TRIP DOSSIER SLOVENIA Go rafting down the Soca River and splash around in waterfalls Walks and cycle rides through summer alpine meadows and forests Go sea kayaking and explore the Skocijan Caves Enjoy the zip wires and summer tobogganing Challenge yourself rock climbing Trip Code: FSAA www.familiesworldwide.co.uk www.familiesworldwide.co.uk 01962 737 560 Date of Issue: 02 Sept 2015
Introduction Enjoy exploring the Alpine region of Slovenia with walks around the Bohinj Lake. Take a trek up towards the Julian Alps and enjoy the thrill of white water rafting down the River Soca. Have fun playing on the zip lines and keeping your balance across the high rope bridges, go swimming in Bled Lake and have a go at summer tobogganing! We then head down to the beautiful coast for the day to explore the limestone caves of Skocijan. You ll go sea kayaking and visit the coastal towns of Secovlje and Piran. Back to the mountains where you can enjoy cycling through the alpine meadows and forest and even have a go at rock climbing. Detailed Itinerary Day 1. Depart UK, arrive Ljubljana. Fly from the UK to Ljubljana Airport. You will be met on arrival and join a single group transfer to our hotel in Bled. There will be a welcome reception and introduction to Slovenia by our guide at 18.00hrs, followed by dinner at 19.00hrs. See How to join and depart this trip section of this dossier. Hotel, Bled (dinner) Day 2. Walks around Bohinj Lake. Enjoy a peaceful walk around the crystal clear waters Bohinj Lake following undulating forest trail, through meadows and dip down to the shoreline. The trail leads up to Slap Slavic an impressive waterfall and the source of the Sava River. Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes (or similar) and to pack your swimwear and a towel as you can take a dip in the lake. You may wish to rent a small rowing boat, these are 12 per hour and life jackets are provided. Walking time approx. 5-6 hours / 12km. Driving distance: 30 mins / 25 km Day 3. Full day walking and white water rafting on the Soca River. Remember to pack your swimwear, spare footwear which can get wet and a towel. Today we head off on a scenic drive to the west of the beautiful Julian Alps. Travelling through Kranjska Gora, stopping at the Lake Jasna to marvel the beautiful alpine views of pine forests and the backdrop of the mountains. The lake is guarded by a statue of a Zlatorog (the golden horn) the legendary chamois of Mount Triglav. It s a great location to enjoy an ice-cream. Our day in the mountains continues across the dramatic Vrsic Pass, the highest mountain pass in Slovenia and offers amazing panoramic mountain views and with a visit to the pretty town of Bovec, where we will stop for lunch (own expense) at one of the cafes and restaurants. We then head down to the emerald Soca River to embark on an exhilarating couple of hours of white water rafting. Equipment including wetsuit, helmet and buoyancy aid is provided. We recommend you take a towel and wear swimwear underneath the wetsuit. A full safety briefing and instruction is provided by the qualified instructors. Depending on the amount of recent rainfall the section of river rafted on is grade II III. We continue our adventure with a visit to Kluze Fort. Originally dating back to the 15 th century this fort was constructed mainly from wood to prevent the Turkish invasion on Carinthia. It was strategically located hugging the mountainside and acted as a control post for crossing the Soca River. The fort was later rebuilt in 1509 and served in many battles including the invasion of Napoleon in the 18 th century and latterly the fort played a crucial role in defence during World War One. After a full day we return to Bled early evening. Journey time 2 hours each way / 100km. Day 4. Tree top adventure, summer tobogganing and swimming in Lake Bled This morning we walk to embark on our tree top adventure with a series of zip lines, rope swings and high rope bridges - great for all members of the family. Afterwards you ll experience the adrenaline thrill of summer tobogganing on a 1000m summer toboggan
run. You are strapped into a toboggan and shown how to operate the brake to slow you down in the faster sections. Each family member has three rides down the hillside course. Enjoy exploring the beautiful Lake Bled and see the iconic island in the middle of the lake with 99 steps from the dock leading up to the summit to the Church of the Assumption of Mary. Lunch today is at leisure and there are several restaurants or cafes to choose from in Bled. Day 5. Visit Skocijan caves and the coast Today we head off to the coast, remember to pack your beach wear and a towel as there will be some beach time at the end of the day. You ll visit the honeycombed karst cave system of Skocijan, with its impressive display of limestone formations in a series of large caverns. Your guide will tell you the story as drip by drip the stalactites grow from spaghetti-thin strands to mighty sequoia-like stone pillars. Walk through a series of canyons to the wide Grand Cavern to the 150ft footbridge where the cavern widens leading towards the daylight and a lush canyon beyond. Please note, it is cool and rather dark in the caves, take a jumper and torch to help see your way. We travel to Secovlje and kayak along the coast to Piran. Here you can explore the delightful coastal town of Piran. The main square Piazza Tartini, once the former harbour. See the Venetian style bell tower and admire the views from the top (optional) of Slovenia s short 29 mile coastline. Enjoy lunch in one of the restaurants (own expense) and then return to the kayaks and paddle back to Secovlje and drive back to Bled arriving back early evening. Driving distance: 300km Sea kayaking 3 4 hours including time in Piran Day 6. Cycle around the alpine meadows and forests of Kranjska Gora We take a short 30 minute transfer to Kranjska Gora where we collect our bicycles. Starting off on mountain roads and heading off onto a disused railway track now adapted as an asphalt path for cyclists, heading towards Rateče the spring of the Sava River and the beautiful Zelenci Nature Reserve and Planica Valley a popular area for ski jumping! Cycling in this area is stunning with the views of the mountains, alpine forests and meadows. There are different possibilities of routes to take, and distance cycled depending on the age and abilities of the group. Cycle time approx. 5 hours / 20-25 km Drive distance: 30 minutes Day 7. Rock climbing This morning we travel to a short distance to Bohinjska Bela one of Slovenia s classic crags located close to Lake Bled. There are more than 100 routes to choose from catering for beginners to advanced technical climbers. All equipment and full instruction will be given from our qualified guides. Activity duration: 4 5 hours Drive distance: 10 km Day 8 Departure Day Sadly it is the end of the tour, there is a single group departure to Ljubljana Airport for the return international flight to the UK. (breakfast) Practical Information How to join and depart this trip The joining point for this trip is Ljubljana Airport for a single group transfer to our group hotel in Bled on day 1 of the Trip Itinerary above. If making your own way to the hotel please ensure you attend the pre-trip briefing on Day 1 at 18.00hrs, followed by dinner at 19.00hrs. Our travel consultants can arrange a private arrival transfer for you - please contact us for prices. Alternatively, a licensed, metered taxi or local, public transport may be available from the airport. The departure point for this trip is Ljubljana Airport on day 8 of the trip itinerary. There will be a single group transfer from the hotel to the airport. If your flight departing at a different time of day from, the rest of the group our consultants can arrange a private departure
transfer for you on request - please contact us for prices. Alternatively, a licensed, metered taxi or local, public transport may be arranged from the hotel to take you to the airport. Flight Inclusive We recommend that you book this trip as a 'Flight Inclusive' package. Booking your international flights through Families Worldwide guarantees you peace of mind and provides 100% financial protection under our CAA ATOL licence. What's more, if you book your flights with us as well as your ground arrangements, we will manage these flight arrangements both before and during your trip. As an ATOL Licence holder, we are able to secure and arrange competitively-priced airfares with most major airlines from the UK as well as the option of regional departures too. Land only If you would prefer to arrange your own international travel you can book this trip as a 'Land Only' package, where the price does not include international flights. Please note that if you are booking your own flights there are certain risks you should be aware of. Many airline tickets purchased directly are non-refundable and often do not provide you with any financial protection (unlike booking your flights with ourselves where you would be 100% protected under our CAA ATOL licence). For this reason we strongly advise that you check the rules of any flight booking you make, and check the limitations under any insurance policy you may have in relation to cancellation or date changes. We cannot be held liable for any losses incurred or consequences of any flight bookings or related travel arrangements you have made yourself, such as if your international flights were delayed or cancelled and you could not join or depart your holiday on time. If you do decide to book Land Only, we strongly advise that you do not book international flights or make other travel arrangements (especially if there are financial penalties for cancellation or change) until your chosen holiday is guaranteed to run. Please also ensure when making your own international travel arrangements that they enable you to join and depart this trip in accordance with the criteria specified in the How to join and depart this trip section of this Trip Dossier Food. Slovenian food varies due to the historical influences, from Italy this includes pizza and pasta, to the Austro- Hungarian influence of sausages, meats, soups, stews and dumplings and strudels, to the Balkans of kebabs and grilled meats and the Mediterranean seafood, fish and salads. Included meals are listed above in the day to day itinerary. Breakfasts are a continental style and evening meals are a selection of local and international dishes. Lunch is not included and picnic items can be collected from local shops each day or pre-ordered from the hotel in advance. There are several restaurants to choose from in Bled and Piran. Climate Slovenia lies in the heart of Europe and its geography includes the Alps, Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain and the Karst. There are several different weather systems ranging from the cooler Alpine region of mountains, to the sub-mediterranean climate along the coast and the north-east lowlands have a continental climate. From May to October the weather is generally good with sunny clear days. Temperatures in the alpine regions of Soca Valley, Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj are around 20 C in May rising to 25 C in July and August. In the mountainous areas the temperature is lower and there may be a risk of wind and rain. The coastline during the summer months can have temperatures from 25 C to 30 C +. You may be able to find climate statistics for this country at www.worldweather.org Accommodation You are centrally based in in Bled, the hotel is familyfriendly with en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioned rooms. There are a few interconnecting rooms too and these are subject to availability on and on request. The hotel offers an entertainment programme as well and is pro-active about teaching children how to be responsible towards the environment. The hotel has an Eco-daisy environment certificate. Although the hotel does not have its own swimming pool, guests have free admission to the pool at the neighbouring Hotel Golf. Is this right for your family? This is a fantastic active family holiday in the beautiful alpine region Slovenia. Many activities are included from rafting, cycling, zip lines and high rope adventure, sea kayaking, summer tobogganing, rock climbing and amazing walks in the alpine forests and meadows to beautiful waterfalls and emerald green lakes. You are centrally located in the picturesque town of Bled and close to the pretty Lake Bled with the romantic island set in the middle of lake. This holiday includes many of the highlights of the Julian Alps and Kranjska Gora and dipping down to explore the caves and beaches along the coast. There are many full day activities but also some relaxation free time on the beach or visiting the neighbouring hotel pool. Single Parents Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries, including the UK, require documentation confirming that the individual has authority to travel with the minor. It is crucial that you contact the relevant country embassy for further information on exactly what may be required. These details can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Website under the appropriate country www.fco.gov.uk/travel Vaccinations and Health We always recommend visiting your doctor and dentist for a check-up before travelling. Your doctor will also have access to the most up to date information on
vaccinations and medical precautions for the country you are about to visit. In general we recommend however, that you be protected against TB, Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus and Hepatitis B. A useful travel health online resource is fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk We recommend you pack some rehydration salts and remember to drink LOTS of water every day. To avoid stomach upsets do not eat anything uncooked and wash your hands regularly, some antibacterial hand wash gel is very useful. First Aid You should always carry your own small, personal first aid kit. This should consist of the following: A general anti-biotic, throat lozenges, painkillers, plasters (bandaids), blister treatment, insect repellent (DEET), rehydration salts, antiseptic cream, diarrhoea treatment (e.g. Imodium). Security Whilst the vast majority of travellers never experience anything untoward it is worth taking precautions particularly in urban areas. You should take sensible precautions in crowded areas such as street markets and airports, where pick-pocketing is common, and keep clear of any street disturbances. Don t wear jewellery, never leave your bags unattended, keep large amounts of money, cameras and cell phones out of sight when walking in town centres, and avoid walking in city centres after dark. Keep copies of important documents, including passports, in a separate place to the documents themselves, together with details of credit cards. Leave copies at home with a friend too. Safeguard valuables, important documents and cash and deposit them in hotel safes, where practicable. Currency. The unit of currency in Slovenia is the Euro. Please refer to www.xe.com for up to date rates. ATM machines are common in larger urban areas. Maps We recommend Stanfords at 12-14 Long Acre, London WC2E 9LP (Tel: 0207 836 1321) www.stanfords.co.uk Travel Insurance Comprehensive travel insurance is compulsory when joining a trip with Families Worldwide. To arrange cover for single or multi-trip, please contact one of our family travel consultants. Passports & Visas British passport holders do not require a visa for a visit to Slovenia, but please ensure your passport has at least 6 months validity. Please note that visa/entry requirements and prices change regularly. You can obtain the latest visa information, as well as book your visa either by contacting your reservation consultant, or by following the link below to our designated visa service: http://www.familiesworldwide.co.uk/information/visa.html Please allow plenty of time for your visa application to be processed. We also recommend you visit the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for up to date information on the country/countries you are visiting, embassy contact details and other useful advice. Clothing & Equipment Please check our website for the most up to date information regarding packing for your trip. The information we provide is our suggested guide to help you with your packing based upon our many years of travelling. Using your own judgment for packing is of course important, especially with regard to casual clothing etc but please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about packing for your trip. Language The official language of Slovenia is Slovene, a south Slavic language Italian and Hungarian are also spoken in some regions close to the borders. English, German, French and Spanish are also widely spoken in the country. Tipping Tipping is a recognised part of life and although at your discretion you will be expected to reward service. Please remember that tipping should be a way for individuals to thank staff for good service. As a guideline each traveller should allow 2 per day to cover the tips for the local staff. Approximately 10 per member of the family. It is usual to collect this between yourselves as a group and present it to the leader on completion of the tour. A service charge of 10% is usually included in the cost of the meal.