Family Activity Holiday

We recommend beginning your exploration with a simple walk up to the Rinka Waterfall at the top of the valley, including a climb up to the log cabin cafe half way up the adjoining cliff, followed by a scenic drive on the panoramic road where you can indulge in high quality local products from the farms along the route, finishing the day with a visit to nearby Solcava which has a new visitor centre and many local crafts workshops. Also in the area is an excellent archery centre, a fairytale forest for the younger children and the opportunity to do some paragliding, mountain biking, climbing and horse riding. There is even a location where you can cycle underground in a former mine, a quite unique experience.

An onward drive via a superb "short-cut" through Austria at the Jezerski Pass and back down to Preddvor and then the lovely town of Kranj en route to Lake Bled.

* also en route to Bled is the pretty little town of Radovljica where you can visit the gingerbread workshop and indulge in some traditional cakes at one of the cafes in the main street (the centre of town is pedestrianised making it a delightful place to sit out and watch the world go by).

Two full days to explore the lake, including its island (by Pletna Boat) and up to the castle; you can walk or cycle around the full shoreline of the lake and explore further on trails in and around the Triglav National Park. On the shore of the lake there is a summer toboggan run, a zip line and mini-golf; nearby is Lake Bohinj where there are lots more activity options such as kayaking and mini-rafting and a ranch for horse riding across the open meadows. Just a short drive up the lake shore is the Vogel cable car which can whisk you up much higher to enjoy some truly alpine hiking. If you fancy a less intense walk then a short drive (or cycle) to the north of Bled is the Vintgar Gorge.

NB. you could choose to extend your stay in Lake Bled to explore the area more fully or even to take a day trip into the mountains by train - there is a station very close to the Hotel Triglav from which you can catch a train in the morning to Most na Soci (or stations down the line to Nova Gorica) and return in the late afternoon.

A full day to travel over the famous Vrsic Pass (with more than 50 switchbacks which are numbered from the north side) and then down the western side of the Triglav National Park along the Soca Valley to Bovec.

From Bovec there are many hiking and cycling trails (including the Soca Trail and Boka Waterfall) plus a cable car to the ski area which is now linked up to the Italian side and this offers more high altitude hiking opportunities. Of course there are more adventurous activities include canyoning, kayaking, paragliding and caving.

When leaving Bovec you could head straight for the airport but we'd recommend a stop at the world-famous site of Postojna. By staying a night you give yourself time to explore the area which has so much more to offer in addition to the caves such as Predjama Castle and the Modrijan Homestead.

* Visit the show caves first thing in the morning (they are just a short walk from both hotels and tickets can be purchased online) and then you have time to enjoy the general surroundings away from the main crowds and / or head along the highway to Ljubljana Airport for your flight home, dropping off the car at the airport.

* If you don't have an extra night but still wish to visit Postojna then you can choose to shave one of the nights at one of the three main locations.

** A further alternative would be to swap one of the three main destinations for Postojna as this may be of more interest to your family.

*** You may also like to finish with a couple of days in the capital, Ljubljana, whose centre is compact and largely traffic-free.