Walking The World

“Slovenia is like Europe in miniature. It has everything. The mountains, castles, beautiful architecture, and rich history all in one little package.”

July 28 - August 9, 2006

Land Cost: $2,695 U.S.
Single Supplement Rate: $500 U.S.
Trip Begins: Vienna, Austria
Trip Ends: Vienna, Austria

Detailed Itinerary
What we Provide

Slovenia, a land of majestic scenery—high eastern Alps, aquamarine pools, fields of purple saffron, sheer waterfalls and cascading rivers. A land with a rich, turbulent history, told in its stone castles and chapels, long obscured behind a forbidden Iron Curtain. Visit the remarkable Julian Alps and experience Slovenia’s high-mountain pastoral society, sampling its food and gentle customs. See the exquisite iron works of Kropa; explore the mountain paradise of Triglav National Park; delve into the extensive Karst landscape of Skocjan Caves; and amble down the streets of coastal fishing villages. From Eastern Alpine splendor to Adriatic coastal charm, come with us on a unique excursion to rediscover the mystery and elegance of Slovenia.

Best of the Best

Adventure Trips: Slovenia

Soca River Valley Hollowed rock pools of turquoise blue, feather-white cascades, rippling crystalline shallows…see for yourself why this river has been called the most beautiful river in all of Europe.

Alpine Hospitality Join the day-to-day life of a Slovenian high-mountain farm family. Savor traditional meals, lending a hand with making cheese or even milking goats—all within the majestic embrace of the Savinj Alps.

Piran on the Adriatic See why this town is called “Slovenia’s Venice,” with its terraced vineyards, olive groves, red-tiled roofs and narrow cobblestone streets.

This itinerary may be changed at the discretion of the trip leader.
( B = Breakfast included, L = Lunch included, D = Dinner included )

(We do not expect any major changes from this schedule. However, in the spirit of adventure, we allow our itinerary to remain flexible so that we may take advantage of spontaneous events.)

Adventure Trips: Slovenia

Day 1... Departure is at 8:00 A.M. Meet in Vienna at the HOTEL BOLTZMANN. Leaving Vienna in the morning, we drive south towards the hills and vineyards of Graz. This corner of Austria is known for its grapes, so be prepared to sample some outstanding wines! Our walk takes us through the area’s vineyards and orchards and past colorful farm homes. Our picnic lunch is served at a winery perched near the crest of the border hills between Austria and Slovenia; you’ll love the views of the two countries beneath you. Later, we drive to a beautifully situated mountain hotel high above the valley of the Drava River. From the peace and quiet of this hotel, enjoy the panoramic views of Slovenia's Julian Alps, the eastern most part of the Alps chain of mountains for which France, Switzerland, Italy and Austria have become famous. Tonight, relax with family style dining. L, D

Day 2... Our day beings with a drive along the Drava river before crossing the border and entering Slovenia via the low mountain pass of Jezerski Vrch. Situated in the gorgeous Kamnik-Savinj Alps, our afternoon hike of approximately 3 miles takes us to one of the area’s most enchanting, and indeed, the highest waterfall in Slovenia (130M). Enjoy the traditional food and customs of Slovenia's high-mountain pastoral society, a tradition that continues to this day. B, L, D

Day 3... Our destination today will be Ceska Koca, a mountain hut, founded in 1900 by the Czech alpine club in the years when the Czech Republic and Slovenia were both a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today is a memorable full day of hiking with lunch at the Ceska Koca hut, 8 miles, 2100 feet elevation gain. For those who prefer an easier day, you can stroll to the village of Zg. Jezersko and explore the beautiful churches of this picturesque small town. B, L, D

Adventure Trips: Slovenia

Day 4... Exchange your rural pace for some city hustle and bustle. This morning we drive to Ljubljana, Slovenia's beloved capital. Ljubljana has been described “as a little Prague without the hordes of tourists”. We will have a short introduction to this unique city with a local guide, and then you can enjoy 2 hours on your own to shop, use the internet, or just enjoy a long lunch at a café in the picturesque Old Town section of the city. Next, we drive to the heart of the Julian Alps, Triglav National Park. Today’s travel also includes a stop at the historical and attractive village of Kropa. The town’s iron “factory”, founded in 1588, utilizes the area’s iron ore and fast moving rivers for power. The Renaissance buildings that are found throughout Kropa are indicative of the factory’s early success. We’ll also visit the Kropa Iron Museum where the nails for railroad tracks in Venice and most of Europe have been made. Bypassing the prime tourist resort of Lake Bled, we continue on to the quieter and more peaceful Bohinj Lake, situated in the farthest corner of this valley. B, D

Day 5... Starting from Ribcev Laz we arrive at the pretty village of Stara Fuzina and soon reach the dramatic gorge cut by the Mostnica River. This gentle trail is surrounded by beautiful beech forest that contrasts dramatically with the aquamarine river below. Higher up in the valley we walk through peaceful pastures to find the gushing Slap (waterfall) Voje. A leisurely lunch at a mountain hut allows us time to more thoroughly explore the surrounding area. 8.3 miles, 500 feet elevation gain B, L

Day 6... Today our first 1000 meters (3280’) of ascent will be via cable car/chair lift to the Mt. Vogel ski resort. This is ridge hiking at its finest, and if you can tear your eyes from the largest selection of wildflowers found in the Alps, you’ll have spectacular views on both sides as you make your way to Mt. Rodica at an elevation of 1966 meters (6291’). Looking across the valley, we’ll be able to see the mountain ridges that were the front lines where the Italians faced the Astro-Hungarian army in World War I. We have the option of returning via the cable car or hiking back to Bohinj Lake. B, L, D

Day 7... Leave Bohinj Lake. Later today we’ll drive through the famous ski resort town of Krajnska Gora and then over the high mountain pass of Vrsic, built in 1915 – 1917 by Russian POWs. The vista from Vrsic is breathtaking, consisting of rugged gray alpine peaks and steep green valleys - a mountain paradise to rival any other. Before we descend to the village of Trenta, we spend the afternoon hiking to the beautiful Sleme Meadows where we will be surrounded on three sides by sheer cliffs and jagged peaks. Now you will truly appreciate the scale and beauty of the Julian Alps. 3.1 miles, 960 feet elevation gain. B, L, D

Day 8... Explore the waterfalls and the gorges of the Soca River. Once you have laid eyes on the unbelievably beautiful aquamarine color of this river and its changing character, it will be easy to see why many people fall in love with it and have described it as the most beautiful river in Europe. B, L

Day 9... We begin with a drive to Kobarid for a visit to its award-winning museum ("Museum of Europe",1993). During WWI this was the site of the infamous Soca, or Isonzo Front, which claimed the lives of an estimated one million people and was immortalized in Ernest Hemingway's novel, Farewell to Arms. From the museum we’ll walk to the delicate Kozjak waterfall, crossing the Napoleon Bridge on our way, we continue to Dreznica, a picturesque village located just beneath Krn Mountain. This path is said to follow the remains of the 3rd Defense Line, built by the Italians in 1915. We will pass by several tunnels or caves that were built directly into the rock and the remains of defensive trenches that were built in this area during WWI. 5 miles B, L, D

Day 10... The morning begins with a visit to the Tolminka Ravine, this deep gorge cut through the terminal moraine deposited by the former glacier is in some places 200 feet deep and only 15–30 feet wide. Many believe that the gorge provided the inspiration for Dante’s Inferno. 4.5 miles. Today we also visit the caverns, stalactites and stalagmites of the Skocjan Caves, a natural area that UNESCO has deemed worthy of designation as a World Natural Heritage Site. The huge chambers are reminiscent of the underground cave in the Phantom of the Opera, only on a mammoth scale. It’s then only a short drive to the picturesque town of Piran. Known as "Slovenia's Venice," the entire town is protected as a cultural monument and is one of the best-preserved historical towns on the Adriatic. Spend time exploring its narrow cobblestone streets. B, L

Day 11... Enjoy a free day exploring Piran. We will meet at 5 tonight and end our trip in fine style with a dinner cruise on the Adriatic Sea! We will explore the coastline as we head to the small fishing port of Izola. Dinner is a wonderful variety of sumptuous foods, including fresh bread, fresh salads, grilled veggies, mussels, fresh fish, and local wine! A fitting end to a spectacular trip. B, D

Day 12... Morning transfer to Venice airport or the “Piazza de Roma” water taxi, rail station. Unfortunately it is illegal for us to park our vans in this area so we will direct you to the information kiosk near the parking area for further instructions on reaching your hotel, or the train station. We will stop at the Venice airport first at approximately 11:30AM. We suggest you book your flight for any time after 2:00PM to allow a little extra time for transportation delays. B

Expert Guide
Walking The World® guide
11 Nights Accommodation (Double Occupancy)
All ground transportation while on tour
11 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 8 Dinners (Does not include alcoholic beverages)
Wine Tasting
All admission fees to scheduled stops
Unique and original journal of your trip
Walking The World® Tee Shirt or Hat
Loads of good fun, humor, and companionship!

Read about Slovenia

MAKE IT SIMPLE...
Simply make your travel arrangements through our agency - New Horizons Travel.
Working with Sarah-Miles Clark at New Horizons Travel, 1-800-864-4364,
will assist both you and us in negotiating the best rates and in the overall coordination of your trip plans. If you choose to use another agency, we must receive a copy of your detailed travel itinerary with your final full payment 60 days in advance of the trip. This information enables us to meet you at the airport whenever possible and to see that you are returned conveniently for your departure.

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