THE FAMOUS SKI JUMPING QUEEN

Planica is most interesting in March, when the final part of the World Championship in ski jumps takes place. For the Slovenians Ski jumps in Planica is treated almost as a national holiday. The construction of real jumps and later hikers began between the last two world wars, and a few years ago, in the valley below the highest peaks of our Alps, a modern Nordic center grew. The current record of the airport is Austrian jumper Stefan Kraft, who flew 251 meters far in the 2017 race. Kraft is also the holder of the world record (Vikersund 253.50 m). Experts are convinced that the mountain giant is ready for a new world record.
In addition to the plains valley, the glaciers have also formed all neighboring ones. They all open up to the north, and drainage takes care of the stream of the river Radovna.

We usually stop at the old farmhouse in Triglav National park in order to enjoy purely home-made dishes like “ajdovi krapi” (some kind of buckwheat dumplings) with “skuta” (Slovenian type of cottage cheese).

BLED THE PEARL OF SLOVENIA

From the area of Radovna we drive to the nearby Bled. Lake Bled and the church on the island have been inviting pilgrims and modern tourists for centuries.  The most renowned symbol of the island is the Church of the Assumption  which demands a climb up the 99 stone-step staircase. As far as the wishing bell is concerned, don’t hesitate and ring it, your wish could be realized. 

Visitors often return to Bled area, because they still find hidden corners of unspoiled nature, despite the touch of moderation. Bled and its cuisine is also known for delicious crystalline creams. Believe me, you have to taste them!
After this delicious task, the nearby village Begunje is worth to visit. It is home of the Family Avsenik, who brought polka, a popular folk music genre into the world. In the vicinity there are villages of several Slovenian literates, and among them also famous poet France Prešeren who wrote Slovenian hymn.

BEST PRESERVED MEDIEVAL TOWN

On the way back we will visit Radovljica. It’s medieval old town is one of best preserved medieval town structures in Slovenia. Linhart’s square with baroque mansion is the heart and soul of the town. We will take a journey through the museum of the Carniolan honey  bee magic world. Among others the museum  boasts the largest exhibited collection of painted beehive panels, a perfect example of curiosity of the Slovene folk art.

In the cellar of nearby restaurant Lectar are made gingerbread (lect) hearts already over two hundred years. The in-house gingerbread workshop serves as a live museum.

At the end of the day we can have dinner in one of many traditional inns. We should eat “štruklji”, Slovene side meal, composed of dough and various types of filling, served with either meat and gravy.

It is a must to try “Potica”, a typical Slovenian festive dish/cake. Best known is the potica with nut filling, followed in popularity by a number of others.