What do you truly need to experience in Slovenia this year?
In Slovenia, we believe the story that tells of how our country was given a little bit of everything when the beauties of the world were being distributed. Our green, healthy, and active country invites you to experience unforgettable adventures from the Alps to the Mediterranean, from the Pannonian Plains to the Karst. Fall in love with the green towns and cities of Slovenia, experience Alpine adventures, and get lost in the mysterious forests of Slovenia. If you like the aroma of the sea, go to the southern part of the country, stopping on your way as you are enchanted by the mysterious subterranean world of the Karst. We’ve prepared a list of experiences that you cannot miss in 2017!
Green towns and cities of Slovenia
Slovenia is green from head to toe. The commitment to protect natural and cultural heritage is the main guiding principle of many Slovenian towns and cities that pamper their visitors with lovely town centres, vibrant cultural events, and mysterious stories.
Ljubljana, European Green Capital 2016, has a green soul and wonderful architecture. The romantic atmosphere is even greater if you have satisfied your appetite when you take a stroll around a town. Learn about the Tastes of Ljubljana! Take a guided tour of the city that includes tastings of traditional Ljubljana dishes and learn about the culinary offerings of the city and its historical tradition.
Slovenia’s most important noble family hails from Celje. The Counts of Celje made history in late medieval times when their clever political manoeuvres allowed them to reach the very pinnacle of the European political scene of their time. They owned multiple castles and manors. Take a tour of the Old Castle above Celje and the Celje Ceiling in town.
You can only re-live the socialist miracle in the youngest Slovenian town of Velenje, where the residents volunteered and contributed public subscriptions to build everything that they needed for a healthy and active life. Experience the town of youth as you take a tour above and below ground, from the mine to the promenade, from architecture to culture.
Slovenia’s mysterious underworld
The Karst is an area of unique natural, cultural, and historical landscape, which lent its name to all the karst phenomena in the world. Water and rock have been particularly creative here, forming more than 11,000 caves rich in stalactites and stalagmites of incredible shapes.
The largest and the most world-renowned cave is the Postojna Cave. Board a small train that takes you through a fantastic maze of tunnels, shafts, and halls that are the reason why this cave is known as a miracle of nature. The cave is also home to the olm or proteus; unique human fish that remind us of dragon offspring. This year, the whole world watched as the offspring were born.
In 2017, it will have been 30 years since the Škocjan Caves were entered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in acknowledgement of their unique natural and cultural heritage. The largest subterranean canyon in the world will stun you with eight caves full of beautiful karst phenomena, through which visitors follow narrow trails and high bridges.
Do you like horses? The Lipica Stud Farm is one of the oldest stud farms in the world and is the birthplace of the proud Lipizzaner horses. The tradition of breeding these white horses has continued for over 400 years in the midst of the unique karst landscape.
Slovenia’s Alpine beauty
The Slovenian Alpine world is an area of unspoilt nature, where you can enjoy exploring hiking trails, staying in romantic mountain cabins, and bathing in natural lakes and rivers.
At the lowest point of entry into the Triglav National Park, which is the largest and only national park in Slovenia, the River Tolminka carved picturesque and wild gorges, thus creating an emerald fairy tale. Take the circular trail through Tolmin Gorge. Bold visitors can head straight down into Dante's Cave under the Devil’s Bridge towering 60 m above the river.
Bohinj is one of the most beautiful valleys in the heart of the Julian Alps in the Triglav National Park. A lake surrounded by high mountains and green plateaus will take your breath away with its unspoilt beauty. Dive into it for a swim or take a romantic boat or stand-up paddle board trip.
If you seek a true countryside holiday, head to the world of herdsmen on the Velika Planina plateau, which is considered the most beautiful Slovenian mountain pasture, and which boasts one of the rare still-extant herdsmen’s settlements. This is at its most vibrant in the summer, when the herdsmen bring their cattle. This herdsmen fairy tale is not very far from Slovenia’s capital.
Slovenia’s mysterious forests
Slovenia has a green heart. Forests cover no less than 60% of the country, making Slovenia the third most forested country in Europe. Slovenians like to head to the forest to find peace and fresh energy.
Learn about the primordial forests of Kočevsko, which are a world of their own, offering a sanctuary to many rare animal species. Observing brown bears in their natural habitat is quite a special experience. Local guides can take you to a special wooden observation hut. Bears are often quite close by.
In the eastern-most part of Slovenia, visitors can go to Murska Šuma, a unique forest that is now a sanctuary for many animal species due to its remoteness. Šuma is a Slovenian dialect word meaning forest, but in this case it denotes a unique natural landscape along the River Mura. Its mysterious beauty can be admired on a guided tour, and is at its loveliest in the spring, when the ground is covered with snowdrops.
Slovenia’s seaside aromas
If you seek Mediterranean temperament and salty pleasures, head to southern Slovenia, home to delicious flavours and exciting experiences. Spice up your holiday with the traditional Piran salt, go on a hunt for truffles, which are in very high demand, and have a cup of coffee on the picturesque Piran promenade.
In an area where the Sečovlje Salt Pans Landscape Park is now located, the harmony between humans and nature has a 700-year-old tradition based around salt production. This tradition created and preserved the unique salt-producing landscape. A walk through salt fields while breathing therapeutic sea air is a wellness experience not to be missed.
Trading in salt and the Venetian spirit are the hallmarks of Piran, the most beautiful Slovenian seaside town. Have a cup of coffee at Tartini Square and enjoy a chat with the local fisherman about their daily catch. Have you ever caught your own food? You can go on a truffle hunt in the Slovenian part of the Istrian Peninsula! This extremely sought-after and much-loved underground tuber is an indispensable ingredient in the cuisine of the Primorska Region. A truffle hunt is an authentic experience that allows you to lose yourself in Istrian forests for a few hours, accompanied by a dog and an experienced guide.
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