Lake Bled in Slovenia

Monday 
We will meet our leader at 6.30 p.m. for our direct Air Malta flight to Ljubljana departing at 8.35 p.m. On arrival at 10.40 p.m. we will transfer to our 3 star central Hotel Krim in Bled and check into our rooms.


Tuesday
After breakfast, we start with an optional full day excursion to explore the beautiful town of Bled, known as the pearl of the Slovenian Alpine region due to its emerald-green lake, with the small church on the island in the middle of the lake and the medieval castle from the 11th century on a cliff above the lake. Our coach will take us to visit Bled Castle (extra). The marvellous view from the Castle gives us a wonderful start to our stay in Bled. We then proceed to Bohinj, the largest glacier lake in Slovenia. We will take a cable car (extra) up to Mt Vogel. Going up we admire the stupendous view till we reach the summit. We will have enough time to relax at the side of the peaceful Bohinj Lake before returning to our hotel for dinner.


Wednesday 
We start the day with breakfast and today’s optional full day excursion will take us to Udine in Italy. Amongst others, we see the Palazzo Patriarchale, Piazza Della Liberta, the Venetian Castle located in the town centre and also Via Mercatovicchio, known to be one of the most picturesque streets in Udine with its beautiful buildings, villas and shops. Free time before we return to our hotel in Bled and later have dinner. 


Thursday
After breakfast, we make our way to a fascinating full day optional excursion starting by visiting Postojna Caves (ent. extra) which are amongst the largest in the world. There are 22 kilometres of amazing stalagmite and stalactite structures. An electric train will take us into the caves and then a guide will walk us through the most dramatic parts of the caves. We later proceed to Predjama Castle (ent. extra). Here, one can admire the peculiar, yet strategic structure built right in the mountains. We then make our way back to our hotel and for dinner. 


Friday
As soon as breakfast is over we will go on an optional full day excursion to visit Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. This friendly city has visible remains of the Roman city of Emona. It also has a baroque section of the old town, with narrow cobbled streets nestled between the castle slopes and the river Ljubljanica. Particular highlights of the old town include the Cathedral of St Nikolai, the city hall, the three bridges and the open market. The rest of the day is free to enjoy Ljubljana before we make our way back to our hotel and have dinner.


Saturday
Today after breakfast we will spend our day in neighbouring Austria. Our full day optional excursion will take us to the beautiful small town of Villach and later to Klagenfurt which is one of Austria’s prettiest old towns and was awarded the prestigious Europa Nostra Diploma for its lovingly restored arcaded Renaissance courtyards. Klagenfurt’s Neuer Platz is dominated by the Lindwurm, a winged dragon which is the emblem of the city and was modelled on the dragon of legend, said to have resided in a swamp here long ago. We have time to explore this town before we return to our hotel and later enjoy dinner. 


Sunday
After having breakfast we will spend an optional full day excursion at the famous Slovenian skiing resort of Kranjska Gora. This winter and summer tourist resort touches Triglav National Park to the south. We will enjoy our time here or go on the slopes by taking the chair lifts (extra). We will then proceed to the small town of Bovec, situated at the northern end of the Soca Valley. The Soca Valley is breathtakingly beautiful with the crystal clear turquoise water of the Soca River and its mountainous backdrop. We take a panoramic ride through Boka and stop in Tolminska Korita. We will return to our hotel for our last night in Bled and have dinner.


Monday
After breakfast, we will enjoy our last day in Slovenia by taking an optional full day excursion to the Oldest Coastal town in Slovenia, Piran. Here, one can admire its charming Venetian architecture. We will take a walking tour through this medieval town and afterwards, we will have lunch in one of the numerous fish restaurants. A contrast to historic Piran is Portoroz, the most popular Slovene coastal resort, which we can discover during free time. We will return to our hotel. Check out of rooms is at noon. Dinner will be served at 7.00 p.m. Afterwards, we leave our hotel and proceed to the airport for our Air Malta flight departing at 11.25pm and arriving in Malta at 1.30am, early Tuesday morning.