Category: Slovenia

Checking Out Slovenia


October 9, 2023
Sometimes, I can’t believe how many beautiful places I see in a short time while traveling.


Yesterday, I once again visited an incredibly beautiful place, Vintgar Gorge, near Lake Bled, Slovenia.
Slovenia is entirely new to me. This is my first visit. I took a nice long stretch of six days to hang out in Ljubljana, the capital. As capital cities go, it is on the small side and has a chill vibe. The Ljubljanica River that runs through the city was carefully planned to be pedestrian friendly. There are oodles of bars, restaurants, and sitting spots to people-watch.


I visited a museum a day, all fantastic, and enjoyed walks up by the castle and through Tivoli Park.


The “Open Kitchen” food festival lasts from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Fridays, spring through autumn.

Not to mention, there’s the daily market square filled with fresh produce and flowers.


Two days ago, I arrived in Lake Bled. Wow! It is the quintessential European mountain fantasy town with a castle high on a rock cliff and an island in the lake with a church. It has a touristy vibe but doesn’t feel as overrun as Windermere in England’s Lakes District.


Yesterday, I took a shuttle out to nearby Vintgar Gorge. My expectations were low since I had recently visited Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia.
It was another of those better-than-expected experiences.
I think the fact that we are now in October helped, too. The trail along the gorge wasn’t especially crowded, even though it was a Sunday.
The fall colors also enhanced the crystal-clear waters.
Enjoy the photos and be sure to add Lake Bled and Vintgar Gorge to your Slovenian itinerary!

When Will I Learn About Sundays?

October 9, 2023

When you’re retired and living a nomadic life, it’s easy to forget which day it is.

I arrived in Lake Bled, Slovenia, at lunchtime on Saturday. If you’ve ever been here or seen pictures, you know it is an enchanting place. It’s easy to forget the day of the week when you’ve arrived in a fairy tale.

After getting off the bus, I rolled my suitcase down to the lake and caught the first glimpse of the castle. It was a warm autumn day, around 72 degrees. Check-in was at 3:00, so a nice open-air lunch was the answer.

Not only did I get a healthy and delicious salad, but it was the first place I had encountered in Slovenia with gluten-free beer on the menu. What could be more perfect? Celiac’s delight!

After walking down along the lake for fifteen minutes or so (not a exactly a fantasy with a suitcase in tow), I arrived at the apartment at precisely 2:59.

After getting settled, I walked to the nearby grocery store to pick up some items for dinner and breakfast. It was one of those barely stocked places. No eggs and very little in the way of quality produce. It would be a simple soup night. I figured I’d go out for breakfast.

Then, it was time to walk around the rest of the lake’s perimeter. From the apartment, the views of the little island with the church kept getting better and better. On top of that, church bells were ringing from two directions.

Eventually, I ascended to the castle and, to continue the fantasy, there was a wedding! (Sorry. I didn’t take pictures of the wedding.)

Forgetting that night was coming earlier and earlier, I stayed up at the castle grounds to watch the beginning of sunset. Ah…

When I woke up the next day, I thought I could get breakfast at one of the two restaurants nearby. Nope.

I went to the first place, and all that was offered were beverages. At least I could enjoy a nice cup of tea. Strange that a restaurant with a hotel attached did not serve breakfast. These things happen while traveling in the off season, though.

I checked over at the other restaurant. The owner and a friend were sitting down having a smoke and coffee. No, they weren’t serving breakfast, either. She suggested I walk into town for a nice breakfast at the bakery. That wouldn’t work for this gluten-free girl.

And all of the grocery stores were closed because it was Sunday.

Later, I ended up having a nice lunch of sausage and bean soup, and I splurged on a steak dinner that night.

Maybe forgetting about Sundays wasn’t such a bad thing.

Next Sunday, I will try to plan ahead. More likely, I will forget which day it is.