SLOVENSKA TURISTIČNA ORGANIZACIJA
SLOVENIAN TOURIST BOARD
Press information
Slovenia at the workshop in Warshaw
The Euro – The New Means of Payment since 1 January 2007 – And the EU
Presidency in 2008
Holidaying in Slovenia has now become even easier since the euro became the legal
currency after 1 January 2007. As the first of the newly joined countries, Slovenia could
satisfy all the conditions regarding the economic and political stability for the introduction
of the European single currency. It eliminated the annoying money change for tourists
and with that and the prices are also easily to compare for consumers on holiday.
Nobody should fear that the introduction of the single currency could lead to a solid price
push. Comparisons with Slovenia´s direct neighbouring countries on the Adriatic Sea
illustrate the great restraint in prices for hotels and other services.
On the 1 January 2008 Slovenia will take over the presidency of the European Union for
the first time and therefore will be in the limelight of world politics. For six months
numerous meetings of leading European politicians will take place across the country,
which will lure many guests and representatives of the media to the country.
The Julian Alps – On the Sunny Side of the Mountains
With the Julian Alps in the North, Slovenia can call one of the most beautiful parts of the
European mountains its own. Between Kranjska Gora, Bled, Bohinj and Bovec nature
enthusiasts and active athletes will find a unique paradise for walking, biking, mountain
biking, kayaking and fishing. The 84,000 hectares of the Triglav national park is
outstanding with its untouched plant and animal world, with its majestic peaks and
thundering waterfalls. It is one of the oldest protected areas in Europe and is ideally
suited for hikers because of its excellent labelled paths. The crystal-clear lakes of Bled
and Bohinj and the wild emerald water of the Soca River also lure the water enthusiasts.
The history of tourism in Bled, one of the most renowned holiday destinations in
Slovenia, dates back to the 19th century. Splendid hotels, marvellous villas and the all
dominating castle shape the picture of the lake and its surroundings, with its typical
church island in the middle. Besides a very large choice of sporting facilities, such as
walking, mountain biking, tennis or golf, the place also offers to its guests top cultural
events all year round.
Tourist centres of Julian Alps - Tolmin and Kobarid
Old folk tales tell of springs of miraculous living water that heal sickness, drives death
away, and returns youth. Tolminska is a land of living water. Powerful waterfalls,
fabulously lovely pools, the exceptional and incomparable Soča River, hidden ravines,
mysterious springs, chutes and canyons, countless forms carved in stone over
millenniums by dripping water. Nowhere else in such a small area can you find such
diverse forms carved by the eternal water cycle. Here are innumerable corners that stop
the attentive visitor in his tracks and inspire admiration.
Excellent restaurants: Kobarid is the gourmet centre of the Posočje region. Four
restaurants that regularly win prizes at major culinary competitions delight visitors from
around the world.
Natural points of interest: A great part of the region is included in Triglav National
Park. Astounding panoramas and fascinating features offer themselves at every step.
The most famous include the wild Tolminska Chutes, the mysterious Kozjak waterfall,
and the 850-year-old linden with a circumference of eight meters at the centre of the
wonderful mountain village of Rut.
Historical heritage: three fascinating stops: the Most na Soči Archeological Centre,
one of the most important excavation sites of the Celtic Hallstatt culture in Europe; the
Tolmin Museum with its comprehensive presentation of the history of the western part
of Slovenia; and the most remarkable Kobarid Museum that movingly chronicles the
battles on the World War I Soča (Isonzo) Front. In 1993, this museum was named
“European Museum of the Year” by the Council of Europe.
Museum Train: a picturesque and nostalgic steam train ride on the extremely
panoramic line through the Baška grapa gorge to Bled.
Sport in nature: the beautiful Soča River, known far and wide among fans of
kayaking, rafting, and hydrospeeding, is the region’s trump card, but options for fans
of all types of thrills and challenges abound here: canyoning, free climbing, hiking
and mountaineering, mountain biking . . . Numerous national and international
competitions confirm the excellent conditions and attractive setting for paragliding.
Several specialized agencies offer a wide range of sport programs.
Fishing: Posočje offers the largest fly-fishing area in Slovenia with ten different
rivers (Soča, Nadiža, Bača, Trebuščica, . . .) and 145 kilometres of fishing waters. A
specialty of our river basin is the endemic Soča trout (Salmo marmoratus), the largest
trout in Europe.
A choice of events: among the many smaller and larger events that take place across
the region, the most notable are Carnival in Drežnica (February), the traditional “Night
on the Lake” in Most na Soči that actually continues for several days (June), and the
Metal Rock Festival in July. Also attractive are the annual national and international
paragliding championships.
Accommodations: The Tolmin-Kobarid region is a new destination at the beginning of
its development. The total number of tourist beds has reached 2,000, but there are no
large hotels as yet. We have several smaller hotels and pensions, an attractive offer of
private rooms and apartments, five campgrounds hidden in pleasant natural settings, and
several hospitable mountain lodges high in the mountains.
More information about the activities, the natural and cultural heritage, and the tourist
offer of Tolmin-Kobarid can be obtained from:
Sotočje Tourist Office, Petra Skalarja 4, SI - 5220 Tolmin, Tel.: +386 (0) 5 38 00 480, Email: info@lto-sotocje.si, http://www.lto-sotocje.si
Ski Centres for Everyone
The winter sports facilities have become the focus of attention more and more. The
Slovenian ski centres in the Alps and in the Pohorje mountains stand out due to their
high snow safety, fair prices and family suitability. Kranjska Gora is Slovenia´s most
famous ski centre – currently ready for the annual world cup racing on March 3 rd and 4th,
2007. It has 30 kilometres of light ski-runs of medium difficulty – mostly family friendly –
and 18 ski lifts. Besides the modern hotels and studio apartments there is also a large
number of private rooms and farms where winter guests can experience the Slovenian
hospitality first-hand. Ski-runs of light to medium difficulty are also waiting for skiers in
Bohinj at the Vogel ski centre, at 1,800 meters above sea-level. A family-friendly skiing
area with 21 ski lifts also awaits its guests on the other side of the Alps, in Pohorje, near
Maribor. This is a densely wooded ski area at 1,350 meters above sea-level that also has
a good international reputation and every year the world cup women’s racing takes place
here.
50 kilometres of ski-runs in an area of 220 hectares are prepared for skiers each day. A
skiing school, a skiing school for nursery children, a rental company for ski equipment
and a five kilometres long ski-run with floodlights for night time skiing are at the guests´
disposal. The hotels in the town and in the skiing area offer first-class comfort, some of
them having thermal spas for wellness after the ski-runs. And finally, at the southern
slope of Pohorje Mountain, there is Rogla, an insider’s tip for families and skiing
enthusiasts.
The Slovenian Riviera on the Adriatic Coast
The Slovenian share of the Adriatic coast is 46 kilometres long, between the Italian and
Croatian borders. As the nearest sea to Central Europe it can be reached easily,
particularly thanks to the new motorway system. The standard of the hotels, the
gastronomy, entertainment, the variety of events and the tourism infrastructure are
among the best in the Adriatic area and can stand any comparison with other European
top holiday destinations. If you are looking for chic ambiance, entertainment and typical
beach flair on your holiday, you should come to Portoroz. This bathing and spa resort,
which has everything that demanding guests looking for entertainment could whish for,
was already popular in the time of the Austrian-Hungarian Monarchy. There is a typical
beach life on the fine sandy beaches of the neat bathing resorts during the day. One
strolls along the promenade, enjoys a cappuccino in a beach café and watches the
colourful hustle and bustle. Numerous boutiques and sale stands invite you for shopping.
In the evening, however, Portoroz shows its special charm. Everything is possible. The
thrills in the casino, a romantic dinner in a restaurant or dancing at a disco. Numerous
leading 4 and 5 star hotels with pleasant ambiance and all imaginable possibilities of
leisure are situated in prime locations along the coast. The place can also boast a thermal
spring with a Thallasso centre and numerous other facilities for wellness. It is quieter in
the smaller places and bays of the Slovenian coast. Romantics and those interested in
culture will prefer the small medieval fishing towns of Piran, Izola and Koper. Silence is
the great advantage of the bay of Strunjan. In the midst of rich Mediterranean
vegetation, with pleasant smelling pines and cedars, it has a particularly mild and
salubrious climate because of the ancient salt pans. With its modern therapy centre by
the sea, Strunjan is not just a good choice for bathing holidays but also for health cures
and wellness.
A particularly interesting place to visit is the salt pans of Secovlje, situated at the coast
south of Portoroz. Designated a national park since 2003, the fields for salt production
that have existed since the 14th century, present themselves as a unique nature reserve,
containing over 200 different sea and migratory birds and rare plants. At traditional
public festivals between April and August the importance of this treasure is substantially
celebrated by the population.
Modern Spas for a Wellness Holiday
Slovenia can boast 87 thermal springs on its territory and 15 very well equipped thermal
springs for health cures and spas are spread over the whole country, offering healthoriented tourists both classical health cures and modern wellness spas. Luxurious hotels,
therapy centres and more than 38,000 square metres of water offer a variety of
possibilities for guests all the year round. From a classical health cure to a relaxing
holiday, everything is possible. Different forms of alternative medicine from traditional
Chinese medicine to Ayurveda are currently very popular. Depending on the tourist´s
personal preference and taste, Slovenia can offer both spas with an international
reputation and rich tradition or relatively unknown new thermal centres. There are
special spas for families and also just to relax for a quiet holiday. The spas in Rogaska,
Radenci or Dolenjske toplice have a long tradition and they offer innovative health
programmes in relaxing and natural surroundings. With about 12,000 square metres of
water the spa Catez belongs among the biggest spas in Europe and offers entertainment
and fun especially for families with children. The sauna park is also one of the biggest of
its type in Europe, with a variety of saunas from salt or crystal saunas with negative ions
through to the Aquaviva sauna with colour and sound effects.
The Olimia thermal spa, with two new water slides and a varied animation programme,
also offers fun and relaxation for children and adults. Top luxury in the hotel business is
available at the Moravske Toplice spa since the opening of the new hotel Livada. The
hotel has 122 luxurious rooms with 221 beds and 95 additional couches, 28 of those
being junior and 4 senior suites, equipped with period furniture. LcD television sets and
Internet connection. Besides a classical bath, all the rooms also have a thermal bath with
black water – the healing water of the Moravske Toplice spa. With the opening of the new
beauty and relaxation centre – the Thermalium – two years ago, the Moravske Toplice
spa offers its guests a total area of 3500 square metres of various programmes according
to most modern European standards. The unique “black” thermal mineral water is really
extraordinary, supporting classical and alternative therapies for the treatment of
rheumatism, diseases of the respiratory tract and skin diseases as well as rehabilitation
after injuries and operations on the mobility apparatus. Finally, Portoroz and Strunjan
achieve the combination of wellness and health holiday with the holiday by the sea.
Ljubljana, Slovenia´s Charming Capital
Ljubljana is Slovenia´s metropolis, but at the same time it is an easily comprehensible
town worth living in, with numerous cultural attractions, shopping and the flair of a lively
restaurant and entertainment scene. The interest of foreign tourists in Ljubljana is
increasing constantly, as growth rates of more than 10 percent compared with the
previous year illustrate. The perfectly preserved Art Nouveau ensembles and baroque
buildings give a special flair to the centre of the city. Slovenia´s famous architect Joze
Plecnik has left his stamp on numerous buildings for the future generations.
Jože Plečnik was one of the greatest Slovenian architects of the 20th century and is
today an acknowledged name, even by the highest world standards. In the last two
decades the work of the Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik has become one of the most
discussed issues among architectural experts in both Europe and America. Plečnik has
become a central personality in the so far largely ignored artistic development taking
place behind the façade of functionalist slogans of theoreticians and prominent creative
personalities of international Modernism, including Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe,
Frank Lloyd Wright and Alvar Aalto. But in the 1980s, and perhaps even more in the
1990s, his work represented a true discovery for Europe and the entire world. In 2007
Slovenians are marking the 50th anniversary of his death.
With a more than 50-year long tradition the “Ljubljana summer festival” is the greatest
cultural event of its kind in Slovenia. For seven weeks in July and August, the Slovenian
capital is filled with opera, dance, symphony concerts, chamber music, jazz and folk.
There are also numerous stage performances and exhibitions by artists from Slovenia
and abroad. As a shopping paradise, Ljubljana has many new boutiques and shops in the
lovely shopping streets of the old town as well as modern shopping centres to cater for
all tastes. Those who need refreshment after shopping will be happy with the great
variety of trendy cafes and restaurants and their pleasant ambience. Then, for those who
want to be seen in the new, stylish clothes they just have bought, the nightlife is
extremely diverse and exciting, making a trip to Ljubljana truly rewarding.
Culinary Discoveries for Connoisseurs
Slovenia has a lot to offer the gourmets. Slovenian cuisine has taken over the best of the
Slavonic, Austrian, Hungarian and Italian cooking pots, producing many interesting
delicacies. Excellent wines can be enjoyed in many first class restaurants, the number of
which is growing every day. The quality of accommodation and gastronomic facilities is
also growing constantly, in order to satisfy the high expectations of the gourmet tourists,
who become more and more critical. Slovenia has been regarded as an insider’s tip
among the trend setters and culinary connoisseurs. The real highlight for them might be
to enjoy the sour cream of Styrian soup or the ricet, the barley soup. Gnocchi, goulash
variations or numerous types of strudel remind us of the common history with the
neighbours in the West and the North. When enjoying the air-dried karst ham, prsut,
olives and the noble red Teran wine, even the most experienced gourmets will begin to
clamour. The wine routes that spread over the whole country are especially rewarding for
culinary discoveries. The Brda, Vipava or the Karst wine routes will make you feel the
Mediteranean atmosphere and the Jeruzalem and the Ormoz wine routes are also well
known outside the Slovenian borders. And those who are very curious should investigate
the cooking pots and cellars of the still little known wine routes in Bela Krajina or
between Novo Mesto and Krsko.
Slovenian Central Tourist Reservations System
The Slovenian Central Tourist Reservations System (CRS), one of the most important
projects of the Ministry of the Economy and the Slovenian Tourist Board, began
operations on 18 January. The Austrian company Feratel Media Technologies AG of
Innsbruck was selected to set up and maintain the technical applications of the CRS,
while the company TGT56 - Odisej d.o.o. of Kranj will be responsible for its management.
This project is large and very demanding, because the CRS represents both the most upto-date market communication and promotional tool, and also an important distribution
and sales channel. The CRS will enable the Slovenian accommodation and tourism
service providers to advertise their offers on the Internet, while the tourists will be able
to make on-line reservations. The first on-line reservations of Slovenian tourism services
are expected at the end of January. CRS registration will be free of charge for tourism
service providers; however, the CRS administrator will be entitled to a maximum 10%
commission on the value of the booked service or accommodation.
For more information:
Brina Čehovin
Marketing & Communications Director
Slovenska turistična organizacija/Slovenian Tourist Board
Dunajska 156, 1000 Ljubljana
Tel.: +386 1 5891 843, Fax.: +386 1 5891 841
http://www.slovenia.info
e-mail: brina.cehovin@slovenia.info