Slovenia – High Alps & Rolling Vineyards
Holiday Highlights
- Magnificent alpine and coastal scenery
- Small but comfortable accommodation with all facilities
- Nova Gorica to Lake Bled railway
- Škocjan and Postojna caves
- Lipica Stud Farm
- Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj and Vintgar Gorge
- Ocean Orchids Tropical Garden
- 10 days from £3,795pp
Tour Dates:
Monday 8 April to Wednesday 17 April 2024
An in-depth visit to this beautiful country, travelling from the coastal villages on the Gulf of Venice through the high mountains of the north to the vineyards in the east. Includes the stunning rail line from Nova Gorica to Bled. Stay in village accommodation with locally produced food and wine.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Our Journey Begins
Midday flight from London to Venice where we are met by our local Slovenian guide and mini-coach for transfer to the small village of Tomaj in western Slovenia for a 4-night stay.
Day 2 – Škocjan Caves & Piran
This area is noted for its Karst limestone scenery and we visit Škocjan Caves, the largest known underground canyon in the world. We continue to Piran, a picturesque port in the Venetian style. Return to Tomaj for evening meal.
Day 3 – Villages & Vineyards
Drive to Štanjel with its castle and magnolia trees, take lunch in Šmartno and taste homemade prosciutto and cheese with wine in Dobrovo before returning to Tomaj for evening meal.
Day 4 – Postojna Caves & Lipizza Horses
Drive to Postojna to visit Predjama Castle and the famous Postojna Cave complex accessed by its own narrow gauge railway. The caves are also home to the famous cave dweller – the tiny proteus. Drive to Lipica and the biggest Lipizzan stud farm in the world. Return to Tomaj for evening meal and overnight.
Day 5 – Nova Gorica to Bled
The 2-hour train journey from Nova Gorica on the Italian border to Lake Bled, high in the Alps is stunning – without doubt the railway showpiece of Slovenia with its wonderful scenery. On arrival, we transfer to our well appointed small hotel for a 3-night stay. The afternoon is spent visiting the Baroque Church of the Assumption on a tiny island on Lake Bled and reached by traditional boat called pletna.
Day 6 – Bohinj & Vintgar Gorge
Short drive to Lake Bohinj for a cable car ascent to Vogel ski centre. Afternoon drive through Triglav National Park and then visit Vintgar Gorge for a short walk through the gorge on a specially constructed boardwalk. Here we find not only breathtaking views of waterfalls and rapids but also a variety of flora and fauna.
Day 7 – Velika Planina & Kamnik
Velika Planina is a high mountain plateau dotted with shepherd huts depicting an old way of life and reached by gondola cable car. Lunch is served in one of the huts. Afternoon visit to the nearby medieval town of Kamnik and a tour of the local Maister Brewery including beer tasting. Return to Bled for overnight.
Day 8 – Ljubljana
Morning visit to the capital city for a short, guided walk in the central area including the Three Bridges over the river and the funicular to the castle. In the afternoon, drive into eastern Slovenia where alpine scenery gives way to rolling hills and vineyards. 2 nights in the village of Jeruzalem.
Day 9 – Ptuj & Ocean Orchids Tropical Garden
Ptuj is reputed to be Slovenia’s oldest city and we explore its cobbled streets and medieval buildings. In complete contrast, the Ocean Orchids Tropical Garden offers lush tropical flowers and exotic plants. Finally we visit the House of Gibanica to sample Slovenia’s most famous traditional dessert, Gibanica (layers of filo pastry and sweet cheese).
Day 10 – Flight from Graz to London
Transfer to Graz Airport for afternoon flight via Amsterdam to London
Due to the limited number of rooms in guesthouse accommodation, this tour will be limited to 15 persons.
Selected Hotels
Tourist Farm Škerlj, Tomaj
Penzion Berc, Bled
Sibon Wine and Spa Resort, Jeruzalem
Please note - hotels can be subject to change
Price Includes
- Flights in Economy Class by scheduled airline
- Rail travel as specified
- Other travel by private mini-coach
- Accommodation in good quality private hotels or guest houses with “en-suite” facilities
- All breakfasts and 9 other meals
- Admissions as detailed plus cable car, gondola and funicular
- Airport and other transfers
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour plus local professional Slovenian Guide
Price per person
Escorted holiday: | £3,795 |
Single room supplement: | £640 |
Deposit for this holiday: | £300 |