Slovenia is an awesome country. Unfortunately we only had two days there, it promptly jumped onto the “Must Return To” list.

Slovenia was part of the Austrian Empire, after its fall in 1918, the area of Slovenia was part of Yugoslavia. In 1991, Slovenia finally became its own country.

We stayed in the capital city, Ljubljana. An amazing city with a cool, youth vibe. It was buzzing at night with markets, restaurants and clubs throughout the city, mean street art, and beautiful scenery just a bus ride away.

Lake Bohinj

A hostel worker recommended we go to Lake Bohinj, slightly further on the bus (from Lake Bled) but even more beautiful. Lake Bohinj is a lovely lake, settled up in the Slovenian mountains, at the edge of Triglav National Park. It’s surrounded by green fields, mountain houses and a very small amount of tourists.

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Slovenian Scenery

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Slovenian Scenery

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Trail at Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Lake Bled

Of course there was no way we were missing out on visiting Lake Bled. A picturesque lake with the cute town of Bled on one side and an island with a church on it in the middle of the lake. Lake Bled was awesome, naturally we hired a rowing boat and rowed out to the island.

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Rowing on Lake Bled

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Boats on Bled

Rowing on Lake Bled
Someone was a bit excited to be rowing on Lake Bled

Lake Bled, Slovenia

Ljubljana

Ljubljana, historically, didn’t have a very big population because it’s built on a swamp so the land wasn’t that fertile. However, in the middle ages it was a busy thoroughfare for travellers and armies heading from Western Europe, to Eastern Europe, the Middle East and possibly further. Now it’s a city of about 280,000 with increasing tourism, cheap beer and lovely architecture.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia
Looking up to Ljubljana castle
Ljubljana, Slovenia
The view from walking up to the castle

 

Another reason to love Ljubljana is they love dragons! The coat of arms of the city is a dragon on top of a castle. There are dragons are throughout the city and it feels quite mystical. The legend is that Jason, a Greek hero, and the argonauts came to this area, fought and killed a dragon and then became the first settlers in the Ljubljana area. There are a few other legends too, like thunder and earthquakes are caused by a dragon under the castle.

 

Dragon in Ljubljana, Slovenia
This is one of the four dragons from the Dragon Bridge. Apparently, if a virgin crosses the bridge, the dragons wag their tails. It’s also nick-named the “Mother-in-Law” bridge.

Ljubljana Castle, Slovenia

Ljubljana Castle, Slovenia

Ljubljana Castle, Slovenia
The Ljubljana coat of arms is on the flag. You can see the castle but not quite the dragon on top of it.

 

LJ coat of arms
Ljubljana Coat of Arms, Image from: https://flagspot.net/ images/s/si)061.gif

 

Ljubljana, Slovenia

 

We were lucky enough to go to Ljubljana in June during the summer festival. Every day in June there were activities and markets in the city. Somehow, without planning it, we were there the day before James’ birthday at the Craft Beer and Burger festival. It couldn’t have worked out better if we tried.

I bloody loved Ljubljana and Slovenia, I can’t wait to go back and explore more of the nature and get amongst some more cheap beers. You don’t have to go to Slovenia with any expectations, because once you get there, it’ll unfold it’s magic for you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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