Slovenia: Boris Johnson’s stunning honeymoon location needs to be in your checklist

Outdated Etonian, party-addict and lame duck Prime Minister, Boris Johnson is a person of eclectic tastes. Nowhere is that this extra evident than his uncommon alternative of honeymoon location.

To have a good time his third and most up-to-date marriage to Carrie Symonds, BoJo has taken them someplace few assume to go: Slovenia.

Enthused by his journey the outgoing premiere of Nice Britain is now the nation’s largest advocate. Exterior the luxurious eco resort Vila Planinka within the Julian Alps, the Occasions quoted the PM saying it was a rustic of “unbelievable issues”.

Final Sunday Johnson bid “a large thanks to Slovenia, the one nation on this planet with love in its identify”.

I think you would be as infatuated by the nation too, for those who might discover it on a map. The nation existed in relative obscurity for worldwide journey till not too long ago. That’s after all not Slovenia’s fault. The tiny nation of two million Slovenes is caught between the clichéd nuptial journey locations of Italy, Austria and Croatia.

Ljubljana – one of the mispronounced and misunderstood world capitals – was a regional seat within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then briefly Yugoslavia, and now it is a rising star of the European journey itinerary.

Lake Bled is perhaps probably the most immediately recognisable attraction. Its sapphire-blue lake full with fairytale island chapel and mountainous backdrops is a Laptop computer screensaver that attracts shutterbugs from throughout the continent. Nevertheless there are numerous different much less explored lakes and waterways by way of the foothills of the Julian Alps.

For the extra adventurous vacation maker there’s a mountaineering tradition to rival every other within the Alps, Southern or European.

Kiwi mountaineers can respect the backcountry huts community. These vary from hearty, catered hermitages – or ‘kochka’ – to area age bivvies. Although you will not see something as garish as Orange corrugated tin in Slovenia. The Cantilever designed shelters at Kanin and Skuta have received European architectural awards.

The very best mountain within the nation may be conquered by comparatively novice hikers by way of guided by way of ferrata. The crystal rivers of the Soca Valley additionally comprise a number of alternatives for adrenaline sports activities like rafting and kayaking.

The workplace of Slovenian Prime Minister Rober Golob confirmed the Outgoing British PM Boris Johnson was within the nation on a brief personal journey, however couldn’t verify if he had been scaling Mt Triglav.

The hills additionally make for world-class biking, with Slovenian Tour de France legend Tadej Pogacar a nationwide sporting hero.

South of Ljubljana are the Unesco-protected Postojna Caves. The Johnsons reportedly additionally visited these, that are dwelling to blind Gollum-like salamanders. The native tourism board tries to make the creepy cave creatures extra interesting by calling them “child dragons”.

I am unsure if the blind salamanders are roughly interesting than the native delicacies.
Vila Planinka the Johnson’s Honeymoon retreat lists “bear cheek” on the menu. Removed from grizzly, the crimson meat is described as melt-in-the-mouth tender. It is a speciality meat that can also be served by Chef Tomaž Kavčič of Slovenia’s first Michelin-starred restaurant – Gostilna pri Lojzetu. Different novelty meats on the menu embrace horse and dormouse.

Bon urge for food… or, as they are saying in Slovenian: Dober tek!