The Emerald River of Prince Caspian

soca river

If you have seen the movie Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian then you may have marvelled at the stunning scenery in the film shot along a gorgeous emerald river surrounded by incredible alpine peaks. The river featured is the Soča and the scenes were shot close to the town of Bovec in Slovenia. If you love the romance of the mountains and fancy a honeymoon in gorgeous surroundings that will not break the bank then consider giving Slovenia a try.

The Town

Bovec sits at the foot of the Julian Alps and is at the head of the Soča valley on the border of the Triglav National Park. It is a small and attractive town which is renowned for summer water sports on the river. There are numerous sports agencies in Bovec offering white water rafting, canyoning, hydrospeed and kayaking and if that is not enough activity for you there are also horse riding and quad biking trips available. The Soča is also a magnet for anglers so take your angling tackle if you fancy a go at catching the local trout and salmon. The river itself is notable for its remarkable green colour caused by light reflecting off the minerals in the water. It is an almost surreal sight and one you will never forget.

Away from the adventure sports there are plenty of other things to enjoy in and around Bovec. If you are an active type then you will enjoy Adrenalin Park Bovec, a zip line course set high into the slopes of Mount Kanin which has four lines suspended at up to 400ft above the ground. If you enjoy hiking in the mountains take a drive up the Vršič Pass to the summit from where several excellent trails begin. The highlight is probably the trip to Slemenova Špica, a relatively arduous hike with glorious alpine views and mountain meadows. There is also a trail which follows the Soča from its source down into the valley. For some spectacular views take the cable car from the edge of town to the top of Mount Kanin from where you can see all the way to the Adriatic.

Beyond Bovec

450px-Škocjan_Caves_(5)

There are many wonderful attractions within easy driving distance of Bovec. Just a few kilometres from the town you will find the magnificent Boca waterfall and further down the valley the Tolmin Gorges where you can follow hiking trails past steep sided crevasses, waterfalls and other natural wonders. Over the Vršič Pass you will find the ski resort of Kranjska Gora witch is worth a visit at any time of year and the Slovenian Capital, Ljubljana is just 90 minutes away. Slovenia is a small country and so most regions are accessible to you if you are using Bovec as your base. It is certainly worth driving south to visit the magnificent Škocjan Caves and nearby Lipica, home of the famous white Lipizzaner horses.

Visiting

Bovec is accessible from Ljubljana, Treviso and Klagenfurt airports which are all served by no-frills airlines. Accommodation in Slovenia is very reasonably priced and it an easy place to drive with quiet roads and excellent signage. Slovenia is a beautiful country which makes a great alternative to Austria and Switzerland for a mountain honeymoon and there are some world class attractions to enjoy.

Article by Sally Stacey