Simple stays with essential amenities. Typically guesthouses, hostels or hotels rated below 3 stars — clean, no-frills, and great for value-conscious travelers.
Comfortable and reliable 3-star stays. Expect private rooms, en-suite bathrooms, and solid amenities — a great balance between comfort and cost.
Upscale 4-5 star hotels and lodges. Enjoy high-end service, refined comfort, and premium locations — ideal for travelers seeking extra indulgence.
With its crystal-clear emerald lakes, picture-perfect castle and fairytale island at the foothills of the Alps, Bled is the perfect spot to base your eight-day active adventure in Slovenia. Hike lush trails on Mt Vogel in Triglav National Park, go cycling next to the Radovljica River and hold on to your helmets on an exhilarating white water rafting trip on the Soka River with expert guides. Walk the Vintgar Gorge boardwalk, discover the secrets of Ljubljana and see the little village of Ribcev Laz. Along with all this adrenaline, there’s plenty of free time to discover bled at your own pace – kayaking or ziplining, anyone?
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Take a scenic journey through Croatia and Slovenia on this 14-day trip from Dubrovnik to Ljubljana. See both history and nature at their best, including Roman ruins, walled cities, unspoilt beaches and rugged islands just off the Adriatic Coast. Taste wine with locals on Vis Island, stroll through Plitvice Lakes National Park or hike through the Hvar hinterland in your free time. Explore the green islands of Mljet, snack on salty cheese and discover Diocletian’s Palace on a guided tour in Split. Learn about the region’s rich history and architecture and lose yourself in the serenity of this beautiful and historic region.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Guest House, Hostel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Dubrovnik, Bled, Zadar, Plitvice
Dubrovnik, Bled, Zadar, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Pula, Rovinj, Korcula Island, Hvar, Split, Ljubljana
This eight-day, private tour is a great combination of guided trips to Slovenian towns and cities, such as Ljubljana, the greenest capital in Europe; the alpine town of Bled; and medieval Piran, a city with a strong Venetian influence. Additionally, you will also get the chance to see beautiful alpine glacier lakes, gorgeous mountains, emerald rivers, some of the biggest caves in the world and the blue Adriatic.
Join us as we explore the best that Slovenia has to offer while enjoying opportunities to hike or bike through its beautiful landscape. Start your trip from Ljubljana. Visit the famous Postojna Caves and soak up the beauty of Lake Bled. Drive to the heart of Triglav National Park, where Bohinj Lake is located, and ascend to the top of Mt Vogel to enjoy the scenery. You also have the option to go rafting in the Soca River or experience one of most remarkable ziplines in Europe.
With our knowledgeable guides by your side, you will get the chance to meet the locals and learn more about their customs, traditions and way of living. For more details, please scroll down.
I had done one trip previously – Amalfi coast hiking, fall 2023 – with EXPLORE. I was so impressed I asked my excellent guide, Pete, what else he would recommend knowing my abilities and interests. He immediately recommended the Slovenia trip, and it actually was on my list of places to visit. He had apparently set the trip up about seven years ago and was very familiar with it.
I have been in 50 countries to date - some several times- and Slovenia is now in my top five and I am already planning my return for next May.
We had a lovely small group, being the first of these hikes of the season, hailing from Canada, Spain, Australia, and the UK.
The accommodation, staff, management, and food at Art Hotel Kristal were A+ – and I especially loved and took advantage of the options of the sauna and cold plunge, Ayurvedic massages with the wonderful Bhatri, chocolate tasting with the owner, Alenka, and a fantastic wine tasting with her son, Jan. I went home with a lovely assortment of chocolates and also a wonderful bottle of wine that I will try to hold onto for a few years until it is optimal to drink.
The hikes were not difficult at all, but I found that I did feel like I got a good amount of exercise by the end of the day. I spent my free day doing a mountain bike ride. The whole area around Lake Bohinj is stunning and there are so many activities that one can partake in, as well as really yummy local restaurants close by the hotel. I loved that the hotel offered a pre-fixe three course menu for hotel guests for only €25 on the nights that were not included with the hike. An incredible bargain given the quality of the food, as with almost all of the food we had in Slovenia, it was locally sourced and delicious. I am not typically a meat eater, but I had the venison twice – locally sourced, and wild – and it was by far the best I have ever had.
I would definitely stay at this hotel when I return to the area. I would strongly encourage others to spend some time in Ljubljana – either before or after the trip. A beautiful city a two hour bus ride awaythat is just the right size and full of so much to offer. Next time I am going to see a lot more of this country – it is half the size of Switzerland, but the variety of the terrain and ecosystems is quite impressive. Also, to be noted is that English is widely spoken and children start in grade 3, learning this second language. The Slovenians couldn’t have been nicer and more helpful everywhere I went. What can I say?? Get yourself to Slovenia before it is overrun: safe, clean, and green – a beautiful country of farmers, foragers, wine makers, and beekeepers. Also note that they have some fantastic fly fishing there as well as mountain and road biking – very cycling friendly. After all, it is the country of Pogacar.
Trekking and HikingWaterfalls
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hut
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ljubljana, Bled, Bohinj Lake, Sa
Ljubljana, Bled, Bohinj Lake, Savica Waterfall, Lake Bled, Brod, Julian Alps
Spend seven days discovering the highlights of Croatia and Slovenia, from vibrant capitals to UNESCO wonders. Begin in Zagreb before crossing into Ljubljana for a taste of Slovenia’s charm, then admire storybook Bled and its hilltop castle. Wander the turquoise lakes and waterfalls of Plitvice, explore Split’s ancient Diocletian’s Palace, and sample wine on the Pelješac peninsula. Conclude in Dubrovnik, the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” where marble streets, grand palaces, and shimmering sea views await. With guided tours, cultural gems, and time at leisure, this journey blends history, nature, and coastal beauty in one unforgettable trip.
Sightseeing Tours
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
18-80 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Bled, Plitvic
Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Bled, Plitvice, Zadar, Split, Korcula Island
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Lazr so knowledgeable about all seven countries he should be teaching upper level university courses. He’s dedicated and streetwise, particularly to your benefit when it comes to getting low prices for tour expenses. He should be given an immediate raise and be considered for future promotion.
Train tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort, Sleeper Train
Age Range
16-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Ljubljana, Pristina, Belgrade, N
Ljubljana, Pristina, Belgrade, Novi Sad, Skopje, Lake Ohrid, Mavrovo National Park, Bled, Zagreb, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Sarajevo, Mostar, Tivat
Embark on a true Eastern European escapade on this 22-day adventure from Berlin to Rome. With plenty of free time in each spot and a local leader providing recommendations along the way, you’ll get immersed in the buzz of Berlin, the beauty of Prague and the bustle of Budapest. Tour the grand summer palace in Vienna, step into a fairytale in Salzburg’s Old Town and walk through the enchanting Vintgar Gorge in Bled. Finish with the canals and clifftop villages of Venice and Cinque Terre, and the piazzas of Rome – this is an adventure you truly won’t want to miss.
City sightseeing
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel, Hostel, Guest House, Resort
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Rome, Berlin, Budapest, Bled, Ve
Rome, Berlin, Budapest, Bled, Venice, Liguria, Cinque Terre and Liguria, Florence, Krakow, Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Vienna
Our fabulous tour guide led us through the charming cities and towns of Croatia and Slovenia. Highlights included Lake Bled, the Postojna caves, Plitvice lakes/falls, and Dubrovnik. The pace was well planned and there was free time for us to explore on our own. All our hotels were very nice. My only negative would be the size of the group; at 48, it was too large for walking tours and getting on/off the bus, but everyone was very prompt.
Local culture
Tour Type
Group Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Resort
Age Range
5-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Bled, Opatija
Dubrovnik, Zagreb, Bled, Opatija, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Split
From storied cities to glittering coastlines, uncover the best of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia on a 23-day Premium adventure. Travel through the rustic heart of Tuscany, explore the wonders of Venice, Pisa’s Leaning Tower and visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World in Rome. Discover Lake Bled, the underground world of the Postojna Caves and the spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park. Take in ancient riches on Korcula island and stroll the legendary streets of Dubrovnik. Throw in expert local leaders, plenty of sunshine and some of Europe’s best food and you have an adventure to remember.
Art and architecture
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Dubrovnik, Rome, Bled, Rovinj, P
Dubrovnik, Rome, Bled, Rovinj, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar, Split, Korčula, San Gimignano, Florence, Venice
From the turquoise waters of Lake Bled and the white peaks of Julian Alps to the emerald Soča river and green Karst vineyard, finishing at the blue Adriatic Sea. Cycle through traditional villages around Lake Bled before taking a scenic railway journey to Avče from where you'll reach Goriška Brda, the 'Tuscany' of Slovenia.
Explore the local vines and wines before discovering the Karst region and visiting the hilltop village of Štanjel, a medieval stonemason settlement with narrow, stone alleys that wind among the buildings built on terraces and the UNESCO-listed Škocjan caves. Next stop is Lipica, home of the original Lipizzaner horses with the stud farm dating from 1580 to the time of the Hapsburg. It is possible to join a guided tour to see the horses before cycling on to the edge of the border with Italy for views out to the coast towards Trieste in Italy and your destination. the city of Koper. A scenic path takes you along the Parenzana railway line to Koper from where you cycle on to Piran - looking back to the distant mountains gives you a great feeling of achievement.
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?
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Independent TourTypically a private tour undertaken by one or two travelers
Discover a piece of paradise as you dive into the best of Slovenia and Croatia on a 16-day Premium adventure. Explore the glittering canals of Venice, the still waters of Lake Bled, the underground world of the Postojna Caves and the caves and waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Go beneath the surface of Split and Dubrovnik, get away from the modern world and in with the locals and soak up ancient riches on the historic island of Korcula. From sun-soaked beaches to fantastic local wine, you’re never far from a good time on the Adriatic coast.
Cultural, religious and historic sites
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Accommodation
Hotel
Age Range
15-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Dubrovnik, Venice, Split, Lastov
Dubrovnik, Venice, Split, Lastovo Island, Korcula Island, Bled, Rovinj, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Zadar
Kate PolitiTravel Expert in England, France, Germany, Greece & Slovenia
