SLOVENIA - Vintgar Gorge

The morning we left Lake Bled, en route to Innsbruck in Austria, we started our day early with a visit to Vintgar Gorge. This stunning destination is just a short drive from Lake Bled and ranks among Slovenia's top tourist attractions. Vintgar Gorge features a 1,600-meter-long and up to 250-meter-deep canyon, situated on the eastern edge of Triglav National Park, approximately 4 kilometers northwest of Bled's center. Remarkably, it was only 130 years ago that three adventurers first discovered the enchanting Vintgar Gorge.

There are numerous car parks available, and during the peak months, dedicated shuttle buses transport visitors from these car parks to the gorge entrance. I highly recommend booking your time slot online in advance to ensure you get an ideal visit. It's clear why they have made efforts to limit the number of visitors; the gorge is breathtaking, featuring winding wooden paths that trace the base of the steep rock cliffs alongside the rapidly flowing Radovna River. While it is stunning, large crowds could pose additional risks in this area. Fortunately, we arrived early and only encountered two other groups during our time slot, allowing us to take some amazing photos without anyone else in the frame.

Rooney found the sound of the roaring water slightly intimidating, but aside from that, it was a truly remarkable experience walking through nature. We passed beneath the magnificent Bohinj Rail Bridge, and at the end of the 1.6 km trail awaits the impressive 13-meter tall Sum Waterfall.

The trail through the gorge is one-way only, and since it was the low season, the shuttle buses back to the car park were not in service. Our only option was to take one of the scenic walking routes back. On one side of the gorge lies the Vintgaring in the Alps with the King of Triglav Trail, but we opted for the shorter and less steep Vintgaring in the Woods with the River of Trees Trail.

The beginning of this trail involved an uphill climb and was quite muddy! Thankfully, nobody slipped in the mud. After that, it levelled out into a delightful walk through the forest, taking us another hour to return to the car park. The girls managed the hike well; it was a perfect way to get some exercise before our long afternoon drive to Innsbruck.

For reference - purchase your tickets and book your time slot via this website.

SLOVENIA - Lake Bled & Lake Bohinj

We spent two nights in Lake Bled following our stay in Ljubljana. Nestled in the Julian Alps of Slovenia, Lake Bled possesses a truly enchanting atmosphere, even though we experienced quite a bit of cloudy and misty weather that hid the surrounding mountains.

Lake Bled features a charming island adorned with a historic church - The Church of the Mother of God - and bell tower, set against breathtaking mountain peaks that resemble a scene from a fantasy film.

The Church of the Mother of God, Lake Bled

The Church of the Mother of God, Lake Bled

Fortunately, the weather was cooperative, allowing us to enjoy a 6km walk around the lake. The path is flat, making it easy for the girls to navigate. The scenery was stunning, and we spent much of our stroll discussing the pets we might adopt upon our return to Australia.

Several boats transport tourists to the island, where they can climb the tower's stairs and ring the bell. However, these boats primarily serve the large groups of tourists that come and go, and the fares are somewhat high. We thought that the best view is actually from the lake's edge, gazing across at the island.

Walking around Lake Bled

Just a short distance from the main area of the lake, where our accommodation was located, stands a tall rocky outcrop featuring a castle perched at its edge. At this point, we had already seen two castles in Slovenia, so we decided to skip this one. However, it appeared enchanting as it overlooked the lake.

Bled Castle, over looking Lake Bled

Lake Bled

Lake Bled

Kavarna Park - Home of the Orginal Cream Cake

Bled Cream Cake

After our stroll by the lake, Braino made a stop at Kavarna Park, a café located along the lakeshore that proudly claims to be the ‘home of the original Bled Cream Cake.’ The cakes looked absolutely tempting, so he decided to give one a taste. It certainly did not disappoint; it was incredible—so creamy and light!

Lake Bohinj

The Church of John The Baptist 

Later that afternoon, we drove to 30 minutes to Lake Bohinj, another less touristy but equally beautiful glacial lake. We encountered another stunning 700-year-old church, the Church of St. John the Baptist, perched at the lake's edge and surrounded by misty mountains. We enjoyed some time wandering along the lake's shoreline before continuing our drive to Vogel, a well-known winter ski resort. The cable car, which provides access, wasn’t operational during the autumn months, but it sparked our imagination about how wonderful it would be to revisit Lake Bohinj or Lake Bled in the winter to experience the local ski resorts.

Lake Bohinj

Lake Bohinj

Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj brought back memories of Queenstown in New Zealand, offering a variety of thrilling outdoor activities set against breathtaking backdrops that can be appreciated all year-round. Although the weather wasn't the clearest during our visit, we still loved in the beautiful autumn hues and the serene atmosphere. However, exploring these lakes in the summer or winter would provide a multitude of exciting adventures.

SLOVENIA - Ljubljana, the charming, compact capital city.

Slovenia is a hidden treasure in Europe. Nestled between Italy and Croatia, this small country boasts a wealth of experiences. It was Braino who recommended we include it in our travel plans after coming across a baseball player sharing videos of Slovenia on social media. And I’m so glad we did! We had an incredible, leisurely six days of exploring the charming capital of Ljubljana and the picturesque Lake Bled.

We stayed in a magnificent old hotel/apartment complex right in the heart of the city, offering breathtaking views of the castle perched atop the central rocky outcrop.

The central area of the town is pedestrian-friendly, making it a delightful experience to stroll through the streets, especially after navigating the narrow, uneven footpaths of Athens and Naxos.

The primary tourist attraction in Ljubljana is a visit to the castle, which was a short walk from our place. We decided to hike up the winding forest trail but opted for the funicular train for our descent. The girls enjoyed a fun activity book where they had to find answers to questions scattered across various locations around the castle.

The highlight of our visit was the 4D film that delved into the history of the castle and Ljubljana. It was exceptionally well-produced, featuring 4D elements like wind, light rain, and vibrations. It was the best historical film we've experienced at a castle or museum.

Additionally, the castle houses a Puppet Museum, an Armoury Museum, and a section dedicated to its history as a prison.

One of the other iconic landmarks in Ljubljana is the Dragon Bridge. The city’s history is rich with dragon legends. According to the tale, Saint George—a revered soldier in Christianity—defeated the dragon that tormented the villages of what is now Ljubljana.

Initially depicted as a monster, the dragon eventually evolved into a symbolic guardian of the city, representing power, courage, and wisdom. This transformation is reflected in the four dragon statues that stand proudly at each corner of the bridge, as well as in the city's coat of arms.

We also enjoyed a leisurely walk through the town to Tivoli Gardens, where we admired the stunning autumn foliage. It was a delightful transition from the summer vibes of Greece to the vibrant autumn colours of Slovenia.

One noteworthy destination to consider when visiting Ljubljana with children is the House of Experiments, an interactive science center specifically designed for kids. Unfortunately, it was closed on the day we planned to visit, but it appears to offer a lot of fun for families.

Ljubljana is a charming, compact city that boasts a fascinating mix of cultural influences. We also encountered incredibly friendly locals, and English is widely spoken. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Slovenia and explored much more beyond Ljubljana, which I will share in separate blog posts.

SLOVENIA- Postojna Cave & Predjama Castle

An easy day trip from Ljubljana is the historic Predjama Castle and the mesmerising Postojna Cave. This trip was not only a journey through stunning landscapes but also a dive into the rich history and natural wonders of this beautiful country.

Our first stop of the day was Postojna Cave, where we ventured into the depths of one of the largest karst cave systems in the world. The journey began with a thrilling ride on a miniature electric train, which took us deep into the underground wonderland. This was surpsiingly fun part of the day, we knew there was going to be train ride but we weren’t prepared for how fast it shot through the tunnels and caverns. The formations of stalactites and stalagmites were nothing short of breathtaking. We had visited two difference cave systems in Ireland, as it’s always a good way to learn about geology first hand, but neither of these Irish caves compared to the magnitude of Postojna Cave.

Guided by knowledgeable and friendly staff, we embarked on a walking tour through the illuminated galleries and chambers. Each turn revealed more stunning rock formations and intricate patterns carved by nature over millions of years. The kids also enjoyed spotting the rare "baby dragons," or olm, a cave-dwelling amphibian unique to this region.

Our next stop was a 30 minute drive away at the awe-inspiring Predjama Castle, perched dramatically on a 123-meter high cliff. As we approached, the we were immediately captivated by the sheer size and unique positioning of the castle, half-hidden within a cave.

Inside, we explored the medieval rooms, winding staircases, and eerie dungeons. The kids particularly enjoyed the tales of the legendary knight Erazem, who famously used the castle's secret passages to evade capture. I was amazed the huge caves that stretched back into the rock behind the castle. The best thing was that it wasn’t even crowded. Postojna Caves could handle a lot of visitors but the we were only a amougst a handful of other tourist. But Braino and I wonders how long it might be before these sites become as crowded as some of the other sites we had visited in Italy and Greece.

Our visit to Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave was a wonderful family experience, adding to the love for history and geology for the girls. The captivating landscapes of Slovenia created lasting memories. We highly recommend including these sites in any family trip to Slovenia for adventure and invaluable learning experiences.