Slovenia active
Ljubljana
Bled Lake
Bohinj Lake
Triglav National Park
Valley of 7 Triglav Lakes
Vrsic Pass
Kobarid Museum
Kozjek Waterfall
Goriska Brda wine region
Piran
Skocjan Caves
We have prepared Best of Slovenia itinerary for you. Depending on your preferences we can customize it. You can choose to do it as hiking or biking trip. Program according to itinerary is based on hiking (bike rental is extra; trekking bike, MTB, e-bike). We can add cooking classes, visits to farmers, beekeepers, cheese producers, craft workshops, music workshops, concerts, etc..
We can add water activities at Bled lake, Bohinj lake and Soca river. Kayaking, Sup, rafting, whitewater,…
We have included 6 lunches and 2 dinners, Welcome and Farwell dinners. We did not include other dinners but we can add them additionally. Slovenia is getting Michelin guide in March!
Giorno 1
Reception upon arrival at the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. This lovable little city is one of the hippest and greenest in Europe, reminiscent of Prague – without the crowds. It is small enough to easily explore on footand bicycle along the willow-lined pedestrian path bordering the Ljubljanica River. Lively with bars, cafes and artgalleries, this “2016 Green Capital of
Europe” is worth a full day visit. Meet your guide for a trip overview and introductory walking tour of Ljubljanafollowed by a drink/aperitive and welcome dinner on the Vander Rooftop Terrace. Welcome dinner.
Giorno 2
We leave Ljubljana and transfer (40 min) to enchanting Bled Lake. This is the prettiest lake in the Alps, with a tiny15th-century chapel perched on an island in the center with a dramatic medieval castle rising overhead. We getthe best view of the lake and the surrounding from littleviewing point just above the lake (30min walk one way).We ascend the Bled Castle standing guard atop a rocky cliffwith panoramic views over the mountain and lakelandscape and stop for lunch. Enjoy free time for optionalactivities to absorb this beautiful haven including a ‘Pletna’boat ride on Lake Bled to the island monastery, walk or cycle around the lake, and time-permitting enjoy a sunset cocktailoverlooking the lake in Tito’s former summer retreat with pictures of world dignitaries he entertained there.
It’s a short ride further to Bled Lake’s wildest brother, Lake Bohinj, in the heart of Triglav National Park thatjust won honorable award at World Travel Market as Best in Responsible tourism 2019 where we spend 3nights.
Giorno 3
Explore the serenity of Lake Bohinj, in the heart of TriglavNational Park. Hike or bike on the so-called cheese trail, aneasy 4 mile path leading to the home of the local cheese ladyin the quaint alpine village of Stara Fuzina. Enjoy a samplingof her fresh cheeses, hand-crafted breads, local cold cuts and seasonal fruit. Hike further up the mountain to MostnicaGorge (3 mi), or return to the serene beauty of Bohinj Lake canoeing or stand-up paddle boarding, bicycle on aleisurely trail, or hike to Savica Waterfall.
Giorno 4
Bohinj lake is perfect base for day hikes or just any other outdoor activity. In the early morning we first hike up to Planina pri Jezeru hut where we stop and get strong Turkish coffee. Afterwards we continue on an undulating trailall the way to Valley of Seven Triglav lakes. We stop for a picnic lunch at a hut near Double lake and from there headback passing shepherds hut. In the afternoon you can stretch your legs and walk from our hotel to the lake shore,relax and dip your feet in a glacier Bohinj lake before dinner.
Giorno 5
Drive high into the Alps through Kranjska Gora, 6km from Italy and 12km from Austria, up hair pin turns to the Vrsic Pass (5316ft) – the highest in Slovenia. One of the most scenic mountain passes in Europe, the “RussianRoad” was built by the Austrian Army in WWI by Russian prisoners of war for a strategic military access route. Hike the Vrsic peak (1 hr) among the snow-capped peaks and then descend into the valley ofSoča, the site of WWI’s Isonzo Front, vividly described in Ernest Hemingway’s novel ‘Farewell to Arms’. Today, the“emerald river of adventures” is a playground for world-class fly-fishing and water sports. Stop for lunch at amountain hut to sample traditional mountain stews and then hike along the sparkling, emerald and turquoise watersof the Soča River trail (2 hr, 3.3 mi). Overnight in Kobarid, surrounded by farmland in the heart of the Soča Valley, at Hisa Franko, a charming countryside villa and residence of Slovenia’s best chef, Ana Ros, who put Slovenia on the international culinary map. Ask her husband Valter to visit his wine and cheesecellar.
Giorno 6
Enjoy the lovely Slovenian countryside in its early morning tranquilityrelishing a breakfast of roasted coffee, local cheeses, homemadejams and organic juice. A guided tour of the award-winning WWI museum in Kobarid is a stunning depiction of the bitter battles onthe Isonzo Front between the Italians and forces of the Austro-Hungarian empire from 1915-1917, also depicted in Hemmingway’sA Farewell to Arms. It’s a museum about war that leaves an impression of deep pacifism. A short 30-minute hike from Kobaridthrough a pleasant forest near the Soča River brings you to the hidden waterfall of Kozjek, approached via a rocky amphitheater where the gorgeous waterfall cascades into an aquamarine pool.
Optional activities: This afternoon is free to enjoy white water rafting (level 3-4) on the Soča River, paragliding,waterfall hikes, e-bike cruisers on paved roads winding in and out of Italy, mountain bikes on dirt trails, andhiking trails to historic battlefield monuments in the surrounding hills.
In the afternoon we reach Goriska Brda Wine area, nicknamed the ‘Tuscany of Slovenia’ for its countless vineyards, medieval villages and rolling hills bordering Italian Collio. Enjoy dinner in this bountiful wine region,sampling the rich tastes of the local wines – Chardonnay, Rebula, and Cabernet Sauvignon – in cellars that aremore than 200 years old.
Giorno 7
Explore Brda wine area and walk its tiny hilltop villages or cruise around on e-bike in the morning. Later on we drive to the Adriatic coast (90 min) and jump into the sea! Explore the waterfront promenade and narrow cobblestone streets of oldtown Piran on foot. Once a part of the Venetian empire the town is rich in history and feels much like an Italian coastal town. Your waterfront accommodation is just steps from the harbor promenade and piazza. In the evening gather on the seasideterrace for a farewell aperitive before dinner.
Giorno 8
Wake up with the sound of the sea enjoying a sunny breakfast and leisurely morning overlooking the Adriatic and Croatia just a few miles away. Depart late morning for the short drive to descend into the extraordinary subterranean chambers of the four-mile-long underworld of the Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We recommend adding a full day in Piran to kick back with the locals here, or continue your journey onwardwest to Venice, north to Europe, south to the Istrian peninsula and Dalmatian coast of Croatia, or return toLjubljana for onward flight.
Price per person, based 4 partecipants in double occupancy: 2’760 Euro
INCLUDED SERVICES
- Accommodations on double-occupancy, Boutique family 4* hotels
- Airport-hotel transfers
- Program according to itinerary is based on hiking (bike rental is extra; trekking bike, MTB, e-bike)
- Transportation in private air-conditioned car with English-speaking guide is also a driver
- Tours, excursions with entrance fees: Pletna boat, Motsnica gorge, cheese tasting, Kobarid museum, 1 winetasting at Goriska Brda
- Meals as specified: all Breakfast, 6 Lunches, 2 Dinners (WELCOME & FARWELL]
- Local assistance
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED
- International or domestic flights
- Tips and gratuities
- Water, soft drinks, coffee, alcohol, wine consumed beyond scheduled tasting events
- Dinner at Hisa Franko ( 11 course tasting menu 175 EUR pp)
- Personal expenses
- Optional or additional services on your own such as at Bled (Pletna boat or cycling), Bohinj, Kobarid andBovec and Soca Valley, activities at Bohinj Lake and Soca valley (canoeing, SUP, cycling, rafting, paragliding, e-bike, etc)
- Extra costs due to unanticipated changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control
- Travel insurance