I landed here on Sunday afternoon – and was immediately driven to an udderly fun local tradition, the “Cow’s Ball,” where they celebrate bringing the cows to the alpine valley of Bohinj after summering in the lower pastures.

Apparently Tina, the DMC with whom I collaborated on my site inspection itinerary, took me literally when I suggested that I was interested in local experiences like milking cows. In this case, there was no milking to be done – whew! (Don’t know who was more pleased: me or the cow.)

Overnighted at Lake Bled, one of the prettiest lakes you’ll ever find – anywhere. Here is the view from my balcony on Monday morning!

Next night, after a harrowing and stunningly beautiful journey up and over the Alps (5,300 ft elevation), I stayed at Hisa Franko, a retreat off the beaten track, but becoming well known because of its heralded chef/proprietor, Ana Ros. Unfortunately, the kitchen was closed on Monday, so I settled for a lovely dinner of grilled fresh trout at a modest little restaurant in town before heading to the pub next door to watch the Slovenian national basketball team get beaten by the Finnish team in the European Basketball Championships.

 

Fell asleep to the sound of a driving rain on the skylight of my attic room.

 

Without exception, everyone I’ve met here in Slovenia is warm, friendly and gracious. An award-winning winemaker, Boris Lisjak, is one of Slovenia’s most famous. His picturesque wine estate dates to 1592, and Boris is a third-generation winemaker. He’s won numerous awards for his Kraski Teran wine, bottled in beautiful, curvaceous bottles designed by one of the countries’ foremost glass artists. I have absolutely no room in my suitcase – but I’ll figure a way to squeeze in the beautiful bottle he graciously presented to me.

 

Creativity abounds in Slovenia. A lovely and whimsical handcrafted porcelain line is called Catbriyur, and was presented to Queen Elizabeth, Vladimir Putin and the King of Norway. Each piece is one of a kind.

 

 

 

 

 

In the capital of Ljubljana, the Vander “Urban Resort” (they don’t call it “hotel”) has been named one of the Best New Hotels for 2013 by Conde Nast Traveler. I’m staying at uber-cool Hotel Cubo … along with the Slovenian national basketball team. They lost their semi-final match against France tonight – so it’s much quieter than it otherwise would have been.

 

Ljubljana has a population of only about 300,000, with a hip university vibe and plenty of walkable pedestrian zones. The European basketball championships have spurred a frantic round of investment and infrastructure improvements. Friendly, picturesque and safe … I now know how to say it: “Loo Be if only I could spell it!”

You haven’t heard the last from me about Slovenia . . . it’s another “up and coming” destination!