Review: Slovenia With Wilderness Travel

While neighboring Croatia and Italy have long been popular European hot spots for American travelers, Slovenia remains an under-the-radar destination with lower prices and smaller crowds, yet equally fabulous food and scenery. 

For a thorough introduction to this hidden gem, I recently joined the 12-day Hiking in Slovenia tour from outdoors-focused tour operator Wilderness Travel. Because of the trip’s focus, there are hikes nearly every day, but there is so much more than trekking on this top-notch tour.

The first day includes several hours of activities (and several miles of walking), and because most guests arrive jet-lagged after long flights, Wilderness Travel encourages clients to arrive a day early (and I took the sage advice).

Group sizes average about 10 clients and everyone travels together in a large van. If there are more than eight guests, Wilderness Travel adds a second guide to ensure there’s sufficient support and attention during hikes.

The itinerary began in Ljubljana, where we met with our guides in the late afternoon to go over the schedule before heading out for a city walk, castle tour and dinner on a leisurely canal boat ride. The next day, we headed to the eastern edge of Slovenia to embark on a light hike through the local village and vineyards. I plucked a few sweet cherries off the trees lining our path and munched on them as we made our way to the red-roofed fairy-tale town of Ptuj. Here, we were treated to a mini wine class and tasting in the cellar of our hotel — the perfect end to the perfect day. 

Next, we set off to Logarska Dolina, a glacial valley surrounded by breathtaking 6,000-foot peaks. We hiked in the mornings and had afternoons at our leisure, which I spent lounging on my balcony, gazing out over the mountains. I also spent quite a bit of time in the Nordic and Finnish saunas, hot tub, outdoor pool and Ayurvedic spa at the wellness-centered Hotel Plesnik. One of our hiking guides was a certified yoga instructor, so he organized an impromptu stretching and relaxation class in the property’s yoga studio.

Lake Bled is the most sought-after tourist destination in Slovenia, and as soon as we arrived, I could immediately see why. Like many visitors, we took a gondola boat ride to the picturesque island and church in the middle of the lupine-blue lake, but unlike most visitors, we also embarked on a steep mountain hike that offered expansive views of the Julian Alps. 

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It was the most strenuous hike of the trip, but the payoff was well-worth it, complete with dense pine forests, dazzling wildflowers, snowcapped peaks and a quaint “mountain house” serving up sauerkraut stew, fresh bread and cold beer to keep us going. 

The tour wrapped up on Slovenia’s western coast, in the medieval seafront town of Piran, which is situated at the tip of a tiny peninsula overlooking the bay to Croatia. As this town is about a 30-minute drive from the Italian border (and the area was once under Italian control), it has a distinctly Italian vibe, from its art and architecture to the fresh gelato and handmade pasta. 

Here, we took a small boat to historic salt flats and a wetland reserve to learn about an industry that was crucial to the town’s history. Back in town, I spent my final afternoon on the seafront promenade — I plunged into the chilly waters and sunbathed alongside locals, soaking in sunshine and the memories I had made during the trip.

Clients should know that while this is a hiking trip, it’s a moderate level, and only one day is a challenging mountain hike. Guests who book this itinerary tend to be in their 60s and 70s and hike every day, but some people on my tour skipped the more challenging hikes. Given that the schedule includes so many non-hiking activities, such as visits to the Skocjan Caves — one of the largest cave systems in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and the World War I museum in Kobarid, it is still an exciting trip if a client opts out of some treks.

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The itinerary is efficient and smartly designed, offering a comprehensive introduction to the diversity of Slovenia’s culture, geography and attractions. It also provides a look into the destination’s gastronomy. which is influenced by the countries that border it, most notably Austria and Italy. 

My group was delighted that our guides ensured we had time to sample local delicacies in every region, including countless varieties of dumplings, crepes, cheese soup, sauerkraut stew, fresh fish, fermented turnip, creamy pastas, elderflower juice, unique wines and poppy seed desserts.

This trip was one of the best group tours I’ve ever taken, and I am eager to return to Slovenia — and any to country where Wilderness Travel operates. I was blown away by my first tour with Wilderness Travel, so I’m not surprised by how many of the guests were repeat travelers.