Slovenia is a wonderful choice for a few days away as a couple. We visited in April 2024, splitting our time between Ljubljana and Lake Bled.

Ljubljana is a city that feels made for taking your time. The Ljubljanica river winds through the centre, with cafés, bars and restaurants spilling out onto the waterfront. We spent hours simply wandering, stopping for a drink and enjoying the atmosphere. There's something particularly lovely about finding a riverside bar, ordering a cocktail and watching the world go by. It's a small thing, perhaps, but those are often the moments that make a holiday.

The architecture is another highlight. Much of the city's character was shaped by Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik, whose influence can be seen in the beautiful bridges, riverside colonnades and Central Market. The market is well worth a wander, with its produce stalls and lively atmosphere. Ljubljana Castle is also a must. We took the funicular up to explore the castle and enjoy the views across the rooftops. It's a lovely way to see the city from a different perspective.

While at the castle, we enjoyed a wine tasting featuring some local Slovenian wines, including orange wine. Despite the name, these wines aren't made from oranges. They're made from white grapes, but fermented with their skins for longer than usual, much like the process used for red wine. This gives them their distinctive amber or orange colour and makes for a really interesting style of wine to discover. Slovenia has a fascinating wine culture, and trying something local in such a beautiful setting was a memorable experience.

Food was a real highlight of the trip. For a special evening, Restavracija Strelec is something quite extraordinary. Set inside the castle's historic Archer's Tower, the experience is as theatrical as the setting suggests. The dining room, the atmosphere and the presentation all make it feel like an occasion, while the cooking is creative and beautifully executed. We particularly remember a smoked eel dish, which was a standout. It's a wonderful choice if you're looking to make one evening feel really special.

But perhaps the meal I remember most was at Namaste, an Indian restaurant beside the river. We ordered Chicken Kolhapuri and Kadhai Lamb, with paratha and naan, and the depth of flavour was exceptional. The spices were beautifully balanced, with a lovely warmth to the dishes. It brought back memories of the wonderful food we'd eaten in India years earlier. We enjoyed it so much that we returned the following day for lunch, sharing Kadhai Gobi and salad. 

From Ljubljana, Lake Bled is an easy and scenic train journey away, making it a lovely second stop without the need to hire a car. The lake is every bit as beautiful as the photographs suggest, with its little island church, clifftop castle and mountains providing a spectacular backdrop.

One of the nicest things to do is simply walk around the lake. The path takes you through changing views of the island and surrounding mountains, with plenty of places to stop along the way. Pack a picnic, find a spot by the water, or pause at one of the bars and cafés for a drink or an ice cream. If you'd rather see the lake from the water, traditional wooden pletna boats ferry visitors across to the island, where you can explore the church and ring its famous wishing bell. And don't leave without trying a slice of Bled cream cake.

We also enjoyed a meal at Restaurant 1906, at Hotel Triglav, which has a lovely position overlooking the lake. It's a great setting for enjoying Slovenian food while taking in the views, and a nice option to consider when exploring the area.

For somewhere to stay, Vila Bled is a particularly romantic choice. Once the summer residence of the former Yugoslav president, it's a historic villa set in beautiful grounds beside the lake. It has a lovely sense of character, rather than feeling like a conventional modern hotel. There's a private lakeside bathing area, rowing boats, and a relaxation area with saunas and a whirlpool. It's the sort of place where you can slow down, enjoy the views and make the most of being by the water.

In Ljubljana, Zlata Ladjica Boutique Hotel is a wonderful option for a more intimate city stay. Set in a beautifully restored historic building beside the river, it has just 15 individually designed rooms, each inspired by a different story from the city's past. There are larger suites for those who like a little more space, as well as smaller but equally characterful rooms, some with lovely river or castle views. The hotel also has a private spa with sauna facilities and a relaxation area, making it a lovely retreat after a day exploring the city.

A place that stayed with me

Lake Bled. It's difficult to explain just how beautiful the setting is until you're there. The little island church, the castle perched above the water and the mountains in the distance make it feel almost like a storybook. It's a place that stays with you long after you've left, and somewhere I'd love to return to.

A moment I'll never forget

A simple evening in Ljubljana, sitting at a riverside bar with my wife, enjoying a couple of cocktails and watching the world go by. There's no grand attraction or elaborate experience to describe, just one of those lovely holiday moments when everything feels just right. It's a memory that sums up what I loved about the city.

One thing I brought home

The knowledge that sometimes the meal you remember most isn't the one with the Michelin recognition or the elaborate tasting menu. As brilliant as the experiences at Strelec and Restaurant 1906 were, it was the delicious Indian feast at Namaste that stayed with me most. Great food is about more than the setting or the occasion; sometimes it's simply about a plate of something wonderfully cooked that you can't stop thinking about.