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Slovenia 3 days from Venice

Posted by (SW Florida) on

I don't know why I'm having such trouble figuring out an itinerary here but I am, and would appreciate some guidance.

We arrive in Venice Sep 12th in the morning, for a 3 week road trip in Slovenia & the Croatian coast. Car is rented in Venice and has to be returned there. We'd like to spend the first 3 days of our road trip in Slovenia, with the focus on the Julian Alps, Soca Valley, Lakes Bled & Bohinj. We won't be going to Ljubljana. After that, we will head to Istria.

The trouble I'm having is the route through Slovenia from Venice we should take in order to see those places, preferably without backtracking. All the itineraries I've seen talk about driving from Ljubljana. Should we have a base for the 3 days and see everything from there? Or stay overnight along the way?

The first day we won't be wanting a very intense day, instead getting somewhere and relaxing in nice, pretty environs. It'll have been an overnight flight from the US, so we won't want to overdo it right away. I'm thinking getting to Lake Bled or Bohinj rather than tackling the Vrsic Pass first day. Our focus is more on the scenic versus cities or towns.

Any suggested route would be so appreciated. Thank you!

Posted by
16895 posts

No need to base in Ljubljana. You can drive from Venice to Kobarid in about 2 hours and along the way could stop for a quick look at the walled town of Palmanova, Italy. Then continue to drive clockwise around Slovenia. In addition to the usual GoogleMaps, www.viamichelin.com is helpful for driving directions.

Posted by
1924 posts

Here is a route I mapped out that might work for you, similar to what Laura suggested. Not sure where in Istria you're going, but this assumes Rovinj.

You could easily adapt this for detours to some of the sights nearby (such as caves, gorges, and castles).

Be prepared to spend a lot of time stopping to admire the scenery. It's truly stunning.

Posted by
3 posts

Thank you both, Laura & Lane. I had a weird mental block when it came to this portion of the trip, thinking I had to get to one of the lakes first. My husband is doing the driving and he hates backtracking so your suggestions solve that problem nicely.

With the option of stopping in Palmanova along the way, and perhaps having a nice Italian lunch, that should be good timing for us to get to Kobarid before too late in the day. I see there's a museum there that would be good to go to in order to give us some historical background on the Soca Valley which we would be driving through the next day.

Yes, we're heading to Rovinj after and I like the fact your suggested route gives us the option to see one of the caves.

Thanks so much again for your help!

Posted by
50 posts

I would stop in Kobarid and stay overnight. Much to do and see in the area and also one of the best restaurants in this part of the world - Hisa Franko. You can find many good restaurants in Brda - wine region. I wouldn't skip Ljubljana as is very charming city, small, walkable with one of the best Old Towns in Europe.
From Kobarid you can explore Soca Valley, WWI front line with museum, Mangart Road etc. You drive over Vrsic Pass to Kranjska Gora and Bled and stay overnight. You can include Bohinj Lake and Vogel.
From Ljubljana you can easy visit some Caves and Predjama Castle or Socerb Castle on your way to Rovinj. Unfortunately with three days you don't have time to see many others attraction in the area and for that you will need a week.
I recommend to look at TA - Trip Advisor as there are many posts on Slovenia and Croatia with many good ideas.

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