Majestic blue waters of the Adriatic Sea splash into the unassuming, picturesque coastal town of Piran, Slovenia. This aged European town on Slovenia’s small stretch of coastline has its own seaside, Mediterranean-like character – quiet and more relaxed than nearby Trieste or Venice, Italy.

Vehicles park just outside the town square and buses bring the locals into town. We walked the ocean boardwalk, taking in the Adriatic’s rolling waves, watching them hurling towards the border of Croatia to the south. We then darted between small streets with little food stores, ice cream and trinket shops and gazed up at the unique houses stacked atop the hillside in colorful arrays.

Our private driver/guide Rok Puppis ([email protected]), a native Slovenian, explained the history and geography of the area, which enriched our experience in this haven undiscovered by tourists.

Lunch at one of the many seaside restaurants featured locally grown products, and we dined on fresh produce, olives, pasta, mussels and delicious vegetables sprinkled with sea salt.

Piran is a secret escape from tourists with a coastline so close to two neighboring countries, yet it still manages to maintain a special beauty all its own.