Hungary
Riddled with caves, rolling with wine country, and carpeted with spectacular Alpine scenery, Slovenia and its neighbors, southern Austria and Hungary, are enchanting places to discover on foot. Hike above glacial valleys and through medieval villages, find gorgeous waterfalls, and soak up serene mountain scenery that once figured in World War I battles. Watch the sunset over the Adriatic from the harbor in Piran and from Bled Castle, perched high above Lake Bled. Sample some of region’s best wines and cuisine, and experience the unusual and engaging cultural blend of some of Central Europe’s least discovered landscapes.
Trip Highlights
- Stroll vineyard-striped hillsides and taste wines from Hungary’s Lake Balaton to Goriška Brda in Slovenia.
- Hike Slovenia’s stunning Alpine scenery: from snow-covered peaks and glacially carved valleys to pristine Lake Bohinj.
- Discover medieval history at a floating grain mill and herders’ cone-roofed huts.
- Delve into the otherworldly limestone cathedrals of Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Itinerary - 10 Days
Day 1 — Budapest, Hungary
Arrive in Budapest, a city that flanks the Danube River and harbors grand imperial architecture and a vibrant, progressive culture. Transfer to our hotel in the heart of the city before an orientation and welcome dinner.
Hotel Kempinski Corvinus (D)
Day 2 — Lake Balaton
Head southwest to the beech forests and aquamarine waters of Lake Balaton, Central Europe’s largest lake. Set out on a hike in Balaton Uplands National Park and learn about the region’s geology. The mild climate and volcanic soil are perfect for viniculture, and wineries abound. Sample some of the local vintages, then check into our historic lakeside hotel. (4 miles hiking, 2 hours)
Anna Grand Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 3 — Prekmurje, Slovenia/Styria, Austria
Discover northern Slovenia’s distinct Prekmurje cultural region today. Hike the floodplain of the Mura River, known for birdlife such as storks and kingfishers, and visit a floating grain mill, a tradition dating from the fourth century. Stop for lunch at an organic farm and taste distinctively nutty, cold-pressed pumpkin oil—a Slovenian specialty. Cross into Austria’s Styria region, often compared to Tuscany for its rolling hills and vineyards. Gather for a special wine tasting and dinner. (3–4 miles hiking, 2 hours)
Life Medicine Resort Das Kurhaus (B,L,D)
Days 4 & 5 — Logarska Valley, Slovenia
Just across the border in the Slovenian Alps lies the Logarska Dolina, a dazzlingly green glacial valley backed by soaring, ice-capped peaks. Set out on a hike up to the mountain ridge, taking in views of Austria and Slovenia. From our hotel in the valley, watch the sunset paint the rocky peaks in shades of orange and pink. The next day, our destination is the remote glacial cirque of Okreselj, tucked beneath a semicircle of steep mountain walls. A fairytale trail next to a stream leads us to the sparkling Rinka waterfall, the second highest in Slovenia. (Day 4: 4 miles hiking, 3–4 hours; Day 5: 5 miles hiking, 4 hours)
Hotel Plesnik (B,L,D)
Day 6 — Velika Planina/Lake Bohinj
Explore the herding lifestyle of the Velika Planina or Great Highlands. Hike through pasturelands alive with the sound of cowbells, past old herdsmen’s wooden huts with Alpine peaks all around. Pause to taste a bit of locally made cheese. This afternoon, travel west into the Julian Alps to crystal-clear Lake Bohinj and check in to our lakeside hotel. (5 miles hiking, 3–4 hours)
Hotel Jezero (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled
The mountains that embrace Lake Bohinj are part of one of Europe’s oldest national parks, Triglav. We’ll hike along Mostnica River here, passing gorges filled with blue-green pools and waterfalls. Picnic in lush meadows beside the lake and discover its secluded beaches. Later, visit 1,000-year-old Bled castle, perched high on a pinnacle above Lake Bled, and witness the panoramic view at sunset. Sit down to dinner in the lively town of Bled tonight. (5 miles hiking, 4 hours)
Hotel Jezero (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Vršič Pass/Sleme/Kobarid
As we traverse the Julian Alps, stop to admire the breathtaking vista from Vršič Pass, built by Russian prisoners of war during World War I. From here, hike to Sleme, identifying dozens of Alpine flowers en route, and picnic by a small glacier lake. End the day in the valley of the jade-colored Soča River, settled in at the countryside villa of one of Slovenia’s best chefs, near the town of Kobarid. (3 miles hiking, 4 hours)
Hiša Franko (B,L,D)
Day 9 — Kobarid/Piran
The Soča River Valley was the setting for the fierce battles of WWI’s Isonzo Front, described in Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. Trace this turbulent history at the Kobarid Museum, then walk to the hidden waterfall of Kozjak. Follow the scenic wine route of the Goriška Brda, stopping to taste local wines, including the native Rebula whites. Continue to the picturesque town of Piran on the Adriatic coast. (1 mile hiking, 1 hour)
Hotel Piran (B,L,D)
Day 10 — Škocjan Caves/Ljubljana
The geological phenomenon known as karst is named for Slovenia’s Kras region. Head there today to discover a landscape of eroded limestone formations, and venture into the otherworldly underground passages of the Škocjan Caves, a World Heritage site. Our adventure ends this afternoon in the delightful capital city of Ljubljana, where a bright and lively mix of cultures thrives along the Ljubljanica River. Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your stay to discover Ljubljana.
Hotel Piran (B,L)
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