It seems everyone is crazy about Croatia and Slovenia—and with good reason. Besides the stunning natural beauty and warm people, these destinations are historic, cultural, and culinary delights.

• TIME TRAVEL. Millions of years in the making, Slovenia’s Postojna Cave measures 14 miles long—a subterranean museum of stalagmites and stalactites. Take an unforgettable ride on the underground mini-train to travel back two million years. Endemic to the cave, the olm, or baby dragon, is actually a fully aquatic salamander that intrigues visitors and scientists alike. The olms have an unusual appearance and can go without food for up to 10 years.  

• WATER FEATURES. Seven breathtaking waterfalls flow through Krka National Park in southern Croatia, a storybook setting with 30 watermills preserved since the 14th and 15th centuries on the Krka River. This magical paradise is home to an abundance of Croatian lavender, as well as two hundred species of birds—from songbirds and eagles to falcons and owls.
• FIT FOR A KING. The Dalmatian coast’s beautiful harbor, Split, Croatia, still features Roman Emperor Diocletian’s palace—well preserved and serving as the city’s cultural and commercial center. Today, this city continues to charm with white-stone walls, cobbled pathways, courtyard cafes, and electric nightlife. History lives in Split, including St. Dominus Cathedral, the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world, and the Temple of Jupiter, filming location of Game of Thrones.

• PARADISE FOUND. Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a paradise of undiscovered glades and glens with more than 90 waterfalls and 16 interconnected lakes that change from azure and green to grey and blue. A wide variety of flora and fauna find refuge in its 73,000 protected acres, including over 300 types of butterflies—just to add to the magic.

• THE PEARL OF THE ADRIATIC. Walk through Dubrovnik’s Old Town or atop its medieval walls that encircle the city, and you’ll see why this fortress port is compared to a jewel. Dubrovnik is known as Croatia’s best-preserved medieval city, with spectacular views of the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea from its fortress walls, and its pedestrian promenade that has withstood the test of time and war.

• GREEN WITH ENVY.  Slovenia is home to the sustainable capital city of Ljubljana. This rare gem sits below the Julian Alps. Known for its university and green spaces, Ljubljana’s city center is automobile free, with a tantalizing city market, wine bars, and bridges that cross its emerald-green river.

Discover these dreamy destinations for yourself on a Globus or Cosmos vacation.