A few years back I flew across the alps VFR from Vilshofen to Pula and crossed pretty much direct at FL100 with plenty of space beneath me, routing via Villach (NIPEL), I saw Lake Bled beneath me and regretted not descending to stop and look around, especially after the views from Grand Tour’s “Euro Crash” but this year I intend to stop there…..
I did see that Lake Bled isn’t far by public transport (Train). So would probably just leave the aircraft in Ljubljana.
ch.ess wrote:
You could approach Klagenfurt in Austria and cross the ridge to Lesce at NIPEL or do the same on the Slovenian side via Lubljana.
Are we talking VFR here? If I went FL150, I see that the mountains are very high around this routing? (IFR)
GAGSI Y712 LBU L173 RIXED Y161 MAH L173 OTT M867 RADIZ DCT LUMUS
I presume if hardly any wind, it would be okay, the alternatives are Lyon/Grenoble or Avignon then across Italy? Going via Wien seems long…
Ljubljana is really lovely city but it’s kind of far from airport (25 km) and you can expect around €40 for the taxi.
Lesce Bled is really nice. A busy glider and PJE airfield. Short taxi to town, good restaurant on the field.
(After 24hrs you have seen everything there is, though)
You could approach Klagenfurt in Austria and cross the ridge to Lesce at NIPEL or do the same on the Slovenian side via Lubljana.
Klagenfurt is a nice city, too. No experience in Lubljana.
Hi All,
Sadly due to some extra unexpected financial pressures. This big trip may be delayed for a year.
I am now planning to go to Slovenia. I may setup a thread for that, but has anyone been? Particularly Lake Bled and flying over the Alps into Ljubljana. I know the Alps can be unforgiveable, looking at Karlsruhe for a tech stop and maybe somewhere else on the way back.
Following on my posting above about ’Flying Fatigue’ , the following article from PilotWorkshops dropped into my email box this morning:
“Research shows that after 17 hours awake, our cognitive and visual-motor skills are similar to someone with a blood alcohol level of .05—over the legal limit according to the FAA.
Just like alcohol, fatigue impacts attention, concentration, judgment, reaction time, communication skills, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. All of these hit when we can least afford it: at the end of a long day of flying.
Because many symptoms of fatigue can mimic hypoxia or dehydration, we may think they will go away during descent or after drinking some water.
They won’t.
Good sleep hygiene is the best way to prevent fatigue. . .
Airline pilots have limits on the length of their duty day. GA pilots need to set our own.
Next time you are planning a long flight, make your total time awake at your projected landing time part of your preflight planning. Even if it’s inconvenient, revise the plan if you will be ‘flying under the influence’ by the time you land.”
pilotrobbie wrote:
The current planned route is;London (Stapleford) to Marseille for the first night -
Marseille to Calvi for lunch
Calvi to Olbia for dinner and stay for the night
Fly to Naples for the night (Stay in Sorrento)
Fly Skiathos for two nights
Fly to Split for two nights in Hvar beach
Fly to Vienna for the night
Fly to Karlsurhe for the night or back to the UK (Weather)
Fly to the UK
Hi Robbie,
Do you intend LFMM, LOWW ?
I would skip either Marseille or Calvi. Better see one destination than nothing of 2 destinations.
If I were you, I would make a customs/fuel stop somewhere in France (possibly LFMH) before heading to Calvi for the night.
In the same way, I would turn Karlsruhe into a customs/fuel stop and plan 2 nights in Austria.
Even with 2 nights, I would rather aim at Graz, Innsbruck or Salzburg instead of Vienna which alone is worth a trip. 
I echo others there should be non flying days.
Well, that applies if you have female passengers, and you would like them to stick around
Trust me… I am an expert (on them not sticking around) 
Exactly my kind of flying @pilotrobbie, and fantastic schedule
Though I visited all the places you mention pre-retirement, I can’t offer any advice for private flights… but barring Marseille/Calvi/Karlsruhe, landing at the names mentioned might be a costly adventure.
Nevertheless, very much looking towards your trip report
Everyone to his/her own . . .
But as GA_Pete says:
We do a similar style trip each year but I’d never have a ‘nice’ place as a fuel-only stop/lunch, and any primary destination must have a non flying day.
Each to his own, but I usually have the wife with me and while she enjoys the flying, the destination is far more important. I think we have a good balance.
From organising ’Fly Outs’ for over 20 years, I believe it is important to have regular, extended, relaxing lunches and definitely some non-fly days. Not just for the wife/partner’s sake, but for the pilot as well.
On a lengthy tour, we delude ourselves if we think that ‘flying fatigue’ will not catch up with us.
Likewise – to attract customers – I find an exciting major destination, where one can relax and enjoy for a couple of days, is a MUST.
