Slovenia Part 3 – Around Slovenia

In between Ljubljana and Bled, and between Bled and returning to Ljubljana I stopped in two smaller towns for a couple of nights. These alpine valleys were just beautiful. I’d be driving up a very winding road, through a forest, not sure the GPS was actually taking me to the right place, only to then round a final corner and break out into a wide expanse of a valley.

The views, the light, and the history all combined for a great road trip with chances for photos at every turn.

Slovenia Part 2 – Lake Bled

I almost didn’t go to Bled. It’s the most touristy spot in the country with crowds to prove it, at least during peak tourist season. Not having gone, however, would have been a huge mistake. Bled lived up to the reviews and more. In trying to avoid crowds sometimes, it’s easy to forget that popular tourist spots are popular for a reason. It would have been like going to Rocky Mountain National Park for my first visit and not going to Bear Lake.

I was, to be fair, fortunate to be there before peak season, plus, as is true in most places, if you’re up early or out late, you can still feel like you have it to yourself.

It’s a beautiful area in general, but the church, Assumption of Maria, on Lake Bled really does feel like something out of a fairytale. I almost didn’t go, and I left having wanted to have stayed longer. 

Slovenia Part 1 – Ljubljana

Remember those photos from Istanbul earlier this year? I mentioned that I was en route but never said to where. That “where” was Slovenia and I spent considerably more time there than Istanbul, starting off with a few days in the capital, Ljubljana, and then doing a driving trip around the country. More on the latter in future weeks, but first, Ljubljana. 

I really love the smaller capitals of Europe. Yes, Paris and London are great, but their size makes it hard to take it all in, in my opinion. But the small capitals? They’re easier to navigate, have a calmer atmosphere (at least in my experience), and still have much of the art, culture, and attractions of their bigger relatives.