Slovenia adventure tour

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

One of the most significant ways we reduce our carbon footprint on this trip is by opting for human-powered activities. The primary activity on this itinerary is hiking, which is very low-impact. The boat ride on Lake Bled is in a pletna, a traditional wooden boat paddled using two large oars at the back. There is no motor, but instead the boat is operated by a person called a pletnar. This reduces CO2 emissions, while also minimizing noise pollution and disruption to wildlife in the area.

The trip is in a small geographic area, and there are no internal flights. When we must drive between locations, we use a fuel-efficient vehicle that is appropriately sized for the group. For travelers who are flying into Slovenia - we recommend they consider the carbon footprint of their flight when making reservations, and we suggest they take direct flights when available. We can then advise them how to arrive at the trip starting point using a bus, train, or ride-sharing service. We also encourage travelers to pack light and send a recommended packing list ahead of the trip to make sure they have everything they need without bringing unnecessary items. Once they arrive, we advise travelers to be mindful of how much they use air conditioning and hot water and to conserve energy when possible.

When available, we use public transportation to reduce the CO2 emissions per person. For example, on Day 1, rather than driving a private vehicle, we take a shuttle bus between Postojna and Predjama to reduce pollution and traffic. Using sustainable public transport is especially important in the karst plateau, because everything that is polluted on the surface ends up in the groundwater and the cave systems where it can harm the delicate ecosystem. The shuttle bus is part of the Predjama Sustainable project, which “promotes sustainable mobility and contributes to mitigating climate change”.

Vegetarian and vegan food options are available each day, and we offer meals with locally-sourced food whenever possible. While many traditional Slovenian dishes contain meat and/or dairy, modern-day Slovenian cuisine is very vegan and vegetarian friendly. The country as a whole, as well as the restaurants where we have meals, highlight fresh local produce and grains. From traditional dumplings and buckwheat mush to wild foraged mushrooms, vegetarians and vegans will find many great Slovenian dishes to try during their holiday.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Slovenia is considered one of the most sustainable and environmentally conscious countries in Europe. The hotel we use on this trip provides guests with recommendations for reducing their environmental impact by conserving water and energy. For example, the hotel encourages guests to reuse towels during their stay when possible to reduce water consumption of excessive laundering.

The trip visits Triglav National Park and pays an entry fee to access certain protected areas, including Savica Waterfall and Postojna Cave. The entry fees contribute to the protection of these areas, and at Postojna, help support the Protect Proteus Project. The project seeks to ensure a healthy habitat for the endangered cave-dwelling olms and supports scientific research to hatch and develop the species and ensure its survival.

All travelers receive a pre-departure information packet with tips on minimizing their impact in the places we visit and following the principles of Leave No Trace.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

We support the local economy in several key ways on this trip. We use one lodging facility - a small locally owned hotel near Lake Bohinj. By avoiding large chains, we keep more income within the communities we visit. The meals that are included are at locally owned restaurants and feature Slovenian cuisine with fresh, local ingredients. This not only supports the local restaurants, but also supports Slovenian agriculture and reduces the environmental impact of transporting food long distances.

The trip starts and ends in Ljubljana, and we encourage travelers to visit the city’s central open-air market to support local farmers, bakers, and food producers. From purchasing homemade bread and pastries to local fruits, honey and cheeses, this is a great way to taste local products and support the local economy.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Our company and those with which we work with to make this tour possible pay at least the Slovenian minimum wage to all staff. We promote equal opportunity employment and do not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation.

More than three-quarters of our current staff are women. Outdoor guiding is historically a male-dominated industry, and today, there are still more male outdoor guides globally compared to female outdoor guides. We employ women as guides on this trip and many of our other tours, and we are proud to have strong women role models on our team.

This trip is LGBTQ+ friendly, and we welcome travelers from all backgrounds.