Bled Castle overlooking Lake Bled, Slovenia

The day started with a cappuccino in Venice, our spirits as high as the tide. Shehzadi, our trusty Toyota Tundra, and Chetak, the Odyssean Journey Toyota Hilux, were humming with anticipation. Today we would not just cross one, but two international borders — three countries, a shimmering lake, a wine-soaked sunset and at least six kinds of road trip snacks.

We were headed for Slovenia, then into Croatia, in one of the most charming cross-border days of our Silk Road expedition so far. The route was postcard-perfect: Venice → Valico di Sant’Andrea → Lake Bled → Ljubljana → Maribor → Obrežje border → Zagreb.

🛂 From Venice to Slovenia: Border Bureaucracy & Beauty

Leaving Venice was like ending a love affair — you know it’s time, but part of you clings to the canals. We kissed our B&B goodbye, loaded up Shehzadi and hit the A4 autostrada heading northeast. Italy waved us off with golden fields, vineyards and small towns where the church bells still call out the hours like medieval text messages.

A couple hours in, the border approached. We were headed to Valico di Sant’Andrea, a lesser-known but scenic crossing near Gorizia, Italy, into Slovenia.

🛣️ Digital Vignettes & 21st Century Tolls

Before crossing into Slovenia, we had to purchase a digital vignette, which — despite sounding like an NFT for road travel — is basically a toll sticker without the sticker. We registered online in advance (thank you, Google Translate) and got our digital highway pass emailed straight to us. Easy peasy — no fumbling with coins or arguing with toll machines.

At Valico di Sant’Andrea, the Italian side waved us through with their usual nonchalance and the Slovenian border guards greeted us with friendly nods and a brief glance at our passports. No fuss, no drama. The kind of border crossing you dream about when stuck in line at JFK.

🌄 Lake Bled: Fairytales, Forests & Forkfuls of Joy

Within the hour, we arrived at Lake Bled and honestly? No amount of photos can prepare you for how magical this place looks in person. Nestled in the Julian Alps like a sapphire in velvet, the lake surrounds a tiny island with a church spire piercing the sky. Picture Cinderella’s honeymoon.

Lake Bled Island & Church of the Assumption

We parked Shehzadi under the pines and took a stroll along the lakeside promenade. Swans glided by like they owned the place (which, frankly, they might) and cyclists breezed past with baskets full of flowers and fresh bread. Slovenia, you show-off.

🏰 The Island Church & Bled Castle

On the island sits the Church of the Assumption, built in the 15th century and reachable only by pletna boat — or a very enthusiastic swim.

Pletna boats on Lake Bled

Legend says if you ring the church bell, your wish will come true. We made a wish to keep finding places this beautiful (and to never run out of tire air).

Bled Castle overlooking Lake Bled

Overlooking the lake is the imposing Bled Castle, perched on a cliff with medieval confidence. It’s the oldest castle in Slovenia, dating back to 1011. Inside, there’s a museum, wine cellar and jaw-dropping views of the Julian Alps.

🍴 Lunch by the Water

We grabbed lunch lakeside: trout grilled to perfection, a creamy local potato soup and — of course — Bled cream cake, which is less a cake and more a cloud of whipped dreams. We may have ordered a second one. For scientific purposes.

Bohinjska Bela

Just a few kilometers from Lake Bled, Bohinjska Bela is a cute little village tucked between green forests and the stunning Julian Alps. It is famous for its clear river and peaceful vibe. The village’s main attraction is the Cerkev sv. Marjete (St. Margaret’s Church), a small white church with a tall bell tower. The church is super old  - it’s been around since the 1300s - and has a mix of Gothic and Baroque styles.

Cerkev sv. Marjete (St. Margaret’s Church), Bohinjska Bela, Slovenia

Inside, you’ll find pretty frescoes and a fancy wooden altar. Surrounded by a quiet graveyard and rolling hills, it’s the perfect spot for some calm and a bit of history. If you’re ever in Slovenia, it’s definitely worth a visit!

🏙️ Ljubljana: Dragon City with a Soul

From Bled, we cruised along the A2 highway to Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital and quite possibly Europe’s best-kept secret.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Think Vienna meets Prague, but smaller, greener and guarded by dragons.

Dragon Bridge, Ljubljana, Slovenia

The city sprawls along the Ljubljanica River, its bridges stretching across like laced ribbons. The most famous, the Dragon Bridge, dates to 1901 and features four fearsome dragons who, legend says, wag their tails if a virgin crosses. We didn’t see any tail wagging, but we did hear a street violinist play ABBA’s "Dancing Queen" with soulful enthusiasm.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

🏛️ Architecture, Art & Allegory

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana is a city shaped by the wild imagination of architect Jože Plečnik, who sprinkled neoclassical whimsy across every square and column. His work turned the city into a living sculpture garden where benches feel like throne chairs and bridges double as catwalks for pigeons.

Ljubljanica River, Ljubljana, Slovenia

We explored the vibrant Old Town, strolled up to Ljubljana Castle and watched street performers juggle on cobbled alleys. Cafés spilled into the squares and Slovenians — stylish and relaxed — sipped espresso like it was a competitive sport.

🍇 Maribor: World’s Oldest Vine & a Sunset for the Ages

Maribor, Slovenia

By late afternoon, we headed northeast toward Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest city and a hidden gem tucked beside the Drava River. The highway was smooth, lined with rolling vineyards, forests and the occasional medieval tower watching us from a distance like a nosy grandmother.

"The Old Vine": World's oldest grapevine at Maribor, Slovenia

Maribor’s pride and joy? The world’s oldest grapevine — over 450 years old and still producing wine like it's got something to prove. The Old Vine House stands as a tribute to resilience and good taste (literally). We took a tour, sampled some vino and marveled at how something so old could still produce such joy. Wine goals.

Maribor, Slovenia

🌅 Sunset on the Drava

As the sun began to dip, we wandered along the Drava River promenade. Musicians played folk tunes, couples strolled hand in hand and the entire scene felt dipped in honeyed light. It was one of those sunsets that made you forget about emails, tire pressure and gas receipts.

Swans on Drava river

Shehzadi, parked nearby and wearing a layer of mountain dust like a badge of honor, seemed to sigh in satisfaction. Or maybe that was just the wind.

🚧 Crossing into Croatia: Obrežje Border

With twilight upon us, we headed southeast toward the Obrežje border crossing, Slovenia’s busiest international gateway into Croatia. This crossing is part of the E70 highway and sees thousands of travelers daily — but tonight, it was quiet. Just a few trucks and sleepy officers doing their thing.

The Croatian side gave our passports a solid glance, asked where we were headed (we told them: “Silk Road, all the way to Asia!”) and waved us on with the kind of bemused smile you give to people who clearly don’t know how long that is.

🌃 Zagreb: City Lights & Croatian Cuisine

We arrived in Zagreb just as the city lights flickered on. The capital of Croatia welcomed us with cobbled charm, Austro-Hungarian architecture and B&B hosts who offered us rakija before handing over the room keys. That’s our kind of hospitality.

🍽️ Dinner in Tkalčićeva Street

We headed straight for Tkalčićeva Street, Zagreb’s main drag for food, wine and people-watching. Every building is a different color, every restaurant a new smell. We feasted on ćevapi, flatbread, fresh cheese and roasted veggies — Croatia’s warm embrace after a long day’s ride.

Shehzadi was parked securely, probably dreaming of lakes and castle climbs.

🧭 Three Countries, One Epic Day

Italy for breakfast. Slovenia for lunch. Croatia for dinner.

From the valleys of Venice, through alpine lakes, dragon-guarded bridges, vine-clad hills and across two international borders, this was one of our most epic driving days yet. The road was smooth, the history rich, the food heavenly and the laughter constant.

✨ Next Stop: Bosnia-Herzegovina into Belgrade & the Heart of Serbia

From Zagreb, we continue deeper into Bosnia-Herzegovina and then Serbia — toward waterfalls, forests and ancient trade paths. The Silk Road may have shifted over centuries, but its spirit is alive in every winding mile, curious face and crumb of burek.

Until next time,
The Vagabond Couple & Shehzadi

🛣️ Route Snapshot

• Start: Venice, Italy
• Crossing: Valico di Sant’Andrea (IT–SI)
• Stops: Lake Bled, Ljubljana, Maribor
• Crossing: Obrežje (SI–HR)
• End: Zagreb, Croatia
• Roads: A4 (IT), E61/A2 (SI), E70/A3 (HR)