It was a hectic few months heading up to the trip. We were fortunate enough to have been working on the same project, mostly from home, and got up early to finish with our roles. We had decided to take public transit to the airport and were surprised at how easy it was (just over an hour from the house, not mush more than the elapsed time from calling a taxi), but we gave ourselves plenty of time. After a couple of hours at the Maple Leaf Lounge we caught the 1:15 flight (AC 172) to Toronto, it was uneventuful with only a half hour wait to board the 8:25 flight to Munich (AC 846). Good sleep for Lee, less so for JoAnne and we were about 35 min late getting to Munich, making a short Lufthansa connection to Pisa (LH 1950) even shorter & more hectic. Then we hoped the bus to the hotel (LAM Rossa then LAM BLU), getting there by 2pm. After a quick cleanup we headed out to explore Pisa

Pisa

Everything is still in early planning stages, using Pisa to get over 'jet lag', but obviously the tower is a must. We will arrive early afternoon on Friday, so likely grab the bus to the hotel, AC Hotel Pisa (Marriott), and spend some time getting oriented in Pisa (e.g., bus/museum passes, SIM cards for phones, 'emergency' snacks & wine). But basically it's explore Pisa on Saturday and take the train to Florence sometime on Sunday.

Florence

Again still in early planning stages, but obviously the status of David, everything we can squeeze in from Renaissance art and hopefully a side trip to a village in Tuscany (like Siena). We will arrive late on early/mid-day Sunday via train from Pisa and short walk to the hotel, AC Hotel Firenze (Marriott),

Julian Alps

Oct 4th-5th - This years hike is the 14 day Hidden Italy & Slovenia with Lakes & Julian Alps, again with assistance from Inntravel. On Friday we'll take the morning train from Florence to Udine, via Venice and either a local train or taxi to Cividale del Fruili for the start of the hike. Two nights at Locanda al Castello, hopefully with an upgrade to a junior suite.


On Friday evening & Saturday it will be exploring the enchanting medieval town of Cividale del Friuli, set on the River Natisone. It's a timeless yet fascinating place, with pretty squares, great cafes and wine bars, and the pre-Romanesque jewel of a chapel known as the Tempietto Longobardo. The heart of the town is its historical centre and the Piazza del Duomo, where we'll find the de Nordis Palace and the Palace of Provveditori Veneti which houses the National Archaeological Museum. There is also a daily market in Paul Deacon square. Another InnTravel suggestion is a warm-up walk in the Italian hills surrounding the town.


Oct 6th-7th - On Sunday we'll start with a transfer to a mountain hut at 1,300 metres to begin the most demanding (and most rewarding) walk of the holiday. There will be an ascend to the chapel at the 1,643-metre peak of the Matajur, from where, on a clear day, there is one of the greatest panoramas of the Julian Alps, the views also encompass the Dolomites, the Adriatic Sea and the lush meadows of the Soca Valley far below. From the peak we'll head eastwards along the panoramic crest, descending gently to the Slovenian border. The long, steep descent to the Soca Valley begins on the other side of the border, finishing via a couple of unspoiled hamlets. We'll stay in the Hvala Hotel, Kobarid, for two nights (9.5km/4.5hrs if we take the steep route or 15km/5hrs using the more gradual switchback route).


Monday will be a short but delightful route exploring Kobarid and the area immediately surrounding this well-preserved Alpine town, which boasts a number of important historical and natural attractions. InnTravel's suggested circuit includes the award-winning World War I Museum which relates Kobarid's role in a famous battle (known collectively as the Battle of Caporetto, the Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo or the Battle of Karfreit), the beautiful Soca Gorge and the cascades at Kozjak - one of Slovenia's most picturesque waterfalls (6km, 2hrs). The opprotunity to explore the Kobard area (Caporetto in 'A Farewell to Arms', as that is the Italian name, with Karfreit being the German name) is why we selected this walk.


Oct 8th-10th - Tuesday will be a long but very picturesque walk follows the course of the Soca, revealing idyllic river scenery., criss-crossing the river and rising gently through peaceful woods and meadows, passing through quaint villages as you approach your destination of Bovec, a popular centre for all kinds of outdoor activities. We'll be staying in the Dobra Vila for three nights (& hoping to get an upgraded room with balcony) (20km, 6hrs).

Wednesday & Thursday have a couple of, including a number of high altitude walks in the Kanin Mountains . On Wednesday we'll likely follow InnTravel's recommended walk along the River Koritnica through a succession of charming hamlets on your way to the mighty fortress of Kluze, situated above a wild gorge, before a return along the River Soca. (13km, 4hrs). On Thursday it will either be another mountain trail or after a couple of challenging days maybe a relaxing day around the village.


Oct 11th to 13th - On Friday, we'll start with a transfer to Kransjska Gora, where we will have three nights at the Vila Triglav. After arriving, we can explore the village and immediate area around Lake Jasna.

Saturday will likely include a circular walk through the Sava Dolinka Valley, which is framed by splendid mountains., following the tranquil paths by the river, eventually leading to a narrow gorge where we can climb to reach the lower waterfall, before taking a gentle track back into town (12km, 4hrs).

Sunday will follow an easy-going forest track south to reach the solitary hut of Koca v Krnici, with its awe-inspiring scenery. Its setting is peaceful and isolated, and is framed by a fearsome and spectacular range of mountains. We'll return via an alpine road, with a Russian chapel en route (14km, 4.5hrs).


Oct 14th-15th - Monday (Canadian Thanksgiving) starts with a transfer to a high-altitude location in the mountains known as Rudno Polje, which is also a popular spot used by hikers and climbers to make the epic ascent of Mount Triglav. From here, we;ll cross high, panoramic meadows before descending through woodland to the lower Bohinj Valley. Wandering through rustic villages surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside, then continueing along the shore of beautiful Lake Bohinj, the mightiest peaks of the Julian Alps mirrored in the calm waters. Our hotel for the next two nights is the the Alpine-style Hotel Jezero in Ribcev Laz.(15km, 5hrs) .

For Tuesday, InnTravel recommends one of two walks for our day in Ribcev Laz. The shorter one leads to the dramatic nearby waterfall of Slap Savica, one of Slovenia's famous sights, with a 60-metre drop. There is also a longer route to the Mostnica Gorge, known for its erosion potholes, a natural bridge and numerous waterfalls. Or we can take the cable car into the mountains above the far end of Lake Bohinj in order to access some marvellous high-level walks with sweeping views. (8km, 2.5hrs or 20km, 5.5hrs)


Oct 16th-17th - Wednesday's walk starts with a transfer, after which we criss-cross the River Sava Bohinjka, passing through woodland and farmland (across which are scattered numerous handsome farmhouses), to the Ribno Plateau, where you are greeted by a sweeping panorama of Lake Bled and the surrounding mountains. Our hotel for the final two nights is the Vila Preseren (& hopefully a Junior Suite), located shores of Lake Bled (9.5km, 3.5hrs). While we had hoped for Vila Bled (President Tito's former summer residence) it was going to be closed for rennovations.

For Thursday, our final 'official' day, we'll take the long but scenic walk to the Vintgar Gorge, which takes goes along the shores of Lake Bled to panoramic Blejski Castle (Bled Castle), then through a string of small villages towards another excellent viewpoint, and finally along a wooded trail to the gorge. Here, a series of boardwalks and bridges lead to the spectacular gorge. A gentle country trail then leads back to Lake Bled (20km, 6hrs or 10km, 3hrs).

Ljubljana

We'll spend most of the day on the day exploring Lake Blend ('Wishing Bell' church, Bled Castle). Since this is JoAnne's birthday, Lee will have to carry her up the 99 steps of the church (TBD though if he'll try to ring the bell to get the 3 rings to grant your wish, as JoAnne has already made all of his wished come true). Then catch a late afternoon/early eveing bus to Ljubljana - it's 75 min on the bus vs 50 min on the train, but the bus is much more frequent & the station is ~400m from the hotel vs 5km for the train and arrive at the same station in Ljubljana, which is ~800m from our hotel - the Best Western Premier Hotel Slon.

What we'll do in Ljubljana is still in the very early planning stages.

Venice

Get an early bus from Ljubljana to Venice (the 'Mestre' station on the mainland near the islands) and hopefully figure out the transit system to get from the station to our hotel,Boscolo Venezia, Autograph Collection (Marriott). Everything is still in early planning stages, but obviously a gondola ride on the canal, squeezing in more Renaissance art and relaxing/winding down from a long holiday.

We'll grab breakfast around the hotel, take the noonish 'water bus' to the airport for a 2:40pm flight to Frankfurt and connecting to Edmonton, via Toronto. Getting home by about midnight.

Updated April 30, 2013