Bled Tours and Trips

Walking in Slovenia was my first trip with Explore and it did not disappoint. Slovenia is such a beautiful country and I feel the itinerary allowed us to see as much of it as we could in the 7 days. Our tour leader, Edoardo, was excellent. He shared he extensive knowledge of the area and its history. He had a good sense of humour and ensured we were always safe. He adapted the trip according to the weather as required. The pace of the tour was very good. The distances that we walked/hiked each day were very reasonable. The accommodation was top notch and we were treated very well by the staff at Hotel Kristal.

I cannot recommend this trip enough, full of gorgeous sights, fantastic food, waterfalls, gorges. The most picturesque trip I have ever done, it was like a fairytale. The guide was amazing and seemed to know absolutely everyone in the villages and was more than happy to share his knowledge and help us organize other activities outside the trip to make it all super easy for us. The Art Kristal Hotel was an amazing place to stay with lovely meals. The chocolate and wine tastings were well worth experiencing with incredible selections and knowledgeable hosts.

This trip was exactly what I needed. After years of family holidays and work trips, doing something like this — just me, my wife, a car, and no daily schedule, felt like a throwback to how we used to travel. The best part? We weren’t herded around or stuck waiting for a big group. We just got in the car and drove. Some days we were super active, other days we just wandered and sat in cafes. Croatia’s charm is obvious, but Slovenia really caught us off guard. The nature is pristine, the towns feel like no less than a fairytale, and even the touristy places don’t feel overwhelming. Also, it’s worth saying the roads were great, parking wasn’t a nightmare, and the car rental process was straightforward. That stuff matters when you’re not 25 anymore. If you want a bit of culture, nature, good food, and a proper break from the usual routine this is your tour. We’re already talking about doing another self-drive next year. Portugal, maybe?

We’ve done a few self-drive trips before, but this one across Croatia and Slovenia? One for the books. First off, the route is genius. You start strong in Dubrovnik — the kind of place that just knocks the wind out of you. That view from the city walls? Unreal. The rental car setup was smooth, and driving in Croatia was easier than we expected, thanks tp great signages. Split was a big favorite, felt lively and ancient at the same time. And Plitvice Lakes? We thought we'd seen some beautiful parks in our time, but those waterfalls are something else. Just go early.. the crowds are real. Slovenia was a lovely surprise. Postojna Caves felt like another planet and Lake Bled too. Ljubljana and Zagreb had that easy-going charm we weren’t expecting. We liked having the freedom to stop when we wanted. Tiny roadside bakeries, scenic detours, coastal towns we hadn’t even heard of. That’s the magic of a self-drive tour. All in all, great mix of history, nature, and freedom. If you like doing your own thing but with a solid plan in place, this one’s a winner.

Will definitely travel with them again. Great informed itinerary visiting cool destinations we wouldn’t have thought of; accommodation clean, well run, not too big and particularly well located; delightful transport and guides when used.

The trip started badly because I was travelling with a bicycle and had informed the local travel specialist 5 months ago before I booked. They said no problem but 2 days before the tour told me that they couldn't transport my bicycle and to make my own arrangements. So get confirmation in writing for any additional requests. My family was the only ones on the tour. We had an excellent driver who although wasn't a licensed guide was very knowledgeable. He was also always thinking of ways to allow us to have a better holiday. Last but not least he had a great and sunny personality which made interaction with him a real pleasure.