We meet in Venice (1 night). On foot and by water taxi, we’ll explore its treasures before dinner at our guide’s favorite restaurant.

A brief drive takes us through Slovenia to Croatia. After a coastal walk, friends treat us to an olive oil tasting at their mill. Rovinj (3 nights) is a gorgeous town on a teardrop of land. We approach it the best way—via footpath—before checking into the 15th century bishop’s palace that’s our hotel. Our friend Simona fortifies us with a cappuccino for a glorious stroll from Montizel (Monticello in Italian) past fig orchards, vineyards, and walled towns. We’ve also negotiated a visit to the Brijuni Islands, formerly the private retreat of Yugoslavia’s president. We’ll explore the Roman amphitheater at Pula and enjoy a tasting at a winery overlooking the Adriatic.

En route to our seaside villa in Opatija (2 nights), we’ll have lunch in a charming village and take a dip in waters clear to depths of 40 feet. After a ferry ride to Cres Island, we’ll follow Roman footpaths to visit a friend’s sanctuary for endangered griffin vultures.

On our final day, we break bread at an Italian agriturismo before parting company in Venice.