Words & Photographs by Angela Terrell.
With love in its name, Slovenia certainly infatuates. Nestled between Italy, Hungary, Austria and Croatia, this tiny nation, rich in history and folklore, abounding in natural beauty and remarkably green in ethos (International Bee Day was instigated here) is a mecca for those seeking a bit of everything in one destination. For here are pristine yet dramatic Alpine wonderlands perfect for hiking, biking and river rapid runs, culture-filled cities, Tuscan-style hills dotted with vines, olive groves and ancient villages, a short yet stunning coastline and bounty-filled cuisine from Michelin star genius to ‘kremšnita’, reputedly the best cream cake on the planet.
So undertaking a road trip with my patient, non-camera-toting partner (of course in an electric car) was an absolute joy for this camera-wielding, nature-loving tragic. We drove through hamlets brimming with flowerpots, pride and life, past WWI defence-line relics, up and down fifty switchbacks on the spectacular Vršič Pass and past mountain ranges rising abruptly from haystack-filled pastures, stopping along the way at rustic cafes and quintessential photo-spots.
Lake Bled was magical and we walked its circumference watching wooden ‘pletna’ boats, paddleboarders, kayakers and swimmers share the crystal-clear water. We followed Vintgar Gorge’s boardwalks past gentle pools and bubbling cascades, mesmerised by the water’s misty cloak, and hiked to waterfalls like the delicate Slap Kozjak encased in an emerald cavern and the dramatic Slap Peričnik, the spray from the deafening falls a welcome relief after the steep ascent. We zoomed down zip-lines in Bovec, unceremoniously screaming as we soared 200 meters above the Učja River. We rode the intriguing railway in Postojna Caves and searched for olm (aquatic salamanders) in the stalagmite-bordered pools, before heading to nearby Predjama Castle, the largest cave castle in the world. We sat in a forest hide listening to the sylvan cacophony and waiting for brown bears, spellbound when two mothers and their cubs began grazing like contented cows a stone’s throw from our perch. We swam in azure water by Piran’s ancient city walls, and watched children in an alfresco art class draw the Venetian and Baroque architecture of Tartini Square whilst an 80 year old rollerblader executed perfect lunges across its marbled surface.
Whether environmentalist, gourmand, photographer, adventurer or one seeking solace in beauty - you’ll so love Slovenia.
