Compare Slovenia: Hike, Bike & Raft by Intrepid Travel vs Scenic Slovenia & Croatia by Great Value Vacations
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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4 | Great
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| Duration | 7 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 1,815 | $ 2,667 |
| Price Per Day | $ 259 | $ 333 |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| Description |
With its crystal-clear emerald lakes, picture-perfect castle and fairytale island at the foothills of the Alps, Bled is the perfect spot to base your eight-day active adventure in Slovenia. Hike lush trails on Mt Vogel in Triglav National Park, go cycling next to the Radovljica River and hold on to your helmets on an exhilarating white water rafting trip on the Soka River with expert guides. Walk the Vintgar Gorge boardwalk, discover the secrets of Ljubljana and see the little village of Ribcev Laz. Along with all this adrenaline, there’s plenty of free time to discover bled at your own pace – kayaking or ziplining, anyone? |
GOOD NEWS - The local tour operator will no longer require a COVID-19 vaccination for travelers as of March 1, 2023. For travelers departing before March 1, the tour operator requires that travelers aged 12 and older provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination in the form of written documentation (paper or electronic copy), in English, for all vacations. Proof of vaccination must be completed at least 14 days prior to the tour start date. *Exceptions apply to children who do not qualify for vaccination.
From the "Sunny side of the Alps" of Slovenia to the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, experience the beauty, culture and history of Eastern Europe on this 7-night escorted vacation. Begin and end your trip in Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana. Spend one night in one of Europe's greenest cities before heading to Postojna Cave. Tour these extensive cave with its web of tunnels and stalactites with a train ride and walking tour! The next leg of your journey takes you to Croatia, the gem of the Adriatic! Immerse yourself in the history of Zadar and Dubrovnik, where one enchanting cobblestone lane leads to another. Leave Croatia briefly for Bosnia-Herzegovina and its capital of Sarajevo, founded by the Ottomans in the 15th-century. From Sarajevo, travel to one of Europe's most stunning national parks, Plitvice Lakes. The 16 lakes that make up this park will take your breath away! Tour Croatia's capital of Zagreb before returning to Ljubljana. |
Day 1 Ljubljana
Zivjo! Welcome to Slovenia – often known as ‘Europe in Miniature’. Luckily for adrenaline junkies, Slovenia is perfect for a wide array of active adventures, like cycling, hiking, skiing, canyoning, caving and boating. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Ljubljana (pronounced 'Lyoob-Li-Yana'), the capital of Slovenia. After, you’re free to explore the streets at your own pace or to head out as a group for dinner at a local traditional restaurant. Your trip leader will have all the best recommendations!
Day 2 Ljubljana / Bled
Head out on an orientation walk around cosmopolitan Ljubljana – a city full of history, monuments, churches, museums and great restaurants. The Old Town consists of three main squares and Baroque houses and you can visit the Ljubljana Castle, the Town Hall and Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the Triple Bridge and the open market under the arcade. In the early afternoon, board a local bus to Bled – with dense green mountains, a rocky cliff-top castle and an emerald lake (with a church atop the island smack bang in the middle), it’s hard to take a bad photo here! You’ll head out on a hike around Bled through Vintgar Gorge, stopping for snacks and photo breaks along the way. Explore Bled’s gorgeous architecture and scenery, then walk across rapids, waterfalls and pools via an elevated boardwalk that clings to the craggy rock face.
Day 3 Lake Bohinj and Hiking on Mt Vogel
After breakfast, take a public bus to Lake Bohinj – the largest permanent glacial lake in the country. Take the cable car to the top of Mt Vogel within Triglav National Park. The upper station lies above 1500 m (4920 ft), and from here you'll hike along the lush trails, looking down into the valley. Depending on weather conditions, you might head south towards the peak of Sija. After a rest stop at Suha hut, continue through the alpine scenery along the Bukovska Valley towards the final destination of Ribcev Laz – a little village that’s dominated by a 17th-century church with a fresco of St. Christopher on the outside wall. The church, the mountains and the little bridge over Lake Bohinj make the surroundings feel like you’re inside a movie set!
Day 4 Bled
You have a free day to choose your own adventure in Bled today. Maybe visit the 100 m high clifftop castle and chill out on Grajska Plaza (Castle Beach) – dating from the 11th century, the views from Old Bled Castle are nothing short of spectacular. You could take a Pletna boat ride (a wooden, awning-covered boat rowed by a special oarsman) to the island on Lake Bled, where you can climb up the 99 steps to St Mary's Church and ring the wishing bell. If you’re chasing a thrill, maybe go ziplining or kayaking on the Sava River. Be sure to seek out the famous Bled cream cake (nearly every cafe in town claims that theirs is the best).
Day 5 Rafting on Soca River
Pack your swimming gear and towel for a rafting trip on the Soka River today. A professional guide will lead the group on a 1.5-hour journey through Class 2 and 3 rapids as well as gates and pools. You’ll pass alpine scenery and cypress trees as you navigate moss-covered boulders all the way downriver to Lancovo. There will be plenty of time for swim stops in the fresh water here and you’ll see the cascades of Boka Waterfall. After an exhilarating day, it’s a short drive back to Bled. Later, maybe dine on sausages or fresh fish with a side of the local vino. Luckily, Slovenia only exports a small amount of their wine, keeping the best local.
Day 6 Biking in Bled
Head out for a morning of biking. You’ll have your bike fitting and a safety briefing to set you up for the journey ahead, then it’s time to get your wheels in motion. With your leader, you’ll begin cycling from Bled, first pedalling gradually uphill through the mountains, following the low-traffic forest paved road. This route offers plenty to look at – mountain views next to Radovljica River, scenic stops along the way and a loop around the beautiful Lake Bled. Your final stop of the day is a flower and tree-filled valley, where you can refuel at a mountain house. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries – you may like to explore Triglav National Park or rest and recharge before dinner.
Day 7 Bled
Your trip ends after breakfast today and with no further activities planned, you’re free to leave any time after check out. If you’d like to extend your stay in this postcard-perfect place, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Day 1 Welcome to Ljubljana, Slovenia!
Say "zdravo" to Slovenia! Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day seeing some of Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, with a strong alpine architectural flavor. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at your included dinner.
Day 2 Ljubljana - Postojna Caves - Zadar, Croatia
Today, visit one of Slovenia's highlights: the Postojna Caves! Hop aboard a legendary tourist train inside the caves, then explore its tunnels, halls, galleries and caverns by foot with a guide. Discover what are possibly Europe’s most extensive and best-known caves! You'll then travel into Croatia along the coast to Zadar. Over the centuries, Zadar was ruled by Venetians, Austro/Hungarians, by Italy after WWI, and today belongs to Croatia. Find out more about this historical city during an included guided tour.
Day 3 Zadar- Split - Dubrovnik
Leave Zadar today as you drive south to Split, Croatia's second-largest city after Zagreb. Visit Diocletian's Palace, the former home of Roman Emperor Diocletian dating back to A.D. 295 that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With more than 200 buildings and 3,000 residents this "palace" is more like a mini-city! Leave Split behind as you continue to the “Pearl of Adriatic,” Dubrovnik. You'll enjoy a drive along the picturesque Dalmatian Coast, where you'll be treated to views of the world-famous natural beauty of the area. Upon arrival in Dubrovnik, head to Old Town and stroll through its shiny limestone-paved streets. This is truly one of the most beautiful cities in Europe!
Day 4 Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is the best-preserved Croatian medieval city and the liveliest on the Dalmatian Coast. Visit the Franciscan Monastery and the Rector Palaces, where a local guide will give you a full tour, including the history of this beautifully preserved medieval architectural wonder - a popular filming location for TV shows and movies, like Star Wars, James Bond, and Game of Thrones! In the afternoon, consider riding the bright-orange cable car up from old town to the mountain of Srd on your own. Once you reach the top, you'll enjoy sweeping views of the city below.
Day 5 Dubrovnik - Neretva Gorges - Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina - Sarajevo
Leave Dubrovnik and enjoy a scenic drive into the rugged beauty of the Neretva Valley. Make your way into southern Bosnia-Herzegovina and stop in Mostar, where a local guide will take you to the Turkish Quarter with the Turkish House, the Mosque, and the reconstructed 16th-century bridge. Continue on to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina and certainly the most Turkish-looking city in the Balkans famous for its mosques, markets, and bazaars. Discover the city with a guide and get acquainted with its architectural highlights, including the 16th-century Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque that is considered one of the finest examples of Ottoman architecture in the world.
Day 6 Sarajevo - Plitvice National Park, Croatia
Travel north today back into Croatia to visit the country’s famous Plitvice Lakes National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Enjoy a walk with a local guide through the breathtaking scenery of this breathtaking wonder. Its 16 lakes, wooded hills, waterfalls, and cascades make it one of Europe’s most beloved and famous national parks.
Day 7 Plitvice - Zagreb - Ljubljana, Slovenia
Say goodbye to Plitvice Lakes as you travel to Zagreb, Croatia's capital and largest city. The city is packed with historic buildings like the 13th-century St. Mark's Church, with its colorful tiled roof. Get to know the city on an included tour! Leave Zagreb and make your way back to Ljubljana where a guide will help you appreciate its imperial beauty. Sample delicious Slovenian dishes like Carniolan sausage and cabbage.
Day 8 Depart Slovenia
Your tour of Eastern Europe ends today. At the appropriate time, make your way to the airport for your flight home.
