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The A-Z of My Favourite Travel Destinations — Zbilje

It’s in Slovenia and was our base for 5 delightful days

Did we have fun getting from Rogaska Spa to Zbilje?!

I put Zbilje into our GPS and followed its directions. Well, basically off the main roads in Slovenia, it doesn’t have a clue! I wish it had just said it didn’t know as I’m sure we could have done a better job of getting out ourselves the same way we came in, but we thought it knew a shortcut to Zbilje. A shortcut to certain death if we had continued the way it was telling us. Stupid GPS! Now I know why people drive into rivers and over cliffs at night. We were lucky it was daylight and some caring construction worker had put an orange plastic fence at the top of what had once been a road but was now a pretty big drop into a building site.

Thank goodness, our host’s directions were spot on and we reached our airbnb to find our host’s son waiting for us. We were hours later than expected! He welcomed us into what can only be described as a mansion. We had booked the apartment under the main house, but since our host had rented it to an Irish lady who was doing her Ph.D. at Ljubljana University, he had vacated his house and gone to Paris for 5 days, leaving his kids at their grandparents’ in Ljubljana. How lovely of him. He could have just cancelled our booking.

What a surprise!

Our airbnb is a double-storey house with 2 bathrooms and 2 toilets and a data projector TV in a huge lounge/dining, and a kitchen to die for, all to ourselves! All matching Gorenje appliances and enough benchtop space to serve twenty meals! It’s obviously architect-designed with some quirky features and would be a great party house. Pity we don’t have anyone to invite!

There are blue lights in the ceiling, four blue lights in four corners of the lounge room floor (obviously the dance floor!) and a blue light rope built into a pole in the entry area that works on a timer. The bathroom light also works on a timer and the toilet lights and cupboard lights are activated when opened. Cool! There are seven switches turning on all of the light combinations.

After stocking up on groceries at the local Hofer (like Aldi), we hunkered down for the night. Our house is so comfy we don’t want to venture anywhere.

Why did we choose Zbilje?

It’s a village (I love villages) on a lake (I love lakes) midway between Ljubljana and Lake Bled. And the total cost for the airbnb mansion was AUD$200 for 5 nights — yes, I know unbelievable — that was the cost for the underground apartment we had booked — which was still cheap — $20 a night each.

So we did day trips to Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj and Ljubljana — and had a break from soaking in a spa every second day. This was part of our Spa Hopping Trip of Europe. We even considered driving down to Croatia to see Plitvice Lakes. I’d heard so much about them, but it was a long drive and I thought Keeley would appreciate a rest day as she’s driven the whole way from Paris.

Ljubljana

If you’re interested in Ljubljana, you can read about it here.

Lake Bled

After a good night’s sleep, we woke up to an overcast day, but at least it wasn’t raining! I cooked a hearty breakfast of eggs, ham and mushrooms on fried bread (we couldn’t find the toaster!) By the time we cleaned up, showered and dressed, it was after 11, but it’s only half an hour’s easy drive to Bled.

On the drive, I commented that it wasn’t raining or “mosty”! I seem to be losing my power of intelligent speech. I don’t know if this is because I’ve been exposed to so many different languages, or I’m just losing my brain, but wrong words are often coming out of my mouth. It’s keeping Keeley entertained, in any case. Of course, I meant “misty”!

The sun peeped through the clouds just as we arrived and was shining brightly by the time we parked the car and walked along the foreshore to where the boats go across to the little island where the church is. Of course, the operators accepted cash only which we still don’t have, so it was no boat ride for us today.

We both took heaps of photos: Keeley focussed on the ducks, and me on the magnificent trees — I am a little obsessed with European trees; the different sizes and shapes and varieties.

Lake Bohinj

I’d never heard of this lake but our airbnb host recommended it to us. So off we went. It was a very pretty drive. Keeley saw some dirty white stuff on the side of the road and asked if it was it snow. Of course not, I answered confidently. I have just so much experience with snow!

We drove a bit further, and what do you know? It WAS snow, and LOTS of it. We continued driving along Lake Bohinj looking for the waterfall, but couldn’t find it but found some of the prettiest scenery ever. It was like we were in a movie.

Keeley wanted me to drive so she could take a video but had to be content with me videoing. She stopped in the middle of the narrow road, put the car in park and hopped out to take some photos, confident that it was a one-way road. We hadn’t seen a single car on this road up to this point, but suddenly not one, but two cars appeared out of nowhere, so she jumped back in quickly and pulled over to the side of the road in the snow.

We kept heading up and up thinking we’d have to get somewhere soon, but the road wasn’t even marked on maps. We were getting close to the Italian border, and I think the road must have led to a ski resort, but I wouldn’t let Keeley drive to the top to find out. We managed to find a place to turn round and head back down to the lake and drive along the end of the lake still looking for the elusive waterfall. We didn’t find it, but we had seen such beauty we didn’t care. I think the waterfall may have been frozen!

Needless to say, we loved our five days in Slovenia. The number one reason we came to Slovenia was the Rogaska Spa touted by Lonely Planet as one of Europe’s 20 Top Spas. We were mightily disappointed, but Slovenia made up for it with the wonderful time we had here, seeing snow on the ground for the first time and being lost in Slovenia’s natural beauty. Apart from the beautiful countryside and fascinating capital city, living in a mansion for $20 a night made Slovenia one of our all-time favourite countries.

Read about others’ favourites here. Darren Weir finished his favourite places with Zanzibar.

Robert G. Longpré writes about his favourite O — Olon — a tiny fishing village in Ecuador.

Jillian Amatt - Artistic Voyages writes about Greece where she is currently but not for too much longer.