Up bright and early to head off down the Soca valley.  If you’re looking for a relaxing road trip through Slovenia, few drives can beat the Soca Valley Drive. This will be our second time following the river.  Last time, we had the pleasure of doing an Autumn drive heading up stream.  This time the vivid spring colours capture our imagination and we follow the river downstream.

We join the river at Bovic and follow it all the way down to the Adriatic, Italy. This road isn’t just a scenic drive, it’s a route down the edge of the Julian Alps.   Slovenia boasts the tallest and mightiest peaks of the Julian Alps.  With trails to wild and untamed corners high in the mountains.  The National Park roads reveal some of the most gorgeous rolling hills and eye catching mountains on the planet.

Don’t expect to set any speed records on the highway. The speed limit never goes higher than 60 kilometres per hour. But taking it slow gives you a better chance to ogle the natural wonder that surrounds us. Spring is also a good time to start the road repairs after the harsh winter. Wheel barrows full of hot tarmac and sweaty men dot our journey. And some of repairs are a tight squeeze for Vin the motorhome! The open road winds over numerous bridges built with local stone and wood.  Between them lie expansive vistas, tiny hamlets and more wobbly walking bridges than you can count.

We rolled out of Slovenia and in to Italy. No border control or check point just bumpy, disorganised roads. Straight on to a roundabout with scooters adding to our confused state. A national identity defined by chaos. We chuckled, yip, we are in Italy. Our giggles were soon cut short as we turned down a wrong road, which plonked us on a toll road heading in the wrong direction.  Craig whispered strong words under his breath which translated to… bleep, bleep, bleep, five quid to travel on a road in the wrong bleep direction and what makes it bloody worse. I have to pay bleep, bleep, bleep £5 to get back to the same bleep point.  I howled with laughter as Craig tutted and cursed for the next 20 miles. 

Eventually, we arrived in Trieste and dropped on to the marina municipal car park (free).  We cracked open the beers, sat on the marina wall and started to plan our journey through Croatia.  What a lucky life we lead and right now, we couldn’t be happier.  Even Mac n Tosh are enjoying life chasing lizards and dipping their paws in to the ocean. 

Occasionally, we glance over at our view of Trieste and reflect on our last visit. If you’re an indecisive type when it comes to picking which places to visit, Trieste is a great city. An Italian hot spot, surrounded on almost all of its land ward sides by Slovenia and once the main seaport of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. With its mix of Latin, Germanic and Slavic influences, this city does offer a real bag of things to see and do.

Sunset in Trieste.

At sunset the invisible force kicked in, passeggiata. Its my favourite time of day and what I just love about Italy.  Well dressed couples and families slowly amble towards the sea front. Joggers of all shapes and sizes slowly gather for their 6pm run which promptly starts at 6.40. Folk stroll back and forth, grandma sits on the park bench and everyone stop to greet friends and neighbours. The daily passeggiata is a tradition that is hard to resist and exerts its pull on people of all ages. And when it involves a gelato, I dare anyone to say no.

Our Bumble wild camping spot N046.776205, E011.628905

The marina car park is very quiet and we get a decent nights sleep. However, our plans for an early start were scuppered by an overly chatty and very friendly Austrian.  Stick Craig in to the mix and we were lucky to leave by lunch. 

Once out of the spaghetti road works of Trieste we drove along to coast road in to Croatia (after popping back in to Slovenia for a few mile). The queues at border control were massive. Anyone unable go show passport or photographic ID were turned away. Thankfully, our ugly mugs were accepted (never even noticed the dogs) and we bumbled on in to the region of Istria. Through the country lanes and in to the valley fields.  All colonnaded with trees bearing pears, apricots and peaches. Orchards, alternating with vineyards, are constant roadside companions on the drive south towards Umag on the Adriatic coast. 

Its been a week since we left home and after 2120 km and 35 hours in the driving seat we finally arrive at our ‘starting point’, Croatia.  Our first port of call Camp Umag for 3 days of rest and relaxation. An excellent 4 star ASCI site for just €17 per night.

Our Bumble paid camping spot N046.776205, E011.628905