Slovenia Fly-Drive Holiday

Fly to Ljubljana. On arrival you will be met and transferred into the city where you will spend the next two nights.

Start your day by exploring the capital on foot. Visit the most significant sights of the old city centre: the picturesque open-air Central Market and the Three Bridges, both designed by famous architect Joze Plecnik, Baroque Town Hall and Robba's Fountain. Take the funicular train up to Ljubljana Castle for great panoramic views of the city below. (B)

Collect your hire car from the downtown rental office this morning. Depart Ljubljana for Piran (120km). The day is reserved for the Karst region. Head out through the scenic countryside. Make your first stop of the day at Postojna Caves, one of the largest cave systems in Europe. Tour this unique subterranean world by miniature electric train, then continue to visit Predjama Castle. This powerful medieval stronghold is perched high on a cliff-side! Finally, drive to Piran on the Slovenian coast. Overnight in Piran. (B)

This morning, pop along the coast to Portoroz, a popular tourist resort, for a quick swim and then continue to the wine growing region of Goriska Brda via Secovlje Salt-pans, where salt is produced using age old methods. Drive inland, past Lipica where you can stop to admire the famous Lipizzaner horses at the Stud Farm. Continue to the vineyard region of Goriska Brda for an overnight stay, where you will have the possibility to taste local cuisine and wines. Why not sample Rebula, the regions indigenous white wine. (B)

*Please note, hotels in Goriska Brda region have a minimum two night stay over weekends. If stays fall over a weekend then we will look for accommodation in an alternative area. 

Today, head through the scenic Soca Valley and Julian Alps towards Bled (approx 4 hour drive if taking the scenic route via the Vrsic Pass, following the emerald green Soca River downstream through Kobarid (mentioned in Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms). Fans of fine dining will be delighted to learn that the area is home to one of Slovenia’s best restaurants Hisa Franko, which has finally been awarded a well deserved two Michelin stars (pre-booking recommended). Drive up and over the magnificent Vrsic Pass, which at 1611m is the highest pass in the country (road open from Spring onwards). Look out for the Russian Orthodox chapel, built by Russian POWs. Pass through the mountain resort of Kranjska Gora which is renowned for having one of the biggest ski jumps in the world, Planica. Arrive in Bled and check-in to your hotel for 3 nights. (B)

An Alpine lake surrounded by high peaks, Bled was “discovered” by travellers in the middle of the 19th century. Since then, a small town of hotels, villas, and restaurants has developed around the lake, turning Bled into a lively, all-seasons resort. Explore the town and the lakeshore, and visit imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff high above the lake. You may also like to visit the 1.6 km long Vintgar gorge that carves its way through the vertical rocks of the Hom and Bort hills and is graced by the Radovna River with its waterfalls, pools and rapids. (B)

Drive to Lake Bohinj today, another Alpine Jewel, just a 30 minute drive from Bled. Cross the lake by electric boat and take the funicular to Mt Vogel for a splendid view of the Bohinj valley and surrounding Triglav National Park. There are many hiking trails in the area to be explored as well as the mighty Savica Waterfall. (B)

Drop off the car at Ljubljana airport (35km, approx. 30min drive) and take return flight to the UK. (B)