It’s the night before the Brexit vote, I finish work and heard to London Luton Airport for my early morning flight to Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. Spending the night at the airport was not fun but what awaited me upon arrival in Ljubljana would make the most uncomfortable sleep at the airport an afterthought for at the Bigberry campsite awaited me the most comfortable and glamorous camping accommodations ever.
I arrived at Ljubljana airport and Bigberry is there ready to pick me up. At this time I didn’t know the plan was to tour Bled lake and Castle then hike up the Vintgar Gorge, before finally visiting Ljubljana the city with visit Ljubljana tourist information. Though Bigberry had organised a calendar of what tours and visits they were planning to show their guests, I hadn’t really had a chance to absorb the information has it had been an incredibly busy week.
From Ljubljana airport we drove to Bled Castle, though I had been to Ljubljana before I had not yet ventured out to Bled to visit the Castle, hiking up it to get a bird’s-eye view of the lake and surrounds was such an incredible opportunity. The view was absolutely spectacular, there was so much green in the area it was easy to see why Slovenia is considered the green capital of Europe. Everywhere I looked there were amazing views that blew my mind. Bled Castle is a definite must see part of Slovenia, there is so much on offer for all ages. There are restaurants and cafes to cater for all, museums, souvenir shops and a workshop to teach the kids (and adults alike) about the older ages.
Leaving Bled Castle behind us we visited a local cafe to try out the local Slovenian cake called Kremna Rezina before we embarked on the hike that awaited us. The heat was blasting through the skies and they were no clouds to shield us from 32 degrees of sunlight but we forged ahead and went to the Vintgar Gorge driven with the energy from the Slovenian cake. Unlike Bled castle and lake Bled, I hadn’t heard of Vintgar Gorged until we arrived there and I was being told how beautiful the place is and what an amazing place to hike (my brain switched off at the mention of hiking).
A photo posted by Miranda Malanga (@ajulydreamer) on
Bigberry paid for the tickets and sent us bloggers on our way to explore the gorge. Every tired step I took I felt rejuvenated and so relaxed it was unbelievable. I thought to myself, I could live here, I could get used to this kind of lifestyle. Mother Nature in her prime, the green scenery everywhere you looked, the flow of water calming to my ears, even the insects and bugs as well as the mini falls within the gorge were too amazing to miss out on the feeling and the detail. We stood for a good minute just taking it all in and appreciating what God’s gift Slovenia truly is. If there is one place in Slovenia I would recommend to visit, it would be the Vintgar gorge.
Vintgar Gorge had revitalised the otherwise tired me, I felt the pain of being busy all week then hiking up and down the gorge, plus the hike up Bled castle in my bones. All of this was somehow cured or maybe just moved to the back of my mind as I was now feeling fresh and ready to see what else Slovenia could offer. The drive between the airport, to Bled Castle, then to Vintgar Gorge and finally to Ljubljana city was the most liberating of them all. I got to rest for a moment but also took in the sites of Slovenia.
As I have mentioned above, I had been to Ljubljana before in fact it was last December (2015) that I went there and it triggered the traveling bug and exploring Europe as been my greatest joy. Ljubljana made me see Europe in a whole new light so much that it triggered my participation in the #take12trips travel challenge. When we arrived in Ljubljana, we met up and around with our tour guide for the evening.
When I visited I explored one side of the city, mostly the market place then the Castle before stumbling upon an Italian girl whom I became friends with and hope to see some day soon. During the recent tour of Ljubljana, I got to see the side of the city that I didn’t see last time. One particular thing that stood out for me during the tour was the Dragon Bridge also called the mother-in-law bridge. There is so much history screaming to be heard and spoken off in Ljubljana, yet there is also that slow paced feel like you can take all the time in the world whilst here and get rest and rejuvenated reinforced with the energy to take on the world again.The day ended with visit to where Ghee is made before heading to the Bigberry campsite. Day 2 will give in detail on my opinion of the Bigberry campsite and the activities that awaited us.
Stayed tuned for me glamping fun, Slovenia’s best and why you should experience Bigberry is the first Slovenian Lifestyle resort where there is luxury of freedom.
*Thank you Bigberry for organise this trip, all opinions, experiences and images shared are my own*
Newcastle Family Life says
I have never thought of going to Slovenia before, it looks beautiful. It sounds like you had an amazing time xx
Miranda says
I had such a wonderful time I can not wait to go back
Elizabeth says
What a fantastic sounding trip! I would love to visit there one day. Did you set up a proxy vote before you left?
Miranda says
Proxy vote?? But yes it was an amazing trip
Fashion and Style Police says
Beautiful photos. Looks like it was a great trip.
Miranda says
It was an amazing trip and thanks
Nicola Cassidy says
I’ve never thought of Slovenia as a destination but this is making me change my mind. Hoping to travel more in Europe – when the family is a bit older!
Miranda says
Slovenia is definitely underrated, it’s such an amazing country to visit
yvonne says
I have never thought about going on holiday to Slovenia I have to admit, but this looks fabulous! xxx
Miranda says
It’s amazing and I think many people have not
Dean of Little Steps says
What an amazing country to explore. Love seeing them through your eyes 🙂
Miranda says
Thanks Dean
Nikki says
Slovenia looks like such a beautiful country. You were so lucky to be able to visit.:)
Miranda says
I was blessed big time and can’t wait to go back
Laura @ dearbearandbeany says
What a beautiful place, those views are stunning. I’ve never been before, but looks a lovely place to visit X
Miranda says
It’s a lovely place indeed
Georgina Ingham | Culinary Travels says
What a beautiful country. You’ve really made me think seriously about travelling to Slovenia.
Miranda says
It’s such an amazing country and you should definitely visit it
Nayna Kanabar says
Slovenia looks so beautiful. What a wonderful place to visit.
Miranda says
It’s an amazing country I love it
Leslie Hernandez says
Wow this really looks like a supper fun time, I really cant wait for my vacation to get here. I love how you captured your experience in pictures!!!
Miranda says
Thanks Leslie
Life as Mum says
Oh wow how beautiful. I love visiting places like this.
Miranda says
Thanks it’s an amazing place
Hannah says
Wow it looks like a beautiful place. I haven’t been to Slovenia before but I’m on a mission to find new places to explore so I’ll add this to my bucket list!
Miranda says
You should definitely check it out as its such an amazing country
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I have always wanted to go to lake bled. We actually wanted to get married on the island.
Miranda says
Oh wow for real? I loved seeing lake Bled and I can’t wait to go back and see it some more
Melanie Edjourian says
I never knew Slovenia was so beautiful, bet you had an amazing time.
Miranda says
It is that and much more and yes thank you I did
Jessica says
at least the airport experience was immediately replaced by an amazing Bigberry exploration. Loving all the nature landscapes. 🙂
Miranda says
I couldn’t agree more, it was just the best time ever
Sarahjane says
I am terribly jealous! What a beautiful experience. Your photos are incredible!
Miranda says
Thanks so much, I had an amazing time
Rachel says
Slovenia is just so beautiful and naturally beautiful too, ive been once and loved it x
Miranda says
Yes it is such a beautiful place indeed
Kira C says
wow this looks and sounds amazing! The views are the gorge are stunning, I’d definitely love to visit there!
Miranda says
It was truly amazing and yes the gorge is gorgeous
Rhian Westbury says
I’d love to see more about where you actually stayed and about the glamping, really intrigued. Sounds like a fun trip though x
Miranda says
I will be sharing that in the next few posts so you can have a look
StressedMum says
It looks amazing, it is somewhere I have not thought of visiting, but you may have changed my mind 🙂
Miranda says
I am glad to hear that, you won’t regret visiting if you visit in the future
Laura says
Oh wow, I never imagined Slovenia to be that beautiful! Those calm waters make me want to hop on a plane right now 🙂
Miranda says
I know right, it’s an amazing destination and one all should have the pleasure of checking out
Charli says
Everything looks so beautiful! I never really thought that this is how Slovenia would look, I think I really underestimated it. The view from the castle is amazing xx
Miranda says
I think many people have the same thought I know I did but glad to have been proven wrong
Jess says
Wow, it really looks like you crammed plenty in! Vintgar Gorge looks incredible and the views from Bled Castle are beautiful!
Miranda says
We really did but it was worth it
Northern Crumble says
Im loving reading the take 12 trips challenge posts! Slovenia looks an amazing place to visit, glad you had fun
Miranda says
Thanks so much, I am loving sharing my experiences on this travel challenge and yes Slovenia is so amazing
nicol says
those views are so beautiful! never thought about travelling to slovenia. no I’m persuaded
Miranda says
They are so much more in person and you should definitely head over there