Laurent Fontaine
Hello! I’m Laurent. Originally from France, I fell in love with Croatia and made Zagreb my home in 2023. With over a decade of experience in tourism since 2013, I’ve turned my passion for travel into my profession. I love exploring every corner of this beautiful region, and would love to share its hidden gems with you.
Whether you are looking for culture or adventure, I am dedicated to crafting the perfect Balkan experience for you.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"My playground covers the entire region of Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina. I offer a 360-degree experience across these three countries, with expertise that is both broad and versatile. I don't limit myself to one style of travel: whether you are looking for a private cultural tour of UNESCO heritage sites, an active outdoor adventure (hiking, rafting, caves), or a gastronomic journey through local vineyards, I can design the perfect itinerary to suit your specific needs."
How did you get involved in travel?
"Traveling has been a huge part of my life since childhood. I always found joy in planning vacations for my loved ones, taking care of every detail to make sure they had a great time. The tourism industry was the obvious choice for me. It allowed me to take that lifelong passion for organizing great adventures, discovering new places and share it with a wider audience."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"One day in Slovenia stands out as an unforgettable adventure. It began with the exclusive exploration of Križna Jama cave, one of the most preserved caves in the world. It’s an incredibly exclusive experience, limited to just 4 people a day to protect the ecosystem. We embarked on a 5-hour expedition, navigating across 13 underground lakes on a small rubber boat. We walked through subterranean rivers, surrounded by absolute silence and stunning stalactites.
After a nice lunch, I joined my partner Marko for a bear-watching session in the deep forest. The real adrenaline rush happened before we even reached the safe hide. While walking on the trail, I had a massive surprise: two young bear cubs burst out, chasing each other just 10 meters away from us! It was a magical moment, though luckily, the mother was nowhere near them.
Once in the hide, we were treated to a spectacle of three bears and a herd of deer. The perfect ending? A dinner in a traditional forest restaurant with the most delicious Slovenian food I’ve ever tasted."
Laurent's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
With 10 days in Croatia, you can hop between the dynamic cities of Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik and the islands of Hvar and Korcula on a highlights tour. Or, for a slower-paced...
With ten days in Slovenia, you'll have time to discover much of what this beautiful country has to offer, including postcard-perfect lakes, emerald rivers, vast underground...
Embark on a historical and cultural journey through Bosnia, the gem of the Balkans, as you take in a variety of natural wonders, archaeological ruins and cultural traditions....
Family itineraries
With 10 days in Croatia, you can explore the family-friendly beaches and enchanting Old Towns of the Dalmatian Coast on a highlights tour or opt for an island-hopping trip of...
With two weeks to spend in Slovenia, you'll have plenty of time to visit several different regions and to really get to know the country in detail. Go on a road trip to see the...
This 15-day family-friendly vacation focuses on a few great locations and kid-friendly hotels to keep everyone entertained from Zagreb to Dubrovnik. Enjoy a day at the beach on...
Luxury itineraries
With 10 days in Croatia, you can sink into ultimate luxury while exploring from north to south on a fast-paced highlights tour. Or, slow down and hop between the Istrian...
Whether you're excited to ice climb a frozen waterfall or visiting a nativity scene in an underground cave, Slovenia is a perfect destination to explore in the winter. Here are...
From Ottoman to Venetian influences, taste, eat, and cook your way around the Balkan countries of Bosnia and Croatia on this epic 10-day food and culture tour. Explore the...
Road trip itineraries
This nine-day road trip includes stops at all of Slovenia and Croatian Istria's best spots. Explore both countries with the help of a local guide who will take you to the best...
This fast-paced trip ticks off the cultural highlights of three Balkan countries in just one week. Starting in Slovenia, you'll explore the capital of Ljubljana and take a day...
This complete two-week road trip is a great route for travelers visiting Croatia for the first time—you'll even have time for a quick visit to nearby Montenegro. Start in...
Honeymoon itineraries
This romantic itinerary is perfect for honeymooners looking to enjoy Slovenia and Croatia's Istrian peninsula, with a mix of outdoor sports, wine tasting, and enjoying the...
With its soaring alpine landscape, iconic Lake Bled, and stunning wine country, Slovenia is perfect for an unconventional honeymoon stay. From castles and caves to world-class...
With a balmy coastline stretching over 4567 mi (7350 km), 1246 islands (including one of the world's few naturally heart-shaped isles) and an abundance of medieval towns...
Favorite experiences
Sail the Kornati Islands
Enjoy a fun and incredible scenic day of sailing from Zadar to the unique landscape of Kornati National Park. Nearly devoid of life, the barren and ruggedly beautiful 90 or so islands of the Kornati archipelago sit around the significantly larger Kornat Island. The area's highlights include...
Explore the Caves & Beaches of Vis Island
Embark on an excursion to see the amazing Blue and Green Caves of Vis Island! The first stop is the incredible Green Cave, in which you can swim and snorkel or enter with a guide on the small boat. The cave gets its name from a tiny hole in the ceiling due to one of the wars, which allows a...
Explore the Inland Villages of Istria
Discover Istria, the largest Croatian peninsula, known for its history, olive oil, wines, and truffles! Despite being a peninsula, Istria is the most developed region in Croatia and has plenty of tourism. The western coast features seaside towns, such as Umag, Novigrad, Poreč, and Rovinj....
Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle
Turn your attention away from Ljubljana and to Slovenia's rugged and beautiful Karst region in the southwest of the country. A limestone plateau that extends from the Gulf of Trieste to the Vipava Valley sees rivers and lakes disappear only to resurface in the porous limestone, typically...
Day Trip to Mostar
The Balkan region is compact, meaning some areas allow for easy day trips into neighboring countries. This is certainly the case for Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, two countries that share a lot of history but remain distinct in culture. From southern Croatia, it's an easy day trip to the...
Hiking around Lake Bohinj
Though not as well known as its counterpart in Bled, Lake Bohinj's blue-green glacial waters give Bled some friendly competition for best lake in Slovenia, with all of the scenery and none of the crowds. Expect postcard-perfect vistas everywhere you turn of snow-capped mountains, dense forests,...
Recent trip reviews for Laurent
Laurent understood the assignment!
Croatia
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Jul 20 - Jul 26, 2026
Hi Hannah,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback. I’m very happy to hear that the trip was such a great match for your group and that everything came together so well.
It was a real pleasure helping you plan this girls trip to Croatia, and I’m especially glad we were able to turn the weather-related cancellation into a new experience that became one of the highlights of your journey.
I would be delighted to help you plan another trip in the future.
Best regards,
Laurent
Amazing Croatian Adventures...
Croatia
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Jul 20 - Jul 26, 2026
Hi Nicole,
What a beautiful message — thank you so much!
I’m really happy to hear that Croatia exceeded your expectations and that the trip felt easy, smooth, and stress-free for you and your friends. It was a real pleasure helping you plan this journey, from Split to Korčula, Mljet, Cetina, the restaurants, the hotels, and all the little details along the way.
I also loved seeing your photos — they are absolutely beautiful and really capture the spirit of the trip.
Thank you again for your trust. I’m so glad you returned home with such special memories of Croatia.
Best regards,
Laurent
My Solo Trip in Croatia
Croatia
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Jul 6 - Jul 21, 2026
Hi Ines,
Thank you so much for your kind feedback. I’m very happy to hear that you had such a wonderful experience in Croatia and that the trip left you with great memories.
It was a real pleasure helping you organize your journey, and I would be delighted to help you plan another trip in the future.
Best regards,
Laurent
Wonderful Croatian Adventure!
Croatia
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Jul 5 - Jul 11, 2026
Thank you very much for your honest feedback. I’m very glad to hear that you had an amazing trip to Croatia and that the overall experience was smooth once you were traveling. I’m also happy I could support you during the later planning stages and be available when you needed help. I appreciate your comments about the planning process, suggestions, and roadbook details. This kind of feedback is very useful, and I will definitely take it into account to improve communication, offer... Read more
Fantastic trip. Slovenia is a must-see. I should have spent more time.
Slovenia
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Jun 21 - Jun 30, 2026
Hi Jed,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful feedback!
I’m very happy to hear that Slovenia made such a strong impression on your family and that the trip offered the right mix of adventure, nature, cities, and unique stays.
I also appreciate your practical feedback about the rental car and the app. These details are very useful and help us improve the experience for future travelers, especially families exploring Slovenia by road.
Thank you again for your trust. I’m really glad you returned home with such great memories of the trip.
Best regards,
Laurent
18 Days in Bosnia and Croatia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
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May 11 - May 28, 2026
Thank you so much Joseph for this wonderful and detailed feedback. I’m really happy to hear that the trip went so well and that Bosnia left such a strong impression on you.
It was a real pleasure helping you shape this itinerary around your interests, and I’m especially glad the route, hotels, food experiences, and cultural stops all came together so nicely.
Thank you again for traveling with us and for sharing such thoughtful impressions.
5 stars! ⭐️
Slovenia
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Apr 30 - May 11, 2026
Thank you, Madelaine and Eric, for your kind feedback and the lovely pictures!
It was a real pleasure to help with your trip, and I’ll be more than happy to welcome you back to the Balkans anytime.
Best,
Laurent