This Balkan nation is my favourite secret retreat – here’s why I’m moving there as a digital nomad

“Isn't that near Russia?”, “Why would you do that?”, and the occasional and incredulous, “What?!”

These are just a few of the dumbfounded questions I hear when I tell people that I’m moving to Slovenia.

After stints as a digital nomad in Shanghai, Bangkok and Mexico City, Ljubljana - the capital of Slovenia - is next on my list.

It might not be the most obvious choice for remote workers. Yet, since discovering Slovenia when I first Interrailed around Europe in my late teens, I’ve cherished the low-key Balkan nation as my favourite secret retreat.

Ljubljana offers everything a traveller would want from an ancient European city. A fascinating history stretching back into the mists of antiquity. A rich tradition of art and music. And enticing local cuisine with a sense of self robust enough to stand on its own and the confidence to welcome the best dishes from its neighbours.

Also, it’s really not that close to Russia - the two countries’ closest borders are around 1,700 km apart.

But I am getting ahead of myself; let's break down why Ljubljana is the ideal city for digital nomads.

Slovenia is landlocked, so there are no opportunities for hitting the beach and working on your tan. But don’t let that put you off.

With craggy features like the Alps, Dinaric and Karawank mountains, the rural beauty of the Pannonian plains, and the majesty of Lake Bled, there is plenty to see and do.

Some of my first memories of Slovenia hail back to my time as a teenage vagabond hiking through Triglav National Park, home to the Julian Alps and Lake Bled.

I would jump on one of the regular daily shuttle services, and within the hour, I would be transported from my urban digs into the heart of Slovenia's only national park.

I spent hours walking through