I come from Ukraine, an amazing country with kind people, tasty food, and a long history. I have always been curious about the world. Since I was a kid, I dreamed of visiting other countries, seeing new places, and learning about different cultures. Now, after finishing high school I decided to take a gap year before university in order to travel as much as I can, and I want to share my experiences with you here.

One of the main reasons I travel is because I really enjoy meeting new people. Every person has their own story, and it’s interesting to learn about how others live, what they believe in, their cultures and what makes them happy, as well as I also love to learn new languages. I think language is the key to understanding people better. When I learn even a few words in another language, it helps me make a connection with someone. People often smile when they hear you trying to speak their language, even if you make small mistakes.

Another reason I travel is because I want to become more confident. I can be a little shy sometimes, and it is not always easy for me to start a conversation or walk up to someone new, although I have found thay traveling helps me with this. When I am in a new place, I have more chances to practice, and often, something nice happens after I do. I meet someone kind, I learn something interesting, or I discover a hidden place that I would not have found alone.

My personal goal during my travels is to talk to more people and not be afraid. I want to come out of my shell and open up more, and I believe that real adventure begins when you talk to strangers and hear their stories. It’s not just about taking photos or visiting famous places. For me, the most special moments are the small ones, such as talking to someone on a bus, asking for help with something, or sharing food with someone new.

In this blog, I will write about the places I go, the people I meet, and the lessons I learn from them. I will also share how I practice language skills in real life and what helps me feel more confident when I travel. My journey is not just about traveling around the world, but it is  also about becoming a more open person.

Thank you so much for reading this! I hope you enjoy following my journey. Maybe my stories can inspire you to travel too, or just to try something new and step outside your comfort zone. Let’s explore the world together!

As someone who lives here, I’ve had the chance to explore many Korean and Asian restaurants and cafes around the city, and I love them, especially when I go with my friends.

One of our favorite spots is Asian Hot Pot and BBQ, a cozy place where you can enjoy real Korean barbecue and hot pot. Each table has a grill and space for the hot pot, so you cook your own meat like pork belly, marinated beef, or chicken right there, and as for hot pot, you get. a pot of boiling soup and you cook the ingredients in there, such as vegetables, fish, and meat.    It’s a fun and social way to eat, and the flavors are amazing. The combination of barbecue and hot pot make every visit feel like a party.

Another place I like a lot is Sarrbing, or Sarr Bingsu, which is a Korean dessert cafe located in the city center. Their signature dessert is sarrbing, which is also known as bingsu, which is a shaved milk ice dessert that is light, sweet, and perfect for sharing. My favorite is the mango bingsu, but they also have matcha, chocolate, and red bean versions. The cafe staff are family members and are very nice, and it is a great place to unwind or hang out after a meal.

When we’re in the mood for a drink, Yuko Bubble Tea is our go-to place. They offer a wide range of bubble tea flavors - from classic milk teas to fruity options with tapioca pearls, popping bubbles, and jelly. I personally love the passion fruit green tea, and my friends usually go for brown sugar milk tea or strawberry with lychee pearls. The shop is bright, colorful, and always full of positive energy.

What I enjoy most about these places is not just the food, but the experiences they create. Whether it’s cooking BBQ at the table, sharing a bowl of bingsu, or talking while sharing a bubble tea, these spots add something special to life in Ljubljana. And with more Asian cafes and restaurants popping up around the city, the scene just keeps getting better.

If you’re living in Ljubljana or just visiting, I would definitely recommend trying these places. They’re a delicious way to explore a different side of the city and a great reason to meet up with your friends or family.

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, is known for its beauty as well as being a calm city, but it also has places with deep stories, and the ones I chose to write about in this entry are the Trail of Remembrance and Comradeship and the Žale Cemetery.

The Trail of Remembrance and Comradeship looks like a normal walking or biking path that goes all around the city, although during World War II, this was the place where the Italian army closed the cuty off using barbed wires. Ljubljana was surrounded, and no one could entry or leave without permission, so it ended up being like a prison.

Now the trail is peaceful. People walk, run, and ride on their bikes there - trees grow along the path, and it is bright and quiet, but small signs and stone markers show where the wire once was. Walking this trail helps people remember what happened during the war and think about the people who lived through it. Every year in May, many Slovenians walk the trail to honor their history.

The Žale Cemetery is another important place for dark tourism - it is the biggest cemetery in Ljubljana and was partially designed by Jože Plečnik, eho is a famius Slovenian architect. The cemetery is not only a resting place but also is somewhat of an open-air museum. The buildings, arches, and paths are beautiful and full of history behind them.

At the cemetery, many well-known Slovenians are buried, such as poets, artists, and leaders. There are also special areas for soldiers who died in different wars. Each part of the cemetery tells a story. Some graves are big and decorated, others are small and not that complicated, but what brings them together is the fact that all of them are part of the city’s history.

Walking through Žale is calm and quiet. It’s not a scary place. It helps people think about life, death, and how we remember those who are gone, and it is also a place to see gorgeous architecture and learn more about Slovenian culture.

Overall, Ljubljana does not have many spots for dark tourism, but the ones that are there make up in quality for the quantity.

I will start with the most famous one: Tivoli Park. It is the biggest park in Ljubljana, and, honestly, it never gets old - I usually go there when I am in the city center and want a quiet walk or with friends.

There are many great picnic spots in Tivoli, especially near the rose garden or by the pond (there is also a cafe nearby). Those are great places for families or friends who want to hang out together and relax.

Another one of my go-to places is Špica near the Ljubljanica River. It is just a short walk from the old part of the town, and it’s where the river splits into two. There is a small park with grass and benches, and the river view is gorgeous. A lot of people come here to sunbathe, meet up and talk with their friends, or have a picnic on the grass.

In summer, I like to take a nice cold drink from Donut Tell, which is a small shop near Špica that serves bubble teas, coffees and sweet teas as well as both sweet and savoury donuts and snacks; and just sit by the water reading a book or with my friends. It’s simple, but it feels like a small holiday in the middle of the city.

If I feel like being surrounded by more trees and less city, I go to Rožnik hill, which is a part of Tivoli, but feels like its own little forest world. The walk up is not hard, and it takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the way. I would take the way from Tivoli Park and go up through the forest.

On top of Rožnik, there’s a small church and a guesthouse where you can get a drink or some traditional Slovenian food, but I often bring my own snacks and find a quiet spot on the way to sit and enjoy nature, and it is also a great place for dog walks(although I don’t have one), and the air feels fresh even on hot days.

There are also smaller places I like. Park Tabor is in the city center and is perfect for quick lunch breaks or short hang-outs with my friends. And if I want a longer walk or a peaceful afternoon, I go to Koseze Pond. It’s a bit outside the center, but it’s calm and green, with ducks swimming and people running or cycling around the water.

Living in Ljubljana means I don’t have to travel far to enjoy nature - depends on whether I want to be alone with my thoughts or spend time with my friends, there’s always a green part of the city waiting. So if you’re new in town or just visiting, take time to explore these places. The city’s parks and picnic spots are part of what makes Ljubljana such a lovely place to live in.

In this blog post, I want to share some of my favorite places to visit with children in Ljubljana, and also a few helpful spots where you can leave your kids for a few hours if you need some time for yourself, and trust me, sometimes you really need a break from these unstoppable bundles of joy!

If you are looking for a safe, fun, and creative space for children, Zumma Kids is the perfect place for you - it is an indoor playground/trampoline park located in BTC as well as Supernova in Rudnik. There are climbing areas, slides, ball pits and many toys there. My younger siblings really love it and we usually go there on weekends or birthdays - the staff is friendly, trained, and speaks English well, so even if your children do not speak Slovenian, it’s not a problem.

You can join your child inside and play with them, or(this is the best part for tired parents!) you can leave your child there for a few hours; they have a cafe where you can sit and enjoy your drinks and food while your children are playing, but if you want to specifically leave them there, Zumma offers supervised childcare, which is great if you want to go shopping, grab a coffee, or just, in general, a break from all the energy.

Another fun place is Ljubljana Zoo. It’s not too big, so it’s perfect for young children - my siblings adore watching the monkeys, feeding the goats, and playing on the wooden playgrounds; it is also surrounded by a forest.

If the weather is bad, then I would advise

Minicity Ljubljana, an indoor play city for kids. It has small “shops,” a fire station, hospital, and more, all designed for children to explore and pretend to be adults. It is really nice and I myself, as a child, loved going to a place very similar to this back in Ukraine.

Besides being a play center, Minicity also offers short-term childcare. You can leave your kids there for one to three hours while you go do something else. The staff is friendly, and the activities are educational and fun. It’s inside the BTC shopping center, so it’s perfect if you need to run some errands or do some shopping nearby.

Another place is the Mala Ulica centre - it is a family centre near the city centre. It has a small indoor playground and a cafe, and they sometimes offer childcare for a few hours. It is also not just for tourists - many local Slovenian parents use it too. The staff speaks English, and it’s a calm, cozy space for younger children.

If you want more personal care, you can find babysitters in Ljubljana through trusted apps or agencies like Varuška Živa. Many babysitters speak English and have experience with kids.

Traveling with kids is not always easy, but in a city like Ljubljana, it’s definitely possible to enjoy your time with or without the little ones for a bit. As someone who spends a lot of time helping my mom take care of my younger siblings, I have learned that a mix of fun, planning, and short breaks makes everything better.

Whether you’re visiting with a big family or just need a few ideas to keep your younger brothers and sisters, or children, busy, Ljubljana has something for everyone.

If you are planning a trip to Slovenia, especially to Ljubljana, learning some basic Slovenian phrases will help a lot - even though Slovenians speak good English, especially the younger citizens, but they really appreciate it when tourists or visitors try to speak their language, so here are some helpful Slovenian phrases I think every traveler should know!

1. Dober dan - good day/hello

This is the most common greeting - you can use it when you enter a shop, restaurant, or even when meeting someone new. It is very practical.

2. Hvala - thank you

ys good to say thank you! You can also say “Hvala lepa” which means “thank you very much.”

3. Prosim - please/you’re welcome

This word is very useful. You can use it to say “please,” but Slovenians also use it when they want to say “you’re welcome.”

4. Oprostite - excuse me/sorry

You can use this when you want to ask someone for help or if you accidentally bump into someone.

5. Ne razumem - I don’t understand

   This phrase can be very useful when someone is speaking too fast or using words which you don’t know - instead of pretending to understand what somebody is trying to tell you, don’t be afraid of telling them that you don’t understand.

6. Govorite angleško? - do you speak english?

Even though many Slovenians speak English(as I mentioned previously) and most people will say yes, it’s polite to ask first. You never know and can always keep your translator app ready.

7. Koliko stane? - how much does it cost?

You can use this phrase when you are not sure about the price of something, for example if you are at a store or at the market - possibly even a cafe or restaurant since not all of them have prices on their menus.

8. Kje je ..? - where is …?

This phrase is extremely useful when asking for directions- you can also add places like trgovina (shop), restavracija (restaurant), or stranišče (toilet) if you’re not looking for something very specific like a name of a place or a location.

When I first arrived in Ljubljana, I spoke mostly in English, but after a few weeks, I started picking up words - on the bus, at the supermarket, in cafes. Because Ukrainian and Slovenian share some Slavic language roots, I sometimes understood the meaning even before I could say the words myself - which is why I could understand what people were saying to me but also couldn’t say anything back.

One thing I love about Slovenians is that they are very kind and patient when you try to speak their language - even if your accent is strong or you make a mistake, they will usually smile and help you, and this really helped me feel more confident.

Now, after almost four years, I am fluent in Slovenian, and it makes my daily life so much easier. Even reading signs or listening to announcements on the bus becomes less stressful when you understand the basics.

So if you’re coming to Slovenia, especially Ljubljana, don’t be scared to learn a few words - it will make your trip more enjoyable, and you might even make some new friends!

Vidimo se!

What surprised me the most is that many Ukrainian women work in beauty salons here in Ljubljana, so if you’re visiting and looking for a manicure, facial, massage, or spa, you might even hear someone speaking Russian or Ukrainian! It made me feel more at home, and I know other Ukrainians living here feel the same as I do.

If you’re a tourist or someone who just moved here and want to take care of yourself or just relax for a few hours, here are some tips and places where you can do that, and you don’t need to worry if you don’t speak Slovenian, because most staff usually speak English too.

There are many great nail salons in Ljubljana, from small local places to more modern studios. Some of my favorites include:

Hair Atelier. They are located in Šiška, and other than offering hair and makeup services, their nail artist Alexandra can do both classic and gel manicures, specializing in designs. The staff is always nice and speaks good English, and the atmosphere there is very energetic and nice.

Daily beauty, which is a salon located in Aleja where you can find Ukrainian nail artists who are super skilled - I usually go for crazy designs and they always deliver.

Note: you should book in advance, especially on weekends. The price is fair (around 25-50€ for a gel manicure, depending on whether you want extensions and designs) and the nails are long-lasting.

For some skincare places, I would definitely recommend:

La bonita offers facials for different skin types and speak English well. It is located near Bežigrad.

Afrodita beauty center is a well-known Slovenian brand. Their spa is clean, peaceful, and great for a relaxing facial or body treatment.

Facials here normally cost from €30–€70, depending on the treatment.

One of my favorite things to do, when I hang out with my mom, is spending a few hours in a spa together. In Ljubljana, spas are often inside hotels, but you don’t need to be a guest to use them.

Sense Wellness (at Hotel Cubo or Austria Trend Hotel) offers saunas, massages, and wellness packages. It’s very clean and modern, and the staff is friendly.

Sunny Studio Spa is relatively smaller but very cozy, and they often have Ukrainian therapists too.

Massage prices are usually between €35–€60, and you’ll leave feeling reborn.

Need a haircut or just to get your hair washed? No problem! From personal experience, you can try:

Mič Styling is a popular chain in Slovenia with several locations in Ljubljana. It is very stylish and has English-speaking staff.

Hair Atelier - even though I already recommended it for nails, they also offer amazing haircuts and have a wide range of hair dye colors, so you can express yourself freely!

Some tips:

1. Book online or by phone, and don’t be afraid to speak English.

2. Many places also use apps like Booksy or Fresha to make appointments easy.

3. Don’t forget to say “Hvala” (thank you) and maybe even leave a tip - it is not always expected, but always appreciated.

Ljubljana is not just a beautiful city to visit – it’s also a great place to take care of yourself. Whether you want beautiful nails, glowing skin, or just some peace and quiet, there are plenty of beauty services here that will make you feel welcome and comfortable even when you are far from home.