Slovenia

Slovenia is a great country that many visitors to Europe overlook. Those that do choose to go there will be treated to some of the most beautiful and uncrowded parts of Europe. I was lucky enough to visit Slovenia a couple years ago and took all of these photos on an iPhone 6.

Ljubljana

This is one of my favorite cities in all of Europe. It doesn't have the sights of Paris or London, but it makes up for it in all other aspects. The food is amazing, everywhere! While central and eastern Europe aren't home to my favorite cuisines, Ljubljana has a lot of great options from a variety of places. You can find lovely French cafes and authentic food from neighboring Italy. And everything is reasonably priced or free! Free art galleries. Free public toilets. Free public transport (seriously, you can board trains in Slovenia without a ticket and not get fined). 

Metelkova

This is a one-of-a-kind art gallery in Ljubljana. I say gallery, but in reality it's kind of like a small neighborhood. This street features hundreds of different industrial and steam-punk style artworks, from small wire creations to big pieces like the car in this photo. You can come by during the day to see the artists at work and experience the installations without the crowds. Or you can come at night when it turns into a block party.

Lake Bled

Slovenia does have a tiny stretch along the Adriatic Sea, but the best place to swim is definitely Lake Bled. This is a medium-sized lake in the middle of the country (it takes about 3 hours to walk the perimeter of the lake). There are no motorized boats on the lake and it features of beautiful island with a 17th century church on it. You can also hike up to the castle featured in the photo, which looks like something out of Bram Stoker's Dracula, for an aerial view of the whole lake. In summer you can swim in the refreshing, clear water, and in winter you can hit the slopes at the various Slovenian ski resorts in the Julian Alps.

Soča River

Slovenia is definitely the adventure sport capital of Europe. In the Soča Valley, you can go whitewater rafting on the river, mountain bike the hills, or even go skydiving. The photo features the remnants of the annual MetalDays metal music festival along the river.

Vintgar Gorge

This gorge is home to a short hiking trail. It can be completed in under an hour, but features some picturesque waterfalls and rapids. Plus, it's only a short walk from Lake Bled.