Late summer in fairytale Slovenia with the HYMER ML-T 580 All-wheel drive

Slovenia has been on our wish list for a while and seems like the ideal country to explore with the HYMER ML-T 580 all-wheel drive. Rugged mountain peaks, turquoise rivers, and rolling green hills: Is this country Europe's hidden gem?

On our week-long trip, we discover the magical west of the country, especially the region around Lake Bled and the country's pride and joy, Triglav National Park. With this luxurious and robust all-wheel drive motorhome, we can finally do what we've always wanted: stray from the beaten path and awaken our inner sense of adventure.

Hannah König and Jannes Drop

Authors

Destination: Slovenia
Model: HYMER ML-T 580 All-wheel drive

A new destination

We've visited the mountains of France, Germany, Italy, Austria, and Switzerland several times, but we've never been to Slovenia. Is the water of the kilometer-long Alpine Soča River really that brilliant blue? We're excited to explore the lakes, gorges, caves, and mountain peaks of Slovenia. When you think of the Balkan region, it sounds far away, but from southern Germany, you can quickly get to Slovenia.

After a few hours' drive, we find a parking space in the lively town of Bad Aibling, where we can spend the night safely and affordably. We close the blackout blinds of our vehicle and enjoy our small, luxurious home. A compact kitchen, a cosy seating area with stylish ambient lighting, comfortable seats, and a fantastic audio system: In this camper, you can calmly seek out the cold even in autumn and winter – because inside it's cosy and warm. The motorhome has a huge bed in the back, which offers plenty of space for us and our three-year-old son, Louie. If necessary, the seating area can be converted into an additional bed.

The next morning, we pick up fresh rolls from the bakery and, after a delicious breakfast, continue our journey. We cross Austria and reach Slovenia via the Karawanks Tunnel.

The mystical Lake Bled

Of the eight Alpine countries, Slovenia is one of the smallest. The country is half the size of the Netherlands and has only two million inhabitants, most of whom live in the largest cities. Shortly after the border, we find what we were looking for: peace and space in the Julian Alps. The nature is rugged and untouched, and we decide to pay a visit to the touristy, but according to the guidebooks, also magical, Lake Bled.

It's Slovenia's main attraction, and from the western side of the lake, there's a spectacular view of the small island with its Church of St. Mary, the castle behind it, and the mighty mountains. Although it's September, the area around the lake is still bustling with activity. The water glows turquoise, and people are strolling, having lunch, and boating everywhere.

In a romantic sunset mood, we toast the coming week with well-chilled drinks from the large refrigerator.

Authors Hannah König & Jannes Drop

Authors & Photographers

Only the trees reveal that it's autumn, because when we park our camper next to an apple tree, the red apples are ready to be picked. The Slovenian apple pie we plan to bake with them will surely bring us back to this idyllic place in our thoughts.

Off-road adventure

Eager to test the HYMER ML-T's all-wheel drive on a rough, unpaved road, we leave Lake Bled after a delicious lunch and search for a nearby off-road route on Wikiloc. With a sense of 'adventurous serenity,' we turn onto a gravel road and continue our journey through the Slovenian countryside.

A mixture of tingling anticipation and the security of being well-prepared accompanies us; we trust in the reliability and performance of our vehicle. Our decision to leave the crowds behind opens the way to quiet paths, deserted meadows, and views that we don't have to share with other tourists.

From Bled to Lancovo, we drive over gravel roads, through puddles, and deep mud pits, and have a lot of fun. When driving off-road, you hardly have to do anything as the driver, because the camper's wheels reliably find their way through the mud or over rocks – a fantastic experience!

We spend the afternoon in a mystical and adventurous place in a green deciduous forest, where the grass is quite wet, but we don't have to worry about getting stuck. Louie plays with his remote-controlled car, and we enjoy the time outdoors.

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With our own motorhome, built in 2000, we avoid swampy terrain, as the risk of getting stuck without four-wheel drive is quite high. In recent years, we've had to be pulled out of the mud by tractors several times in the fall and winter.

With a vehicle like the HYMER ML-T 4x4, however, you don't have to worry about that and can definitely reach more beautiful, quieter, and more remote places.

Sweet Radovljica near Bled

After our adventure tour, we drive to Radovljica, a medieval town near Bled. Since wild camping is prohibited in Slovenia, we park the motorhome at a campsite near the Olympic swimming pool and explore the old town. Radovljica has a compact and cozy center, where a lot of activity takes place on the streets despite the cool temperatures.
We light a candle in the church, learn all about a centuries-old gingerbread tradition, and learn from the locals that this charming town is known for its beekeeping, chocolate, and gingerbread, which is why it's called Sweet Radovljica. It's certainly sweet and cute here. As we unsuspectingly leave the center, we stumble upon a panoramic terrace overlooking green hills and the Julian Alps in the distance.
Radovljica is a pleasant and quiet place to enjoy the mountains and Slovenian traditions, as well as visit Bled, Ljubljana, or Bohinj. In summer, the streets are even busier and more sociable, and there are stalls where you can taste and buy local honey.

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Out of the wet grass

We cook a delicious pasta dish in the motorhome, and after dinner, we put our son to sleep in the king-size bed in the rear of our camper. That evening, we hear an owl hooting in the forest and the rain pattering on the roof. The next morning, after a restful night, as we open the blackout blinds, squirrels hop through the wet grass and climb the trees. It's been raining heavily, and the ground has become very muddy, but that doesn't worry us too much.

After breakfast, we effortlessly maneuver the HYMER ML-T out of the sodden meadow. A two-hour drive along winding mountain roads will take us to the small town of Tolmin, where we plan to hike through the spectacular Tolmin Gorges. First, however, we fortify ourselves with cheese rolls and potica, a traditional Slovenian yeast cake with a nut filling, which we buy from a tiny shop in a small village along the way.

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Hiking through gorges

The motorhome takes us comfortably and reliably through the mountains, having no trouble navigating the numerous hairpin bends. We are rewarded with the most beautiful views and are continually amazed by the impressive handling of the HYMER ML-T. In Tolmin, we find a parking lot with a bench, where we have lunch in the bright sunshine with a view of the mountains.

Equipped with hiking boots, we take the free shuttle bus to the entrance of the Tolmin Gorge, which was formed at the confluence of the Tolminka and Zadlascica rivers. It is located in the Soča Valley and is one of the gateways to Triglav National Park.

We hike along the blue river, crossing wobbly bridges and climbing steep stairs. We can hardly get enough of the view, and Louie also finds the small waterfalls and rapids fantastic. He's fascinated by the way the water gushing from the rocks.

After a two-hour hike with breaks, we take the shuttle bus back to our camper and find a spot for the night in Tolmin. It's a simple parking lot with a view of the mountains. But since we can spray the muddy wheels of our motorhome clean and fill the water tank before enjoying a warm shower in the motorhome, we give the spot a solid ten.

Moments of happiness on the mountain

This week's travel plan includes a visit to Slap Kozjak, a beautiful waterfall. But what would a motorhome adventure be without a spontaneous change of plans? Due to the persistent rain, we pass through the picturesque Drežnica without attempting the hike to the waterfall from there. Instead, we want to test the off-road capabilities of our HYMER all-wheel drive motorhome again and take a steep uphill road that we certainly would have skipped with our own aging motorhome. When the asphalt ends, we simply continue the journey on an unpaved road with large, loose stones and are amazed at the ease with which the HYMER ML-T handles the small mountain road with its steep inclines.

Accompanied by the tingling anticipation of new experiences, but with the reassuring knowledge that we have full control over the adventurous situation with our HYMER all-wheel drive vehicle, we reach a great spot on the mountain where we park our vehicle. In the kitchen of our motorhome, we make tea and enjoy Bled cream cake with fresh Slovenian raspberries. The Bled cream cake, also known as "The Sweet Queen of Bled," is a culinary specialty of the town of Bled and an absolute delight.

When the rain finally stops, we head out into the fresh air, and Louie rides his mint-green balance bike—wrapped in his waterproof rainsuit—singing his way around the hill. We'll never forget this moment of happiness.

Discover local cuisine

We've been in Slovenia for a few days now, and it's high time to discover the country's typical cuisine and its local delicacies. We choose a local restaurant on the main street in Bovec, which—like almost all restaurants in Slovenia—offers ample parking for buses and campers. The chef explains the local specialties to us and we decide on jota, a Slovenian sauerkraut soup, for the starter, and squid and a mixed grill for the main course. Everything is freshly prepared and tastes excellent.

To finish, we'll treat ourselves to a gibanica, a traditional cake made with strudel dough and cream cheese. Compared to many other European countries, Slovenia offers excellent value for money in terms of culinary experiences, allowing you to fully enjoy the diverse and delicious local cuisine.

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Bovec is also a paradise for hikers, nature lovers, and all outdoor enthusiasts. Water sports enthusiasts will find their money's worth on the Soča, as the turquoise-blue river is ideal for kayaking or rafting. The best part is that you can always enjoy magnificent views of the peaks of the surrounding Julian Alps.

Those who want to go higher can take the cable car and, on a clear day, marvel at the sparkling Adriatic Sea at an altitude of 2,200 meters. Winter sports enthusiasts will find their money's worth in several ski resorts.

Conclusion

We are grateful to have discovered a new country for ourselves in Slovenia – and what a country it is! The turquoise Soča River, the friendly people, the peaceful tranquility, and the lush greenery: Slovenia is perfect for traveling in a motorhome. We will definitely be back to discover the areas that have remained hidden from us until now. We begin our journey home with hearts full of wonderful memories. This September – traveling in the HYMER ML-T – will undoubtedly remain in our memories forever.

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Late summer in fairytale Slovenia with the HYMER ML-T 580 All-wheel drive

A new destination

The mystical Lake Bled

Off-road adventure

Sweet Radovljica near Bled

Travel instead of reading?

Out of the wet grass

Hiking through gorges

Moments of happiness on the mountain

Discover local cuisine

Conclusion

The perfect HYMER for any adventure

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