Itinerary
- Day 1
Airport/Hotel to Ljubljana
After picking up your rental car at the airport or hotel, you'll drive to Ljubljana and spend the day getting familiar with Slovenia's capital. Take a guided tour if that interests you, or wander up to Castle Hill on your own. The Ljubljanica river banks are nice for a stroll, and Tivoli Park is perfect if you want to relax for a bit. Make sure to check out the architecturally interesting squares around the city, including Prešeren Square, Republic Square, and Congress Square.
- Start point
- Letališče Jožeta Pučnika Ljubljana, Zgornji Brnik 130a, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, 4210, Slovenia (Ljubljana Airport)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Private guided tour of Ljubljana
- Car rental for the whole duration of the trip
Optional Activities
- Walk up to Castle Hill
- Visit Tivoli Park
- Explore the banks of the Ljubljanica river
- Visit Prešeren Square
- Visit Republic Square
- Visit Congress Square
Landmarks/POIs Ljubljana Castle Tivoli Park Prešeren Square Republic Square Congress Square Ljubljanica River 
- Day 2
Ljubljana to Maribor
This morning you'll head north-east across the River Sava into Štajerska, the largest region in Slovenia. Start with Celje, where an old castle overlooks the city and the streets have that romantic feel to them. From there, continue to Ptuj, which is the oldest town in Slovenia and has Roman heritage along the River Drava banks. By evening, you'll reach Maribor, the second-largest city, where you can see the wine-producing hills and Pohorje Mountains surrounding it. The city is also home to the world's oldest grapevine if you want to check that out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Car rental for the whole duration of the trip
Optional Activities
- Visit Celje Castle
- Explore Celje's old town
- Visit Ptuj
- Explore Ptuj's Roman heritage
Landmarks/POIs Celje Castle Ptuj Castle River Drava River Sava 
- Day 3
Maribor to Lake Bled
Start your morning with a walk through Maribor City Park and take the wide promenade toward the Three Ponds, which has over 100 different tree species. Then drive north-west into the Gorenjska region, where you'll spend the next two days. Lake Bled is the main attraction here with its island and church set against mountain views. Bled Castle sits on the cliff above with an impressive courtyard to explore. You can take a traditional pletna boat out to the island, and don't miss trying the famous Bled Cream cakes while you're there.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Car rental for the whole duration of the trip
Optional Activities
- Walk in Maribor City Park
- Visit Bled Castle
- Take a walk across Bled Castle's courtyard
- Visit Lake Bled island by traditional pletna boat
- Taste Bled's Cream cakes
Landmarks/POIs Lake Bled Bled Castle Church of the Assumption of Mary Maribor City Park Three Ponds 
- Day 4
Julian Alps and Triglav National Park
Today focuses on the Julian Alps region that spans both Italy and Slovenia, particularly Triglav National Park, one of Europe's oldest parks. Mt. Triglav sits at 2,864 m and is the highest peak in the Eastern Alps. You'll see numerous waterfalls and lakes throughout the day. Boka Falls reaches 106 m and is near Bovec, and Lake Bohinj is the largest lake in this region. If you want something more active, there's a boat ride across the lake or zip-lining if you're looking for an adrenaline rush.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Car rental for the whole duration of the trip
Optional Activities
- Explore Triglav National Park
- Visit Boka Falls
- Visit Lake Bohinj
- Boat ride on Lake Bohinj
- Zip-lining adventure on Lake Bohinj
Landmarks/POIs Triglav National Park Mt. Triglav Boka Falls Lake Bohinj Bovec - Day 5
Vršič Mountain Pass to Goriška Brda
Drive north through Kranjska Gora, an alpine town on the Austrian and Italian border, toward the Vršič Mountain Pass at 1,611 m, which is the highest road pass in the Eastern Julian Alps with 50 serpentine turns. Coming down from there, you'll enter the Soča Valley with its emerald Soča river running through it. Bovec is the alpine town here with lots of outdoor activities available. Stop by Kobarid to check out the WWI museum, since the Soča Valley was a major WWI front. End your evening in Goriška Brda, a gourmet and wine region where you can have dinner and try local wines.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Car rental for the whole duration of the trip
Optional Activities
- Visit Kranjska Gora
- Visit Bovec
- Explore Bovec's sports and hiking activities
- Visit Kobarid WWI museum
Landmarks/POIs Vršič Mountain Pass Kranjska Gora Soča River Soča Valley Bovec Kobarid 
- Day 6
Karst Region and Slovenian Coast
Head south to the Slovenian Karst region, which is known for its approximately 8,000 caves and air-dried ham paired with local Teran red wine. Lipica is a stud farm with over 400 years of history breeding Lippizaner horses. These horses are born black and turn white as they mature, and they were originally created for Habsburg emperors. Drive to the Slovenian coast on the Istrian peninsula afterward. You can explore the medieval streets of Koper, Izola, and Piran, or try your luck at one of the casinos if that appeals to you.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Car rental for the whole duration of the trip
Optional Activities
- Visit Lipica Stud Farm
- Visit Koper
- Visit Izola
- Visit Piran
- Visit casino
Landmarks/POIs Lipica Stud Farm Koper Izola Piran 
- Day 7
Slovenian Coast and Karst Caves
The Slovenian coast offers unique character from its 500-year history as part of the Venetian republic. Explore Koper, which was once an island with Roman origins, and continue to the romantic town of Piran. For nature lovers, the Sečovlje saltpans produce world-quality salt used by chefs like James Oliver. You can also dive into the karst underworld with several cave systems, starting with Postojna Cave (the largest, featuring an electric train and the famous human fish). UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves, Vilenica (Europe's oldest show cave), and the medieval Predjama Castle are also on the itinerary. Learn about Erazem Predjamski and his underground escape routes while you're at the castle.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Car rental for the whole duration of the trip
Optional Activities
- Explore Koper's medieval streets
- Explore Piran's medieval streets
- Visit Sečovlje saltpans
- Tour Postojna Cave
- Tour Škocjan Caves
- Tour Vilenica Cave
- Visit Predjama Castle
Landmarks/POIs Koper Piran Sečovlje Saltpans Postojna Cave Škocjan Caves Vilenica Cave Predjama Castle 
- Day 8
Departure
Drop off your rental car at the confirmed location, whether that's the airport or your hotel. Then head to the airport and fly home with great memories of your Slovenian adventure.
