Zero To Travel Podcast

What are the best hidden gems and local experiences in Ljubljana, Slovenia, that some travelers completely miss? 

Sharon Kaufman is a licensed local guide in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and founder of MyLjubljanaTour.com. Originally from Israel, she moved to Slovenia with her family on what was meant to be a one-week vacation and ended up building a new life there. Today, she leads free and paid tours focused on helping travelers experience Ljubljana through local stories, food, and everyday culture. 

In this episode, Sharon shares about her spontaneous family move to Ljubljana, how she built a life and business there, and her top hidden gems and local tips for experiencing the city like a resident, not a tourist. 

If you’re planning a trip to Slovenia or curious about what makes Ljubljana special, this episode is packed with practical recommendations. Sharon walks us through lesser-known places to explore, affordable ways to get around, unique food experiences, art districts, scenic viewpoints, and easy nature escapes right from the city. You’ll also hear how her perspective as a local guide shapes the way she helps travelers connect more deeply with the city. 

Which of these Ljubljana, Slovenia, experiences would you want to explore first? I'd love to hear what they are, and I hope you’ll share them by sending me an audio message. 

Tune In To Learn: 


How a one-week family vacation unexpectedly turned into a move to Slovenia 


What Sharon quickly learned about daily life, culture, and work-life balance in Ljubljana 


How intuition and local conversations shaped her decision to stay 


How she transitioned from online coaching to becoming a licensed local guide 


One of the most affordable and fun ways to explore the city 


Where to get sweeping views of Ljubljana without crowds or ticket lines 


A hidden market area with local food and unique vending machines that most visitors walk right past 


A hidden alley filled with public art, symbolism, and a secret pub 


An alternative art district shaped by activism, creativity, and nightlife 


A cafe locals love for great coffee, healthy food, and a relaxed vibe 


An easy forest hike just minutes from the city center, plus what to eat at the top 


The best times of year to visit Ljubljana and where to go beyond the city 


And so much more 

Resources: 


Sign up for our FREE newsletter 


MyLjubljanaTour.com 

Want More? 


Top 10 Iceland Hidden Gems (Highlands, Hot Springs, and Hidden Canyons) + Building a New Life Abroad with Jewells Chambers from All Things Iceland 


7 Mistakes to Avoid When Moving Abroad (Or Traveling Long-Term) with Chrishan Wright 


Top 10 Reasons to Love Living Abroad with Botik Quest 

Thanks To Our Sponsors 


Listen to the Planet Visionaries podcast on Apple and Spotify 


Experience an audio guide to the world's strange, incredible, and wondrous places on the Atlas Obscura Podcast 


Go to https://surfshark.com/zerototravel or use code ZEROTOTRAVEL at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to hear bold ideas and big solutions for our planet? We have been listening to Alex Honnold as he hosts Planet Visionaries, in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each week, Alex spotlights innovators who are not just imagining a better future but actively creating it. Go check it out and hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Kim Frank is an award‑winning writer, multimedia storyteller, and explorer whose work has appeared in The Explorers Journal, Sidetracked, and Earth Island Journal. She is a Fellow of The Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society. Kim’s latest book, Elephants in the Hourglass: A Journey of Reckoning and Hope Along the Himalaya, reflects her deep engagement with the human elephant conflict in northeastern India.  

In this episode, Kim joins me to talk about her personal and professional evolution from mom and fiction writer to author and storyteller, tackling one of the world’s lesser‑known environmental crises: the human‑elephant conflict. 

This conversation moves beyond travel storytelling to explore deep themes of identity, fear, and the bravery required to act. Kim shares how she navigated self‑doubt, embraced vulnerability, and found strength through community. Listeners will gain insight into the realities of conservation work, especially the nuanced human‑elephant relationship in the Eastern Himalaya. You’ll also learn how storytelling and openness can bridge cultural gaps and inspire action for coexistence. Specific personal stories, like balancing motherhood with fieldwork, and philosophical reflections on the space between are woven throughout. 

What’s one fear you’re holding that might be the gateway to your next big chapter, and how might acknowledging two truths about it help you move forward? I'd love to hear your thoughts, and I hope you’ll share by sending me an audio message. 

Tune In To Learn: 


How Kim’s childhood and family travels shaped her perspective on exploration and meaning 


Why Elephants in the Hourglass became both a conservation story and personal memoir 


What Kim learned about fear, confidence, and taking action in big life transitions 


The role of mentorship and community in pursuing meaningful work 


How cultural assumptions about motherhood impacted Kim’s work and identity 


What the space between means and why it matters in our relationship to nature 


The complexity of human‑elephant conflict and why simple narratives fall short 


How language and framing influence conservation and public perception 


Why holding opposing truths is essential to peaceful coexistence 


Practical takeaways on curiosity, empathy, and openness in travel and life 


And so much more 

Resources: 


Sign up for our FREE newsletter 


Kim’s website 


Instagram 


Elephants in the Hourglass 


Wildlife Trust of India 

Want More? 


Living in Ecuador, Indigenous Communities, Rainforest Conservation, and Cultural Experiences With Photographer Mark Fox 


100 Documentaries Project: Traveling the Globe to Find Extraordinary Humans + Changing the World One Story at a Time with Robin Danehav 


Myanmar’s Secret Railways: Uncovering Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Oppression with Clare Hammond 

Thanks To Our Sponsors 


Planet Visionaries - Listen to the podcast on Apple and Spotify 


Atlas Obscura Podcast - Experience an audio guide to the world's strange, incredible, and wondrous places. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to hear bold ideas and big solutions for our planet? We have been listening to Alex Honnold as he hosts Planet Visionaries, in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each week, Alex spotlights innovators who are not just imagining a better future but actively creating it. Go check it out and hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Want to hear bold ideas and big solutions for our planet? We have been listening to Alex Honnold as he hosts Planet Visionaries, in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. Each week, Alex spotlights innovators who are not just imagining a better future but actively creating it. Go check it out and hope you enjoy it as much as we do.