We’ve picked out two holidays to consider for 2019/20 – a group activity holiday to Slovakia and a summer holiday in Slovenia’s stunning Julian Alps.
Winter Slovakia
Slovakia is a landlocked country bordered by the Ukraine in the east and Austria and the west. Once part of Czechoslovakia, the Slovak Republic (Slovakia) split from the Czech Republic in 1993, and the two new countries were formed. Slovakia’s capital city is Bratislava, and the country’s landscape is dominated by high mountains which sweep across the north part of Slovakia – the Tatra, the highest part of the vast Carpathian range. The Tatra are characterised by high peaks above ground and a wonderful network of caves and caverns underground, of which 30 are open to the public. Together with nearly 50,000 km of rivers, the country is an, as yet largely undiscovered, gold mine for outdoor activity enthusiasts!
On our eight-day Winter Slovakia group family holiday, you fly to Poprad then head into the High Tatra in the north of the country for a week-long stay in the town of Tatranska Lomnica, an ideal base for winter activities. The slopes here offer some of the best skiing in Europe and are suited to every skill level – practise skiing or snowboarding, or take a cable-car ride to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Velka Fatra National Park comprises a stunning variety of landscapes at this time of year, including dramatic ridges, caves and rock formations and well as snow-covered meadows. Take a dog-sled ride through this superb winter scenery, then enjoy a relaxing dip in a thermal pool. Next you don snowshoes and follow mountain trails, take a sleigh ride and enjoy a BBQ, Slovakian style before a day at Poprad’s Aquacity centre where waterslides, shoots and inflatable rafts provide the perfect end to your Eastern European family adventure.
Alpine Slovenia
One of the states of the former Yugoslavia, Slovenia is sandwiched between Italy to the west, Hungary to the east, Croatia to the south and Austria to the north. Unsurprisingly, given its location, Slovenia has historically been at the crossroads of different European sub-cultures and ethnic groups. Touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean, its landscape also includes a huge karst (limestone) plateau, and vast tracts of forests (in fact it’s Europe’s third most forested country). However, the Julian Alps – an extension of limestone Alps – in the north-west is arguably the most scenic region of a very scenically blessed country. This is picture-postcard-pretty countryside – with staggeringly lovely lakes, towering peaks and delightful villages positioned, yes, you guessed it – scenically, in between. The karst geography has also given rise to caves and caverns which are well worth exploration for the adventurous.
Our eight-day small group Alpine Slovenia family holiday takes you to enjoy the highlights of the Julian Alp region of this relatively little-known and unexplored country. This holiday is best suited to the active family – enjoy swooping through the trees on ziplines and experience the thrill of high rope bridges, go swimming in Lake Bled and have a go at summer tobogganing. Head down to the beautiful coast for a day to explore the limestone caves of Skocjan, before sea kayaking and a visit to the coastal towns of Secovlje and Piran. Then, travel back to the mountains to cycle through the Alpine meadows and even have a go at rock climbing. During your week of adventure, you are centrally located in the picturesque town of Bled, a short distance from the eponymous Lake Bled which is astonishingly scenic! There are many full day activities on this trip, but you’ll also have some free time to spend relaxing on the beach, or visiting the neighbouring hotel pool.
View all our Family Holidays in Slovakia and Slovenia, or contact us for further information.
