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The train entered the mouth of the cave and kept going... and going... and going... on a stunning subterranean trip that seemed to last for ever. It felt like we were heading for the bowels of the earth as the loco trundled for 1.5 miles past incredible rock formations.

We were descending into the Postojna Cave (postojnska-jama.eu/en) in south west Slovenia, one of the many highlights of a trip to a land blessed with beautiful scenery, friendly people, a rich history – and “human fish”.

Once you finally reach the end of your train journey, there is plenty to explore with 13 miles of twisting passages and amazing natural galleries – some of them used for concerts and opera.

One of the most enchanting aspects of the caves is a cute little creature called an olm – the “human fish”.

This flesh-coloured salamander looks like an eel with tiny legs and a flat head. When first discovered, the locals thought they were baby dragons. Olms live underwater in complete darkness but some are kept in a glass tank for visitors to see.

It’s not just underground where you find things happening. In fact England are playing Slovenia in a European Championship qualifier on June 14 in the capital, Ljubljana.

This young nation was formed in 1991 after the break up of Yugoslavia and has been ruled over the centuries by Romans, Austrians, Italians and Germans. And nowadays you’ll find everything from fabulous feasts to busy beekeepers to keep you amused.

Near the caves is the 700-year-old Predjama castle – an impregnable fortress built into the mouth of another cave network, 400ft up a sheer cliff. Combined tickets for cave and castle cost around £23.

Round your day off with a scrumptious meal at Proteus restaurant in the centre of Postojna (click on Visitor Information then Restaurants on the same website).

Our first days in Slovenia were spent in Bled on the banks of beautiful Lake Bled.

Just 45 minutes from the capital Ljubljana, the town enjoys views of the snow-capped Julian Alps and 9,396ft Mount Triglav, the country’s highest peak.

Bled may be one of the country’s main tourist attractions, but it is still chilled out with plenty of bars, restaurants, cafes and shops.

No motor boats are allowed on Lake Bled, so we were rowed out to the island on a wooden craft called a Pletna.

There are 99 steps up to a small church, the Assumption of Mary Pilgrimage. Grooms traditionally carry brides up the steps on their wedding day.

We visited the 11th century Bled castle, Slovenia’s oldest, perched on top of a 430ft cliff. Here you will find a restaurant, wine cellar, museum, chapel and forge – and a fascinating history.

Next day came a trip to Lake Bohinj in the Triglav National Park. This stretch of crystal clear water has a fjord feel to it with mountains on either side and a silence broken only by the occasional plop of a fish jumping.

After a trip on an electric boat (no motor boats allowed here, either), we took a cable car to the top of the Vogel mountain – to enjoy more fabulous views. This is a busy ski resort in the winter and a hiker’s paradise in the summer.

Our trip was rounded off with a traditional and very tasty Bohinj meal at Gostilna Danica (camp-danica.si) in the nearby town of Bohinjska Bistrica. And what a feast – we probably could have got away without eating for the whole of the next day.

Until next day arrived, that was, and we found ourselves at the nearby medieval town of Radovljica where we enjoyed another delicious meal at Gostlina Kunstelj.

And it was here where we came across a bee museum (muzeji-radovljica.si).

Slovenia is a nation of beekeepers and here you can learn all about the indigenous grey Carniolan honey bee, a non-aggressive creature that produces high yields of honey.

There are also displays of artistic plates that adorn the front of beehives, depicting an array of scenes, including history, politics, the military and the lives of ­ordinary people, all laced with humour – and gentle sarcasm.

In Bled we stayed at Hotel Golf which has the best hotel swimming pool – Ziva Wellness Centre – I have ever been in, with slides for the kids, a jacuzzi, waterfalls and bubble jets.

And then we headed for Ljubljana. What a city. Laid-back, friendly, vibrant, this is small as capital cities go, but no less eventful or interesting.

The city stands on the River Ljubljanica. In the centre its banks are lined with shops, bars, restaurants and spanned by the Trnovo bridge, Cobblers’ bridge, Butchers’ bridge and Dragon bridge, among others, all with interesting stories behind them. You can take a river tour on a wooden boat (barka-ljubljanica.si).

We stayed at a wonderful hotel, the Slon (hotelslon.com) and had a great meal at the Spajza restaurant on Gornji Trg (spajza-restaurant.si).

Slovenia is a charming country, and one which the locals are rightly proud of.

Whether you’re trundling deep into the bowels of the earth, gliding across clear lakes, visiting historic castles, learning about bees or chatting about “human fish”, you’re unlikely to be bored.

Get there

Wizz Air flies from Luton to Ljubljana with fares from £24.50 one way. Other options – Adria Airways from Gatwick and Manchester to Ljubljana and from Southend to Maribor starting Jun 1. easyJet from Stansted to Ljubljana. wizzair.com - adria.si - easyjet.com

Rooms at the Hotel Slon, Ljubljana, start at £79pn B&B. hotelslon.com

Rooms at the Hotel Golf, Lake Bled, start at £94pn B&B. sava-hotels-resorts.com

Car hire with Europcar Slovenia from £27pd. europcar.si

Balkan Holidays has 3nts B&B at the Best Western Premier Hotel Slon in Ljubljana from £435pp based on 2 sharing and flying from Manchester on Sept 2 inc transfers. balkanholidays.co.uk 020 7543 5555.

Tourist info: slovenia.info - visitljubljana.com - bled.si

Time zone: UK +1hr

Currency: Euro £1 = 1.37

Best time to go: A Slove-ly country to explore spring-autumn