My Favourite Nation to Go to Is One I might By no means Heard of: Slovenia

My husband and I have been midway by way of an episode of CBS’s “The Superb Race” when a short aerial shot of a glittering alpine lake stopped us chilly.

The water shimmered in an ideal shade of blue, a tiny island church sat at its heart, and towering inexperienced mountains framed the scene like a portray. We checked out one another and stated, “Let’s go there.”

The vacation spot? Lake Bled in Slovenia, a rustic I could not have positioned on a map on the time. Inside weeks, we might booked the journey.

I assumed this could be a one-off journey to a fairly spot we might seen on TV. I had no thought Slovenia would change into my favourite journey vacation spot.

We based mostly elements of our journey on ‘The Superb Race’ episode

Though there’s an airport in Slovenia’s capital metropolis, Ljubljana, we opted to fly into Vienna as a substitute, then take the prepare into Ljubljana, similar to rivals did on “The Superb Race.”

The trip by way of the countryside was cinematic, with rolling hills, dense forests, and snowy mountains within the distance.

We then rented a automotive and spent two weeks tracing the present’s route, filling within the gaps with locations that caught our consideration alongside the best way.

Ljubljana felt like a fairytale come to life, with pastel buildings, pedestrian promenades, and a relaxed river that cut up the town heart. We looked for the well-known locks and dragon statues we might seen on TV, ate pizza, and loved native beers at cafés lining the water.

From there, we drove to Lake Bled, the place the island church and emerald water seemed simply as magical in particular person as they did on our screens.

The close by Lake Bohinj, quieter and extra rugged, felt like an area secret.

We hiked by way of Vintgar Gorge, the place picket walkways hugged the cliffs over speeding water, and explored the medieval clifftop Predjama Citadel, which appears prefer it was carved straight into the rock.

Within the Soča Valley, we based mostly ourselves within the mountain city of Bovec.

The Soča River shimmered in surreal shades of blue, and we spent hours strolling alongside its banks, dipping our toes in, and absorbing the mountain air.

We hiked by way of Tolmin Gorge, crossed hanging bridges, and tried to paraglide, although the climate did not cooperate.

Earlier than heading dwelling, we detoured to discover the Škocjan Caves, a jaw-dropping underground world with echoing caverns and waterfalls thundering at the hours of darkness.

We then ended our journey on the coast in Piran, a tiny seaside city the place automobiles aren’t allowed within the historic heart.

We wandered slim alleyways, climbed to the town partitions, and watched the solar dip into the Adriatic whereas church bells echoed within the distance.

The locals we encountered have been so pleasant, too

As lovely as Slovenia is, the folks left probably the most profound impression.

After I acquired sick mid-trip, my husband drove to a close-by village to discover a pharmacy. The pharmacist did not communicate a lot English, and my husband spoke no Slovenian other than “hey” and “thanks,” however she nonetheless managed to get him every thing I wanted — and even despatched him off with properly needs for me.

Later, we employed a ship captain for a sundown cruise, and he went thus far above and past that he provided to drive us to the prepare station the following morning. He nonetheless checks in with us to at the present time.

That degree of kindness wasn’t the exception — it was the norm. Folks we encountered in all places we went in Slovenia appeared affected person, welcoming, and keen to assist us get pleasure from their nation.

They helped us be taught small bits of Slovenian, offered us with options and concepts on how one can spend our afternoons, took the time to talk with us, and by no means made us really feel like undesirable vacationers.

Now, Slovenia is my favourite journey vacation spot

Slovenia wasn’t on my radar earlier than that random episode of “The Superb Race,” however now it is the primary place I like to recommend to anybody on the lookout for one thing particular.

It gave us journey, peace, gorgeous surroundings, and significant connections, all with out the crowds or chaos of extra in style European spots.

However greater than something, it simply felt good to be there. Slovenia jogged my memory that generally the perfect journeys aren’t those we plan for months, they’re those that begin with a single, surprising second that makes you say, “Let’s go.”