Slovenia and Italy
Flights: Arrive and Depart from Venice
Hotels:
– Trieste – Savoia Excelsior Palace
— sea view room with balcony
– Ljubljana – Lesar Hotel Angel
— recommend the Presidential Suite
– Bled – Hotel Toplice
– Kranjska Gora – Milka Boutique
— Rock Suite was incredible
– Venice – Gio and Gio B&B
Itinerary:
Day 1 – Arrival
– Land in Venice, pickup rental car, drive to Trieste
– Walk the city
— Grand Canal
— Unity of Italy Square
— Giants Stairway
— Serbian Orthodox Church
— Remembrance Park and Cathedral
– Lunch – Caffe degli Specchi (Cafe of Mirrors). Deserts are incredible
– Dinner – Ristorante Donna Amalia
Day 2 – Caves & Ljubljana
– Drive to Ljubljana
– Risiea di San Sabba (Nazi concentration camp)
– Skocjan Caves (30 min drive from Trieste)
– Predjama Castle (30 min from Skocjan)
– Dinner – On Thai. A tiny restaurant with great food!
Day 3 – Ljubljana
– Ljubljana Castle
– Triple Bridge
– Dragon Bridge
– St. Nicholas Cathedral
– Nebotinik rooftop cafe
– Lunch – Burek Olimpija
– Dinner – Italijanska Mirje
Day 4 – Bled
– Drive to Bled (45 min)
– Bled Castle
– Row boat (Pletna boat) to Bled Island and Church of the Assumption
– Hike to Mala Osojnica Viewpoint (2 mile round trip)
– Toboggan Run at Straza Bled
– Dinner – Al Fresco (wagyu ribeye!)
Day 5 – Vintgar Gorge & Lake Bohinj
– Vintgar Gorge hike (3 hours). Get there early and buy tickets ahead of time
– Slap Grmecica Waterfall. A 1 hour walk from Log
– Mostnica Gorge Hike
– Back to Bled for spa (cold plunge and sauna)
– Lunch – Karakter Bar (burgers & fries) at Lake Bohinj
– Dinner – Rustica Pizzeria
Day 6 – Drive Kranjska Gora
– Pericnik Waterfall (30 min from Bled). 15 min uphill walk to waterfall. make sure to hike to the Upper Falls and walk behind the falls
– Nordic Center for Curling Lessons. Call ahead to book
– Lunch – Vopa Pub
– Dinner – Restaurant Lipa
Day 7 – Hiking Julian Alps
– Drive to Vrisc Pass
– Stop at Russian Church (just past Turn #8)
– Stop at Slemenova Spica trail head (gravel lot). Beautiful mountain scenery
– Laghi di Fusine (Italy). Beautiful small lake with hiking trails
– Villach Austria – Kletterwald Family Park – Ropes Course is tough!!
Dinner – Figo (excellent pizza)
Day 8 – Drive to Venice
– 2.5 hour drive to Venice
– Stop in Udine and eat at Pizzeria Manin (one of the best pasta meals I have ever had)
– Stop along the way at Soca River
– Drop off car at Venice Airport
– Water shuttle to Venice
– Lunch – Pizzeria Manin (Udine)
Day 9 – Photo Tour
– early morning photographer tour of Venice (MUST go early to see city without crowds)
– afternoon trip to Murano and glass blowing class
– Lunch – Il Boccancino
Day 10 – Rowing and Glass Blowing
– morning Rowing lesson from Row Venice
– Lunch – Cannargio cafe
– Dinner – Pizzeria Principe
Day 11 – Depart for home