Slovenia Photography Tour

Itinerary

Sunday, May 28

Depart US to Ljubljana (LJU), Slovenia

Monday, May 29 (D)

Arrive in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Transfers to the hotel at Lake Bled provided. Spend the afternoon at leisure. We’ll meet up tonight for our group welcome dinner to get to know each other and discuss the following days. Overnight Grand Hotel Toplice

Tuesday, May 30 and Wednesday, May 31 (2B, 1L, 2D)

We’ll spend two full days exploring the beautiful Gorenjska region, where peaks of the Julian and Kamnik-Savinja Alps decorate the skyline. Start the days off with a sunrise shoot on the shores of captivating Lake Bled. We’ll make our way to the clifftops near Bled Castle to photograph stunning panoramic views of the lake and its legendary island featuring a quaint 17th-century baroque church. We’ll visit Vintgar gorge, a ravine with radiant blue-green waters, a great place to experiment with long exposures and photographing fast-flowing water. Slovenia’s largest glacial lake awaits us, Lake Bohinj, set among the peaks of the Julian Alps. Nature-lovers will enjoy this serene paradise and its picture-perfect reflections on the glass-like water. We’ll be sure to take in the local culture, the rural life in these picturesque villages, including the landmark hayracks of Slovenia. Cap off the evenings with a Lake Bled sunset shoot. Overnight Grand Hotel Toplice

Thursday, June 1 (B, L, D)

After breakfast, our route will take us over the Vršič Pass, the highest mountain pass in the Slovenian Alps. We’ll stop along the way to absorb and photograph the incredible views the pass offers. The road, previously known as Ruska cesta or “Russian Road,” was built during World War I for military purposes and renamed to Vršič Pass in 2006 to honor the prisoners of war who built it.

In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Šmartno, an old village situated in Goriška Brda wine country. This former medieval military fortress has been beautifully renovated with five preserved towers, and the entire village has been declared a cultural heritage monument. At sunset, we’ll capture the breathtaking scenes over the vineyards along with views that extend to the Adriatic Sea, Julian Alps, and Italy. Overnight Hotel San Martin

Friday, June 2 (B, D)

We’ll seize the day and fully explore Goriška Brda wine country. pausing to take pleasure in the lush scenery and traditional villages that comprise the area. We’ll get a chance to sample the local olive oil, prosciutto, cherries, and of course, the wine 🙂 Today, a visit to a wine maker’s home is on the agenda, so we’ll learn firsthand the art of Slovenian wine-making. Overnight Hotel San Martin

Saturday, June 3 (B, L, D)

Today after breakfast, we’ll leave wine country and make our way south. Our first stop puts us in the Karst area of Slovenia, home to beautiful stone villages and the world-famous Lipizzan horses. We may get a chance to visit the fascinating UNESCO Karst caves, formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks, hence the topographical name karst.

Our final destination this day is Piran, a jewel situated at the tip of the Piran peninsula on the Adriatic coast. Piran is labeled as “one of the most photogenic cities in the Mediterranean” due to its charm, rich history, and culture. Overnight Hotel Piran

Sunday, June 4 (B, D)

A full day to explore the beautiful Slovenian coast. We’ll start early, capturing sunrise above Piran. Nearby Sečovlje is one of the oldest salt pans in Slovenia and one of two locations in Slovenia where salt is still produced in a traditional way. This wetland area is also internationally important as a breeding place for waterbirds. This is a great area for landscape photography! Overnight Hotel Piran

Monday, June 5 (B, L, D)

A sunrise shoot and breakfast on our last day in Piran, and then we’ll make our way back to wine country, this time heading northeast. Along the way we’ll stop in the charming medieval town of Ptuj, the oldest in Slovenia. In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Jeruzalem. After we check into our hotel, we’ll spend the rest of the day photographing the beautiful lines and curves the lush green hills and vineyards create, ranked by many among the most exquisite landscapes in the world. This area of Slovenia is also famous for the white wines produced in the local Ljutomer-Ormož hills. Overnight Dvorec Jeruzalem

Tuesday, June 6 (B, L, D)

Enjoy this area for a full day, starting by capturing sunrise with possible mists hovering over glowing vineyards. Today we’ll have a chance to experience the hidden gems of Slovenia that most tourists don’t get to see. Throughout the day, we’ll taste some of the best food and wine of this welcoming region, ending the day with a hearty dinner and a glass of the finest wine, all organic and locally grown. Overnight Dvorec Jeruzalem

Wednesday, June 7 and Thursday, June 8 (2B, 2D)

As the tour draws to an end, we cannot forget Ljubljana. Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia and its dynamic history dates back five millennia. We’ll spend two days wandering the enchanting streets of this old city, capturing the baroque churches, diverse architecture, and of course, the castle. We’ll get a chance to try our hand at street photography while getting candid portraits along the cafe-strewn riverbanks and at the city’s bustling marketplace. There is also a side trip planned to capture one more unforgettable Slovenian landscape before we head home. Overnight Grand Hotel Union for two nights

Friday, June 9 (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart at your leisure. Transfers are provided to the airport for your flight home.