Holiday haven – Slovenia

2-3 days was all that I had planned to spend in Slovenia, but I ended up staying for a full 5 days traveling and exploring various places across Slovenia, such is the charm of this country located in the Central Europe. I was in London trying to find out the best and the cheapest possible way to get to Slovenia when I came across a bargain from Ryan Air. You won’t believe it that I spent only 4 Euros to reach Trieste in Italy which is around 15 kms from Koper, a beautiful coastal city in Slovenia. So when you are traveling in Europe; do check on the various offers and discounts made available by various airlines before booking your tickets. There are lots of buses and trains available from Trieste to go to other cities in Slovenia. Since I had a friend receiving me at Trieste bus station I didn’t have to look further into commuting details.

Cool fresh breeze emanating from the deep blue ocean, fringed with palm trees, cafes and bars – Koper oozes out its tranquil juices to calm your senses. So laid back is the culture of this city that you fall in love with the place almost immediately. So if you are looking for that perfect vacation where you can put your feet up and do nothing, Koper is the place to be. Having traveled to the other countries in Europe before landing in Slovenia, I also found it relatively cheaper. My favorite cappuccino costed 1.20 Euros almost everywhere in Slovenia, whereas it costs anything between 3.20 to 6 Euros in other parts of Europe! I loved my coffee in Slovenia not because it costed less but also it was the best. I also realized one thing that if you want your coffees hot you need to tell them while ordering or you will end up having a nearly cold coffee. Apparently that’s how the locals like it! It was in Koper where we noticed for the first time that all the cars were running with both the headlights on in full daylights!! Initially, we thought some of these drivers had forgotten to switch them off. Later on in the day we realized that it’s a legal requirement to keep the lights on at all times of the day while driving a car!! (I saw some cars also do this in Greece.) So don’t ever switch off the headlights if you are driving in Slovenia 🙂

While in Koper watch out for places where bands and local artists perform for to most such places anybody can enter. I was lucky to be around a huge open hall (overlooking the Sea) which I was told was once a fish market when a local orchestra landed to perform! After an early dinner (around 6 pm!!) of baked potatoes with pumpkin sauce we set off from Koper for an evening outing. Just a half an hour drive from Koper to its west is located picturesque Piran. The first impression of this place is as if someone has cut out a picture from a fantasy story book of a small medieval town based on the shores of Adriatic Sea far away from the real world!

The main attraction here is the square called the Tartini Square named after the famous composer and violist Giuseppe Tartini who played an important role in building the cultural heritage of the city. A large bronze statue of the artist is commissioned in the middle of the square. At the square I also witnessed a shoot whether for television or movie I could not tell. But the attires of the characters were as if reaffirming the town’s history of being a part of the Roman Empire around the year 952!

A stroll on the breezy walkway separating the Sea and the array of cafes and restaurants is heavenly. I decided to sit in one of the cafes and enjoy (no points for guessing) cappuccino and simply enjoy the view of the vast Sea while my friends opted for a local cola and beer. Unlike rest of the Europe where you are flooded with beer choice, Slovenia offers two options named Lasko (Green) and Union (Red) of which I was told Lasko is the better of the two. This little town of Piran has its own international airport and a marina as well!

I have already told you about my trip to Divaca the site of the less commercial but the extraordinary Skocjanske James / Skocjan Caves in one of my earlier write-ups. If you are in Slovenia, a visit to this magnificent UNESCO Heritage site is a definite must.

After spending two and half days of fun and rejuvenation at Koper, I decided to travel to Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. Don’t ask me why it is pronounced as Lub-lee-ana while it’s spelt so different. After spending a month in France I had somehow got used to the silent letters and way-off pronunciations! I remember speaking in syllables in France for nobody understood my pronunciation! So Lub-lee-ana it is! My travelogue on Ljubljana and the beautiful Lake Bled will follow 🙂