History tour of Slovenia

Day 1

Ljubljana arrival

Arrival to the Ljubljana airport and start of History tour of Slovenia. Meet and greet with your privide guide/driver, check-in to the hotel and time to walk the streets of the Slovenian capital and relax in one of the many cafés by the Ljubljanica river. Overnight in Ljubljana.

Day 2

Ljubljana – Stična – Valley of Krka (Žužemberk, Soteska) – Base 20 – Dolenjske Toplice

In the morning we drive towards Stična to visit the oldest Slovenian (Cistercian) monastery dating back to 1132. We continue towards the Dolenjska region and drive along the Krka river. We visit two castles: Žužemberk Castle, one of the most beautiful medieval castles in Slovenia, located on a hill overlooking the city and the Krka River and the ruins of Stara Soteska Castle. Then we continue to Base 20 which was home to the political leadership of the Slovene national liberation movement between April 1943 and December 1944. It is the only still preserved secret headquarters of any European resistance movement bulit in such way. In the evening we drive to Dolenjske Toplice for an overnight.

Day 3

Dolenjske Toplice – Bela Krajina (Otok) – Metlika – Novo Mesto – Otočec

After breakfast we drive to Bela Krajina to see a Partisan airport, located near Otok by the border with Croatia during World War II. It was used by Allied airforces to deliver humanitarian and military aid and to transfer wounded people. Next we visit Metlika and walk through the old city center. Our next stop is Novo Mesto and the Museum of Dolenjska (Lower Carniola). The exhibitions shows the archaelogical image of Dolenjska and its people. The archeological exhibition is important for its rich and unique excavations from the Late Iron Age or Hallstatt Period. In the evening we drive to Otočec for an overnight.

One of many stunning castles of Slovenia: Otočec Castle, located on the Krka river, nowadays turned into a hotel where you can spend the night or enjoy in the fine dining.

Day 4

Otočec – Sevnica- Podsreda – Celje – Ptuj

First we visit the Otočec Castle, built on one of the islands on the river Krka and the only castle surrounded by water in Slovenia. Our drive then takes us towards Sevnica to visit Podsreda Castle, today still very alive due to its rich cultural activities. We will find another great castle in Celje. Celje Castle was the seat of the Counts of Celje and used to be the largest fortress in Slovenia. In Celje we also visit the Regional Museum, situated in the The Old Counts`Mansion and the Princely Palace, before we continue to Ptuj, the oldest city in Slovenia. Overnight in Ptuj.

Day 5

Ptuj – Škofja Loka – Bled

We start the day with a sightseeing tour of Ptuj. We will explore the mighty Ptuj Castle above the city which offers splendid views and hosts the Regional Museum. Other important sites are The Dominican and Minorite Monastery, the City Tower and the City Hall. Our drive takes us next to Škofja Loka. Stroll through the old city centre and walk up to the castle that dates to the 13th century and helds an exellent ethnographic collection. In the afternoon we drive to Bled for an overnight.

Day 6

Bled – Vršič – Kluže – Bovec

After breakfast we visit the Lake Bled with charming island in the middle of the lake and a castle, 130 meters above it. Drive via Kranjska gora and over mountainpass Vršič into the valley of river Soča for some breathtaking views. Visit of Fort Kluže, one of the most visited cultural sights in the Soča valley. It is an important monument to the defence against Turkish invasions, Napoleon’s army and attacks during World War One. In the afternoon we drive to Bovec for an overnight.

Day 7

Bovec – Javorica – Kobarid – Sabotin – Gorica

From Bovec we drive to Javorica memorial church, dedicated to the fallen Austro-Hungarian defenders ob the battle of the Isonzo Front in Tolmin (1915-1917). We continue to Kobarid Museum which displays exhibits on the events that ocurred during WWI on the Isonzo Front. The tour then takes us to the Sabotin mountain, criss-crossed with abandoned battle trenches, tunnels and caverns from WWI. In the afternoon we drive to Gorica for an overnight.

Day 8

Gorica – Kras – Predjama Castle – Ljubljana

In the morning we start exploring Nova Gorica, town on the border of Italy. After the WWII, Italy signed a peace treaty with the Allies, including Yugoslavia, which transferred most of the Slovene-inhabited areas of the Province of Gorizia to Yugoslavia bit Gorizia itself remained under Italian rule. Next, we visit the Karst region and its old villages. Our next stop is the Predjama Castle, situated in the middle of a towering clif, known as the largest cave castle in the world. In the afternoon transfer to Ljubljana for an overnight.

Day 9

Ljubljana – Franja Hospital – Idrija – Ljubljana

From Ljubljana we drive to the Franja Hospital, a Partisan clandestine hospital, nowadays a cultural monument of national significance. We continue towards Idrija to visit UNESCO protected Mercury mine which used to be one of the biggest in the world. Visit of the mine and short walk through the town centre and drive back to Ljubljana for an overnight.

Day 10