When your goal is to post about the country you visited prior and you are 2 countries behind as I am now trying to write about Slovenia in Ireland you start thinking to yourself,
1) I’m behind on a fake deadline, I set for myself and yet still feel guilty as I’ve programmed myself to meet deadlines since school and when joining the workforce feeling like I couldn’t miss deadlines as I was being compensated to finish said tasks on time.
2) This must mean I have been busy in countries I visited to not have had time to write and I shouldn’t feel guilty, as isn’t that after all, what I set out to do and why this #GirltakesMundo adventure even began.
3) Question if anybody even reads this and if anyone but myself knows I’m behind.
Regardless, not writing about Slovenia and my time in Ljubljana and Lake Bled would be a disservice as these cities have a lot of personality, are not overly crowded with tourists but are eager to attract more thus offering some great ways to spend your time here.
Slovenia was a recommendation from a friend who has traveled quite a bit herself and raved that for a traveler like myself and since I would be in Croatia, I couldn’t miss. Since I had extra days to fill, I figured I would see what Slovenia had to offer.
Top 5 Things To Experience In Slovenia
Lake Bled – Just an hour outside of Ljubljana lies beautiful Lake Bled and with hourly bus departures from the Ljubljana bus station and back, this makes for a perfect day trip. Come here to stroll along the beautiful lake and get views of the Julian Alps. Additionally if you have a sweet tooth and like sampling desserts exclusive to places, make your way to The Park Cafe for their original cream cake. It was a wonderful way to end my day in Lake Bled before returning back.
Hostel Celcia – It’s pretty awesome when the hostel you stay at has a story of its own. Hostel Celcia was once a prison turned boutique hostel thanks to over 80 local and international artists who transformed the “celica’s” or “cells”. Can’t stay in the hostel but want to learn more? The hostel offers daily tours at 1pm but if you are like me and couldn’t make it to this tour, the front desk will gladly let you check out the artist “cells” aka rooms that aren’t occupied as each is different including the small museum which shows an original cell.
Friday Open Market – It’s no secret I love food so when you hear that every Friday in Ljubljana restaurants from around the city set up pop up shops to sell some of their popular dishes well it’s not a hard sell. Top it off with great music and drinks and you’ll have a girl like me going here for all of my meals on Friday. (True story)
Metelkova – This art neighborhood was a former military barrack transformed now into an art squat which includes tons of street art, graffiti covered buildings and at night it houses some of the hippest bars and clubs in Ljubljana. It’s also right next to Hostel Celcia which helps when trying to see as much as you can of a city in a short time.
Slovenian People – In Ljubljana, I had an encounter with a young girl (no more than 16 years old). She saw me in the rain with no rain coat or umbrella walking back to my hostel and decided to walk me the 15 minutes I had left to go covering me with her umbrella. This unselfish act of kindness by this beautiful stranger gives me hope with humanity but also blessed that I have someone above looking out for me.
I have to agree with my friend, Slovenia is surprisingly special, unique and despite being small for the 3 days I was there I still managed to miss things so consider yourselves warned.
Want to discover where else you can visit in Europe?
See my Travel Guide Section for tips and recommendations for other bordering countries from Slovenia including Croatia. Learn how to get there, where to stay, eat and what to do!
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