Snowshoeing & Winter Walking in the Julian Alps

 Arrive into Ljubljana and head to your excellently located 3/4* hotel to freshen up and relax (we are staying here for 2 nights). It is a short taxi journey (cost €40) from the airport to your hotel so we have chosen to avoid a group transfer that would limit options on flight choices and arrival times. Settle into the hotel and take time to relax or explore the area around your hotel independently.You will formally meet the rest of your group and your English speaking Slovenian guide tomorrow morning, so you have the freedom to eat where you wish this evening, but we can make recommendations should you need some ideas.Overnight: Hotel BB Park - the first eco-hotel in the capital

After breakfast this morning we enjoy a leisurely walking tour of Ljubljana with time to explore the main sites situated along the Ljubljanica River which divides the city's old town from the modern commercial hub. Our tour includes the scenic Tivoli Park and the short climb up to Ljubljana Castle which is a great viewpoint. We pause for lunch in central restaurant and absorb the relaxed vibe of this small capital city. Overnight: Hotel BB Park - the first eco-hotel in the capital

This morning we leave the city and head into the majestic Julian Alps (1hr 30). Our destination is the lakeside town Bohinj in Northwest Slovenia which lies within Triglav National Park, named after the highest peak in the country: Triglav at 2863m. Renowned for its breathtakingly pristine blue-green glacial lake, it makes the perfect base for us at the start of our adventure. Agatha Christie, when asked once during an interview, if she could make the valley a scene for one of her murder mysteries, she said: "Bohinj is too beautiful for murder".On arrival we check in to our hotel and get ready for our first foray into the mountains; on snowshoes! Not a problem if you are new to snowshoeing, it is very easy to pick up and the most tranquil and fun way to explore the snowy woods and trails of the area. We will be snowshoeing at a gentle pace for around 3 hours, on terrain to suit the group, accompanied by an experienced snowshoeing guide, and with the hire of the snowshoeing equipment included.Overnight: Hotel Bohinj

We walk (around 6km) up from Bohinj today to a wonderful spot above the northern shore of the lake, Mt Vogar (1054m). It is a peak ridge that affords tremendous views in all directions with two popular viewpoints and is well worth the 500m ascent on a fairly steep trail in places. Found at the top of the first viewpoint, is Kosijev dom na Vogarjua hiking cottage serving drinks and snacks (weather dependent). After lunch we walk alongside the lake from Ukanc to Slovenia's most famous waterfalls: Savica, renowned for its A shaped pool of bright emerald hue. At 78m high, its watercourse is fed from Arno Lake, one of the seven lakes in the Triglav mountain valley and continues its flow into Lake Bohinj. We spend a second night in Bohinj this evening.Overnight: Hotel Bohinj

We leave on an adventure within an adventure this morning: a night in Dom na Komni mountain refuge up at 1527m, and above the snowline. There is little to compare the the serenity of sleeping in a mountain refuge - nestled properly into the majestic peaks, with no light or sound pollution and stunning sunsets and sunrises. The hut was built in 1936 (though it has been re-built and renovated many times since then) and offers magnificent long views down into Bohinj and across the lake as well as the rugged summits of Pdrta gore group, and the summits above the Valley of Triglav lakes. Our route up to Komna begins at Koca pri Savici and will take us around 3 hours if there is no snow on the ground, or a little longer if we encounter snow. You will need to bring crampons with you that fit onto our hiking boots to safely hike over some sections of snow, depending on the weather. It is not technical ground, or difficult walking but the crampons, which are simple to fit, will give you good grip on snow. Mini crampons will be sufficient - see our packing list suggestions or email us for more information.Accommodation tonight will be in dormitories but it is likely our group will have their own room or 2 depending on the group size. Blankets and single use sheets are provided but you need to bring a towel with you. Warm showers are available when there is sufficient water (weather dependent).Overnight: Koca na Konmi or similar

We leave the tranquility of the Komna plateau and return to picturesque Bohinj to pick up our belongings and head south, into the Brda region. We break our 2hr 30 journey at Sabotin Hill Peace Park (609m) on the border between Slovenia and Italy, for incredible far reaching views over both countries. The walking path we take (4kms, 100m ascent) has many points of interest on the way: the church of Saint Valentin, and remains from World War I. The hill itself is arranged as a memorial park / open air museum where you can see the caverns and pyramids that denoted the front lines during the many First World War battles and tragic losses for which this area has become known.This afternoon we enjoy something a little different - some wine tasting at a local Brda vineyard. Slovenia has a 2400 year old wine tradition and produces arguably some of the best wines in the world. The unique climate in the Brda region combines the cool air of the Alps and the warmth and sunshine of the Mediterranean, producing top quality wines. The 'taste' of Brda is due to a quality soil called 'Opoka' and the main grape varieties are Rebulea, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Savignon Vert . Grapes are hand harvested, thanks to the steepness of the terraces that prevent the use of machinery. We stay this evening in a picturesque local village, surrounded by vineyards.Overnight: Hotel San Martin or similar

Karst is a plateau region that extends across the border of southwestern Slovenia and Northeastern Italy, and the western edge of the plateau makes the traditional ethnic border between Italians and Slovenia. It was here that scientists first explained numerous karst features (landscapes with underlying limestone, eroded by dissolution, which produces ridges, towers, fissures, sinkholes and other characteristic landforms).Leaving Brda this morning, we enjoy a mid-morning 'snack' with some Prosciutto tasting, before a hike to Kokoska Hill (gentle walk of around 1hr). After lunch (at the hut on Kokoska hill or in Lokev) we head to the UNESCO heritage Skocjan Caves, an exceptional limestone cave system with some 6km of underground passages, many waterfalls and one of the largest known underground chambers.Tonight we stay in the small town of Lokev.Overnight: Hisa Krasna 

We leave the Karst area of Slovenia for the mystical forest landscapes of Kocevje, listed, together with the Krokar primeval forest, as another UNESCO's World Heritage site. This is the domain of the Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) and Gray Wolf (Canis Lupus) so, depending on snow levels, we will be wolf tracking or looking for evidence of bears (they will be hibernating), with a local wildlife expert. Snow is more abundant here than elsewhere in Slovenia lending a magical ambiance to the pristine forests, shrouded in white. Expect amazing opportunities for photography and an opportunity to learn about the woodland wildlife and how responsible tourism is supporting the conservation of the area. Until the 13th Century, the Kocevje region was too inaccessible to be colonised: due to the vast fir and beech forests, harsh climate, karst features and poor soil fertility. In the 1330s the area was passed to Gottschee Germans from Tyrol and Carinthia who lived here and passed down their cultural traditions, and language for more than 600 years. With the end of the Habsburg Monarchy in 1918, Gottschee became part of the new kingdom of Yugoslavia and became an ethnic minority island in a large Slavic state. We stay in the area's principal town: Kocevje, tonight in a bed and breakfast with ensuite bedrooms.Overnight: Farm House to be confirmed, depending the number of people.

We transfer as a group back to Ljubljana airport for flights home (1hr 10mins). Independent airport transfers are possible for those arriving outside of the group transfer (€120).