Croatia & Slovenia: 10 Days of Historic Coastline, Waterfalls & Mountains

Mount Srd

Mount Srd, towering above the ancient city of Dubrovnik, undoubtedly offers the best panoramic views of the old town and the surrounding coastline. You can ascend the 412m (1352ft) peak via an ultra-modern cable car near the old city walls, or get the blood pumping by hiking up a steep zig-zag trail to the top. Apart from the astonishing scenery, there's also a museum dedicated to the 1991-95 Croatian War of Independence. The original cable car was built back in 1969 but had to be completely rebuilt after suffering extensive damage during the conflict of the early 1990s. On a clear day, you can see up to 60 km (37 miles). It's for this reason the neighboring Imperial Fortress was built by the French on this spot back in the early 19th century. The cable car runs as soon as there are enough passengers, and the last departure from the lower station is thirty minutes before closing time, which can be as early as 4pm during the winter, and as late as midnight in the summer.

Visit a fort held by the Croatians in their desperate struggle to defend Dubrovnik in the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s.

This fort at the summit of Mt Srd is called the Imperial Fort. Built on the orders of Napoleon, it was being used as a disco by the 1980s. However, it reverted to its original military purpose during the 1991-95 Balkans War, when it was heroically held by Dubrovnik's rag-tag defenders. Croatia had no army worthy of the name at the outbreak of hostilities, so it was mostly a local force of former army soldiers, policeman and untrained volunteers who manned the extremely precarious position. The Serb-dominated Yugoslav Federal Army overran all the surrounding territory and infamously bombarded the historic core of Dubrovnik, but somehow the Imperial Fort held on against overwhelming odds, so Dubrovnik was never occupied. The fort now houses the Museum of the Homeland War and recounts the story of the epic defense. The exhibits include: art and documentary photographs, weapons, mines and explosive devices, war maps, military orders, parts of military equipment, objects from every-day life which belonged to the residents and defenders of Dubrovnik during the siege, authentic recordings and video material, reminiscences of the participants, the armed forces war flags, the original flag that was raised on Mt Srd after the city was finally relieved, minefield maps, and war log books, etc. A memorial plaque with the names of those who died defending Dubrovnik has also been placed on Mount Srd.

Mount Srd

Mount Srd, towering above the ancient city of Dubrovnik, undoubtedly offers the best panoramic views of the old town and the surrounding coastline. You can ascend the 412m (1352ft) peak via an ultra-modern cable car near the old city walls, or get the blood pumping by hiking up a steep zig-zag trail to the top. Apart from the astonishing scenery, there's also a museum dedicated to the 1991-95 Croatian War of Independence. The original cable car was built back in 1969 but had to be completely rebuilt after suffering extensive damage during the conflict of the early 1990s. On a clear day, you can see up to 60 km (37 miles). It's for this reason the neighboring Imperial Fortress was built by the French on this spot back in the early 19th century. The cable car runs as soon as there are enough passengers, and the last departure from the lower station is thirty minutes before closing time, which can be as early as 4pm during the winter, and as late as midnight in the summer.

Visit a fort held by the Croatians in their desperate struggle to defend Dubrovnik in the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s.

This fort at the summit of Mt Srd is called the Imperial Fort. Built on the orders of Napoleon, it was being used as a disco by the 1980s. However, it reverted to its original military purpose during the 1991-95 Balkans War, when it was heroically held by Dubrovnik's rag-tag defenders. Croatia had no army worthy of the name at the outbreak of hostilities, so it was mostly a local force of former army soldiers, policeman and untrained volunteers who manned the extremely precarious position. The Serb-dominated Yugoslav Federal Army overran all the surrounding territory and infamously bombarded the historic core of Dubrovnik, but somehow the Imperial Fort held on against overwhelming odds, so Dubrovnik was never occupied. The fort now houses the Museum of the Homeland War and recounts the story of the epic defense. The exhibits include: art and documentary photographs, weapons, mines and explosive devices, war maps, military orders, parts of military equipment, objects from every-day life which belonged to the residents and defenders of Dubrovnik during the siege, authentic recordings and video material, reminiscences of the participants, the armed forces war flags, the original flag that was raised on Mt Srd after the city was finally relieved, minefield maps, and war log books, etc. A memorial plaque with the names of those who died defending Dubrovnik has also been placed on Mount Srd.

Monument

A monument in the heart of Old Town Dubrovnik. The column, erected in 1418, features the armored knight Orlando who according to the legend, helped the people of old Dubrovnik defeat invaders in the middle ages, therefore, helping Dubrovnik remain a free trade city-state.

14th-century Gothic-Renaissance palace

14th-century Gothic-Renaissance palace featuring a museum

Guided Walking Tour of Dubrovnik's Old Town

Dubrovnik was able to accumulate vast fortunes as a safe trade route into the Balkan hinterland and thus create a remarkably beautiful city and gargantuan fortifications that remain astonishingly well preserved to today. On this two-hour private guided walking tour, you will experience the supreme delight of viewing the old town almost as it was centuries ago and learning about the history and culture of the city through the ages.

Monument

A monument in the heart of Old Town Dubrovnik. The column, erected in 1418, features the armored knight Orlando who according to the legend, helped the people of old Dubrovnik defeat invaders in the middle ages, therefore, helping Dubrovnik remain a free trade city-state.

Check out this seaside monastery filled with several Renaissance art treasures.

The Monastery of Our Lady of the Snow contains some early Renaissance gems in its small church. There's also a wonderful Bukovac work above the entrance to the sanctuary, depicting the Madonna and Child gazing at the Cavtat skyline at sunset. If you don't know the legend, then it relates to a Roman patrician couple in the 14th century, who were without heirs, and who made a vow to donate their possessions to the Virgin Mary. They prayed that she might make known to them how they were to dispose of their property in her honor. On 5 August, at the height of the Roman summer, snow fell during the night on the summit of the Esquiline Hill. The locals in Cavtat relate the story to an attack on the town by Venetians or pirates, and in response to their prayers to St Mary it began to snow despite the fact that it was also the middle of summer; the enemy fleet took fright at the sign of such a miracle and weighed anchor.

Take a relaxing walk up the hill to this interesting mausoleum in a cemetery overlooking the town.

This octagonal white dome with huge bronze doors decorated with gargoyles of dogs, eagles and winged lambs, was built high above Cavtat in the early 1920s by the ubiquitous Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović for a wealthy local ship-owning family. Even if you prefer not to visit this marble folly, the walk to it is definitely worthwhile. At the hub of its quayside activity, Cavtat feels full of light and air but still a bit busy. But venture back from the harbourfront, following the signs for the mausoleum, and you discover another world altogether - a spacious rural idyll.

Cavtat

Less than 45 minutes by boat or bus from central Dubrovnik, Cavtat is a fascinating and cultured destination in itself. It perches on the saddle of a wooded peninsula set between two bays, so the water is never far away, and a wide promenade, fringed with palm trees, runs along the harbor front. It's an ideal half-day excursion from Dubrovnik where you can while away the hours exploring the town or soak up the sun on a rare sandy beach nearby. Much of Cavtat's allure survives is in the old part of the town, which straddles the ridge behind the waterfront. Badly damaged in what the Croats call the 'Homeland War' of the early 1990s, the town has been conveniently restored to its previous charm. The cosmopolitan center of the town, where fishing and tourist boats jostle with gleaming jet-set yachts the size of mini cruise liners, is crisscrossed with cobbled streets lined with traditional red-roofed brownstone houses that climb back from the gleaming turquoise-blue of the waterfront. The narrow stairways between the opposite sides of each street are carpeted in clouds of white, mauve and pink blossoms in spring and summer.

Check out this seaside monastery filled with several Renaissance art treasures.

The Monastery of Our Lady of the Snow contains some early Renaissance gems in its small church. There's also a wonderful Bukovac work above the entrance to the sanctuary, depicting the Madonna and Child gazing at the Cavtat skyline at sunset. If you don't know the legend, then it relates to a Roman patrician couple in the 14th century, who were without heirs, and who made a vow to donate their possessions to the Virgin Mary. They prayed that she might make known to them how they were to dispose of their property in her honor. On 5 August, at the height of the Roman summer, snow fell during the night on the summit of the Esquiline Hill. The locals in Cavtat relate the story to an attack on the town by Venetians or pirates, and in response to their prayers to St Mary it began to snow despite the fact that it was also the middle of summer; the enemy fleet took fright at the sign of such a miracle and weighed anchor.

See the beautiful courtyard which was once the center of the palace, and is now the heart of Split.

The Peristyle was the central courtyard of the palace complex and the crossing point of its main streets. The columns around the courtyard were pillaged from Egypt, though the officer in charge of the operation must have forgotten to get some extras as four of the columns are clearly different from the others. There's also a black granite Egyptian sphinx on one side dating from 1500 BC which originally flanked the entrance to Diocletian's mausoleum (other sphinxes around the palace were decapitated by Diocletian to allay his superstition that they posed a threat to his rule). If you sit on one of the red cushions scattered around the Peristyle you'll be approached by a waiter with a menu of very expensive drinks, but it may be worth it just to sit and lap up the history and watch people go by. At the southern end of the Peristyle, steps lead up to a cone-shaped, roofless chamber which once served as the palace vestibule. Visitors would wait here before being summoned before the ex-emperor into his private apartments.

Enter this ancient gateway to discover palace cellars used as film sets for Game of Thrones.

While today about 200 feet (60m) from the water, the Bronze Gate originally sat directly on the sea, allowing boats to pull directly up to the palace. As you enter the gate you will find a mass of souvenir and arts & crafts stalls, but just inside the entrance on either side are the substructures, or cellars of the palace. After the palace fell into disrepair, the cellars were used as rubbish pits. Families occupying the apartments above would simply create holes in the floor and voila, they had an instant trash dump with a seemingly unending supply of space. Of course centuries of trash did eventually them fill up and they were only rediscovered in 1956; the excavations continue to this very day. While entrance to the cellar is not free, it provides an excellent idea of what the palace must originally have looked like, as they're an exact mirror image of the imperial living quarters above. Game of Thrones fans will also be happy to learn that the cellar was used as a filming set, including as Daenerys Targaryen's grand Meereen throne room.

Split Old Town Walking Tour

This two-hour guided tour will take you to the Roman emperor Diocletian's 1700-year-old palace which was built as his personal rest home. Walk from the Bronze Gate through the central hall of the ancient cellars is the main communication line between the busy waterfront promenade, the Riva, and the palace's main forecourt, the Peristyle. You'll also stop by the Cathedral of St Duje, one of the most beautiful cultural attractions on the Adriatic coast, the Roman temple of Jupiter (latterly a Christian baptistry), the fabulous Golden Gate, and the medieval Croatian bishop who introduced the Croatian language in religious services.

See the beautiful courtyard which was once the center of the palace, and is now the heart of Split.

The Peristyle was the central courtyard of the palace complex and the crossing point of its main streets. The columns around the courtyard were pillaged from Egypt, though the officer in charge of the operation must have forgotten to get some extras as four of the columns are clearly different from the others. There's also a black granite Egyptian sphinx on one side dating from 1500 BC which originally flanked the entrance to Diocletian's mausoleum (other sphinxes around the palace were decapitated by Diocletian to allay his superstition that they posed a threat to his rule). If you sit on one of the red cushions scattered around the Peristyle you'll be approached by a waiter with a menu of very expensive drinks, but it may be worth it just to sit and lap up the history and watch people go by. At the southern end of the Peristyle, steps lead up to a cone-shaped, roofless chamber which once served as the palace vestibule. Visitors would wait here before being summoned before the ex-emperor into his private apartments.

Klis Fortress

For thousands of years the mighty and imposing Klis Fortress, with its grand views of the Dalmatian Coast, has been guarding the strategic mountain pass just above Split. For many modern visitors, however, more significant than the real history of the castle is its use as a film set for the city-state of Meereen in Game of Thrones. In either case, ciimbing the fortress's steep trails and exploring its ruins makes for a fascinating visit. The remarkably intact structure with grand views of the Dalmatian Coast was first fortified by the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Dalmatae, and later by Romans. In medieval times it was a seat of power for the expanding medieval kingdom of the Croats, even repelling a Mongol army in 1242. Klis was later defended by a band of irregular Croatian defenders, the Uskoks, who managed to hold off repeated sieges by the Ottoman Turks until finally being defeated in 1537. Within the fortress you'll find an interesting exhibit on the Uskoks. Retaken from the Turks in 1648, the fortress changed hands several more times, and saw its last military action during the Second World War when it was a stronghold for Italian and German occupation forces. These days, you can easily conquer the fortifications yourself via the local bus line 22 from Split. Even more easy is the Promet tourist bus which leaves from the main bus station and reaches the fortress in 20 minutes. Of course most convenient is take a guided tour which can explain both the real and the cinematic story behind the fortress.

Klis Fortress

For thousands of years the mighty and imposing Klis Fortress, with its grand views of the Dalmatian Coast, has been guarding the strategic mountain pass just above Split. For many modern visitors, however, more significant than the real history of the castle is its use as a film set for the city-state of Meereen in Game of Thrones. In either case, ciimbing the fortress's steep trails and exploring its ruins makes for a fascinating visit. The remarkably intact structure with grand views of the Dalmatian Coast was first fortified by the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Dalmatae, and later by Romans. In medieval times it was a seat of power for the expanding medieval kingdom of the Croats, even repelling a Mongol army in 1242. Klis was later defended by a band of irregular Croatian defenders, the Uskoks, who managed to hold off repeated sieges by the Ottoman Turks until finally being defeated in 1537. Within the fortress you'll find an interesting exhibit on the Uskoks. Retaken from the Turks in 1648, the fortress changed hands several more times, and saw its last military action during the Second World War when it was a stronghold for Italian and German occupation forces. These days, you can easily conquer the fortifications yourself via the local bus line 22 from Split. Even more easy is the Promet tourist bus which leaves from the main bus station and reaches the fortress in 20 minutes. Of course most convenient is take a guided tour which can explain both the real and the cinematic story behind the fortress.

Klis Fortress

For thousands of years the mighty and imposing Klis Fortress, with its grand views of the Dalmatian Coast, has been guarding the strategic mountain pass just above Split. For many modern visitors, however, more significant than the real history of the castle is its use as a film set for the city-state of Meereen in Game of Thrones. In either case, ciimbing the fortress's steep trails and exploring its ruins makes for a fascinating visit. The remarkably intact structure with grand views of the Dalmatian Coast was first fortified by the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Dalmatae, and later by Romans. In medieval times it was a seat of power for the expanding medieval kingdom of the Croats, even repelling a Mongol army in 1242. Klis was later defended by a band of irregular Croatian defenders, the Uskoks, who managed to hold off repeated sieges by the Ottoman Turks until finally being defeated in 1537. Within the fortress you'll find an interesting exhibit on the Uskoks. Retaken from the Turks in 1648, the fortress changed hands several more times, and saw its last military action during the Second World War when it was a stronghold for Italian and German occupation forces. These days, you can easily conquer the fortifications yourself via the local bus line 22 from Split. Even more easy is the Promet tourist bus which leaves from the main bus station and reaches the fortress in 20 minutes. Of course most convenient is take a guided tour which can explain both the real and the cinematic story behind the fortress.

Klis Fortress

For thousands of years the mighty and imposing Klis Fortress, with its grand views of the Dalmatian Coast, has been guarding the strategic mountain pass just above Split. For many modern visitors, however, more significant than the real history of the castle is its use as a film set for the city-state of Meereen in Game of Thrones. In either case, ciimbing the fortress's steep trails and exploring its ruins makes for a fascinating visit. The remarkably intact structure with grand views of the Dalmatian Coast was first fortified by the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Dalmatae, and later by Romans. In medieval times it was a seat of power for the expanding medieval kingdom of the Croats, even repelling a Mongol army in 1242. Klis was later defended by a band of irregular Croatian defenders, the Uskoks, who managed to hold off repeated sieges by the Ottoman Turks until finally being defeated in 1537. Within the fortress you'll find an interesting exhibit on the Uskoks. Retaken from the Turks in 1648, the fortress changed hands several more times, and saw its last military action during the Second World War when it was a stronghold for Italian and German occupation forces. These days, you can easily conquer the fortifications yourself via the local bus line 22 from Split. Even more easy is the Promet tourist bus which leaves from the main bus station and reaches the fortress in 20 minutes. Of course most convenient is take a guided tour which can explain both the real and the cinematic story behind the fortress.

Plitvice Lakes, Guided

On this private four-hour tour you will see the most eye-catching and majestic of any natural attraction in Croatia, if not all the Balkans; the Plitvice Lakes National Park is an astounding 8-kilometer (5-mile) stretch of 16 lakes that cascade one into the other over a terraced sequence of barriers formed over millennia. Thanks to its mineral-rich waters, the Park's lakes practically glow with a brilliant turquoise hue when seen from afar, and are crystal clear up close. Entry tickets to the park are included in the cost of your tour.

Plitvice Lakes, Guided

On this private four-hour tour you will see the most eye-catching and majestic of any natural attraction in Croatia, if not all the Balkans; the Plitvice Lakes National Park is an astounding 8-kilometer (5-mile) stretch of 16 lakes that cascade one into the other over a terraced sequence of barriers formed over millennia. Thanks to its mineral-rich waters, the Park's lakes practically glow with a brilliant turquoise hue when seen from afar, and are crystal clear up close. Entry tickets to the park are included in the cost of your tour.

Plitvice Lakes, Guided

On this private four-hour tour you will see the most eye-catching and majestic of any natural attraction in Croatia, if not all the Balkans; the Plitvice Lakes National Park is an astounding 8-kilometer (5-mile) stretch of 16 lakes that cascade one into the other over a terraced sequence of barriers formed over millennia. Thanks to its mineral-rich waters, the Park's lakes practically glow with a brilliant turquoise hue when seen from afar, and are crystal clear up close. Entry tickets to the park are included in the cost of your tour.

Plitvice Lakes, Guided

On this private four-hour tour you will see the most eye-catching and majestic of any natural attraction in Croatia, if not all the Balkans; the Plitvice Lakes National Park is an astounding 8-kilometer (5-mile) stretch of 16 lakes that cascade one into the other over a terraced sequence of barriers formed over millennia. Thanks to its mineral-rich waters, the Park's lakes practically glow with a brilliant turquoise hue when seen from afar, and are crystal clear up close. Entry tickets to the park are included in the cost of your tour.

Shuttle to Ljubljana

A private transfer with door-to-door service is certainly the most convenient way to travel. While bus connections do exist for this route, and are usually more affordable and carbon-friendly, you may prefer the ease of travel and service offered by a private driver. Taking the bus will require at least 3 extra hours of travel time as well as a connection in Zagreb, meaning you have to purchase two separate tickets with no guarantees in case of delays from the first leg. The 3-4 hour journey to Ljubljana takes you through the picturesque landscape of Slovenia and Croatia. Much of the journey will be along often winding 2-lane highways, but for at least part of the journey, you will take advantage of the excellent 4-lane highway systems in Slovenia.

Shuttle to Ljubljana

A private transfer with door-to-door service is certainly the most convenient way to travel. While bus connections do exist for this route, and are usually more affordable and carbon-friendly, you may prefer the ease of travel and service offered by a private driver. Taking the bus will require at least 3 extra hours of travel time as well as a connection in Zagreb, meaning you have to purchase two separate tickets with no guarantees in case of delays from the first leg. The 3-4 hour journey to Ljubljana takes you through the picturesque landscape of Slovenia and Croatia. Much of the journey will be along often winding 2-lane highways, but for at least part of the journey, you will take advantage of the excellent 4-lane highway systems in Slovenia.

Shuttle to Ljubljana

A private transfer with door-to-door service is certainly the most convenient way to travel. While bus connections do exist for this route, and are usually more affordable and carbon-friendly, you may prefer the ease of travel and service offered by a private driver. Taking the bus will require at least 3 extra hours of travel time as well as a connection in Zagreb, meaning you have to purchase two separate tickets with no guarantees in case of delays from the first leg. The 3-4 hour journey to Ljubljana takes you through the picturesque landscape of Slovenia and Croatia. Much of the journey will be along often winding 2-lane highways, but for at least part of the journey, you will take advantage of the excellent 4-lane highway systems in Slovenia.

Shuttle to Ljubljana

A private transfer with door-to-door service is certainly the most convenient way to travel. While bus connections do exist for this route, and are usually more affordable and carbon-friendly, you may prefer the ease of travel and service offered by a private driver. Taking the bus will require at least 3 extra hours of travel time as well as a connection in Zagreb, meaning you have to purchase two separate tickets with no guarantees in case of delays from the first leg. The 3-4 hour journey to Ljubljana takes you through the picturesque landscape of Slovenia and Croatia. Much of the journey will be along often winding 2-lane highways, but for at least part of the journey, you will take advantage of the excellent 4-lane highway systems in Slovenia.

Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle

Two of Slovenia's most famous and impressive attractions are located about 6 miles (10km) from each other, meaning that it's a no-brainer to see both of them on the same excursion. The other-worldly Postojna Caves are some of Europe's most impressive, while the wonderfully dramatic Predjama Castle, 9km north of the cave, is built into a setting as unforgettable as it is improbable.

Take a train deep inside a mountain to explore these wondrously beautiful caverns.

Postojna's wondrously vast complex of naturally formed underground chambers and an astonishing array of stalactite and stalagmite formations has been attracting open-mouthed visitors for two centuries already, thanks in no small way to the open-topped electric train that shuttles punters 1.2 mile (2km) inside the cave system before the guided tours begin.  As fascinating and multifarious as they are, the tour isn't all stalactites and stalagmites and how they've formed over the millennia. You also get a commentary on the alterations humans have made to the cave over the 200 years since it's discovery and you'll be shown how incipient stalactites have even started to form on concrete arches built over 90 years ago. Near the end of the tour, you will be introduced to the cave's 'baby dragons', or which people once believed were dragons - olms or 'Proteus anguinus'. With a length of 25 to 30 centimeters, the olm is the largest cave-dwelling animal and the only vertebrate in Europe that lives exclusively in subterranean areas. It is extremely well-adapted to life in darkness; its skin lacks any protective pigmentation, and the blood that shows through it makes it very pale and slightly pink in colour. The resemblance in colour to that of white-skinned humans is the reason why the olm is in some languages referred to as the human fish. It has a life expectancy of up to 100 years and can survive without food for several years.

Postojna Caves & Predjama Castle

Two of Slovenia's most famous and impressive attractions are located about 6 miles (10km) from each other, meaning that it's a no-brainer to see both of them on the same excursion. The other-worldly Postojna Caves are some of Europe's most impressive, while the wonderfully dramatic Predjama Castle, 9km north of the cave, is built into a setting as unforgettable as it is improbable.

Take a train deep inside a mountain to explore these wondrously beautiful caverns.

Postojna's wondrously vast complex of naturally formed underground chambers and an astonishing array of stalactite and stalagmite formations has been attracting open-mouthed visitors for two centuries already, thanks in no small way to the open-topped electric train that shuttles punters 1.2 mile (2km) inside the cave system before the guided tours begin.  As fascinating and multifarious as they are, the tour isn't all stalactites and stalagmites and how they've formed over the millennia. You also get a commentary on the alterations humans have made to the cave over the 200 years since it's discovery and you'll be shown how incipient stalactites have even started to form on concrete arches built over 90 years ago. Near the end of the tour, you will be introduced to the cave's 'baby dragons', or which people once believed were dragons - olms or 'Proteus anguinus'. With a length of 25 to 30 centimeters, the olm is the largest cave-dwelling animal and the only vertebrate in Europe that lives exclusively in subterranean areas. It is extremely well-adapted to life in darkness; its skin lacks any protective pigmentation, and the blood that shows through it makes it very pale and slightly pink in colour. The resemblance in colour to that of white-skinned humans is the reason why the olm is in some languages referred to as the human fish. It has a life expectancy of up to 100 years and can survive without food for several years.

Stare down at the lake from this dramatic castle precariously perched on a cliff.

Perched up high on a precipitous craggy bluff near the town center is Bled Castle, enclosed by a Romanesque wall and studded with stout parapets, towers and ramparts, just as any medieval castle should be. Originally constructed in the 11th century, the castle's present appearance dates from the 17th century, and is characterized by a lower and upper courtyard. Probably its best feature is the beautiful chapel. There are outstanding views from the castle terrace of the lake and island below, while the castle restaurant has a reputation as one of the best in Lake Bled. Close by at the start of one of the tracks leading up to the castle you'll also find the photogenic Parish Church of St Martin.

Follow along the cliffsides deep into this incredibly scenic gorge.

Another outstanding sight near Lake Bled is Vintgar Gorge, an impressively deep one mile (1.6km) ravine about 2.5 miles (4km) north of town. It was not officially discovered until 1891, but now it's easily accessible via a continuous chain of wooden gantries and bridges, suspended from the precipitous rock face, and running the entire length of the gorge. There are a number of ways to get there, including on foot, by bike, train (take one from Jezero Bled station one stop to Podhom and follow the signs to the gorge), bus (they run frequently during the summer months from Bled bus station), or taxi. Also, ask for a map from the information center so you don't get lost. You should take into consideration, however, that the gorge is rather wet and a little bit slippery, and bottlenecks form on the narrow gantries during the height of the tourist season as people stop to take photos.

If you like honey, chocolate, and gingerbread, make time for the small but exquisitely preserved medieval town of Radovljica, just 4 miles (6km) south-east of Bled.

Built on an outcrop above the River Sava and the beautiful Sava Valley, everything of interest in the town is centered around the wonderfully quiet Linhartov trg (Linhart Square), which is framed by Gothic and Renaissance buildings. The highlight is Thurn Mansion, clearly recognizable by its thickly stuccoed facade and vast spread of coats of arms. Inside, a magnificent double stairway leads up to the truly splendid Beekeeping Museum. Don't be fooled into thinking that it must invariably be a dull topic, as beekeeping is one of Slovenia's oldest and most celebrated traditions. After going over the history of beekeeping and examples of pioneering apiculture the undoubted high point of the museum is its collection of over 200 beehive panels - wooden end panels painted with religious, satirical or humorous motifs and scenes.  Otherwise check out the Parish Church of St Peter just to the east of the museum, and the best-preserved houses on the square: no.3 Vidic House and no.22, the muralled Šiveč House. Radovljica also has a long chocolate and gingerbread-making tradition, so don't miss the live gingerbread workshop and museum at no.2 Pension Lectar.

Excursion to Lake Bled

With its mountain setting, dark turquoise waters, boats rowing passengers out to the island church, and dramatic cliff-top castle, Lake Bled is picture-postcard perfect, making it the most popular destination in Slovenia for both international and domestic tourists alike. You can take a walk or ride a tourist train around the lake, row out to the island, and dine alongside the enchanting shoreline. With enough time to spare, you can also take in the dramatic Vintgar Gorge and the beautiful medieval village of Radovljica. Lake Bled is about an hour-and-a-half trip from Ljubljana. You have two options for getting to there by public transport - bus or train. Buses depart Ljubljana more frequently and arrive at a very convenient location near the lakeshore in Bled, but they can get very crowded during the summer, especially at the weekends when seemingly every young backpacker in the country wants to get there, while the train departs more infrequently and doesn't arrive directly in Bled, but it isn't as crowded. Of course you can also just take a guided excursion if you want to keep it simple.

Row (or be rowed) to this beautiful island in the center of Lake Bled.

The most recognizable symbol of Bled Island  is the Church of the Assumption, although there are a handful of other buildings on the islet. The church dates from 1689 and its most outstanding features are the well-preserved frescoes. A wishing bell, which keeps many visitors amused, was installed in 1534, though a larger bell hangs in the enormous free-standing belfry. Weddings are held regularly in the church and traditionally it is considered good luck for a groom to carry his bride up the 99 stone steps on the day of their wedding before ringing the bell and making a wish inside the church.  Numerous pletna boats take passengers to the island. A pletna looks sort of like a Venetian gondola, but wider. You'll pay about 15 EUR for a return journey, which includes 25min there, 40min on the island itself, and another 25min back, i.e. an hour-and-a-half altogether. The pletna oarsmen will be happy to answer your questions as you make your way across the lake. Only locals are permitted to operate a pletna. The tradition has been passed from generation to generation for the past few centuries. The pletna operate all year round depending on the weather. If you want to expend your own energy to get across the lake, then there a number of places around the lakeshore where you can rent a rowboat and get to the island under your own steam. There's also a motorized ferry that runs regularly from the main tourist information office for around 12 EUR.

Stare down at the lake from this dramatic castle precariously perched on a cliff.

Perched up high on a precipitous craggy bluff near the town center is Bled Castle, enclosed by a Romanesque wall and studded with stout parapets, towers and ramparts, just as any medieval castle should be. Originally constructed in the 11th century, the castle's present appearance dates from the 17th century, and is characterized by a lower and upper courtyard. Probably its best feature is the beautiful chapel. There are outstanding views from the castle terrace of the lake and island below, while the castle restaurant has a reputation as one of the best in Lake Bled. Close by at the start of one of the tracks leading up to the castle you'll also find the photogenic Parish Church of St Martin.

Transfer to Airport

Ljubljana has one main airport, Ljubljana Airport, also known as Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, where almost all visitors depart. You can also arrange a private transfer for added convenience. If you are picked up about two hours and forty-five minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. The cost should be about 35 EUR. It is a very small airport so you should have little trouble finding your way upon arrival at the airport.

Transfer to Airport

Ljubljana has one main airport, Ljubljana Airport, also known as Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, where almost all visitors depart. You can also arrange a private transfer for added convenience. If you are picked up about two hours and forty-five minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. The cost should be about 35 EUR. It is a very small airport so you should have little trouble finding your way upon arrival at the airport.

Transfer to Airport

Ljubljana has one main airport, Ljubljana Airport, also known as Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, where almost all visitors depart. You can also arrange a private transfer for added convenience. If you are picked up about two hours and forty-five minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. The cost should be about 35 EUR. It is a very small airport so you should have little trouble finding your way upon arrival at the airport.

Transfer to Airport

Ljubljana has one main airport, Ljubljana Airport, also known as Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, where almost all visitors depart. You can also arrange a private transfer for added convenience. If you are picked up about two hours and forty-five minutes before your departure time, you should arrive at the airport with about two hours to spare, depending on traffic. The cost should be about 35 EUR. It is a very small airport so you should have little trouble finding your way upon arrival at the airport.