How long to spend in Slovenia
 

Hi,

We are planning a visit to Slovenia as part of a European trip later in the year (September) and have allowed a week in our itinerary to visit Slovenia. I would like to visit Bled and Ljubljana. How long do you suggest we spend in Bled? I thought possibly two full days. Is there anywhere else in Slovenia you suggest we also visit?

Thanks.

Hi there! Without knowing more about your travel party it is hard to advise but when my husband and I were in Bled last summer we found that 2 days was plenty of time. We spent one day touring the castle and the island and biking around the lake and another hiking Vintgar Gorge (an absolute must if you are able to hike-- it isn't strenuous but does have a lot of steps and can be slippery in places), rowing in the lake, and napping with the ducks. The Gorge was one of my favorite parts of that trip. Ljubljana is a really pretty city. We took a day trip there from Bled and wished that we had spent at least a full day and a night. Not so much because of there being a lot to do-- it was just really pleasant and it would have been nice to soak it in longer and I feel like you really get to know a place better when you are there at night. With more time, I'd have liked to have gone to one of the cave systems and maybe to a smaller town. But to answer your question, 2 full days in Bled is really nice (you could cut it to 1.5 days but do hike the Gorge if possible and know that spending the extra half a day relaxing by the lake is really nice) and I'd recommend at least a full day and a night in Ljubljana. You could always use Ljubljana as a base for day trips elsewhere in Slovenia, too. Have fun!

Hi Dots,

We visited Slovenia a couple of years ago and would agree with Cordelia that two days in Lake Bled is probably enough, unless you plan to use it as a base to explore the region. I especially recommend planning a day to drive the Soca River Valley, as it is an extremely scenic and interesting area. Maybe stop and visit the WWI museum in Kobarid. Now that you have me re-thinking our trip I'm envious of yours! We have some photos of our trip to Slovenia at http://home.roadrunner.com/~TomShirl/index.html if you are interested.

We did 2 nights at Lake Bled (highly recommend Hotel Berc) and then 2 in Ljubljana and thought that amount of time was perfect. Slovenia is wonderful :)

We are traveling there now. I would try to spend at least a week there. Go to the Logarska Dolina area (mountains) in the north for a day. Maybe over then to Kog (wines) in the far eastern part. Postjona cave is beatiful also. Lipica for the horses and Bled to top it off. The country is very small and you can drive basically east to west in 6 hours or so.

I agree with above, but we also enjoyed the caves and the coastal village of Piran. I would give it 5 days total.

Thank you all so much for your comments. It has definitely made planning our trip easier. We will spend 2 nights in Bled and 2 nights in Ljubljana and will also visit Postjona and the Logarska Dolina area.

Thanks again - we are really looking forward to our trip!

Has anyone travelled there in winter. We have a half worked out holiday for Decemeber / January ..... as far as Venice. Now wondering where to for another 10 days. I would be interested to hear fronm anyone who has done this area in winter.

I just returned from Slovenia - 2 days in Ljubljana - a day in Bled, a day driving the countryside, and a quick shopping trip to Trieste in Italy. I would avoid the Gostlina Restaurant - very unpleasant wait staff, brought out our food cold and the salad with the main courses. The walking tour from the tourist center was excellent. We stayed at the City Hotel - it was perfect and the buffet breakfast had something and more for everyone.

Information update. Just left the Bled area. What a zoo. Stay in Bohinj - cheaper and quiet. Vintar is a must and take the Vogel chair lift. Bled is full of traffic and overpriced hotels. We stayed at Hotel Bohinj for less than 100E per night with half board. Lovely rooms, but food is not the greatest, but acceptable. Still think after 2 weeks in Slovenia, Logarska Dolina is tops.

"I would avoid the Gostlina Restaurant - very unpleasant wait staff, brought out our food cold and the salad with the main courses."

Wow, you never know. We had a spectacular meal at Gostilna AS (outside). Our waiter, Micah, was as nice as any waiter we had on the trip (and we had some good ones).

Back to the original question, I would do two or three nights in Bled (depending on whether you want to explore more of the area). I agree, Vintgar Gorge was amazing.

Two nights in Ljubljana is good, with one day taking a day trip down to one of the caves. Slovenia is beautiful.

((H))

Hi dots,

I can only add what we are doing when we head to Slovenia this September. Maybe will give you some ideas anyway....

5 nights in Ljubljana with day trips to:

1. Ljubljana from Pula
2. Velika Planina/Kamnik
3. Bled
4. Skocjan Caves
5. Skofja Loka/Lubljana

We wish we had one more day and depending on how the trip is going steal them from elsewhere. We would like to feel like we have a full day in Ljubljana without travel etc. In a perfect world with endless time we would also walk from Kamnik to Crngrob. Stop by Kranj, Postojna, Predjama Castle, Novo Mesto and Radovljica. Ahh...if only we had more time.

I'd love to hear what you come up with.

cheers,
Naxos