What can be called "home"? And I met a love affair in Slovenia, a beautiful small European country, and then lost my true love, and a part of my heart remained forever, and my heart was attached to this place. Since then, Slovenia has become the second home in my heart.
Slovenia is a country with a name of love and love for people. By Dimitry Anikin
A fairytale wonderland that nourishes the body and mind
Slovenia is a small country located in southern Central Europe, at the junction of four major geographical regions in Europe. It borders the Alps, Italy to the west, the Adriatic Sea to the southwest, Croatia to the east and south, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north.
With an area of only 20,273 square kilometers, almost equal to the size of three Singapores, and a population of only about 2.05 million, the country is a low-key small country, so many people, including former US President Clinton, have confused Slovenia and Slovakia, two European countries with similar names but 700 kilometers apart. Coincidentally, many people remember that Slovenia was also given by the former president of the United States - the hometown of Trump's third wife, the former first lady of the United States, Melanie, is located in Slovenia.
In order to avoid damaging the ecological environment, the local government uses human-powered rocking boats to send people to Huxin Island. Photo by Severinus Dewantara
A land of dreams, a healing wonderland
I don't know much about this strange small country, and the first time I set foot in Slovenia, I also wanted to visit friends. Unexpectedly, after arriving here, the beautiful scenery along the way shocked me. In early March of that year, Slovenia was still covered in snow, but lake Bled was blue in the spring, and the cliffs of the lake towered over ancient castles, and the backdrop was a majestic snow-capped mountain.
No wonder that back in 1855, Arnold Rikli, a Swiss physician who celebrates sunshine, fresh air and hydrotherapy, set up a natural healing center in Lake Bled. Just staying here, feeling that all the pain will be healed, the stress and troubles will disappear, I think this is why the former Yugoslav kings and high nobles will come here to escape the summer heat!
The legend of the Bled bells
There is a small island in the middle of the crystal clear Lake Bled, and you can take a boat to the church on the island. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
Legend has it that a widow transported a bell to the church on the island in honor of her deceased husband, but the bell sank to the bottom of the lake at the Tempest Bell, so the Pope gave the church a new bell in the 16th century. By Neven Krcmarek
Walking along the lake and talking with friends, seeing swans swimming gracefully on the smooth mirror-like lake, and hearing the bells of the church on the island in the lake from time to time, it is comfortable. According to local legend, if the bell rings three times, the bell ringer will meet true love and marry each other, so we take a traditional Pletna flat-bottomed wooden boat to the Assumption of Mary Church on Huxin Island. The boatman slowly rocked the oars, and the boat quietly approached the center of the lake. After ascending the island, walk another 99 stone steps to finally come to this legendary island church. Tourists lined up to ring the bell and waited for a while before it was finally my turn. Pulling the bell rope with all your might with both hands, and the ancient 16th-century bumble slowly ringing, will the wish really come true?
The capital in the name of love
The capital of Slovenia is Ljubljana, which means "I love you" in Slovenian, and is a city named after love. Ljubljana is picturesque, with romantic bridges, exquisite architecture and vibrant cultural creativity that coexist harmoniously with the river. The old town centre is small enough for walking or cycling, and sightseeing boat rides under the bridges are also fun.
Drive "up the mountain and down to the sea"
Slovenia is not big, but it has all kinds of scenery, and the locals half-jokingly said: "Legend has it that when God created the earth, he built mountains, plains, rivers, lakes, seas, and finally built a small garden for himself with all the remaining points, that is, Slovenia." "The best way to see Slovenia's lakes and mountains by car is a few hours' drive to majestic mountains, magnificent river valleys and Mediterranean-inspired plains and waterfronts.
The only way to go is The Vršič Pass, Slovenia's steepest alpine highway, built by 13,000 Soviet prisoners of war in World War I. At the 22nd bend of the road, there is an Orthodox chapel commemorating the souls of those who died when the road was built. After a thrilling 50 hairpin bends, the first thing you'll encounter is Bovec, a small mountain maharaya at the triglav mountain at the national peak.
A town with "the best in the country"
Bovec cheese is made from the milk of the bovec sheep, a local sheep breed. Photo by Rok Petelin
As soon as you arrive here, you can't hide your foodie nature, and you immediately look for a local specialty, Bovez cheese, to try. This cheese, a protected product of European origin, is made from the goat's milk of Bovec's native sheep, and when it is introduced, it has a strong aroma, slightly spicy, stimulating the taste buds, and it is a surprising taste!
Boca Falls is located on the way from Bovec to Kobaride. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
After eating and drinking, head out to explore the "best of the country" around Bovec. The country's richest water resources, the 144-metre-high Boka Waterfall, are nearby, and Lake Krn, located in Triglav National Park, about half an hour's drive away, is the country's largest alpine lake and is perfect for hiking. Finally, I decided to stay in a small and cute farmstead in the nearby Trenta Valley for a few days, enjoying the beautiful local mountains and slow pace of life before moving on to the next stop.
Mountains and rivers on the line between heaven and hell
A few days later, we drove along the mountain road to the Soča Valley. When I first saw it, I was fascinated by its spectacular mountains and wild rivers. The Socha River is one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe, because of its attractive blue color of minerals, the scenery of the places where it flows is breathtaking. Fishing for the unique local flying fish and socha trout, or experiencing thrilling water activities such as wild kayaking, rafting, canyoning and more, is the best way to get close to this paradise.
The Socha Valley is a paradise for outdoor sports. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
"Life always makes us bruised, but later, those wounded places will become our strongest places." While fishing, reading the original novel "A Farewell to Arms" by 20th-century American writer Hemingway and set in the Socha Valley, "A Farewell to Arms", I have mixed feelings. The mountains above the Socha River were the most intense front lines of conflict during World War I, with millions of dead. The relentless memories of those wars in those years are collected by the Kobarid War Museum, which is also more understandable and cherished, and today's peace and beauty are not easy to come by.
The Kobarid Museum is rich in exhibits that show the brutal warfare that took place on the front line of the Socha River during World War I. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
Look for the legendary mermaid
Drive through the Socha Valley and past the Tolmin Gorge, a historic site, where you will be greeted by different landscapes. The Karst region is a limestone plateau with light and dark rivers and strange caves. It is said that the "mermaid" is hidden in a local cave. Curious, I decided to explore the Postojna Caves, the longest and largest underground cave in Europe.
The four main caves of Postojna Cave are the Hall of Splendor, the Hall of Draperies, the Hall of Crystals, and the Concert Hall. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
Take a small train ride into the underground world built more than 140 years ago, weaving through passages, corridors and halls, and the secluded caves are filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Seeing the huge "skyscraper" with a height of 16 meters, or like a white stalagmite carved out of white jade, I can't help but wonder how many years it will take for these many stone mantles and stone pillars to form such a spectacular scene?
The cave trip made me meet the "mermaid" as I wished! In fact, it is an underground amphibian that can survive for up to 100 years, and can survive for more than 8 years without food. Its scientific name is the cave salamander, also known as the blind salamander, and the locals believe that the mermaid is its descendant.
The "mermaid" is slender and very clever. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
Priyama Castle is the largest cave castle in the world and is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
Legendary, there is also predjama Castle near the Cave of Na postojna. The castle, which has stood tenaciously in the rocky cliffs for 800 years, has mysterious underground tunnels and is connected to the caves below the caves. The legend of erazem Jamski, the owner of the 15th-century castle, who robbed the rich and the poor, and is still known for his bravery and wit.
One of the countries with the shortest coastline
Continuing down the road, you'll finally see a whole blue stretch of the Adriatic Sea. Although Slovenia's coastline is only 46 kilometres long, the coastal cities that have been spawned have their own characteristics.
Koper's old town is full of winding streets, beautiful buildings, and fine little restaurants. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
Koper is the largest seaside town in Slovenia and the final stop of the train route to the capital. This historic city is a quiet place to be, rich in cultural heritage and colourful water sports. After taking a walk through the winding streets of the old town and admiring the chic architecture, head to the lagoon of the Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve to see hundreds of species of birds that inhabit it. For an adrenaline rush, head to the Water Park for windsurfing, sailing, kayaking and more!
Piran, on Slovenia's southwestern coast, is the most popular holiday destination in the country's coastal towns. Some people also like to call Piran a Little Venice. Historically, the city was ruled by the Venetian City Republic for almost 500 years, so many of the city's buildings retain the style of the Venetian period. Colourful houses, a maze of narrow alleyways, busy fishing ports, ancient churches, every corner is filled with a lazy leisure.
Piran has the oldest salt making process in the world and is very popular. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
Before leaving Piran, do not forget to take away Piran sea salt as a souvenir. Piran's salt process is 700 years old, and local salt workers are responsible for only one salt pond each, and take good care of it, and then they use traditional handmade salt. The local salt is of high quality and is praised by the world's most prestigious restaurants!
Live up to the four seasons and fine wines
Slovenia has countless beautiful natural scenery, and naturally cultivates people who love outdoor sports. Walking in the forest on weekends and picking mushrooms and wild berries is a common thing for Slovenians, and there are endless things to do in each season.
Slovenia's summer is so green that you can't help but want to get outside and enjoy this stunning natural beauty. Photo by Luka Vovk
In summer, 60% of Slovenia's forested area is full of greenery and flowers, and the beautiful Lake Bohinj is a good place for outings, rock climbing and hiking. Taking the cable car to the Vogel ski slopes for the scenery and tasting fresh trout at the lakeside restaurant are suitable for a family of old and young.
The World Ski Jumping Championships in Plannica are an annual sporting event for locals. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
Winter is a great time to enjoy the snow. Slovenia, who has produced women's skiing world champion Tina Maze, does not have children who cannot ski, so the Kranjska Gora ski resort in the Alps is always particularly lively in winter and has become the best place for family activities. Planica has the highest jumping platform in the world and hosts the Ski Jumping World Cup every year, attracting many enthusiasts to challenge the competition. A friend laughed and said, "What's the greatest pleasure of winter?" It's a beer after the snow! ”
A thousand cups of slovenes who are not drunk
Yes, Slovenians really love to drink, they are also very good at drinking, and they are even more fond of wine, among which the special geology of the karst region produces wines with unique flavors. For a taste of wine, goriška Brda and Vipana Valley in the west offer wine tasting experiences, while Ptuj in the east has the oldest cellar in the country, built in 1239, with 200,000 bottles to choose from.
Château Putui is the oldest wine cellar in Slovenia. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
My slovenian wine culture experience was at a friend's house. Enthusiastically, he brought out a variety of Slovenian wines: beer, wine, pear wine, honey wine and entertained me, and everyone drank happily. The next day, I dared to take a bit of a hangover and swim with my friend Aleš for the day.
Along the way, Aleš carefully told me about the history, geography and culture of the area in somewhat blunt English. From the rule of Slovenia by the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the "Ten-Day War" that seceded from the Republic of Yugoslavia in 1991; the geographical differences from the Kranjskagao Mountains in the northwest to the coastal town of Piran in the south; the impact of Slovenia's post-independence economic transformation on people's lives; the poems of The Slovenian national treasure poet France Prešeren were compiled into the national anthem "Toast Song" to the story of a certain mountain.
Not only Aleš, but also the Slovenians, who value their culture and traditions. Coupled with the fact that they are warm and friendly, they like to socialize, so combining culture and socializing through festivals is a great thing for them! Throughout the year, slovenia has more than 100 festivals, ranging from cultural customs, handicraft inheritance, music carnival, to eating, drinking and having fun.
Exciting festivals continue throughout the year
Karentu, wearing a large mask, is the protagonist of the Kuruntuvanje Carnival. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
I think the most interesting festival falls on the third weekend of February, the Kurentovanje in Ptuj, the oldest city in Slovenia, one of the largest ethnic festivals in Europe. Legend has it that once upon a time, the Karentu people wore masks and drove away the winter and obscurity through beating and making sounds, ushering in a happy and good harvest, a traditional custom that has been passed down to this day. Now, the festival is a fun carnival day, where people wear creative masks and take to the streets to welcome the warm spring together.
On St. George's Day, people dance happily to celebrate the arrival of the new season. Map of the Slovenian Tourist Board
In late June there is Jurjevanje, Slovenia's oldest folk festival. Traditional classical dance steps passed down from generation to generation are danced to celebrate this new season of growth. Artists and street performers can be found everywhere in the streets. They do not stick to the stage and venue, and freely express their feelings with their performances, which are wonderful and lively!
On the last Friday and Saturday of August, you can experience "traveling through time" through the festival. Slovenia's third-largest city, Celje, hosts the world's largest medieval festival, The Land of Celje Welcomes You, every autumn. This two-day festival brings to life medieval markets, banquets, music, dance, equestrianism, juggling and spectacular fireworks displays in the castle.
Fall in love with wine and beauty
As for November 11 in Slovenia, it is not a single singles' day shopping festival, but the most traditional wine festival, St. Martin's Day. Martin's Day）。 Due to the different grape harvests and wine-making times in each region of Slovenia, it has spawned its own unique wine festival, but St. Martin's Day, scheduled for 11 November, is recognized as a traditional wine festival throughout the country. On this day, people can not only taste the new wines in the wine cellar, but also experience the wine making process and experience the ancient wine customs through a variety of programs.
The Slovenian flair was so wonderful that I accidentally fell in love with it, and Aleš became my favorite. However, fate was unpredictable, after we were together, Aleš was diagnosed with cancer, and after only 3 weeks of illness and death, we spent our last time at home. Unforgettable memories add a layer of meaning to the Slovenian scenery in my heart, just like the classic tourism promotional line "I feel Slovenia". Slovenia has since become my second home.
Unsplash, Tan Ruoyu, Pexels, etc. / Figure Tan Ruoyu / Text
This article was published in the April 2021 issue of Parade, all rights reserved, please do not reprint without permission.
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