1 week in Europe: Central European beauty

One week in Europe is perfect for a quick trip through Croatia, Slovenia, and Austria. This itinerary is perfect for those who want to tap into a lesser-seen part of Europe. 1 week in Europe may seem short, but this trip covers many beautiful natural sights within this stunning region.

Itinerary highlights

Cities visited on this trip:

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Split, Croatia

Diocletian's Palace, Split, Croatia

Split is the largest city on the Adriatic coast.
Explore Diocletian's Palace, an ancient Roman complex in the city center (used to film Game of Thrones!).
Bacvice beach, known for its soft sand and clear water, is a favorite with the locals. Try a game of Picigin, a traditional ball game from Split played in shallow water.

Split Airport is 15.5 miles (25km) west of Split. There are also train connections between Split and Zagreb.

Karlovac, Croatia

River Kupa, Croatia

Karlovac is ideal for nature lovers who want to see more of Croatia. Train is the best way to get here.
Go hiking in the beautiful Kozjaca woods, and try rafting or canoeing on the Mreznica River.
Traveling in summer? June 23 is the night of the Midsummer Bonfires and other festivities.

Go directly from Split to Karlovac by train in less than 6 hours.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled (Lesce Bled) is surrounded by beautiful nature: mountains, forests, caves, and waterfalls.
Bled Island lies in the middle of the lake. Walk up the 99 stone steps of the Gothic Church of Assumption.
On the north shore, explore the medieval Bled Castle and get the best views of the lake.

The train route from Karlovac to Lake Bled (Lesce Bled) takes 5 hours (with 2 changes).

Vienna, Austria

Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria

Vienna is a beautiful place to end 1 week in Europe.
See "The Kiss" painting in the Belvedere Garden Palace.
Walk through the Old Town and Museums Quartier for grand architecture, both classical and modern.
The Vienna State Opera sells limited standing room tickets for as low as 4 euros, an hour before the show.