The Travel Memoir Review

An honest and heartfelt love letter to Slovenia told with humour, curiosity, and a generous measure of schnapps.

Review by Patricia Cuni

• Author: Sam Baldwin
• Book First Published: 2024 (2025 in Slovenia)
• Publisher: Baka Books (Mladinska knjiga in Slovenia)
• Rating: ★★★

How our ratings work:

★★★ – Loved it. Highly recommended. Transcends interest in the location alone
★★☆ – Liked it. Recommended, especially if you’re interested in the location
★☆☆ – Didn’t like it. But may still appeal to those interested in the location

The Gist

In Dormice and Moonshine: Falling for Slovenia, Sam Baldwin takes readers on an evocative and often amusing journey through his growing relationship with one of Europe’s most underrated countries. From his first visits as a wide-eyed traveller to settling permanently in the mountain hamlet of Hrib, Baldwin’s story blends personal reflection, cultural exploration, and the quirks of everyday Slovenian life.

The author — a British travel writer and marketer — captures both the beauty and contradictions of Slovenia: a place of Alpine peaks, terraced vineyards, and underground caves, yet marked by its humble self-image and complex history. What begins as a travel memoir evolves into a thoughtful meditation on belonging, love, and the quiet satisfaction of building a life somewhere unexpected.

The Guts

Divided into three sections — Seduced by Slovenia, One Slovenian Summer, and Life in Slovenia — the book charts Baldwin’s progression from curious visitor to full-time resident. Along the way, he introduces a cast of unforgettable characters: Jože, Zala, and Lučka, his warm-hearted neighbours who embody the Slovenian spirit of priden (industriousness); the eccentric “Wine Cowboy”; and Martin Strel, the man who swam the Amazon.

His descriptions of rural life in the Koroška region are vivid, especially his “Hrib Cold War” feud with the Oblaks, his neighbours in a sleepy mountain village. These moments of humour balance deeper reflections on cultural adaptation, solitude, and community.

As Baldwin writes:

“It didn’t seem to realise what a fantastic country it was; humble, underconfident even. Yet, Slovenia had achieved a great amount in this short time.”

He doesn’t shy away from the challenges — the bureaucratic hurdles, language barriers, and even lockdown isolation during COVID-19 — but his affection for Slovenia only deepens. His evocative prose transports readers from Ljubljana’s cobbled streets to the Alpine trails of Triglav, all while offering fresh insights into Slovenian society, history, and politics.

Why read Dormice & Moonshine?

Baldwin’s memoir is more than a personal journey — it’s an invitation to rediscover Europe through fresh eyes. Slovenia, with its low crime rate, pristine environment, and impressive social equality, emerges as a model of quiet success in a world that often overlooks small nations.

What I loved most is how Baldwin manages to balance honesty and admiration. He acknowledges the frustrations and cultural quirks, yet his tone remains filled with warmth and curiosity. Having once worked for Sam, I recognised the same enthusiasm and integrity in his writing that made him such an inspiring boss. Through his words, I gained new insight into the man behind the stories — and a profound appreciation for the country that captured his heart.

This is a book for anyone who believes travel can lead not just to discovery, but transformation. Perfect for readers who enjoy slow travel, cultural immersion, or dream of finding their own Hrib in the hills.