Slovenia Secrets of Simplicity

Your journey begins with your overnight flight to the capital city of Slovenia, Ljubljana. (LJU). (meals on plane)

Arrive anytime today when you will be transferred to the hotel. Today is a day to rest and get over your jet lag. There will be a group introductory meeting late this afternoon/early evening (time to be announced) and a welcome dinner. Accommodations are close to the old town district for a sunset photo walk. The next day will be full to explore and photograph the capital city. Wander the charming streets of the old city, camera in hand and capture the highlights of Ljubljana including baroque churches, diverse architectural details and the castle as well as trying our hand at some street photography and candid portraits in Ljubljana’s marketplace and along the café-strewn riverbanks. Overnight Ljubljana (D; B, L)

After breakfast drive southwest towards the Slovenian Adriatic Coast. There will be a photo stop at Predjama castle to photograph the most picturesque castle of Slovenia. Arrive this afternoon in Piran, an ancient coastal town with a beautiful old town core. Of all the towns on the Slovenian coast, Piran, as a whole, has the most original town architecture, with a partly preserved town wall with seven mighty towers, a symbol of the past power and pride of the city. In the center of the town is Tartini’s Square with a bronze monument of the famous violinist and composer, Giuseppi Tartini. The most beautiful building in this square is a Venetian Gothic house from the first half of the fifteenth century, with a typical balcony and window trifora in Venetian Gothic style. The pictu­resque background of the square is rounded off by the cathedral on a hill with a fine view of the Bay of Trieste. There will be afternoon and sunset photography today.

Enjoy another full day to explore the beautiful Slovenian coast. We can start our day by capturing sunrise above Piran, one of the classic Adriatic experiences. Secovlje saltpans are one of the oldest in the Adriatic and you can still witness production of salt in a traditional way. If the timing is right there may be great photography at the Saltpans close by, a great place for landscape photography, especially in the warm afternoon sun. Overnight Piran (B, L or D both days)

After breakfast we leave the coast and head north east, traveling through the Soca River Valley, with mountain peaks in the background. The Soca River is a distinct emerald green, considered to be one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. We hope for a beautiful sunset during your time here. There are  incredible gorges to discover and waterfalls as you walk along the riverbanks. As well as stunning landscapes, you may be lucky with some wildlife photography and will also take the opportunity to photograph the historical World War I remnants along the trail. Your route takes you on some of the highest mountains in Slovenia offering incredible views across the country into Italy. Overnight (B, L or D both days)

Take one of the most scenic routes in Slovenia, over the Vrsic Pass, the highest peak of the Alps, with incredible photo opportunities of the Jullian Alps and the Triglav National Park. Arrive late afternoon at your accommodations near the picturesque Lake Bled. After settling in explore the lake with perhaps a chance for sunset photography.

Enjoy another two full days exploring the beautiful Gorenjska region. The fashionable mountain resort  near the Austrian and Italian borders, is set on the idyllic Lake Bled.  It is one of the most stunning places in Slovenia with its church on an island in the middle of the lake. We can visit the island by traditional “Pletna” boat. Bled Castle on the cliff above offers superb views of the lake, and there will be plenty of opportunities to capture landscape photos from this vantage. The nearby Lake Bohinj is also a glacier-made body like Bled, but as it is located in the heart of the Julian Alps it provides a very different setting. After photos stop at the lakeshore, head to the picturesque Savica waterfall. From there, pass through many picturesque small traditional-style villages on your way to the stunning Vintgar Gorge. Overnight Lake Bled (B, L or D three days)

If your flight schedule allows there will be time for photography this morning. There will be a group departure (time to be announced) from the hotel to the airport (approximate 1-hour drive). (B)