Slovenia in 3 days

Description

Explore a bit of East with a bit of West Slovenia in 3 days with Loopy to get a real image of all the diversity this small country in the middle of Europe boasts.

We visit the second and third largest Slovenian cities, Maribor and Celje.
A walk through the alleyways of reportedly the oldest town in Slovenia, Ptuj, reveals us the medieval continental architecture with the well-preserved castle, houses, and courtyards.

A move to the Alpine world transfers us to another movie.
We drive the mountain roads through the divinity of Triglav National Park, relax at the Lake Bled, discover the Lake Bohinj area, take photo breaks in the random Alpine villages, discover local tastes in the local inns.

Over the Vršič Mountain pass, we arrive in the Soča Valley.
An astonishing rocky environment crowned by the emerald color of the Soča River is the gate to the Mediterranean world, which we reach by arriving in the Brda Wine Region.

Loopy tip:
A perfect choice for the first-timers having time to explore Slovenia in 3 days.

Instagram photos feed

Program (3 days)

Day One

Pick up at the agreed location.

We spend the day around eastern Slovenia.
Maribor is the second-largest Slovenian city with a cute old town.
The 15th century Maribor Castle is now a regional museum with rich collection explaining the medieval life.
The Lent part along the Drava River is home to the oldest vine in the world.
Following the scientific researches, it is over 400 years old, still bearing grape.
An informative Old Vine center is set up at the site of the old vine.
In its wine tasting room, you can try some of the best wines in the Podravje wine-growing region and learn more about winemaking in this region.
Some of its terroirs are classified among the 4% of the best terroirs in the world.
In general, viticulture is one of the oldest traditions in Slovenia.

Ptuj is reportedly the oldest Slovenian town.
The Ptuj Castle is like a crown hanging above this picturesque medieval jewel.
In the castle, you can admire the biggest museum collection in Slovenia.
Stoves, tapestry, paintings, weapons, musical instruments, carnival masks and much more are waiting for you there to discover.
In the wintertime, Ptuj turns into a merry, loud carnival place.
The Ptuj Carnival is one of the world's carnivals with the oldest tradition.

Celje, the third-largest Slovenian city, was home to the only counts with reportedly Slovenian origins, the Counts of Celje.
It is also the city with the most Roman remains in Slovenia.
The history of both periods is knotted in the Princely Palace, which was built above the Roman city Celeia.
Today the palace is a great museum where you can admire the biggest reconstruction of a Roman town underground, as well as the history of the Counts of Celje above.

Up at the nearby hill, the castle dominates the city.
From the highest tower, there is an amazing view of the city.

After a pleasant 1,5 hour drive, we arrive at Lake Bled in the late afternoon.

Suggested overnight in the Lake Bled area.


Day Two

Despite the fact Lake Bled has a special atmosphere that deserves a few days' attention, we have a chance to try a bit of it.

We do a tour of the Lake Bled area and discover the highlights.
You can choose between trying the special chrem-shnitta or cream cake, go for a hike to the Vintgar Gorge, have a ride to the Bled Island with the Pletna Boat, enjoy some of the outdoor activities or visit the Bled Castle, the oldest castle in Slovenia boasting an informative museum, an observation tower with a multi-media presentation of the region, shops, a restaurant, an open-air bar, a chapel and a breathtaking view of the Bled Lake and the Bled Island.
Did you know that if you ring the church bell on the Bled Island you can make a wish?
The bell attracts couples from all over the world to get married in this place for good luck and a perfect wedding setting.

Just a stone throw from Bled we enter the Triglav National Park.
The road takes us over the Pokljuka Plateau, we pass the lonely farms and deep forests, then descend down in the area of Lake Bohinj with its cute villages and tourist farms.
Studor village on our way is the hayrack capital of Slovenia.
So many hayracks you won't see anywhere else.
Hayracks are traditional roofed structures with vertical rack lines, where farmers dry the hay.

Lake Bohinj area is the perfect starting point for the Triglav National Park expeditions or hiking and mountain biking to the other peaks of the Julian Alps.
In the vicinity, we can optionally visit the majestic Savica Waterfall or take a cable car ride up to Mt Vogel, which is a popular ski resort in the wintertime, while in the summertime a hiking and mountain-biking paradise with the view to the highest Slovenian mountain, Mt Triglav, and surrounding peaks of the Julian Alps.
This is a ride for the ones with no fear of heights.

Suggested overnight in the Lake Bled area.


Day Three

We usually drive the Vršič Mountain Pass, the Predil Pass is another option.
In the summertime, the mountain roads can be busy so we choose the less busy one.
Both are the mountain passes with fantastic scenery, both leading to the Soča Valley.

We first stop in Trenta village, where the emerald Soča River begins its way towards the Adriatic Sea.
A perfect place where to taste either the matured cheese made of milk by the indigenous Bovec Sheep or a peculiar dish called Čompe, which is a boiled potato with fresh salty cottage cheese.
An option for botany lovers is to visit the Alpine Garden with some of the rare examples of endangered Alpine flowers (opened from May to September).

Bovec is the main hub of the upper part of the Soča Valley and the extreme sports capital of Slovenia.
Many camping sites and apartments around host the adrenaline-hungry guys from all over the world.

The town of Kobarid is the next destination on our way.
A quaint little town in the middle section of the Soča Valley is a good place for food and history lovers.
Kobarid Museum reveals the happenings on the Soča River frontline, one of the toughest battle lines in the war history. The Museum was awarded even by the European Council for keeping the memory of what should not be repeated alive.
Consider at least an hour and a half for the visit, if you will decide.
Another option to visit is the nearby Kozjak Waterfall, which we reach crossing the famous Napoleon Bridge over the Soča River.

Tolmin is an administrative hub of the middle section of the Soča Valley.
The town is located at the confluence of the Tolminščica and Soča rivers.
A particular spot nearby the town center, in the middle of the two rivers and embraced by the mountains, is an unusual venue hosting some of the biggest European music festivals.
Nearby Tolmin Gorges is a natural wonder at the lowest point of the Triglav National Park.
Created by the two rivers, Tolminščica and Zadlaščica, is carved deeply into the rocks of the Julian Alps.
Consider the walk a 1,5 hour, semi-difficult with some steep ups and downs.

Slowly we enter the lower section of the Soča Valley.
We pass the town of Kanal and get to the last destination on our Slovenia in 3 days tour, the Brda Wine Region.
By stopping at Gonjače View Tower first, we get an overview of the region, stuck between the peaks of the Julian Alps and the depths of the Adriatic Sea.
Olive groves, fruit orchards, vineyards, and flowers are the main features of this new wine hotspot of Europe.
Yet thirty years ago the Brda region was demographically endangered.
Today it is a progressive wine-growing region where some of the best world wines are produced.
Proven by experts, confirmed on the main world wine tastings.
Let me know if you need any suggestions regarding optional tastings of wine, olive oil or other local delicacies such as prosciutto and dried fruits.

We terminate this tour around Slovenia in 3 days with a relaxing drive to your final destination.


Overnights are not arranged by Loopy Slovenia.
You can extend your stay in any of the destinations to have a day or more at leisure without additional costs.
For information and suggestions please send an email.

• 1
  

  Lake Bled

  Lake Bled is one of Slovenia's most known destinations at the foot of the Julian Alps.
  

• 2
  

  Lake Bohinj

  The Lake Bohinj area is a perfect starting point for the hiking tours to the Triglav National Park.
  
• 3
  

  Soča Valley

  The first in Slovenia to receive the title of European Destination of Excellence (EDEN).
  

• 4
  

  Brda Wine Region

  A new wine hotspot of Europe, between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea.
  

• 5
  

  Maribor

  Slovenia's second-largest city is home to the oldest vine in the world.
  

• 6
  

  Ptuj

  Ptuj Castle boasts the richest museum collection in Slovenia.
  

• 7
  

  Celje

  The Counts of Celje were the only nobles with reportedly Slovenian origins.
  

What is included in this tour?

Location