Follow us for Six Remarkable Days in Slovenia

Where is Slovenia?

Located in southern central Europe, Slovenia shares borders with Austria, Croatia, Italy, and Hungary, making intra-country travel easy. The country is half the size of Switzerland and slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New Jersey. Slovenia has a long and fascinating history, dating back to the Roman times. It has been influenced by various cultures and empires: the Slavic, Germanic, Hungarian, Venetian, Ottoman, Habsburg, Yugoslav, and European. From the Julian Alps snow-peaked mountains to the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea, Slovenia has something for everyone: design-forward, English-speaking, easy-to-navigate, and the green heart of Europe. Most Slovenians speak three languages, with the official language being Slovene; the two other languages are Hungarian and Italian. Most Slovenians know English, too.

Ljubljana, the capital.

Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana, is beautiful. As you stroll along the Ljubljanica River, the city’s charm unfolds; Historical buildings, medieval and contemporary architecture, and the river vibe come to life. At first glance, I thought I walked into a fairy tale. People are welcoming and proud of their homeland. Wandering Ljubljana is highly recommended on day one. Then, purchase a ticket to explore Ljubljana Castle, a medieval fortress that overlooks the city with picture-worthy views. Take in the exhibitions, walk through the Castle, and try to imagine the 11th-century fortress designed to protect the region in those days. Walk through the museum exhibition on Slovenia’s history, take in the views of the city from above, and enjoy a cappuccino or gelato in the outside garden area. There are a few options to reach the Castle: steep hill or funicular. Either choice brings you back to the Old Town. Cross the Triple Bridge, the landmark that connects the old and new sections of the city. Stop to see the statue of France Preseren, Slovenia’s greatest poet. The anniversary of his death is a national holiday in the country.

Ana Roš , Ambassador for Slovenian Cuisine and Culture

Researching articles, blogs, and travel newsletters led me to Ana Roš, a Slovenian woman whose trajectory is now world-famous and described in chapters of her cookbook/monograph, Sun and Rain. Ms. Roš is, in her words, “first a mother and second, a chef .”Her personal story describes her background, her journey, and how she “followed her heart .”I was intrigued by this Ambassador for Slovenian cuisine and culture, purchased the book, and read it before traveling to Ljubljana. Ana Roš, a self-trained chef from Slovenia with a Michelin-start restaurant, Hiša Franko, has put Slovenia on the world’s stage.

Although we didn’t make it to Hiša Franko, we did find her bakery, Pekarna Ana, right in the heart of Ljubljana. I was thrilled to find this bakery within a five-minute walk from Hotel Cubo. Roš did not have formal culinary training and had no prior experience working in a restaurant. She began experimenting with local ingredients and quickly gained a reputation for her creative dishes. After being featured on the Netflix series Chef’s Table in 2016, she put Slovenia on the world stage. I found a gem on page 31 of her cookbook and booked a night stay with dinner at La Subida – Cormons, Italy. If you are looking to travel to Slovenia, our six day itinerary below provides a starting point for you.

Six Days in Slovenia

Day One and Two

Ljubljana – take the day to wander the old and new sections of town. From Hotel Cubo, it is a five-minute walk. At first blush, the city unfolded like a fairy tale, with the Ljubljanica River providing a backdrop to the medieval and contemporary architecture in the capital city. There is no shortage of cafes, restaurants, shops, street vendors, and farmers markets to enjoy. I decided on Balthazar, where I enjoyed my first taste of Slovenian cuisine and wine. The waitress was friendly and welcomed me to her city. The food, wine, and atmosphere were perfect. Just go there if you are in Ljubljana.

Getting acquainted with Old Town Ljubljana was delightful– walking the old town, enjoying a pastry at Pekarna Ana, and taking in the sights and sounds of the picturesque city. Castle Ljubljana, the medieval fortress built around the 11th century, is a must-see in the city. You can reach the medieval fortress by climbing the steep hill or taking the funicular. Of course, we climbed the steep hill to the Castle 😇 as my son wouldn’t have it any other way. Next time, I’ll take the funicular. Enjoy the vista and capture some stunning photos outside; savor a cappuccino/gelato in the outside gardens.

Day Three

Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave. We checked out of our hotel and headed south to Inner Carniola to visit the Castle and cave. Predjama Castle is a Renaissance castle built within a cave mouth in southern Slovenia. It was built in the 13th century and is considered a masterpiece. It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Next, we drove to Postojna Cave, AKA “queen of all caves.” It is almost 15 miles underground, with galleries, passages, halls, and an underground train that takes you on a 90-minute tour. You will be in awe of what you see underground; photos do not do the cave justice. These destinations are an easy drive from Ljubljana, about 45 minutes. Caves and castles are part of the Slovenian charm.

La Subida, nestled along the northern Italian border with Slovenia, would be our home away from home for the evening. The family-owned country resort/restaurant is in the Colio Wine Region of Northern Italy. During harvest season, we enjoyed a local wine tasting at Polje Winery with Sebastian. Their tasting room has a floor-to-ceiling window to the vineyards and is quite lovely as you sip Polje Friulano. Later in the evening, we dined at La Subida’s Michelin-starred restaurant, where traditional and contemporary recipes influence the menu. The people were welcoming, the food delightful, and the evening perfect. Thank you, Chef Alessandro, to you and your team for a lovely culinary treat.

Piran, Slovenia, with Rodica Vineyard Visit

Day Four

We made a few stops when leaving the Colio Wine Region. The first one was Abazzia Di Rosazzo, a thousand-year-old Abbey located in Friuli, Italy; Sunday mass is celebrated every Sunday at 6:00 p.m. The second unplanned stop was Cividale del Friuli, Udine Province, Italy. Affectionally called the Old City, this time was a highlight of our trip. We discovered these two places when speaking to Sebastian, the manager at the Polje Winery, the day before. They were such beautiful venues of another period in time, an old world giving birth to the current one. When I refer to hidden gems along the way, these two places are what I mean.

On the drive to Piran, our next pin on the Slovenian map, we stopped at Rodica Winery in Truske, Slovenia. Again, this winery wasn’t on our radar, and I thank my son for suggesting we go. When we arrived, Rodica was closed. However, the owner, Marinko Rodica, graciously welcomed us to his family winery and treated us like family. We enjoyed a full tasting of Rodica wines, cheese, and olive plate, and most of all, his gracious hospitality. These are the moments that you remember forever.

The next stop, Piran, was our destination for the evening. Exploring the cobbled stone streets was delightful, learning the history of Giuseppe Tartini’s main square and having the Adriatic Sea at our doorstep. Enjoy the dinner and sunset on the Adriatic Sea in the early evening.

Lake Bled and back to Ljubljana

Day Five and Six

Last, but certainly not least was Lake Bled, located in the Julian Alps of northwestern Slovenia. Do you know the iconic church photo in the Lake’s center? That is the one. Spend an afternoon renting a boat or taking the pletna (flat-bottomed boat) with a stop at the Church of Mary the Queen. Enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants with a lake view. Your choices for accommodations are plentiful around the Lake. We chose Garden Village Bled, Slovenia, a unique eco-glamping treehouse destination. You are one with nature, whether in your treehouse, the restaurant, the outside pool, or icy river waters. It was a fabulous stay, with farm-to-table cuisine and all the creature comforts needed.

How do you get there?

Rome2rio provides flight information from major cities in the United States. Ljubljana Airport at Brnik (LJU) has good connections with major European and other international airlines (Air France, Lufthansa, Swiss, LOT, Turkish) and low-fare carriers (Fly Dubai). LJU has direct flights to Amsterdam, Belgrade, Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London, Munich, Paris, Warsaw and more.

Slovenia won my heart. While heading to the airport early in the morning, the driver (perfectly bilingual) picked me up in Old Town, Ljubljana. Our conversation was a good one. He was curious as to how I found my way to Slovenia. I explained. He was beaming. I gave him a 30-second elevator speech on our places and experiences visited in his country: Ljubljana, Piran, Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge, and Cormons, Italy. I noticed street lights were missing on our drive, so I asked him why. He replied, “Not necessary,” and that it saves electricity. Ah, yes, the green mentality of Slovenia.

Slovenia is waiting for you. By the way, Sun and Rain cookbook now sits proudly on my coffee table and remains my inspiration to return.

Take advantage of Europe’s vast rail and coach services network to get around countries or visit popular attractions and cities with Trainline.

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