor activity experience is required.
Accommodations
We stay in various types of accommodations throughout this program, ranging from hostels, small hotels, and guesthouses to camping in tents. Students have access to common and outside space at our accommodations for community meetings, working on projects, and socializing. Rooms are separated by gender and are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads. While on the Dalmatian coast, we spend up to four nights camping. Our local outfitter provides tents and necessary camping gear. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
Meals
We begin each day with breakfast at our residence or neighborhood café. While we eat many of our lunches and dinners in restaurants or local eateries, we also purchase supplies for healthy and delicious picnics full of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, breads, and cheeses. While camping, we prepare meals at camp with our local outfitter.
A Day in the Life: Dalmatia, Croatia
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Dalmatia, Croatia.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at our guesthouse in Split’s historic city center
9:00am
Hike through the pine forests atop Marjan Hill Park for sweeping views of Split below
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Have a picnic lunch on the trail
2:00pm
Head to the beach to learn the basics of picigin from our Croatian friends
4:00pm
Delve into Split’s past on a guided exploration of Old Town led by local historians
- Evening
6:00pm
Sample traditional dinner fare out on the town, then head to the ice cream parlor
9:00pm
Group meeting at the guesthouse to reflect and discuss the next day’s plan
A Day in the Life:
Dalmatia, Croatia
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Dalmatia, Croatia.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at our guesthouse in Split’s historic city center
9:00am
Hike through the pine forests atop Marjan Hill Park for sweeping views of Split below
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Have a picnic lunch on the trail
2:00pm
Head to the beach to learn the basics of picigin from our Croatian friends
4:00pm
Delve into Split’s past on a guided exploration of Old Town led by local historians
- Evening
6:00pm
Sample traditional dinner fare out on the town, then head to the ice cream parlor
9:00pm
Group meeting at the guesthouse to reflect and discuss the next day’s plan
“She gained wonderful friends and confidence in meeting new people.”
— Stephanie & Melissa Friday, Denver, CO
Program Directed by
John Ralston
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
