Slovenia

Slovenia is located in Central Europe and has a vibrant history, some of the most beautiful nature and a truly rich culture, with everything from castles and museums to pristine beaches, mountains, rivers, caves and ski resorts to explore.

Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, is a unique place, with a myriad of dragon statues lining the streets, stunning architecture dating back to the Baroque period, pretty squares, artworks and sculptures. The Triple Bridge is a group of three bridges that cross the Ljubljanica River, connecting the historic medieval Old Town to the modern city. The 16th Century Ljubljana Castle watches over the city and is easily accessible by funicular. The castle hosts several permanent exhibitions and also offers guided tours. Ljubljana Riverside Central Market (Plečnik’s Market), which stretches between the Triple Bridge and the Dragon Bridge, is a vibrant place to shop and a focal point for people to meet and enjoy time together.

The romantic town of Bled is something straight out of a fairytale, situated on a glassy lake, with an imposing castle, and surrounded by stunning mountains. It is the perfect place to take a small gondola to the small island in its centre, home to the 17th Century Church of the Mother of God on the Lake. It is said to be good luck to ring the church’s bell when visiting the island. Bled has been an advocate for green tourism and is the proud recipient of the Gold Label of the Green Scheme of Slovenian Tourism. The medieval Bled Castle was built on a precipice above the town, overlooking Lake Bled, and according to written sources, it is the oldest castle in Slovenia. Not far from Bled is Blejski Vintgar, one of the most popular attractions in Slovenia. The Vintgar Gorge is neatly bisected by the Radovna River, with bridges, paths and viewing galleries that run the length of the area.

Located just outside the town of Postojna, you will find Postojna Cave, a karst cave whose rock takes the form of haunting bubbles and froth, thanks to the natural limestone being dissolved by the waters of the Pivka River. The cave system is the second longest in Slovenia, and highlights include a stalagmite named Brilliant, the underground railway that transports visitors deep inside the cave, the Concert Hall (actually a large cave known for its spectacular acoustics) and the Spaghetti Hall.

Predjama Castle is a magnificent feat of engineering! This Renaissance castle was built in the mouth of a cave in a cliff that rises to over 120 metres. The castle is said to be over 700 years old and was once the home of a famous Slovenian named Erazem Lueger, a knight and noble baron turned robber who stole from the elite and gave to the poor, earning him the name of the local Robin Hood.

Škocjan Caves is a natural wonder and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the highest cave hall in the whole of Europe. The caves are located in a giant underground canyon, where you can cross from one side to the other via a bridge. When visiting the caves, you can explore the stunning columns of stalactites and stalagmites.

Maribor is Slovenia’s second-largest city, known for its local culture and, in particular, its wine. The city is famous for having some of the oldest vines in the world in the Lent area, some dating back to the 17th Century, and for the superb wine they produce. Naturally, the area holds the annual Old Vine Festival in honour of the oldest vine. It starts in September with the picking of the grapes and ends with a big celebration on St. Martin’s Day, when the must is turned into wine.

Sitting on the Adriatic Sea is the pretty town of Piran. The town features Venetian architecture and has winding cobbled streets that allow you to explore on foot at a leisurely pace. St. George’s Church dominates the skyline of this tiny town from its vantage point on a hill, with uninterrupted views all the way to the sea from the top. Portorož is another resort town on the Adriatic coast. Its spas offer therapeutic treatments based on the mud and brine from the nearby Sečovlje Salina salt pans. The central Portorož Beach is a wide, sandy stretch with wooden piers. The hilltop Church of St. Bernardin is a former 15th Century monastery with a well-preserved bell tower.

The Triglav National Park is named after the country’s tallest mountain and is the only national park in Slovenia. With beautiful views of the Julian Alps, Triglav Lakes and pastures, this park is a nature lover’s paradise. The park is protected from building works in order to preserve its natural beauty, and it offers great activities, including hiking, kayaking, skydiving, parasailing and rafting. Located near the glacial lakes of Triglav National Park is Kranjska Gora, an Alpine ski resort. Lake Bohinj is situated 26 km from Lake Bled. This outdoor playground covers 318 hectares within the Bohinj Valley of the Julian Alps and is part of the Triglav National Park. The most iconic view of Lake Bohinj is of St. John the Baptist Church, and this stunning area also offers paddle boarding, the Savica Waterfall and, in winter, the slopes of Mount Vogel, accessible by cable car from Ukanc.

The Solkan Bridge is situated close to Nova Gorica and is the best place to view the beautiful turquoise Soča River and Soča Valley. The bridge holds the world record for the longest train bridge built solely out of stone. The valley is spectacular and features a wide range of local flora and fauna to explore, and for the more adventurous, there is a plethora of outdoor activities to enjoy.

For those who just want to relax, Laško, with its thermal waters, is not to be missed. The waters are said to have healing and rejuvenating properties, and locals and visitors have come to the area to bathe for centuries.