Wow, another pocket of goodness is Bohinj in Slovenia. Bohinj is located in the heart of the Julian Alps, encompassing the valley of Nomenj, the Upper and Lower Bohinj Valleys, the lake basin, the Pokljuka and Jelovica plateaus, including a high mountain range. Bohinj Lake - Slovenia We longed for more of the encapsulating views of the Slovenian Alps, so we found a quaint boutique hotel where you could do precisely that: soak up the views. Upon arriving at Boutique Hotel Majerca , we high-fived ourselves as if we had won the lottery again with our stays. It was majestic and just moments from another beautiful lake, Bohinj Lake, the most recognisable and astonishing natural site in Slovenia, and the largest lake in the country. The hotel is described as the most amazing corner on earth, and it truly lives up to this description. Boutique Hotel Majerca - Bohinj - Slovenia Boutique Hotel Majerca  - Bohinj - Slovenia We soon settled in whilst the sun was still shining and enjoyed a bottle of champagne to pause and appreciate the awe-inspiring views in this enchanting corner of Slovenia. As the evening drew near, we were booked into the Michelin-recommended Majer'ca Restaurant ; we love it when the hotel spoils us with a beautiful restaurant to experience authentic Bohinj cuisine. The meals served were delicious, home-cooked dishes prepared according to local recipes with a contemporary touch. The evening was one we hold close to our hearts, and the warmth of service from our lovely waiter, Guspkja, was one in a million. The food and wine were indeed a culinary journey and only made us fall more in love with Slovenia. Following a tranquil sleep in the peacefulness of the mountains, we rose to enjoy one of the best hotel breakfasts, a lovely and delicious start to the morning, as we watched the mist rise as the Alps came into view. We followed breakfast with a morning walk at Lake Bohinj to capture the memories of our stay and relish in the true beauty of the region; we left Bohinj bound for our friends with a refreshing bounce in our step, ready to embark on the two-hour drive to Skofja Loka to spend the weekend with our dear friends and family. Bohinj is another delight for nature lovers. You have everything on your doorstep: cycling, paragliding, water activities and hiking. Bohinj is another perfect summer getaway, and we can only imagine the ideal winter adventure. Paragliding - Bohinj - Slovenia Date visited: 29 September 2023

A place that needs no introduction, we are all familiar with the fairytale pictures of Lake Bled, a Slovenian resort town in the foothills of the Julian Alps, set along the glacial lake. On a cliff overlooking the lake is the 11th-century Bled Castle, which houses a museum, chapel and printing press. Atop a small island in the lake's centre is the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria, with its steep staircase and bell tower. Lake Bled - Slovenia We were en route to Bohinj from Kranjska Gora for another night amidst the divine nature of Slovenia. Bled was on our list to visit, and it had been for eons, so it was a must! As we arrived in the busy little town, less than one hour's drive from Kranjska Gora , we quickly found a car park and wandered to the lake, as they keep the tourist traffic on the outskirts of the lake. Bled - Slovenia Immediately, we came across a horse and cart carriage ride, the perfect way to circumnavigate the 2km lake and be able to soak up the atmosphere in a relaxed style whilst listening to the beautiful tones of the horse's hooves clip-clopping along, music to my ears! The weather was perfect, and we loved the half-hour experience for €60; it provided us with just enough of the town's atmosphere, along with views of the beautiful castle and church. Bled, Slovenia Following the carriage ride, we were on the lookout for a lovely waterside restaurant to celebrate Bled over a bottle of champagne. If you have a sweet tooth, you will be tempted by the renowned Bled Cream Cakes , originating from the Park Hotel restaurant in 1953, courtesy of pastry chef Istvan Lukacevic. Annually, the Park Café produces 500,000 Original Bled Cream Cakes, culminating in a staggering total of 13 million cream cakes over the years. Were these cakes to be arranged in a straight line, they would span the distance from Bled to Rome. Alternatively, if placed side by side around Lake Bled, they would form a towering 7-meter-high wall encircling the lake. Unfortunately, being a Thursday, all the Michelin-recommended establishments were closed, and the places opened were unappealing and very busy with tourists, so we found a spot by the water for a quick aperitif, and you definitely could feel the poor staff were also over the tourism and were glad summer was coming to an end. Lake Bled - Slovenia Slovenia holds the title of the Country of Chess, renowned for its masters of boutique chess sets, and boasts the world's first chess monument at Lake Bled. The chess sculpture, a collection of bronze pieces, is elegantly positioned within Park Villa Zora and was crafted by the sculptor Janez Boljka. Our verdict is that, upon experiencing Bled first-hand, Kranjska Gora still has our hearts; there is no comparison. We had heard so much about Bled over the years; it was always a must-visit destination, but with Bled being popular with tourists, it lacks the warmth and soul of other areas of Slovenia. For an authentic experience of Slovenia, go beyond the obligatory visit to Bled; you will be pleasantly surprised. Date visited: 28 September 2023

Slovenia, you are hard to describe! You truly captured our hearts; you are now among our most beautiful visited countries. We drove from Koper, where we hired the car, as it was only 20 km from Trieste , where we finished our Italian travels. It was interesting as we crossed the border, and the infrastructure was impressive, with the country well-connected throughout. This provided well-built access to navigate the small country easily. Slovenia is a nature paradise; you have a sense of wonderment as the world around you unveils itself. The mountains, the everlasting views, the lush green meadows, and the villages, all home to an enchanting chapel as the centrepiece, there are constant 'wow' moments! Slovenia Kranjska Gora was where we began our love affair with Slovenia, thanks to a fabulous Airbnb we found, which would make the perfect hideaway to nest and catch up; it did not disappoint. Kranjska Gora - Airbnb We have all felt this way before, an instant vibe of belonging, and this place just gave you all those chills and a sense of tranquillity. We spent the first three nights in our Airbnb, soaking up the Julian Alps, peeking through the surrounding nature over sunsets and wine, of course! Airbnb - Kranjska Gora - Slovenia On our final day, we emerged from our peaceful abode and explored the beautiful village of Kranjska Gora, which offered all the perks of a ski winter village but was also a quaint and pristine summer village, perfect for hiking enthusiasts. You were spoiled for choice with dining options, too. On our final night, we stayed at Jasna Chalet Resort , another tranquil haven on Jasna Lake. It is here that our jaws dropped upon arrival, and the 24 hours we spent enjoying this magical corner of Slovenia were so inspiring. It truly is one of the most beautiful pockets of nature we have seen, even more so than Banff. The untouched presence of tourists was enlightening, and just a scattering of local tourists due to the end of summer. The chalet is committed to complete sustainability, and the apartments are fully equipped, modernly designed and very comfortable. We had a ground stay and loved being so close to the lake with the incredible mountainscape towering above us. Jasna Chalet Resort We enjoyed a slow lunch at Restaurant Jasna and strolled around the crystal turquoise bodies of water, soaking up the sunset and views, and enjoying being at one with nature. Lake Jasna Jasna Resort, Kranjska Gora , Slovenia Jasna Resort also holds a little history, as it was a favourite spot of one of Slovenia's kings, who chose it for one of his homes. The lakes served as his backyard swimming pools, with a picturesque view as a backdrop. We soon felt why he chose Jezero Jasna (Lake Jasna), and you will be mesmerised by its raw beauty, too. Kranjska Gora, you are located in an extraordinary part of Slovenia; the nature and views surrounding you are truly breathtaking. You were the perfect introduction to our 73rd country, Slovenia, as we made our way to our dear friends further south for the weekend. Lake Jasna, Kranjska Gora - Slovenia Date visited: 28 September 2023

A reunion: it had been a month of reconnecting with friends from afar, and spending a weekend in Skofja Loka, Slovenia, with Tamara, Nick, and their family was a blessing. We last caught up in Belgrade in 2021 with the fam, so it had been two years. The two-hour drive from Bohinj was a wonderful experience, as we opted for the road less travelled and took the scenic route. It was a challenge at times for hubby, with some less-than-perfect roads, but as we ascended the mountain range, the views were all worth it. Imagine driving through perfectly manicured, lush green valleys, dotted with small villages often divided by a narrow one-lane highway. The Slovenian landscape The Slovenian landscape A Slovenian village The Slovenian landscape Mid-afternoon, we arrived at Skofja Loka; it was full of joy and cuddles as we all caught up on the past few years and reconnected. That evening, we had our own little tour guide in Tamara, who shared her hometown and tales of growing up in Slovenia. Skofja Loka is a historic town renowned for its tradition and creativity, located near Ljubljana and just 30 minutes from the capital. It is an excellent starting point for exploring the Julian Alps or, in our case, an ending point. A beautiful old medieval castle is the centrepiece of the old town. The views are endless, and an easy walk up to the castle, and you can even enjoy a cocktail over sunset. Seriously, how this place can serve bespoke cocktails with big ice and amazing staff is beyond words. Our weekend together went differently than planned. We had planned to explore more regions of Slovenia, but after a minor mishap with a tyre puncture, we were sent back to the safety of home and forced to relax. Wayne got to experience mountain driving in his friend's Porsche GT3, and his squeals of delight at tackling some serious mountain driving. The Joyride It was precious; we were wined and dined, and the kids even prepared breakfast; who can say no to weekend pancakes? The kids were fans of having hubby around to play with Lego. We even got to finally see Top Gun: Maverick, a film we never had the chance to watch, and we loved it. We all loved the time together and are eternally grateful to Nick, Tamara, and their family for sharing their weekend, their home, and time with us, as well as their unwavering hospitality. We truly can't thank you enough; we loved our time together and look forward to the next adventure. Date visited: 30 September 2023

Our next sightseeing destination in Finland was a short train trip to Hämeenlinna from Riihimäki. This city of about 68,000 inhabitants is in the heart of the historical province of Tavastia and the modern province of Kanta-Häme in the south of Finland. Founded in 1639, it is the oldest inland city and was one of the most important Finnish cities until the 19th century. Hämeenlinna We all set out on a day trip to this beautiful village, only 20 minutes by train from Riihimäki. We enjoyed the peaceful morning walk to the train station by Topparoikka, an impressive St. Petersburg-Riihimäki railway statue opened in 1870. The Riihimäki train station was impressive. The quality of restaurants in European stations is far superior to that of the fast-food outlets in Australia. Hämeenlinna Hämeenlinna town was quaint and peaceful, with a lake running through the centre. There are 339 lakes in whole or in part in the city of Hämeenlinna. We all loved exploring this beautiful village on foot; you could understand why the locals chose it as their home.  Hämeenlinna is also the home of the Häme Cast Häme Finland's first women’s prison, now a tourist attraction. The medieval castle was most likely built during the late 13th century to serve as a military base between Sweden and Novgorod. At the end of the Middle Ages, it was governed by some of the most influential Swedish houses, the Tott, the Sture, and the Posse. On the way to Hame CastHämeyou can stop at Museo Militaria and enjoy the outdoor exhibition area, which features cannons from the 1870s to the 1980s. Once the walking and exploring with the family was over, Wayne and I stumbled upon this gem of a wine bar and restaurant called Ravintola Uoma . It was a perfect end to a day of exploring Hämeenlinna—a sun-kissed patio, a bottle of vino, and the feeling of pure relaxation washing over us. It was magic. The wine list left us spoiled for choice, and we settled on the perfect bottle to complement our laid-back afternoon vibes. When it was finally time to catch our train back to Riihimäki, we left feeling content, refreshed, and grateful for the little moments of magic that make travelling so unique, capturing the last glimpses of the city as we were bound for the station. Let me tell you about the epic train travel experience in Finland. With a seamless online ticket booking system, including online status updates, you can monitor the train by the minute on a timeline. Next-level comfort, privacy, and efficiency that blows your mind. It's a first-class adventure as you glide through the lush green Finnish landscapes to your next destination. It is a special day for discovering more of Finland. Next, we explore Turku and Helsinki. Hämeenlinna

Restaurant Sveta Sofija - One visit On our first day in Macedonia, we visited a local restaurant that served traditional Macedonian cuisine and wine upon arrival. Restaurant Sveta Sofija - Ohrid We always love arriving in a new country and sampling the local wines, and Macedonia has not disappointed us with the quality of its wines. This restaurant is in the heart of the old city, surrounded by cobblestones and on the doorstep of Orthodox Sophia, a beautiful Orthodox church. Soaking up the new environment and enjoying the traditional delights that welcomed us to Macedonia was beautiful. The zucchini chips were a treat, and the serving sizes were large, so order slowly. The team is friendly and loves sharing their knowledge of Ohrid and the delicious food and wines available. It is a great spot to enjoy the local vibe and perfect for a sunny afternoon sitting on the terrace.

Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou‌ Aït Ben Haddou is an ighrem (a fortified village in English) along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech in present-day Morocco. Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou‌ Most citizens attracted by the tourist trade live in more modern dwellings in a village on the other side of the river, although four families still live in the ancient village. Inside the walls of the ksar are half a dozen kasbahs, or merchants' houses. Ksar Aït Benhaddou is an excellent example of Moroccan earthen clay architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Value for money - Poor Security - Great People - Friendly Travel - Plane Length - Most of our life When - Birth Transfers - Uber Accommodation - Airbnb and Boutique hotels

The Lion - Two visits The Lion is a hot new restaurant and bar opened in Ohrid. It offers sensational views of Lake Ohrid. The Lion - Ohrid First and foremost, the delightful owners and staff are an absolute pleasure. You feel incredibly welcome from the moment you arrive. Secondly, the food will keep you coming back for more: traditional Macedonian, tapas, and international fusion. The menu is designed to share, with a range of options for all appetites. Try the Zucchini balls; they were heaven! Tacos and traditional beef dishes are also a must! The restaurant is beautifully designed, with modern, high-quality furnishings. It's easy to spend the afternoon and evening relaxing with fine wines, cocktails, and food with your friends. The vibe and energy are infectious. It's a local hotspot, and you feel like you're part of the family. You get excellent service, food, and drinks, and you are spoiled with untouched views of Lake Ohrid, the perfect location to enjoy the magical sunsets of Macedonia. We were spoilt with surprise live music from a guest during our visit:-) The Lion - Ohrid A big thank you to Bryan and Kathy (the delightful owners), Phillip (our very attentive waiter) and the rockstar bar crew, who made us feel welcome during our stay in Ohrid. The Lion is the place to visit in Ohrid; you won't be disappointed.

Santo Tomas, Guatemala Welcome to Country 68. It has been a busy week as we sail the coast of Central America northbound for Miami with Oceania Cruises on our 110-day voyage . Only six months ago, this part of the world was unknown to us, and six months later, we can safely say we are now quite familiar with it! Today, we arrived in Santo Tomas, Guatemala, one of the busiest ports in Central America, so we were prepared for the view this morning. Those who cruise will only be too familiar with the active working port views and sounds. This small country is the birthplace of the Mayan culture and the geographic centre of the area they inhabited, which is why it is known as the Heart of the Mayan World. The Maya call "d Guate" ala I "i ulew," or Lan of Corn, but its main agricultural export today is bananas. Santo Tomas - Guatemala We took the opportunity to walk off and get our steps up, as, again, the hot and humid heat was to accompany us; we set our sights on the local beach. As we passed all the locals, they were very respectful and greeted us warmly, and slight pressure from the taxi drivers didn't go unnoticed. It was interesting to see many busy workers sweeping the roads and paths of jungle debris, but neglecting to collect the plastic waste scattered alongside the paths. We, of course, played our part and picked up as we went. Upon arriving at the beach, we noticed two young lads, about 12 years old, wading through the water beneath a beach bar carrying large crates full of empty beer bottles. The water was far from crystal clear. They were not diving into the water and collecting the bottles, which were being thrown over from the bar above. Watching these young lads filled our hearts with joy. We wanted to show our appreciation for their hard work and reward them for making the world a better place, so we waited for them to pop out with an entire crate and donated funds to their savings, watching his eyes widen, and a smile that melted our hearts when he received the $50 was heartwarming. Due to the language barrier, we shared our encouragement and congratulations via hand signals, but we know he understood! Legends they were, leading by example. The average monthly salary is about USD 550 in Guatemala City, and there is a substantial gap between the city and other parts of the country. This small act of kindness made our day in Guatemala special. One day, we can return to explore the beautiful tropical jungles, wildlife, and villages and experience more of the Mayan culture. Santo Tomas - Guatemala Our final adventures are coming as we inch closer to Miami and complete our 110-day journey with Oceania Cruises .