I love Slovenia! Despite poor weather during our trip, this country once again won me over. Slovenia is so beautiful and filled with one natural wonder after another. And, being a relatively small country, it is easy to travel to a variety of destinations. This was a little confusing to friends who were trying to keep track of us. So, this post is an attempt to summarize the areas we visited. I have highlighted a few of the areas below and (if I get around to it) will provide more information about our experiences at some of these destinations.
Pohorje
Our first destination was in the northeast corner of the country. We stayed in a ski resort area near Maribor that has a bike park and other outdoor activities in the summer. Relentless rain (and snow) prevented us from maximizing our time here, but I am sure the area would have been even more fun in more favorable weather.
Ljubljana
We spent the next week and a half near the capital city of Ljubljana. The city has a charming, laid-back feel and it’s relatively small size makes it exceptionally walkable. We found plenty of dog-friendly shops and restaurants and two dog bakeries. Even the castle welcomed dogs to the courtyard and common areas! We were able use Ljubljana as a starting point for many day trips to the areas below.
Lake Bled
Lake Bled is an obligatory destination for visitors to Slovenia. The picturesque island in the middle of the lake is reportedly the only island in Slovenia. And, the castle perched on a cliff offers exceptional views of the lake below. I visited this area a few years ago with friends and was looking forward to sharing the experience with Rich and Züri.
Vintgar Gorge
The Vintgar Gorge was our first exposure to the unreal shades of color that make up the lakes and rivers in Slovenia. We visited on one of our few rain-free days, but since it is not yet summer, we did not have to share the trail with many others. Züri got to enter the park for free and successfully refrained from jumping in the water.
Soča River
The Soča River is another tourist highlight. The river is popular destination for rafting, kayaking, and waterfalls. We started the day in Kobarid and did a 7km historical walk highlighting the area’s natural wonders and involvement in WWI. With the exception of three tick bites it was a wonderful day trip.
Postojna Cave
I have to admit that I wasn’t overly excited to see another cave, but this cave proved to be rather impressive. One thing that made it unique is that the tour of the 24km cave network begins with a 2km train ride. Fortunately for our guide, the train is now electric and no longer requires the guide to push tourists. This allowed more of his energy go be directed to the relentless mocking of clueless tourists. “Less pictures, more steps. Keep moving.” Like herding cats…
