Head over heels over Slovenia
There are beautiful places and then there is Slovenia. A place that’s so captivating that I can’t find the exact words to even start describing. All I know is that its beauty isn’t just seen but also felt.
Summer was coming to a close. My family and I looked for a nearby destination to spend the last bits of the season. Living in Munich blessed us with a great deal of amazing accessible options – Austria, Italy, Croatia, Switzerland and so on. We wanted to go to a place that’s low key, not too crowded and somewhere we’ve never been before, and so, we chose to spend a week in Slovenia. It was, after all, just a 4 hour drive from our place.
With no expectations, just our baby, our dog and some groceries on hand, we drove to Radovna, Slovenia. Radovna is a quaint town in a breathtaking alpine valley in the Julian Alps just outside the famous Lake Bled. In between the mountain slopes and pine trees, we rented a secluded river side cottage. A relaxing breathing space that we shared only with a family of deers and the relaxing sound of the flowing water.
The town was our pick because we wanted a peaceful distance from the crowd but also close enough to drive to tourist spots like Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge, Bled Castle and Radovljica old medieval town – all just about a 10-20 minute drive.
First on the agenda was a visit to the charming Linhart Square in the old town of Radovljica. The old town hosts houses dating back to the 16th century, gingerbread and alchemy museums, galleries, a preserved moat and the best hot chocolate we’ve ever tasted!
The next day, we hiked the magical Vintgar Gorge. It is a 2-3 hour walk through wooden bridges crossing turquoise colored rivers, peaceful waterfalls and walking through picturesque forests with majestic (Julian) alpine views. It was like walking through a photoshopped travel photo gallery.
The Bled Castle, a castle perched atop a hill, was next on our list. It was a clear autumn afternoon and the views from up there were spectacular. The castle restaurant is also worth mentioning. Food was delicious and the service was top. We were lucky to have our visit during the gastronomic week – 19 euros for a 5-course, 5-star lunch! What a treat!
The remaining days were spent strolling around Lake Bled and sitting in one of the cafes savoring the view, a cup of coffee and devouring a slice (or two) of the famous Bled Cream Cake – a dessert that lives up to the hype (we ate it every single day). Lake Bled is famous for surrounding Bled Island, a small island that has a 17th century Church of the Mother of God with a wishing bell. In keeping with the spirit of their traditions, we rented a boat to the island, climbed up the famous 99 stone steps to the church and rang the bell for our intentions. A fun trivia: For couples wanting to get married in the church, the groom has to carry the bride up all 99 steps.
6 well spent days in Slovenia came to a close. Wrapping up our trip was difficult. Leaving was hard. We arrived awestruck and left absolutely in love with the country. Its beauty sucks you right in and embraces you tight. No words can do justice to the scenery and most especially the warmth of the locals. Slovenia captivates you and leaves you wanting more… Thankfully it’s only a ride away.
Text and photos by Gelyn So Seng-Welle