Slovenia Walking Tour

Arrive Trieste Airport and transfer to Ljubljana and check-in at hotel.

Overnight Standard Hotel

This morning we will take a walk around Ljubljana, a small, majestic baroque city where we can visit the castle (optional). The original dates back to Celtic times, but the present one was mostly built after the 16th century. After climbing the 150 steps up to the tower, you can walk along the ramparts where there are some great views over the Old Town. This afternoon will be free for you to continue your exploration of the city and take in the vibrant cafe lifestyle along the banks of the river.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we drive to Skofja Loka, one of the oldest and most beautiful small towns in Slovenia, dominated by its castle. We will soak up the atmosphere of this medieval town which is now protected both historically and culturally. Later we continue to the picturesque resort town of Bled situated on a tranquil lake. Widely acclaimed as one of the most fashionable European resorts in the early 20th century, this was the home of the Yugoslavian Royal Family and also the summer residence of President Tito. You may like to visit the island by travelling across in a traditional gondola known as a pletne (optional). On the island is the baroque Church of the Assumption and perched on a steep cliff above the lake is the 11th century Bled Castle with its towers, ramparts, moats and a terrace. You may also wish to walk the 6km around the lake past linden, chestnut and willow trees, swans and water lilies on the water. There are also rowing boats for hire (optional), or you can swim in the lake. Later, we continue to Lake Bohinj. En route if the weather is clear, we may see Triglav, the highest Alpine peak at 2864m. The name means ‘three heads’ and pagan Slovenes believed the mountain was the home of a three-headed deity who ruled the sky, the earth and the underworld. It is a sacred mountain and according to tradition every Slovene should climb it at least once in his or her life. The peak was first climbed in 1778 by an Austrian and three Slovenes, and the mountain features prominently on the Slovene national flag. Lake Bohinj is a naturally preserved glacial lake enclosed by steep mountain cliffs on the southern edge of Triglav National Park – an ideal base from which to explore these magnificent mountains.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The Triglav National Park nestles in the Slovene Julian and Kamnik Alps. Founded in 1924, it is one of the oldest Alpine nature reserves covering an area of 82,000 hectares. The Julian Alps is the first of the mountain barriers separating the Mediterranean Sea from continental central Europe. On our first day we plan to walk to the Savica Waterfall, the source of Slovenia’s longest and mightiest river, the Sava. The breathtaking cascade of water tumbles into a pool 60m below. We then take the cable car up Mount Vogel to the ski station at a height of 1535m from where impressive views extend over the lake and the Julian Alps. After exploring the area we may walk back down via various routes to the lake. Alternatively, you may choose to return by cable car (optional), take an easy walk around Lake Bohinj (12km) or hire a mountain bike and cycle quiet country roads. There are several optional walks to choose from on our second day, which could take us through deep-carved glacial valleys, across rolling hills and past springs, waterfalls, rivers and lakes or you can hire a kayak (optional) to explore the lake itself. Please note: Participation in canoeing, kayaking, or rafting (including white-water) requires that you are able to swim 25 metres unaided. The park is rich in flora and fauna (keep an eye open for chamois), and the ground is covered with a rich abundance of flowers; more than 10 species are endemic such as the Zois bellflower, Frolich gentian and Carniola cowslip. Throughout the countryside we will see ‘kokolec’, a special kind of rack for drying hay that is unique to Slovene regions - also known as mountain harps, there are over 30 different types. There is also the opportunity to do some river rafting on the Sava Bohinjka river (optional), or horse riding (optional) in the surrounding countryside.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We take the train from Bohinjska Bistrica to Nova Gorica. This journey is one of the most scenic in Slovenia with a backdrop of the Julian Alps. We pass through the Vipava Valley, a wine-growing region, onto one of the highlights of Slovenia, the amazing underground caverns at Skocjan, which have been protected by UNESCO since 1986. These 5km long caves descend 250m into a gigantic hollow into which a river disappears. Prehistoric people once sheltered in these caves and used them to make sacrifices to the gods of the underworld. After a guided tour, we continue to Piran, situated on the Slovenian Adriatic Sea. There are two distinct regions separated by a long shelf of steep cliffs extending down to the Istrian peninsular. In the past, this natural divide has been used as a border between kingdoms: the Venetian coastal lands and the inland domains of the Hapsburgs. Olive and tangerine trees grow in abundance along the 40km of coastline. On arrival, your Tour Leader will take you on a brief orientation tour.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

The day is left free for personal exploration. You may like to spend today exploring Piran, a beautiful town full of narrow streets, vaulted passages, arcaded courtyards and Venetian Gothic architecture. Alternatively you could relax and take a swim off the rocks along the coast. Piran is one of the best preserved historical towns anywhere on the Adriatic and is entirely protected as a cultural monument. From the remains of the 15th century walls, there are some great views over the town and the sea. The ancient central square is surrounded by beautiful patrician villas and there is a monument dedicated to the local composer and violinist Giuseppe Tartini.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Drive to Trieste Airport where the tour ends.

Included meals: Breakfast