A few years ago we spent a couple of days in Slovenia and, though it poured rain the whole time, something about the place made us want to come back. So we did, and this time we took our time.

On a trip through Slovenia’s west and north we learned a couple of things: there’s so much more to see here, and what we did see, we loved.

 

Our trip began in the capital, Ljubljana
Our trip began in the capital, Ljubljana
This lovely city, set on the Ljubljanica River, is compact and pretty
This lovely city, set on the Ljubljanica River, is compact and pretty
The weather was fantastic during our time in the capital, and the Slovenians certainly know how to make the most of sunshine
The weather was fantastic during our time in the capital, and the Slovenians certainly know how to make the most of sunshine
We were lucky enough to strike this food festival in full swing
We were lucky enough to strike this food festival in full swing
From Ljubljana we headed west towards Goriška Brda, the wine district often referred to as Slovenia's Tuscany - parts of Brda did look familiar
From Ljubljana we headed west towards Goriška Brda, the wine district often referred to as Slovenia's Tuscany - parts of Brda did look familiar
And then we drove north to our main destination, the beautiful Soča Valley
And then we drove north to our main destination, the beautiful Soča Valley
Named for the alpine river that flows through it, this valley is a place of spectacular beauty
Named for the alpine river that flows through it, this valley is a place of spectacular beauty
The Soča starts in the Julian Alps and flows down through western Slovenia into Italy
The Soča starts in the Julian Alps and flows down through western Slovenia into Italy
Trout fishers, kayakers and walkers come from around the world to enjoy this area
Trout fishers, kayakers and walkers come from around the world to enjoy this area
But why is the Soča such a distinctive colour? Apparently it's the result of a combination of factors - the surrounding limestone rocks, the clarity of the water and the sandy bottom (on a sunny day the grains of sand reflect the light back as emerald green)
But why is the Soča such a distinctive colour? Apparently it's the result of a combination of factors - the surrounding limestone rocks, the clarity of the water and the sandy bottom (on a sunny day the grains of sand reflect the light back as emerald green)
There's history too; during World War I fierce battles were fought in Julian Alps (Ernest Hemingway served here as a volunteer ambulance driver to the Italian Army - the experience inspired his novel 'A Farewell to Arms')
There's history too; during World War I fierce battles were fought in Julian Alps (Ernest Hemingway served here as a volunteer ambulance driver to the Italian Army - the experience inspired his novel 'A Farewell to Arms')
We met this gorgeous little boy on his family's farm beside the river
We met this gorgeous little boy on his family's farm beside the river
He was very keen to show us around - of all the animals on the property, the pigs were his favourites (his plan is to become a pig farmer and sleep in the sty with them)
He was very keen to show us around - of all the animals on the property, the pigs were his favourites (his plan is to become a pig farmer and sleep in the sty with them)
His grandad, Ivan, plays an alpine zither that was once owned by Ivan's father; now Ivan is teaching his grandson to play (the plectrum he's using was carved from goat horn)
His grandad, Ivan, plays an alpine zither that was once owned by Ivan's father; now Ivan is teaching his grandson to play (the plectrum he's using was carved from goat horn)
We absolutely loved the Soča Valley and its friendly people
We absolutely loved the Soča Valley and its friendly people
North of the Soča, the pass over the mountains was still closed so instead of back-tracking the long way round, we took the 'motor train' - drive onto the flat-bed wagon, sit in your car enjoying the view, and drive off again at the other end. Brilliant!
North of the Soča, the pass over the mountains was still closed so instead of back-tracking the long way round, we took the 'motor train' - drive onto the flat-bed wagon, sit in your car enjoying the view, and drive off again at the other end. Brilliant!
We were headed to Lake Bohinj which is also in the Triglav National Park
We were headed to Lake Bohinj which is also in the Triglav National Park
Yet another beautiful part of this country
Yet another beautiful part of this country
The little village we stayed in
The little village we stayed in
One morning we woke to a find this dramatically foggy landscape (the structures in the field there are used to dry freshly cut hay - there are thousands of them around Slovenia)
One morning we woke to a find this dramatically foggy landscape (the structures in the field there are used to dry freshly cut hay - there are thousands of them around Slovenia)
The countryside is beautiful but really, in these parts, it's all about the lake
The countryside is beautiful but really, in these parts, it's all about the lake
Bohinj is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia
Bohinj is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia
The water is clean and clear (springs flow into the lake so that its entire volume is replaced three times a year)
The water is clean and clear (springs flow into the lake so that its entire volume is replaced three times a year)
Morning at the northern end of Bohinj
Morning at the northern end of Bohinj
And the same location later that afternoon
And the same location later that afternoon
If you've been to Slovenia you'll know that the landscape is dotted with little white churches like this one - it makes for picture postcard scenery
If you've been to Slovenia you'll know that the landscape is dotted with little white churches like this one - it makes for picture postcard scenery
And the towns themselves are interesting - often in ways we didn't expect (on our travels around the country we visited museums dedicated to Slovenian bee-keeping, the history of Slovenian popular folk music, and Slovenian natural history and culture - each one was fantastic!)
And the towns themselves are interesting - often in ways we didn't expect (on our travels around the country we visited museums dedicated to Slovenian bee-keeping, the history of Slovenian popular folk music, and Slovenian natural history and culture - each one was fantastic!)
Slovenia's most famous lake - Bled
Slovenia's most famous lake - Bled
It's certainly pretty, which also makes it one of the country's top tourist destinations
It's certainly pretty, which also makes it one of the country's top tourist destinations
Probably less well-known is the alpine plateau, Velika Planina; it's located high in the Kamnik Alps north of Ljubljana
Probably less well-known is the alpine plateau, Velika Planina; it's located high in the Kamnik Alps north of Ljubljana
In the summer months local herdsmen bring their cattle up here to graze on the pastures
In the summer months local herdsmen bring their cattle up here to graze on the pastures
But for a few weeks each year, before the cattle arrive, the purple crocus flowers burst into life on the plateau
But for a few weeks each year, before the cattle arrive, the purple crocus flowers burst into life on the plateau
If the time is just right, the flowers appear before the last of the snow melts away - the combination of purple and white is spectacular
If the time is just right, the flowers appear before the last of the snow melts away - the combination of purple and white is spectacular
Apparently Slovenia is the only country with 'love' in its name; we certainly felt that love and can't wait to go back for more
Apparently Slovenia is the only country with 'love' in its name; we certainly felt that love and can't wait to go back for more