Reflecting myself in the deep blue of Slovenia.

Slovenia offers you the most natural and captivating experiences, without any pretense or glamour. Three of the country's most famous tourist destinations are the Vintar Geroge cliffs, Lake Bohinj, and Lake Bled.

Vintgar Gorge, a natural wonder

Vintgar Gorge, also known as Bled Gorge, is a 1.6 km long gorge located in northern Slovenia, about 5 km from the famous Lake Bled. This gorge, over 100 years old, is only open from April to November each year to ensure the safety of tourists due to the hilly terrain and slippery cliffs in winter. Therefore, autumn is the best time to visit this beautiful nature reserve with its long, ancient wooden staircases, the sound of babbling streams, and trees turning golden in the fall.

The Vintgar George complex consists of a narrow wooden walkway with sturdy handrails running along the rocky gorge. Below lies the Radovna River, its crystal-clear water reflecting the golden hues of the foliage. Following the cliff face to the end of the trail, you'll reach the Sum Waterfall, cascading from a height of 13 meters. Facing east, the Sum Waterfall, illuminated by sunlight, creates arches at the top, faintly visible through the fine mist of water droplets. From Sum Waterfall, you can return to continue your trekking journey to Bohinj Lake.

Mirror Lake Bohinj

Located 30km southwest of Vintgar George, Bohinj is a green gem nestled amidst rolling mountains at altitudes ranging from 1,600m to 2,000m. This largest natural lake in Slovenia lies in the heart of the Julian Alps valley, surrounded by massive limestone formations.

Along both sides of the path are charming little bus stops with brown wooden roofs, clusters of budding flowers, and village gates adorned with baskets of blossoms. This gem stretches for 4.2 km and its water mainly comes from Black Lake, thus the lake's water is divided into two distinct zones, as if by an unspoken agreement, marked by a clear dividing line. One half of the lake, near the shore, is crystal clear, allowing one to see all the way to the bottom. Then, suddenly, surprisingly, beyond that dividing line, the water is a deep blue, as if concealing a layer of moss beneath.

Another unique feature of Bohinj is that you can easily find your own small lake to enjoy the fresh air and tranquility. Furthermore, you'll be surprised to see camping vans scattered among the trees around the lake. With its rather cold climate, perhaps the short summer isn't enough for Eastern European residents to fully enjoy their vacation.

Some families bring their vans and essentials to camp in Bohinj for weeks on end. During the day, they participate in sports, swimming, and boating, and in the evening, they enjoy BBQs together. In Bohinj, you can see that not only Italians know how to enjoy life, but even Slovenians enjoy it in their own unique way. Bohinj is located within Triglav National Park, the largest national park in Slovenia, so from here, you can easily reach Savika Waterfall, situated on a mountaintop more than an hour's drive from the lake.

Photo: Matej Kastelic

Standing atop Savika, you are greeted by a breathtaking panorama of the Bohinj Valley, dotted with ancient trees and moss-covered limestone cliffs. Along the trail leading up to Savika lies the rich Slovenian vegetation, including many species unique to this national park. Nestled among the trees are small, isolated houses, completely cut off from the outside world. All of this is enveloped in the cool autumn air, the chirping of birds, and the gentle murmur of streams throughout the long journey.

Boarding a boat to travel back and forth across Bled

If you feel you've spent enough time admiring Slovenia's pristine yet majestic natural beauty, your next ideal destination would be Lake Bled. In contrast to the tranquility of Bohinj, Bled is Slovenia's most popular tourist destination, with numerous restaurants, cafes, and hotels lining its shores. While only half the length of Bohinj, its advantageous location and relatively shallow waters make it a frequently chosen venue for world sailing races.

Photo: Davidev Mikhail

Located in the middle of Lake Bled is Bled Island, home to the Gothic-style St. Mary's Church. It's a popular wedding destination in Slovenia, with the belief that if the groom carries the bride up all the steps of the church, they will have a blessed life together. To reach Bled Island, you'll need the assistance of a Pletna rower. Like the gondoliers of Venice, the Pletna rowing profession is passed down through family members, and Pletnaers are highly respected. For more adventurous activities, you can try diving or boating around Lake Bled.

Slovenia may not be the ideal destination for travelers who prefer the hustle and bustle of crowded cities. But it's definitely a great place for those who love the pure, natural beauty of autumn and are looking for a destination without the crowds of souvenir shops.

Street food delights: Try authentic Slovenian Kremnista.

To conclude your exploration of beautiful Slovenia, nothing beats a romantic dinner at Penzion Berc restaurant, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Lake Bled and, across the street, the ancient Bled Castle, built in the 10th century. One of the most famous dishes in Bled is the Kremnista cake, with its golden, crispy crust made from flour and butter. Next is a layer of vanilla cream, just the right amount so the cake isn't too rich but still maintains its shape when sliced. The final layer is a cake base still fragrant with the aroma of eggs, milk, and vanilla. More than 1 million Kremnista cakes are sold each year, making it an iconic symbol of the cuisine of northern Slovenia.

Additional information:

+ Journey:Slovenia has only one international airport, located in the capital city of Ljubliana, 55km from Bled. From Vietnam, you can fly to Frankfurt Airport in Germany. Ljubliana is only a 1 hour and 10 minute direct flight from Frankfurt.

Weather:Due to its proximity to the Alps, Slovenia has a rather cold climate. Temperatures in September are around 15-18°C, so visitors should bring a light jacket and scarf.

+Currency:Slovenia uses the euro and is part of the Schengen Area, so tourists can freely travel to Slovenia if they have a Schengen visa.

+Cuisine:Slovenian cuisine is primarily influenced by France, Germany, and Italy; however, each region has its own unique dishes due to the influence of climate and geographical location. The most characteristic dishes include: frog meat, Ajdovi žganci (oat porridge), Kremnista (cake), and Burek (bread).

+Activity:Besides the three famous locations mentioned above, you can participate in other popular autumn activities such as canyoning, visiting wineries, exploring the Skovcjan caves, or relaxing at the Kranjska Gora ski resort. You can visit www.bled.si/en for more detailed information about hotels and tours in Bohinj, Bled, and Vintgar Georgia.

Text and photos: Nhung Nguyen

The Thanh