Excursions throughout Slovenia

 

Ljubljana

Stunning Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia. Its quaint cobbled streets and fabulous blend of architectural styles make it a must-see for every visitor. The colourful open market, the lively cafes on the banks of the green Ljubljanica river, the diverse entertainment scene and the wonderful old hilltop castle are just some of the attractions awaiting you in this cosmopolitan yet cosy city.

Ljubljana is Slovenia's largest city with a population of about 350,000. It is a city which is above all renowned for its historical heritage and tradition and has the friendly and relaxed ambience of a smaller town. We recommend a visit to the castle that towers above the old town and nowadays offers facilities for numerous cultural events. Ljubljana is also Plečnik's city - Jože Plečnik is renowned as a pioneer of modern architecture around the world. The mark he left on his home town may be seen at almost every step. The night-time heartbeat of the city is created by a varied cultural programme, as well as numerous restaurants, pubs and clubs to suit every taste.

 

Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle

Postojna Cave is one of Slovenia's most frequently visited tourist attractions. It was set up for visits as early as 1819, a year after a visit by Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz I. The first guests entered the cave guided by locals and carried their own torches and candles. Today, Postojna cave system boasts as many as 21 kilometres of maintained paths. The main attractions are the stalactites whose age is estimated to be several hundred thousand years. Their diversity of colours is a result of minerals in the water. Railway tracks were laid in the cave at the start of the 20th century and since then it has been possible to visit the cave by tourist train. Suitable clothing is necessary for a visit to the cave due to the dampness and average temperature of about 10˚C. Not far from the cave is the mighty Predjama Castle, written evidence of which dates back to the 12th century. The castle long had a fearsome reputation due to its inaccessibility and, above all, because it was said to offer refuge to bandits. Legends and old texts bear witness to the fact that the castle was visited and admired by travellers who were not scared of danger or its remoteness. Nowadays, the castle is a setting for numerous social events such as castle weddings and knights' tournaments.

 

Lipica Stud Farm

This green oasis in a verdant Karst setting and the stud farm with its 425-year-long tradition of horse breeding was the first home of the Lipizzaners. The Lipizzaner breed is one of the oldest in the world and was created due to the Karst horses' reputation for sturdiness and speed, characteristics known since Roman times. Being a Slovenian symbol, the Lipizzaner is depicted on a Slovenian Euro coin. It's a good idea to combine a visit to Lipica with a visit to Postojna cave due to the short distance between the two attractions.

 

Škocjan Caves Park

This is the only Slovenian natural monument on UNESCO's world heritage list. Man has always found mystery attractive and this is why he soon ventured into the dark underworld, where he found safe refuge. The park encompasses 410 hectares of Karst scenery. The subterranean world was formed by the Reka river. The cave environs are completely intact in their original state, which set these caves apart from those at Postojna.

 

Kranjska Gora and Planica

Kranjska Gora is in the northwest corner of Slovenia, close to the triple border with Austria and Italy. The idyllic Alpine town annually hosts downhill skiing World Cup competitions, as well as ski jumping at nearby Planica. Numerous world records have been set on the legendary giant ski jump, including the current one of 239 metres by Norwegian Bjorn Einar Romoren. The Vrata valley, 10 kilometres away, features the mighty Peričnik waterfall, the source of the Bistrica river. The valley ends with a stunning view of Triglav's more than 1,000-metre north wall. Kranjska Gora is 40 km from Bled.

 

Posočje – valley of the Soča river

The Soča is one of Europe's most beautiful rivers. The Posočje area comprises seven smaller settlements, the largest of which is Bovec. Due to the limitless possibilities for recreation offered by the gorgeous countryside, it's one of Slovenia's most important tourist centres. This is a paradise for lovers of white water, enthusiastic hikers and mountaineers. The Soča valley is approximately 90 kilometres from Bled and is easiest to get to on the panoramic road over the Vršič pass, the highest road pass in Slovenia. History buffs are sure to want to visit the Kobarid museum, recently European Museum of the Year, which excellently showcases the Soča front, one of the four major fronts of the First World War.

 

Goriška Brda

The rolling hills in the extreme west of Slovenia are a byword for Slovenian viticulture and fruit-growing. Wine has been made in Goriška Brda since ancient times. The best-known white wines from this area are rebula, tokay, pinot and pinot grigio, and merlot and cabernet among the reds. Private winemakers are ever-better establishing themselves and now successfully market their top-quality wines. Wines from Goriška Brda win numerous awards and are appreciated by aficionados from all over the world.

 

Radovljica Apicultural Museum

This museum is in the old part of Radovljica and showcases the rich tradition of Slovenian apiculture, which was an important agricultural sector in the 18th and 19th centuries. The technical part of the museum exhibits typical 'living quarters' of bees and apicultural equipment, and the gallery shows a remarkable feature of Slovenian folk culture: painted beehive panels. It takes 10 minutes to get to Radovljica from Bled.

 

Kropa Iron-forging Museum

Kropa is an old iron-mining settlement below the slopes of Pokljuka. The museum showcases the technical and historical development of iron processing, as well as the economic, social, demographic and cultural conditions in this area from the 15th century until the decline of iron-making in the 19th century. Kropa is 20 kilometres from the campsite.

 

Hostage Museum – Begunje na Gorenjskem

The Hostage Museum is a reminder of the atrocities of WW II. The Katzenstein castle was a Gestapo fortress and prison during the war. Part of the prison, an annexe to the main building, has been renovated to house a museum, and there is a cemetery of hostages in the park.

 

Šivec House, Radovljica

This typical mid-16th century townsman's house is in the very centre of the old town of Radovljica. It's an important cultural monument of late-Gothic Slovenian architecture due to its rich internal and external architectural features.

 

Avsenik Restaurant and Gallery, Begunje na Gorenjskem

Having sold over 30 million records, the Avsenik brothers' band is by far the most successful Slovenian musical group in the world. The Avseniks are regarded as pioneers of a new genre of folk-entertainment music in central Europe. The Avsenik brothers also have an inn in their home village of Begunje, where there is a regular musical programme and a gallery where you may have a look at the museum collection dedicated to the group. To visit the restaurant you'll need to make a reservation some days in advance, which our reception staff will be pleased to do for you. Begunje is just 8 kilometres from Bled.