AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE

Day 1 Arrive in Ljubljana

Fly to Ljubljana, collect your hire car on arrival and drive up to the Soča Valley, where you check into Pristava Lepena, set beneath the stunning peaks of the Julian Alps, in the Triglav National Park. The drive should take about 2 hours along beautiful scenic mountain roads (hairpin bends included). Pristava Lepena is a collection of traditional mountain chalets, tucked away in a perfectly peaceful valley in the Triglav National Park, enjoying a magnificent location in the meadows beneath the dramatic limestone peaks of the Julian Alps. With just 8 apartments and 5 rooms, the accommodation is simple, and appropriately rustic and geared to outdoor living. Excellent local dishes are served in the little restaurant and in the summer, BBQs are commonplace. It is in the summer that the pool comes into its own and when you might like to take one of the owner's thoroughbred Lipizzaner horses for a ride up the valley. There is a small sauna and fitness centre and close by are all the superb outdoor adventure activities on offer in the Soča Valley. Unfussy, comfortable, friendly and characterful, Pristava Lepena makes a perfect base for a family holiday in the mountains.

Overnight: Pristava Lepena

Day 2 - 5 Pristava Lepena

At leisure in the brilliant natural playground of the Soča Valley. Activities you can enjoy as a family include: Rafting, kayaking and canoeing on the emerald-green Soča River, canyoning, stunning walking in the Triglav National Park, riding beautiful Lipizzaner horses, rent bikes and cycle down the valley, see the delightful little alpine botanical garden at Trenta, picnic and swim in the calm waters of the River Nadiza or fish for the elusive and endemic marbled trout, only found in these waters.

Overnight: Pristava Lepena

Day 6 Lake Bled

Head down the valley to the little station at Most-na-Soci and drive the hire car onto the train that takes you through the mountains (literally) to Bohinjska Bistrica, near Lake Bohinj. Perhaps enjoy a stroll around the lake before heading on to Lake Bled, where you check into your central hotel overlooking the lake. Dating back to the mid-nineteenth century, when Bled's hot springs started to attract visitors to come and take the waters, the Grand Hotel Toplice is a bit of a throw-back to a bygone era. However, it has recently been updated and its position right on the lake, with its wonderful views, its own private beach and boathouse, make it the ideal place to stay in town. It is certainly still the most comfortable option in Bled and the spa features some thermal baths and springs where you can see what all the fuss was about 150 years ago. The 87 rooms are large, traditional in style and all have balconies. The Grand restaurant opens out onto a lovely terrace by the lake in the summer.

Overnight: Grand Hotel Toplice

Day 7 Lake Bled

At leisure, to enjoy amazing swimming and boating in the warm waters of Lake Bled. You might also like to try the impressive summer toboggan run, or visit Bled Castle, perched on a bluff overhanging the lake.

Overnight: Grand Hotel Toplice

Day 8 Journey Home

Drive your hire car the relatively short distance to Ljubljana airport for the flight back home.