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Happy landing

28/9/2017

Slovenian smallest international airport is the one on the coast, Aerodrome Portorož. In case you are wandering how small is that, let me tell you it has 11 employee, counting everyone from cleaning personnel to director.

But you are used to small things in Slovenia, aren't you? So this might not come as a surprise to you. How about receiving a welcome drink after you have landed?

When flying directly to the coast, visitors are greeted in a traditional way for this parts of Europe with a shot of home made brandy!

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Oldest UNESCO heritage in Slovenia

19/9/2017

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One of the most common questions I get from foreign visitors is whether it is more beautiful Postojna Cave or Škocjan Caves.

More than 30 years ago Skocjan Caves were listed under UNESCOs natural heritage and have been, until recently, the only site in Slovenia with such protection.

When visiting Škocjan cave you can choose among three trails. The most known and popular and probably the most essential is Through the underground. This is guided tour with entrance fee. Another option is the Škocjan Education Trail which doesn't take you to the underground but is is absolutely free and almost equally beautiful than the first one.

But of course, the best is to do at least this two. I assure you that the third option is very beautiful as well, but I can't ask you to see all in one day.

Pictures in this post are from the first mentioned option, i.e. from a guided tour to the underground, which, please do keep that in mind, can be challenging for people that are not used to walk much. But it is doable.

,In case you are still wondering which cave to choose, I won't give you an answer. Postojna cave is much older and for that reason quite different from younger Škocjan caves, but both are very impressive.

Besides, there are more than 12000 registered caves at the moment in Slovenia. Why limiting your choice only among the two?

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Snežnik castle

8/9/2017

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Snežnik castle is one of the cutest Slovenian castles. Not too big, nicely preserved and in an idyllic environment.
And it is one of the few castles in Slovenia that can boast of original furnishings.

Apart from visiting this castle the surrounding offers many options for bikers, hikers, easy walkers, and many other activities. Even just sitting and relaxing in front of the castle can be a meditative experience of its own.

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Learn how to make one Slovenian dish

28/8/2017

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Making selfies in front of touristic sights is one thing, learning how to make one Slovenian dish is taking your touristic experience on anther level.

Sometimes they have cooking workshops on the events, like it was the one we joined, at Metlika on it's biggest festival, Vinska Vigred.

I don't want to underestimate the difficulty of making belokranjska pogača, salted cake, but I think it accounts for less difficult dishes. As you can find many variations (with cheese, ham ...), we were doing the protected one, that has to have exact number of squares drawn and is only sprinkled with salt and cumin.

There is another little secret that I have been told, belokranjska pogača goes well with wine, not only for the taste, but because it soaks up the wine, thus preventing getting drunk too quickly.

You can get recipe on this page if you feel like trying at home.

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From Ljubljana with love

23/8/2017

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Social Ljubljana Tour, named romantically - as a lot of things in sLOVEnia- Ljubljana with love, invites you to pay a visit to independent social companies that are part of a local ‘Think Social. Buy Local.’ movement.

While getting to know many stories of today's life in Slovenia and its capital you walk through the beautiful medieval part of Ljubljana and get to eat some food. Food with background, of course.

On this tour you visit two restaurants, one is the Slovenian equivalent to Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant, which trains and employs young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and the other employs people with learning disabilities.

For anyone that loves shopping there will be many opportunities to buy a special gift. Choosing from glamorous garbage, unique gifts made from reused or recycled things and materials, or digging into first thrift store in Slovenia. My favorite? "Plant me" souvenir.

One stop is very important for Slovenians and I am sure you might enjoy it too, that is to sit down and drink a cup of coffee. And yes, the story follows. The owner is all about coffee and has only fair trade or direct trade organic coffee and he is, naturally, roasting coffee himself. But don't worry, there is more. And you'll hear about it there.

Talking about social awareness goes together with sustainability and ecological movement so the tour reveals all about Green Ljubljana, the Green Capital of Europe 2016. Prepare to hear about water, trash, recycling management, shared bike system, so called gentlemen, parks, vegetable market and so on. .

The tour starts at Stari trg street next to the fountain (check the map below) with prior booking. Usually runs at lunch time but can be adopted to the needs of visitors.

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Wine tasting @ Bela Krajina

21/8/2017

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While visiting Slovenia, a visit to the wine cellar is a must. Choices are endless and the chosen one can be well planed in advanced or simply the first one that you see. Both is possible.

Our visit to Bela Krajina, south - eastern Slovenian region, was planed as we wanted to visit wine cellar Prus and meet its head, Jožef Prus, holder of title Winemaker of the year for several years.

After showing us around the cellar and his many awards we've sat down and enjoyed his great selection.

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Liquid Human Fish

16/8/2017

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Unless you are not from Earth, you have probably realized that craft beer revolution has happened. Almost everywhere. Luckily Slovenia was not an exception.

Our pioneer is Human Fish Brewery, which, even after so many new beers popping out literally every day, still has the best name. In my opinion of course.

These days you can find Human Fish beer in many bars, at least in Ljubljana, but still, the best option is to pay them a visit. You'll get a tour of the brewery, get to know of a brewer or two and taste some classics and some brand new beers.

Then you can relax on their cute garden or wander around this quite interesting little town of Vrhnika.

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Piran is missing red house

10/8/2017

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Pearl of Mediterranean. Little Venice. Slovenian Rovinj. A bit of Dubrovnik. Reflection of Venetian republic. There are many words describing most famous Slovenian coastal town and each has a bit of truth in it.

Piran is known for it's red roofs, many churches, narrow streets with no cars, hidden squares, amazing views and it's beautiful main square. The view of Tartini square with violinist's statue in the ellipse, colourful houses and a church atop of a hill which bell-tower reminds a lot of the more famous one in Venice, is a typical postcard view. Or instagram post if you want something modern.

The square used to be a small port, called mandrač by locals and than filled up for square and later become, for some time, even the final station of electrical railway.

On the square there was one of the most known houses in Piran, no, in whole Slovenia! Red Venetian - Gothic house. Did I say was? Is it lost? Was it destroyed? Did it fly away?
No. It was painted white because the oldest paint that was found on the wall was white. I miss red.

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Secrets of Kočevje area

18/7/2017

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Among Slovenians Kočevje area is mainly known for it's endless forests, brown bears and secrets from cold war..

In 1950 around 200 km2 was declared a restricted area that was inaccessible to the public for 40 years. Part of the area was then opened for the public, which also found out about secret defense facilities that were built there in the fifties.

Since the nineties we have known about bunker at Gotenica, which would be, in the event of the attack, a retreat for the highest military and political leadership. But it has been only recently that we have learned about smaller bunker that would be a centre for communication.

Luckily, even though some of the area around the smaller bunker is still restricted, they have opened the bunker named K-35 at Škrilj for visitors. You can visit it in a group with prior announcement. Your guided visit will start at TIC Kočevska Reka, believe it or not, blindfolded, from where mini bus will take you to the secret location of bunker. As they say, this is still a restricted area, any photography is strictly forbidden and even for promotional reasons they only allow taking pictures on two spots. Whether this is true or it is only promotional trick it's up to you to decide. ;)

The bunker lays about 80 m below the surface, it contains several rooms, about 500-metre long corridors, and original equipment from 1957. Communications officers and cryptologists would have been able to survive up to 100 days without any outside support. And, how crazy is that, there is a fresh water source next to the kitchen.

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Creative Children Workshops in the centre of Ljubljana

6/7/2017

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Every sunny Sunday in this summer there is an extraordinary workshop for children in the center of Ljubljana. And when I say "in the centre" it means it can't be more central...at Prešern Square there is a cafe that hosts this workshop.

Probably the majority will be happy to hear that your child (or two) can join and be creative for free at any time among 11 AM and approx. 12:40 AM. Another important thing is that creativity speaks many languages and knowing Slovene language is not a must.

I visited a happy children bunch on a Sunday when dinosaurs were paying a visit. Colourful, moving and (luckily) kind dinosaurs. And many more where created.

KUD Galerija CCU is promoting and developing creativity with material that are friendly to nature and - of course - to kids. Each Sunday the workshop has different theme.

Mateja-saur and Simon-saur are the founders and creative masterminds that find creativity in anyone.

If visiting Ljubljana with a child, this is a perfect opportunity to let your child relax among his peers and to let your self having a long coffee (or whatever makes you happy) and indulge into always vibrant Prešern Square.

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Tjaša

After writing a blog in Slovenian language for 10 years I have finally come to my sense and started writing one in English as well.

I'll share with you beautiful places worth visiting in Slovenia and around it. I'll also talk about general things tourist should know and of course I'll write about food, drinks and accommodation, essentials for any visitor.

I am writing about my personal recommendations that are not influenced by any sponsors. But please, don't expect new post every day. ;)

Happy landing

Oldest UNESCO heritage in Slovenia

Snežnik castle

Learn how to make one Slovenian dish

From Ljubljana with love

Wine tasting @ Bela Krajina

Liquid Human Fish

Piran is missing red house

Secrets of Kočevje area

Creative Children Workshops in the centre of Ljubljana

Tjaša

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