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2 Top Overseas Destinations for Women Over 50
Both countries are truly magical.
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“Slovenia? Where’s that?” my husband asked. Good question. Slovenia became an independent country in 1991, and it’s been on my radar since I asked a Backroads trip guide to recommend undiscovered destinations. When he said “Slovenia,” I had to look at a map.
To lure my husband, I added Croatia, which he knew more about. In fact, Croatian tourism recently launched a “I Hear It’s Beautiful” campaign that features a crusty John Malkovich, of Croatian roots. Yes, it is truly beautiful, as is Slovenia. While Game of Thrones [GOT] fans and cruise ships have found Croatia, Slovenia remains less traveled and inviting for anyone who loves charming, walkable towns and a welcoming populace.
With two other couples, we spent extra days in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana before our Backroads multi-adventure tour. We found a thriving café culture both for morning coffee and evening drinks and loved strolling along the river. The city’s center is closed for cars, so you can saunter at will. We enjoyed sipping local white wine while people watching. You can hike to a castle from town, and don’t miss the Friday food market when everyone grabs international or local specialties and eats outdoors. My girlfriends and I found the Saturday morning market an excellent source for mouthwateringly fruit and affordable linen shirts and dresses.
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Having been ruled by the Hapsburg monarchs of Austria from the 14th to 20th century (with a few Napoleonic years thrown in), Slovenia has a decidedly Austrian or Swiss feel. You’ll enjoy chalet-like homes tucked into small villages tucked into valleys between the mountains and hills. Slovenia boasts the Julian Alps and had the world’s highest ski jumping facility, until recently bested by Germany.
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The best way to see this rolling country is by e-bike. Slovenia celebrates its greenness by offering many routes between gorgeous settings and recently opened a new section of path that winds along gorgeously clear streams and rivers, alongside bucolic farms and villages. On surprisingly hot summer days, I found my e-bike invaluable. Which brings up another point: summers in Europe have hit sweltering highs, so schedule your visit in the fall or spring. That will also help you avoid some GOT fans in Croatia.
Include Lake Bled in your itinerary, even if it’s a popular tourist site. The lake has astonishingly blue-green water, and you can be rowed out to a small island with an endlessly photographable church perched atop it. The clear lake is particularly inviting after a brisk walk circumnavigating the lake on a mainly flat, 6-kilometer path. The outdoorsy Slovenians are proud of their three-peaked tallest mountain, Triglav. We took the gondola up to a hiking launch area, which hosts winter skiing and has an excellent restaurant. Initially, we climbed a blue-level ski slope to earn amazing views of Triglav and surrounding hills and valleys. Then we followed a wildflower-lined path that dipped through a lush valley and into cool woods.
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A sliver of the Adriatic coastline belongs to Slovenia, and the village of Piran is worth a visit. We borrowed hotel bikes in Portorož (more touristy) and rode a few miles to town. It was too hot to climb the city walls, so we enjoyed wine and people watching at one of many shaded outdoor cafes.
Most of the eastern Adriatic coastline belongs to Croatia, and the region of Istria is at the top. Overall, Croatia has an Italian feel, as its history traces back to Ancient Rome and Renaissance Venice. The town of Pula has a Roman amphitheater that’s on my list for next time. We adored the coastal town of Rovinj with its uneven cobblestone streets, hanging laundry in narrow alleys, and local shops with lively art and linen clothing. Gelato is abundant and yummy here. Most locals seem to take a daily dip in the buoyant Adriatic that nearly surrounds this peninsula. The coastline has a roped-off swimming area keeping it safe from the boaters cruising into this harbor town. Pack water shoes because Croatia’s beaches are rocky, not sandy. The people simply leave their towels and shoes on rocks and jump in. After your refreshing submersion, choose from the many shaded cafes that overlook the harbor and that may even provide a sunset view. One evening we took a boat tour to see dolphins, which never gets old.
My recent cruise to Dubrovnik and other Adriatic destinations was lovely, if sweaty. Entering that walled city by boat was impressive, but I advise anyone visiting this popular GOT filming location to take the cable car up Mount Srd first. You’ll find a cooling breeze and amazing views overlooking the fully intact medieval walls (hence the filming). Grab a table at the mountaintop restaurant and order an Aperol or Hugo Spritz to sip while you soak in the amazing views. When it’s cooler, walk the walls’ circumference, or, like me, focus on the waterfront views. That wall section conveniently has cafes atop it, where you can linger and imagine life here.
Road Scholar has a 13-day active tour of mainly Slovenia with a dip into northern Croatia, ideal for solo women travelers. Intrepid offers an affordable, lower activity level trip. I still have much to explore — more bike paths through Slovenia, the waterfalls at Croatia’s Plitvace Lake National Park, and the vibrant cities of Split and Opatija. I look forward to savoring them.
Have any of you been to Slovenia and Croatia? Let us know in the comments below.
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