Slovenia

SLOVENIA

" To travel

is to live"

Ljubljana (Capital City)

Maribor

Ptuj

Country in central Europe

Slovenia is a small but topographically diverse country made up of portions of four major European geographic landscapes—the European Alps, the karstic Dinaric Alps, the Pannonian and Danubian lowlands and hills, and the Mediterranean coast.

BEST TIME TO VISIT SLOVENIA

Slovenia experiences different climates in different regions from continental climate to sub-Mediterranean climate with moderate summers and cold winters. Spring is generally the best time to visit Slovenia but Skiers and winter sports lover should prefer winter season.

Ptuj is the oldest city in Slovenia. Perched above the city the mighty Ptuj Castle offers splendid views far and wide and hosts the Ptuj Ormož Regional Museum, whose permanent exhibition will take you on a journey through the millennia of the city’s history. Ptuj’s is not the only castle you can see in the region – there are many other historic castles worth a visit.

Into the spa and onto the golf course

Ptuj Thermal Spa offers excellent opportunities for active holidays in the thermal waters of pools indoors and out. Golf lovers will be able to relax on the golf course that features diverse terrain and many water hazards. Ptuj and surroundings also offers plenty of opportunities to hike, cycle, fish, ride horses and more.

Bled: Image of Paradise

This Alpine lake with the only island in Slovenia has been a world-renowned paradise for centuries, impressing visitors with its natural beauty, wealth of legend, and special powers to restore well-being. Look out at the lake from a castle on a cliff and visit the island on a traditional “pletna” boat.

"The church bell, made in the early 16th century, is said to have come from the pope himself. The story goes that he gave it to the church after the original bell, sent to the island by an inconsolable widow in remembrance of her late husband, ended up sinking to the bottom of the lake in a storm. So, Bled really has a pair of legendary bells: the one in the church and the one on the bottom of the lake. The legend about the sunken bell is brought to life every year by a special Christmas event."

Postojna Cave (Visit the baby dragons)

It was believed that a dragon lived in Postojna Cave, and that the human fish are its offspring. The only European underground vertebrate and the largest underground predator can live for up to 100 years and can survive more than eight years without food. More than 150 animal species live in the karst caves of Slovenia, the olm or the human fish (Proteus anguinus) being the largest.

Take time to unwind in the Logar Valley Landscape Park

The Logar Valley (Logarska dolina) is one of the most beautiful Alpine glacial valleys in Europe. The harmonic balance between tradition, man and nature that found its home in this part of the Solčava Region is both exceptional and difficult to find. Make your stay in this peaceful landscape park an opportunity for hiking, cycling, horseback riding or a photo safari.

"Most people in the Solčava Region work in wood and wool processing, but they distinguish themselves with delicacies such as the Upper Savinja stomach sausage, sirnek (ripened cottage cheese), masovnik (flour cooked in cream), sirnica (a soup made of sirnek), lamb, venison, dried pear dough pockets called žlinkrofi, buckwheat žganci, sour milk, homemade cheeses, homemade bread and potica, butter, honey, jam, compote and more."

Herdsmen’s huts at Velika Planina

The end of spring is when the cowbells out on the Alpine pastures of the Velika Planina plateau start ringing, announcing the arrival of herdsmen. It’s a magical plateau with one of the largest herdsmen’s settlements in Europe. And you’re invited to learn about the fascinating life on the mountain pasture and sample the dairy goodies they’ll prepare for you. Go for a walk through the meadows or take a hike (or mountain bike) across the plateau.

Piran: the town of salt

The most beautiful town on the Slovenian coast grew with the help of salt. The Piran salt pans, where the world-class fleur de sel (flower of salt) is still produced today using age-old methods, were the reason why the picturesque Mediterranean walled town, with its church with a view and cultural attractions, flourished.

Lipica: the cradle of white horses

Slovenians are proud of Lipica and its stud farm that has been in operation for over 400 years. The oldest European stud farm that has been breeding the same horses without interruption is a cultural and historical monument, which impresses visitors with its horses and its surprising landscape.

Lipica: the cradle of white horses