August 2024
Discover Vrhnika: An Enchanting Journey Through Slovenia
We were immensely surprised and happy to receive the confirmation that we had been selected by Radio SI to spend the weekend in Vrhnika. Having lived in Slovenia for just over a year, we only knew the most famous tourist spots. Therefore, discovering this hidden gem was a true gift for us.
Our trip began with a quick journey of less than thirty minutes from Ljubljana to the charming town of Vrhnika. Accessible and convenient, we went straight to the Mercator parking lot, located in the city center. Accompanied by our 3-year-old daughter, we walked just two blocks to the house of the renowned Slovenian writer Ivan Cankar, whom, I confess, we had never heard of before.
Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed by Tjaša, the kind employee of the TIC, the tourist center of Vrhnika, who guided us to the charming café Slaščičarna Berzo, located where an ancient Roman road used to pass, a path tread by warriors and heroes. There, we enjoyed a delicious iced coffee, a perfect refreshment for the sunny day.
Next, we immersed ourselves in the rich history of Ivan Cankar under the guidance of the enthusiastic guide Damjan Debevec. His resemblance to Cankar, accentuated by his mustache, added a special authenticity to the experience. The writer’s house, preserved with details from the era, offers a fascinating journey back in time. Cankar’s stories were revealing and moving, especially the touching narrative about the “coffee cup,” a detail we prefer not to disclose so as not to spoil the surprise for future visitors who are not yet familiar with the story.
Afterwards, we walked to a nearby park, which was an old military training base, crowned by the picturesque Church of the Holy Trinity, surrounded by small chapels adorned with beautiful images of the Stations of the Cross. Along the way, we encountered horses and the charming little chapel of the two Saints Anthony, one of Padua and the other of Egypt.
After the walk, we returned to Café Berzo to enjoy some ice cream, taking advantage of the beautiful sunny day. Damjan accompanied us to the tourist information center, where we picked up our electric bikes for the next leg of the trip. Guided by him, we explored narrow and wide streets, discovering the springs of the Ljubljanica River, an impressive climbing wall, and stunning landscapes.
Our stop to recharge was at the cozy Pri Kranjcu, where we planned to return to try the food. We continued on to the charming Star Maln, which has a small pool next to a cabin, perfect for a refreshing treat. The place, which also offers meals by reservation, features a playground for children, picnic tables, and a green lawn. The owner was extremely welcoming, making us feel at home. Although we were very excited about the experience of the “Fairytale Path Temple of the Dragon Lintvern,” we decided not to go, as our daughter was already tired and we would have to take a short 3 km walk to reach the location.
After this well-deserved rest at Star Maln, we returned to the town and returned the bikes at the TIC. We took the opportunity to gather more information and purchase a special coffee — a must-try tip for coffee lovers, as Vrhnika has built a strong relationship with coffee, offering various options for specialty cafés. In fact, there will be an annual coffee fair in September, which we plan to attend.
We had lunch at Gostilna in pizzerija Boter. With reasonable prices, our daughter loved the spaghetti, and the chicken gnocchi with gorgonzola was simply delicious.
Next, we headed to Hotel Bistra for a shower and a brief rest before visiting the technical museum across from the hotel. The hotel is very cozy, small but with spacious and comfortable rooms.
The visit to the museum was surprising, with a vast collection of items that deeply impressed us. It is the second largest museum in Slovenia, and its collection ranges from natural history, with stuffed animals, to woodworking technology, as well as incredible machinery like turbines and hydraulic systems, along with a beautiful collection of vintage cars and motorcycles.
After an hour and a half exploring the museum, we returned to the hotel for dinner. The Cankar burger was an excellent choice, ending our day in a delicious way.
On Saturday, after a lovely local breakfast, we headed to Chef Bruno’s garden. This is definitely an incredible activity for children, as they have a map of the garden for the kids to find the right signs, allowing them to learn more about the herbs, their uses, and even taste them. We enjoyed delicious teas and infusions made with these herbs; it was truly enriching for us adults and a lot of fun for our daughter.
After this enriching experience, we refreshed ourselves with a cold drink offered by the hotel and headed to the wooden tower on top of Planina nad Vrhniko.
The initial idea was to hike the trail to Planina nad Vrhniko, which would take about an hour of walking, something very common among hiking enthusiasts. However, I must admit that after a morning under the strong sun, the idea of driving up was more appealing to us. Upon arriving there, we were greeted with a wonderful view of the town and the region. We climbed the wooden tower, and it was even more incredible.
We enjoyed the shade while having a Radler, embracing nature; there’s even a playground for the kids. We took the opportunity to have lunch at the restaurant at the top, which offered a local dish of the day that was quite delicious.
And so, after meeting Lidija from Radio SI for a chat, we concluded our experience in the small town of Vrhnika.
Our weekend was extraordinary, leaving us with the feeling that there is so much more to explore in beautiful Slovenia. We left with a desire to return, discover new places, and revisit those we already know. It was an unforgettable few days that we definitely want to repeat.
Yulia and Siego
Photos by: Yulia & Diego
