Slovenia in Swedish eyes – Part 1

 

Medieval Piran charmed us with its narrow streets where each hides an architectural specialty or an exotic plant for Scandinavians (kiwis, figs, vines...). We were amazed by the views from the city walls and from St. George’s church. The views take you from red roof to red roof all the way to Italy. Next to churches, restaurants, souvenir shops and a lively market, there are also some museums, which are worth visiting. We were the most thrilled about the museum of shells and snails, which is located next to Tartini square. The museum is a real eye catcher with more than 1000 objects and some interactive shows. You simply have to try out the microscope, which is connected to a screen. There’s also a 150 kg heavy shell in the museum, and some things are even for sale. The youngest wanted to visit the aquarium, which is also nearby and of course, to swim in the sea.

 

 

Family with three daughters started to discover Slovenian nature in Postojna cave. Postojna cave isn’t only a cave, but there’s so much more nearby. First we were discovering the emergence and the history of the cave world in Museum EXPO, which is a great introduction to the cave, especially for people who don’t know the Karst world. We prepared ourselves for the cold with warm clothes and light hiking shoes. Well, if you forget the jacket, they are prepared for you – you can borrow a nice raincoat before you get on the electrical train. Train ride reminded us on a roller coaster ride with a twist – the attractions were dripstones and flowstones. Swedes, including the youngest eight-year-old Ellen, didn’t hide their amazement, especially when they got off the train and started exploring the cave by foot. Vivarium with olms are also a huge attraction of Postojna cave. We got to know olms even more in Vivarium Proteus, which is located at the cave entrance. Vivarium was the perfect ending to seeing Postojna cave. Kind employees recommended us to visit the nearby Predjama castle. In summer you also get a free bus transportation if you buy the ticket for the castle. The ride takes you 20 minutes and you will spend about an hour in the castle. We were really charmed by its appearance and an interesting history of the castle. Its history was marked by thieving knight Erazem.

 

 

A day later we decided to visit another castle together with the most picturesque lake in Slovenia. Bled castle is getting all the attention even from the coast of the lake and it definitely pays off to climb on the hill and visit the castle, which has been here for more than a thousand years. There are many paths to the castle and the nicest one leads behind St. Martin’s church. You can also drive there, but it’s nicer to walk the stairs. The views from the castle walls and terraces are amazing. You can see the whole Bled with its lake and surrounding mountains. We took quite some time to see the exhibitions in castle rooms, which present Bled and it’s surroundings from different points of view and from different time. Some took the time to swim in the lake and others took the time to eat the delicious Bled cream cake. The best and the most famous ones come from the cake shops near the lake, and they are also the most expensive there.

 

 

We cooled down in rivers on hot days. First we checked the water in Kamniška Bistrica, which is a magnet for tourists with its idyllic location on the foot of the high mountains. Swimming in this lake isn’t permitted and the water is really cold. The same experience is in Zelenci, which is the spring of river Sava Dolinka. To get there, you just have to walk from the parking lot between villages Podkoren and Rateče. We will remember visiting Soča river the most, especially when we visited the river bed by Kršovec. The river is trying to get over deep pools, over the cave with many entrances and then over a real small beach with white sand, which reminds us on tropical places. We didn’t have time to raft, zipline or anything else. But the day ended perfectly when we visited Kozjek waterfall near Kobarid. The beginning of the path with Napoleon bridge makes a lot of promises. Yes, famous Napoleon also walked here. We crossed Soča river near camp Lazar. Then we headed up by river Kozjak and crossed the water many times. At the end of the gorge, you will be awarded by a spectacular view on Kozjak waterfall. A deep pool is inviting us to deep our feet in as the water is too cold to go swimming. Except for our dog Lia.