Secret Hills Walking Holidays
Spectacular Slovenia
Slovenia - the place
Slovenia shares borders with Hungary, Austria, Croatia and Italy. It is one of the newer members of the EU, having joined in 2004.
The spectacular mountains in the Julian Alps are predominantly limestone, and their jagged form produce stunning vistas wherever you look.
The area is softened by beautiful, tranquil lakes in the valley bottoms and also amongst the rocky crags.
The country has a proud reputation for cleanliness, and self sufficiency - you will find many small allotments for vegetable and fruit growing in most gardens. The Slovenes are a welcoming people, friendly and outgoing. They want you to explore their superb countryside. Walking is a national hobby - why wouldn’t it be when there is so much grand scenery to explore? Their other national pastime is eating - and they have excellent Slovenian wine.
Walking is available from May to October in these hills, and temperatures can be hot in the valleys in July and August though higher up, cool breezes are a help. We walk in June and September - ideal temperatures.
Ljubljana is the capital, and the airport is also near there. Transfers to our hotel are about 75 minutes, but through wonderful scenery - a good way to whet your appetite for the days ahead. Lake Bled is 12 kilometres away.
The Walks
Walking in Slovenia, marvellous alpine hill walking through limestone country, with stunning vistas of lakes and river valleys. Slovenia lies south of Austria and Italy and our walking in the Julian Alps is in the north of the country. We base ourselves near Lake Bohinj, the largest of the Slovenian lakes. There are picturesque villages, with farming at the heart of the economy. There are alpine meadows to amble through, and fast flowing rivers. There are number of deep gorges - familiar to limestone alpine scenery. Simply stunning alpine mountain scenerOur walks take us over stunning ridges, and down beautiful valleys, and there is a variety of scenery for the discerning walker. Normally five hours walking. We grade the walks as moderate with some short strenuous stretches. An easier shorter option is available on each day. Five days walking during the week’s break, with one day as a rest day. Walking is moderate, we don’t rush the hills and ridges - talking, looking, learning about Slovenia - tends to slow the pace a little.
After a mini bus journey to the walk start, we walk for about five and a half hours, returning at about 4.30 pm Time for a swim, or simply rest before dinner in the hotel’s dining room. Underfoot conditions are good, with some loose stones, and many tree roots on some paths. Green path walking is frequent. Climbing is steady, with the occasional steep short stretch, not to be rushed, and downhills are … well downhills - always a pull on the old knees. Distances are 7 - 9 miles a day. There is always a cooling breeze so early mornings require a top layer, but after that, it is shorts and tee shirt walking. We walk in the Julian Alps, Triglav National Park, Karavanke Mountains on the Austrian Border, Poclujka,and the Kranska Gora area
Your walk leaders
Secret Hills Walking Holidays work with Human Fish, the best Slovenian guiding business. Two guides are provided for each walk, with back up from Chris Bland and Alan Garner. The guides will structure a balanced programme of walks to suit the ability of the group. We also have two walks per day, around the same area, giving the opportunity for a shorter and less demanding walk. Your tour guides, Chris Bland and Alan Garner are responsible for all aspects of your holiday in Slovenia. Alan ensures that every aspect of your walking is effectively managed, and that transport is organised. Chris looks after all matters concerning the hotel, housekeeping and meals.Both want you to have a superb Slovenian experience - and go home singing the praises of Slovenia walking.
Flights
We include the price of flights in our price quoted in our leaflets and on our website.. Our flight price costings are based upon typical air seat prices from London Stansted. When you wish to book a holiday with us, we research all the available flights, Charter and “No Frills” airlines from the airport of your choice, we will give you an individual quotation. Dependent on the time of year, specific dates, and air seat prices relevant at the time of booking, then there may be flight supplements. Our partners in Secret Hills Walking Holidays in Europe, New Experience Holidays will provide the individual quotation. They provide us with ATOL bonding. We will meet you at Llubjana airport for onward transfer to Hotel Tripic.
Manchester flights- the Slovenian national airline Adria fly from Manchester but expect at least £100 flight supplement
Meeting you in Slovenia
We will meet you at Llubjliana airport for onward transfer to Hotel Tripic.
Your hotel
Hotel Tripic is family owned, and a comfortable base for our walking holidays. All rooms are spacious, and are en suite. The hotel is situated in the village of Bohinj Bistrica, five kilometres from Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest lake. The village has a number of bars, supermarkets, a pharmacy and a fitness and swimming centre. It is the centre for rural life in the upper Bohinj valley. The rivers Bistrica and Sava meet here.
Your meals
Tripic has a comprehensive breakfast and dinner menu - plenty of choice and well cooked. Internet facilities are available at the hotel. You can also hire cycles. The Tripic family will make you very welcome. The hotel is quiet, and is the start point for transport to our walks start.
Single Supplement
Unfortunately, for sole use of a twin room, there is a supplement of £16 per night. There is the option of sharing a Duplex suite - two seperate twin rooms, with a shared bathroom. Talk to us about this option.
What you get on a Secret Hills Slovenian Holiday
- Flights
- Transfer form airport to Hotel Tripic and return
- Half board accommodation, including a three course dinner
- Guided walking
- Any transport needed on the walks
- The services of a Secret Hills tour guide
- Individual attention
- Our administration and management service
Additional days
We can arrange extra days at the end of your holiday/ coming out earlier. Just ask.
Group Holidays
Secret Hills principal, Alan Garner emphasises that catering for the individual isn’t the only holiday we arrange. Our group programmes for walking groups, or simply groups of friends, are designed so that we take the strain. We specialise in arranging walking group holidays - working with you to give you the best holiday at the most effective cost.
All is arranged for you - to your specification, and we use our buying power to get you the best deal. Our walking guides are chosen for their organisational ability, as well as their knowledge of walks and the Slovenian countryside - so they love managing group holidays.
Our partners in Slovenian Holidays
Secret Hills Walking are pleased to be associated with New Experience Holidays, who organise flights, accommodation and transfers for these holidays and provide you with ATOL security.
All your joining instructions and individual flight arrangements will be made by Paul and Deborah Sawyer. Once you have committed to a holiday, we will forward a New Experience reservation form, and you should pay all deposits and final payments to New Experience Holidays.
Secret Hills Walking is responsible for marketing and selling the holidays and for arranging your itinery when you arrive in Slovenia. You will receive individual attention throughout your holiday from us.
We hope you will join us for a Slovenian experience
ATOL Bonding
