The Route: Twelve days in Italy, Austria, and Slovenia, rafting Class III-IV rapids, h king the Dolomites, mountain-biking five roads, and negotiating slot canyons. The Soca, a thickly forested, granite-peak-lined Slovenian gem, is just being discovered by Europe's whitewater crowd.

When to go: June-July

Difficulty: Moderate

Travel advisory: The trip is designed to be more fun and comfortable than challenging — perfect for experienced rafters traveling with less-than-expert friends and for those who want to get out of the boat every now and then.

High/low points:

• Running the Inn River's humongous 10-foot standing swells, the largest wave train in Europe.
• Wearing a full wetsuit all day every day because of the 55-degree water and unpredictable mountain rainstorms.