Guide to Jezersko, Slovenia
I didn’t know how to pronounce it Jezersko when i arrived Slovenia. Admittedly, I didn’t even know how to pronounce the capital (Ljubljana) where I landed. After a few days of chatting with locals in cafes and ice cream shops (it’s summer in Slovenia after all), I started to improve my language skills and found myself pronouncing my J’s as Y’s like the locals do.
Slovenia is a dream destination you never knew existed. Before boarding my flight from London Heathrow Airport to Ljubljana, I was chatting with a British guy about our next destination. He had never heard of Slovenia before.
Areas around central Europe
Slovenia, a small country in Central Europe, was the first country to separate from the former Yugoslavia. Thanks in part to this early independence, they achieved great economic success and are one of Europe’s success stories. It’s a safe country for solo travelers, somehow remaining off the beaten track despite being sandwiched between popular tourist destinations such as: Austria, Italy and Croatia. I went to the remote Jezersko mountains for a little study and research in the northern part of the country near the Austrian border.
Accommodation: Villa Planinka
I visited Jezersko with one destination in mind. Villa Planinka. Although the resort only opened this year, it is already one of the most popular destinations in Slovenia.
The concept of Villa Planinka is to relax and recharge in nature. We recommend turning off your mobile phone and enjoying your offline time during your stay. If this sounds scary, don’t worry. Wi-Fi connection is available in the main living area.
This villa has been called Nature’s Secret Spot, and it’s not hard to see why. Although Slovenia has many popular destinations that are well known to international tourists, Jezersko is largely unknown. It’s still a secret.
It’s just a 15-minute drive from the southern border. Austriathe location is enviable to say the least. Summer offers short day hikes, while winter ski season brings new attractions.
Another highlight of my stay was the focus on local ingredients and introducing typical foods of the area. The chef always talked to us about the food, its origins and why it’s important to this part of Slovenia. Try the Strukluj dumplings – you won’t regret it.
I quickly realized that there was more to Jezersko than Villa Planinka (though this is reason enough to include Jezersko in your Slovenia itinerary). Mountain climbing, day hikes, and summer lake culture are just the beginning of your adventure. The highlight itself is simply being in the mountains here, but regardless of that, there are some highlights worth noting.
Highlights of Jezersko
Grintbeck – At an altitude of 2,558 meters, Grintvec is a popular destination for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
Strzic – The second highest mountain, Strjić, offers stunning panoramic views of the region.
Kokura River – On your way to Jezersko from other parts of Slovenia, you’ll pass the Kokra River countless times. This drive is full of hairpin turns and incredibly scenic, so keep your wits about you.
directions:
Jezersko is less than an hour away from Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. It’s a beautiful drive through the countryside, so allow an additional 2-3 hours if you want to take a break along the way.
We highly recommend stopping at Kranj and Skofja Loka along the way (especially the latter, this town is straight out of a movie!).
Villa Planinka Accommodation fees start from 225 euros Per room, per night. This includes breakfast.