Why You Should Add Slovenia to Your Next Europe Trip

• Explore Ljubljana: One of my new favorite European cities! The historic city is centered around a river that has dozens of bridges connecting the two sides of the town. The Dragon bridge and Triple bridge offer beautiful views of the city's charm and everything is walkable if you stay near the river.

• Stay at Lake Bled: For a slower pace, stay a few nights in Lake Bled. Take a walk around the whole lake (only takes a few hours) and swim in one of the many different beach areas. A few places you have to pay to get into (it was only about 10 euros), but there are so many free areas you can post up at and get in the lake.

A lot of my recommendations below are a short drive from Bled, so it's a great place to make your home base.

• Kayak to Bled Island: There are so many ways to get to the island; you can rent a rowboat or pay to ride on one, rent a kayak or paddle board. Regardless of how you want to get there, it is so cool to dock on the island and walk around the church. They have an ice cream shop there too and the water in the lake is so refreshing to swim in.

• Vintgar Gorge: A MUST! Just 20 minutes away from Lake Bled is a beautiful gorge with crystal blue water and a wooden plank trail above the water on the base of the rock edge. At the end of the trail is a cute little coffee shop that we sat at and enjoyed the view and morning. Get there early in the morning to be one of the first ones on the trail for pictures.

• Lake Bohinj: Spend the day in Bohinj where you can swim, paddle board, hike, or even cycle around the lake. There is a bridge and cute church on one side of the lake that makes for a really scenic day trip.

• Head to the Coast and Stay In Piran: If you want to swim in the Adriatic sea, head to Piran. It's a cobblestone-road town built on a peninsula with a harbor and really fresh seafood. If you are a scuba diver, there is some great diving in Piran. We did a dive that had seven mini wrecks all in this one bay and saw two seahorses almost immediately (which can be rare to see diving in some parts of the world).

• Visit One of the Caves: Škocjan and Postojna Caves are the biggest and most popular. Both require reservations and have guides that take you through the extensive cave system.

• Predjama Castle: Explore a castle that was built into the side of a mountain! They have preserved how the royal family used to live and it's fascinating to walk through and explore. One of the most unique castles I've ever seen.

Ljubljana

• Julija: One of my favorite meals on our whole three-week trip! Try to request outdoor seating (reservations strongly encouraged but they also take walk-ins) for an amazing ambiance. Slovenia has amazing seafood and the scallops here were my favorite I've ever had anywhere.

• Le Petit Cafe: Perfect breakfast or lunch spot serving traditional Slovenian food like homemade baguette sandwiches and good coffee.

• Wine bar Šuklje: Wine bar and restaurant on the bank of the river. All ingredients were super fresh, and they make the menu based off seasonal ingredients.

• Črno Zrno Specialty Coffee: Tiny eclectic coffee shop in the heart of the city centre that serves Columbian coffee. Get yourself a cup and then stroll along the river and admire all the beautiful bridges and architecture.

Bled

Get Bled Cream Cake at Kremšnita, home to the original Bled cream cake. Plus, it has a beautiful view of the lake, island, and castle.

• Starkl: The Starkl restaurant is right across the street from the lake and offers an amazing view of the island and castle. They have a great wine menu (some glasses for as low as 2 euro!) and daily specials. We went twice we loved it so much!

Piran

• Fritolin Pri Cantini: Hidden in an endearing courtyard, this order-at-counter window is cash only and some of the freshest seafood you will get in the country.

• Pirat Piran: A Mediterranean restaurant steps away from the water. Great seafood pasta and beautiful sunset views.