Vanlife in Slovenia is Illegal | Why Did We Come Here?!

Well the better weather that we’d hoped for at the end of last week unfortunately didn’t arrive. In fact during this leg of our epic European road trip, it very much gets worse.
We’re also shocked to learn that not only is wild camping in Slovenia illegal - the paid parkups, where you are permitted to stay overnight, are hella expensive.
Which all culminates in quite a lot of frustration. But we do really enjoy the things that we do get to do in Slovenia, even though we do just have to do it in the pouring down rain.
So join us as take on very wet waterfall hikes, try to dodge the rainclouds whilst exploring the capital of Ljubljana, take in the magic of Lake Bled and visit one of the most incredible things that we’ve seen on our travels for a long while, the awe-inspiring Postojna Caves.
All whilst trying to not fall foul of the Slovenia vanlife rules and find more affordable places to park overnight. It’s definitely an interesting week that’s for sure!
Catch you in the comments,
Sarah, James & Ady
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[@Emilrenbe]

just to clarify (as a Slovenian) to avoid wrong interpretations: you of course can swim in lake Bled, you can do the sunbathing and walk on the grass :) but not on the spot you made your pictures - that was a central park that is part of Bled town as in that particular spot you can not do it, but if you would go few hundred meters down the lake you could do all that. Not only that, Slovenia is one of the not many countries that allows walk in private forests and on private land (only not in private gardens around houses) and does not allow private ownership on the coastal line, meaning that access to lakes and sea is allowed to everybody! And yes, if you are tourist (no matter if in a hotel, van or tent) you do pay a tourist tax for each day you are staying in certain location as a tourist. I am surprised it is so surprising, as it is true almost anywhere in Europe (I am paying tourist tax also in Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland etc.)

[@UrbanVanlife]

iv never been to any where appart form turkey that you pay a tourist tax , surly by tourists being there they are paying tax on the goods they purchase , seems a little wrong for me cos if tourists decided they won't go there cos they don't want to pay its only local businesses that would be hurt

[@aleskaucic2326]

Kakšna taksa? Prepotoval pol planeta pa prvič slišim za takso???

[@renbe0]

@@aleskaucic2326 turisticna taksa - mislim, da je v Ljubljani trenutno 2,5 EUR na osebo na dan ali nekaj podobnega. Imajo jo tudi hrvati, Italijani itd.

[@renbe0]

@@UrbanVanlife and about the logic of turist tax: in more touristic places municipalities need to provide for infrastructure for tourists (like parking areas for mobile homes for example :)) cleaning facilities and services, security etc. and then people come with their vans, bring their food from home, do not spend anything and just use those facilities and logistic for free and make life of locals hard due to traffic jams etc.). So to avoid that and to in some cases even limit number of tourists in touristicaly very interesting areas (like Venice for example) municipalities have tourist tax. You can agree or not, I am just explaining the logic... But amazing you never heard of it. Where have been all those years (in another planet?). Actually, probably even aliens would have it LOL

[@renbe0]

@@UrbanVanlife well you are factually wrong (amazing how peoples perception can be erroneous). Actually not only Turkey but majority of EU countries have some form of tourist/tourism/accommodation tax (nameings are different). Also in some countries tax applies only on most touristic areas, in some in the whole country, but almost always value is in hands of regions or municipalities). Anyway on top pf Turkey following countries have tourist tax (obviously you were in none of them :)): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Czech republic (only Prague), The Netherlands (land tourist tax and a water tourist tax!), Germany (kulturförderabgabe' or "bed tax” - a bettensteuer), Greece, Hungary (only Budapest), Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland (source is Euronews, so you can see yurself). Only in Turkey, ha? Amazing how people just say something without even checking.

[@yvs6663]

you can swim in lake Bled, just not on the side you were on. the sign at 16:09 probably says "popolna zapora" which means the road is entirely closed. sorry the RV parks you stayed at were so expensive. ive camped(with a tent) in fully equpied camp for less. there is a website with camps and RV parkings and i am pretty sure some RV parkinglots are even free. the free ones are probably not at the most touristy of places but hey, its a small country. btw, while rules exist against wild camping exist, nothing is stopping you from parking somewhere and saying you needed a rest while driving. there is also a pretty high chance that the police isn't gonna enforce the rules if you are parking in a parkinglot thats tehnically private property(ex. a shopping mall). but thats not legal advice.

[@shaman4611]

popolna zapora = total imprisonment xD lol, never thought of how it would be translated to english, thats so funny, it just means the road is closed for all traffic=)

[@Godfranci]

Slovenia: ZJRM - 18 Člen (18 paragraph of the law) Here is written: Camping: Whoever is camping on the public place which is not camping area/is not meant for camping or on a private land without a permission of the owner or landlord can be fined with 20.000 Tolars! So firstly 20.000 Tolars is now 80 Euros and if you pay in 8 days is discounted to 40 Euros! Then is written that this fine you can get only if you don’t have permission from the owner or landlord so this basically mean that wild camping is allowed by the law you only need to get permission from the owner or landlord! Isn’t that the case? I mean I am not interested to argue law with anyone here I would only like that people get and understand the law in Slovenia and that they don’t tell to people that wild camping is not allowed as this is not true! And just for the mater of peace I did call police and “redarstvo” in part of Slovenia where I am from and they said to me that If I am the owner and I give permission to people to stay on my land then they will never fined anyone for wild camping! And most of Slovenians will never call police or someone else if you will stop in the forest or somewhere out of a naked eye and sleep over night in a tent or a camper...and then clean after yourself and not make a noise over the night! But certainly you have that sort of people even in Slovenia who are running around and calling police or complaining and just like to be pain in someone’s ass! I love you!

[@yassineb6563]

You know what do.. the tagines are sizzling in Morocco..😅

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

You won’t believe how tempted we are! ❤️

[@johudson6765]

PS poor James on the bridge in his favourite weather 😜😵‍💫 And little Ady adorable as always 🧡

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

I did still enjoy the hike despite the weather and that bridge 😅 Was just nice to get out finally ❤️

[@UrbanVanlife]

never knwe it was illigal to wilc camp in slovinia , that sucks , still planning on going there tho thanks for the heads up with the tax

[@anjacrne1106]

It is, but it is more strictly controled and more sanctioned, regardles of the way you act, when you are in the TNP park (Triglavski narodni park). Also in places where tourists go regulary and we have our camps for that.. In most of Slovenia, if you don't disturb the locals, you are not in some tourist place and most importantly you clean behind yourselves, they allow you to camp even though it is prohibited, but usually the locals send someone to check on you, they usually take your info and if you clean behind yourself they don't complicate things, otherwise you can quicly get the fine. The fine is more because we like our nature and we want to keep it the way it is. Or because camping in the place is not safe, becuse of the possibility of the fire outburst. If we would allow anyone to camp whereever, it would lose the charm, cause not everyone are nature friendly or in other words some are just without manners, when it comes to leaving the place as they "got" it.

[@hannaR_]

​@@anjacrne1106My thoughts exactly!

[@justinehart8242]

The caves looked fantastic, the hike in the rain didn't look like much fun. I guess you will always remember it though!

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

We were so desperate to get out that we still enjoyed the rainy hike but the caves were incredible, definitely our favourite experience there ❤️

[@mymymy9452]

*In the USA it's legal to have Pepper/Bear spray in all State is it the same in Europe?*

[@yaminthegrey]

Hari Om Yeah, that kind of 'big brother' oversight of social behaviours in public spaces is a bit restrictive - but now you can say 'been there done that' and move on. The very essence of van life! Sending some warm etherhugs to you all. YAM xx

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

It was a lovely country and everyone we met was really friendly but that aspect of it was just a bit strange to us. Some of it seemed like rules for rules sake, but overall we really enjoyed it (weather aside). Hugs back ❤️

[@suecollado8696]

💕You are travelling through the winter months so the weather will not always be perfect💕

[@Kintabl]

at 3:15 You can't do all this because it's a town's park. You can do all this things on other parts of the lake. But, I guess it's just to hard to walk to another side of the lake. And there is no bears in Triglav National Park. Vast vast majority of bears are located in southern Slovenia, south of Ljubljana.

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

Nope, not too difficult

[@Kintabl]

@@TheWholeWorldorNothing Well, there is a beach on northern part and two more on western part of the lake.

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

Good to know

[@lindataylor6093]

Shame about the rain. You made the caves, aren't they amazing? Hope less rainy days ahead. X

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

Yes! Thanks so much for telling us about them. Didn’t really understand what you meant when you said there’s a train in them until we got on it. They were magical ❤️

[@lindataylor6093]

@TheWholeWorldorNothing sounds like a few more suggested, too. Yes, a shock for us too. Brilliant experience I remember fondly from over 20 years ago. X

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

It was mentioned a few times but you were the first to tell us about it and also the train 😀 Definitely an experience we’ll never forget either 😀❤️

[@jacquipettitt3389]

Loved the caves. Hate the weather. It seems to be pouring everywhere at the moment 🤨. Roll on Croatia then people, and hope you stay dry. x

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

Yeah the caves were amazing, one of the best things we’ve done for ages. The weather is scary, there doesn’t seem to be anywhere that’s escaping it at the minute. Fingers crossed it improves ❤️

[@MorAcro]

Saw you guys in Morocco, i like your interpretation of Slovenia

[@adrianwestwood550]

Wow, lake bled was full of people swimming in it last year and picnics on the grass, wonder what’s changed. Loved the Vrsic pass. On the way from the soća valley to Croatia last year we stayed at a place called Žerovnica behind a restaurant (which was great btw) for €15 inc ehu👍 safe travels👍

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

It may just have been the part that we were in as a few people have told us that you can swim in it. Or perhaps they stop all that stuff when the weather turns. Vrsic pass was incredible! That park up sounds good, we weren’t too impressed by the ones we stayed at the facilities were very hit and miss. Beautiful country though 😀

[@anjacrne1106]

​@@TheWholeWorldorNothing Yes it is just that part of the lake, where they don't allow to swim. Otherwise you can swim, also on the most parts of the lake.

[@johudson6765]

Thanks for a really interesting vlog, awesome vistas such beauty!!! And well done to brave the weather!!! I think we will probs just drive through … and very expensive to park in a what is essentially a car park! Looks like they are on par with the UK re van lifers 🙏☹️ But hey … you have experienced Slovenia 🏞️😍

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

It’s a beautiful country and we enjoyed our time despite the weather. The parking situation is very strict but at least they do provide options, visiting for a long period or in high season would be very costly though! ❤️

[@johudson6765]

@@TheWholeWorldorNothing yes definitely!! Glad you enjoyed it 🤩x🩷

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

@@johudson6765 ❤️

[@msmacmac1000]

Adorable Ady. 🥰 Caves we’re amazing .❤

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

They really were ❤️😀

[@0jellybeanie0]

Great to see you guys back on the road and also doing a similar journey to the one we hope to do! I have a couple of questions.. .which does Ady prefer...van or apartment? And how much power do you have? We're hoping to get to Greece this winter but ss van life newbies we're clueless as to how much battery and solar we need to be off grid. Any advice massively appreciated 🙏our daughter is three!!

[@karenthompson9815]

When you coming back to you tube guys. Haven’t heard from you in too long ❤

[@xtrax38]

James, your eyes when you were stood on that bridge 😅 😂😂

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

Not my thing at all 😅

[@Thecrystalhavenuk]

Hope you guys are ok and safe xx you’ve had no content for a while xx

[@travellingtaylors8352]

We’ll make a mental note to do Slovenia in the summer 😂😂… or not at all based on all that taxation

[@thewisceeeggg1624]

Caves were AMAZING!

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

They were really incredible! ❤️

[@KewiCampervan]

❤

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

❤️

[@AMGMANIAC]

Rules meh!! One individual trying to spoil the enjoyment of another. I love breaking "rules".

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

They really were overkill here! No picnics 🥴 Lovely country though ❤️

[@AMGMANIAC]

@@TheWholeWorldorNothing it looked beautiful but I'll give it a miss until I can afford to fight all the fines I'd get 🤣

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

@@AMGMANIAC haha probably best, we’re hoping we don’t arrive back to a load in a few months 😅

[@petewarby7158]

More expensive than Switzerland lol... it looks like it has potential as a destination but... I'll go to Switzerland thanks. At least you can walk on the grass there 😂

[@Emilrenbe]

just to clarify (as a Slovenian) to avoid wrong interpretations: you of course can swim in the lake Bled, you can do the sunbathing and walk on the grass :) but not on the spot they made their pictures - that was a central park that is part of Bled town as in that particular spot you can not do it, but if you would go few hundred meters down the lake you could do all that. Not only that, Slovenia is one of the not many countries that allows walk in private forests (roaming) and on private land (only not in private gardens around houses) similar to Switzerland and does not allow private ownership on the coastal line, meaning that access to lakes and sea is allowed to everybody (which is not the case in Switzerland btw)! And yes, if you are tourist (no matter if in a hotel, van or tent) you do pay a tourist tax for each day you are staying in certain location as a tourist. I am surprised it is so surprising, as it is true almost anywhere in Europe (I am paying tourist tax also in Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland etc.)

[@skinnylegsbarefootshoes]

How’s it going? Haven’t heard from you for a while I hope you’re all ok 😊

[@justinlinnane8043]

Right that Slovenia taken off the list !! what bunch of shysters !!

[@TheWholeWorldorNothing]

We still enjoyed our visit so would definitely recommend it, it’s such a beautiful country ❤️

[@dominikgruskovnjak2511]

Good, noone's gonna miss you, If u cant accept our rules here then stay at home!

[@Kintabl]

LOL! You can do all this but not just everywhere. People do swim in and sunbathe in lake Bled.

[@kurosumomo]

Plenty of rules around Bled were imposed after tourist literally devastated that place after every tourist season. They had to clean tons of garbage from the lake and around the lake, re-grass the whole thing etc. If tourist would behave, there would be no rules and regulations, but few spoil it for the most.

[@yvs6663]

other than wild camping being against the rules and them interpreting a sign that only applied to an area as applying for the whole lake...what rules do we have that are so difficult to follow? ive been to Bled probably at least once a year for every 34 years ive been alive, ive never given a particular thought to the rules, still haven't got arrested or fined.