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A 2 DAY ITINERARY FOR A WEEKEND IN GIBRALTAR.

Monday, 21 April 2025

I've done a fair bit of Gibraltar based content in the past, but realised I haven't done an itinerary of what the perfect 2 day trip to Gibraltar would look like. There are a lot of tourists who come to Gibraltar for a day or on a cruise stop, so I wanted to show that Gibraltar is worth spending more than just 1 night in.


For those who have just heard of the place, Gibraltar is an overseas British Territory on the Southern tip of Europe. We border Spain, which means that because of Brexit tourists do need to have their passport stamped when crossing in and out. Whilst exploring Gibraltar, you'll notice the contrast between red telephone boxes and fish & chips, with tapas and hearing people speaking a mix of both English and Spanish. If you're looking to spend a weekend or 2 days in Gibraltar, this is the perfect itinerary.  



Where To Stay


In the heart of Main Street, you'll find The Eliott Hotel. Here you'll be a stone throw away from all the shops Gibraltar has to offer, as well as close to all the restaurants. You're also a short walk away from Alameda Gardens and the Upper Rock, so it's a great location to base yourself in. 


The 4* hotel comes equipped with everything you need for a stay in Gibraltar. There is a rooftop pool, gym and a restaurant and bar downstairs. Their rooms are beautifully decorated and spacious, and a particular highlight for me is that there is a complimentary pillow menu to choose from. The executive room also features a double sink in the bathroom, which is perfect if you and your +1 like your space for getting ready in the morning. 


For dining, you can choose to dine at the Veranda Bar downstairs, where you can find Mediterranean dishes as well as British classics like fish and chips. There is also a terrace area outside which you can enjoy if the sun is shining. If you're a fan of matcha then you definitely need to try their matcha panna cotta dessert.  If you're staying at the hotel on a Thursday, make sure to check out their 'Gin & Jazz' evening! 


Breakfast is served on the 8th floor, where you'll get great panoramic views of town and the sea. It's buffet style and you can expect your classic English breakfast items, meats and cheeses, yoghurt and fruit. 



Day 1


Breakfast

To start your trip, I would head to Hustle n Flow for breakfast if you like instagrammable food that doesn't compromise on flavour. This place has all the cosy vibes and even has a little play area for kids if you're travelling as a family. My personal favourites on the menu are the blue eyed girl and the French toast. 



Explore the Rock of Gibraltar 

Once you're all full up from breakfast, you can either choose to walk around 30 minutes to the rock of Gibraltar (before starting your incline) or crossing the road and catch the number 3 bus towards South Pavilion Steps Terminus. You can ask the bus driver to let you know the closest stop for going up the rock, which will be by the Old Casino. 

Another way to get up the rock, is to walk up town or get the number 1 bus to Flat Bastion Road. Here you'll find a set of steps with the union jack which lead you to the Upper Rock. A lot of the attractions are found on the rock, so you can expect to spend a couple of hours here.

If you want to save money then I recommend buying a GibraltarPass - which will get you access to most of the attractions mentioned in this blog as well as restaurant discounts and a few freebies. Who doesn't love a free glass of wine? Some of the attractions included are the Mediterranean Steps, Skywalk, Cable Car, WW2 Tunnels, Wildlife Centre and you also get free transport on the Citibus. 

You can use my code TWG23 for 5% off your pass!


Mediterranean Steps

If you're the outdoorsy type, then start off with the 1 hour trek through the Mediterranean Steps. You'll definitely be out of breath by the time you get to the top, but it's doable for people of all ages. To get here, find your way to the Pillars of Hercules and you'll see the starting point 20m from there. Entry for tourists is £16. 

The Skywalk

This is one of Gibraltar's newer attractions, and was actually inaugurated by Mark Hamill back in 2018. The skywalk offers a glass walkway with 360 degree views of Gibraltar, and also allowing you to see both Africa and Spain. If you're afraid of heights, then you'll probably want to skip this one!


St Michael's Cave

I definitely recommend you stop by to visit the St Michael's Cave as the colours and formations are really something. This place is actually used as a theatre and over the last few years we've had several international comedians like Jimmy Carr and Alan Carr perform here.

If you're looking for something more adventurous, you can actually book a tour for Lower St Michael's Cave. This tour lasts 4 hours and involves scrambling and some rope climbing, and you can expect to get wet!


Suspension bridge

Again, if you're scared of heights then you might want to choose an easier path to get down the rock. If not, then you do get a bit of a thrill by walking across the suspension bridge and you get great views of Gibraltar. 

Apes Den

I couldn't write this post without mentioning the Barbary Macaques. Even though most of them hang around Apes Den, you'll probably come across a few roaming around the rock of even upper parts of town. My suggestion, don't have food out or try to feed them and don't stare at their babies! 

If you don't feel like walking much further after exploring the rock, you can catch the Cable Car back down for a fee. 



Lunch

Next we're heading to Chatham Counterguard, where you'll find a strip of tapas restaurants. You'll find this area is the most vibrant on a Friday night or Saturday lunch time. My most visited restaurants in Chatham are probably: 
  • Vault 13 for their asian prawns, octopus and bao buns;
  • My Wines for their duck nachos and lemon chicken fingers;
  • Tapas by Gauchos for their steak tartare and truffled mash.


Gin Distillery tour

If you've a lover of gin, then you need to make time for Spirit of The Rock's gin distillery tour. The owner Peter will take you through a bit of history of where gin came from and how it made its way to Gibraltar.

You'll get to try 6 different gins (from the original purer forms to the newer gin mixes) and then you will get to enjoy your own gin based cocktail at the end. You can either choose to water down the gins or shot them straight, in which case I suggest you have a big meal beforehand! The tour times vary so I suggest looking on their website beforehand to see their availability. 


Main Street

After the gin tasting tour you will find yourself at the top of Main Street. You'll want to make your way down to Casemates Square to see everything it has to offer. Along Main Street you'll find shops, bakeries and restaurants and a few alleyways to explore. 

If you fancy an afternoon snack, then head to The Muscle Bakery on Cornwall's Lane. I buy treats from here almost every week because not only are they guilt free but I love the unique flavour combinations they come up with! They often have seasonal specials too for Halloween, Christmas and every other holiday in between. Their products are always gluten-free and if you're a gym goer, a lot of these baked treats are also made with a high amount of protein. My personal favourites are the skinny dream bars and the kinder doughnuts. They also have a savoury menu if you don't have much of a sweet tooth. 


If you're visiting from the UK, you'll also recognise some of the high street shops such as Marks & Spencers, Superdry and Debenhams. 

I'm assuming by this point, you'll want to head back to your room to freshen up, upload your instagram pics or just have a good ol' holiday nap. 


Dinner

Last year I did a survey to find out what the best places for a meal out in Gibraltar were, according to locals. Little Bay in Ocean Village came in the top 3 and it's no surprise why! The indian food here is delicious and I've never had a bad meal here. 

This place is always full so expect to wait a while for your food, but it is worth the wait. My usual orders when I go are the chilli cheese naan, the pomegranate aloo tikki chana masala, the anardana jhinga which is a prawn dish, and the chicken murgh makhani. For dessert, the pistachio kulfi is lovely. I also recommend checking out their signature cocktail menu!



Nightlife

One thing which you might find a little different when visiting Gibraltar, is that the nightlife is more buzzing on a Friday. If you're looking for a place to end your night then your best options are Bruno's or Viceroy Nightclub. Both venues are open late on Fridays and Saturdays. Bruno's is free entry and although it's technically a restaurant, they turn the inside space into a dance floor on the weekends. 

Viceroy opened its doors this summer and has an over 25 door policy and charges £10 entry after 11pm on Fridays (Saturday nights are usually free!). If you just fancy some cocktails during the day then it's free to enter and they have a lovely outside area for it. They sometimes have events on with international DJs so it's worth having a look at their website to see what's on! 

Update April 25: Viceroy is currently closed for business 

Photo by @viceroygib on Instagram


Day 2


Breakfast

When I asked 400 locals what their favourite breakfast spot in Gibraltar was, My Wines was a clear winner. Whether you’re looking for something sweet or savoury, or having breakfast with your family there’s something for everyone. I recommend the pancakes, bacon eggs benedict or a simple mollete bread with tomato and jamon serrano if you want a typical Andalusian breakfast. If you visit around autumn/winter, they also have pumpkin spiced lattes on the menu. An interesting breakfast item they have is the ‘breakfast hunger killer’. This combines their famous lemon chicken fingers in a warm mollete with melted cheese. 

If you're a fan of bottomless brunches, then keep your eyes peeled on their Instagram account, as they regularly do 'Brunch n Boogie' events on their terrace. 



Escape Room

If you happen to be staying in the Holiday Inn, then you'll only have a short 5 minute walk to reach the Rock Escape Rooms. I've done a few of these myself and they're always a lot of fun (with a few jump scares here and there). I recommend doing the Jack the Ripper or the Prison Break rooms!

Lunch

From the escape rooms, you can reach the beaches within 10 minutes. First you'll come across Eastern Beach and at the entrance, you'll find Karma Chiringuito. Here you'll find Mediterranean dishes such as paella, fresh seafood, fish and meat. 

They occasionally run wine pairing events too, so make sure to check their Facebook page to see if they're holding one whilst you're here!

Photo from @karmachiringuito on instagram


Beach day

After lunch, you can choose to stay at Eastern Beach or keep walking another 10 minutes towards Catalan Bay or Sandy Bay. Catalan is definitely the prettiest as you'll find a backdrop of colourful houses that will have you thinking you're in Italy. In terms of the actual beach and water, Sandy bay has the softest sand in my opinion! 

Tip from a local: ask for a 'frozen sun top' at the kiosk, it's been a beach staple at the beach in Gibraltar since I was little! 


Lighthouse & Europa Point

Before heading home, catch the number 2 bus to Europa Point to see Gibraltar's lighthouse and some great views of Africa. Here you'll also find the Gibraltar University and the Bistro Point Restaurant, if you want to sit and have a drink with a view. 


Dinner

After you've freshened up, head to Queensway Quay where you'll find a number of restaurants that in my opinion, are the perfect places for a date night or a celebration. Some of these are pricier than other parts of Gibraltar, but the quality of the food matches it. Some of my favourites are:
  • Monique's Bistro for their duck salad and mushroom pilpil;
  • The Lounge for their crispy pork belly with potato terrine;
  • and Rendezvous for their steaks!


USEFUL INFO


  • Our first language is English, but you'll find a lot of us also speak Spanish and there are also a lot of Spanish nationals working in Gibraltar. 
  • We use pounds in Gibraltar, but you might find some of the notes and coins look slightly different. That's because we also circulate the Gibraltar Pound (GIP) which won't work in the UK, so make sure you get them changed. Euros also work in any shop. 
  • Please don't refer to Gibraltarians as Spanish, we've fought hard to stay British! ;)
  • Most hotels are quite central, Sunborn Gibraltar is on the higher price range but in the heart of Ocean Village, but the Holiday Inn is just 10 minutes away from it.There are also a lot of Gibraltar AirBnBs popping up, so make sure to look their too!

I hope you've found this post useful! if you want any further info or even fancy meeting up for a coffee when you're in Gibraltar you can reach me on any of my socials below. 











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8 TRIPS YOU SHOULD TAKE IN YOUR TWENTIES.

Monday, 7 April 2025

When I look back on my 20s, I can proudly say that I did a good job with exploring the world as much as I could. I did a semester in Orlando Florida, worked as an au pair in Australia, worked in London for a year and even travelled to India for 3 weeks with 29 other travel writers. That being said, now that I’m in my 30s there are certain trips (or ways of travelling) that I wouldn’t do again. Even though I wouldn’t sleep in a hostel or take a 8 hour overnight coach, I’m still glad I experienced it at the time as it made for some good stories! If you’re here looking for some inspiration for your next holiday, here are 8 types of trips you should experience in your 20s.

I also want to say that even though these trips are all suggested for your 20s, they are types of trips you should keep up even in your 30s and 40s.


1. A Solo Trip

As daunting as it might seem, going somewhere on your own can feel quite liberating. Not only can you explore a place on your own schedule and don’t have to make compromises, but the planning process will be a lot smoother as you won’t be waiting on payments from friends/family or have to miss out on activities you want to do. If you’ve never travelled solo before, I recommend starting small and flying somewhere like Rome or Madrid and see how you get on.

2. Cruise

You’re probably thinking, isn’t this a trip I should save for when I’m retired or have kids? I thought the same, having only been on one cruise when I was 16. Then a couple of years ago I went on one with my family and found it such a fun experience as an adult. The cocktails are great, there’s adults-only game shows on and lots of entertainment on during the night and day. More so, Virgin Voyages offer adults-only cruises and are also tailored to young adults. They host a lot of themed parties and also give you access to all of their restaurants in your cruise fare. A great choice if you’re a foodie! If you're not sure which cruise is for you, check out my beginners guide to picking a cruise line. 


3. Girls trip

This is one that most of you might have already crossed off your list, but if you have friends who also enjoy seeing the world, make it a point to plan things together. When people get in relationships the default for many is to take every trip with their significant other, but it’s important to still keep up those trips with your friends! The memories you make will last a lifetime, and you’ll find yourself laughing at things that happened on your trip 10 years later. Having said that, getting the trip to leave the group chat is sometimes the hardest part!

4. Family trip

As we get older a lot of us tend to prefer travelling with our partner or friends, but try not to forget about your family either. As an example, every year my mum, sister and I make a point to take a long weekend trip somewhere. Usually to explore one of Europe’s Christmas markets. If you no longer live with your parents or don’t see your siblings very often, this can be a great way to reconnect and make memories together.

5. Backpacking

Now with this, you can go as hardcore as you want with it. Some people choose to interrail through Europe with a 60L backpack and book their hostels along the way, but I was way too Type A for that and always planned my itineraries and booked things in advance. The great thing about staying in hostels in your 20s, is that they’re a great way to meet people and they usually host tons of events. Bar crawls, pool parties and also excursions. If sharing a room with strangers isn’t for you, don’t fret as many hostels offer private rooms too.

6. Volunteering

If you want to do something rewarding whilst also exploring a new country, there are plenty of opportunities you can find online for volunteering abroad. Often referred to as a homestay, you can live with a local family and won’t have to pay for food and lodging in exchange for some volunteer work. This could be anything from helping at a school in Cambodia, teaching English in Vietnam or helping at an eco farm in Colombia. A popular site to find opportunities like this is Workaway.

7. Study abroad

If you’re currently enrolled in university, then definitely try and find out if your university offers a student exchange programme. When I studied at Bournemouth University, there was an opportunity to do a semester abroad at the University of Central Florida and I enjoyed every minute of it. I made such great friends and it was also interesting to get a taste of how different ‘college’ life was there. What’s best is that there usually aren’t any extra fees to pay, as you will pay your university tuition fee back home as normal.

8. Living abroad

If you can afford to and don’t have any baggage stopping you, I highly recommend living abroad even if it’s just for 3-6 months. Not only will you grow as a person and expose yourself to different ways of living and thinking, but you’ll get a big sense of freedom. We are such a small community in Gibraltar which is great but also there is a bigger world to see out there. I did a working-holiday year in Australia and I loved it, had it not been for Covid and the visa length I
could have easily stayed a couple more years. That being said, coming back to Gibraltar I realised that in comparison to all these countries, we have it easy here and a good work/life balance. We sometimes take it for granted how easy it is to grab a drink with a friend after work, or how we can get to a beach in 20 minutes.

I hope this article has inspired you to travel more, whatever your age is! 

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FUN THINGS TO DO IN DRY JANUARY THAT DON'T INVOLVE DRINKING.

Wednesday, 11 December 2024

Come January, a lot of us try and start the year by adopting healthy habits and usually have heaps of motivation to do so. One of the things a lot of people opt to do is Dry January, where you simply don't drink a drop of alcohol for the month. If you're someone who has quite an active social life or you live somewhere where the main activity to do is go out for food and drinks, then here are some other fun things you can do in January that don't involve drinking alcohol. 



1. Go for coffee dates

Just because you're not drinking doesn't mean you can't catch up with your friends, so find some cute coffee shops in your local area or make it a point to explore some new places. If you want something a bit fancier, why not book an afternoon tea? 

2. Play Games

If you don't own any boardgames and are still a bit broke from the Christmas period, then there are plenty of online free games you can play too. Me and my partner have found this site to be quite entertaining, as there's over 50 types of games on there. A couple of fun ones I have played are  'Merge Salad' where you need to match identical ingredients in a row and prepare the veg/fruit for the salad and prepare the salad and 'Brush Master' where you have to duplicate the painting show by clicking the painters in the correct order. The instructions on each game are clear which means they're easy to pick up! 



3. Join a club 

When I'm not eating or drinking out, two social things I enjoy doing are going to the cinema with friends and then having a chat about the movie after, and reading and discussing books with the Book Club that I'm in. If you want to join a community who share the same interests, have a look online in your local area. Or if you're feeling up to it, start your own club! I have a friend who started a 'Sunday Swim Club' which has had quite a good turn out and she's made some great friendships from it. 


4. Explore your city (or country)

Have you ever found that there are a lot of places or activities on your doorstep that you've never visited because 'it'll always be there'? Well now is the time to explore! Whether it's a walking trail/hike you haven't done in years or an Escape Room with your friends, try something fun and new! 

5. Invest time in your relationships

Use this time to spend more wholesome quality time with your friends, family and partner. If you're on TikTok you've probably seen a lot of ideas such as 'Mug Painting' or 'Clay Making' dates with your friends or cooking a new meal at home with your partner. 


If you're someone who usually enjoys a glass of wine at night on the weekend with your partner or an after work drink, try and find a non-alcoholic drink that you really enjoy and look forward to. Lately I've been obsessed with passionfruit Nestea, so I look forward to that more than I do a glass of wine at night! I hope you've found this post useful and has inspired some new ideas for you

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BEGINNERS GUIDE TO PICKING A CRUISE LINE

Sunday, 17 November 2024

When we think of cruise holidays, the assumption has always been that they are holidays catered for families or retirees. Although this is a popular cruising demographic, there are now plenty more options and types of cruises to suit every traveller. If you’re interested in taking a cruise in 2025 but not sure which company is right for you, I’ve broken it down for you below.



Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has 29 different ships, making it the largest cruise company on this list. Having sailed on two of their ships at age 15 and 28, I can say that their cruises are family oriented but there are activities to cater for everyone. For the adventurous, they have signature activities such as a Zip Line, FlowRider surf simulator, Ultimate Abyss and RipCord. For adults they have daily quiz shows, adult themed game nights and karaoke. Of course on most cruises you will also find a 18+ casino and nightclub. Their newest cruise ship is Utopia of the Seas, which first sailed this year.

Photo Credit

Dining at RC has your usual all day buffet ‘WindJammer’ available, as well as speciality dining options that you can pay extra for. If you like to drink, then there are several drink packages available, the ‘Soda Package’ , ‘Refreshment Package’ and the ‘Deluxe Beverage Package’. At the moment the deluxe drinks package would cost you $567 for a 6 night cruise, but this changes depending on your itinerary and length of stay.

Royal Caribbean have itineraries all around the world, and they even have an Ultimate World Cruise which sails for 274 nights across 60+ countries.

Should I cruise with Royal Caribbean?

If you’re looking for a trusted cruise company, and are travelling with your family or partner and want a variety of adventurous and fun activities for everyone, choose Royal Caribbean.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin is relatively new to the cruise scene but it has quickly gained popularity for being the ‘cruise for millennials’. They currently have 3 cruise ships; Valiant Lady, Scarlet Lady & Resilient Lady.


There are two things that set a Virgin cruise apart from the others, firstly they are adults-only cruises and secondly, there are no buffets onboard but instead you get access to 20+ restaurants and eateries included in your fee. So if you’re a foodie like me, this is definitely the cruise you want to book! On every ship you’ll find a Korean BBQ restaurant, an italian, mexican and steakhouse.

Unlike most other cruise lines, there is no drinks package available as they try to keep their prices fair onboard. Looking at their menu a standard cocktail or spirit mixer is $11. You can prepay a bar tab and usually there are offers online where they’ll give you extra money towards it. The rooms are also very modern and the balcony rooms also come equipped with your own hammock.

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Itineraries usually focus around the Caribbean and Europe, and last between 4 - 11 night voyages.

The price point for a Virgin Voyages cruise is higher than that of Royal Caribbean or Carnival, but considering that all dining, Wi-Fi and gratuities are included, I think it’s worth it.

Should I cruise with Virgin Voyages?

If you’re travelling with your partner or with a group of friends and enjoy good food and looking for a more ‘sophisticated’ cruising experience, choose Virgin Voyages.

Carnival

Carnival is known for being the ‘party cruise’ to most Americans, and is a frequent choice for spring breakers. It falls just behind Royal Caribbean with 27 cruise ships, but you’ll also find that they are the most budget-friendly on this list.

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They are quite a laid back cruise company and have a heavy focus on entertainment and having fun. Most of their ships will have water slides, comedy shows, dance clubs and themed bars. Their rooms are quite basic and if you’ve previously been on a Virgin Voyages cruise, you’ll probably find the rooms a bit underwhelming.

Even though they have a few European itineraries, their main focus is around the Caribbean, Mexico and the Bahamas.

If you’ve come on Carnival to party, their Cheers! Drinks package ranges from $59.95 - $89.95 per day (before taxes and gratuities) and includes cocktails, beer, wine by the glass and frozen drinks. Remember that Carnival is an American cruise line, so you must be 21+ to drink alcohol onboard.

Should I cruise with Carnival?

If you’re on a budget and want a more ‘party vibe’ cruise and an affordable ‘all you can drink’ package through the Caribbean, choose Carnival.

Norwegian

NCL is known for its ‘’Freestyle Cruising” concept as unlike traditional cruise lines that have set dining times and dress codes, they allow guests to dine whenever they like, without the need for formal dress codes or set seating times.

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Their cruise ships are divided into different ‘classes’ including Breakaway Plus Class, Breakaway Class, Pride of America and Sun-Class and Jewel Class. If you’re looking for a more action-packed cruise with options such as water parks, go-kart tracks and Broadway-style shows, you’ll want to pick one of the Breakaway Plus ships (Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Joy or Norwegian Bliss) The Pride of America offers unique year-round cruises around the Hawaiian islands.

If you’re a solo traveller, Norwegian has Studio Cabins, which are designed for one person but come with a private lounge and social area for solo cruisers to meet others.

There are several main dining rooms and buffet options where you can eat for no extra charge. The buffet (often called The Garden Café) offers a variety of international options, and the main dining rooms offer standard cruise fare with a bit of variety and daily-changing menus. Drink packages on NWL are pricier than that of Carnival, costing between $99 - $139 per day (before taxes and gratuities).

Should I cruise with Norwegian?

If you’re a solo traveller or simply want a laid back cruising experience where you don’t have to stick to dining times or formal attire, choose Norwegian.


I hope this article has helped you make a more informed decision for booking your next cruise!





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THE PERFECT ITINERARY FOR 5 DAYS IN SLOVENIA.

Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Slovenia is such a beautiful place! One of the great things about it is that it isn’t a huge country, meaning that you can cover a lot of ground in a week. Its proximity to Italy, Croatia, Hungary and Austria means that it’s perfect if you want to extend your trip around Europe. You’ll also see these influences in their cuisine too! To travel around Slovenia, you could choose to rent a car or simply base yourself in Ljubljana and explore the nearby places from there. On our trip that is exactly what we did, so here is my itinerary for a perfect 5 days in Slovenia. 



Day 1 in Ljubljana 


Ljubljana is a fairly small city, so one day is perfect to see everything worth seeing. That being said, Ljubljana has so many great restaurants, so if you’re basing yourself here you’ll have plenty of chances to try out the culinary scene! I always check the Michelin Guide to see what’s good in the area. 



Morning 


Start your day by walking up to Ljubljana Castle, which will take you around 20 minutes. Some areas of the castle are free but if you want to visit the viewpoint tower, Puppetry museum or some of the other exhibitions, you will have to pay 12€. 


After exploring the castle, walk back down and one street to your right you’ll find Cafe Cokl. Which is said to have ‘the best coffee in Ljubljana’ as they import fair trade coffee from South America. If you sit outside, keep an eye out on the Puppet Theatre building adjacent as you’ll see some puppets come out of the clock tower with music on the hour. If you’re after some  hot chocolate instead, then head to Cacao!


Afternoon 


In the afternoon, I highly suggest taking a Food Tour of Ljubljana with Ljubljana Yum. You will get to try a variety of Slovenian food and drink and what I really enjoyed about it is that our guide would connect the tastings to different parts of Slovenia. One of our stops was also in a Michelin guide restaurant that was on my list to try, so I was happy this was included! 



The food tour cost 85 euros and I think it was worth the cost, as we had around 10 dishes to try (including dessert!) and 5 alcoholic drinks. We got to try more modern ‘tapas’ style dishes as well as traditional Slovenian cuisine such as the carniolan sausage (kranjska klobasa) and a barley stew (ričet). I was really a fan of the variety of liqueurs they produce in Ljubljana and I even brought back a bottle of the blueberry liqueur and also some honey, as Ljubljana has one of the highest number of beekeepers in Europe. It was also a great way to get our bearings around Ljubljana as we walked around the Old Town. 




Once you’ve finished up with the food tour, walk to the alternative district of Metelkova. This will take you around 20 minutes from the last point of the food tour. This place is worth seeing for the graffiti and the quirky buildings. I read that they usually host cultural events here in the evenings, but when we went in the afternoon there were just a few skaters hanging around but it was still cool to see! 


Evening 


If you’re still after more traditional food, then I recommend Julija or Restaurant Šestica for dinner. One Slovenian dish you need to try is their rolled dumplings. We tried mushroom & ricotta dumplings at Sestica and I also had a bowl of Goulash with homemade Polenta which was delicious. One thing I learnt in Ljubljana is to always book in advance! As some restaurants were fully booked when we tried to walk in for dinner. 


If you like your drinks with a view, then head to Nebotičnik - Skyscraper for a night cap with a great view of the city. Prices for drinks weren’t too bad here as I paid 6.50€ for a Hugo Spritz. Or for something more cosy, head to Kolibri Cocktail Bar and try one of their signature cocktails. 




Day 2 - Lake Bled


Lake Bled is just a one hour drive from Ljubljana. If you haven’t hired a car you can either get there by train or through a tour with GetYourGuide. We did the latter and found it was enough time for what we wanted to see and do. 


Firstly, our driver drove us to Bled Castle. Entry to the castle is 17€ and for me the best part about this was the view we got of the lake and Bled Island. If you're not that interested in the castle, then you can get a great view of the lake from Ojstrica viewpoint (and you won't have to pay). 



After this, you could take a ride on a pletna boat or hire a rowing boat to Bled Island. A ride on a pletna boat is 18€ per person, whereas if you hire a rowing boat it's 25€ per hour and that covers up to 4 people. You’ll only need an hour to do the roundtrip from the Island, as there’s not much to see once you’re there. 


You also can’t leave Bled without trying the Bled cream cake, a delicious layer of custard, cream and pastry. We had ours at the Park Cafe which is home to the original cake. 



If you have more time in Bled, you can go summer tobogganing on a sledding track, we didn't have time for this but it looked pretty fun. Although be prepared to queue for 45 mins when it’s busy. Another activity worth doing if you’re staying in Bled more than a day, is visiting the Vintgar Gorge as it’s absolutely beautiful. 


Day 3 - Soca Valley 


This day will take you through the beauty of the Soca Valley, but your experience might be dependent on the weather! We got quite a rainy day so the turquoise river quickly turned to white and then brown, but I suggest you Google what this place looks like in the summer as it's beautiful.


Soca Valley is located in the North West of Slovenia, and the river flows through the Julian Alps. The River Soča, which has a very picturesque emerald green colour. 


There’s a few guided walking trails you can take here, and you’ll come across viewpoints and waterfalls. It was also great to see the Alpine towns that surround the river, such as Bovec, Kobarid and Tolmin. 



Day 4 - Postojna Cave and Škocjan Caves  


Postojna Cave and Škocjan Caves are two of Slovenia's most famous and impressive cave systems. A lot of people often wonder which of the two caves is better, but I think it’s worth visiting both as they’re only a  25 minute drive from each other. If you’d rather just visit one here is a bit more information on each to help you decide:


Postojna Cave

  • 40 minute drive from Ljubljana

  • The cave stretches over 24 kilometres, and is known for its stunning formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and other unique features. 

  • The most iconic thing about this cave is the train ride you have to take (in the cave) before starting the walking tour. 

  • You’ll also find a variety of amphibians living here!


Škocjan Caves

  • 1 hour drive from Ljubljana 

  • Škocjan Caves is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, for its exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity.

  • The caves feature one of the largest underground canyons in the world, with a river flowing through it. In the summer this can also have turquoise waters which look beautiful when contrasted with the darkness of the cave. 


Scokjan Caves

Day 5 - Piran


An hour and a half drive from Ljubljana, you’ll find the coastal town of Piran. Piran was built under Venetian influence, and you’ll be able to see that as you wander through the narrow streets. However when you look at it from above, the birds eye view of the town reminded me of Dubrovnik in Croatia. 


To start your day here, climb up to visit St George’s Church to get panoramic views of the town and the Adriatic Sea. After this you could explore Tartini Square and stop at a local cafe for breakfast, such as Caffe Teater. 


In the afternoon, for 2€ you can walk along the town walls of Piran and you’ll be able to get some great views from above. After this you could take a walk around the Seaside Promenade and visit the Maritime Museum if this is of interest to you. 


For lunch, I suggest finding a seafood restaurant as its proximity to the sea means you’re guaranteed to get the freshed catch of the day! One restaurant I recommend is Fritolin Pri Cantini. 




As you can see there is a lot you can explore in 5 days in Slovenia, this isn’t an exhaustive list so I’m sure if you’re travelling from far and would prefer to extend your stay, there’s a lot more to explore! If you have any questions on where to stay or want more recommendations for Slovenia, feel free to reach out to me on my social accounts!




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