Vegan travel in Slovenia begins
Vegan travel in Slovenia is the focus of Episode 243 of the World Vegan Travel Podcast. This is the first part of Brighde and Seb’s three-part adventure through Slovenia and the Julian Alps.
This was not a World Vegan Travel group tour. Instead, it was a personal trip and a chance to prepare for their upcoming Kilimanjaro trek.
Their journey begins in Venice after three back-to-back tours in Italy. From there, they travel by train to Trieste before continuing through Austria to Lake Bled.
Along the way, they experience beautiful rail journeys, a powerful European heatwave, and one very unexpected moment in a first-class train carriage.
Preparing to hike the Juliana Trail
Brighde and Seb chose a curated route along some of the best sections of the Juliana Trail.
A local company booked their accommodations and arranged luggage transfers between hotels. Each morning, they could leave their large bags at reception. They only had to carry small daypacks while walking.
This made the trip much easier to manage. It also allowed them to enjoy a multi-day hike without camping or carrying heavy backpacks.
Vegan food and travel preparation in Trieste
Their first overnight stop was Trieste, a historic Italian port city with strong Austro-Hungarian influences.
Although they could not find a fully vegan restaurant during their visit, they found a café that adapted its menu for them. Brighde enjoyed a vegan burger, while Seb ordered a piadina filled with a vegan meat alternative.
They also visited local supermarkets and NaturaSì to stock up on vegan hiking food. They knew that plant-based choices might become harder to find once they reached Slovenia’s smaller mountain villages.
Later, they explored Trieste’s Canal Grande, Piazza Unità d’Italia, and the Molo Audace.
Traveling from Trieste to Lake Bled
The next stage took them from Trieste to Villach in Austria. They traveled in the comfortable Business Class section of an ÖBB EuroCity train.
After changing trains in Villach, they continued through the Karawanks Tunnel and crossed into Slovenia.
Their arranged transfer from Bled Jezero station did not arrive. However, helpful local taxi drivers quickly came to their rescue.
This warm welcome gave them an excellent first impression of Slovenia.
Vegan food and things to do in Lake Bled
Brighde and Seb spent their first full day walking around Lake Bled. They also prepared food for the hiking days ahead.
One of the highlights was lunch at Public Vegan Kitchen. They enjoyed fresh salads, potato wedges, chickpea fritters, and a vegan version of Bled’s famous cream cake.
The original Bled cream cake dates back to 1953. The traditional version contains eggs and dairy, so finding a fully plant-based version was a special treat.
They also visited Vintgar Gorge. Its wooden walkways follow the Radovna River through a narrow limestone canyon filled with clear pools, rapids, and waterfalls.
Although the gorge offered shade, the weather remained hot and humid. Brighde and Seb eventually found a private shuttle back to Bled instead of taking the long return walk.
Part 2 follows Brighde and Seb as they finally begin hiking. Expect difficult climbs, extreme heat, a fly-filled lunch stop, and a demanding 38,000-step mountain descent.
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
- Why Brighde and Seb chose Slovenia for their personal trip
- How their hotel-to-hotel luggage transfers worked
- Traveling by train from Venice to Trieste and Lake Bled
- Finding vegan food and hiking supplies in Trieste
- Their unexpected first-class train experience
- Walking around Lake Bled during a heatwave
- Trying a vegan Bled cream cake
- Visiting Vintgar Gorge
- Making simple vegan meals while traveling
- Preparing for their first day on the Juliana Trail
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- Exploring Slovenia: A Vegan Travel Guide | Klemen Godec
- 5 Smart Travel Essentials I Never Travel Without
- Vegan Safari Botswana vs Greater Kruger Guide
- Vegan Resort in Mexico | Our Stay at Palmaïa
- Greater Kruger Vegan Safari | Our Scouting Trip
