Welcome to Run Alpe-Adria: Slovenia Essentials!

Booking Instructions

Spots are available on a first come, first serve basis. 

You should purchase the lowest priced ticket tier available. When Tier 1: Earliest Bird  sells out, reserve your spot with Tier 2: Early Bird pricing, and so on. Deposits of $600 are required to confirm your spot. You can find the refund policy here.

Trip fees are all inclusive. That's right - all meals, accommodations, transportation, guided runs, activities and beyond are included. You'll only be responsible for your flights, alcohol, or souvenirs.

More questions? Email [email protected] or schedule a call with us here.

Trip Overview

Alpe-Adria is the region that encompasses the Julian Alps in Slovenia. It's known for it's breathtaking trails through tranquil forests, rolling vineyards, idyllic meadows, alpine lakes and the electric-blue Soca River.

Below is a brief overview of the trip itinerary. This trip will be guest hosted by ultrarunner Flora Beverley. A more detailed itinerary will be provided upon booking.

Day 1: Venice arrival → Bovec mountain town

• No run scheduled
• Welcome dinner at renowned Hisa Polonka
• Special menu by award-winning chef Ana Ros

Day 2: Soca River Trail

• 15km with 210 meters of ascent and 646 meters of descent
• Single-track trail running adventure
• Local family-hosted riverside lunch
• Evening in wine country
• Multi-course farm-to-table dinner with wine pairing at Majerija

Day 3: Castle & Vineyards Run

• 12km with 226 meters of ascent and 400 meters of descent
• Scenic mix of dirt roads and pavement
• Afternoon wine country exploration
• Another night at charming Majerija

Day 4: Nanos Mountain Trail

• 14km with 517 meters of ascent and 419 meters of descent
• 700m elevation gain with panoramic views
• Optional cave or castle visit
• Plant-based dinner in vibrant Ljubljana

Day 5: Lake Bohinj Trail

• 13km with 189 meters of ascent and 345 meters of descent
• Single-track alpine lake adventure
• Final celebration in Ljubljana

Day 6: Departure to Venice

• No run scheduled

Your main Rogue Expeditions contact for any pre-trip questions or concerns is [email protected].

Once you have booked your flight, please submit your flight details here.

For this trip you will need to arrive in Venice, Italy (VCE) no later than 12:00 pm on Monday, July 14, 2025 and depart the same place no earlier than 12:00 pm on Friday, July 18, 2025.

We will be there to meet you at the airport, and we will take you back there at the end of the trip.

If you're arriving from another time zone, we recommend arriving in Venice one day early. This extra day gives you a chance to explore the island, a chance to rest before the running trip begins and provides a buffer in case of flight delays or cancellations. 

For those who arrive early, we will provide detailed instructions for getting from the airport to the island and then to our meeting spot.

Please note that if you arrive later than 12pm on arrival day or depart earlier than 12 noon on departure day then you will be responsible for arranging your own transport. We will assist as much as we can, but there will be additional costs incurred.

Want tips & tricks for landing flight deals? Check out this article.

READ THIS: Packing (light) tips for your next adventure

GENERAL THINGS TO CONSIDER
 

*This is an active trip with lots of time outdoors. You'll be in run gear most of the time and you don't need much in the way of dressy clothes, but we suggest at least one nicer outfit to wear to a couple of our nicer dinners.

*Any type of luggage is fine, but remember: no one ever wishes they’d brought more stuff! Stick to the essentials and pack only what you need. If your luggage is too big or too heavy for you to lift it all yourself, it’s too much stuff. This is Europe... expect to carry it up and down stairs!

*Have some sort of ‘day bag,’ whether it’s a small backpack, messenger bag, etc. It should be big enough to carry money, a camera, a water bottle, and a jacket – something you can keep with you in the vehicle.

*You don’t need a different running outfit for every day. You can easily re-wear a few items throughout the trip, and a rinse-out in the shower keeps things clean enough (our mid-trip farmhouse stay has plenty of outdoor space, sunshine and a clothesline!). But, please do not plan or rely on the chance to do proper laundry.

CLOTHES

*3-4 pairs running shorts + 1 pair running tights or pants

*3-4 short sleeve running shirts/tank tops + jog bras and 1-2 long sleeve running shirts

*3-4 non running shirts/tops

*2 pairs pants or jeans or skirts

*1 warm jacket (down or fleece)

*1 rain jacket (can double as a running jacket - we recommend full waterproof in case of bad weather in the mountains)

*1 lightweight jacket or pullover

*Underwear

*1 set of sleepwear

ACCESSORIES + SHOES

*1 pair trail running shoes + 1 pair flip flops +  1 pair non-running shoes (you will occasionally run on pavement, but not enough to warrant an additional pair of road shoes, in our opinion!).

*6-7 pairs socks 

*Running hat
*Warm hat/beanie

*watch / charger

*Sunglasses

*Day bag

*Swimsuit 

*Shower towels are provided by the hotels, but please bring a small pack towel for sweat/rain/post-run river plunges/Adriatic swimming

*Gloves 

*Large handheld (16+oz) or hydration running pack (we recommened hydration packs because it makes it easy to carry extra layers, camera, a snack, etc)

TOILETRIES

*Shampoo/soap/conditioner 

*Toothbrush/toothpaste

*Brush/comb

*Few travel packages of tissues (emergency/backup TP)

*Feminine products

*Razor

*Contacts/solution if needed

*Sunblock

*Moleskin or bandaids – we’ll have some of this for the group, but blisters are a common problem and it’s good to have some of your own on hand

*Any other medication you may need (we carry a full first aid kit for emergency situations, but recommend that you pack anything that you anticipate needing).

DOCUMENTS

 *Passport (US citizens must have 6 months validity when you enter Europe)

*1-2 credit/debit cards (make sure to call your bank the week before departure and tell them the dates that you will be overseas, and make sure to tell the that you will be in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia along with any other stops that you have planned. This way they won’t put a security hold on your card).
*Beginning in 2024, travelers from the US, UK and Canada will also require an ETIAS authorization to enter the EU. The launch date has yet to be confirmed; you can check for the latest here. Participants from other countries should check with their consulate for entry requirements.

OTHER STUFF
 *Phone/camera + charger

*Reading/writing material

*a few large ziplocs (useful both for waterproofing your phone in the rain, and to carry out any toilet paper you may use on the trail)

*Ear plugs if you are a light sleeper/your roommate snores
*Electrical adapter: you'll need the European style with two round prongs, like this

 Most everything is already paid for and credit cards are widely accepted, so you shouldn’t need much in the way of cash. ATMs are easily found at the airport, all cities and most small towns too. You’ll need euros in all three countries. Things you’ll want to plan for:

> Alcohol, coffee and other drinks/snacks that you might find along the way. Because wine tends to be served family style at meals, we typically keep a running tab throughout the trip to be settled at the end with cash. Don't worry - wine is incredibly affordable! You will be able to hit an ATM again in Ljubljana at the end of the trip if needed. Coffee will always be included with breakfast but there are many opportunities for an espresso throughout the day.

> Tips. Your entire trip will be spent with guides & drivers who go above and beyond to create an amazing experience for you. While there are no strict tipping customs and tips are never expected, it’s always appreciated if you enjoyed your experience; any gratuities will be split evenly amongst the team.

Country: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia

Language: Italian, Slovenian, Croatian. English is widely spoken in Slovenia, but less common in Italy and Croatia.

Currency: Euro

Landscapes:
Vineyards, mountains, thick forests, rocky coastline, Adriatic sea, glacial lakes, hilltop castles. Basically, everything! The runs feature a wide variety of terrain, from pavement to dirt roads to technical single-track trails.

Food:
Farm to table! Expect long, lingering meals full of handmade pastas, cheeses, proscuitto, hearty stews, colorful seasonal salads from the garden, homemade sausages, the highest quality olive oils, rustic bread, truffles... and make sure you save room for dessert! The strudels and cream cakes and gelato shouldn’t be missed, especially when paired with a thick espresso.

Drinks:
Wine. Only a border drawn on a map separates Slovenia’s wine country from that of Italy, and the quality is world-renowned. You’ll have many chances to taste and learn about several regional specialties that are rarely found stateside. Coffee is top-notch and typically served in espresso form (don’t expect American-size mugs, or takeaway!), and there is also a very good microbrew scene for those who enjoy beer.

Weather:
Generally speaking, both May & September are gorgeous times of year to visit this area! In the mountains of Slovenia you can expect mild daytime temperatures between 60-70F /16-21C and nights around 45F/8C and lots of sunshine, though rain is always a possibility - please make sure you bring a rain jacket for the mountains.. In Croatia the climate becomes more Mediterranean, with daytime temps between 70-80F/20-25C and nights comfortably cool. Abundant sunshine!

Connectivity:  

Wifi will be hit or miss throughout the week. You can expect good connections at most hotels, coffee shops, etc, but two notable exceptions are the Soca homestead where we stay for the first two nights (no wifi) and the farmhouse on Island Cres (there is wifi, but can be slow if too many people try to use it at once). Those with international data plans will find it easy to stay connected - strong data coverage just about everywhere.

A Few Fun Facts:
54% of Slovenia’s land is protected and nearly 70% is forested, one of many reasons why it was named the “European Green Capital of the World” in 2016.

Bovec, a quaint mountain town that is now an outdoor adventure mecca, was once the site of the bloodiest WW1 battles and the setting for Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms.”

Truffles are a subterranean cross between a tuber and a fungus that grow alongside a host tree and considered a delicacy. Truffles are hunted using either pigs or dogs, though dogs are preferred because pigs will eat the truffles. The Istrian peninsula of Croatia is famous for its truffles though not so famous as Italy, which helps keep the costs more reasonable; certain Italian varieties can sell for $4000 per pound!

Cres is the biggest Croatian island, yet only about 3,000 people reside on it... and 99% of them reside in Cres Town.

Throughout history Slovenian territory has been controlled by the Roman Empire, the Slavs, the Habsburgs, the Austro-Hungarian monarchy and Yugoslavia, but gained independence and became Slovenia as we know it today in 1991.

52 grape varieties grow in Slovenia, including some that are not found anywhere else - Rebula, Zelen, Teran and others.