Spring Road Trip 2026

Malta 🇲🇹 → Slovenia 🇸🇮

April 30 – May 4, 2026 · 5 days · Caves, horses, gorges, lakes & mountains

4

Nights

2

Horse Rides

~350

km driven

5

Waterfalls

↓ Scroll to explore

✈

Flights

Ryanair (Malta Air) · Direct

Outbound · Thu 30 Apr

MLA

08:55

Malta

Direct

1h 55m

FR 3694 · Operated by Malta Air

TRS

10:50

Trieste

Return · Mon 4 May

TRS

12:55

Trieste

Direct

1h 55m

FR 3695 · Operated by Malta Air

MLA

14:50

Malta

€73 pp

🚗 Car Rental · 4 Days

Pickup & Return at Trieste Airport

€215.45

Car hire charge €175.21

Genius discount (15%) -€26.28

Full insurance €66.52

Total (4 days) €215.45

🏨

Two Bases

Stay put, explore outward — no repacking every night

Base 1 · Nights 1 & 2

Bovec / Soca Valley

Thu 30 Apr – Sat 2 May

Gateway to the emerald Soca River and the Julian Alps. Two nights to explore waterfalls, gorges, and the Kluze Fortress. Horse riding in the valley and incredible mountain scenery in every direction.

🌊 Soca River 0 min 🏔️ Julian Alps 💧 Kozjak Waterfall 15 min 🏰 Kluze Fortress 10 min

Base 2 · Nights 3 & 4

Lake Bohinj Area

Sat 2 May – Mon 4 May

Quieter and more authentic than Bled. A pristine glacial lake inside Triglav National Park. Savica Waterfall, Vintgar Gorge, and alpine meadow horse riding. Spa/wellness at your hotel to wind down each evening.

🏞️ Triglav National Park 💧 Savica Waterfall 10 min 🏔️ Vintgar Gorge 25 min ♨️ Hotel Spa

🗺

Route Map

~350 km loop from Trieste through west & central Slovenia

Base 1 — Soca Valley

Base 2 — Lake Bohinj

Stops

Start / End

📅

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Click each day to expand

08:55

✈️

Depart Malta

FR 3694 direct to Trieste. 1h 55m flight.

10:50

🚗

Arrive Trieste — Pick Up Car

Collect rental car at Trieste Airport. Buy the Slovenian e-vignette online before driving (€16 for 7 days at evinjeta.dars.si).

12:00
🦇
Skocjan Caves (UNESCO)
45-min drive from Trieste. One of the world's largest underground canyons — stalactites, a river gorge, and a dramatic suspension bridge 45m above the Reka river. 1.5hr guided tour. 12°C inside, bring a layer. Book ahead at park-skocjanske-jame.si.

14:00

🍽️

Lunch in Karst Region

Stop at a local gostilna (inn) in the Karst. Try prsut (air-dried ham) and struklji (rolled dumplings). The Karst plateau is beautiful limestone countryside.

15:30
🐴
Lipica Stud Farm — Lipizzaner Horse Riding
Just 10 min from Skocjan — the birthplace of the world-famous Lipizzaner horses, founded in 1580. Book a trail ride through the Karst meadows (~€40–60, 1hr), or watch a classical riding performance. The stud farm sits on gorgeous open grassland with centuries-old oak trees. Book ahead at lipica.org.

17:00

🚗

Drive to Bovec (~1.5hr via Vipava Valley)

Head north through the beautiful Vipava Valley and into the Julian Alps. The landscape transforms from Mediterranean karst to alpine peaks. Check in to Base 1 in the Soca Valley.

19:00

🍽️

Dinner in Bovec

Try Soca trout (fresh river trout, simply grilled) and Bovski sir (hard sheep's cheese from the valley). Bovec is a small mountain town with several excellent gostilne.

⚠️ May 1st is a public holiday (Dan dela) in Slovenia. Most shops and banks closed. Outdoor nature attractions, restaurants, and cafes remain open — perfect day for the outdoors.

08:30
🏞️
Great Soca Gorge Trail Walk
Start the morning with a walk along the emerald Soca River. Turquoise pools, crystal-clear water cutting through white limestone. One of the most beautiful river gorges in Europe. Easy trail, about 1–1.5 hours.

10:30
💧
Kozjak Waterfall
A hidden waterfall that pours into a cathedral-like rock chamber. 30-min walk along the Kozjak stream to reach it — the reveal at the end is jaw-dropping. One of Slovenia's most photogenic spots.

12:30

🍽️

Lunch by the River

Find a riverside gostilna near Kobarid or Bovec. Fresh Soca trout, kranjska klobasa (Carniolan sausage with mustard and horseradish), and local mountain fare.

14:00
🌊
Boka Waterfall
Slovenia's highest waterfall — 106m drop plus a 30m cascade. Visible from the road but take the short hike for a closer, more dramatic view. Spring snowmelt makes it thunderous right now.

15:30
🏰
Kluze Fortress
A dramatic Napoleonic-era fort wedged between sheer cliff walls above the Koritnica gorge. Built to guard the valley pass, it looks like something from a film set. Free to explore, incredible photo spot.

17:00

💧

Virje Waterfall

A small, perfectly formed waterfall pouring into an emerald pool. Easy 10-min walk from the car park. Peaceful spot to end the day's adventures.

19:00

🍽️

Evening Chill in Bovec

Relaxed dinner at your favourite spot from last night, or try somewhere new. Jota (hearty Karst stew — beans, sauerkraut, potatoes) is perfect after a full day outdoors.

09:00

🚗

Check Out Base 1 — Drive over Vrsic Pass (~1.5hr)

The highest road pass in Slovenia at 1,611m. 50 hairpin bends through the Julian Alps — take it slow and enjoy the views. The road is well-maintained but demands attention. Not for a tiny car.

10:00
⛪
Russian Chapel (Vrsic Pass)
Stop near the summit at this small wooden chapel, a memorial to Russian POWs who died building the road in WWI. A poignant, beautiful spot surrounded by alpine peaks. Quick 5-min stop.

11:00

🚗

Descend through Kranjska Gora to Bohinj

Wind down through the ski town of Kranjska Gora and continue south to the Bohinj valley. Check in to Base 2.

13:00
💧
Savica Waterfall
20-min uphill hike (553 steps) to Slovenia's most iconic waterfall. Water plunges 78m from a cave opening in the rock face into a turquoise pool below. The source of Lake Bohinj. Worth every step.

14:30

🍽️

Late Lunch near Bohinj

Find a lakeside or village gostilna. Try struklji (rolled dumplings with cottage cheese or walnut) and fresh trout.

16:00

🏞️

Lake Bohinj Lakeside Walk

A pristine glacial lake inside Triglav National Park — quieter and more authentic than Bled. Walk the lakeside path, take in the mirror reflections of the surrounding peaks. Swim if you're brave (it's cold!).

18:00

♨️

Hotel Spa / Wellness

Unwind after the mountain pass drive. Soak in the hotel pool, sauna, or book a massage. You've earned it after 50 hairpin bends and a waterfall hike.

19:30

🍽️

Dinner at Bohinj

Hearty mountain dinner. Try Bovski sir (valley sheep's cheese), jota (bean and sauerkraut stew), or Soca trout. Medica (honey spirit) to finish — na zdravje!

08:00
🏞️
Vintgar Gorge
~25-min drive from Bohinj. A 1.6km wooden walkway hugging the walls of a limestone gorge, with the turquoise Radovna river rushing below. Ends at the 13m Sum waterfall. Go early to beat crowds — one of Slovenia's most popular natural attractions.

10:00
🏔️
Mostnica Gorge
Back near Bohinj. A dramatic narrow gorge with the Devil's Bridge (a natural stone arch) and vivid natural pools carved into the rock. Less touristy than Vintgar and equally stunning. Easy walk along the gorge trail.

12:00
🐴
Horse Riding — Alpine Meadows near Bohinj
Trail ride through alpine meadows with mountain backdrop (~€40–60, 1hr). Several ranches in the Bohinj area offer guided rides for all levels. Book ahead — spring weekends fill up.

13:30

🍽️

Lunch near Bohinj

Last valley meal. Kranjska klobasa, struklji, or whatever caught your eye on the menu this trip. Portions at Slovenian gostilne are generous.

15:00

📸

Lake Bled — Quick Photo Stop

30-min drive from Bohinj. The iconic island church, clifftop castle, Julian Alps backdrop. A quick photo stop — don't linger, you've seen the real Slovenia already.

15:30

🍰

Kremsnita at a Lakeside Cafe

Bled's famous cream cake — vanilla custard and whipped cream between crisp pastry layers. Best at the Park Hotel cafe or Smon Slascicarna. Non-negotiable.

16:30

🚗

Drive Back to Bohinj (~30 min)

Return to base for the last evening.

17:30

♨️

Final Hotel Spa Session

Last chance to enjoy the hotel spa. Sauna, pool, and total relaxation before tomorrow's drive home.

19:30

🍽️

Farewell Dinner at Bohinj

Last evening in the mountains. Order generously — portions at Slovenian gostilne are huge and great value. Raise a glass of medica (honey spirit). Hvala, Slovenija!

08:00

☕

Breakfast & Check Out

Early start. Bohinj to Trieste Airport is ~2–2.5 hours via the A2 motorway.

08:30

🚗

Drive Bohinj → Trieste (~2–2.5hr)

A2 south, then cross into Italy toward Trieste. Return car at the airport by 11:00.

11:00

🚗

Return Rental Car

Drop off at Trieste Airport, check in for flight.

12:55

✈️

Depart Trieste

FR 3695 direct to Malta. 1h 55m.

14:50

🇲🇹

Arrive Malta

Home by mid-afternoon. Hvala, Slovenija!

🍽

Don't Miss — Food & Drink

Slovenian cuisine is seriously underrated

🌭

Kranjska Klobasa

Slovenia's most iconic food — thick horseshoe-shaped Carniolan sausage with mustard and horseradish. PGI protected. Available everywhere.

🥟

Struklji

Rolled dumplings, boiled or baked, with sweet or savoury fillings — cottage cheese, walnut, or tarragon. A Slovenian staple.

🍰

Kremsnita

Bled's famous cream cake — vanilla custard and whipped cream layered between crisp pastry. Order it lakeside. Non-negotiable.

🐟

Soca Trout

Fresh river trout from the emerald Soca, simply grilled. The signature dish of the valley — order it at any riverside gostilna.

🧀

Bovski Sir

Hard sheep's cheese from the Bovec valley. Rich, nutty flavour. Buy some to take home — it travels well.

🥩

Karst Prsut

Air-dried ham from the Karst region near Trieste. Taste it on day 1 — it rivals Italian prosciutto.

🍲

Jota

Hearty Karst stew — beans, sauerkraut, and potatoes. Perfect after a day of hiking in the mountains. Warming and filling.

🍯

Honey Products

Slovenia has a deep beekeeping tradition (Carniolan bee). Try medica honey spirit, honey liqueur, or buy local honey as gifts.

💰

Budget Estimate

Per person · based on 2 people sharing car & accommodation

✈️

Flights (Return)

Ryanair / Malta Air · direct

€73 pp

🚗

Car Rental (4 days)

Incl. Genius discount + full insurance

€215

🛣️

Vignette + Fuel

7-day e-vignette + ~350km petrol

~€60–80

🏨

Accommodation (4 nights)

Soca Valley + Lake Bohinj area

~€200–350

🍽️

Food & Drinks

5 days · gostilne + restaurants

~€120–200

🎟️

Activities & Entry Fees

Caves, 2x horse rides, gorge entries

~€120–180

🧾

Estimated Total per person

€580 – €880

🎒

What You Need

Pack smart for a spring mountain road trip

🛣️

E-Vignette (€16)

Required for Slovenian motorways. Buy online at evinjeta.dars.si before crossing the border. Electronic — tied to your plate number. €300–800 fine without one.

🪪

EU ID / Passport + Licence

EU ID card is enough for Slovenia. Bring your driving licence and rental car paperwork. No visa needed for EU citizens.

🧥

Layers & Rain Jacket

15–20°C days, 5–8°C at night. Mountain areas are cooler. Caves are 12°C inside. Spring showers are common — bring a waterproof layer and fleece.

🥾

Hiking Boots with Grip

Essential for gorges, waterfalls, and the mountain pass. Wet wooden walkways in Vintgar, rocky trails at Savica. Not just trainers — proper grip needed.

💶

Euros (Cash + Card)

Slovenia uses EUR. Cards widely accepted, but bring cash for small gostilne, village cafes, and mountain huts.

📱

Offline Maps + Phone Mount

Download offline Google Maps for western Slovenia. Mountain areas have patchy signal. A phone mount is essential for navigating Vrsic Pass.

🩱

Swimwear

For lake swimming if you're brave (it's cold!), and for the hotel spa at Bohinj. Pack it — you'll want it.

🎒

Waterproof Bag / Case

Gorge spray and waterfall mist will soak your phone and camera. A simple waterproof pouch or dry bag keeps everything safe.

💡

Practical Tips

🌡️

Weather

15–20°C days, 5–8°C nights. Spring showers common, mountain areas cooler. Vrsic Pass can have lingering snow in late April. Pack for all conditions.

🚗

Driving

Vrsic Pass has 50 hairpin bends — take it slow, car needs to be decent (not tiny). Some gravel on mountain roads. Fuel up at Petrol or MOL stations.

🚫

Drink-Drive

0.05% BAC strictly enforced in Slovenia. You need to drive every day on this trip — stick to soft drinks and coffee. Medica (honey spirit) is for the evening only.

💬

Language

Slovenian is the official language. English widely spoken. Learn "hvala" (thank you) and "na zdravje" (cheers). Locals appreciate the effort.

🔌

Plugs

EU standard Type F sockets (same as most of Europe). Malta uses Type G — bring an adapter.

📞

Roaming

EU roaming applies — use your Maltese mobile plan at no extra charge in both Italy and Slovenia.