Slovenia – in search of Dragons – Out of Office Explorers

Sandwiched between the Alps and the Adriatic, Slovenia is a charming country that will astonish you with its mountainous outdoors and its subterranean indoors.

We visited in June, when the temperatures are warm but you may still need a rain coat or umbrella to get through the occasional summer storm.

Getting there and around

Centred in the heart of South Eastern Europe, getting here is always going to be easy, direct flights in from most European capitals and an easy drive across many of the neighbouring borders.

We flew into Ljubljana, where you can pick up a hire car and be out into the country’s glorious countryside in a matter of minutes. Roads are in good condition and your fellow road users calm and ordered; although, beware that you don’t scrape a wall whilst driving from the distraction of all this natural beauty (as Matt did!).

Lake Bled

This beguiling lake is one of the star spots of the country, with its iridescent waters,

a picture perfect island in the centre

and a foreboding castle overlooking everything from a craggy clifftop.

Take a rowboat from the shore and spend a couple of hours wandering through the woods of the island and its pilgrimage church.

After a lunch of the local specialties of aleluja (soup) and dandelion salad, make your way down the road to the Vintgar Gorge

A really great surprise, as the local pictures really do not do it justice, but you will find a stunning canyon, with Gorge-ous waterfalls.

The gorge walk is particularly nice, along a pathway that clings precariously to the gorge walls.

Dinner in nearby Radovljica at Lectar restaurant is a nice reward after a day of exploration, with tasty trout, and the famous Bled dessert of Kremna Rezina (cream cake), washed down with one of Matt’s favourite digestives – Slivovitz.

Lake Bohinj

The second of Slovenia´s stunning lakes, set further into the mountains

overlooked by its stoic goat

Continuing further into the mountains and you´ll come to the Savivca falls, the source of the lake.

You will have to navigate what seems like a countless number of steps to get there, but the climb is worth it when you start to get enveloped in the mist of the falls.

The Soča

Running through the western side of Slovenia and into Italy is the Soča river. You can easily spend a wonderful day following this alpine river, stopping off to bounce across its many rope bridges.

And trek along its arresting canyons

For a bit more adventure on the river you can try a bit of rafting. Head to Bovec to pick up a tour of these class 3 rapids.

Even in the middle of summer a dip in these frigid waters will still take your breath away, but the adrenaline will keep you going.

Spelunk-tastic

Heading to the south of the country you will come into a geological range that is perforated like swiss cheese with some of the most spectacular caves in the world.

Postojnska Jama starts us off with a runaway train ride into the underground for 2km

And once inside you’ll be greeted by a majestic cavern that is sometimes used for concerts.

As well as goblins and ghouls you will also find baby dragons in the cave that is guarded over by an impressive castle that is built into the mountain.

Next to Skocjanske Jama, a very different sort of cave, but no less spectacular. With a huge size that will impress you on this two hour tour.

Complete with a waterfall that exits from the back of the mountain.

Ljubjana

The capital of Slovenia is well worth a stop off for a day and even a night. A place said to have been founded by Jason and his Argonauts and that had dragons even before Game of Thrones made them fashionable. With its cobbled streets and quaint buildings