Tips for exploring Slovenia provided by CNN

The American broadcast network, CNN, collected 10 reasons to visit Slovenia. These include mythological dragons, romantic stories and colourful festivals. In a country where love is the cohesive thread connecting the sunny Mediterranean, high Alps and Pannonian plains, there are many more reasons for a visit. Ask the friendly local people for additional tips.

Ljubljana with its almost 300,000 inhabitants is one of the most endearing European capitals. Its history reaches far back to prehistoric times, since the oldest wooden wheel with an axle in the world was found in Ljubljana Marshes. This year, Ljubljana is also celebrating 2000 years of the founding of the Roman city of Emona. Take a walk along its streets, and cross the Dragon Bridge, which has been stirring people’s imagination with its legends for years. This is only one of the many bridges connecting the left and right embankments of the Ljubljanica River. Ljubljana received the title of European Green Capital 2016 for the arranged river embankments, promotion of mobility and developmental guidelines, based on environmental awareness.

In addition to the capital, there are many iconic destinations in Slovenia which mark the character of the land. Slovenians are proud of Mt Triglav, the highest Slovenian peak, which adorns the mountain range of the Julian Alps. The Aljaž Tower, built by Jakob Aljaž 120 years ago, is situated on the peak of Mt Triglav. The mountain was considered a symbol of Slovenian nationhood; Aljaž bought the peak for five gulden (currency before the Euro). The Alpine gem, Bled, is priceless to Slovenia. It is known for its glacial lake, with an island adorned by a church. Take a special boat known as pletna to the island and chat with the boatman (pletnar) along the way. During the journey, he will be happy to tell you his tips for a happy marriage and about the tradition that a groom must carry his bride over more than 100 stairs to the church on the island.

Slovenia has a rich cultural, technical and culinary heritage. Ptuj, the oldest Slovenian town, annually hosts the kurentovanje festival. An old Slovenian folk tradition of chasing away winter takes place 40 days before Easter and has become the largest cultural and ethnographic event in Slovenia and Central Europe. Another unique event is the dramatic masterpiece of the Škofja Loka Passion Play. With its original concept and dramatic presentation of the life of Christ in a procession, it is the largest theatrical outdoor performance in Slovenia. The organisers are trying to have the Passion Play included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The list already includes the historical and technical heritage of Idrija; the town is distinguished by its 500-year mining tradition and the oldest surviving entrance to a mercury mine, Anthony’s Main Road. In addition to mining, the town is also known for its lace-making; the tradition has been preserved by the Lace-Making School and at the Idrija Lace Festival, which takes place every June.

Did you know that dragons live in Slovenia? But do not fear, the Slovenian dragons don’t breathe fire and are extremely gentle creatures. They are called proteus and dwell in the karst underground. Visit them in Postojna Cave, one of the largest karst monuments in the world. The water in the cave has formed a special architecture of underground caves, tunnels, stalagmites, stalactites and other extraordinary shapes. Admire the architecture created by people in the Land of Hayracks in Šentrupert na Dolenjskem. These hayracks are a Slovenian peculiarity - they are used for drying hay. The Land of Hayracks, an open-air museum, houses preserved and restored hayracks from the surrounding area, showing their development according to time, space and social situation, from the simplest single hayracks to the more demanding double type.

Taste the excellent culinary offer in the Štajerska or Primorska regions. Maribor, the 2012 European Capital of Culture, is home to the oldest vine in the world. The old vine is over 400 years old and is a symbol of Slovenia as a wine-producing country and its strong connection to Slovenian native vine varieties which produce supreme wines every year. Their quality and harmony of flavours in combination with food can be tasted in Piran. The picturesque town on the coast of the Adriatic Sea prides itself on its local cuisine whose unique identity was influenced by Italian and Croatian cuisines. Enjoy a romantic dinner only steps away from the sea with a view of the setting sun.

Back to news