Day-by-day programme of this 8-day itinerary across Alpine lakes, caves and coast.
Day 1 â Arrival in Ljubljana
Landing in Ljubljana, Slovenia's small and very green capital, with its pedestrian centre along the river, its bridges and the castle on the hill.
- âïļ Ljubljana â Aeroporto di Lubiana (LJU)
- ð Ljubljana Old Town â Ljubljana's centre is a jewel: Preseren Square with the pink church, the Tromostovje (Triple Bridge) and the Dragon Bridge by the architect Plecnik, who designed half the city. Along the river open cafes and markets, while a funicular climbs to the medieval castle, from which you enjoy the view over the roofs and the Alps. The atmosphere is young and lively, car-free in the centre. You dine along the river. Tomorrow the symbol of Slovenia: Lake Bled.
- ðĻ City Hotel Ljubljana â Centro, Lubiana
Day 2 â Lake Bled and the Vintgar gorge
The famous Lake Bled, with the little church on the island and the cliff-top castle, and the spectacular Vintgar gorge, carved by the Radovna river among wooden walkways.
- âïļ Ljubljana â Bled â Lago di Bled
- ð Vintgar Gorge â A few minutes from Bled, the Vintgar gorge is a natural wonder: a trail of wooden walkways (1.6 km) follows the Radovna river running green and impetuous between rock walls up to 100 metres high, among rapids, small waterfalls and crystal pools, to the Sum waterfall. It is an easy and spectacular walk. You return to Bled for the evening, perhaps with a boat trip at sunset. Tomorrow the other lake, wilder: Bohinj.
- ðĻ Hotel Lovec â Bled, Slovenia
Day 3 â Lake Bohinj and Triglav
Lake Bohinj, larger and quieter than Bled, in the heart of Triglav National Park, with the Savica waterfall and the Vogel cable car over the Julian Alps.
- ð Lake Bohinj â Lake Bohinj is the largest natural lake in Slovenia, immersed in the silence of Triglav National Park: less touristy and wilder than Bled, it is surrounded by mountains and woods, with the little church of St John the Baptist on its shore and clear waters for a swim or a kayak ride. Nearby, the Savica waterfall plunges 78 metres. It is the realm of Slovenian alpine nature. In the afternoon you go up to altitude by cable car.
- ðŊ Vogel â The Vogel cable car climbs to 1,535 metres above Lake Bohinj, in the heart of Triglav National Park: from above the view embraces the lake below and the whole chain of the Julian Alps, dominated by Mount Triglav (2,864 m), Slovenia's highest peak and national symbol, even depicted on the flag. In summer trails for hikers start here, in winter it is a ski resort. It is a balcony over the Alps. You return to Bled for the evening. Tomorrow the Vrsic pass and the Soca valley.
Day 4 â Vrsic Pass and Soca valley
The Vrsic pass, a spectacular hairpin road through the Julian Alps, and the descent into the Soca valley, with its incredibly emerald-coloured river and the history of the Great War.
- ð Vrsic Pass â From Kranjska Gora you tackle the Vrsic pass, the highest alpine road in Slovenia (1,611 m): 50 hairpins, many still cobbled, built by Russian prisoners during the First World War (a little church along the road remembers them). At the top, the panorama over the peaks of the Julian Alps is breathtaking. You then descend into the Soca valley, scene of the terrible battles of the Italo-Austrian front. You reach Bovec, the capital of water sports.
- ð Soca River â The Soca river is one of Slovenia's natural wonders: an emerald-turquoise colour so intense it seems unreal, due to the limestone rock. You admire it along the valley, among narrow gorges (like at Velika Korita), suspension bridges and the Kozjak waterfall, hidden in a fairy-tale gorge. Bovec and Kobarid (Caporetto, where a museum tells of the 1917 rout) are the bases for rafting, kayaking and trekking. You dine in the valley. Tomorrow the Postojna caves and Predjama castle.
- ðĻ Hotel Soca Bovec â Bovec, Valle dell'Isonzo
Day 5 â Postojna and Predjama
The spectacular Postojna caves, travelled by a little train, and Predjama castle, set into the face of a cliff: two wonders of the Slovenian Karst.
- ð Postojna Cave â The Postojna caves are among the most spectacular karst complexes in Europe: you enter aboard an electric train that penetrates for kilometres into the mountain, among immense halls, monumental stalactites and stalagmites and bizarre formations like the 'Brilliant', a pure white column. In the underground waters lives the olm, the mysterious 'baby dragon', a blind endemic amphibian. It is a fairy-tale underground world. Nearby, an incredible castle.
- ð Predjama Castle â Predjama castle is a masterpiece of audacity: built half inside the mouth of a cave, set into a 123-metre-high rock wall, it looks straight out of a fairy tale. For over 800 years it remained impregnable, thanks to the secret passages in the rock; here lived the legendary knight-brigand Erasmus. You visit it with an audio guide, among halls, dungeons and tunnels. It is one of the most scenic castles in the world. You continue towards the coast, to Piran.
- ðĻ Art Hotel Tartini â Pirano, Slovenia
Day 6 â Piran and the coast
Piran, a Venetian jewel by the sea, with Tartini Square and medieval alleys, and the short Slovenian coast between Portoroz, Koper and the Secovlje salt pans.
- ð Piran â Piran is the pearl of the Slovenian coast: a medieval Venetian town on a point jutting into the Adriatic, with the great oval square dedicated to the musician Tartini, born here, the narrow alleys, the walls and the church of St George on the hill, from which the view stretches to Italy and Croatia. You get around only on foot, among pastel houses and the scent of the sea. You lunch on fish and Istrian olive oil. In the afternoon, the coast and the salt pans.
- ð Secovlje Salt Pans â Just south of Piran, the Secovlje Salt Pans Nature Park preserves a unique landscape: evaporation basins where for centuries the 'flower of salt' has been harvested by hand, with traditional methods, in the middle of an oasis populated by flamingos and waterbirds. Nearby, fashionable Portoroz with its spas and Koper, Slovenia's main port. The coast is short but surprising. You return to Piran for the last evening by the sea. Tomorrow the Lipica horses and the return to Ljubljana.
Day 7 â Lipica and back to Ljubljana
A stop at Lipica, birthplace of the Lipizzaner horses, and a return to Ljubljana for a last evening in the lively capital.
- ðŊ Lipica â On the way back you stop at Lipica, on the Karst plateau: here, on an estate founded in 1580, the famous Lipizzaner horses were born, the elegant white steeds of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. You visit the historic stud farm among the meadows and oak avenues, perhaps watching a training session. It is an elegant and curious stop. You then continue to Ljubljana, arriving in the afternoon to enjoy a last evening in the city.
- ðĻ Best Western Premier Hotel Slon â Centro, Lubiana
Day 8 â Departure from Ljubljana
Return flight (or car journey) from Ljubljana. The end of a journey among alpine lakes, gorges, caves, fairy-tale castles and the small Venetian coast.
- âïļ Ljubljana â Aeroporto di Milano Malpensa (MXP)
