Slovenia or somewhere else in 2 wks

aaf

Hi. I want to book a surprise weeks holiday for me and my gf (it won't be a surprise for me ). As it's only a week, I want to keep it in europe. She's been to many places in Europe inc England, France (6 months), Spain, Italy (6 months), Poland, Croatia and a whole host of other places I can't think of right now. It'll be our first holiday together so would like somewhere pretty cool. Neither of us are into sun holidays so someplace with things to do and see would be preferable. I hear Slovenia is pretty fantastic but I just looked up flights and we would probably have to fly into Venice and get a train from there but flights alone are costing €700 for both of us, which is a little on the expensive side for me.

Any suggestions on places to go at short notice or any advice on Slovenia? When we get back, we have a few days holidays booked down in Cork later this month so I would like somewhere in Europe. Thanks.

eurokev

Im just back from an interrailing trip and I have to say slovenia was probably my favourite place I visited this time. I went with my gf and spent 3 nights there in the capital Ljubljana. Its a fantastic city for couples in my opinion. Great value going out and really comes alive at night time with its array of bars and restaraunts running along the river. There isnt a huge amount to do besides visit the castle but I never once found myself bored. Theres a very young eduacated vibrancy to the place and it feels like crime is just totally non existant. During our time we also visited lake bled which is about an hours train ride away costing €10. I absolutely loved this place. We spent the day on the grass 'beach' by the side of the lake and had a great time. Theres much more to do here especially if your a bit adventurous and like white water rafting/ canyoning etc.. I honestly couldnt recommend a holiday to slovenia enough. We are already planning to go there again next year and travel down to croatia from there.


Also I dont think there is a direct train from venice to ljubljana. As far as I remember we got a train to trieste then a bus from trieste to ljubljana, all of which were extremely cheap.

If you want to know anything else dont Ill more than happilly try and help

eurokev

Also If I were you I wouldnt fly from venice. Prices are of course going to be mental mid august. Just looked at a flight to zadar there from dublin on 17th and its only 70 somat, or 13th only 40 somat. Could imagine it being difficult to get to ljubljana from here.

Bratislava also has really cheap flights from dublin and I know there is a direct train from ljubljana to bratislava as I took it and its not too long nor expensive id imagine. Did'nt like bratislava by the way. Lovely in the centre but never ever felt safe there as a tourist

analucija

Zadar and Bratislava are too far and probably too expensive once you factor in train but you can fly to Pula. I would rather check flights to Ljubljana (Easy Jet) or Klagenfurt and Trieste (Ryanair) via Stansted or Frankfurt. Very often it's faster and cheaper than flying to Treviso (or Marco Polo atm). Adria Airways is flying Dublin-Ljubljana once per week but they can be very expensive.

More than couple of days in Ljubljana would bore me to death. Visiting Bled, Bohinj and whole alpine region is one of the options. Renting a car is handy sometimes. Another pretty region is around river Soca, also great for outdoor activities (rafting, kayaking...) There are one or two pretty towns on the coast but in comparison to Croatia is pretty disappointing (and very small). Everybody will suggest you to see Postojna Cave and it can be pretty impressive. Ptuj and maybe Maribor would be worth visit and maybe some wine trails in the neighborhood of those two towns. Slovenija is a nice country but if you are staying there more than three days, you should travel around a little.