Trieste or more time in Slovenia? Final itinerary advice

I have not stayed in or visited Trieste, but I think you are missing one of the most beautiful parts of Slovenia if you don't spend some time in the Soča Valley. Consider Kobarid as your home base for exploring this area.

I also have to wonder what you plan to do with 4 nights in Piran. You have a very leisurely-paced trip, and that's great, but I spent just a few hours in Piran, and that felt sufficient. It's a very nice city, but small and not really any major sights. Ljubljana is certainly worth more time than Piran.

Thank you! We have 5 weeks away and this is just 4 days to wind down and basically just chill out in piran.

I have to agree with the previous comment about seeing more of Slovenia. The Soca Valley is beautiful as are the Julian Alps, and the Skocjan Caves are not to be missed. One night is enough for Piran, and two max for Ljubljana. We stopped for lunch in Radovlijica on the way to Lake Bled, which was sufficient for us.

While I haven't been to Trieste, I'm not sure that it gives you that much more than what you get from Piran. From what I can tell, it's similar architecture, similar people (despite different countries), and similar vibe -- Trieste is just larger. The Soča Valley gives you something very different and something that to my mind is quite special. I agree with Rachele, too, that Škocjan Caves is not to be missed as long as no mobility problems; it's spectacular! And it's right along the way from Piran to Ljubljana or the Soča Valley.

I'm the outlier in believing that Piran would be a great place to rest and relax for 4 days; as mentioned previously, I spent 4 days there in 2019. I thought it was gorgeous. Tartini Square is fun to wander in the evening when the locals come out and kids are kicking around soccer balls with their friends. There are lots of places to sit along the sea and chill. You've probably already nailed down your lodging, but Memento B&B is one of the top places I have stayed. It's a in a restored building right off Tartini Square.

A cool activity in Piran, depending on the size of your travel group, is to spend a half-day or day with Saša exploring the coast in his vintage Citroën. This was definitely a highlight of my time in Piran. I think time spent with Saša helps make someone's stay in Piran complete! https://www.laganini.si/index.html

Say hi to Nina for me! She will remember me as the guy from the US who ordered a bunch of driftwood boats during the COVID shutdown!

I agree with most of the other comments. Trieste is worth a stop as it has a few sights (Canal Grande, Piazza Unita d’Italia) but 3 days is a bit much. Despite the Austria-Hungary connection, the city felt like a typical Northern Italian city (not entirely unlike Milan with its mix of old and new, a bit gritty, a bit chaotic), it is not particularly pretty.

I second the Kobarid suggestion, there are also a few interesting towns and areas within reasonable distance from Ljubljana or Radovljica (Skofja Loka, Kamnik, Kropa, Kramj)… for something different you could also consider Logarska Dolina.

Thanks everyone,

I actually went back to my previous posts and reread your entire trip, Dave. It was so detailed and interesting that I ended up cancelling Trieste — even though I had booked lovely accommodation (I’ll still mention it here as it looked beautiful: Casa Saba).

I did look up Memento B&B, but decided on Piranese Guesthouse instead, as it sits right in front of the marina.

I also went back and found Tourist Farm Kranjc — and managed to book the last available room! Meant to be.

I’ve also booked your guide Saša for our time in Piran, and we’re planning to stop by Nina’s Tiny Houses as well.

Thanks Barneyg and Rachel — I’m looking into your suggestions now!

We’ll now travel from Piran to Tourist Farm Kranjc by car, then continue on to Radovljica and Ljubljana, where we’re happy with the accommodation we’ve booked.
Thank s again! Only 3 weeks away!

Thank you everyone for helping by adding your tips. We had the best trip and Piran was an absolute highlight. It was the Salt festival while we were there so plenty going on with excellent food and wine to taste. Besides this we actually just fell in love with Piran and would return in a heart beat to chill and enjoy the local life.
I'll post our itinerary below but there is not one thing we would have changed. Thanks Dave for your tips as we also stayed at Kobarid farm which we also loved.
Can't wait to travel again!

Location Nights
Tokyo 2 nights
Munich 2 nights
Castiglione d'Orcia 3 nights
Bologna 3 nights
Venice 2 nights
Piran 4 nights
Kobarid 3 nights
Radovljica 3 nights
Ljubljana 3 nights
Paris 2 nights
Seine River Cruise 6 nights
Amsterdam 4 nights

AJ, I appreciate that you came back with an update. I'm wondering if you thought 3 nights was too much/too little for Ljubljana. I'm actually considering 4 nights there so I can do 1-2 day trips.

Sounds like Piran was lovely!

The helpful comments in this post illustrate why it's such a good idea to look at "All Topics" instead of (or in addition to) only specific countries or forum topics.

We also decided to skip staying in Trieste on our trip to the Friuli region this fall, and I felt somehow that we shouldn't until I read this post. I'm sure we'd find all sorts of interesting things to see and do in Trieste, but choices have to be made!

Hi, AJ. Thanks for returning to give feedback on your trip. It is a very kind act to update those who provided advice. It looks like you had a quite lovely trip. I'm glad you found Piran to be as great as I did, and I'm glad things went well in the Kobarid area, too. Did you get to do your tour with Saša?

Hi KRS,
Three nights was great however, we could have eaily had another couple of nights in Ljubljana. We did a day trip to Predjama castle and Postojna caves whichI highly recommend. However, the highway to the destination took 3 hours rather than 1 hour. The high way just closed and I have never seen a back up of traffic in all my life (sonething to consider if you are on a tight time frame).
W stayed at Petkovšek Rooms and Apartments which we could not fault. Had a room looking over the river and views of the castle.

Nancys8 I agree we would have found Trieste great with plenty to do but we had already seen a few big cities and wanted the opportunity to explre the country side.

Dave your recommendations were great at just loved Slovenia. Didn't catch up with Saša as it was going to cost over $600AUD for the half day. Also withthe Salt festival on there was just so much to explore in the town. I met Nika and bought one of her tiny houses as well.

We also enjoyed Radovljica where we stayed at Pension Lectar, very quirky but very comfortable and welcoming.

Leaving Kobarid by car to Radovljica the weather had come is so travelled by car train which was excellent and saved about and hour and half travel time- heres a summary: Car Train (Motorail or "Avtovlak") in Slovenia, it connects the alpine Bohinj region with the Soča Valley. It operates on the Bohinj Railway line, transporting vehicles and passengers through the 6.3 km Bohinj Tunnel.

Kobarid we went white water rafting and also explored the The Kobarid Historical Trail. Also enjoed the small town and found a cute lttle restaurant in walkimng dostace from the Tourist Farm Kranjc at Dreznica at Gostisce Jelkin Hram.