Showing posts with label Slovenia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Slovenia. Show all posts

4/08/2026

Bled, Slovenia | Magical Legends, Fables and Folklore


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From along the breathtaking Dalmatian Coast and traveling through war-torn countries in Central Europe, we have experienced the incredible natural beauty, glittering azure water, majestic beaches, and soaring mountains as we reach storied Lake Bled.

We arrive at magical Lake Bled and its fairy tale world in Slovenia. Lake Bled is ranked among the most beautiful places in Slovenia and the most photogenic lake on the planet.  Bled is Slovenia’s most popular alpine resort, luring honeymooners, backpackers, hikers, mountaineers, and outdoorsmen during all four seasons.





Just one of the many fables in ancient times is there was no water at the now Lake Bled; it was once a valley of lush green grass and only a single rock.  By day, the shepherds grazed their sheep in the valley, and by night, the fairies danced. Until one day, when the fairies asked the shepherds to fence in around their dance area, so the grass would remain soft.  The shepherds ignored their plea, and soon the youngest and most beautiful fairy broke her leg while dancing. 
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4/11/2022

Traveling Untethered | Bordeaux, France


 Travel is not to be taken lightly - it is a privilege.

Our last international trip was more than 750 days ago before the global pandemic shutdown the world.  Join us as we recap the essence of European river cruising from sophisticated cities to quaint villages.

In 2018 we began at the southern tip of Dubrovnik, Croatia, and ended in Venice, Italy. Driving overland 1400-miles, zigzagging through six great nations in central and southeast Europe. All the while navigating the most magnificent stretch of coastline in the world, the Dalmatian Coast. 

 


Miroir d'eau - Bordeaux, France
Water Mirror
Dubrovnik, Croatia

We completed this passage with a smooth transition into Venice, Italy, the Queen of the Adriatic; notably the most beautiful and unique city in the world – a jewel of European Culture.  After nearly a month on the road, we are weary, and ready to embrace our restful and well-appointed European river cruise ship waiting in Bordeaux, France.  Uniworld's River Royale is our home for the next week and is a welcome sight (this ship has since transitioned to S.S. Bon Voyage river ship).

Over the years, we had the pleasure of many bespoke European river cruises. Sailing through Europe’s picturesque riverscapes is simply dazzling. Traveling the waterways offers an enchanting way to see Europe’s charming villages and sophisticated cities, while effortlessly integrating from country to country. Water travel offers guests the unique ability to step off into the soul of these great historic destinations, with ease, grace, and anticipation. 

Having sailed on the blue Danube, the mighty Rhine, and river Rhône, and the ever-romantic Seine while marveling at the mirrored waters of Portugal’s Douro River. Each voyage leaves us with an indelible memory with vivid recollections from Austria to Romania and overland to Istanbul, Turkey. Or where we tasted the terroir of Côtes du Rhône, while tracing the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh.  All the while, we reminisce about gliding untethered on the Garonne, Dordogne, and Gironde rivers while enjoying world-renowned wines from the Bordeaux and the Médoc region. 

Most river cruises are inclusive, it becomes your floating 5-star boutique hotel, complete with regional tours, gourmet meals, and prestigious wines. Sailings and itineraries run the gamut from romantic and stunning, to awe-inspiring.  What we enjoy most is the variety of itineraries available for river cruisers i.e., active, educational, and leisurely.

One of our most memorable and educational experiences was in Aljmas, Croatia, located along the right bank of the Danube, and looking across the river to Serbia. Where we were transported into the countryside, accompanied by our translator, Paul. Our destination was a pre-arranged, private, in-home lunch at a classified Sobe (so-bays), owned by a multi-generational family offering farm-to-table meals for a nominal fee. Giving tourists a chance to see a more rural side of Croatia and hear their history from locals.

 

    In 2006 the Assumption of Mary Church was rebuilt in an unusual shape and facade -           Aljmas, Croatia. The original Madonna and Child statute was found in the rubble after the Homeland wars.

This family was left with meager means due to the Homeland War, but exuded ambition, determination, and pride in growing and harvesting their food from a small parcel. Our delightful lunch was homegrown and handmade, fresh from the garden. All accented by lively Croatian vs English conversation and remembrances of their strife and struggles during the Croatian War of Independence. There are many educational and enduring stories to be discovered while cruising on Europe’s diverse waterways and beyond.  

 Travel is not to be taken lightly - it is a privilege.

     

 J. Christina is the author and owner of Scribbles and Smiles. Through our blog, we share stories of the wonderful discoveries we have made on our European travels. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie. Where Mr. Christie is right on board with their travel jaunts around the world sharing in their blogging endeavor - hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina.

 

 



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10/13/2021

Trieste, Italy | A City by the Sea


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We are enjoying our slow travel through Central Europe, where we are weaving back-and-forth, crisscrossing the final borders in Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy; and we hope you are too.  On this trek, we have discovered a melting pot of cultures, dialects, and Art Nouveau elegance, and all in one stop, as we arrive at the heart-

Here we discover yet another sad historic legend, one that reveals the story of the castle owners, Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, the Commander-in-Chief of the Austrian Imperial Navy based in Trieste, then a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife Charlotte of Belgium. They built Miramare Castle as a family sanctuary, all decorated with treasures from his seafaring life to the exotic Far East, and the Mexican Empire, where he was Emperor.  But their love story ends tragically with Maximilian’s execution in 1864, driving Charlotte to complete madness.  The ancient fable discloses how Empress Charlotte is said to be wandering the property calling for Maximilian to this day. Every country and city we have visited in Central Europe revealed many curious legends, fables, and magical folklore just waiting to be exposed.

Sadly, we didn’t get to spend enough time in Trieste, but we could see it’s a fabulous vacation destination. It’s small but not overrun with tourists, mostly European holidaymakers on summer vacation.  It’s a great escape from the crowds of tourists of Venice and easily accessible by rail, road, and summertime ferries. Its offerings are plentiful, beautiful beaches and resorts, fresh seafood, white truffles, wild asparagus, olive oils, and delectable wines all produced by the perfect Mediterranean climate.

Central Europe has been an ideal travel and educational experience filled with beautiful sights, breathtaking moments, and postcard-perfect destinations.  

Continue your armchair travels with us we arrive in Venice, Italy, and laugh at how our luggage went mysteriously missing for five hours.

*2018 travels

Visiting Trieste

Visiting Istria

How to order coffee only In Trieste

Transportation Trieste to Venice

J. Christina is the author and owner of Scribbles and Smiles. Through our blog, we share stories of the wonderful discoveries we have made on our European travels. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie. Where Mr. Christie is right on board with their travel jaunts around the world sharing in their blogging endeavor - hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina.

After many years of intrepid travel, we thoughtfully opened our treasure-trove of European travelogues, artfully sharing with a worldwide audience. Intentionally sharing the joie de vivre through our words and images, so others can travel vicariously. 

You can sign-up to receive email updates via her blog, and you can also find Scribbles and Smiles on social media. 
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9/08/2021

Slovenia | Fairy-Tale Places


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Where is this pint-sized, fairy-tale country of Slovenia with love in its name? Slovenia is situated in Central and Southeast Europe where one could touch the Julian Alps or tickle the Mediterranean Sea. Slovenia is bound by Austria, Croatia, Hungary, and Italy, being nearly landlocked; with only 50 km of Adriatic Sea between Italy and Croatia. Here we visit the capital city of Ljubljana, (loo·blee·aa·nuh) a hidden European gem.

This journey began along the shimmering Dalmatian coastline, crisscrossing the Homeland War countries of Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Adriatic Sea provides glorious views at every turn, playing hide-n’-seek with the sea on one side, and the soaring Balkan Mountains in the distance.

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7/30/2020

Bosnia's Only Seaside Resort: Neum


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Our journey began in the southern tip of Dubrovnik, Croatia, where we head northbound, purposely making stops in other war-torn countries, Bosnia, Montenegro, and Slovenia. Through our travels, we delightfully discovered unexpected seaside resorts, learned their country’s troubled history, and explored this ethnically diverse region. All while navigating the most spectacular stretch of coastline in the world, the Dalmatian Coast.

Soon the border crossing into Bosnia-Herzegovina is within sight, 70km from Dubrovnik, and just west of the country of Albania. Luckily entering Bosnia was uneventful, after a 45-minute wait, passports are presented, but no face-to-face interview required; this is not the norm in the summer months, so prepare for a very long wait. We show our appreciation for a speedy pass-through leaving bottled water for the border agents.  (*As of July 2020, new border crossing regulations are in place due to coronavirus pandemic).

Just inside the BiH border, we take a comfort stop at Neum, often referred to the Neum Riviera.  The Neum corridor is the shortest coastline in the world, aside from the principality of Monaco. It boasts a scant 20km of shimmering Adriatic Sea coastline wedged in-between the Croatian coast. This tiny corridor is a result of the break-up of Yugoslavia, and the only exit to the sea in Bosnia.

    
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4/30/2020

Undiscovered Gem: Croatia


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What an amazing month-long journey discovering Europe’s unpolished gem, Croatia. Traveling the crossroads of central and southeast Europe, along the Adriatic Sea, exploring and hearing amazing stories of this once war-torn country.  Zigzagging through six great nations plus a very unexpected micro-stop along a tiny sliver of Bosnia and Herzegovina was an unforgettable experience.  As this adventure unfolded, many of you traveled vicariously, enjoying this grand journey right alongside us, sending messages and comments as you perused our postcard images on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.  Thank you for joining this grand journey! 

 This journey began slowing in Amsterdam while revisiting world renowned art museums, touring hidden, off-the-beaten-path museums and gardens, cruising the historic canals and catching trains out of the city.   Then it was time to hopscotch down to Croatia’s Adriatic Coast.  It began in the deep southern tip of Dubrovnik, then migrated northward, logging over 1400 miles, while navigating the most spectacular stretch of coastline in the world, the Dalmatian Coast.  Playing hide-n-seek with the sea on one side and catching a glimpse of the coastal Balkan Mountains soaring in the distance.   

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3/30/2020

Discovering Croatia's Dalmatian Coast

Welcome!  Join our journey to postcard -perfect destinations. 

All blog posts are based on our personal travels around Europe, penned by J. Christina. 

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And we're off! Join our 2018 bespoke journey across six nations, kicking off in handsome Amsterdam, affectionally referred to as the Venice of the North, where we will step into the world of Vincent van Gogh's art and cruise on 400-year-old historical canals, once again.


Amsterdam 2017

Travel along with J.Christina by plane, tram, on foot, by private transport, and European river cruise ship, all-the-while discovering postcard perfect destinations that will linger in your memory forever.

As our adventures unfold, wing on with us, as we hopscotch down to Croatia's Dalmatian Coast, including stops in Montenegro and Slovenia where we will explore the length of this majestic Adriatic Sea coastline. 

 

Old Town Dubrovnik

Following the mid-segment of this sojourn as we overland along the Pearl of the Adriatic, traveling south to north, where we will cross the finish line into Venice, Italy.  It's a quick stop to regroup, reminisce about Croatia's sights and sounds, while admiring the glories of Venetian architecture while strolling along the Grand Canal.  Sadly, we will say arrivederci to Venice all too soon - pushing-on, making our segue on to Bordeaux, France. 

 Join the finale! Come on along and explore with J.Christina in  Bordeaux, France, a city with a 2000-year-old history, often referred to as the "Port of the Moon."  We will celebrate our birthdays and toast our 25th wedding anniversary, while plying the waters of the Dordogne and Garonne rivers, onboard a European river ship.

Arm-in-arm let's complete this final bookend of our month-long journey immersing ourselves in southwest France - one ancient wine village at-a-time. Here we will stroll through picturesque hamlets, admire beautiful medieval villages, taste the terroir, and lunch in historic châteaux. Come on along, travel vicariously  from the luxury of your armchair to places some only glimpse on a postcard.   

Together we will create, capture and record countless shareable moments to last a lifetime. 

J.Christina is the author and owner of Scribbles and Smiles. Through our blog, we share stories of the wonderful discoveries we have made on our European travels. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie. Where Mr. Christie is right on board with their travel jaunts around the world sharing in their blogging endeavor - hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina.

 You can read their most recent dispatches from aboard an elegant European river ship, sharing the allure of Europe’s great rivers and their capital cities. Or, follow them through serendipitous discoveries in the Cote d’Azur, where J. Christina captures the essence of a  perched medieval village. J. Christina’s work has been featured on France Today, Bonjour Paris, The Good Life France, and Perfectly Provence.

 

 

 





 



































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