This trip has been unquestionably our most popular European paragliding tour in the Alps. Slovenia is a hidden treasure of the Alps. Consistent conditions make it flyers paradise. With Slovenia 2023 trip we are well into the second decade of Antofaya Expeditions' operations as a paragliding tour organizer. You can count on our experience. Past years (2012 to 2022) our groups of pilots had so much flying fun in Slovenia that we are going back to European Alps for more great XC flying. Some participants made their personal distance records, there were some +100km out and return flights, we crossed international borders in the air, we visited various XC flying sites, and everybody had plenty of Italian pizza. And to see how our previous trips looked like please see the photos from the trips or better yet read one of our participant story.

Have you ever looked at the results of Paragliding World Cup or World Championships and wondered: Slovenia? Where is it? Where do those champions come from? Located at the south-eastern end of the European Alps this tiny mountain country was created for paragliding, for awe-inspiring paragliding. Dramatic Slovenian Alps are one of the most fascinating mountain massifs in Europe with unparalleled beauty of the landscape, wild corners, rugged silver colored mountains and valleys filled with green meadows. Where else while thermaling over a snowy peak can you see Mediterranean sea? Where else can you cross international borders while flying? Where else can you jump from one alpine valley to another on an XC flight following an emerald river below? Cross country flying in Slovenia inspires.

Antofaya Expeditions and a cross country mentor Jarek Wieczorek with help of local European guides invite pilots of all levels for a paragliding trip to Slovenian Alps, one of Europe's premiere cross country flying locations.

With a large selection of flying sites in and around Soca valley we choose the day's flying locations depending on the weather, pilots' skills and wishes. There are two dozens launches in the aera of our base. We will use Stol and Kobala as our primary XC launches.

Stol 4,600ft (1400m) - No. 1 on the map
World renowned paragliding site which hosted various Paragliding World Cup events. The takeoff is located on a 20 mile(30km) ridge and offers a huge, grassy launch and plenty of opportunity for large number of pilots to spread along the ridge. Thermals start here earlier than at the other sites which gives you an early start for those long XC flights. The classic XC route from Stol takes you along the ridge to Italy where you can cross to parallel valley and come back toward Kobarid and farther to Tolmin village along rugged spines of snow covered Krn range. 60 miles (100km) flights are common on any given day. Takeoff access is via a winding gravel mountain road.

At Antofaya Expeditions we always tailor every flying day of your paragliding holidays to your skills and level of experience. The flying sites are suited for pilots who are just starting their XC adventures and equally for experienced competition pilots. Every evening we will analyze the weather forecast and initially decide which launch to use next day. We will plan our XC route using detailed topographical maps and aerial photos paying special attention to difficult valley crossings, landing options, and possible variations of the route. We will discuss each pilot's goals for the coming flying day. This way we will make sure you fly the right site for your experience level. Remember that we are with you to advise, help and mentor. We will explain to you why and how thermals are distributed along the ridges and valleys, where to find them, and how to use them efficiently. Thermaling is the cornerstone of XC flying and we will strive to provide you with all the knowledge you may need. We want you to get the maximum airtime possible and the biggest XC available.

In the morning during the hearty breakfast we will confirm our schedule for the day and if necessary make weather related adjustments. Between 9 and 10 we will drive in our vans toward our selected take-off. We will never leave you alone on a launch. One of our guides always launches last. Prior to flying we will always visit LZs and discus landing approaches, the take-off techniques, and available XC routes. You being informed and safe is our priority. Once all pilots has been collected by our retrieve vans we will drive up to afternoon paragliding sites like Lijak or Kovk which offer great glass-off flights. On average we will spend around four or more hours in the air on each flyable day and cover tens of XC miles flying in spectacular mountain surroundings.

Antofaya Expeditions
Antofaya Expeditions have years of experience in organizing paragliding trips. We strive to be the best in the business. Our fluent multilingual guides will make your flying vacation totally stress free by taking care of all the practicalities from the moment we pick you up at the Venice airport to the moment we drop you off there ten days later. We want you to fully enjoy your paragliding vacations whether it is staying in our modern and comfortable guesthouse or traveling to take-offs in our air conditioned and GPS equipped vans.

Jarek Wieczorek
Jarek Wieczorek will be our primary paragliding guide for this trip. With his experience as a paragliding guide and trip organizer you can count on the quality of the adventure. He has been working with returning clients from across the globe. He is a flying site pioneer, XC coach, and respected expedition leader who loves to share his knowledge and experience with other pilots. Contact Jarek Wieczorek

Experienced bilingual local paragliding guides will work with us depending on the number of participants. So every participant will get personal attention and coaching, both on the ground and in the air.

Dates
Ten days tour: 3 - 12 June 2023
Arrival at Venice, Italy airport on June 3rd (please choose a flight arriving no later than late afternoon)
Departure from Venice, Italy airport on June 12th (please choose an afternoon or later flight)

Price
To provide the best possible service we limit the number participants. Therefore it is essential to reserve your spot at this tour early.

For payments, please contact Jarek Wieczorek at jarek@antofaya.com or tel. (303) 800 6340

Included in the Price of the Tour
• Great flying adventure and your logbook full of new long XC flights,
• Constant assistance of English speaking paragliding guides,
• Transfers from Venice, Italy international airport (airport code VCE) to Soca valley, Slovenia on the first and the last day of the tour (optional arrival airport: Trieste, Italy - code TRS),
• Accommodation in a modern and very comfortable guesthouse with hearty buffet breakfast,
• Unlimited transportation to and from flying sites in comfortable air conditioned vehicles,
• Flying site and landing zone fees - so called "flycards",
• Cross country in-flight and on-the-ground guiding,
• Retrieves from landing zones and cross country landings,
• Services of drivers who are pilots themselves and know the area well,
• Flying sites beta (flying zone descriptions, local tips, and XC coaching),
• Extensive daily briefings and weather information,
• Paragliding competition instruction if desired,
• Special tour t-shirt,
• Transportation to restaurants, shops, tourists sights, etc. when flying schedule allows.

If you need special arrangements for your arrival and stay please do not hesitate to contact us and we will make sure all your needs are met.

Airplane tickets
The airplane tickets are not included in the price of the tour. We will gladly assist you if you need help with booking of your plane ticket.

Slovenia is an alpine country and lays in south-central Europe in Julian Alps between Italy, Austria and Croatia, only a couple hours by car from Venice or Vienna. It has Mediterranean climate on the coast and continental climate with mild to hot summers in the mountain valleys. The average temperatures are 75°F (24°C) in July. It is a modern European state with a strong economy and a stable democracy. It is a member of NATO, European Union and eurozone (Euro as a currency). It has the highest per capita GDP in Central Europe. Slovenia has excellent infrastructure with level of health care entirely comparable to other western European countries. The country is also known for its great wines and delicious traditional food. And if you wish to take a day off from flying there is white water rafting and fly fishing in the emerald river or spectacular limestone caves to visit or medieval port towns on the Mediterranean coast to relax at.

What you need to take with you
• Your paragliding gear,
• 2m radio, preferably with helmet mounted Push To Talk,
• Your paragliding license, I also recommend IPPI card (international paragliding license),
• Third party and medical insurance, preferably one which covers Search and Rescue,
• Photo/video camera,
• Radio and battery chargers operating on European 240V current,
• GSM cell phone which allows you send and receive text messages in Europe.

See you flying with us high above the Alps in Slovenia!

• Jarek Wieczorek
tel. in the USA: (303) 800 6340
tel. in Chile: +56 9-8269-6562
website: www.antofaya.com
email: jarek@antofaya.com