Inspiring green stories from Slovenia on the 2024 Top 100 Stories list
Six Slovenian destinations have won the "Green Destinations Top 100 Stories" award in 2024. See which inspiring stories convinced the jury.
Another six Slovenian destinations among the top 100 in the world
Slovenia continues steadily on its bold path of sustainability. The annual selection of the world's top 100 green destinations, which also includes destinations from Slovenia, proves that it is the right path. The 100 selected stories are examples of good practice in linking tourism and the local environment in the most sustainable way. Six Slovenian destinations are again featured on the 2024 Top 100 Stories list. The winners of the 2024 awards are Bela Krajina, Brežice, Jeruzalem, Ljubljana, Miren–Kras and Rogla–Pohorje. And these are their inspiring stories.
Bela Krajina: towards quality of life and nature conservation
Bela Krajina, which holds the Slovenia Green bronze label, may still be considered a well-hidden corner of the country. This is perhaps why people who have spent a day or two or more in Bela Krajina like to return to the peace and quiet of this area along the Kolpa River. And this is precisely why, in this part of Slovenia, the focus is on the quality rather than quantity of the tourist products and services. Visitors are encouraged to visit outside the high season and extend the length of their visit, and the local community is encouraged to get involved in tourism activities. This way, everyone – visitors and local people – is satisfied, while at the same time contributing to the preservation of the natural environment, particularly the Kolpa River and its surroundings.
There is always something interesting happening in Brežice, but the various events and festivals also leave their mark. To minimise these "side effects", the destination, which has been awarded the Slovenia Green platinum label, has decided to follow the path of sustainability and obtain a zero-waste certification for events. And they have succeeded. The first zero-waste certified event was Mestna Promenada Brežice, where they managed both to reduce the amount of waste and to sort what little waste there was accordingly. In addition, visitors were encouraged to use public transport to the event, and service providers there were encouraged to use recycled and reusable materials.
The undulating vineyards of Jeruzalem have everything you need – tranquillity, beautiful landscape, delicious cuisine and excellent wines. Small farms with wine cellars are dotted around the wine-growing hills, and the locals take exemplary care of them. And it is in these smaller facilities that visitors can experience the most authentic and memorable aspects of Jeruzalem, which boasts the Slovenia Green silver label. This is the vision that led to the Dispersed Hotel Jeruzalem Slovenia, which links several accommodation providers – holiday homes, apartments, tourist farms, guesthouse rooms and a hostel – under a common identity.
LUV Fest Ljubljana: the festival of love, art and wandering in February and March
The magic of Slovenia’s festively decorated capital in December and the city’s relaxed and lively atmosphere in the summer months are most attractive to visitors. But Ljubljana, which holds the prestigious Slovenia Green platinum label, also has its charm outside of the peak season, when there are fewer visitors. To encourage visits throughout the year, various events, festivals and experiences are held in the capital that can be visited outside the peak tourist season. A good such example of redirecting tourist flows is the LUV Fest. The festival of love, art and wandering runs from 8 February, the Slovenian cultural holiday, to 12 March, when Slovenia celebrates St Gregory's Day, a celebration of spring and love. During this time, various art installations are scattered around the city, and a number of creative workshops, concerts, exhibitions and thematic guided tours unfold throughout the city. And so it seems that Ljubljana's February–March romance has taken off well.
Rogla–Pohorje: active outdoor adventures all year round
Rogla, one of Slovenia's most popular ski resorts, has adapted to a changing climate to become an attractive destination all year round. So, when the last of the snow has melted, you can take a stroll along the various themed trails, ride in the bike park or take an adrenaline-filled ride down the summer toboggan track. Rogla’s Mašinžaga Park, with a new six-seater chairlift, is designed for use by skiers and snowboarders in winter months and by cyclists, riders of adrenaline-pumping tricycles and users of the 1.7-kilometre-long flying toboggan in the months when there is no snow. Part of the funds from the sale of cross-country ski tickets and ski passes are used for environmental conservation. Rogla is also closely linked to the Terme Zreče Spa under the slopes of Pohorje, where guests can take a free bus to the mountain centre in winter and high summer.
Miren–Kras: Sounds of peace in the dreamlike Karst
The Monument of Peace and Cerje Observation Tower not only form a beautiful vantage point to take in breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea on one side and the Alps on the other, but they are also a reminder of the importance of peace and coexistence between peoples. Miren Kras, which has been awarded the Slovenia Green label, and Fogliano Redipuglia in Italy have joined forces in the international project Sounds of Peace – I suoni della pace. It is a two-day hike along the Peace Trail, which runs from the Alps to the Adriatic, passing by World War I memorials, spiced up with two concerts by world-renowned musicians from both sides of the border. The first concert will take place at the Cerje Peace Monument, and the second in the Bersaglieri Valley on the Italian side. The hike is further enlivened by literary readings in both languages and visits to several karst caves.
Six Slovenian destinations among the top 100 green destinations in 2023
Slovenia writes inspiring green stories. And this is proven by the fact that Slovenian destinations are among the top 100 green destinations in the world. In 2023, six Slovenian destinations have made it to the 2023 Top 100 Stories list: Kranj, Brežice, Miren Kras, Ljubljana, the Ormož Basins and the Šaleška Valley. Discover the most inspiring stories from Slovenia in 2023.
Welcome to the first green destination in the world
Since becoming the world's first green destination in 2016, Slovenia has made great strides towards sustainability and a green future. We are working hard to preserve what nature and our ancestors have given us, and to show that the current generations care about the common good. This is our green story. Let it inspire you to visit sustainably.
Take a tour through our green story
Watch the interactive video and get to know some of the most interesting facts and green stories that reveal the sustainable path of Slovenia.
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." The words of the first man on the moon can also be borrowed to talk about sustainable steps each of us can take. In Slovenia, we encourage you to walk with us on the path to a green future.
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Alma is a ChatGPT-based virtual travel guide designed to help you find information and inspiration for your next visit to Slovenia. She is full of ideas for great experiences, knows Slovenian destinations and the variety of activities you are particularly interested in, so she can offer you personalised content and inspiring stories available on the official slovenia.info tourism portal.
Our virtual advisor was inspired by the intrepid world traveller Alma M. Karlin; therefore, we named her ALMA.
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Alma is a ChatGPT-based virtual travel guide to help you find information and inspiration for your next visit to Slovenia.
You may ask her anything you want to know about destinations in Slovenia.
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