Slovenia – Could this be the perfect DINKY destination?

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Slovenia – Could this be the perfect DINKY destination?

Submitted by Peter Rosenfeld on 04/07/2016 – 15:51

By Geoff Moore

What is a DINKY couple’s destination? Is it short haul, long haul, city break, short break or months on the road together? I am not really sure I can define what that should be? But what it should do is cater equally for the likes and dislikes of two people who sometimes agree and sometimes disagree about a whole range of issues and desires they require from a holiday together.

The destination I am thinking about has many if not all of those answers. Tucked away between Italy, Austria and Croatia could be the solution…Slovenia!

A small country where a great deal of fairly recent history has put it in the front line of conflicts. The First World War, the Second World War, the Communist Iron Curtain and the Balkan conflict have all happened either in or around it in the last 100 years. However with that history the country has come through all that turmoil to become a green and pleasant land in both senses of the meaning. Environmentally friendly, very and lush green with alpine mountains, valleys and forests with even one of their key rivers flowing a gorgeous greeny-blue too! This spectacular countryside offers both, excitement or relaxation.

Here is the chance to climb the highest of its mountains or the chance to plunge deep underground to view forests of stalagmites rather than forests of pines. Classy lakeside hotels or more basic campsites under wood rather than canvas are all on offer add in a wood fired hot tub and surely enough to please any couple? The food is the same, discerning high-end fair or more basic Slovenian dishes the choice is yours?

The most likely arrival point is Ljubljana if you are flying in to its tiny but efficient airport you will be quickly through and heading off to either the city itself and if you do, The Grand Union Hotel is a pretty good choice located almost at the centre of the city with the main square just 3 minutes away. If you fancy the more rural areas then the Triglav National Park in the north west of the country is a very good choice. Here you will find that excitement or relaxing elements that you may both crave.

Whitewater rafting on the Soca river or maybe just gentle strolls around the lake at the most visited of towns in the country, that of Bled. An hours stroll will easily take you around the lake with its very photogenic island and its Church of the Assumption of Maria at its centre it is so iconic and is often the main image used when features are written about Slovenia.

If gentle does not do it for you, then get in touch with the team at SportMix in the town of Bovec who will be more than happy to get you on their local river to give you that buzz of excitement you desire. The river Soca in this area flows fast and rafting is one great way to see the area and get that adrenaline rush at the same time. Viewing one of the major waterfalls the Boka Waterfall as you are swept down the river. This waterfall appears out of the middle of a sheer limestone cliff face and drops spectacularly over 70 metres to the canyon below and eventually joining the river you are rafting along.

In summertime the ski lifts provide chances to get sweeping views of the Julian Alps in this area. Vogel is a prime example of that. With views over the mountains and lakes from the top of the lift or if you want to look more in close-up then the wild flower meadows are in full bloom and rare as well as more common alpine plants show off their flowers to full effect. From the top of a mountain to deep inside one, now there is a choice! Postojna Caves are one of the biggest easily visited cave systems in the world, their complex’s of caverns are accessed by riding for 2 kilometres on a narrow gauge underground train. The ride into the cave system gives you an indication of what you are about to see. However once away from the railway tunnels cut into the caves some 150 years ago the size and the array of stalactites and stalagmites that can be seen is staggering. The extent of the system is second to none and the forms that have been created by just dripping water over many hundreds of thousands of years are wonderful. Some are very colourful, some are more mono-chrome, some are giant blob like stacks where others are delicate and filigree like in their construction all achieved by pure natural functions.

Has Slovenia got what it takes to make it a destination for Dinkies? Well I think it goes pretty well all the way to satisfying most people desires when it comes to a holidaying together. This is just touching the surface here in this small but perfectly formed country that once experienced you will be back again and again I feel!