Bled and Bohinj lake (full day)
From the largest lake to peaceful villages, you get a real feel for the country on this day full of amazing sights.
From Kranjska Gora, travel via Lake Bled through the Bohinj Valley to Ukanc, where you can climb up 500 steps to view the 78-metre waterfall of Savica, or take a cable-car (not included) to Mount Vogel.
Your journey back takes you through the villages of the Upper Bohinj Valley to Lake Bled. A visit to Bled would not be complete without tasting the famous Bled cake. The town and lake of Bled lie in a beautiful valley surrounded by the wooded Julian Alps. It’s most dramatic sight is the castle, standing on a hilltop. Admission to the castle is included.
Julian Alps (full day)
Enjoy a spectacular drive through the Julian Alps, stopping in Planica, a picturesque U-shaped glacier-made Alpine valley.
Stretching for approximately seven kilometres, Planica is known as ‘the valley of ski jumps’, and is just three kilometres from the point where the borders of Italy, Austria and Slovenia meet.
Planica is best-known for the world’s largest ski jumping hill, where new records are set almost every year. It was at Planica that the first human in history jumped over 100 metres on skis, later also exceeding 200 metres in distance.
As a typical alpine valley, Planica has a mountain climate with long, cold and snowy winters. The first ski jump in Planica was inaugurated in 1930, and since then the resort has hosted the World Ski Jumping Championships on several occasions.
This excursion may not be available at the start of the season, as roads may be blocked by snow.
Postojna Caves (three quarter day)
Enjoy a tour of the beautiful Postojna Caves, which are among the natural wonders of Europe with their wonderful stalactites and stalagmites.
The caves are kept at a constant temperature of about 8° Celsius, and with a humidity of 98%. Transport into the depths of the caves is by a small train which provides access through a labyrinth of natural chambers as you get further and further underground, but visitors should also be prepared to walk about a kilometre.
Participants in the above excursion must bring a warm coat and sensible walking shoes with a good grip. The floor is always wet, and leather soles can be dangerous. There are only a few steps, but a number of steep slopes.
Slovenia Adriatic (full day)
Slovenia’s Adriatic coast runs for 47 kilometres and includes the busy port of Koper, the fashionable tourist resort of Portoroz and the delightful medieval village of Piran.
Portoroz, the ‘Port of Roses’, is a modern tourist resort that is also nicknamed the ‘Monte Carlo of Slovenia’. Hillsides covered with olive and cypress trees lead down to the town.
Just three kilometres to the north-west of Portoroz is Piran, where you can stroll along twisting narrow alleys and walk through tunnels that connect old houses. The town’s architecture has earned it the name ‘Little Venice’, and in the main square is a statue of the violinist and composer Giuseppe Tartini, who was born here in the late 17th century.
Taste of Slovenia (full day)
Your day starts with a stunning train ride through the mountains and river valleys to the picturesque Most na Soči, where you enjoy a leisurely cruise around the emerald blue lake.
You can enjoy your packed lunch amid the stunning scenery before continuing to the village of Dobrovo in Goriška Brda in one of the many wine growing regions of Slovenia.
Large vineyards embrace one of the country’s largest wine factories. Here you witness the wine production, the fascinating cellars and even taste some of the wines.
An evening meal is hosted in a wonderful restaurant overlooking the wine hills.
Please remember to bring your camera on this excursion.
Ljubljana (three-quarter-day)
Enjoy a tour of Slovenia’s pleasant capital city, with its fine baroque churches, palaces, parks and quaint bridges.
According to legend, the city was founded by Jason the Argonaut, who fled with the Golden Fleece across the Black Sea and up the Danube in an attempt to escape King Aietes. Trapped by the Barje Marshlands, Jason established the town on the banks of the river Ljubljanica.
Archaeologists have traced the city’s history back to 500BC, when the city was called Emona, and have discovered evidence of Roman occupation in the 1st century AD.
Over the centuries, the town has changed hands many times, but it bears the indelible stamp of the Hapsburg emperors, who governed it from 1335 until 1918.
You see the medieval Old Town, with its castle (admission not included), a massive but picturesque fortress that was largely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1511.
Venice (full day)
Venice has long been the inspiration of artists and writers alike. Everything is built on and surrounded by water: the Byzantine and gothic style palaces and the Palladian churches illustrate the grandeur of Venice’s past, when it was the capital of a wealthy independent Republic.
Travel by coach to the west coast of Istria, and then by speedboat across the Adriatic Sea, and admire the classic view of Venice from the sea. After a sightseeing walk to the city centre, you have free time to stroll, shop for hand-blown glass or even hire a gondola for a short ride.
In Venice, you have plenty of time to admire the principal sights around St Mark’s Square, including St Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile and the majestic façade of the Doges’ Palace.
During the winter, some areas of Venice may be flooded, and access to buildings and monuments restricted.
Please remember your passport. There will be an additional charge per person for the boat to get to and from Venice.