I am having trouble deciding whether to spend 3 extra nights after the RS Central Europe tour in Venice or Bled. The tour ends in Bled. I have been to Venice twice before and loved it, but it would be my husband’s first time. Neither of us have been to Bled. We love mountains and would do day trips to places like Vintgar Gorge, Lake Bohinj, the Soca Valley and the mountain pass between them if we stayed in Bled. The disadvantage to staying in Bled is that flights from Ljubljana to Phoenix involve 2 stops or 1 16 hour stop. Venice has better connections. Another option would be to split the time between Bled and Venice to be in position for a better flight home from Venice. I know we would have a great time in either place. What would you do to end your trip? Thanks so much for your help!
Posted by
Irving
3231 posts
Split the time between Bled and Venice.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17470 posts
We spend 4 nights and 3 full days at Bled a few years ago, during a Masters’ Rowing event. My husband was competing but we did not know when, so we reserved the 4 nights at a nice pension. He only had one race, and after that we kind of ran out of things to see and do. We did enjoy a bike ride to Vintgar Gorge, but the walk through was very crowded, a single file moving rather slowly. We also did a hike up to the top of a hill that had a summer luge run down, and my husband did that (not for me, thanks). But it wasn’t like hiking in Switzerland or the Dolomites where we usually go.
If we had the chance to go to Venice then I would much rather have been there. but I am one who cannot have enough time in Venice. What you might do is add one day to Bled, if the Vintgar Gorge bike ride sounds fun and interesting, or if you research and find something else to do there. Otherwise just head to Venice. Or consider a short visit to Munich or Vienna, both of which should offer good flights home for you.
I would only consider a 16-hour layover on a flight if it offered an overnight in a city I like. But then you have to consider the added cost of the hotel, etc.
Posted by
1531 posts
I say bled and Venice
Posted by
OP
14 posts
Thank you so much for your replies! think we will add one day to Bled. (Lola, the coaster sounds like a blast to us. Haha!) I think we will add another night to the trip so that we can have 3 nights in Venice. My last trip there was in 2007 and I’ve never navigated it on my own, so it will be almost like a new destination! Wish it was coming quicker. We’re going September 2025. Thanks again!
Posted by
Pennsylvania
283 posts
We took that tour and flew home from Venice because, as you said, the flights from Ljubljana are generally difficult. Even if you decide to spend all of your extra days in Bled, Venice is only a three hour drive away to catch a flight home. We used the Go Opti Shuttle.
Posted by
Boston
98 posts
That tour looks amazing! You could easily occupy yourself in Slovenia for a few more days - Julian Alps, WW I sites, hiking, the caves in Postojna or Skocjan... When we were driving through the Soca Valley and drove into Italy to go back to Ljubljana , I was sad to see the signs for Venice and not have time to go there! Would you rent a car? If you don't have a car (returning it in Italy would come with a price, something like $500 surcharge), taking the bus to Venice as others have said would be a good option.