Slovenia between the Alps, lakes and karst

Slovenia’s green, diverse landscape is largely forested, crisscrossed by water sources, and ranges from 0 to 2,864 metres above sea level. Triglav National Park is Slovenia’s only national park and encompasses a large part of the Julian Alps. Lake Bohinj is Slovenia’s largest natural lake; Lake Cerknica is one of Europe’s largest periodically disappearing lakes. Bled Island is Slovenia’s only natural island. Visitors can travel to Bled Island in traditional Pletna boats.

At Slovenian lakes, possible activities include rowing, fishing, cycling, hiking and observing more than 270 bird species. In Logarska Valley Landscape Park, hiking, cycling, horse riding and nature photography are possible. Bohinj has more than 400 kilometres of well-maintained hiking and mountain trails. The Pohorje-Kozjak Trail is a 187-kilometre circular hiking route with 20 stages and connects natural and cultural attractions in Pohorje and Kozjak.

Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve is a 122-hectare Mediterranean wetland and Slovenia’s largest brackish marsh. Visitors can discover the area’s flora and fauna along a two-kilometre circular trail with educational stations. Postojna Cave offers an approximately one-and-a-half-hour guided tour of karst phenomena, cave formations, an underground post office and the olm. The cave complex also includes a tourist cave railway and a five-kilometre underground visitor trail; the railway has been adapted for use by people with disabilities.

The history of the Lipica Stud Farm began in 1580. More than 300 white Lipizzaners live on the Lipica grounds, which cover more than 300 hectares of green space. The “Spoznaj lipicanca” programme provides knowledge about Lipizzaners and allows visitors to pet a horse at the end. The UNESCO World Heritage Site “Plečnik’s Ljubljana” comprises public spaces and public facilities integrated into the existing urban, natural and cultural context. Idrija is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is associated with the world’s second-largest mercury mine and an independent bobbin-lace-making tradition. The Kurent, also known as Korant, is a traditional carnival figure from Ptuj, the Dravsko Polje and the surrounding region; in Ptuj, this custom is celebrated through traditional Kurentovanje festivities.

Slovenia has 24 gastronomic regions and 3 wine-growing regions with up to 400 typical local and regional foods and beverages. Slovenian wines can be tasted at renowned wineries, tourist farms, fine-dining restaurants and other wine providers. In the Piran area, salt is still harvested by hand using a 700-year-old method and traditional tools. In the Karst region, winemakers open Osmice at various times of the year—temporary wine taverns with a tradition spanning more than 200 years—where wine, homemade Pršut and other meat products are sold. Bled cream cake is a Bled speciality made from puff pastry, egg cream and whipped cream.

Slovenian thermal spas offer indoor and outdoor swimming pools year-round, massage and therapy pools, and water parks with slides. Velika Planina can be reached from Kamniška Bistrica by cable car and then by chairlift to the summit.

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