Slovenia 2011

Slovenia is just the most beautiful country I have ever seen! It has the tidy, neat EU-ness of Switzerland combined with a rustic, earthy Eastern European charm. At every turn, one feels like they are on a set of a movie - The Sound of Music meets Casino Royale... The people are friendly, the food is hearty and the wine potable... Three days has not been nearly enough time to give this amazing country justice and I will definitely be back! :)

Lake Bohinj - there are 23 villages in the Bohinj area and they are dotted amongst the hills and vales of the mountains. The Lake is a meeting point for everyone who is outdoorsy as there is so much to do - hiking, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, canyoning, horse-riding...everyone is out and about doing something!

Hotel Jezero - the Swimtrek base!

Lake Bled - this little town and the lake are absolutely gorgeous and a big tourist attraction!

Dry ski slope above the lake - they toboggan down it in summer and I can only imagine how amazing it must be in winter too!

One of the old hotels along the shoreline of the lake.

I went to see a Picasso exhibition whilst I was here...small, but very good!

A couple of the lake locals...

Bled Castle

The Pilgrimage Church on Bled Island in the middle of the lake.

Bottling a good Merlot in the cellar of the castle with Andre the Monk! :)

There are huge villas dotted along the shoreline of the lake...where the rich and famous have their summer residences.

Heading out to Bled Island - got caught in the rain!

Canyoning in Bohinj