School is officially back in season, which means colleagues are back at their desks, and we were finally ready to kick off our late summer vacation! This time, we were pointing our van towards Eastern Europe to explore the beautiful landscapes of Slovenia and Croatia.
The Green Heart of Slovenia.
It was our very first time in Slovenia, a country often described as Europe’s green heart – and it certainly lives up to the name. We’ve just arrived at our campsite, and it is absolutely beautiful.
We managed to park right on the edge of the lake, surrounded by lush trees, ducks, birds, and squirrels. The atmosphere was very peaceful; we could easily sit here and watch the water for hours. To make things even better, the local people were exceptionally warm and welcoming.
A traditional Slovenian meat platter – perfect for the two of us to share.
Good Morning ☀️
Island Hopping & Istrian Sunsets.
Slovenia shares borders with Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Croatia – and that brings us to the next leg of our journey.
A bit embarrasing, but I had been wondering what the “HR” country code stands for…
…it took traveling all the way here to find out: Republika Hrvatska = Croatia. Later, our Croatian friend told me that the former country code „CR“ couldn’t be used as it stands for Costa Rica. Aha! That one I remember.
Croatia is another first-time visit for us. And just like that, we’ve crossed the border. We are ready for a bit of island hopping, starting with the lush, green peninsula of Istria.
We made our way to Cape Savudrija, an area famous for its rugged rocky beaches and hidden swimming coves. We are staying in a charming former fishing village on the westernmost tip of Croatia, complete with boats, the absolute best seafood platters, and magical sunsets.
Croatia, I’m already completely in love.
Here’s the Beauty.
A truly unique way to dock a boat. Local fishermen hang their boats from special wooden cranes along the pier to protect them from rough storms and high tides.
Sitting down to a meal of locally caught fish, rich olive oil, and a cold Croatian beer. Soooo delicious!
A picture-perfect view, especially as the sun begins to dip.
Preparing our private little outdoor cinema.
(hubbys choice 😉)
The air here smells sweetly of pine, and the sea is incredibly clear.
Eventually, it was time to trade the sea for the mountains and forests. We accepted an invitation from a good old friend we hadn’t seen in years.
There are two main types of truffles: white and black. The white variety is incredibly rare; globally, it grows only in Tuscany, Piedmont, and right here in Istria.
Google Maps and Siri were not much help when it came to finding our friend’s house, which was beautifully hidden deep in the woods.
Against all odds, we finally made it!
A delicious Croatian BBQ in the best company. Thank you! It was so wonderful to see you all again 🥰
After a heavenly night in the woods, we moved on south.
Driving over the bridge to the Island of Krk.
We traveled from Krk to Rab, known as the “Happy Island of Croatia,” in search of sandy beaches and warm sunrays.
And we found it 💛
Sleeping in. Starting the day with a cappuccino. reading a book. A bit of painting. Lazy hours at the beach. Going for a swim. Sunbathing… just loved living on Croatian Island time.
Enjoying a lunch at the beach.
Taking the ferry back to Croatia mainland.
On our way back home, we made another stop in a land of endless sunshine and mild climates. Tucked away in the western part of Slovenia near the Italian border, the valley sits in a beautiful region where the Alpine and Mediterranean worlds collide.
Sleeping right next to the vineyard 🍇
A true gastronomic adventure paired with wonderful local wine to accompany the meal. What a spectacular surprise to end our the trip!
Two weeks passed so fast. Too fast. That was the best idea to chase late summer in Slovenia & Croatia 🥰 🌟 🏖️
The van is packed with Croatian truffels & Slovenian wine 🥰
