In all honesty I remember very little from the few days I spent in Berlin. After two of my friends had moved there to work/live at being artists and having never visited Germany I was intrigued as to what had enticed them to move there for good. After spending a minimal amount of time in the city the entire group were sold on Berlin life and were calculating how long they could survive there on their minimal savings. Berlin is undoubtedly the most chilled out city I've been to with a great art scene that somehow manages to be massively cool without being hideously pretentious.

A few memories that I've been able to resurrect since sifting through photo albums include:
Jäger-plane! (A staple to any trip which greatly explains the memory loss)
Our first experience of Airbnb, meeting the apartments owner Bruce and tuning in to techno radio.
Taking thousands of photo's against the Berlin Wall and finding a cool beach bar through a small hole within it.
Partying into tommorrow and then some.
Finding art around every corner.
Eating the best burger I've ever had in my entire life - Burgermeister
Having 360 cocktails up the 360 Tower and seeing a DOUBLE RAINBOW!
Having a nap on the abandoned airfield - a must visit!

Hopefully when I return to celebrate New Year I'll remember some more...I'm not getting my hopes up though!

SURVIVAL TIP
If you're going to Berlin to soak up the nightlife take a lot of photo's because chances are you won't remember a thing. Either that, or don't start off with jäger-plane!

After arriving at our hostel in Ljubljana we were pleased to find we had landed in an artists community. After making the short walk from the bus station graffiti had lined the streets however nothing compared to the art on display around our hostel.

After laying our belongings down and munching off an all you can eat fajita buffet we asked the lady on the desk where was good to go out? She told us that we had come on a good night, as tonight was the 10th anniversary of the artists community and there would be a party into the early hours of the morning. We ventured out to look around the underground bars and peruse the artwork. People had stalls selling prints, tshirts and other trinkets and work was underway on installations that we would see lights the skys and surrounding buildings later in the evening. As we drank some homemade wine for about 50p a cup we slowly started to get the warm party feeling. We played table tennis in an underground cavern and danced to a strange techno beat before making our way through a maze of tunnels back out on to the courtyard. Hearing the thundering bass of dubstep we returned to the first bar we had entered to find a party on the dancefloor and streams of people meandering through the squat like village. We took a rest in a treehouse and watched the other locals and backpackers share drunken stories before heading for a final dance, followed closely by a spot of street dancing to african drums. Perfect start to a perfect holiday. 

SURVIVAL TIP
Do as the locals do. Getting advice off locals is the best way to find cool hidden parties that tourists wont know about!

I'm no extreme sports activist. I can't even ride a bike and I'm terrified of heights, however after spending a few days absorbing the fresh air in and around Lake Bled I was easily persuaded to take part in some Canyoning.

For those who, like me, are somewhat physically challenged canyoning is when you make your way from the top of a mountain to the bottom of it by sliding down waterfalls. Extreme! 
In my head I saw myself as a nymph like creature bathing in crystal clear waters, occassionally shooting myself down a perfectly formed water hole similarly to those seen in the pirate caverns of The Goonies, after which I would again brush my hair with a comb made of snail shell. It didn't quite work out like that.

Canyoning Bob, a strapping gentleman who I fancied as my slovenian lover for about 25 minutes picked us up from the camp site and took us up the mountain with another couple and a stag party - joy! He assured us that this was an easy route as there had not been enough rainfall for the more dangerous waterfalls to flourish. We were all happy about this.

It started off well. As we bobbed down the streams we lay on our backs looking up at the cavern walls cutting in above us showing where the water in all its power had cut through the rock face over the centuries. We marvelled at how clean the water was, if not freezing cold and splashed joyfully as the currents pulled us through smaller crevices. After the stag party had been reprimanded for somersaulting into shallow waters it soon became more strenuous. Before long we were climbing up rocky crevices to jump into giant pools, clinging to rock edges to avoid being dragged into whirlpools and generally spluttering for air as we were sucked along slippery slopes before being spat out into calming waters. It tested all of us, from the easily scared to the adrenalin junkies. For most, and even for those who weren't strong swimmers, it was a highlight of the holiday. Needless to say, Spora needed a large brandy once we were done!

SURVIVAL TIP
Do things you'd normally be too scared to. Ok so I had the support of a large group of friends, but even Spora who isn't a strong swimmer found this to be one of the most rewarding experiences of the trip.

I had been invited on a trip to Lake Bled for a spot of camping which I was extremely excited about. However after becoming accumstomed to Ryanair's unbeatable fares I'd gotten used to taking hand luggage everywhere I went. How on earth was I to fit everything I'd need for a camping trip in my tiny little bag?

After researching the website a number of us decided for the additional baggage fees and general hassle, it was worth treating ourselves to a spot of luxury and boy was it!

Unfortunately we booked a little too late notice to get a cabin with a hot tub but it didn't take away from the experience. The cabins were made for 2 people, with storage units down the sides of the beds and a massive window at the end for stargazing - magical! Our friends who took tents camped nearby and we were close to all the amenities of the campsite. 

Lake Bled is a fantastically beautiful place. We went in September and the weather was glorious, nestled in the woods we were able to utilise the communal BBQ, set off candle lanterns and go for midnight dips in the lake. The lake itself had the clearest waters I had ever laid eyes on and the lush green, craggy mountains which enveloped it, topped off by the bewitching castle which lit up at night were breathtaking.

Around camp and beyond we relaxed, soaked up some rays and some culture and regenerated our lungs with lots and lots of fresh air. Glamping has got a lot of stick recently, and I'm more than happy to rough it when needs must, however the experience of being in a magical little hut in the woods under the stars was so worth it.

SURVIVAL TIP
Weigh up the costs. With an additional two suitcases at £20 each and the struggle added to travelling, the cost of living in luxury really wasn't that high. It also meant that the campers could use the electricity from our cabins and borrow our sun lounger mattresses to sleep on which made their experience a little easier too.