exodustravels.com
Slovenia Adventure
7 daysfrom $3,525
PTG Tours · Escorted tour (partially escorted - see guiding)
Trieste, Ljubljana and Lake Bled – with Private Train
A railway tour around Slovenia and the wonderful Lake Bled, including two nights in Trieste (Italy) and a private locomotive-hauled charter train through the Slovenian mountains.
Day by day
- Day 1railovernight: Trieste
Fly or travel overland to Trieste
Flights from London Gatwick or Heathrow direct to Venice, then transfer to Mestre railway station and an early-evening train through to Trieste. Alternative direct flight from Stansted to Trieste; from Manchester via Milan Malpensa and an onward train; overland option via Eurostar/Munich with an overnight in Munich before continuing to Mestre.
- Day 2overnight: Trieste
Trieste
A day to explore the harbour city of Trieste, including the funicular up into the Opicina hills (unique in Europe for its combined tram-and-cable section). Free day for own exploration with a guidebook provided.
- Day 3railovernight: Ljubljana
Trieste to Ljubljana
A recently reintroduced international train crosses the border from Italy to Slovenia through the mountains to Ljubljana, arriving mid-afternoon. Late afternoon and evening free for own exploration; meet up with the PTG tour manager. The tour is not escorted by PTG staff after this point.
- Day 4railovernight: Ljubljana
Special charter train (day 1 of 3)
Travel by special charter train formed of carriages hauled by a vintage diesel locomotive, with two reserved seats per person (a bay of four for couples). Exact routes still being finalised but expected to include the steep-gradient line to Koper and freight-only branch lines; first/last days expected to run Ljubljana–Divača–Koper–Sežana–Nova Gorica–Jesenice–Ljubljana and Ljubljana–Kočevje–Ljubljana.
- Day 5railovernight: Ljubljana
Special charter train (day 2 of 3)
Continuing the three-day special charter train tour around Slovenia; itinerary for this day was still being agreed at time of publication.
- Day 6railovernight: Ljubljana
Special charter train (day 3 of 3)
Final day of the special charter train tour around Slovenia, described as the last chance to hire such a train before the carriages and locomotives are phased out.
- Day 7railovernight: Lake Bled
Free day in Ljubljana; on to Lake Bled
Free day to explore Ljubljana, including the castle (via funicular), a river cruise on the Ljubljanica, or a visit to the railway museum. Evening train from Ljubljana to Lesce-Bled for the first of two nights at Lake Bled.
- Day 8overnight: Lake Bled
Lake Bled
Free day to explore Lake Bled: walk around the lake, visit the castle, ride the ski lift, or take a horse-drawn coach.
- Day 9rail
Return to UK
Transfer to Ljubljana airport for direct flights to Gatwick or Heathrow. Alternative routings via Salzburg (for Stansted) or Munich (for Birmingham, Manchester or onward rail to St Pancras) for other UK gateways.
