I couldn’t think of a lovelier time than the one I spent with Vesna and her family in Plave, Slovenia. Her family generously opened their home to me to experience the warmth of a wood-fired heater and traditionally crocheted blankets, the heart-warming and simple Slovenian fare and the laughter of a tightly-knit family. Amazing local experience in Slovenia! I was really connect with local people in Slovenia! I was encouraged to take a shot of the amazing homemade blueberry (borovniche) to get over my cold (Vesna’s family is making borovniche by themselves and when the season is you can go with them to hills and pick them), and I gladly obliged. I experienced a true hospitality and authentic experience in the local community. And a spoonful of homemade fir syrup was added to ease my cough. Homemade remedies worked wonders, not least because of the big dosage of care and love I was getting in the mixture. I immersed myself in local customs and traditions in Slovenia. The peace of the village was what I needed to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. There is beauty in the routines the villagers were going about with their lives – quiet and dignified. The snow added a layer of calm settledness that gave me space for contemplation as we moved on to another new year. We had a great day out visiting the wineries in the region and going to see the castle set in a mirror lake. The joy of wine tasting is only as great as the hospitality of the vineyard owners, and there was a lot of that. I tasted real local meals and got dipper into Slovenian culture. I spent a lovely afternoon sampling wine with delicious hors devour and conversations of wine, people and just life in general. That experience was matched by another trip to a local restaurant nestled in the hills where I had very authentic and tasty anti-pasti and wine. I learnt a lot from the locals and enriched my knowledge about Slovenia! Another trip back to Plave, Soca valley in Slovenia is in the plans! Try and experience Slovenia with locals! Taste traditional meals in a local families’ home, hear their stories and get into their culture. Unforgettable experience! All the best for your endeavor!