Today in Bled I was with Anna by the lake and was at least able to make a little of the day.

Tomorrow we’re heading to Salzburg and then the day after tomorrow back to Cologne. I'm also looking forward to being home again.

Day #80

Sunday, July 19th

From somewhere between Bukovje and Podkraj to Tolmin

Country: Slovenia

It was a great plan to set an alarm for myself.

Which I skillfully ignore at first. And in my theory, I simply reset it to seven o'clock.

A false conclusion, as I realize when I finally wake up around eight o'clock.

At least I wished to be able to sleep in again.

So it will be a late start after I pack my things together.

In the sunshine that shines through the green canopy onto the moss-covered stones and me.

Casually, I continue along the forest path that winds lightly up and down through the mountains.

Until an extreme incline makes me become a pedestrian.

A shortcut over the country road would have been possible, but it's the last day of travel, and everything along the route must be experienced.

Moreover, this way, there’s another descent as a reward.

My headphones are having serious issues charging, but after much patience, they finally charge, and I can finally turn on the Once Upon A Dream playlist to relive the journey during the last kilometers.

I take a break when I find a bench in the shade.

Conveniently, there's a water point nearby, so I can refill my bottles.

A short while later, I follow the recommendation from the travel guide and treat myself to some Hike & Bike fun.

It is, as promised. The reward is an incredible view of the flat land before me, surrounded by mountains in a wide arc.

I briefly secure my bike and walk a little further on foot.

This brings me to the Otlica window.

A huge opening in the rock face that rises before me and through which an exciting view into the lowland emerges.

But a final long climb awaits me, and it must continue.

In the last meters, I get overtaken by a group of older gentlemen. Reassuring for me that they are using electronic assistance.

After a short exchange, we head down into the depths.

The descent is incredibly beautiful and especially winding. On the left, the steep rock face rises, and on the other side is the slope down to the valley.

The road is quite narrow, but fortunately, driving quickly is still possible without any issues.

Perfect for the final descent.

Once back on the country road, a couch blocking one lane is removed from the road together with a driver.

Clear road and final sprint, Tolmin is only a few kilometers away.

Arrived!

At the confluence of Soca and Tolminka, I let myself fall into the sand and try to realize the moment.

It's a hard-to-describe feeling that overwhelms me.

Joy at having completed the distance, pride in the achieved performance, happiness that everything has gone well, regret that it's over.

A wild mix.

And there's no one here to share the moment with.

I briefly look at the preparations for the upcoming festival before making my way to the intended campsite.

To find out there that all spots are taken.

Also for the coming days, so I need an alternative.

There is another campsite in the city, and there I have luck; there is still plenty of space.

First, I quietly drink something in the bar and then start setting up my tent.

My plan was to drink something again in the bar, edit the next report, and then go into town for pizza.

And then Goraz and Igor come along.

Two older Slovenians who sit down at my table, and we quickly get into conversation.

It's about the festivals in the city and their benefits for the people.

Moreover, Igor himself has been a visitor at the PunkRockHoliday for years.

My journey becomes the topic, and football is playing in the background.

At least behind me, as I want to ignore the final match.

Much better is the conversation with the two Slovenians, and I learn that pizzas can be ordered from here through the reception, which we promptly do.

But since we wait quite long and there might not be a delivery, Goraz heads out to another pizzeria himself.

And shortly after our order arrives, we soon have four pizzas and many people around us whom we can make happy with food.

The highlight is that the prospect of seeing Jenni again increases immensely.

Due to incorrect information from her campsite in Austria, they must continue driving and decide to drive through the night.

Moreover, the reception is okay with them arriving in the middle of the night.

Things are going well.

This way, Jenni and I see each other earlier than expected again, and there is a crowning conclusion to the end of my tour.

Song of the day:

Lamb of God - Now You've Got Something To Die For

Day #79

Saturday, 18th of July

From Ljubljana to somewhere between Bukovje and Podkraj

[Note from the editor: The last few days have been eventful due to the festival and the subsequent return home, which brought challenges to the operational process.]

It's a challenge to pack quietly in a shared room.

The other bikepacker was more ambitious and organized; he got up around 6, as far as I noticed, and just left.

Whereas, unlike me, he seemed to have left his stuff on the bike.

For me, it works reasonably well, and the other two people are also slowly waking up, so it's less necessary to be considerate.

On the way out of the city, I ride alongside the highway, where traffic is congested, and it's a liberating feeling to be on my bike.

Due to construction, I have to reroute since the underpass under the tracks is closed.

After a brief exchange with a local family who is also biking there, it's clear what the best alternative is.

So I climb up to the tracks and heave the bike over the railroad tracks. It's already a familiar routine, and since everything up there is also under construction, I don't have to worry about trains.

At some point, I realize that I am riding on the road too often and need to get used to using the bike paths again.

Especially since they are well thought out and continuous here, and there's no danger of them just ending at a wall, it makes sense to use them.

Just like the many other people who are out biking.

The tour continues along a cozy, beautiful forest path beside a dried-up creek bed.

It's a relaxing ride, even though I'm going uphill again.

The shady trees provide a pleasant temperature.

Except for one last steep ascent in the bright sun.

Just before Postojna, I ride again along a highway with traffic, and I'm excited again to be on my bike.

At the indicated spot in town, I look in vain for a water source and head to the next supermarket.

Then I can also stock up on supplies for tomorrow, Sunday.

For a moment, heavy raindrops come down, but I can easily ignore them while packing under the store's awning, and afterwards, the sky remains dark.

And instead of returning to the city center to reach the actual route, I stay on the country road to reach the indicated route in a curve.

In addition to saving a few kilometers, I also save some elevation meters.

Sounds good.

In the meantime, I realize that I've lost track of the number of bikepackers today.

Actually, it’s only special if there’s a day without other bike travelers.

It was about eight today.

I catch up with two, but there’s only time for a quick hello and goodbye before I turn towards the Predjama Castle.

There, I take another break. It’s a must because the sight of the fortress built into the rocks is simply overwhelming.

A visit to the related and multi-story cave system will happen another time.

I head back into the climbs.

A few elevation meters should be left for today before I look for a place for the night.

On a plateau, I find a suitable spot for my hammock on a side path.

I’m very happy about that since it will be the last night of my journey.

To cook, I move away from my camp because I’m extremely secluded in the mountains and suspect there could be bears around.

So, afterwards, my supplies will be dutifully pulled back into a tree.

There’s a slight unsettling feeling, but to the best of my knowledge and conscience, I’ve made all the precautions and lay tired and full in the hammock.

And so I’ve finished everything when it starts to rain and a thunderstorm approaches.

The rain dripping on the tarp and the gentle swinging of the hammock lull me into a deep and relaxed sleep.

Song of the Day:

Slope - It's Tickin'

Day #78

Friday, July 17th

Rest day in Ljubljana

Country: Slovenia

The night was restless and once again short.

That's the downside of a dormitory, there's always someone moving around.

Furthermore, it's still warm and there is high humidity.

No matter, I'll eventually get around to sleeping in.

After breakfast, I stick to my standard of oats with ... additions ... and head into the city.

First, I ride my bike through light rain to take care of a few things.

My first stop is a bike shop to get a new tube and tire lever.

As I pass by the market and see a stall with figs, I have to grab some.

I've developed a taste for them and enjoy the fruits by the river afterwards.

I stop at a barbershop, but when I hear the price for a head shave, I prefer to leave.

Fortunately, it was before she started the machine.

I'd rather head to the outskirts, where there's another bike shop.

At the beginning of my tour, I did run over my sunglasses, which I bought at that very shop.

It's very handy that I already know my way around here somewhat.

After all, this is my third time in Ljubljana and my second time by bike.

All the barbershops are busy, and I have no desire to wait. I can wait a few more days until my own razor is brought to me.

Back in the city center, I sit at a bar by the central river, observe the lively hustle and bustle, and talk on the phone with Jenni.

That's always nice, and due to the upcoming festival, a bit of organization is also necessary.

Unfortunately, I ran out of time before the trip to pack my backpack myself.

Afterwards, I go shopping and ride up to the castle to have some sort of lunch.

That it's already afternoon is irrelevant.

With a full belly and empty pockets, I head back down towards my accommodation to park my bike.

On the way, I do some more shopping to prepare for tomorrow's tour.

The cashier rightly recognizes, it's the same one as before, that I have a decent hunger.

The groceries are stored in the room, and the bike is parked in my corner.

Where by now, another bike packer's bike is already standing.

Then it's back into the city, now on foot.

On one hand, to wind down the evening in the city center, and on the other hand, to take the time to catch up on my reports.

There have been quite a few exhausting stages lately, and then the unnecessary delays caused by flat tires, and of course, I had to seize every opportunity to go swimming.

There was little time to write.

After I’m somewhat exhausted and tired, I head back to my accommodation.

Song of the day:

The Zenith Passage - Axiom of Error

Day #77

Thursday, July 16th.

From Dolenje Polje to Ljubljana

Contrary to the forecast, the predicted storm did not occur and the night was dry.

At least in terms of rain.

There were many mosquitoes around, which repeatedly considered me as a food source and kept me from sleeping.

Despite mosquito spray and the small mosquito net, they found their way in.

Moreover, it was still very warm with high humidity, so I was sweating a lot.

All in all, it was a somewhat uncomfortable night that only brought a bit of relief in the early morning hours.

Since there are only about 70km left to Ljubljana, I still look forward to the day relaxed and added a few interesting spots along the route.

I find it striking that I have already seen several driving schools in Slovenia after such a short time.

If there were any in the previous countries, I missed them. The driving style certainly speaks for itself and indicates that my perception is working.

Dark clouds are gathering, but since the wind is coming from the front, I leave them behind me and the day remains dry.

Zuzemberk Castle is the first highlight, towering impressively over the old town.

Although it may be more of a large village. Hard to say. It is beautiful in any case.

As I continue my ride, I have the feeling that the road I’m on is familiar, winding through the landscape. However, my impression can be misleading, as it is often very beautiful and I have been in the mountains for many kilometers.

So there are always certain similarities.

By noon, I steer towards the source of the Krka River, but mostly springs are quite unspectacular. In this case, it resembles more a pond.

If you have ever been to the source of the Ruhr, you know what I am talking about.

The cave next to it is unfortunately locked and only accessible on weekends.

The entrance to the cave looks interesting.

I spend the break, supported by Jenni, primarily searching for accommodation for the next two nights in Ljubljana. It takes a while since everything is very expensive.

Ultimately, I decide on a dormitory in a hostel.

In the capital, I primarily want to be in the city and spend the time in the room only for sleeping.

And then I have a real déjà vu. At an intersection, I am very sure that it is a rest area from 2021. When I undertook my longest bike trip so far, during which I passed through Slovenia once.

At home, I must definitely look at the old photos to have the confirmation.

Besides the driving schools, there is another striking difference to the previous countries, namely cyclists.

Those who use it as a means of transportation out of interest.

In line with that, there are bike paths and it would again confirm that infrastructure is used accordingly.

It's also more fun to get on the bike when you can ride without the fear of being run over.

Accordingly, I also trust the bike path signs and follow the signs to Ljubljana, which deviate from the route of the navigator in the last kilometers.

And then I finally ride into the city.

First, I head for the Dragon Bridge to feel like I have arrived before walking along the river to take in the impressions of the lively scene.

Check-in is quickly done, and there is also a place for my bike. Very nice, that’s taken care of, and I can save myself the trouble of looking for a bike box.

After refreshing myself, I head into the city to be part of the evening hustle and bustle.

In a pub, I start a conversation with a Slovenian/French couple and we have a good chat.

His journey from Marseille to Ljubljana is admirable, which he has managed as a wheelchair user on a handbike.

On the way back, I walk through the alternative district of Metalkova, where a fight breaks out.

A young woman feels threatened by a somewhat confused guy and two boys start hitting him.

Initially, I do well to protect the woman, but when they start kicking the guy on the ground, I step in.

I return to the accommodation only after midnight and fall asleep quickly after another eventful day.

Song of the Day:

Dream Theater - Pull Me Under

One might not immediately associate Slovenia as an Adriatic coastal country, as it only has 46 km of coastline to show for it. However, besides Koper, there is another, much smaller and even more beautiful coastal town, and that is Piran.

On a cruise, there is often little time to explore, but you should definitely plan to visit this location. Regular buses run from Koper to Piran. For just 3 euros per trip, it will take you about 40 minutes to reach your desired destination.

As in Venice, you will recognize Piran by the Campanile, the freestanding bell tower. The similarity is intentional. It was indeed modeled after the famous bell tower in St. Mark's Square in Venice, as the Venetians ruled here for 500 years.

A climb up the tower is worthwhile, as is climbing the city walls. While both do cost a few euros, the view from the top is truly fantastic.

Today was all about the gorge. We bought our tickets online last night, and were off camp by about 8.20 to drive 15 minutes to the parking, from where we caught the shuttle bus to the gorge. Everything was very well organised, including our entry time, which was 9.29am. We scanned our QR codes to get through the gate, picked up our (compulsory) hard hat and were set to go. The gorge, as the pictures show, was seen from a walkway that was set above the river, which was wild in places. It was pretty spectacular. 

I did have a near miss; I dropped my phone on the walkway and instinctively tried to stop it going off the edge with my foot, only to kick it to the inside where there was a small gap. My heart sank. I climbed through the fence and down on to the rocks, and luckily for me, my phone was sitting on a rock under the walkway. Phew!

The rest of the walk was uneventful. Once at the end of the gorge section, we then had the return leg overland. This involved a steep climb through woods before emerging out on to a hillside path with a great view over the valley. We saw some cows with bells (a Jane favourite) and had a leisurely hour walk back to the base, where we timed it perfectly to step on to the shuttle bus to return to our van. 

We then visited Radivlijico, as recommended on the visit guide on the back of the site map, which was a charming village. Jane actually thought it was called Popoldan, but we quickly realised that that was Slovakian for “afternoon”. 

After a beer and an ice cream, not at the same time, we came home to camp for a late lunch and our usual chill. We were both exhausted so it was one part reading and four parts sleeping. 

We have also sketched out our travel plans for the last few days (well, 25 days to be precise) of our trip.

Tomorrow we plan to go to Zagreb, Somewhere Jane remembers with fondness, and me less so. I visited it while inter-railing in 1986, so before the troubles, and recall only a grim, eastern bloc city with no charm. Jane’s memory is of magnificent architecture. We shall see whose memory is best (hint, it is always Jane’s). 

Today was another travel day. We packed up in the rain and said goodbye to Italy, to drive two hours to Lake Bled in Slovenia. Crossing the border consisted of nothing more than driving past unmanned huts. Our Bip and Go tag (for auto toll payments) paid for itself in just one toll. Before the border we hit a 20 minute tailback, which turned out to be for the toll booths. The inside lane was painted yellow, and after 5 minutes we realised it was for vehicles with a toll tag, and we happily took it to drive past all the queue and went through the toll gate without stopping. Result. 

We stopped off on the way at a pet shop to get Winnie some more kibble food and some tins of meat, and arrived at the site around 1.45om, to absolute carnage. It was a big site but very booked up, and when we arrived there were maybe ten other vans parked in the waiting zone. When I got to reception I was told that there were a handful of pitches available to book, but for one night only, otherwise we could pick a space on the “open pitches” which were a free-for-all space that, if you found something you liked, one of us stood in the spot to reserve the space while the other went to book in. We did that and found a rather nice space facing the fast-flowing river. We checked in and setup camp, and within an hour there were half a dozen other vans parked vans in the area, at all sorts of angles taking whatever space was free between the trees. We were lucky to get the pitch we did. 

After setting up camp, we had lunch, then both crashed for a couple of hours. Travellers fatigue maybe. 

Early evening After feeding the dogs we strolled in to Bled. It was not the prettiest, but it had a vibe and we sat and had a couple of drinks overlooking the lake. On the way back we walked past a crazy golf course that opened in 1964, history noting it to be the second most profound thing to happen that year (after my birth 😁). 

We then had courgette pesto pasta for tea, a cuppa and then retired for the night. We are up early tomorrow for a booked time-slotted trip to a gorge. 

It's hard to imagine that someday in Eastern Ukraine, Russian, Ukrainian, and other people could peacefully walk such a trail. Hard to imagine, but maybe, who knows... .

Bled and its surroundings was one of the most beautiful places I've been. This is certainly because it was my first experience of pure nature and hiking after three and a half weeks of city trips. But the hostel was also a hit. I was warmly welcomed by the hostel owner. There were many people in the hostel, and there were great opportunities to connect with other travelers.

So right after I arrived, I met Adrian, and soon after we set out on our first little hike together.

A round trip around the lake and up to a viewpoint. At 600 meters above sea level, you could enjoy a very good view of the surroundings.

And then, of course, the highlight for which Bled is well known: the church on an island in the lake.

The tour around the lake and up to the viewpoint took about two hours. In the end, we needed three, as we waited for about an hour at the top for the sun to come out.

The next day, I joined a group I met at the hostel. Together we did a 16 km tour and hiked up a mountain with about 1000 meters of elevation.

On this tour, I learned so much about rocks, plants, and nature in general, as most of the group studies geo-ecology. It was super interesting.

On my third day in Bled, with a new group composition, we went to a waterfall at the nearby Lake Bohinj. This hike was simply beautiful in a different way. Water can be very impressive. In the end, I found the waterfall not that exciting, but the river was really beautiful. But see for yourself:

Once we arrived at the waterfall, we had a picnic before hiking back down on the other side of the river.

When we reached the lake, two members of our group actually dared to go for a swim. I only waded in with my feet, but even that was already too cold for me. A mountain lake is still very cold at the end of March.

We returned via the castle in Bled, getting another perspective of the island.

On my last day, we originally wanted to rent a boat and sail to the island, but the boat rental was closed due to strong winds. So a few people and I went back up to the viewpoint one last time. A final photo, and then it was time for me to head back to the bus.

I found it really difficult to say goodbye here, but every journey must eventually come to an end. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here, and it will always be fondly remembered.

I'm glad I was there at the end of March. In summer, this place is completely overcrowded. In the town, hotels follow one after another. I would truly recommend everyone to visit Bled, but the off-season is much better, and if it's cloudy, it's actually better for hiking.

So Bled was an absolute highlight so far, and the entire hostel community will be hard to top. But I'm still excited for the next travel destinations. Off to Croatia!

I walked through the fruit and flower market and visited the free art gallery that was currently exhibiting the works of the Slovenian artist Mladen Stropnik. Very abstract art was displayed there, and I didn’t stay long.

After having the remains of my breakfast at Prešeren Square at noon, I made my way back to Tivoli Park. I wandered through the pleasant green woods of the park and later enjoyed the peace on one of the many park benches.

In the late afternoon, I made my way one last time to the “Simbol Hostel,” where I picked up my backpack and walked to the Sokol tavern. There, I was to meet Shun to enjoy traditional Slovenian food.

Since Slovenia has been strongly influenced by German and Austrian cuisine in the past, the menu reminded me a lot of typical German home cooking. I had roast pork with mashed potatoes.

Shun and I spent the evening together by the river and at Prešeren Square, where we watched some street performers.

At the train station, we parted ways. I had to wait for my train to Budapest, and Shun would be heading to Venice tomorrow. We said our goodbyes and went our separate ways.

The Town Hall Square, our first stop, played a significant role especially in the Middle Ages. Regular festivals were held here, and it served as a marketplace as well as a site for torture and executions of criminals.

Since the groundwater was heavily polluted in the Middle Ages, wine was considered the city's favorite drink. Consequently, the community suffered from alcohol problems. While important elections used to be held here in the marketplace, they mostly took place in the early morning hours, as that was the only time when the population was sober. During the process of reconsolidation, major book burnings of Protestant works were conducted in 1600 and 1601. Ironically, just a few meters away from the memorial stone, there is now a library.

As the ground area of Ljubljana had already been predetermined by the thick city wall, living space was scarce. Thus, the law was established that each house could only have three windows. Nevertheless, between 1600 and 1800, only 20 new houses were built in the city center.

Once we reached the top of Castle Hill, we learned that the castle was very difficult for attackers to assault, as it was protected by the river on three sides. Additionally, a deep moat was constructed, filled with thorn bushes and swords, so that the castle was never conquered.

During the exciting tour, I met a 19-year-old Japanese guy named Shun. As it turns out later, we were even staying in the same hostel and thus spent the rest of the day together. We walked along the Ljubljanica to the well-maintained botanical garden of the university.

Later, we enjoyed ice cream together and took a stroll through Tivoli City Park. At approximately 500 hectares, it is one of the largest city parks in the world.

In the evening, we returned to the hostel and cooked rice for dinner.

The bus station in Ljubljana was a bit chaotic, but after a few targeted questions, I found the right bus. An hour later, I arrived in Bled, which has 6,800 inhabitants. At the tourist information center, I gathered enough hiking maps and walked less than five minutes until I could see Lake Bled for the first time.

The lake is surrounded by a mountain panorama. On a mountain to the north stands Bled Castle. In the middle of the lake is a small island with a church. The island is surrounded by crystal-clear, turquoise water. In addition to its beauty, the lake is known for the numerous thermal springs that emerge on the eastern side.

My tour began counterclockwise along a well-maintained path that I shared with several other tourists. From the edge of the lake, the church island was visible from picturesque perspectives several times.

When I reached about halfway through the route, I went for a swim in the lake off the path. The water was a delightful 23°C warm, and since I was just a few hundred meters from the official bathing area, I swam in complete tranquility in front of the breathtaking backdrop.

After the relaxing swimming break, the more strenuous part was to follow. As I saw on my hiking map, there was a mountain from which one could see the entire lake from above. The 685m high Osojnica was reachable via a short, thus very steep hiking path.

I arrived at the top completely sweaty, and a beautiful view over the lake opened up to me, which was definitely worth the effort.

However, since I saw another viewpoint in my travel guide with small rocks in the foreground, I was not completely satisfied and asked some hikers on my way down. Finally, at the foot of the mountain, someone was able to help me. This, however, meant that I had to undertake the same steep climb a second time. So when I was at the top for the second time, this time on a different hill of the mountain, the few clouds that had been there earlier had mostly cleared, and the island shone amidst the turquoise water.

There are two explanations for the formation of the island along with the lake: The first, scientifically proven, states that the lake was formed by a glacier. A rock is said to have stood in its way, which was worn down until only the present island remained. The ice melted and filled the lake with water.

The legend, however, states that the lake was once a green valley. In the middle stood a rock, where mountain fairies danced at night. In the valley, shepherds tended their sheep, which grazed the area around the rock. The fairies asked the shepherds to fence their rock so that they would have some soft grass left. However, the shepherds did not do this, causing the youngest fairy to break her leg. Therefore, the angry fairies summoned the springs and brooks from the surrounding mountains, so the valley filled with water, leaving only the island for the fairies.

In my view, the second version is the more accurate one for this fairytale landscape.

After my quite strenuous ascent, I was ready to jump into the water again. I watched individual swimmers who swam to the island, which was very tempting for me as well. However, since I was already quite exhausted and hadn't eaten anything substantial for a long time, I remained only near the shore for refreshment.

I started my way back to the bus stop and was able to take one last look at the lake as the sun was setting behind the mountains.

It was back to the accommodation by bus. In the hostel, I made the remaining spaghetti from the previous day for dinner.

During the tour, I perceived Ljubljana as a peaceful and warm-hearted city.

Prešeren Square is named after the Romantic poet France Prešeren, whose poem “Zdravljica” (translated “A Toast”) became the Slovenian National Anthem. The national anthem speaks of the ideal of peaceful coexistence of all countries.

A toast to the peoples,
who long for the day,
when from the universe
the gray of discord is driven away;
where to friends
freedom appears,
and where the enemy becomes the neighbor.

A monument to Prešeren was dedicated in this square. Following his gaze, one finds an image of a woman on a house wall. Julia, Prešeren's great love, came from a noble family, in contrast to him, so his love had to remain unrequited. After both died, their statues were erected facing each other, so they could be together forever after their deaths. Above Prešeren, a muse, the goddess of arts, stands half-naked. At that time, to the ire of the church located just a few meters away, which then planted three trees to obstruct the view of the church entrance.

On the “Dragon Bridge”, a few hundred meters away, there are 20 large and small dragons, which represent the state's landmarks and are also found on the city coat of arms. Legend has it that the Greek hero Jason founded the city of Ljubljana: Jason supposedly stole the Golden Fleece from King Aietes and fled across the Black Sea with his ship and the Argonauts. Finally, he is said to have fought a dragon at the source of the Ljubljanica and eventually defeated it.

Our tour ended in Congress Park with a view of the city's university. This played a crucial role during Slovenia's communist era. After World War II, Slovenia was part of communist Yugoslavia. Tito, the president of Yugoslavia, was to give an exhilarating speech to the residents of Ljubljana from the university balcony. As he stepped before the people, the previously blue sky turned into a storm front. Despite pouring rain, he delivered his speech. When he left, the sky cleared again. Newspapers the next day reported that Tito came to the city with lightning and thunder.

Since 1991, Slovenia has been independent again, but communism still influences people today: students can study here completely free and receive food at greatly reduced prices. A concept from old times that still exists today.

After the tour, I sat on a park bench and ate the leftovers from the bakery. I chatted with a Slovenian woman, who gave me some tips for my stay. Then my ascent to the castle hill of the city began. In the afternoon heat, I climbed the very steep path and could enjoy the view over Ljubljana from the top.

On the way down, I bought an ice cream, which I ate in a nearby park. Back at the hostel, I made spaghetti with tomato sauce for dinner.

At 20:00, I set off again towards the city. In Congress Square, a huge, free open-air cinema was set up, which was screening classic films. After a short film shot in Ljubljana, the American film “On the Waterfront,” released in 1954, was shown. The film, which won eight Oscars, dealt with corrupt labor unions in America during the 1960s.

Fortunately, my connecting train waited for me, and I managed to catch the transfer.

However, this train was completely overcrowded, and I had to stand between two compartments for an hour and a half. When it was announced that the train would be delayed by 20 minutes, a desperate Italian who, like me, would miss the train to Villach approached me. I showed him the alternative route, in case the train would not be available.

As it turned out, the connecting train had already left when we arrived. I met the Italian again at the station, and since we both had to wait 2.5 hours for the next train, we briefly walked through Salzburg together. He introduced himself as Domenico, who, like me, was 19 and had won a DiscoverEU Interrail trip. His destination was Bled, a town near Ljubljana. Therefore, our travel routes mostly overlapped, and we made our way to Villach together, albeit with some delays.

On the train, the rainy Austrian landscape soon gave way to dark clouds, revealing a stunning Alpine landscape. We passed by small, quiet villages, green pastures with cows, and turquoise mountain streams.

Upon arriving in Villach, we were able to take off our rain gear and were greeted by a summer temperature of 28°C. Domenico and I then switched to a small regional train heading towards Ljubljana. Domenico would get off in Bled half an hour earlier. We exchanged numbers to hike together at the turquoise ]]>https://vakantio.de/en/blog/interrail-jonas/tag-1-reise-von-leipzig-nach-ljubljanahttps://vakantio.de/en/blog/interrail-jonas/tag-1-reise-von-leipzig-nach-ljubljanaTue, 27 Aug 2024 07:15:00 GMT46.056946514.5057515

On the last day, we went swimming again today. The sun is blazing hot.

As we were simultaneously at the beautiful Lake Bled, there are no pictures.

But we swam beautifully.

Thus, a wonderful holiday in beautiful Slovenia comes to an end. It is a small country, with great landscapes and a contrast between Alpine feeling and Mediterranean flair.

In between, as far as we can assess, friendly, open, and hardworking Slovenians.

We felt very comfortable during the 2 weeks, did a lot, saw, and experienced.

It could have been a bit cooler at times, at least for us active vacationers. But no complaints about that.

A lovely time in togetherness.

Thanks for staying and

Dine ❤️ Jeff

A beautiful 54 km route, with some steep ramps, lay ahead of us.🫡

Leaving the city, we quickly found ourselves on a nicely paved bike path that led us straight into Triglav National Park.

There we were surrounded by breathtaking nature and had already conquered the first ascent when we managed to integrate a small gravel section into the tour. Vive Lè Tour 🇨🇵

Unfortunately, the signposted hut at the end was closed 🙄

But just a few kilometers later, we could relax at a 'Koca' rest stop.

There was delicious ice cream made from goat's milk 🐐 and conversations with locals and Bochumers.

They warned us about the remaining route. Steep ascent. ⬆️

After the first curve, the sign with an 18% gradient did not promise anything good or did it...😉

We pushed ourselves up, and off we went. First downhill to the river before we had to conquer inclines of 17% and 14% on the way back to Bled.

Going down to Bled was easy, and we could coast. We returned the really great bikes and quickly enjoyed a highly praised 'Jodlar ice cream'. Very good!

Much praise again to my sweetheart, hats off💪

Back at the accommodation, we looked forward to a nice shower. But first, the door was closed. Somehow locked from inside with a bolt. ⭕️

Dini solved the problem with a credit card and opened the door. Apparently, she’s done this before...🤔

Freshly showered, we went for delicious pizza. Awesome!

A beautiful day of cycling🫠

No, we’re not talking about the last day tomorrow.😬

Stay tuned!

Dine & Jeff

Our host prevented us from driving there and that was a good decision due to the prevailing parking situation.

Besides, we also like to take the bus on vacation.🚍

After a 1-hour ride, we arrived at the bus station and 10 minutes later we had already made our way to the city center. ⛲️🎡

A lovely little town with picturesque buildings, nice squares, and a cozy waterfront promenade. Everything happens within a radius of 3km, so it’s perfect for a day stroll.

After visiting the first hotspots, we treated ourselves to delicious soft serve ice cream that we could dispense ourselves, charged by weight.

Since it was very hot again yesterday,🌞 we enjoyed drinks in the shade three alleys away, with a view of the castle.

On a whim, we decided to take a boat ride on the Ljubljanica. Very nice, although the clarity of the water did not match what we had previously been accustomed to. There are definitely countless bridges and small bridges. It’s quite a sight from the water.

After docking the boat, we spotted a record store on the opposite riverbank. The shop windows already made us eager for more. A really cult store with its owner. Guitars and amplifiers in the corners, and everything that a rocker's heart needs to beat. Wonderful, we browsed and contributed to sales.

We then strolled through a few other shops and discovered an exciting pastry shop window while passing by. It not only looked good but was also very tasty. A small reminder of Cedric Grolet🤩. Make your drawing the gonge Maad.

Afterward, we made a small stop at the market before heading to another shopping temple.

For dinner, we quickly visited Italy.

'Raw Pasta' serves homemade pasta, really very delicious. Thanks to Google Maps.

Once we finished the last noodle, there was a crash in the sky, and it poured like from bathtubs. Our bus was scheduled to leave at 9 PM, and by 8:45 PM, it had started to ease up. So, we rushed and attacked. Just before departure, we still caught the bus to Bled.

Tomorrow will be gravelly. 😍

Stay tuned!

Dine & Jeff

First, we set out to the valley of the jumps and marveled at (by now) the second largest ski jump in the world from below and above.

It's insane, that thing.

The whole area is full of jumps, and there were indeed some jumps made. The Gonge...Maybe we can welcome one in Klingenthal someday.

After enjoying the panorama from the very top and simultaneously tipping our hats to the daring, brave flyers, we went back down the 1194 steps.

By the way, it was very warm again!

To cool off, we then went to the flying waterfall 'Pevitck'.

A true statement of nature. From high up, the water rushes or flies😉 into the depths. The twist is that you can walk behind the waterfall. 😲A wonderful and wet experience.

Dinner at our neighbors, with a free dessert for good customers, delicious again.

Tomorrow we will take the bus to Ljubljana.

Stay tuned!

Dine & Jeff

Some weeks ago, when it came to planning our vacation this year, we had the idea to buy a car, convert it into a mini camper, and just hit the road. Our rough destination would be Turkey, specifically Dalyan, since we enjoyed it so much last year. Why by car? Because our three furry friends naturally have to come along. 😅

So we bought a car, converted it, and equipped it in such a way that we can definitely live autonomously for 3 days. Unfortunately, an accident made further planning impossible, so we just drove off aimlessly.

Our idea is to travel through Slovenia, Croatia, and Greece along the coast to Turkey.

We did not reach our first stage destination, Zagreb, and ended up stranded in Maribor, Slovenia.

We ate at the worst Chinese restaurant ever and then searched for a parking spot. Thanks to many apps, we found a spot somewhere in the middle of nowhere and parked next to ]]>https://vakantio.de/en/blog/survivorpinktittytwisterontour/unser-abenteuer-beginnt-0https://vakantio.de/en/blog/survivorpinktittytwisterontour/unser-abenteuer-beginnt-0Tue, 06 Aug 2024 08:31:00 GMT46.554650315.6458812🫨This morning at 7 o'clock we set off towards the Adriatic, more precisely to the Gulf of Trieste. We grabbed breakfast from the bakery around the corner. Very good 👍

First, we crossed the border into Trieste and explored the city including the harbor.

Fortunately, we were quite early, making parking and traffic quite relaxed.

Beautiful buildings along the promenade including a water canal and one row behind it. Only the cruise ships were a bother.😬

Further back: Well...

The city looks most beautiful from above.😅

Cappuccino and ice cream were a must and they were also super delicious.

Around noon, we went a bit further down the coast and back to Slovenia. This is a tripoint here, as Croatia is also not far away.😎

But our destination was Piran. A charming little town on the Adriatic. Truly a piece of Italy in Slovenia. Twisted alleys and the buildings look and feel like Italy.

But really a lovely little coastal gem. We were lucky with the parking space and then strolled through the alleys in 32 degrees, made 2 drink stops, and enjoyed the views.

Really beautiful and incredibly warm!

After a delicious plate of Frutti del Mare, we walked to the car during the sunset and drove back to Bled.

We were back by 10:30 PM!

Beautiful excursion!

Stay tuned!

Dine & Jeff

We set off late towards our neighboring lake 'Bohinj'.

The largest in Slovenia.

We lingered there a bit and then continued to the waterfall 'Slap Savica'. Not bad.

Then we had a lovely dinner in the quiet part of Bled. Very nice.

Tonight it's early to bed.

Tomorrow morning we head early to the Adriatic, to

Trieste and Piran🤩

Stay tuned.

Dine & Jeff

Temperatures were optimal, we were in good spirits and had a goal: the 'Velika Planina'

An elevated plateau in the Julian Alps.🏔

A short drive and we found the parking lot of the cable car. But of course, we hiked up.

8km of steep climbing that was quite challenging.

But the panorama at the top was fantastic. Plenty of happy cows.

Everywhere small huts inhabited by alpine herdsmen from June to September.

We of course also had a good meal up there. Enjoyed the views for a bit longer, then we took the chairlift and cable car back down to the valley.

It was quick compared to the ascent.

On the way back, we visited Giro Italia and Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar in his hometown Komenda. A honorary lap at the roundabout included.

Cool!

Dinner today again with our neighbors. Really very nice and delicious! Hmm, the wine.

Stay tuned

Dine & Jeff

Friday as a swimming day fit perfectly, so we set off and found a quiet spot by the lakeshore. 

Not quite a needle in a haystack, but it was a nail. But it worked out.

The water is wonderful and incredibly clear. A lovely splashing pleasure in the beautiful panorama. 

Later, we went on another lookout expedition. Nice and steep from the lake upwards; luckily it rained yesterday. The path was nicely muddy. 

But the view from the top was breathtakingly beautiful.

At Café Belvedere, we enjoyed a cream slice with a view that was no less spectacular. 

For dinner, we had a meal near the lake, but it was not at all touristy. 

At Monika's farm, everything is homemade. There is 'only' cold food: cheese platter or sausage/cheese platter. We opted for both. Alongside delicious beer, tasty schnapps (hops liqueur), and tasty juices. The only thing that wasn't great was the wine. 

But it was definitely an experience, including a tour of the 'Black Kitchen'.

Beautiful, relaxed day.

Stay tuned 

Dine & Jeff 

Today we set off to Triglav National Park in normal summer temperatures.

Only about 70km away, but one briefly crosses paths with those heading home towards the Karawanken. 🥴

After that, you enter the picturesque landscape of Kransjka Gora and pass the highest drivable mountain pass in Slovenia: the Vršič Pass.

A paradise for serpentines fans, with an average steepness of 14%. A bit of the racing heart bled, but it was also an adventure in the car. By chance, a parking spot opened up and we set off, charmed by the spectacular surroundings.

Awesome mountain world and a magnificent view of the Prisojnik. After 2 hours in the mountains, we returned to the car and had to assert our territorial claims, as we were taken over by sheep.

To resolve the conflict, 'Allez, Allez' calls and a few pats on the wooly backs turned out to be successful.

After reclaiming our spot, we drove down the pass into the Soča valley and admired the picturesque river there.

Then the sky opened up again, and we returned over the pass to Bled, accompanied by a deluge and thunder.

What a ride!

We had lunch today at Megaburger. Not bad!

No plans for tomorrow yet.

Stay tuned

Dine & Jeff