Old world charm, with a slow paced progress, Slovenia is safely nestled between the biggies of Europe, enjoying a strategic location in the European continent (once a part of former Yugoslavia).

Couldn’t wait to see this little “wonder package” steeped in history, keeping its ethnographic features intact!

Lake Bled is the epitome of natural beauty with its glacial emerald green waters that beckon you to gape endlessly, mesmerizing you. Surrounded by the snow dusted Julian Alps, a tiny island in the center and a 1000 years old castle perched on a nearby cliff completes the setting of a postcard.

What more could one want whilst eating the famous scrumptious, “Kremsnita” (Bled Cream Cake) beside the lake at one of the cute lakeside cafes?

Well, bled isn’t complete without a hike in the Triglav national park — “Slovenians pride”. As the tradition goes, you wouldn’t be called a true Slovenian if you haven’t climbed the Mt. Triglav! (I wouldn’t dare, never mind being called a Slovenian at that!)

Waving a goodbye to bled and welcoming myself to the eclectic town of Ljubljana, designed by the local architect Jose plecnik, I take a walking tour in Stare Mesto (old town).

Being a car free zone, I pass through a treasure trove of varied architecture

(Ljubljana castle, dragon bridge, triple bridge etc.) ending the glorious history lesson with their vintage white of the region, Goriska Brda.

In around Ljubljana there is plenty to see, one being the Karst region famed for its 2 million cave system, the Postonja caves, which leave you spellbound!

A fairy tale land created by various natural art forms of limestone stalactites and stalagmites taking you through a maze of passageways, crevices and caverns.

So now my want of seaside zeal hook me to Slovenia’s Adriatic coastline, where a tiny medieval village of Piran lies, with its charming seaside cafes and sun kissed rocky beaches.

With the unending deep blue of the Adriatic bringing in a breeze of fresh air.

Sadly though, enriched with a heavy heart I bid adieu to this pretty bundle of joy.