Destination Report: Slovenia

This summer, I finally ticked off a small "hidden gem" that had been sitting on my travel bucket list for several years: Slovenia.

Thanks to convenient direct flights from Luxembourg to Ljubljana, I was able to spend one week exploring this compact yet incredibly diverse country at the end of August.

My first impression upon arrival was how small and easy it was to navigate Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport - similar to the typical experience at Luxembourg Airport. Renting a car was straightforward (either booked online in advance, as I did, or directly at the airport) and is highly recommended for flexibility.

More than anything, Slovenia is a paradise for outdoor and adventure lovers: mountains, lakes, caves, rivers, gorges, waterfalls and even a small stretch of Adriatic coastline. My itinerary included:

• Lake Bled: I stayed a few nights in Bled, around 50 km from Ljubljana. I crossed the lake on a traditional "pletna" wooden boat to visit Bled Island, where I climbed the many stairs to the Church of the Assumption of Mary and rang the wishing bell;
• Ziplining: Despite some initial nerves, this was one of the highlights of my trip! Zipline Dolinka is reportedly the longest in Europe (4 km, seven ziplines) and offers a thrilling yet safe way to take in Slovenia's landscapes;
• Triglav National Park: It is well worth exploring Slovenia's only national park, located in the Julian Alps. I hiked to Slap Peričnik waterfall and beyond, later stopping at the breathtaking Vintgar Gorge. I also drove up the dramatic Vršič Pass, the highest mountain pass in Slovenia (1,611 m) - where I spotted one fearless (or perhaps reckless) climber scrambling up the cliffside;
• Soča Valley: Highlights included a stop at the Most Kanal stone arch bridge, although the wider valley is better known for water sports such as whitewater kayaking, rafting and canyoning - adrenaline-rich activities I chose to save for another time;
• Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle: A combined ticket gave access to both attractions. Predjama is a Renaissance castle spectacularly built into the mouth of a cave complex, while Postojna Cave is the only karst cave in the world with a railway. The train ride and short walking tour revealed a remarkable underground network of corridors, galleries and halls filled with stalactites and stalagmites, and even the world's oldest underground post office;
• Škocjan Caves: A UNESCO World Heritage site and, in my view, also absolutely worth visiting. Considered slightly less touristy than Postojna (advance booking in summer still recommended!), Škocjan involves much more walking. Visitors can choose from several routes after the official tour for unsupervised exploration of this site's raw, awe-inspiring beauty. Visiting on a very rainy day made the experience all the more humbling, as the Reka River thundered through the underground karst system;
• Coastal towns: I stayed a couple of nights in Portorož, a lively seaside resort although its strong casino vibe was not quite to my taste. I much preferred nearby Piran, a picturesque and charming coastal village. One evening, I also had dinner on a boat in Koper, the main urban centre of Slovenia's coast, watching a storm roll across the sea;
• Ljubljana: Unfortunately, my visit to the capital was cut short by heavy rain. I still managed to enjoy lunch outdoors on the lively Trubarjeva Street, a hub of the city's evolving cultural scene, before visiting Ljubljana Castle (via the funicular) and admiring the views. Later, when the rain grew heavier, I hopped on the Urban electric train, a circular tourist ride with an audio-guide - perfect for staying dry while still learning about and seeing the city. Tip: don't leave Ljubljana for the last day of your trip - the weather may not be on your side!

Throughout my trip, I was struck by how safe and clean Slovenia was, although it was a little more expensive and touristic than I had imagined - undoubtedly due to travelling in high season and visiting the top tourist attractions... Locals had advised me to visit Lake Bohinj, a quieter alternative to Bled, but I also wanted to see this iconic lake with my own eyes - and it did not disappoint.

While English is widely spoken (at least in tourist areas), I always recommend learning a few key phrases in the local language to show politeness and respect. In Slovenian, for example: "Dober dan” - Good day ("Dober večer" in the evening) and "Hvala” - Thank you.

To conclude: with an area of 20,271 km2 and a population of 2.1 million, Slovenia may be smaller than many of its neighbours, but it offers an incredible variety of landscapes and experiences - mountains, lakes, caves, coast, culture and cuisine (e.g. tasty Carniolan sausage with buckwheat). It is safe, clean, driveable and welcoming, and while no longer a complete "hidden gem", it remains refreshingly authentic compared to many European holiday destinations.

A week was not enough to see it all, but more than enough to convince me: Slovenia belongs on every European travel bucket list.