Picture this: you wake up with the sun on your face and roll out of bed to follow the scent of freshly brewed coffee. A table has been set up under the apple tree, the snow-capped Julian Alps framing the view. Some of your fellow travellers are already here, tucking into a hearty breakfast and discussing the day ahead. Are you excited to go stand up paddling on Bohinj Lake, eager to explore the inimitable majesty of Škocjan Cave, or still dreaming about that homemade goatmilk ice cream from the day before? One thing is for certain: today will be nothing like yesterday, since Slovenia’s deceptively small size hides an immense diversity of landscapes and cultures.
The Alpine, Mediterranean, Pannonian and Karst regions meet in this pocket-sized country, connected by scenic roads and some of the most pristine nature in Europe. After marvelling at the fairy tale Alpine views of Logar Valley you would be forgiven for thinking that this is the best Slovenia has to offer, but it’s only the first day of your road trip and there’s plenty more where that came from! After a stop in Bled and Bohinj, the mountain road across Vršič Pass takes you into the lush heart of the Soča Valley, once the site of the bloody Isonzo Front and now a mecca for outdoor sports and nature lovers. The Soča river invites you for a swim in one of its many emerald pools before it rushes off in a series of rapids ideal for white water rafting. From there it’s only an hour’s drive to Goriška Brda, the wine country on the border with Italy, where world-renowned winemakers open their cellars to offer you a taste of heaven.
Despite Slovenia’s growing popularity as a tourist destination, most of it remains unexplored by visitors. It takes a local’s knowledge to find the most scenic route across Snežnik forest, the best-preserved primary forest in Europe, and to know which tourist farm combines mouth-watering farm-to-table cuisine with luxurious campgrounds for camper vans. Slovenians are best described as outdoorsy hedonists, who appreciate an excellent meal paired with the perfect wine just as much as a hike in pristine nature, and this is the philosophy that we bring to all of our tours. And besides, who doesn’t want to relax in a sauna after a day of exploring?
On our road trip, you get the best of both worlds: the independence of van life combined with the ease and convenience that only local expertise can guarantee. Driving your own van lets you get off the beaten track, reach the wildest corners of the country and sleep in beautiful natural surroundings. At the same time, your itinerary and comfort are safely in the hands of our highly experienced and knowledgeable guides, who are passionate about sharing Slovenia’s stunning beauty and complex history.
In the evening you pull up to a campground and join your fellow travellers around a campfire, gin and tonic in hand. Nothing quite beats the company of like-minded people, swapping stories and jokes as the evening sun is slowly replaced by a canopy of stars. You can appreciate the communal spirit of group travel even more when it’s balanced with the independence and freedom of driving your own van – because no matter how great your new friends are, we know you’ll appreciate their company much more when they’re not messing with your road trip playlist!