September 14-19 Slovenia and Julian Alps
Details
Having been to Slovenia last year, we have decided to go there again.
Click this link to see the photos. (https://www.meetup.com/AAA-London-Group/events/63919772/)
Slovenia is a tiny country, about half the size of Switzerland (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=360810), and counts just over two million people. But the only way to describe pint-sized Slovenia (Slovenija), an independent republic bordering Italy (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=359845), Austria (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=358584), Hungary (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=359519), Croatia (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=358781) and the Adriatic Sea, is that it's 'a mouse that roars'.
http://www.turisticnioglasnik.si/admin/slike/bled2.jpg Lake Bled (http://www.inntravel.co.uk/holidays/walking-holidays/Slovenia/The-Lakes---Julian-Alps), where tiny Bled Island is almost a national symbol.
Slovenia has been dubbed a lot of things since independence in 1991 - 'Europe (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=358537) in Miniature', 'The Sunny Side of the Alps', 'The Green Piece of Europe (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=358537)' - and, though they may sound like tourist-brochure blurbs, they're all true.
Nestled between Austria and Italy, Slovenia is a superb hiking destination, from the ridge top trails that cross the snow-capped Julian Alps (http://www.slovenia.info/en/Tourist-destinations/Julian-Alps.htm?destinacije=135&lng=2) to the outrageously picturesque Logarska Dolina, a stunning glacier-carved valley flanked by the sheer peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.
http://www.apartmaji-donandro-bohinj.si/en/content_images/triglavski_narodni_park_2.jpg
Hiking in Slovenia (http://www.inntravel.co.uk/Destinations/Slovenia) is all about immersing yourself in scenery of incredible natural beauty.
The Triglav National Park (http://www.tnp.si/national_park/), the only national park in Slovenia, lies in the immediate vicinity of Bled. It comprises one of the most beautiful and attractive areas of Slovenia, almost the entire Slovenian part of the Julian Alps. The territory of the National Park is very picturesque and varied. The highest mountain in Slovenia, Triglav (2864 m), after which the park was named, lies in its centre. From Triglav, deep and sharply cut valleys, mainly of glacial origin, open on all sides in the form of a fan.
http://www.slovenian-alps.com/en/imagelib/magnify/default/kaj-odkriti/image/tnp-panorama.jpg
In the region of Gorenjska, we will visit famous Lake Bled (http://www.inntravel.co.uk/holidays/walking-holidays/Slovenia/The-Lakes---Julian-Alps), where tiny Bled Island is almost a national symbol, and the wilder beauty of dramatic Lake Bohinj (http://www.slovenia.info/?jezero=1746) – each set against the majestic backdrop formed by the jagged Julian Alps.
Bohinj is the best known glacial valley of the Julian Alps (http://www.impel-bohinj.si/julian_alps.htm). At its head, in an amphitheatre overshadowed by the sombre face of the Komarca, is situated the most famous Slovene waterfall Savica. A thousand meters higher, and behind, there is the vast Komna plateau. The Komarca, along with the most beautiful high altitude valley of the Julian Alps, the Seven Triglav Lakes Valley. The first attraction of Bohinj is its lake, beautifully situated between the wooded slopes of Mernik, Prsivec and Vogar.
The region of the Soča Valley (Posočje) stretches from Triglav National Park to Nova Gorica (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinationRedirector?atlasId=360723). Its most dominant feature is the 136km Soča River, which can widen to 500m and narrow to less than a metre but always stays a deep, almost unreal aquamarine colour. The valley has more than its share of historical sights, but most people come here for rafting, hiking and skiing.
http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1217/5116185043_1955c13666_b.jpg
Deeply carved into the white limestone of the magnificent Julian Alps is the Soca Valley. It is a valley of wonderful colours, full of waterfalls, pools, ravines and canyons, with its own distinct flora and fauna. The impossibly blue-green Soca River flows over white gravel and through this fairy-tale valley.
http://www.slovenia-explorer.com/uploads/photos/652665703018299_0572229ce5_b.jpg
The town of Bovec offers world class adventure sports, great for the adrenaline junkie. We may arrange this on our arrival. Last year we had great time rafting down the river Soca.
http://mirjana-rastoke.com/images/travel_agency/Mirjana_Rastoke_agencija_06.jpg?1336986705
http://mirjana-rastoke.com/uploads/article/6/normal/Mirjana_Rastoke_rafting_1.jpg?1242332259 http://mirjana-rastoke.com/uploads/photo/13/normal/Mirjana_Rastoke_rafting_6.jpg?1242332628 http://mirjana-rastoke.com/uploads/photo/14/normal/Mirjana_Rastoke_rafting_3.jpg?1242332673
We plan to visit and hike in all above places, the trip will also involve some optional water activities. We can not tell you a day to day agenda at this stage because it always depends on the weather conditions.
There will be two experienced hike leaders on this trip, if we need we may split a group into two smaller groups so members can choose a hike according their fitness and abilities!
But we can tell you one thing, you will remember this holiday forever....
Price of £399 includes:
5 nights 3 star hotel accommodation in twin rooms (free WiFi),
all meals http://img2.meetupstatic.com/7721728740974823239/img/smileys/tongue.gif: 5 continental breakfasts and 5 four course meals in hotel restaurant
(except 5 lunches when we will eat out in the mountain huts),
all transport in rental cars,
Financial Consumer Protection according Package Holidays and Tours Regulations 1992,
and guided hikes by
Mountain Leader trained at Plas Y Brenin ( The National Mountain Centre http://www.pyb.co.uk/... (http://www.pyb.co.uk/)) ) guides, and certified First Aiders.
(You can have a single room for £65 extra, please contact us).
The price does not include flights, any activities (around 45 Euro) and 5 lunches (8-10 Euro a day) when we will go out to try some local cuisine.
The hotel rooms have got small fridges, you may buy food to make sandwiches as well.
No extra or hidden cost, you may forget your wallet at home http://img2.meetupstatic.com/48961800108910343402/img/smileys/laughing.gif!
ONLY PAYMENT CONFIRMS YOUR RSVP!!!
FLIGHTS:
We plan to meet up on Saturday September 14 at 4:15 pm at Ljubljana airport after the recommended Easyjet flight:
London Stansted to Ljubljana (http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Booking.mvc)
Dep Sat, 14 September 2013 12:55 Arr Sat, 14 September 2012 16:05 Flight 3245 1 Adult 1 x £69.99
We will drop you off back at Ljubljana Airport on Thursday September 19 at 2:30 pm for the recommended Easyjet flight:
Ljubljana to London Stansted (http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Booking.mvc)
Dep Thu, 19 September 2013 16:35 Arr Thu, 19 September 2013 17:50 Flight 3246 1 Adult 1 x £68.99
Conditions: You will need to have travel insurance and provide details before travel. It is strongly recommended to have this in place at the time of paying the deposit or the flight.
Visa: Please check with the Slovenian Embassy if you need a visa to travel there. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary travel documents, including visa. It is also essential that you take out travel insurance that covers hiking activities up to 3000 meters.
Sponsors
September 14-19 Slovenia and Julian Alps