MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR

Written by Jackie & Scott Phares. Having spent five out of the last six summers in Slovenia, this summer we were once again heading off to Slovenia. Friends asked what are you going to do? Is it not boring going to the same country each year? This is where the dilemma arises, do we lie and tell them that it is boring and thus dissuade them from travelling to Slovenia; or do we tell them the truth; it is a beautiful country with stunning scenery and the most friendly people in Europe. Complementing this is the wide range of activities, tours and adventures that can be taken during your stay here. If we tell the truth then more people will visit Slovenia and, from a purely selfish point, we like the fact it is not like other top tourist destinations with their 'packaged’ appeal and conveyor belt approach of getting as many tourists through the door, and relieving them of lots of money in as short a time as possible. What to do in Slovenia? Well - the choices are endless. Having explored much of Slovenia in the previous four years, we signed up for a Slovenia Incognita tour (in the words of the Beatles: a Magical Mystery Tour). Our guide Ivana and our three companions for the day arrived in Bled (from Ljubljana) to pick us up from our hotel and we set off...

Radovna river. Author: Scott Phares

Within minutes we left the gentle bustle of Bled and the scene for the day was set when our first destination was a drive through the scenic Radovna valley, with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. This is off the 'tourist trail' and gives an insight into a more traditional way of life. Along the way, Ivana was telling us about the history and culture of the area, answering a wide variety of questions from us all. We then drove into the Vrata valley and stopped to climb up to the Peričnik Waterfall. This was a short hike (about 20 minutes walking uphill - sensible shoes required) with the reward of a stunning view and a cool spray. You could get up close and personal to this waterfall - feeling the spray, having the water dripping on you from overhangs above, and even walking behind the cascading water... Fantastic!! A delight for all the senses.

Peričnik Falls. Author: Scott Phares

If this had been the conclusion of the trip - it would have been worth it. But no, there was even more to come! Next, was a drive further up the Vrata Valley to our lunch destination, below the North Face of Mt. Triglav in a mountain 'hut' - more like a restaurant in the hills. The food was traditional and all home made. It was delicious - catering to all our varied tastes. The setting was fantastic - surrounded by majestic mountains.

Aljažev dom in Vrata valley. Author: Scott Phares

Refuelled and ready for our next adventure: we headed off through the Triglav National Park (in the direction of Kranjska Gora), to Planica, the home of Slovenian ski jumping and one of the largest ski flying hills in the world. Not content with throwing themselves off snow covered hills, strapped to a pair of skis, Slovenes have now installed a zip line over the the jump in order to give us mere mortals (non Slovenes) a fleeting sensation of what it must be like to ski fly.

The view from the top of Planica giant ski hill. Author: Scott Phares

We were all given the choice whether we would like to experience this (no pressure) and we all decided that it was too good a chance to miss. The vertical height of the zip line is 202 metres and is 566 metres long. In the top half of the drop (the steepest in the world), you reach speeds of up to 85 km an hour. After we were kitted out and given the safety brief, we took the chairlift to the top of the slope. We were again given instructions, secured and briefed, and one by one we took the leap... It was amazing!!! 45 seconds of pure exhilaration. See Scott's ziplining HERE. Again, this was not the end - there was one more highlight to come... Ivana took us to the source of the Sava River for one more photo opportunity. Here you can see the river bubbling up through the Karst and behold the stunning colours and sights of this Natura 2000 protected site.

Zelenci. Author: Scott Phares

We have been on many Slovenia Explorer tours and they have all been of a very high standard. On an Incognita tour they always strive to match the interests and abilities of the clients to ensure a pleasurable experience for all. The guides are knowledgeable, friendly, professional and always ready to meet your needs where possible. In the words of the Beatles (almost):

Roll up They've got everything you need Roll up for the Incognita Tour Roll up Satisfaction guaranteed Roll up for the Incognita Tour

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