We just finished our photography tour to the Julian Alps in Slovenia and Plitvice Lakes in Croatia, run together with Joe Van Os Photo Safaris.
We started in Ljubljana, the charming capital of Slovenia. Since the autumn colours were already close to their peak, we spent the first few days on short trips to the nearby countryside — exploring hilltop churches, quiet villages, and colourful valleys.
Next, we travelled to the Soča River Valley, where we photographed stunning mountain scenery glowing in golden larches and deep reds. The weather was on our side — we even managed a sunset shoot from the highest road in Slovenia, surrounded by shimmering autumn colours.
Of course, no visit to Slovenia is complete without Lake Bled. We were lucky with our sunrise session — soft morning light, mist drifting across the lake, and the church on the island framed by perfect fall colours. The St. Thomas Church (Sveti Tomaž) delivered its magic once again — fog in the valley, warm light, and clear mountain views in the background.
Besides these well-known locations, we also explored some less-visited gems — quiet rivers, remote farmhouses, and tiny village churches. The Slovenia part of the trip was simply fantastic!
From there, we continued south to Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. Even the drive was full of photography opportunities, so we reached the park late in the evening. The next morning we entered at sunrise — and had the whole park to ourselves for the first few hours! The waterfalls and turquoise lakes surrounded by golden trees were breathtaking. The fall colours were at their best — rich yellows, oranges, and reds reflected beautifully in the still waters.
During the following days, we revisited the park from different angles, explored forest trails, and visited small villages nearby. One fun stop was Željava Airbase, an abandoned underground airport from Yugoslav times — perfect for a group photo! We wrapped up the tour with our final photoshoot at the Rastoke waterfalls in the lovely town of Slunj.
A huge thank you to all our participants — you made this trip such a joy! And above all, thank you, Joe Van Os, for being our long-time partner, friend, and teacher. We’re already looking forward to our next adventure together!
