A weekend Spent in Slovenia is a
Mini Holiday
You can simply “feel” the country situated between the Alps and
the Mediterranean Sea, which has the word “love” in its very
name. Planning a weekend away? Spend it in Slovenia and you will
enjoy returning time and time again. Skiing at the heart of the
Alps, enjoying the seaside and dining in the dynamic capital city –
all that can be done in just one day. All this is possible thanks to
short distances between the picturesque and diverse regions of
Slovenia. A weekend here can be so dynamic that it feels like a
proper holiday as so many pleasant and interesting activities can
be packed in a single day. At the very heart of Europe, a country
with two million hospitable locals will inspire you to engage in
numerous activities in the midst of beautiful nature. You can taste
the local food, spend time among lush trees, breathe in the scent
of blossoming meadows, visit the vibrant capital city and enjoy the
beautiful scenic views of both the mountains and the sea. In
Slovenia, one can discover many beautiful places as there are
endless opportunities for active and healthy wandering around the
country. As a rule, the most beautiful places are also the least
frequented. Here are some suggestions to help visitors get
around.
1. A Green Day in Ljubljana
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Ljubljana
Cycling tour and a Ljubljanica river boat ride
Gastronomic explorations and the flavours of Ljubljana
Baroque, secession-style and modernist architecture
Shopping in the Old Town
Ljubljana is a friendly, compact city that is also very easy to
explore. For this reason, it is very popular with tourists. The European
Green Capital of 2016 offers endless opportunities for strolling, dining in
local restaurants, or enjoying a cup of coffee and delicious ice-cream in
one of the cafés. You can also experience Ljubljana on a bicycle, just like
locals do. Following the Bike City Tour, visitors can discover the colourful
streets of the Old Town featuring baroque fountains, secession-style
buildings and modernist masterpieces. The squares and other areas have
flowers planted at every corner, and Ljubljana is also well known
for what is called "the green lungs of the city" – the Tivoli Park and
the Rožnik hill. Why not take a tour in the wooden Ljubljanica boat
gliding under the romantic bridges? On the plus side, any location in the
city centre is within reach of the Ljubljana Castle which offers a scenic
view of the entire city. Slovenia's capital is a paradise for gourmets.
Since 2014, the Flavours of Ljubljana project has been inviting tourists
to engage in delightful culinary explorations and cooking workshops. It is
a special experience to feel the early morning beat at the Ljubljana
marketplace where people sell their fresh farm produce from around
Slovenia. Those who like to enjoy nibbles while getting familiar with the
urban soul of the city can join the Ljubljananjam culinary explorations.
Ljubljana is a creative city in many respects. The Slovenian designer
shops offer attractive products ranging from the creations of Rogaška,
which is the oldest Slovenian glassware and crystal production facility, to
arts and crafts, assorted pieces of clothing as well as practical and
decorative accessories. From May to October, we recommend a visit to
the Art Market, a colourful and unique arts and crafts marketplace.
Owing to the green and healthy landscape of Slovenia, urban explorations
can easily be combined with trips to the countryside. Only 26 kilometres
from Ljubljana, the medieval town of Kamnik with its enchanting
historical centre is situated right under the magnificent peaks of the
Kamnik-Savinja Alps. The area is home to trnič – the Slovenian
“cheese of love“ that shepherds from the nearby plateau of Velika
planina used to give to their sweethearts as a token of love. The
magnificent high-mountain plateau, which is only a short drive from
Kamnik, can also be reached by the gondola lift. Velika planina offers
idyllic green scenery of a unique shepherds' settlement which is one of the
largest of its kind still preserved in Europe, with typical wooden chalets
covered in pine shingles. On Velika Planina, you can taste home-made
dairy products, but be sure to return to Ljubljana by the evening as the
city hosts more than 10,000 concerts, plays and other events
throughout the year.
2. An Active Day at the Heart of the Alps
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The Triglav National Park and Triglavska roža Information
Centre
Lake Bled and a pletna boat island tour
The Bohinj Valley and the largest Slovenian natural lake
Mountain trails and ski slopes
Kranjska Gora Ski Resort
The Vršič mountain pass
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The Soča valley
Peace Trail from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea
Enjoy the fresh air of Gorenjska region which features some of the
highest mountain peaks in Slovenia. The forests of north-western
Slovenia hide beautiful, glittering green-blue lakes, gushing waterfalls
and crystal clear rivers. Located in the central area of the Slovene Alps,
the Triglav National Park, which is only an hour's drive from Ljubljana,
is a perfect place for unforgettable outdoor experience in any season. The
Triglavska roža Information Centre in Bled has been opened since
summer 2014. The green Slovenian landscape includes over 16,000
kilometres of well-marked hiking trails, several hundred kilometres of
cycling routes and over 6,000 kilometres of mountain bike paths. Enjoy
the Alpe Adria Trail or Trans Slovenia Footpath, where every physical
effort is rewarded with spectacular views, or follow the European footpath
around Slovenia (E6 or E7). Why not hop on the pletna boat and visit
the the emerald Lake Bled with the only island of its kind in Slovenia?
Once there, you can ring the legendary bell of wishes. Taste the famous
Bled cream cake, a local speciality that people here call kremšnita, or buy
any version of the traditional potica roll at the Potičnica shop on the
island. The intact Bohinj Valley at the heart of the Triglav National Park is
only 26 kilometres away from Bled. There, you can take a romantic
torch-lit walk around Lake Bohinj, which is the largest natural lake
in Slovenia, or choose one of the botanic walks organised during the
Alpine Flower Festival in Bohinj. Trips to the countryside can be
complemented by dining at local restaurants in the town of Radovljica,
or in Škofja Loka, which is one of the best preserved medieval towns in
Slovenia. In winter, the fresh, natural snow covers ski trails that link
some of the 2,000-metre Alpine peaks. In season, Kranjska Gora
hosts men's alpine ski world cup competitions, while the ski jumping and
flying competitions are held at Planica. Kranjska Gora is a good starting
point for driving or cycling over the highest Slovenian mountain pass
called Vršič. Proclaimed the 2008 European Destination of Excellence,
the Soča valley opens up on the other side. The Soča river, one of the
most beautiful emerald gems of the Alpine world, flows from the Julian
Alps all the way down to the Adriatic Sea. At one of the many
sightseeing points along the Peace Trail, both mountains and the sea can
be embraced in a single glance.
3. A Healthy Day at the Adriatic Sea or the Pannonian Plains
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Picturesque medieval coastal town of Piran
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Portorož and the rich thermal springs
Sečovlje Salina Nature Park (Sečoveljske soline)
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The stony Karst (Kras) region – the land of prosciutto and
the teran wine
Lipica Stud Farm; the elegance of Lipizzaner horses
The Škocjan caves
The Postojna cave and the Predjama Castle
The caves of Križna jama and Rakov Škocjan
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Old Roman trail connecting Emona and Poetovia
The Pomurje region and the Pannonian plains
Natural spa resorts
Old Roman trail of Emona–Celeia–Poetovia
The country's seaside is only a good hour's drive from central Slovenia.
The narrow streets of the medieval town of Piran, which is dubbed
the Slovenian mini-Venice, invite tourists to discover this picturesque
place on the Slovenian coast. For centuries, visitors have come to the
south-western part of Slovenia with the mild Mediterranean climate to
enjoy the sun, the enchanting scent of sea and the smell of salt. At the
Sečovlje Salina Nature Park, salt is produced according to the
traditional, more than seven hundred years old method. The somewhat
poetic saying in country's only coastal region goes that “salt is the sea
that could not return to the sky.”
In the nearby Kras region, the place of the first professional research
of the karst natural phenomena, the underground world hides many
secrets. With over 20 km of underground passages and picturesque halls
the Postojna cave, which is the most frequented tourist cave in Europe,
fascinates with stalactites that have developed through thousands of
years. Another natural site, the Škocjan caves, which has been included
under the Unesco list since 1986, stuns with its breathtaking beauty in
one of the world's largest natural underground canyons. The view is
especially magnificent from the bridge rising 146 meters above the
canyon. The extensive estate of the Lipica Stud Farm, which is the
birthplace of world-famous white Lipizzaner horses that have been a
symbol of elegance and endurance ever since 1580, is yet another openair attraction. Quite close to Lipica one can find the magnificent karst cave
of Vilenica, which is the oldest tourist cave in Europe. Built into bedrock,
the Predjama Castle still stirs the imagination of visitors with its tales of
Erazem Predjamski (Knight Erazem Lueger). One of the legends has it
that Erazem, who lived in the 15th century, was a robber knight, while
another claims he rose against the emperor, after which he had to sustain
the castle by means of an underground passage.
For those who enjoy vistas of vast fertile fields with the sun rising above
the flatlands, the north-eastern part of Slovenia is the place to visit.
Feel the soft touch of the Pannonian world where the landscape is
abundant in natural thermal mineral water springs. It is no coincidence
that this is the place with the largest number of pool complexes and
modern spa resorts in Slovenia. After enjoying the healing water, it is a
good idea to taste the excellent food of the Pomurje region. The local
restaurants and tourist farms with wineries offer wine and traditional
Slovenian delicacies. As part of the Via Slovenica tourist programme,
history enthusiasts can return to Ljubljana by taking the old Emona
(Ljubljana)–Celeia (Celje)–Poetovia (Ptuj) Roman trail, which
follows the old Roman tales and archaeological sites.
4. A Day Spent in the Secluded North or the Wine-Growing South
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Alpine paradise in Jezersko
The Solčava valley and the valley of Logarska dolina
The Koroška region, the land of King Matjaž and unique
underground cycling experience
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The sunny, wine-growing region of Dolenjska
The hospitable region of Bela krajina
The world of warm and lively Kolpa river
A weekend can become even more enjoyable if prolonged. Just 60 km
from Ljubljana and near the Austrian border, the magnificent valley of
Jezersko welcomes tourists under the high peaks of the Grintavci
mountains at the heart of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. In the Alpine
paradise, locals still make open fires, use the spinning wheel and collect
medicinal herbs. It seems like time here passes by at a slow pace,
attuned to the rhythm of the nature. The sheep of local owners from
Jezersko and Solčava graze the surrounding Alpine pastures, some located
as high as 2,500 metres. The sheep bells can be heard all the way to one
of the Slovenian EDEN destinations – the Solčava valley. Felting of wool
and other local traditions are presented at the sustainability-oriented
Rinka centre in the village of Solčava. Shielded by the Kamnik-Savinja
Alps at the north, lies the nearby valley of Logarska dolina, one of the
most beautiful glacial valleys in Europe. A walking trail leads to
Rinka, one of the highest Slovenian waterfalls that flows in a 90 metres
deep arch. Those who enjoy special adventures are recommended to
continue the journey along the Kamnik-Savinja Alps to the north-west of
Slovenia and discover Koroška, the region of diverse forests. The
locals here describe themselves as the descendants of self-sustainable
people. When in Koroška, it is worth visiting the Peca underground
world in Mežica. The former mine passages, now transformed into a
tourist mine and museum, can be explored by taking the pit railway, on
foot, or even on a bicycle – an option available nowhere else in the world.
The water-flooded passages can also be explored in a kayak.
The Dolenjska region, which is an hour's drive from Ljubljana, is
the place for wine aficionados. Make a stop at the town of Novo mesto
with the attractive medieval old town. The Dolenjski muzej museum keeps
situlae from the New Iron Age – a rare archaeological treasure. Joining
the rafters, who keep the rafting tradition alive to the delight of both
locals and visitors, you can float down the green Krka and its
picturesque meander bending around the city centre. Those who would
like to explore more places in the region can drive from Ljubljana to
Kočevje and visit one of the most intact regions in Slovenia and
Central Europe. Kočevje, which is home to wild animals such as brown
bear, lynx and wolf, nests the kingdom of primeval beech and fir forest of
Rajhenavski Rog. Featuring trunks that are more than 150 cm in
diameter, some trees are over 500 years old. The region of Bela
krajina is situated at the far south-east of Slovenia, on the sunny
side of the Gorjanci hills. As soon as you have reached the Badovinac
inn, which is the first house in the village of Jugorje marking the border of
the region, you can obtain the “passport” of the Bela krajina WineGrowing Union. People here are very proud of their cultural heritage that
has marked their life in close contact with many other peoples. They
preserve the traditional waxing and scratching beautiful ornaments in the
Easter eggs, which is one of the most interesting methods still preserved
in Europe. The hospitable locals have a habit of welcoming visitors with
pogača, an EU-protected type of bread typical of Bela krajina. Visit the
area along the warmest Slovenian river, called Kolpa, which was
proclaimed the 2010 European Destination of Excellence. A part of the
river runs through in the protected area of the Kolpa Landscape Park.
The world of Kolpa is known as a relaxing and healing area, with
excellent restaurants and wine cellars along the green river offering the
trout and other delicacies, where tourists can stop for a bite and dip into
the crystal clean river.
Spend an enjoyable weekend in SLOVEnia
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Slovenian Tourist Board
Dimičeva 13, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenija
Tel.: 00386 (0)1 5898 550, Fax: 00386 (0)1 5898 560
www.slovenia.info/press
Brina Čehovin, Head of Marketing, brina.cehovin@slovenia.info
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