Welcome to the Self-Guided Slovenia Running Vacation.

Every self-guided running vacation comes with a carefully crafted itinerary tailored to the travelers' interests and fitness levels. On a 6-day running vacation, we craft an itinerary that allows runners to experience five  spectacular routes across Slovenia's Julian Alps while staying in traditional guesthouses and family-run lodges tucked into pristine valleys.

Our Slovenia self-guided adventures are available from May 1 through October 10, when mountain huts are open and weather conditions provide optimal trail access. This flexible scheduling allows you to choose dates that work best for your travel plans while ensuring safe passage through high alpine terrain. 

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 recommend 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 2025, 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

Country: Slovenia

Language: Slovenian, though English is widely spoken in Slovenia

Currency: Euro

Landscapes:
Vineyards, mountains, thick forests, 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, August is a gorgeous times of year to visit this area! In the mountains of Slovenia you can expect mild daytime temperatures between 60-80F and nights around 45F and lots of sunshine, though rain is always a possibility - please make sure you bring a rain jacket for the mountains.. In wine country the climate becomes more Mediterranean, with daytime temps between 70-80F/20-25C and nights comfortably cool. 

Connectivity:  

Wifi will be hit or miss throughout the week. You can expect good connections at most hotels, coffee shops, etc, but one notable exception is the Soca homestead where we stay for the first two nights (no wifi). 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.”

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.