A magical mix of myths and stunning scenery

Angela Robb lives in Stirlingshire and writes children’s novels and short stories for adults.

She has just published her debut children’s novel, Hamster Gangster, a madcap tale about Rocco, a hamster who heads to the big city to join a gang of sewer rats.

Angela, who was shortlisted for a New Writers Award, is now working on her second book.

▼ The Alps stand tall over the crystal clear waters of Slovenia’s lakes.

summer, I was lucky enough to visit one of Europe’s true hidden gems.

Nestled in Slovenia’s north-west corner, the lovely resort of Kranjska Gora lies beneath the spectacular Julian Alps.

For a children’s author, this whole country is a fairytale waiting to be told.

Kranjska Gora is a picturesque Alpine town – paradise for fans of outdoor activities, but equally appealing to those who prefer to relax over coffee and cake.

On day one, we took the short walk to crystalline Lake Jasna, with its spectacular views of the mountains. Watching over the shore is a statue of the Goldhorn, the legendary golden-horned ibex of Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak. We explored this fabled creature’s domain on a tour of Triglav National Park, where it’s not just the scenery that’s dramatic – with 50 hairpin bends, negotiating Vrsic Pass on a coach is a memorable experience. Visible from the pass, Mount Prisank has a rock formation whose resemblance to a face inspired the legend of the Heathen Maiden, said to have been turned to rock after prophesying the birth of a boy who would grow up to kill the Goldhorn. The beautiful Russian Chapel, built by Russian prisoners of war during the First World War, is another highlight. Not far from Kranjska Gora is dreamlike Lake Bled, where a bell rings out from the church on an island, overlooked by medieval Bled Castle.

At the famous Lipica stud farm we enjoyed a classical riding display by the spellbinding white horses. Another day trip included visits to Predjama Castle, built halfway up a cliffside in the mouth of a cavern, and Postojna Cave, where an underground railway took us deep into a vast kingdom of stalagmites, stalactites – and even chandeliers. The rulers of this kingdom? Baby dragons – the cave salamanders unique to this type of habitat.

It’s the stuff magic is made of.