Reflecting in the deep blue of Slovenia

Slovenia will give you the most natural, enchanting things without any color or flashiness. Three of the most famous tourist destinations in this country are the cliffs of Vintar Geroge, Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled.

Vintgar Gorge Natural Wonder

Vintgar Gorge, also known as Bled Gorge, is a 1.6 km long gorge located in the north of Slovenia, about 5 km from the famous Lake Bled. This over 100 year old gorge is only open from April to November every year to ensure the safety of tourists due to the mountainous terrain and slippery cliffs when there is snow in winter. Therefore, autumn is the most suitable time to visit this beautiful reserve with long ancient wooden stairs, the sound of flowing streams and rows of trees turning yellow to welcome autumn.

The Vintgar George complex consists of a narrow wooden corridor with sturdy handrails running along the entire path along the rocky gorge. Below is the Radovna River with its clear water reflecting the golden color of the leaves. Following the cliff to the end of the trail, you will reach the Sum waterfall, which flows from a height of 13m. The Sum waterfall faces directly to the East, so the sunlight will create rainbow arches right at the top of the waterfall, appearing faintly behind the tiny sprays of water. From the Sum waterfall, you can turn back to continue climbing the trekking route to Lake Bohinj.

Mirror of Lake Bohinj

Located 30km southwest of Vintgar George, Bohinj is a green gem nestled between rolling mountains ranging in altitude from 1,600m to 2,000m. The largest natural lake in Slovenia is located in the heart of the Julian Alps valley with its massive limestone ranges.

Along both sides of the path are small bus stops with brown wooden roofs, blooming flower bushes and village gates full of flower baskets. This gem is up to 4.2km long and the water source comes mainly from Black Lake, so the lake's water is divided into two distinct streaks as if by an implicit agreement with a clear dividing line. Half of the lake near the shore is as clear as glass, you can see deep down to the bottom, then suddenly, surprisingly, after that dividing line, the water is only a dark blue color as if hiding moss underneath.

Another special feature is that in Bohinj, you will easily find yourself a small lake to enjoy the fresh air and tranquility. In addition, you will be surprised to see camper vans interwoven between the trees around the lake. With a rather cold climate, perhaps the short summer is not enough for Eastern European residents to enjoy the whole vacation.

There are families who bring their vans and all the necessary equipment to camp in Bohinj for weeks at a time. During the day they participate in sports activities, swimming, rowing, and in the evening they have a BBQ together. Coming to Bohinj, you can say that not only Italians know how to enjoy life, but also Slovenians enjoy life in their own way. Bohinj is located in the Triglav National Park, the largest national park in Slovenia, so from here you can go up to Savika waterfall located at the top of the mountain, more than an hour's journey from the lake.

Photo: Matej Kastelic

Standing on the top of Savika, you will see the majestic mountains of the Bohinj Valley, with ancient trees and limestone mountains covered with green moss. Along the trail leading to Savika is a rich Slovenian flora, including many species of trees that only appear in this national park. Hidden behind the trees are small houses completely isolated from the outside world. All are covered by the cool autumn air, the chirping of birds and the sound of streams flowing all along the way.

Take a boat trip up and down Bled

If you feel you have spent enough time admiring the wild but majestic nature of Slovenia, the next ideal place would be Lake Bled. In contrast to the quietness of Bohinj, Bled is the most popular tourist service destination in Slovenia for foreign tourists with many restaurants, cafes, and hotels located all over the lake. Bled is only half the length of Bohinj but perhaps due to its favorable geographical location and not too deep water level, it is often chosen as the venue for world sailing races.

Photo: Dudarev Mikhail

In the middle of Lake Bled is Bled Island, home to the Gothic-style St. Mary's Church and is often chosen by Slovenians as a wedding venue with the belief that if the groom carries the bride up the steps of the church, both will have a lucky life in the future. To get to Bled Island, you will need the help of a Pletna gondolier. Like the gondoliers in Venice, the Pletna gondolier profession will only be passed down through the family and Pletnaers are always highly respected. If you like more adventurous activities, you can participate in diving or boat racing around Lake Bled.

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

Street Food: Try the authentic Slovenian Kremnista

To end your exploration of the beautiful Slovenian nature, there is nothing better than a romantic dinner at Penzion Berc restaurant, where you can admire the panoramic view of Lake Bled and the ancient Bled Castle built in the 10th century on the other side. One of the most famous dishes in Bled is Kremnista cake with a golden crispy top layer made from flour and butter. Next is a layer of vanilla cream with just enough cream so that the cake is not greasy but still keeps its shape when cut. The last layer of the cake is the base that still smells of eggs, milk and vanilla. Every year, more than 1 million Kremnista cakes are sold and it has become a symbol of the cuisine of the whole northern region of Slovenia.

More information:

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

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

+Currency:Slovenia uses the EUR and is part of the Schegen area, so visitors can freely travel to Slovenia if they have a Schegen visa.

+ Cuisine:Slovenian cuisine is mainly influenced by France, Germany and Italy, however, each region has its own dishes due to the climate and geographical location. Typical dishes include: frog meat, Ajdovi žganci oatmeal soup, Kremnista cakes and Burek cakes.

+ Activities:In addition to the three famous places above, you can participate in other popular activities in autumn such as canyoning, visiting wineries, exploring the Skovcjan cave, or resting at the Kranjska Gora ski resort. You can visit www.bled.si/en to find more detailed information about hotels and tours in Bohinj, Bled, Vintgar George.

Article and photos: Nhung Nguyen

The Thanh