An enchanting self-drive holiday to Slovenia, one of Europe’s natural gems. Spend time bear watching Dinaric Alps before heading to the mesmerising Lake Bled for some well-deserved relaxation time.
Slovenia is a delightful country to visit; beautiful and varied scenery combines with charming hospitality and some remarkable wildlife. Blending four nights watching bears in the Dinaric Alps, with three nights along the shores of Lake Bled, this leisurely paced self-drive holiday takes you through two of the country’s most spectacular regions and is the perfect option for anyone seeking a relaxing wildlife holiday.
After just a two-hour flight from the UK, you arrive in Slovenia’s capital city of Ljubljana. You then shortly find yourself travelling through the spectacular Dinaric Alps as you venture one hour south to a simple, but perfectly comfortable guesthouse where you spend the next four nights.
The unspoiled karstic mountain range possesses fabulous wildlife, including healthy populations of all three of Europe’s large remaining predators; Eurasian brown bear, Eurasian lynx and Eurasian wolf. Each day you explore the area and utilise the various bear hides which are nestled in the surrounding hills. Set in some stunning forest locations, each has been specifically conceived with photographers in mind and with luck should get some fabulous opportunities to view and photograph Europe’s largest terrestrial predator.
When not in the hides, there's plenty to keep you occupied with superb limestone caves and excellent birding at Lake Cerknica, all just a short drive away. A bird photography hide complete with reflection pool is also located nearby the guesthouse and can be particularly productive in the warm summer months.
There's no better way to finish your trip to Slovenia than with a few nights in Bled, a drive north-east of just over an hour takes you to what must be one of Europe’s most beautiful lakes. The tranquil turquoise waters seamlessly mirror the sky above and the verdant forests and towering mountains which enclose it. The pristine reflection is punctuated by a picture-postcard island church and rockface medieval castle. Unwind with charming hospitality at the superbly located Villa Bled for three nights, where you can soak in these views and explore the surrounds of the lake, with a visit to the castle and its superb cliffside restaurant an absolute must.
Suggested Itinerary
Day1: Fly Ljublijana and self-drive to Dinaric Alps
Having collected your luggage and exited the airport terminal, cross the road to the building opposite where the respective car hire booths are located.
The staff all speak excellent English and you will soon be on your way driving south to the small village of Retje where your guesthouse is located.
Leaving Ljubljana behind, you begin to get a feel for why the country is held in such high regard. A landscape of traditionally farmed arable and pastoral fields, forest stands, and meandering rivers unfolds before you, punctuated by quaint well-kept villages.
Accommodation: Guesthouse Ana, 4-nights
Days2-4: Bear watching and exploration of surrounding area
Over the course of the next three days, you have the morning at leisure before venturing into the bear hides in the mid to late afternoon. There are a range of hides within the local area; some are only a few kilometres from the guesthouse, while others are a little further afield. Each hide has its own distinct setting, and therefore different bears and landscapes can be photographed. The hides are situated in carefully selected locations across the forests of the Notranjska Region, the settings include Dinaric Karst forest, spruce forest with moss-covered rocks, overgrown grass with pine trees and junipers and forest clearings.
Day5: Explore Lake Bled
This morning, it's time to leave the sleepy village of Retje and to drive north-east to Lake Bled, located in the Julian Alps in the Upper Carniolan region of north-western Slovenia. Travelling on good roads, the journey takes little over an hour and is easy to navigate.
Arriving at your hotel, you can check in and begin exploring the hotel grounds and shores of Lake Bled.
An excellent trail follows the lake shore, and it's an easy 5-kilometre walk around. On route, you can admire the cliff top castle and museum, the castle restaurant overlooking the lake is a super option for lunch. The Bled cake here is some of the best in town and more than justifies the few hundred steps you’ll need to climb to reach the castle.
If you wish to unwind, the hotel has a private swimming deck and boathouse on the lake. Bled Island is located just a few hundred metres from the deck and is easily accessed using the hotel's fleet of rowing boats (known locally as pletna). The 17th century pilgrimage church dedicated to the Assumption of Mary is located on the island, and traditionally it's considered good luck to ring the church bell.
If you’re still craving more wildlife, Triglav National Park is approximately 30 kilometres away. Slovenia’s largest protected area, it takes its name from Slovenia’s highest mountain, Mount Triglav (2,864m) and the surrounding area supports chamois, Alpine ibex and Alpine marmot.
Day8: Return to UK
As a wonderfully relaxing finale to your trip comes to its climax, you return to Ljublijana Airport for your flight home, taking in the magnificent scenery along the way.
Key info
Our trip ideas are offered to inspire you and can be tailored to suit your requirements.
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 8 daysfrom £2,695 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 8 daysfrom £2,245 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Located in southern Slovenia, the Dinaric Alps is a mountain range that stretches from Italy across Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro before ending in Albania. Noted for their rugged karst topography and valleys, they also offer rich forests filled with brown bears.
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Where: Southern Slovenia
Ideal for viewing: brown bear, Ural owl, scarlet rosefinch, pine marten, black squirrel
Bled is located near the border with Austria and is best known for its glacial Lake Bled, along with Bled Castle which is perched on a rock overlooking the lake. Bled is Slovenia's most popular resort, drawing everyone from honeymooners to adventure seekers, who come for the hiking, biking and watersports.
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Where: Julian Alps
Excellent for: History & culture
Suggested accommodation is shown below.
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Vila Bled is a stylish boutique hotel located in a prominent position on the shores of Lake Bled. Set in beautiful grounds and with stunning views of the lake, the hotel offers an exclusive option for anyone visiting Bled and even has private lakeside decking and its own boathouse for residents.
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