We need to talk more about Slovenia

Another 5-day itinerary, this time to the Banff of eastern Europe with some of the best natural wineries?!

When your travel itinerary unexpectedly turns upside down 12 hours before departure, you have to roll with it. I haven’t been on a true solo trip since my visit to Fethiye, Turkey in 2016, and the idea of spending five days alone in Slovenia seemed daunting and unachievable. I panic-called some friends, who all encouraged me to go and make the best of it. So, 8 hours before my flight, I cleared half of my original itinerary and took an Uber to the airport.

Before continuing, I want to specifically note that as an Asian woman, I felt very safe during my time alone in Slovenia. You may get some curious glances, but none felt remotely threatening.

Slovenian landscape

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DAY 1

Landed to snow-capped mountains again! The crisp, sweet mountain air is so refreshing after six days of dust and secondhand smoke in Paris. Slovenia is a great destination for a roadtrip, so definitely make sure to book a car rental if you want to maximize your stay. I stretched my legs, checked the car for damages, and drove off to Ljubljana.

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is a quick 20 minutes away from the airport (and is, in case you were wondering, pronounced “loob-yah-na”). The route was single-lane and winding almost the entire way. Street parking here is almost always free, but there are also tons of underground parking lots. I have a tourist panic and overpay at an underground parking lot and unpack at my Airbnb before heading out to explore the city.

There are roughly 20 bridges in the city, mainly serving pedestrians and cyclists. The famous Three-Point Bridge and Dragon Bridge are only 8-minute walk away from my accomodation; Ljubljana is walkable and small. Besides exploring the city on foot, there’s also an expansive bike share system that gives the first rental hour for free. Stores shut down early here. I wander into a vegan restaurant serving traditional Slovenian dishes only to stumble upon a seasonal night market not even 10 minutes after leaving the restaurant. Ljubljana is bustling with monthly cultural events, so be sure to check out the calendar before you visit!

Dragon motifs are everywhere in Slovenia; not only are they on both sides of the namesake bridge but also in the coat of arms and at the top of the Ljubljana Castle. St. George is the patron saint of Ljublana, and Slavic legend goes that he slayed a dragon to give water to the earth. There is a special chapel of St. George in the Ljubljana Castle where you can find a crest for each family member and political leader that ruled in the nearby municipalities of Slovenia.

St. George’s Chapel in the Ljubljana Castle

Speaking of water - Slovenia has access to various fresh water sources with its proximity to the Alps, so tap water is safe to drink.