|
Activity Level: M-C
Start / Finish: Ljubljana / Venice
|
The Hidden Crossroads
Slovenia… that’s somewhere in Europe, right? Tucked away between Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary, Slovenia is hard to find but well worth the dig. Seamlessly synthesizing East and West, Mediterranean and Alps, rugged nature and refined urbanity, this intimate and under-visited Slavic gem still feels like our own special find. A crossroad for millennia, this is where languages and cultures meet and overlap, where border crossings are made on foot and—in our case, anyway—great walks through primeval forests and quaint mountain villages lead to the vineyards and homes of good friends like Barbara, who opens her gostisce (inn) at lunch just for us.
Here’s a sample of what you can expect on your custom-designed Bespoke Slovenia adventure. Intrigued? Contact a Bespoke Trip Planner for further details.
Day 1 Rendezvous in the elegant city of Ljubljana in the morning, walk up to Bled Castle in the afternoon
Day 2 Hike mountain trails in Triglav National Park
Day 3 Hike through the Mostnice Korita canyon to witness its incredible waterfalls and whirlpools
Day 4 Learn how to make zlikrofi, a creative variation on tortellini
Day 5 Cross the border into Italy and the city of Gorizia, a town that straddles two nations
Day 6 Taste reds and whites from the burgeoning Brda wine district, right on the border with Italy
Day 7 Breakfast in Gorizia, then arrivederci in Venice
 |
|
|
Vila Bled, Bled
Originally an Austrian prince’s residence, then a Yugoslavian dictator’s summer residence (yes indeed, Tito stayed here, enjoying our view of the lake), Vila Bled sits in the most enviable position in town, with direct views across to the church islet and Bled Castle. The original 1950s East Bloc luxury décor is an interesting curiosity of the hotel, as is the huge fresco depicting Tito and his liberation of the country.
|
|
|
Hotel Kendov Dvorec, Spodnja Idrija
For 800 years, this was the farming estate of the Kenda family. A decade ago, the Svetlik family bought the ruins, lovingly rebuilt it in the spirit of the original style, and in a nod to history named it in honour of their predecessors. The perfectionism of our hosts is evident in the décor, in the cuisine, and in the service we enjoy here.
|
|
|
Grand Hotel Entourage, Gorizia
The Entourage is the finest hotel in the wine district of eastern Friuli, on the Slovenian border. Its spacious modern rooms are nicely complemented by the historical villa setting, on one of the city’s quietest squares.
|
 |
Moderate to Challenging
This trip is rated Moderate to Challenging. This walking trip covers a variety of terrain, some of which is challenging. Distances average 10 km (6 mi.) each day. Some of these days include ascents of up to 366 m (1,200 ft.); other days are gently rolling or even flat. The walking surfaces are varied, from rocky mountain trails to boardwalk, dirt trails, small gravel and asphalt roads. You will certainly need hiking boots on some of the walks. Note that not all walks can be van supported due to the inaccessibility of the trails.
|
|
|
|