I'm planning on traveling throughout eastern europe for a month or so in Sept. After Salzberg, I'm heading down to Ljubljana by train. I plan on staying there for a couple nights, then I'd like to head down to the Skocjan Caves. After that I would like to see the Plitvice Lakes in Croatia before heading down to Dubrovnik. I have a couple questions:
1. How long should I spend in Skocjan and Plitvice?
2. How do I get from one place to the next? I'd prefer not to rent a car.
Thanks :)
Posted by
Puyallup, WA, USA
881 posts
Hi, Kelli.
For the caves, I would spend 1-2 days. Stay in the town of Postojna. The Postojna cave system is a bit more touristy, but equally as grand, and impressive as Skocjan, each in their own way. While in Postojna, it's worth also going up to look at Predjama the cave-castle <--one of my favorite all time places in Europe.
Postojna is a small town, no really great places to stay, though maybe some on here can recommend a farm/B&B/pension - the hotels are adequate. (I'll leave it at that), but serve a good breakfast.
From Ljubljana, you can catch a train, run constantly, takes less than 45 mins. BUs is more infrequent these days. You'll need a cab to visit the three sites. So -
It may work out cheaper just to rent a car in Ljubljana, drive down to see the caves, and head back up to Ljubljana to head to the lakes (most connections will go through there anyway).
Wit the car, you also have the option of popping down to the coast (Portorose, Piran) 2hrs, or even to Trieste (2hrs) or Venice (4ish hrs). All easy/nice drives.
Haven't been to Croatia, yet, but hope that helps!
Posted by
Utah
446 posts
we tend to move pretty fast (by car) but had plenty of time to visit predjama castle and skocjan caves in transit from bled to istria. if you want to stay in the immediate area i would think 1 day/1 nite. the same for plitvice 1 day/1 nite.
Posted by
Denver, Colorado, USA
143 posts
Hiya Kelli, Plitvice is a magical place -- highly recommended. I would give it a full day but probably not more than two full days.
A couple of years ago, I did the Best of Eastern Europe tour which ended in Lake Bled, Slovenia (also highly recommended), and then went by train to Zagreb, the Croatian capital, and then to Split (on the coast), by the "Tilting Train" (high-speed rail). Great trip and easy connections. From there, you need to take a coach to Dubrovnik, which is an amazing city. You might want to spend a day or so in Split, which is also very interesting -- the heart of the modern city is built incorporating the remains of the retirement palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian. Well worth a few days visit. If your trip is ending in Dubrovnik, oonsider flying out of the airport there, rather than backtracking. I fly British Air from Dubrovnik to London and London back to Denver.
Have an amazing trip! (I'm sure you will!)
Ross in Denver