Slovenia with kids part 1 – the why

Last month’s trip to Slovenia is still fresh in our memories.  Vivid sights, sounds and feelings of serenity take me back to what I can officially call one of my favourite family trips ever.

Indeed, Slovenia is a gold mine for families looking to relax with their children, and wanting to have some good fun.  There is something there for everyone.  Keeping our kids entertained is never a piece of cake.  With 9 years between them, keeping the two of them happily busy is always a feat to say the least.  The reality is, we do hear a fair share of grumbles coming from either side when we are trying to balance activities for the two of them.  This was the first time they were both equally happy at all times!

Our 7 nights passed like a dream.  Although our pace was quite relaxed, we managed to see and do a fair bit.  We changed apartments mid-way (after 3 nights to be exact), and this helped us take in a little bit of city life, as well as some gorgeous nature.  Due to the fact that Slovenia is quite small, travel distances are very reasonable.  Our longest trip (bar the airport trips) was an hour and a half when we visited the coastal town of Piran.  Besides that, we must have driven for 45 minutes max.

We flew with Air Malta to Marco Polo Airport in Venice, and then drove all the way to Ljubljana. For the first time ever, we tried booking a late flight which left Malta at 10:30pm.  The intention was to drive straight to Ljubljana, which is a 2.5 hour drive away, with Nina sleeping in the back.  I must admit, we were immensely tired by the time we got to the apartment at about 3:30am, but Nina slept all throughout and we took her to bed fast asleep.  She slept till morning, by which time we were unpacked and ready to have an easy day exploring the city.

Why we loved Slovenia with kids

1. The fresh air
   How I long to breathe in the dewy, fresh morning Slovenian air once again!  Not to mention the exhilarating mountain air!  Slovenia was named the European Green Capital in 2016.  Methane-powered public buses and ample city biking lanes contribute to the fresh air.
   
   
   
2. The scenery
   Everywhere you look is bright green and thriving.  Slovenia is very hilly and mountainous, around 90% of it is sprawling with majestic peaks.  60% of the country is made up of lush, green forests.
   
   
   
3. Prices
   I found Slovenia to be pretty cheap.  The food, fuel, activities, car rental, accommodation and other expenses are very modest compared to other countries.
   
4. The locals
   People were SO friendly!  Our hosts were fantastic, and made us feel right at home.  Almost everyone we spoke to could speak English.  On the very few occasions that we met someone that did not (we met these people off the beaten path, mind you!), we still managed to communicate using sign language and very simple phrases.
   
5. The roads
   We love driving around and discovering little towns and villages.  The roads were in a perfect state all throughout, even in the less frequented areas.  Driving was very easy.  No mad drivers on the road there either!  We were also very pleased to discover there were no toll roads!  Hurrah!  We usually run up quite a bill in toll roads in Italy, so it was refreshing not to have to pay anything at all!  We paid 15 Euros for a vignette upon entering the country, and this enabled us to use Slovenian motorways.
   
   
   
6. It’s peaceful
   Very few people live in Slovenia.  The population is a mere 2 million in almost 8,000 miles of land!  Although we were there during peak season we were never anywhere that was overcrowded.  We visited the zoo and were only one out of eight families queuing up at opening time!  You can drive for quite a stretch and have no cars around you.  The limited number of people contribute to a feeling of serenity.  It was a pleasure to watch a very content Nina running around without having to ask her to stop because she could get lost in the crowds!
   
   
   
7. The squares
   I love a pretty, sprawling square where I can sit for a beer or an ice cream to people watch.  The kids were also happy because since there were no crowds, they could walk around and play without us having to worry.  My favourite squares were in Ljubljana and Piran.
   
8. It’s very safe
   We were told it was fine to leave the car unlocked, and on one occasion our host left our apartment keys outside on the terrace with a note!  It did feel very safe, and I never felt that someplace was somewhat dodgy.
   
9. The food
   Oh.  My.  Goodness.  We love our food.  One of the main reasons we love Italy is because of their cuisine.  Slovenian food was delectable to say the least.  The prices were supremely affordable too!  We spent one week eating mainly fish and meat for lunch and dinner.  Most of the restaurants we visited were in small villages and off the beaten track.  When in Slovenia, watch out for restaurants with the word ‘Gostilna’ as part of the restaurant name.  Gostilna is a Slovenian trademark earned by a restaurant by abiding to strict rules and criteria in order to withhold a high quality gastronomic experience for the guests.  Traditional and high quality food, ambience, excellent service, and an overall Slovenian identity are factors which contribute to acquiring and holding on to the Gostilna trademark.  more often than not, Gostilna restaurants are family run and have a distinct air of authenticity.
   
10. The playgrounds!
    There were playgrounds everywhere!  From supermarkets, to cafes, to restaurants, the little ones have plenty of space to play while you shop or dine.  9 out of 10 of restaurants and cafes located outside of the villages had their own play area or playground.  Slovenia with kids is fantastic for this reason alone!
    
    
    
    Next week’s blog post will cover what I would have done differently if (no, when! :-)) I return to Slovenia.
    In hindsight, we all look back and find ways and means to make our holidays better.  I wanted to share these with you so that you do decide to go, I’ve got you covered!
    Subscribe to the blog to make sure you do not miss out!Nakita xxx