Maja Tsolo jets off for a family getaway to her native Slovenia and Croatia
As soon as the school holidays arrive we?re on a flight to Ljubljana, Slovenia. It?s my first solo flight with all three children, my husband joining us in Croatia in a few weeks? time. Samuel, six, and Lara, four, are already brimming with excitement, knowing full well that the coming days promise to be packed with swimming, adventure-filled walks and gelato breaks. David, two, is just happy to be on a plane.
Having moved to the UK nine years ago, we visit my native Slovenia regularly. With the Alps to the north, a small piece of coast along the Adriatic Sea to the south and everything from plains to the rocky karst in between, Slovenia gives you as much variety as you can pack into a country the size of Wales. A continental climate across most of the country usually means hot summers and cold winters, so it is a great getaway location, whether we?re looking for sun or snow. Samuel, Lara and David explore the cobbled streets of Gro?njan
Our first few days are spent in beautiful So?a Valley in the north-west of Slovenia, a place where I grew up and my parents still call home. On most days the hot temperatures call for lounging by the river and thankfully we have plenty to choose from. Idrijca and Nadi?a are calmer and warmer, while So?a, Ba?a and Tolminka require some bravery ? or a full neoprene suit ? for a full submersion as they don?t tend to warm up beyond 15°C, even in summer. Somehow my ch...