s-love-nia

Slovenia is all about the love - it's even in the country's name. Lovers Day is celebrated on 12th March each year and the capital, Ljubljana, means ‘beloved’. This association with love is fitting for a nation located in the heart of Europe that offers such a romantic and welcoming atmosphere.

Slovenia's snow-capped mountains, cascading waterfalls, turquoise rivers, glacier-fed lakes, abundant vineyards, charming towns, hospitable population and reasonable prices will have you head over heels in no time.

Continue reading for my top picks for a long weekend in Slovenia.

ACCOMODATION:

If you're looking for a blend of value and luxury, look no further than AS Boutique hotel. It's a Mr & Mrs Smith boutique property, centrally located in the traffic-free zone of Ljubljana. The attention to small details and personalized service of the staff makes all the difference.

ACTIVITIES:

Ljubljana Walking Tour

I like to start a city break off with a walking tour, to get the lay of the land and learn a bit about the place. Ljubljana was no different, so I booked this 2.5 hour tour. Although the guide was knowledgeable and entertaining, the tour was far too long for such a compact city. Had I known that free, shorter tours were offered, I would have chosen that option instead.

Wine Tasting

Slovenia has what's known as a "wet" drinking culture, where alcohol consumption is normalized and integrated into daily life. This makes sense because Slovenian alcohol is top-notch - from craft beers and awarding-winning gin to their traditional blueberry schnapps. They are most passionate about their wine though, so it felt a rude not to support Slovenia’s viticulture.

Our first stop on our Vipava Valley tour, by the Italian border, was Lavrencic Estate. All five wines we tasted (1x sparkling, 2x white, 1x orange and 1x red) were delicious. The nutty cheese, Karst prosciutto (which owes its flavor to the bora wind that dries it) and locally grown olives were all also out of this world.

After, we went to Burja Estate, to taste some organic, sustainable, biodynamic wines. This place has a cool, bohemian, earthy and funky vibe. As Mateja, one of the owners, introduced us to her wines, her husband, Primoz, was out foraging for wild onions. These unique wines were paired masterfully with dehydrated celery & beetroot crisps and charcoal cheese. YUM!

Lake Bled & Bohinj Day Trip

You cannot get the full Slovenian experience without visiting its alpine lakes. On this full day tour, we explored two of the most famous lakes within the Julian Alps.

The first stop was Bled Castle where I treated myself to a slice of Blejska kremšnita (the famous Bled cream cake) and enjoyed the first scenic views of Lake Bled (more to come later).

We were supposed to visit Vintar Gorge next, but it was closed for the winter, so instead we went to Savica Waterfall in the Lake Bohinj area of Triglav National Park. It's about a 20-30 minute hike up 500+ steps to see the falls.

We stopped by the tranquil shores of Lake Bohinj after the waterfall hike. This is the largest lake in Slovenia. Although it doesn't have a fairy tale island with a church in the middle, like Bled, it is surrounded by beautiful mountains. And the misty weather made for mysterious and mystical photos.

Then we headed back to Lake Bled, where we took a pletna (hand-made traditional wooden gondola driven by a pletnar) to Bled Island. There isn't a whole lot on the island other than a cafe, a souvenir shop and The Church of Mary the Queen (also known as the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary or Our Lady of the Lake), but it's worth a short visit.

Finally, around 3pm, we had the opportunity to have some lunch. We dined on the shores of Lake Bled, at a restaurant called Starkl, where we enjoyed some typical Slovenian Carniolan sausage and local wine.

CONSUME:

Modern Slovenian cuisine has developed recently and is quickly gaining recognition. Slovenia was declared the European Region of Gastronomy 2021, and as of 2024, Michelin had recognized 63 Slovenian restaurants (1x with 3 stars, 1x with 2 stars and 8x with 1 star) - not bad for a tiny country!

Restavracija Strelec

Set within the capital's most iconic landmark - Ljubljana Castle, this fine dining experience was worth every cent. I opted for the 5-course menu (€95 at the time when I went). The most memorable courses were the kohlrabi, the venison and the Jerusalem artichoke and pear desert with brown butter. Service was impeccable and the plating was exquisite. It's everything you should expect from a one Michelin star restaurant.

The Ljubljana Castle Jazz Club

I stumbled upon this place, by accident. When I went down into the basement of the castle, after dinner at Strelec, to use the toilet, I happened to hear live music. I asked our server about it and he told us that right next door was Rock Hall, which hosts live concerts (mostly jazz) from 8-10:30pm every Friday. Normally you have to buy tickets, but when we went, at about 9:30pm, the bouncer granted us free entry. I believe tickets cost €15 (which also includes a roundtrip funicular ride). It was a really cool space and great music!

Altroke

The ambience here is pleasantly rustic, with exposed stonework and a brick-vaulted ceiling which blend in well with this old district of the city. They are known for their meat and fish dishes. I had the beef short ribs (melt in the mouth) with smooth mash and some nice local red wine.

Slovenia truly lives up to the "love" in its name. It is a destination that satisfies all needs, wishes and whims. Whether you’re heading for a rest and reboot, an active adventure, a cultural excursion or a solid mix of everything, Slovenia will charm you.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

• Language: The official and primary language is Slovenian, which is considered one of the most archaic languages in Europe. With only a population of only about two million and no other countries speaking Slovenian, everyone speaks English.

• Bees: This country has about two million people and more than 100,000 of them are beekeepers.

• Funicular: The timetable online indicates that the funicular operates until 7pm between January and July and until 10pm from August - December. What isn't noted, that I learned later, is that on nights when there are concerts, it operates until 11pm. It's €3.30 for adults one-way or €6 for return. If you buy a concert ticket, it includes a roundtrip funicular ride.

• Reservations: By now, the masses have heard about Slovenia. It's necessary to book accommodations and tables at restaurants in advance as a result.