Rick Steves' Tour Guide Says This Mountainous Pass Is One Of Europe's Best Road Trips

If you're looking for an unforgettable European vacation, sometimes it's best to take a page out of an expert's playbook. Cameron Hewitt, who works closely with Rick Steves, recommends taking a scenic road trip along the Vršič Pass in Slovenia. If you've ever shopped for a travel guidebook, you've likely stumbled across an edition of Rick Steves' Europe. Steves has become a celebrity, and he's one of America's top European travel aficionados. He has published multiple best sellers, hosted a travel-themed television program, and run successful group tours for years — but he doesn't do it alone. 

Rick Steves works with a top-notch team of travel experts that assist him in research, writing, and hosting tours. Cameron Hewitt is one of his top tour guides, and he's been working for Rick Steves' Europe Inc. for over 20 years. He is "well-traveled, smart, and insightful," according to Steves, and he contributes regular blogs to Rick Steves' website. Both Steves and Hewitt agree that Slovenia is one of Europe's best-kept secrets. 

In 2022, Hewitt published his own book — a travel memoir entitled, "The Temporary European," which you can pick up on Amazon. In the book, he discusses his travel adventures and his favorite places around the globe. The appendix, which he shared on Rick Steves' website, includes all of his favorite places in Europe. Slovenia is his favorite country, and Slovenia's Vršič Pass is one of his all-time favorite road trips. It runs right through Triglav National Park, and throughout the journey, you'll be surrounded by the jaw-dropping beauty of the Julian Alps. 

Cameron Hewitt adores Slovenia's rugged beauty. "Slovenia is simply stunning. It's far more beautiful than you'd expect for a country that many people have never heard of (or, at least, might have trouble placing on a map)," he wrote in a blog post on Rick Steves' website. In addition to being one of the most visually gorgeous and lesser-visited European nations, Hewitt believes it's also one of the most underrated.

According to Hewitt, popular tourist spots in Slovenia, like Lake Bled, are wonderful places to visit, but the real magic is found off the beaten path. He wrote that his "favorite scenery in Slovenia is deep in the Julian Alps, which butt up against Austria and Italy." The best way to experience the region is by taking a road trip along Vršič Pass. "For my money, this is (in good weather) the most spectacular drive in Europe," he added.

The best way to reach the Vršič Pass is to drive, although there are also a few options for travelers who prefer to visit via public transportation or on a guided tour. Fly into Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, which has direct flights all over Europe and is serviced by multiple European airlines including British Airways, Air France, and Lufthansa. The airport is about an hour away from the Vršič Pass. Car rentals cost around $15 per day, and the roads are well-maintained throughout the country. If you're staying in the Lake Bled area, Vršič Pass makes a wonderful day trip or overnight. It's only about an hour away from Lake Bled by car.

The best time to embark on a Vršič Pass road trip is during the spring or fall if you want to avoid the crowds. Wintertime is exceptionally beautiful, but the road sometimes closes after heavy snowfall, so double check conditions ahead of time. Cameron Hewitt recommends budgeting a full day for the drive. The road is about 15 miles long and connects the picturesque resort town of Kranjska Gora to the settlement of Trenta. You could complete it in a few hours if you drove straight through, but you'll want to carve out plenty of time to stop and enjoy the sites. It is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia and winds sharply upward to an elevation of 5,449 feet. Throughout the drive, you'll hug the mountainside as you navigate 50 sharp bends, with plenty of places to pull off and enjoy the views along the way. The area is remote, so consider packing a picnic lunch to enjoy along the way.

The road was constructed during World War I and was built using the forced labor of Russian prisoners of war. The Russian Chapel was built along the Vršič Pass in honor of the Russian prisoners who died during an avalanche while working on the project. Elsewhere, see if you can spot the face created from fractured rocks in Mount Prisank called Ajdovska Deklica, or "Heathen Maiden." You should also pause along the drive to admire views of the emerald-colored Soča River that winds through the Alps near the road. The Alpine Botanical Garden Juliana is a wonderful place to stop along the way and see some native flower species, and there are some epic hikes in the area if you need to stretch your legs.