Lake Bohinj in summer, with the mountains of the Julian Alps behind it

Discover Eastern Europe at your own pace

Honest travel stories and practical tips about mountain lakes, camping, cottages and hotels.

Welcome

Peace, space and a touch of adventure

Eastern Europe surprises. Clear lakes beneath steep mountain walls, coastal villages that are still quiet, and hospitable people. We travel there ourselves and share what we learn along the way: where to camp beautifully, which cottages are worth it and when a hotel is the smarter choice.

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Mount Triglav and the Vrata Valley in the Julian Alps

Destinations

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Camping gear

Well prepared for the campsite

No special offers, just what we take with us ourselves and what we pay attention to.

A tent on a green pitch in Slovenia

Tent and sleeping bag

Choose a tent that stands firm in mountain winds. In the Julian Alps it cools down a lot at night, even in summer: pay attention to the comfort temperature of your sleeping bag.

Cooking on the road

A compact gas stove with a screw-on cartridge is easy to find in Slovenia and Croatia at outdoor shops and larger supermarkets.

Shoes and clothing

Sturdy hiking boots for the mountain trails, water shoes for pebble beaches on the Adriatic coast, and always a rain jacket in the backpack.

Water and hygiene

Bring a reusable bottle. Wild camping is prohibited in Slovenia and Croatia: choose a campsite or a small-scale camp.

Camping in the low season

Travelling in the early or late season? With the CampingCard ACSI you pay a fixed, lower rate per night at participating campsites, including pitch, two adults, electricity and a hot shower. Tourist tax is extra, and which weeks count differs per campsite. So check the period for your campsite. Source: CampingCard ACSI

Rules worth knowing

A few things we looked up in the official sources, so you don't get any surprises.

Slovenia: campsites only

Wild camping is prohibited throughout Slovenia. With a camper van you stay overnight at a campsite or at a special camper van area; these have electricity, water and a place to empty your toilet. Source: Slovenia.info

Triglav National Park

In the park you may not pitch a tent or spend the night outside the designated places. A camper van may also only stay overnight at a campsite: there are no parking areas intended for that. Swimming in the high mountain lakes and streams is not allowed (this does not apply to Bohinj or Bled). Source: Triglav National Park

Croatia: registered campsites

Camping outside registered campsites is punishable in Croatia. With a camper van you may also stay on parking areas that are expressly designated for it. Many campsites have a spot at the entrance for a short stop. Source: Camping.hr

Tourist tax in Croatia

Anyone who stays overnight at a campsite or other accommodation pays tourist tax. Children under 12 are exempt, young people aged 12 to 18 pay half. Ask your campsite what the amount is. Source: gov.hr

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