Road Trip through Slovenia - Part 4

Wine Region, Koper & Piran

My next stop was the wine-growing region a little further in the southwest of Slovenia. In the small village of Marezige I had rented a charming holiday cottage right in the middle of the vineyards. That alone made the journey worthwhile. In the area you can also take wonderful walks, enjoy the regional cuisine and drink good wine. In addition, the beautiful coastal towns of Koper and Piran are easily reachable by car from there. I made an extensive day trip to both towns to stroll through the narrow alleyways and soak up the Mediterranean atmosphere.

With its colourful facades, its remarkable old town and its idyllic harbour, Piran particularly won me over. In the narrow lanes, which reminded me strongly of Italy, you'll find many lovely boutiques, cosy cafés and atmospheric bars. And the best part: anyone who wants to cool down in the high temperatures can jump straight into the sea from the promenade.

Breathtaking Nature in the Soča Valley

Tolmin & Kobarid in the Southern Soča Valley

After my stay in the wine-growing region, it was time to head back north. More precisely: into the Soča Valley, which owes its name to the river of the same name flowing through it. And as the saying goes: The best is saved for last! In my case, that is absolutely true, because the Soča Valley is simply breathtaking and quickly became my favourite travel destination in Slovenia.

But one thing at a time! First, I'd like to recommend the charming village of Kanal. It lies right along the route north and is perfect for a short break during the drive. Anyone who stops here and takes a moment to breathe in the historically beautiful scenery will understand why Kanal is a true hidden gem. All I can say is: the stop is well worth it!

After the short break, I continued on to the town of Tolmin. I used my time here for long walks in the region and for a few refreshing dips in the cold Soča River. I also made a day trip from here to the nearby town of Kobarid, where you absolutely must not miss the "Il sacrario militare di Caporetto": the elevated memorial not only offers a fantastic view, but also impresses with its striking architecture. Also worth a visit: the massive Napoleon Bridge over the Soča River and the impressive Kozjak Waterfall, which is only a short walk away.

Northern Soča around Bovec

After extensively exploring the southern part of the Soča Valley, I headed a little further north and closer to the Alpine foothills. Near the town of Bovec I rented a small cabin at a campsite and treated myself to a few days of pure nature – surrounded by forest and the gentle sound of the river.

The northern Soča Valley is wonderful for hiking along the river: around Bovec it captivates with particularly vivid colours and beautiful rocks that line its course. In one place or another, it's also possible to swim in the gentle current – at least if you're reasonably hardy. The river originates nearby and around Bovec it is incredibly icy. The perfect way to cool down!

Time for Canyoning and Hiking Tours

And now I have a tip for everyone who prefers things a little more action-packed: in the area around Bovec, "canyoning" is a particularly popular leisure activity. Canyoning means making your way through canyons equipped with a wetsuit, helmet, ropes, carabiners and other equipment: sometimes you jump from one canyon pool to the next, sometimes you abseil down beneath a large waterfall, and other times you simply slide down a rock face. Anyone who fancies this can find many operators in Bovec where you can book a tour. Fun and an adrenaline rush guaranteed!

Less action-packed but equally impressive are the many hiking trails around Bovec, leading high up into the Slovenian Alpine foothills. My personal highlight here was the hike to Lake Krn, the largest alpine lake in the country. To get there, you can first drive from Bovec to the mountain hut Dom Dr. Klementa Juga in Lepena. From there, you follow the well-signposted hiking trail on foot, which takes you up to 1,391 metres. The beginning of the hike is very wooded, but beyond a certain altitude it passes through a beautiful mountain landscape, past grazing cows and small mountain huts, until you finally reach the crystal-clear mountain lake.