Slovenia: Hike, Bike & Raft

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!

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. (B)

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! (B)

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). (B)

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. (B)

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. (B)

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. (B)