I really enjoyed two weeks in Slovenia in September. Truly, I think with all the over tourism in so many places in Europe and the fact that this tiny country is charming from end to end, it’s time has come.
So what is to do there. Why go?
I’ve already reported on the capital city, Ljubljana and the Caves and Castles within a hour’s drive of what is often called The Paris of Eastern Europe. Here are some other things to do and to see.
Visit the Seashore Towns
PIRAN
Visit Slovenia’s small seashore. It’s not long but charming. We stayed two nights in Piran which had the feel of an Italian seaside village. Not surprising. This country was ruled by the Venetians for 400 years.
We enjoyed seaside dinner in touristy restaurant but service was great and fish really good.
We went sailing and loved being on the water. It was an older boat. The main stay holding up the mast broke but the captain was able to fix so we could get back. Wow. That’s an adventure for our memory banks.
One of the more fascinating sights was a fortified church with incredible frescoes, depicting people from every day life with skeltons. The charming man in the church communicated that they were meant to teach the church goers hundreds of years ago that when you die you don’t take your earthly possessions with you. What matters is what kind of person you were now.
Lake Bled
I’m going to be honest Lake Bled was a disappointment. I rarely write negative things on my blog but this part of the country is very different from the way promotional materials project it. The photos one always sees of this area are always stunning.
Yes, The view of the castle is gorgeous. The reality is that it is a rebuilt castle, badly done and filled with mediocre museum, less than satisfying restaurant and some touristy trap stuff.
There is a big window in the restaurant in the castle which doesn’t fit with the architectural style and it looks at the town with badly designed and maintained hotels—read ugly—and a casino. What a shame. Remember this blog is called DesignDestinations. I pay attention to this kind of stuff.
The little island with a church was jam packed with tourists. They were mostly about getting ice cream. It’s pretty from a distance but not so great up close.
Did we make the best of it? Sure. The walk around the lake was spectacular. It took us about two hours and it was incredibly beautiful. From a distance everything was lovely.
But bottom line. I would’t recommend staying in Lake Bled but instead go to Lake Bojini, not far away.
Lake BOHINJ
This is a beautiful lake and not crowded. I wish we had signed up for kayak trip. It wasn’t offered as an option. If I were doing the trip again I’d stay in Lake Bohinj area away from the touristy/tacky stuff in Lake Bled. It is beautiful.
I captured my favorite reflection pictures in this area.
We didn’t have much time in the area but I enjoyed what we did.
We had a fascinating private experience visiting a historic home sampling authentic food of a farmer family. Lovely lady sharing the story. I felt like I zoomed back in time to experience life in this part of the world in another era.
