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Day 1

Zagreb Airport (ZAG), Ulica Rudolfa Fizira, Zagreb, Croatia
Sport Hotel Manca, Gradnikova cesta, Radovljica, Slovenia

Even though this trip was to go to Slovenia mostly, we chose Zagreb as our base instead of Ljubljana because we wanted to go to Plitvice and the flights were cheaper to Zagreb. Arrived in Zagreb, drove rental car 2 hours to Radovljica in Slovenia, where we were staying at the Sport Hotel Manca (fine, inexpensive). The difference in the green trees throughout the countryside and mountains was so distracting, it was a beautiful drive.

Day 2

Lake Bled, Bled, Slovenia
Bled Castle, Grajska cesta, Bled, Slovenia
Vintgar gorge, Turistično društvo Gorje, Podhom, Zgornje Gorje, Slovenia
Lake Bohinj, Bohinjsko jezero, Slovenia
Slap Savica, Bohinjsko jezero, Slovenia

Started the day at Lake Bled. We went up to the castle, the views from it and of it are just beautiful. One of the best settings in the world with the castle, mountains, lake and island. Walked around for quite a while, you can spend a whole day there, but I think it warrants at least a half-day. Then went to Vintgar Gorge, awesome – definitely go if you’re in the area and plan on spending 2-3 hours there. Drove around Lake Bohinj and went up to Savica waterfall – another awesome spot, but kind of crowded and hard to get the whole waterfall in a picture because they only allow you up to a certain spot. Still worth it. Busy, packed day. Back to Radovljica to stay there again.

Day 3

Planica Nordic Centre, Rateče, Rateče Planica, Slovenia
Vršič Pass, Soča, Slovenia
Slap Boka, Podklopca, Bovec, Slovenia
Slap Kozjak, Kobarid, Slovenia

Next day we again did a lot of driving and saw a lot. The mountains, valleys, and green/glacial rivers and waterfalls are some of the best scenery of anywhere we’ve ever been. First stop was the Planica to check out the ski jump area, it was summer and we climbed the stairs all the way to the top. It was really cool to see from the bottom as well as the top, quite a view and pretty crazy to stand there and imagine going down it as fast as possible.

Drove up to Vrsic Pass through Triglav National Park, got out and took pictures/walked around at several points along the way. Even at the foothills of the mountains I remember backing up on a remote road just to hop out at a certain spot and take a picture of the way the trees lined up with the mountains. The Julian Alps are stunning.

Drove through the Soca Valley and went past the Boka waterfall – hiked up closer for a better look, not sure if it was worth the time and effort to be honest. Then lastly we drove to the starting point for the short hike to the Kozjak waterfall (park right by Camp Koren) and it was awesome, we loved the short, scenic hike itself and the waterfall. Drove to Ljubljana (2 hours) and stayed the night.

Day 4

Dragon Bridge, Resljeva cesta, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Central market, Adamič-Lundrovo nabrežje, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Žiri, Slovenia

Spent the first half of the day in Ljubljana, which we honestly thought was kind of a waste. There isn’t much to do/see, but it is a pleasant area to walk around. Easy to skip.

Drove to Ziri to find the house in which my wife’s great-grandfather was born, ended up meeting relatives who still lived on the property and having dinner and drinks with them. They didn’t know we existed, let alone, were coming to visit, and it was one of the best experiences in all of our travels. Continued on to Postojna area and stayed the night.

Day 5

Predjama Castle, Predjama, Slovenia
Skocjan Caves, Begunje pri Cerknici, Slovenia
Plitvica Selo, Croatia

Stopped by Predjama Castle just to see it from the outside (it’s built basically into a cave), didn’t go in. Glad we stopped, but I wouldn’t go too far out of the way to see it. Then went to the Skocjan caves – the outside is worth exploring as much as the caves themselves with the trails and views. That was worth it. Then drove about 4 hours to Plitvica Selo to our B&B.

Day 6

Plitvička Jezera, Croatia

Spent the next day at Plitvice Lakes National Park, and it is a must-see. There are so many waterfalls, and the water color is unreal. It is completely unique, unlike any place we’d ever been. So glad we added this to the trip, even though it was out of the way. I loved the view from up top, make sure to go up on both sides. The weather wasn’t too good, rainy and chilly, but it was amazing. Stayed at the same B&B, drove to Zagreb the next morning (1 hour 45 mins) and flew home.

Fantastic trip overall – not a huge destination for Americans, and many people we came across were surprised to find out we were American but all were nice. You have to have a rental car, and the roads are not very busy (especially in the more remote areas, although you can get stuck behind a big logging truck for a long time and the roads are quite winding). The only thing I might change is skipping Ljubljana, but other than that this was pretty much a perfect trip, and one of our favorites. Mountains, lakes, waterfalls, caves, just beautiful everywhere.

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