If in the summer we played with the idea of an unusual adventure with a camper van around one of the surrounding countries, but finally we didn’t put this plan into action, it’s not too late to start this journey.
Due to the amazingly varied natural treasures of Slovenia - Mediterranean coast, mountain peaks, caves – the country offers countless opportunities for and hiking in autumn.
The following detailed camper van itinerary (11 days) shows you the most beautiful hidden places in Slovenia, guiding us through some fairytale landscapes and villages, with some useful tricks for the campervan travellers
Bela Krajina (433 km, 4.5 hours from Budapest)
Bela Krajina, photo: Uroš Novina flickr.com
The southeastern vineyard region of Slovenia named after the local white birch forests. Its history dates back to the 12th century and it is famous for the late medieval castles and the white folk costumes. Wherever we go, we find wide-ranging vineyards that can make us feel like we’ve found Slovenian Tuscany.
Bela Krajina, photo: Uroš Novina flickr.com
The autumn grape harvest is a great feast here, and we can personally experience the kind hospitality of the locals.
Small towns in Bela Krajina worth visiting: Crnomelj, Metlika and Semic:
Bela Krajina, photo: Uroš Novina flickr.com
Wines you must try:
-white: Belokranjsko Belo, red: Metliška Črnina
Foods you must try:
-Belokranjska Pogaca: foccacia type of cumin bread
-Belokranjska Sara Z Zitno Klobaso: a typical "warming" dish,ingredients: beets, beans, potatoes and sausages
-Ajdoba Potica: Slovenian sweet, buckwheat pasta filled with homemade cottage cheese, cream, eggs, sugar and raisins
The famous restaurant of the region is the Gostišče Veselič.
Camper van campings, private parking:
https://bit.ly/3b08zpi for 10 EUR / person / day
https://bit.ly/3vwduYF 10 EUR / person / day + taxes (panoramic, nice location)
https://bit.ly/2Z6KYk8 9 EUR / person / day + 2.5 EUR / car (panoramic)
Stanjel (178 km from Bela Krajina, 2.5 hours driving)
We travel from the eastern region to the western and after 2 and a half hours driving we reach Stanjel, one of the oldest medieval town in the karst region, with stone houses, a church and a castle.
Stanjel, photo: Patrick Müller, flickr.com
RV parking nearby (camping, private RV parking):
https://bit.ly/3G5NJDp camping, 12 EUR / person + tax + 5 EUR / rv
https://bit.ly/3lYOSVx, camping, 12 EUR / person + tax
Skofja Loka (105 km from Stanje, 1 hour 20 minutes)
Skofja Loka, photo: seandalai flickr.com
Skofja Loka, one of the most beautiful and best preserved town, was born 1000 years ago. The castle offers amazing view of the nearby mountains and forests. The winding little streets and bridges across small rivers give a very special atmosphere for the town.
Skofja Loka, Bernd Thaller, flickr.com
Every single detail of the city is charming:
Skofja Loka, photo: jaime.silva, flickr.com
campsites nearby:
https://bit.ly/3jlSleP 15 EUR / caravan
Radovljica (32 km from Skofja Loka, 30 minutes)
Radovljica, photo: Kirk Siang, flickr.com
Radovljica, also called the city of honey - built on a high terrain, surrounded by a wall - is a medieval small town 7 km from Bled. Gingerbread museum, charming streets, beautiful panoramas from all parts of the city, all of them can be found here.
RV parking:
https://bit.ly/2XsNDUS 15 EUR / day
Pokljuka Plateau (20.5 km, 30 minutes from Radovljica)
Pokljuka, photo: Erik Paakspuu, flickr.com
As part of the Triglav National Park, the Pokljuka Plateau is one of the most spectacular part of the park, with the small huts lined up along the road, with the mountain pastures, and the surronding forests. The plateau is 20 km long, the elevation is between 1200 and 1300 meters.
Pokljuka, photo: incidencematrix, flickr.com
Foods:
-Carniolan sausage with sauerkraut
-the local drink of the region is Gorenjska Tepkovec, a strong alcoholic drink
RV parking:
https://bit.ly/3plPRAU 20 EUR / day
Kamnik (63 km, 1 hour 5 minutes from Pokljuka)
Among the high mountains we find Kamnik, a small Slovenian town. This is a hidden gem, with beautiful squares, church towers and charming houses.
RV parking:
https://bit.ly/3plPRAU parking is free, electricity and water cost 15 Euros
Velika Planina (28 km, 53 minutes from Kamnik)
Velika Planina offers an easy hiking route that can be taken in about 2 hours 15 minutes. (6.7 km long). Walking along the alpine grassy plateau we can see the huts of local shepherds, we can meet with grazing cows, the whole trip is a real recharging tour.
parking nearby:
https://bit.ly/3jjVpZ3 21 EUR / day + tax
Logar Valley (Logarska Dolina) (33 km, 55 minutes from Velika Planina)
The Logar Valley is one of the most beautiful alpine valleys in Europe, showing different faces in all seasons, wildflower valleys, waterfalls, mountain peaks covered with snow, beautiful hiking trails, amazing panorama that cannot be described in words.
parking nearby:
https://bit.ly/3nglbi9 19 EUR / day
Route:
Google Maps route:
Camper van rental is possible on several sites in Hungary, for example here https://renteasy.hu/, or here http://lakoauto.hu/
However, if we do not insist on picking up a camper van, we can choose offers from here: (hungarian sites) https://www.outdoorsy.com/, sometimes we can get a camper van within Europe for a very cheap rental fee. Of course, outside the high season, the prices are also more favorable.
Costs for a 11-day trip (10 nights) from Budapest:
Camper van rental costs:
camper van rental for 2 people out of season: from 50 EUR + VAT / day - up to 97 EUR + VAT (of course, there are larger rv-s more expensive)
Preparation fees (one-time):
-41 EUR + VAT
gas tank: 19 EUR + VAT
-chemical: 11 EUR + VAT
(we only have to pay a cleaning fee afterwards if we do not hand over the car in the condition in which it was received)
total: (calculated on average rent)
797 EUR
(a deposit of 833 EUR-972 EUR must also be paid, this will be refunded if we give back the car undamaged)
Travel expenses:
200 EUR fuel
Hungarian motorway sticker (monthly) 9930 Ft = 28 EUR
Slovenian motorway sticker (monthly) 30 EUR
total travel costs: 258 EUR
Cost of parking, overnight stays in campsites, private car parks:
average 22 EUR / day
For 10 nights: 220 EUR
Food costs:
one meal a day in a restaurant, the rest from your own shopping (cooking):
277 EUR / 2 people
Travel insurance:
30 EUR / 2 people
Total cost for 2 people: 1580 EUR
Total cost per person: 790 EUR
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