Stop, breathe and reconnect with nature. Holidays in Slovenia are perfect for nature lovers and those looking for adventure but also a slower place. 60% of Slovenia is made up of forests that are teaming with wildlife and Slovenian life is all about the outdoors. Once you get out on the trails and passes of the Julian Alps, you can explore endless forest paths, lakes and waterfalls, and tougher mountain climbs if that takes your fancy. Off the trails, Slovenia’s rich heritage includes everything from folklore and music festivals in Bled, to open kitchen evenings and wine festivals in Ljubljana, with architecture as diverse as Medieval castles, Baroque churches, Gothic monuments and basilicas.
Walking holidays in Slovenia
Get off the beaten track and discover the unspoilt beauty of Triglav National Park which covers nearly 84,000 hectares of the Julian Alps and has every flavour of footpath. And are you up for a challenging hike up Mangart or a 25 kilometre walk along the River Soča? In Lake Bled or Bohinj, take an easy lakeside amble or explore the surrounding hills and the pastures of the Pokljuka Plateau. Or, stay in Kranjska Gora to discover the picturesque Zelenci Nature Reserve and its rare carnivorous sundew plants and meander Alpine meadows and villages, orchards and lakes.
Multi-centre holidays in Slovenia
Ljubljana oozes culture and charm. Perfect for exploring by foot, there are a number of city trails of different lengths and a 16th Century castle and Medieval Old Town to explore. Add Ljubljana onto a Slovenian walking holiday in the forests and valleys of the Julian Alps for the best of all worlds. Or, stick to the mountains and see all the best bits of the Julian Alps on the Discover the Julian Alps triple-centre holiday which ticks off Lake Bohinj, Bovec and Kranjska Gora. Or what about going bold and hopping from Slovenia to Austria for some walking in Zell am See or Kitzbühel?
Action and adventure in Slovenia
How adventurous are you? Fancy kayaking down a river in Bovec or zooming down a summer toboggan run in Kranjska Gora or Bled? What about a four-kilometre zipline or some paragliding? And canyon trips into the Susec Gorge near Bovec are a unique way to see Slovenia as you climb through waterslides and pools. And when you fancy a day off, just relax lakeside and take a refreshing dip. On Lake Bohinj or Bled, you can try paddle-boarding or rent a rowing boat and enjoy a picnic on the water.
Sightseeing in Slovenia
Lake Bled is a symbol of Slovenia’s simple but stunning beauty with its tiny island and 12th Century church. But any holiday to Bled should include a visit to Vintgar Gorge with its 1600 metre wooden walkway across rapids and waterfalls. In Kranjska Gora, the Vršič Mountain Pass is the highest road in the Eastern Julian Alps with a distinctive Russian Chapel and lots of cobbled hairpin bends. Sampling some local food and drink is a must too - try a Jota in a mountain hut - it's a traditional chunky soup made from cabbage or turnips and is tastier than it sounds. Or tuck into some Kranjska Klobasa (Carniolan sausage) or Prekmurska gibanica (layer cake) and try some local beer or Slovenian wine.
