Slovenia October 2025
The first thing that takes your breath away in Slovenia is the scenery — lush green mountains, fairy-tale lakes, and water so turquoise you keep wondering if it’s real. Everywhere you turn feels like a postcard, and you can’t decide what to photograph first. It’s no exaggeration to say that Slovenia is the most beautiful country I’ve visited so far.
We began our journey by flying into Zagreb, the charming capital of Croatia, where we enjoyed our welcome dinner in a cosy underground restaurant — our first delicious taste of Croatian cuisine.
The following morning, we made our way to the picture-perfect town of Bled, famous for its lake and tiny island with a church in the centre. On the way, we stopped to walk through Vintgar Gorge, following the wooden paths alongside thundering blue-green water — what a treat that was!
In Bled, we took a traditional wooden boat out to the island, and some of the ladies even climbed the bell tower to ring the famous wishing bell — legend has it, that means they’ll return one day! Afterwards, we sat outdoors, soaking in the scenery with steaming cups of hot chocolate. But not just any hot chocolate — this one was thick, rich, and more like dessert in a cup.
One of the ladies cycled around the lake while others strolled, popping into the little shops and, of course, enjoying an Aperol Spritz, which quickly became our signature drink on tour!
Another highlight was our visit to Triglav National Park and Lake Bohinj, a tranquil gem surrounded by alpine peaks. On the way back, we stopped for lunch at a quaint countryside restaurant and sampled homemade sausages — delicious and comforting. For me, that’s the joy of travel — tasting traditional food where it’s made with love.
Next, we headed to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s charming capital. En route, we stopped in the village of Radovljica, hoping to explore the Farmers’ Market. The market itself was underwhelming, but the homemade treats more than made up for it. Before lunch, we enjoyed a peaceful forest walk — until our guide came running to say our lunch booking had been moved earlier! Some ladies thought it would be quicker to walk back while the rest of us thought the van would be quicker. Game on! We were urging our driver to “drive like Michael Schumacher!” But even with our rally cries, the walkers beat us back (just a little out of breath!).
The following day brought grey skies but bright spirits, as we celebrated a 70th birthday in grand style — lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant perched on a cliff inside the castle. Four courses, champagne, laughter, and plenty of Aperol Spritz made it a day to remember!
The Postojna Caves and Predjama Castle were another unforgettable highlight. Riding the little train through the magnificent caverns felt like stepping into another world. The castle itself, built dramatically into a cliffside, was fascinating but eerie — dark, cold, and a bit gruesome, complete with a medieval “long drop” for prisoners! We were happy to emerge into the sunshine and, naturally, stop for a light lunch (and yes, another Aperol Spritz).
From there, we made our way to the Slovenian coast, stopping first in Koper, the country’s oldest port town, where we discovered a lovely little shop selling beautifully packaged spirits and delicious biscuits. Then on to Izola, a picturesque seaside village, for a marina-side lunch of octopus and pasta followed by creamy gelato.
Our overnight stay was in Piran, a picture-perfect coastal gem, where our hotel sat right on the promenade overlooking the Adriatic. We ended the day with rooftop cocktails and a golden sunset — pure magic.
The next morning, we crossed back into Croatia, stopping in the medieval hilltop village of Motovun and then Rovinj, a colourful fishing port straight out of a storybook. Sitting by the water, sipping wine, and watching boats drift across the bay was one of those “pause and breathe” moments that travel gives you.
Before returning to Zagreb, we explored the grand Roman amphitheatre in Pula, built between 27 BC and AD 68 — still used today for concerts by artists like Pavarotti and Elton John.
Our final night in Zagreb was filled with laughter, stories, and a bottle of Prosecco to toast new friendships and unforgettable memories. Slovenia and Croatia gave us so much beauty, warmth, and connection — and as always, we left already dreaming of the next adventure.
All I can say is a big thank you for being able to travel to Slovenia. The tour exceeded my expectations. The fun loving group helped me switch off from the mundane at home.