Eight days in Slovenia

We enjoyed an afternoon of light hiking in the Tolmin Gorge. https://www.earthtrekkers.com/how-to-visit-tolmin-gorge-slovenia/

We were in Slovenia for a two weeks this past July, here is our trip report, it's a bit long: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/slovenia-14-days-13-nights-road-trip

If I have to pick two base locations, I would say Logarska Dolina and somewhere along Soca valley or the Triglav National Park.

I agree with leeshao. Logarska Dolina + Soča Valley or Triglav National Park.

My 25 days in Slovenia in 2019: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/25-days-in-slovenia

Thank-you all for your recommendations. Do you have any recommendations on towns within these areas for lodging? We like to have a balcony or terrace with a view to sit our on an enjoy a glass of wine after an active day. We would love to rent gravel bikes. Do any of these areas have cycling trails?

Dave- I have read and reviewed your trip report. I will certainly use this information in out trip planning. Wish we had 25 days!!

Another vote for Logarska Dolina and Julian Alps. Beautiful hiking and road trips in these places. You can do as little or as much hiking as you like in these parts. I also drove to Mojistrana-Dovje free parking lot where Aljazev Hram Cafe is located and took the free tourist bus to Aljazev Dom restaurant in Vrata valley and hiked to see Mt. Triiglav from up close. You can also get great views of the peaks from the restaurant. But that tourist bus stopped running from September 16th. I think it'll start again from June 15th. But you can drive close to the restaurant and park nearby for a fee. Or at the Waterfall Peričnik and hike the trail from there.

I think Vrsic pass may be completely closed in one or both directions for construction now. Check before you drive up.

If you stay somewhere near Kamnik or Gornji Grad, you can easily visit both Velika Planina and Logarska Dolina. Apparently Gornji Grad has the largest church in Slovenia, according to the TI person who was manning the Solčava TI office. Lots of people hike up to Velika Planina rather than taking the cable car up. It's doable of you have the time and energy.

I saw several people bike in Logarska Dolina, both the valley and the Panoramic Rd. No separate bike trails though; you share the road with cars.

Great information Pam. Currently we have "very tentative plans" for the following:
2 nights Ljubljana
3 nights Lugansk Dolina
3 nights Bled or Bohinj (if Bled staying in apartment up from the lake to avoid the crowds)
4 nights in Kobarid or Bovec: Which one better?
1 night near Venice airport fly home

Looking for all suggestions and feedback.

I found Kobarid charming, small town, with Italian vibe (it's very close to Italian border). More history. Bovec has more bigger city vibe and more transportation options. Your choice of stay should depend on which one you prefer more. You can easily get between these two places using a bus. Many long distance trail systems in this area.

One full day in Ljubljaba should be enough to see the city center and perhaps hike up to the castle.

If staying in Bohinj, also check out Stara Fuzina, a village within walking distance from Ribcev Laz at the southern end of the lake. It's a charming, laidback village without as much tourist vibe, if that is more your thing. Easy to hike and bike in this area and around the lake. The part of the lake from Ribcev Laz to Vogel Mountain cable car area is busier than the Stara Fuzina side of the lake.

Thank-you Pam. We will have a car and are looking for charming places to stay. A place to sit outside with a view would be a plus. I will take a look at the area around the lake that you mentioned. I did find a place that rents gravel bikes there. Also would like a laundry nearby as we would need to wash our cycling cloths.

We absolutely loved Farmhouse Lenar in Logarska Dolina. The view of the mountains from their balcony rooms was incredible with or without that glass of wine!

I think Kobarid gives you more options than Bovec and is more charming. You are right on the Soča River and can easily get to Triglav, Vipava, or Italy from there. We had trouble finding lodging in Kobarid and but found an apartment (with a washer) in Drežnica that was lovely.

Take a look at our trip report: Slovenia Trip Report (22 days)

Bovic seems to me have a younger vibe, it is a hub with outfitters, banks, shops, bars, bigger than Kobarid.

Kobarid is smaller, cute town, still has plenty of restaurants, shops etc.

We stayed at Apartma Skednj in Ladra, 10 minutes from Kobarid center, away from all the other tourists. It’s a residential neighborhood. It is a remodeled barn, has a washer in the bathroom. Luka is a great host, an outdoor person himself, he went out biking with his friends while we stayed there. The bar has a small balcony to sit and dry laundry, there is also an outdoor sitting area. Very quiet place even though it is off the main road. A nice place to pretend to be a local for a few days.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Kobarid and Bohinj

Bohinj and Kobarid/Bovec- all are within Triglav National Park.

We stayed at an Agri Tourist place on the hillside above bled, it was great. We stayed in the BnB portion, I know they also have apts
Mulej tourist farm. I just looked at the website, looks like the same people are still in charge

We had a wonderful stay at tourist farm "Govc-Vrsnik", a few miles from Solcava. Great meals, pristine rooms, a view of the mountains. Definitely take the 1/2 board since there aren't any restaurants in Solcava (only one destroyed by a flood).