Christmas in the Slovenian Alps
Newmarket Holidays is offering up to 15% off its Festive Collection until Saturday, 31 October.
6days from
£1,559*per person
Overview
A festive two-country winter experience through Slovenia and Austria, with the option to extend your journey into Croatia.
Join an enchanting winter break based in the beautiful alpine resort of Kranjska Gora, exploring Slovenia and Austria, with an optional excursion into Croatia adding an extra layer of discovery. Located between the snow-capped mountains and glacial lakes of Triglav National Park, this charming town is transformed into a true winter wonderland every year. More highlights feature a guided tour of Ljubljana, with its Baroque streets and riverside Christmas markets illuminated by lights.
A cross-border visit to Villach in Austria follows, transformed into a charming “City of Light” with markets, ice skating, and a picturesque backdrop. Leisure time in Kranjska Gora allows you to explore at your own pace, from lively Christmas stalls to churches overlooking the water. An optional excursion to Zagreb takes you to one of Europe’s most celebrated Christmas markets, spread across atmospheric squares and parks filled with music, lights, and traditional treats.
Join an enchanting winter break based in the beautiful alpine resort of Kranjska Gora, exploring Slovenia and Austria, with an optional excursion into Croatia adding an extra layer of discovery. Located between the snow-capped mountains and glacial lakes of Triglav National Park, this charming town is transformed into a true winter wonderland every year. More highlights feature a guided tour of Ljubljana, with its Baroque streets and riverside Christmas markets illuminated by lights.
A cross-border visit to Villach in Austria follows, transformed into a charming “City of Light” with markets, ice skating, and a picturesque backdrop. Leisure time in Kranjska Gora allows you to explore at your own pace, from lively Christmas stalls to churches overlooking the water. An optional excursion to Zagreb takes you to one of Europe’s most celebrated Christmas markets, spread across atmospheric squares and parks filled with music, lights, and traditional treats.
Itinerary
- Fly to Venice or Ljubljana - Begin your festive escape with a flight to the historic Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, or Venice. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by your friendly local tour manager and board a coach for the journey east to the alpine resort of Kranjska Gora. Settle in and enjoy a welcome drink before dinner is served.
- Included tour of Ljubljana - Have breakfast at your hotel this morning before a tour of the Slovenian capital as it gears up for Christmas Day. Dressed in all its festive finery, Ljubljana promises to get you in the holiday spirit with dazzling lights, decorations, and seasonal markets. Start the day in the city’s ornate old town and take in its impressive baroque town hall. After a brief introduction from your tour manager, visit the local shops or enjoy views of Ljubljana Castle. Next, walk along the Ljubljanica River, admiring the imposing facades of its pretty baroque bridges and the city’s ornate riverside churches as you go, ahead of a stop at the market-laden Breg Embankment. Known for its independent stores and communal atmosphere, Breg is a promenade, which welcomes a delightful festive market each winter. Soak up the Christmas cheer with time to explore the stalls, see Ljubljanica’s glittering lights and warm yourself with some mulled wine before heading back to the hotel for dinner. The wooden huts extend from the historic centre to the riverbank and are illuminated with light displays. Sample the local kuhano vino (mulled wine) or medica (a warm honey liqueur), and traditional snacks like potica (a rolled pastry), or kranjska klobasa (a Slovenian sausage). Later in the evening, return to the hotel in time for dinner.
- Christmas Eve – Included visit to Villach, Austria and Christmas dinner followed by midnight mass - This Christmas Eve, once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll travel across the border to the Austrian city of Villach. Surrounded by alpine scenery and lakes and set in the heart of the mountains, Villach has a charming old town, which is especially delightful at Christmas. The city’s location near the borders of Italy and Slovenia means that it encompasses a mix of cultures as seen in its architecture and food. In December, it becomes a “City of Light” with beautiful decorations and a Christmas market spread around the parish church, as well as an ice rink in the Town Hall Square. Browse the stalls, sip on hot punch, and sample some kärntner reindling (sweet bread) before walking along the River Drau, and perhaps getting cosy in one of the lively bars or cafés. A special Christmas dinner will be served this evening. You can choose to attend midnight mass at a local church before returning for tea or coffee and cake, a cosy end to the day.
- Christmas Day – Day at leisure and Christmas lunch - Merry Christmas! Today, following breakfast, the day will be free for you to spend as you wish. You choose to relax at the hotel, perhaps taking advantage of the wellness centre, or the bar and restaurant. Alternatively, explore the highlights of this resort town and visit the Kranjska Gora Christmas market, offering traditional drinks, snacks and gifts. Return to the hotel for a delightful Christmas lunch and an afternoon of relaxation. Dinner will be served later this evening.
- Boxing Day – Day at leisure or optional excursion to Zagreb and Christmas markets - Take it easy this Boxing Day or join an optional excursion to Zagreb, Croatia’s northwestern capital. Its atmospheric centre, Upper Town, with red-roof buildings, cobbled streets, and a labyrinth of tram tracks, is ideal for exploring on foot. Take in the towering twin-spired Zagreb Cathedral and 13th-century St. Mark’s Church, and wander along the pedestrianised, lively Tkalčićeva Street. Christmas markets are spread throughout the city, from Ban Jelačić Square, set around a big Christmas tree, to Zrinjevac Park, awash with fairy lights and filled with music. Make sure to try some fritule (Croatian sweet doughnuts) as you amble around the stalls, selling ornaments and local crafts. Travel back to the hotel for your final dinner.
- Fly back to the UK - Enjoy your last breakfast and travel back to the airport in either Venice or Ljubljana for your return flight.
What's Included
Holiday Highlights
- Unwind in a winter wonderland staying in the pretty resort town of Kranjska Gora, close to Slovenia’s Italian and Austrian borders
- Set off on a festive Ljubljana city tour, exploring its Baroque old town and riverside Christmas markets
- Wander around the Villach Christmas market and the riverside promenade, backed by beautiful alpine scenery
- Celebrate Christmas Eve with a dinner followed by midnight mass at a nearby church
- Experience a cross-border visit on Christmas Eve to Villach, Austria, enjoying its charming “City of Light” Christmas atmosphere
- Spend Christmas at leisure and enjoy a special lunch
- Join an optional excursion to Zagreb and stroll through one of Europe’s most celebrated Christmas markets
Our Price Includes
- Five nights’ half-board accommodation at the four-star Hotel Kompas, Kranjska Gora
- Five breakfasts, one lunch, and five dinners
- Special Christmas Eve dinner and lunch
- Tour of Ljubljana
- Visit to Villach, Austria
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager, with specialist local guides where applicable
- Coach travel and transfers throughout
- Return flights to Venice or Ljubljana
- All mandatory local taxes and charges
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Dates and Prices
Accommodation
Hotel Kompas, Kranjska Gora -
Introduction
Positioned at the foot of the ski slopes of the resort, the hotel has beautiful views of the Julian Alps.
Facilities & amenities
There is a restaurant serving local and international cuisine and a bar. A wellness centre features massage rooms, swimming pool and fitness room.
Rooms
Each comfortable guestroom has a mini bar, a TV, a safe, air conditioning, a hairdryer, and free Wi-Fi.
Other Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately 2.5 hours from Venice airport and 50 minutes from Ljublajna airport.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
Holiday code
N2893Holiday provided by Newmarket Holidays (for iTravel Offers)
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE: This holiday is sold and operated by Newmarket Holidays (ABTOT 5509, ATOL 2325, ABTA V7812), you can be 100% sure that your money is safe.