Peak season holiday fun without the crowds

For active families seeking an alternative to beaches and sizzling temperatures this peak season, Holiday Options reckons that Slovenia is the place to head.

Small it may be, just half the size of Switzerland, but lacking in scenery and attractions it certainly isn’t.

The landscape is varied – snow-capped mountain peaks, forested foothills and alpine meadows – and there’s ‘water, water, everywhere’ – dramatic waterfalls, rivers, streams and, of course, the glacial lakes of Bled and Bohinj.

Outdoor pursuits include fishing, kayaking, canoeing and rafting, along with cycling and hiking along hundreds of miles of marked trails. Other attractions include the Lipica Stables – home to the renowned Lipizzaner horses – and the Postojna Caves, an underground world of stalactites and stalagmites.

Accommodation options include the Apartments Vitranc in the alpine village of Kranjska Gora where, for example, a seven-night self-catering holiday – departing Gatwick on 8 August – costs £519 per adult and £472 per child (two-11 years).

For those who prefer a lakeside location, a week with breakfast at the four-star Hotel Savica at Lake Bled – again departing Gatwick on 8 August – is priced at £719 per adult and £363 per child.

Prices, based on two adults and two youngsters sharing, include return flights, transfers and accommodation as stated. Regional departures are also available, supplements may apply.

For more information and reservations visit holidayoptions.co.uk.