Welcome to Slovenia
50 Hairpin turns, burning abs and a turquoise river
Reading time: 4 min
Welcome to Slovenia
50 Hairpin turns, burning abs and a turquoise river
Reading time: 4 min
Welcome to Slovenia
50 Hairpin turns, burning abs and a turquoise river
Reading time: 4 min
50 Hairpin turns, burning abs and a turquoise river: welcome to Slovenia
Hello! I am Eef Dumarey, Travel Designer at Connections in Hasselt. For years, I had been hearing enthusiastic stories about Slovenia. One of my colleagues even went there every single year. Naturally, that made me curious… and in July 2021, the moment finally arrived.
Together with five friends, we decided to go for the adventure despite the coronavirus period. With a small knot in our stomachs, we kept following the news: would we be allowed to travel? Luckily, everything worked out and we were finally able to head toward Slovenia.
First stop: the fairytale lake of Bled
After landing in Ljubljana, we immediately picked up our rental car, a spacious minivan, perfect for six people. Without wasting time, we drove straight to our first stop: the famous Lake Bled.
And yes… the photos don’t lie. The lake really is as beautiful as everyone says. Turquoise water, a charming little island with a church, a castle perched high on a cliff overlooking the lake and, behind it all, the impressive mountains. It truly feels like stepping into a fairytale.
After a day already filled with beautiful impressions, we ended the evening in a typical Slovenian grill restaurant. That’s where we discovered our first Špricer, a refreshing mix of dry white wine and sparkling water, simple, but perfect after a day of traveling.
The spectacular Vintgar Gorge
The next morning, still amazed by the landscapes around Bled, we continued our exploration with the Vintgar Gorge. And what a place it is. You walk along wooden walkways that wind through the gorge, following turquoise water between steep rock walls and small waterfalls. Around every corner, a new view opens up.
A small tip: reserve your tickets in advance, because this natural site is very popular.
From Bled to Bohinj: two completely different atmospheres
After enjoying Bled and its surroundings, we continued toward Lake Bohinj. It’s best to leave early, as there is only one road leading there and it can get quite busy.
As soon as we arrived, the difference with Bled was obvious.
Bled is picturesque, lively and very photogenic, with its iconic island and castle.
Bohinj, on the other hand, is larger, quieter and surrounded by much wilder nature.
Encircled by mountains and forests, Bohinj immediately gives you a sense of space and freedom. It’s a paradise for hikers, nature lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
An impressive stop: the Peričnik Waterfall
Leaving the lake region behind, we continued our journey toward Kranjska Gora, with a must-see stop in the Vrata Valley: the spectacular Peričnik Waterfall.
This waterfall plunges 52 meters down, and what makes it truly special is that you can walk behind the curtain of water. An experience that is both impressive and refreshing.
My golden tip: also take the path on the left that leads to the second waterfall higher up. The climb requires some effort, there are quite a few steps, but it’s much quieter up there and worth it.
The legendary Vršič Pass
After this nature break, we continued our adventure with one of the highlights of the trip: crossing the Vršič Pass. This mountain road winds its way through the Julian Alps with no fewer than 50 hairpin turns. With every curve, another breathtaking panorama appears.
Along the way, we stopped at Lake Jasna, a perfect place to relax for a while. Some people take a walk around the lake, others jump in for a swim… but be prepared: the water is freezing, as it comes straight from the mountains.
Adrenaline in Bovec
After these stunning mountain landscapes, we headed toward Bovec, where we stayed for two nights. This small town is known as a paradise for adrenaline lovers.
To start, we experienced a spectacular zipline above the Učja canyon. After a short briefing, we were taken up the mountain by jeep. And that’s where the adventure began: 10 ziplines crossing the canyon and valley. At certain moments we were even flying through the mist, an incredible feeling. But the biggest thrill of the trip was still waiting for us: rafting on the Soča River.
That day, the water level was quite high. According to our instructor, it was even “right on the edge.” What started calmly quickly turned into a wild, roaring river. At one point we almost got thrown out of the raft. Everyone was hanging on with their feet while our abs were working overtime. Pure adrenaline!
Ending the trip in Ljubljana
After all these adventures in nature, we finished our trip with two days in Ljubljana, the charming capital of Slovenia.
It’s not a very large city, which makes it even more pleasant. You will find lively squares, charming little streets, terraces along the river and a relaxed atmosphere. It was the perfect place to slow down and end our road trip on a beautiful note.
Why Slovenia deserves a place on your bucket list: In the end, Slovenia truly has it all: spectacular nature, stunning lakes, impressive mountain passes, adventurous activities and charming cities.
And for me, one thing became very clear after this trip: this country is far too beautiful to visit only once.
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