Holiday Reviews
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same trip can have different views!
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Walking in the Julian Alps, Slovenia, independent reviews
 Reviewed 5 Jul 2009 by Leslie Keeney |  |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The hike up one of the peaks in the Julian Alps with our guide was amazing. Not only were the views great, but we got our share of history by viewing WWI Italian fortifications on the mountain.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring your own soap and shampoo. Definitely book dinners at the farmhouse - great value and absolutely delicious.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes - we purchased items from the local markets and farms and ate dinners at the farmhouse. Many of the walks really didn't require driving; we literally started from the back of the farmhouse we stayed at.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. The farm owners were great hosts. Meals were delicious and fresh. There was a great variety of things for us to do with our twin 10-year-olds.
| Reviewed 1 Oct 2009 by Philippa Barton | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The scenery: surrounded by white-topped mountains, alpine meadows full of flowers and the amazing turquoise Soce river.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Look at the amount of climbing involved in the walks - it's there in the book but we didn't notice it the first day. Also take a torch when you go to the trenches and bunkers on Kolovrat ridge.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
I hope so.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great. It was so useful having the maps and walking guides, especially as we only had three days. We felt like we crammed in all the best bits - mountain climbing, waterfalls and WWI history because the operator gave such useful and detailed information. We were a bit nervous about the driving but the directions were superb.
| Reviewed 27 Jul 2009 by Rosie Holyoak | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
A guided walk to a mountain lake, sliding down a snowfield to the lake and picnicing by the lake, with amazing views, surrounded by wild flowers.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Go for it!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, the local people rely on tourism. There are some walks which don't need transport, starting from Kobarid, which we did - others need a car but otherwise we don't think we harmed the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Superb! Our guide was excellent, not only leading first class walks in a professional manner but also preparing lovely lunches, and being generally very helpful and friendly.
| Reviewed 26 Aug 2008 by Diana Paine | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Reaching the farm & finding out it really is in a wonderful location - we stepped out onto the balcony of our room to see a stunning view of Dresnica church in the middle of the sweeping valley & listened to...nothing, silence. No cars, no radios, no machinery - just the occasional goat's bell & the stirring of the leaves in the breeze.
We hurried to explore the immediate surroundings & within minutes we were standing by the first of many lovely waterfalls. Water - that's the most exciting thing about this holiday. You can drink it from any waterpipe you find - it's sweet & fresh.
You can swim in it in the pools of the rivers or in the lakes. You can do mad things in a kayak in the gorges. Even the rain just enhances the smell of the flowery mountain meadows. The other exciting aspect was really discovering the extraordinary events of WW1. We had read up about the Italian front & Hemmingway but there is nothing like seeing the trenches in the high mountains & visiting the excellent museum in Kobarid.Lastly, it was great to have a guide who was available but not necessarily present. We always had useful tips & weather updates (so we knew what clothing to take in our backpacks) & on one or two occasions we chose to be guided but we always had a wonderful lunch & help finding a good place for dinner so it really was relaxing.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do a bit of research before you go. It makes it more enjoyable to know something about the region & there are so many choices you might like to have made a few decisions before you arrive or you'll be spoilt for choice. Read through the excellent guides you are sent in your pack & mark up the ones you like & then expect to be surprised by the suggestions from your guide.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
One of the best things about this holiday is the warm welcome from the hosts at the farm. They are simply charming. They have obviously worked so hard to make this a really comfortable place to stay at the same time as maintaining a working farm. It did not feel as though tourism was taking over but, rather, fitted in with the traditional farming culture.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Top Marks. It was one of the best short breaks we have had. It felt like a long break as we had so many different things to do each day & it left us with very warm feelings towards the place as the farm hosts & the guide were so genuinely friendly.
| Reviewed 23 Jul 2008 by Alan Franks | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Location - scenery, countryside - spectacular! People - host family, local manager, fellow guests (lasting friendships?)
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be open - embrace differences. Take good equipment - boots, walking poles, day packs.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Guess so - maybe not the most eco-friendly but better than many.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent!
Read the operator's response here:
This holiday generates income within a rural community for the family-run farm where we stay, village shops and neighbours from whom we source fresh produce, and local enterprises such as museums and restaurants. The village is not served by public transport and so this holiday does include a hire-car, which as Mr Franks points out is not perhaps the most eco-friendly option. However, without a car we could not reach the rural communities which currently benefit most from our business, and so instead we do all we can to minimize the carbon footprint from this element of the holiday. Hybrid vehicles are offered wherever available, fuel efficient low emission cars are supplied as standard, and we offset double the estimated CO2 from every vehicle. We do also offer several car-free departures in the region, based in a small town nearby.| Reviewed 8 Oct 2006 by Christine Harrison | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The 4 hour climb up Mt Krn on a fabulously sunny day and being able to see Italy and the sea in the distance. Our local guide was very knowledgeable and provided a very welcome shot of home made pear schnapps half way up!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Be prepared for driving on narrow mountain roads and for the journey to take a little longer than predicted in inclement weather.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely.
| Reviewed 14 Sep 2006 by David Cattermole | |
We had a wonderful holiday in the Slovenian (Julian) Alps. It was exactly what we needed and expected to re-charge our batteries after a busy few months. This is the first time we have taken this type of holiday although we often take holidays where we walk in mountain areas e.g. Switzerland, Austria etc. We have done this under our own steam but this time took all the hassle out of arranging our itinerary and activities. The farm we stayed on was marvelous and we feel that we became friends of the family rather than just guests. The food, as promised, really reflected the local cuisine and was perfect for our needs. The big surprise came at the end of the week when we got the bill for our dinners and drinks. 7 days cost us about £110!!!
I would thoroughly recommend this type of holiday to anyone who is fit enough to enjoy relatively testing walks that provide fantastic views and an insight into local life. We visited a mountain farm where we were welcomed with coffee and schnapps. If we had not been with our guide, Urska, who lives in the village, we would not have even been allowed over the threshold. We saw 13 eagles in one group plus deer, martens and evidences of wild boar.
To see an 86 year old local lady cutting a field of grass for winter hay with a scythe then raking it up is not something one sees every day!! The whole family is involved in the farm and seem to stick close together.
Suffice to say that in the whole 10 days we were away we used the hire car to drive only about 150 miles most of which was the travel from the airport to the farm.
Overall a fantastic holiday in a beautiful place with lovely people.
I would thoroughly recommend this type of holiday to anyone who is fit enough to enjoy relatively testing walks that provide fantastic views and an insight into local life. We visited a mountain farm where we were welcomed with coffee and schnapps. If we had not been with our guide, Urska, who lives in the village, we would not have even been allowed over the threshold. We saw 13 eagles in one group plus deer, martens and evidences of wild boar.
To see an 86 year old local lady cutting a field of grass for winter hay with a scythe then raking it up is not something one sees every day!! The whole family is involved in the farm and seem to stick close together.
Suffice to say that in the whole 10 days we were away we used the hire car to drive only about 150 miles most of which was the travel from the airport to the farm.
Overall a fantastic holiday in a beautiful place with lovely people.
| Reviewed 15 Jun 2006 by Ann Tunwell | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The fantastic scenery in the mountains. The hospitality and warmth offered by our hosts in the Band B. The walking was excellent.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
4 days wasn’t long enough – a week would be good to do all the recommended walks and explore the area.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
It certainly felt that way. It’s difficult as any tourism is going to have an impact on the environment – it is about keeping a balance between bringing much needed revenue to an area that is in decline and it becoming over run with people and that is not easy. Who says what is right the local people who need the income and the traveller who likes deserted places.
4. Any other comments?
It was excellent but possible not long enough to be the best holiday - 4 stars.
| Reviewed 23 May 2008 by Jessica Stanton | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Climbing up kasji vjr! Gorgeous views of Alps all around...
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pack for unpredictable weather.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely the former - we did our best to buy locally made food and products. There is a fair amount of driving involved, as the village where we stayed is about 2-3 hours from the airport, but we did our best to carpool.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Very good - I really enjoyed it. Slovenia is a lovely place to visit; the people we met were lovely, the landscape beautiful and unspoilt, and the icecream delicious :)
Read the operator's response here:
We are delighted that Jessica enjoyed her holiday in Slovenia's Julian Alps, and we reallyappreciate her comments. I would like to respond to the comment raised about the amount of driving involved, to reassure Jessica that we deal with the driving element of this holiday responsibly.
An aim of this holiday is to support a relatively isolated upland community and bring income to its small rural enterprises. The village is not served by public transport (a term-time school bus only!), and so it would not be possible to support the family-run farm where we stay, and visit a variety of small restaurants, museums and other local enterprises, without the use of a car.
We calculate the estimated amount of driving undertaken by all our guests, then double it for good measure, and then offset this amount of carbon emissions with The Carbon Neutral Company. We also supply the most fuel efficient vehicles available, and will shortly be offering some hybrid hire cars too. The holiday is designed to minimize driving mileage, with a number of walks starting from the door of the accommodation, and an evening dining option available within walking distance. We encourage our guests to car-pool if they are heading for the same walk or restaurant, and it is great to hear that Jessica was happy to do this.