Latest blog post articles
Upcoming
Types of Skiing Explained: Alpine, Nordic, Touring & SkateTrip Guide
Three countries, six days of activity, zero filler. This trip moves from the Croatian coast through the Julian Alps and into Italy: hiking, eBiking, rafting and swimming across some of the most varied terrain in Europe. This guide covers everything you need to show up prepared. Read it properly before you travel.
Important: This trip uses two different airports. You fly into Pula Airport in Croatia on arrival day, and depart from Ljubljana Airport in Slovenia on departure day. Book your flights accordingly.
A group transfer will meet you and drop you off at the corresponding airports on arrival and departure day (full transfer times are available in your customer portal)
Arrival Airport: Pula (PUY), Croatia
Departure Airport: Ljubljana (LJU), Slovenia
Transfers run on a fixed schedule and can’t be delayed. Your travel must align with the transfer times. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to arrange your own way to the hotel. A private transfer can be arranged at additional cost; please contact the bookings team in advance.
Luggage note: Space in the group van is limited, so soft shell cabin-sized baggage is strongly recommended.
Fly into Pula Airport (PUY), Croatia on arrival day. Easyjet flies from London Gatwick and example flight times that align with the group transfer are on the trip page.
London Gatwick to Pula – Easyjet
Departure flights then leave from Ljubljana Airport (LJU), Slovenia.
Ljubljana to London Gatwick – Easyjet
You’ll need to book these separately and can use any flights that fit the transfer times.
Not sure if your flights work? Just drop us a message.
Transfers run on time and can’t wait, even for flights listed on the trip page. If you miss the transfer, you’ll need to arrange your own transport to meet the group, however your host will be able to support you with this. Comprehensive travel insurance covering delays and missed connections is mandatory on all our trips and this is one of the many reasons why.
We include one shared transfer on both the arrival and departure days of your trip.
Pula Airport on arrival day.
Ljubljana Airport on departure day.
Yes. Private transfers can be arranged at an additional cost and will vary depending on distance and location. Contact the bookings team in advance.
Both are worth it if you have time. Pula has a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre and an old town filled with character. Ljubljana is compact, walkable and looks like something out of a fairy tale. Both locations are easy to spend a day or two in.
This trip is rated challenging. No prior experience is needed for eBiking, rafting or the hikes, however you do need a good level of fitness and the appetite for consecutive, full days outdoors.
For the eBike days, you don’t need to have ridden an eBike before, but you do need to be a confident cyclist who is comfortable riding off road on a regular bike.
For this trip you’ll have six consecutive active days with no rest day built in. Evenings are your recovery time with good food, local wine and the option of an early night before doing it all again.
Training: We recommend regular cardio three times a week in the build-up such as running, cycling or anything that raises your heart rate. Get some hilly walks in too so that your legs are ready for the Julian Alps summit day.
A good base fitness is essential. You’ll be active every day across six consecutive days, covering reasonable distances and different types of terrain. If you move your body regularly and back-to-back active days don’t scare you, you’ll be fine.
No prior experience needed for rafting. You do need to be able to ride a bike for the eBike days, with experience of riding off road (although no eBike experience is necessary). No previous hiking experience is needed either, but a decent level of fitness is required. The summit hike in the Julian Alps is a proper climb.
Sturdy walking boots with ankle support and good grip are required for the hikes – and definitely do not wear trainers. If you arrive in shoes without good grip, you will not be permitted to take part in the hikes for your own safety.
Let your host know in advance if you plan to skip anything. Note that no discounts, refunds or alternatives are offered for missed activities.
Istria, Croatia (3 nights): A family-run hotel on the edge of a small town, with simple, clean and comfortable rooms. There’s home-cooked Croatian food, local hospitality and olive tree gardens just outside. There’s also views over the green hills of central Istria.
Kranjska Gora, Slovenia (2 nights): A four-star hotel with mountain views from most rooms, a small wellness centre, comfortable beds and a good breakfast spread. It’s a solid base for the alpine days.
Ljubljana, Slovenia (1 night): A comfortable three-star city hotel located right in the heart of Ljubljana and a stone’s throw from all the must-see sights.
In Istria, a family-run agriturismo: relaxed, welcoming, with excellent food and views over the Croatian hills. In Slovenia, a four-star hotel in Kranjska Gora with mountain views, a small wellness centre and everything you need after full days in the mountains. You’ll also spend your last night in a city hotel in Ljubljana, perfect for a spot of sightseeing.
Yes.
There are no laundry facilities at either hotel, so pack travel wash or soap flakes if you want to hand-wash anything during the week.
WiFi is available at all hotels.
All meals are included throughout the trip. In Istria, expect home-cooked Croatian dishes using local ingredients. In Slovenia, the hotel serves a generous breakfast buffet and dinners showcasing alpine and local flavours. Lunch varies by day: some are packed, others eaten at local cafes and restaurants along the route.
The food is a highlight of this trip. Homemade Istrian pastas, truffle dishes and fresh seafood in Croatia; alpine stews, traditional dumplings and fresh produce in Slovenia. There’s also a wine and olive oil tasting at a family-run biodynamic producer in Istria.
Drinks at meals are not included, but can be bought and paid for separately.
Dietary requirements: Most requirements can be catered for with advance notice. Please be aware that vegan options are very limited in both Slovenia and Croatia, and vegetarians may also have less choice than usual. For severe allergies or gluten-free requirements, hotels and restaurants will do their best but cannot guarantee against kitchen cross-contamination. Get in touch before booking if you’re unsure.
A genuine highlight of the trip. There’s home-cooked Croatian dishes in Istria including fresh seafood, truffles and local pastas. In Slovenia, you’ll be eating hearty alpine cooking with local ingredients. There’s also a wine and olive oil tasting at a biodynamic producer in Istria. Good food is woven into the whole week.
Most requirements can be accommodated with advance notice. Vegan options are very limited in this region and vegetarians may have less choice than usual. For severe allergies or gluten-free requirements, cross-contamination cannot be guaranteed. Get in touch before booking if you’re unsure.
No. Drinks with meals are not included so please budget for these separately.
Yes. Some lunches are packed, others are eaten at local cafes and restaurants along the route depending on the day’s activity.
Weather varies significantly across the week as you move from coast to mountains. In Istria, expect warm Mediterranean conditions: from high 20s to low 30s°C, by the coast, so mid 20°s further inland. Once you cross into the Julian Alps, temperatures drop and mountain weather becomes unpredictable, even in summer. A waterproof jacket is essential for Slovenia, regardless of the morning forecast.
Sun protection is non-negotiable throughout too. UV exposure is high both on the coast and at altitude so bring a cap, sunglasses and plenty of sunblock.
Two very different climates in one week. Istria is warm and sunny, typically mid 20s to low 30s°C. The Julian Alps and the Italian border areas are alpine, so much cooler, with mountain weather that can shift quickly. Pack layers and a waterproof for the Slovenian days regardless of the forecast.
Yes. Your guides will adjust daily plans based on conditions as safety comes first always. Occasionally the order of activities may change to make the most of the weather, so a level of flexibility is key.
Money: Slovenia, Croatia and Italy all use the euro. Cards are accepted at most places, but bring a small amount of cash for small vendors, remote spots and some souvenir shops. All meals and activities are included; extra cash is for drinks, souvenirs and anything personal.
Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory on our adventures, but if you’ve had a great trip and brilliant service, a tip for your guide or host is always appreciated. We recommend giving €20-€30, or whatever you can or feel is the right amount.
Communication: WiFi is available at all hotels. Sort data roaming or an eSIM before you travel if you need to stay connected out on adventures during the week and your network provider doesn’t offer European coverage.
Max 7 guests.
As soon as you book, not the week before you fly. Booking early means you’re covered if you need to cancel before departure, not just for issues while you’re away. Your policy should cover travel delays, missed connections, trip cancellation, medical emergencies and evacuation, baggage and equipment loss, and all activities on your itinerary.
Guides will adjust the plan if conditions make an activity unsuitable. The order of activities may change and a level of flexibility is key. Safety comes first throughout the week.
We work with the best guides available, male or female. There are fewer women in outdoor guiding roles, so we prioritise expertise and guest experience. We vet every guide carefully and monitor feedback closely to ensure all guides align with our ethos and standards. We also hope more trips like ours encourage more women to find new activities and become guides themselves.
Pack light and use soft-sided luggage as van space is limited and cabin-sized bags make the logistics easier for everyone.
You’re packing for two climates on this trip: Istria is warm, coastal, and sunny — think high 20s to low 30s°C. Slovenia is alpine, cooler, and changeable. The kit you need for a beach swim on day one is different from what you need for a summit hike on day six. Layers that work across both are the answer.
Footwear covers a lot of ground: You need low hiking shoes or trail runners with solid grip for the hike. You’ll also want water shoes or old trainers for cliff jumping, river swimming, and rocky beaches. Casual shoes or sandals for evenings round it out. Three pairs, three very different jobs.
Check the weather before you pack: Conditions vary across the week and across the three countries. We recommend checking the forecast for Istria and Kranjska Gora before you finalise your kit.
Hand luggage priorities: One active outfit, swimwear, sunscreen, and any medications. If your bag is delayed, those cover day one in Istria without a problem.
Low hiking shoes or trail running trainers with good grip and ankle support. Road trainers or gym trainers won’t cut it on the Julian Alps summit hike — the terrain is rocky and the ascent is steep. You don’t need heavy boots, but you do need proper grip.
Padded cycling shorts are worth bringing if you have them — two full days in the saddle is a long time without them. We provide the bikes and helmets. Wear comfortable, flexible clothing you can move in, and bring layers for the Vrata Valley ride where it can be cooler.
Clothes you don’t mind getting completely soaked — quick-dry shorts and a t-shirt are ideal. We provide all the rafting kit including wetsuits if needed. Leave anything you care about back at the hotel.
Not mandatory, but worth having. You’ll be cliff jumping and swimming from rocky beaches and riverbanks across the week — water shoes protect your feet and give you confidence on uneven surfaces. Old trainers work just as well.
Trip Code SLOBANMLT – Include this code in any message so we can find your trip straight away.
More from us
